What is "The Challenge"?
Using the 2026 Textron/Cessna 172’s POH and performance as a BASE LINE, students should form an interdisciplinary team (i.e Engineering in all its branches (Aeronautical, Automotive, Mechanical, Computers*), Business Management, Aviation Management and Maintenance, Finance, Manufacturing Process, Computer Sciences, A.I., or other applicable majors) to design, and develop a Business Proposal to build on an industrial scale the “Next Generation Training and Recreational Travel Aircraft”.
*Any level of college student may participate in a team, regardless of their major, as long as they are able to contribute to the project
*Any level of college student may participate in a team, regardless of their major, as long as they are able to contribute to the project
Why should we compete?
Competing for the Loening Trophy is one of the best strategic moves your college or university team can make. This is not a flying contest - it is a comprehensive showcase of collegiate aviation programs that excel in safety, academics, leadership, community outreach, and innovation. By participating, your team joins an elite aviation legacy that traces its roots back to pioneers like Grover Loening, Charles Lindbergh, John Towers, and Amelia Earhart.
What Your Team Will Gain:
Through the symposium, your Loening Challenge team will network with top industry professionals, present directly to major stakeholders, and serve as prominent ambassadors shaping the global narrative of collegiate aviation. Ultimately, you will build the precise leadership, communication, and cross-disciplinary skills that aviation and aerospace employers actively target.
When do we need to submit?
August 20, 2026 - Project is fully launched. Students should start to create their interdisciplinary teams. Students are welcome to choose a faculty advisor at their discretion, and leverage faculty/staff/research resources. You are encouraged to seek outside industry knowledge, or advisory research and information you can obtain from open source. Technical and manufacturing processes in use today can be made available to you and others to design your project aircraft, its performance, and its advanced technologies.
September 1, 2026 - Loening Judging Committee available for comment and feedback
October 1, 2026 - Notice of Intention to Submit (aka Application to Compete) shall be established no later than this date.
December 1, 2026 - Submit a written report, drawings, proposed performance, design, capabilities, and technologies of no longer than 100 pages. In addition, an X-Plane-based modeling working application.
January 1, 2027 - The judging committee will invite the presenters to schedule presentation slots for the Symposium.
Where will it be judged/awarded?
2-4 of the TOP finalist proposals, as judged by the Loening Committee, shall be selected to present at the 2027 Collegiate Aviation Symposium before a live audience of students and industry representatives. Presentations shall not exceed 30 minutes, including time the presenters wish to leave open for audience questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does our Team need to be members of established aviation collegiate activities such as Alpha Eta Rho, NIFA, WIA or similar organizations to participate?
A: NO! Any Student Team with an interest in Aviation may submit a proposal. Management, work performance, knowledge base, product submission SHALL be a student project without outside professionals performing the development and project product.
Q: Does my school need to have a Flight Program to participate?
A: NO! Any school with an aviation-focused program is eligible to participate.
Q: Can professors/faculty/staff or aviation professionals participate in the challenge?
A: We recommend students use ALL resources available to them. Both in house and outside technical expertise and knowledge. As Grover Loening availed himself via personal correspondence with Wright’s, Curtiss, Bell, Edison and others, you are encouraged to seek knowledge and education outside of your schools. ALL parties utilized in this manner, must be credited for their contribution, but only students will be allowed to do the actual development work and present in front of the judging committee or on stage at the Symposium. i.e. Your research indicates a raised monowing with minimal fuselage attachment creates the best aerodynamic lift and drag characteristics for your aircraft. But, the downside is instability in the wing due to load torquing in turbulence and turns. You discuss it with an outside aeronautical engineer from Acme Aircraft who recommends the quad strut configuration of the Catalina PBY with the struts stabilizing the wing with minimum drag, and they further allow conduits for fuel lines from your wing tanks to a rear mounted powerplant and the struts provide avenues for your fly by wire channels to your flap and aileron actuators, lighting and sensors. Cite the Acme Engineer design recommendation.
Q: Do I need to be a pilot/flight student to participate?
A: No, as long as you are able to contribute to the project, you are eligible to participate.
Q: What are the anticipated costs associated with the project?
A: We expect that the only direct cost will be the purchase of X-Plane. The remainder of the project is all theoretical and only involves time commitment.
Winning teams will need to consider travel and lodging costs to present at the Collegiate Aviation Symposium. A set number of registrations will be provided to each team.
