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Design Build Fly

Designs, builds and flies a fixed-wing RC aircraft for the yearly competition held by the AIAA.

Team photo.

What is Design Build Fly?

Design, Build, Fly is an undergraduate lead design team based in the Ware Lab. e design, build, and fly a remote controlled aircraft in a competition held by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. There is a one year design cycle so each year the team is working on a completely different design. The planes are judged on their abilities to complete three flight missions and one ground mission. The goal is to create an aircraft with good flying qualities and high mission performance. This team is great for applying course work into a hands on application!

Human Powered Sub testing in a pool.
Engineering students working in a chemical engineering lab.
Kiran Bagalkotkar sitting on the tailgate of a driving simulation car.
Students working on the BOLT motorcycle team.

Who can join? 

DBF is open to anyone! The team is lead by upperclassmen leads who will teach anyone everything they need to know to help out!

Recent Awards

Our team has placed top 5 in the last 3 competitions out of over 100 teams. We finished 4th place in 2024 and 2023, and 5th place in 2022.

Fast Facts

Team size: About 60-80 members
Department Afiliation: Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering
Workshop: Ware Lab

Learn More

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