IESL Student Chapter of KDU
A design-and-build competition where gliders leave the drawing board and take to open air. Building, testing, and flying against the clock in an advanced aircraft engineering challenge.
Countdown to Launch
Mission Briefing
Skyward Challenge 3.0 is an advanced glider design and fly-off competition organized jointly by the IESL Student Chapter of KDU and the Department of Aeronautical Engineering at KDU. It exists to close the gap between what's studied in a classroom and what actually holds together in the air.
Teams take a concept from sketch to structure, then to the runway, where design choices are tested against wind, weight, and time rather than a marking rubric alone. It's engineering judged by flight.
Category
University Track
Evaluation
Live Fly-Off
Calculate lift, drag, and stability margins. Draft comprehensive blueprints that can withstand the scrutiny of expert engineers and aerodynamicists.
Turn sketches into solid frames. Learn material handling, precision cutting, and weight-distribution techniques using provided standard materials.
The ultimate validation. Your glider takes to the open air on the main runway. It's not just about aesthetics—it's about distance, stability, and enduring the elements. This is where theory is judged by flight.
Past Editions
Moments from Skyward 1.0 & 2.0
Mission Schedule
Victory Rewards
Outstanding rewards for engineering excellence
Connect With Us
Reach out to our organizing committee and academic advisors for direct inquiries, or join our community networks.