Speedfest XIII Summary

2023-2024

Speedfest XIII featured two aircraft competition classes:

Alpha Class: Collegiate-level Class where teams designed a low observable high speed jet target drone.

India Class: Middle / high school level Class where teams start with a "Speed Deamon" electric-powered pylon racer kit, and may modify the designs for top speed in pylon racing.

In addition to the flight competition, Speedfest included an Aero Expo that features interesting static displays and flight demonstrations.

The displays and demonstrations included:

Static displays hosted by the Alpha Class teams: where industry judges and the public could learn more about the technology in their aircraft.
OSU High-Altitude Rocket Design Team: The team displayed their large rockets and associated launch equipment, and did a demonstration launch during Speedfest.
Swarm UAV Launcher: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering capstone design team demonstrated a pneumatic launcher capably of launching multiple small aircraft.
Stillwater RC Fliers: The local RC club had aircraft on static display.
Sponsor Tents: Tents were available for industry and organization sponsors including Boeing, Pratt and Whitney, and DoDSTEM
RC Jet Aerobatics

The Speedfest main event was held on April 26-27, 2024. Friday was early technical inspection, flight test, registration, and a "cookout" for the teams. Due to threat of weather on Saturday, the flight line was opened for Alpha teams to perform scoring runs. Both teams had 4 opportunities to fly Friday, and 4 more on Saturday. Severe weather was building to the SW in the afternoon, so Speedfest was called early. Even so, Alpha and India teams had plenty of flight opportunities for competition.

Participation and Attendance

Speedfest XIII set a record for overall number of teams and students involved: In addition to the two Alpha Class teams and the different collegiate capstone design teams, 33 India-class teams competed with their aircraft.

Pictures

Competition Photos (courtesy of Dr. Thomas Hays)

Aerial Photos and Video (courtesy of Michael Bragg)

Results

Final Standings for Alpha Class:

Competition between the two teams was close on Friday with the Black Team finishing the day in first place. On Saturday, the Orange Team was able to pull ahead with a final score of 61.4 to 50.9

Oklahoma State University Orange"Spectre"
Oklahoma State University Orange "Crecendo"

Final Standings for India Class:

Speedfest Flag Awards (Highest number of flags for a single heat)

1st Place: Norman High Lead Balloons

2nd Place: OSGC STELLAR #2 (Educator team)

3rd Place: Mustang High Jets

India teams could also compete for additional awards. Judges consisted of aerospace engineering students from the OSU student chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Pictures and videos of the teams and planes can be found in the "Pictures" and "Video" sections below.

The following are the results:

Best Airplane Build: Mustang Wild Flowers

Best Airplane Graphics: Mustang Wild Flowers

Best Helmet: Mustang High Jets

Team Spirit: Putnam City Green Garrisson (Ninja Turtles)

Speedfest Educator of the Year: Gary Knowles, Mustang High.

Video

Speedfest XIII featured a required competition category for 2 minute promotional videos. People from around the world voted for their favorite. Awards were based on industry judges choice for Alpha Class, and the highest number of "Likes" for India Class.

The two winning videos are here:

OSU Black "Crecendo" (Winner, best video Alpha Class)

OCS Saints Squadron Alpha (Winner, best video India Class)