Q: What are the time requirements to complete this project?
A: Each school will be responsible for selecting a team of individuals to accomplish the complete task. The time and effort each team puts into this project will be reflected in their final product. Universities should consider this as an exceptional learning experience and consider capstone-like credit for competing.
What Your Team Will Gain:
- End-to-End Aerospace Knowledge: Master the full development cycle from initial concept, engineering offsets, and manufacturing realities to strict regulations, budget constraints, and the triumph of first flight.
- A Broader Industry Vision: Transition from historical trial-and-error concepts to the modern capabilities used to build Next Generation Training Aircraft.
- National Recognition: Earn prestigious, resume-building credentials that heavily weigh in favor of grad school applications and industry hiring boards.
- Dual-Discipline Proof: Demonstrate that your students operate at the highest levels both in the cockpit, classroom, and in the Board Room.
Through the symposium, your Loening Challenge team will network with top industry professionals, present directly to major stakeholders, and serve as prominent ambassadors shaping the global narrative of collegiate aviation. Ultimately, you will build the precise leadership, communication, and cross-disciplinary skills that aviation and aerospace employers actively target.
When do we need to submit?
August 20, 2026 - Project is fully launched. Students should start to create their interdisciplinary teams. Students are welcome to choose a faculty advisor at their discretion, and leverage faculty/staff/research resources. You are encouraged to seek outside industry knowledge, or advisory research and information you can obtain from open source. Technical and manufacturing processes in use today can be made available to you and others to design your project aircraft, its performance, and its advanced technologies.
September 1, 2026 - Loening Judging Committee available for comment and feedback
October 1, 2026 - Notice of Intention to Submit (aka Application to Compete) shall be established no later than this date.
December 1, 2026 - Submit a written report, drawings, proposed performance, design, capabilities, and technologies of no longer than 100 pages. In addition, an X-Plane-based modeling working application.
January 1, 2027 - The judging committee will invite the presenters to schedule presentation slots for the Symposium.
Where will it be judged/awarded?
2-4 of the TOP finalist proposals, as judged by the Loening Committee, shall be selected to present at the 2027 Collegiate Aviation Symposium before a live audience of students and industry representatives. Presentations shall not exceed 30 minutes, including time the presenters wish to leave open for audience questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does our Team need to be members of established aviation collegiate activities such as Alpha Eta Rho, NIFA, WIA or similar organizations to participate?
A: NO! Any Student Team with an interest in Aviation may submit a proposal. Management, work performance, knowledge base, product submission SHALL be a student project without outside professionals performing the development and project product.
Q: Does my school need to have a Flight Program to participate?
A: NO! Any school with an aviation-focused program is eligible to participate.
Q: Can professors/faculty/staff or aviation professionals participate in the challenge?
A: We recommend students use ALL resources available to them. Both in house and outside technical expertise and knowledge. As Grover Loening availed himself via personal correspondence with Wright’s, Curtiss, Bell, Edison and others, you are encouraged to seek knowledge and education outside of your schools. ALL parties utilized in this manner, must be credited for their contribution, but only students will be allowed to do the actual development work and present in front of the judging committee or on stage at the Symposium. i.e. Your research indicates a raised monowing with minimal fuselage attachment creates the best aerodynamic lift and drag characteristics for your aircraft. But, the downside is instability in the wing due to load torquing in turbulence and turns. You discuss it with an outside aeronautical engineer from Acme Aircraft who recommends the quad strut configuration of the Catalina PBY with the struts stabilizing the wing with minimum drag, and they further allow conduits for fuel lines from your wing tanks to a rear mounted powerplant and the struts provide avenues for your fly by wire channels to your flap and aileron actuators, lighting and sensors. Cite the Acme Engineer design recommendation.
Q: Do I need to be a pilot/flight student to participate?
A: No, as long as you are able to contribute to the project, you are eligible to participate.
Q: What are the anticipated costs associated with the project?
A: We expect that the only direct cost will be the purchase of X-Plane. The remainder of the project is all theoretical and only involves time commitment.
Winning teams will need to consider travel and lodging costs to present at the Collegiate Aviation Symposium. A set number of registrations will be provided to each team.
Q: What are the time requirements to complete this project?
A: Each school will be responsible for selecting a team of individuals to accomplish the complete task. The time and effort each team puts into this project will be reflected in their final product. Universities should consider this as an exceptional learning experience and consider capstone-like credit for competing.