TEKNOFEST Jet Engine Design Competition

TEKNOFEST Jet Engine Design Competition is an engineering-based contest held within the framework of TEKNOFEST Aviation, Space and Technology Festival, Türkiye’s largest technology event. The competition aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of students and recent graduates at the university level in gas turbine engine technologies for aviation, and to encourage them to develop innovative and creative solutions in this field.

The primary objective of the competition is to increase participants’ interest in aviation gas turbine engine technologies, equip them with theoretical and practical competencies in this domain, and contribute to Türkiye’s vision of developing indigenous engine technologies. The competition targets both engineering students currently enrolled in academic programs and recent graduates who have not yet entered the engineering profession. Participants may submit only one design per team. Applications for the competition are accepted annually on the official TEKNOFEST website during designated dates.

^{TEKNOFEST Jet Engine Design Competition (Photo: T3 Foundation)}

The competition is conducted through a multi-stage evaluation process. Each team must successfully complete the following steps:

1. Conceptual Design Report (CDR): A report presenting initial design concepts, theoretical foundations, and system configurations.
2. Detailed Design Report (DDR): A comprehensive report containing system details, engineering analyses, material selections, control algorithms, and production plans.
3. Final Presentation: A technical presentation to the jury in which teams explain the logic and feasibility of their designs.
4. Rig Test: The designed combustion chamber or control unit is physically tested under specified criteria to evaluate its performance.

The competition’s rig tests are conducted using infrastructure provided by TUSAŞ Motor Sanayii A.Ş. (TEI), Türkiye’s leading aviation engine manufacturer. Designs of winning teams are tested on TEI’s turbojet test infrastructure and exhibited during the TEKNOFEST event. The first-place winner is announced to the public and awards are presented during the festival period.

The eligibility conditions for participation are as follows:

• Engineering students enrolled in undergraduate, master’s or doctoral programs at universities in Türkiye or abroad.
• Recent graduates from engineering programs who have not yet commenced professional engineering activities.
• Teams may consist of a minimum of one and a maximum of the specified number of members.
• Each team may submit only one design.

^{TEKNOFEST Jet Engine Design Competition (Photo: T3 Foundation)}

The Jet Engine Design Competition supports Türkiye’s National National Technology Initiative vision by reducing dependence on foreign technologies in defense and aviation industries and promoting the development of indigenous and innovative engine systems. The competition aims to equip participants not only with technical knowledge but also to transform them into independent contributors to the future design of engine systems.

The TEKNOFEST Jet Engine Design Competition offers a unique platform for young engineer candidates interested in aviation and engine technologies. It enables participants to apply theoretical engineering knowledge in practice and gain hands-on experience testing their designs under real world conditions. This competition plays a vital important role in Türkiye’s goal of achieving domestic and national engine technologies and continues to grow each year with increasing interest.