Shiley School of Engineering
UP Students Earn Top Honors at International Aerospace Competition
The University of Portland's Aeronautics Club is reaching new heights.
This spring, a team of UP students earned multiple top honors at the 2026 SAE Aero Design West Competition in Fort Worth, Texas, standing out among university teams from around the world. Competing as the Portland Pilots, the team captured first place in the Micro Class Presentation category and third place in Micro Class Design, making University of Portland the only institution to place in both categories.
The achievement reflects months of teamwork, innovation, and determination as students designed, built, tested, and flew a custom radio-controlled aircraft to meet demanding competition requirements.
“This is an incredible accomplishment for our students,” said C.J. Hainley, senior instructor in the Donald P. Shiley School of Engineering and faculty advisor for the Aeronautics Club. “Their commitment, creativity, and perseverance were evident throughout the entire project. To be recognized for both technical excellence and communication skills on an international stage is something they should be very proud of.”
The annual SAE Aero Design competition challenges students to tackle a real-world engineering problem from start to finish. Teams must develop aircraft capable of meeting complex mission objectives while demonstrating strong engineering analysis, detailed documentation, and professional presentations.
For the Portland Pilots, success required much more than technical knowledge. Students spent months collaborating across disciplines, solving problems, managing deadlines, testing designs, and refining their aircraft. Along the way, they gained valuable experience in aerodynamics, manufacturing, systems integration, project management, and professional communication, skills that translate directly to today's aerospace industry and beyond.
The competition also highlights one of the University of Portland's strengths: hands-on learning opportunities that allow students to apply classroom knowledge to meaningful challenges.
Importantly, the Aeronautics Club is not limited to engineering majors. Students from across the University contribute to the team's success through project management, fundraising, business operations, marketing, communications, logistics, and aircraft development.
"This is truly a multidisciplinary effort," Hainley said. "Students bring different talents and perspectives, and that collaboration is a big part of what makes the team successful."
The club's impact extends well beyond competition results. Through experiences like SAE Aero Design, students build professional networks, develop leadership skills, and create impressive portfolios that help launch their careers. Recent participants have gone on to work for leading aerospace companies, including Lockheed Martin.
For the members of the Portland Pilots, the awards earned in Texas represent more than trophies. They are a testament to what can happen when ambitious students combine curiosity, teamwork, and a passion for flight.
As the Aeronautics Club looks ahead to future competitions, one thing is clear: University of Portland students are proving they can compete, and succeed, on a global stage.
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