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Design Build Fly

Design, Build, Fly at Virginia Tech is an all-student design team that designs, fabricates, and tests a remote controlled aircraft to compete in the annual AIAA DBF competition.

Human Powered Sub testing in a pool.

What is Design Build Fly?

Design, Build, Fly at Virginia Tech is an all-student design team led by undergraduate aerospace engineering seniors and assisted by underclassmen of all disciplines and skill sets.  Student teams design, fabricate, and demonstrate the flight capabilities of an unmanned, electric powered, radio controlled aircraft which can best meet the specified mission profile of AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics) competition. The design requirements and performance objective of AIAA compeition are updated for each new contest year. The goal is a balanced design possessing good flight handling qualities and practical and affordable manufacturing requirements while providing high vehicle performance.  

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? 

Design, Build, Fly at Virginia Tech is led by undergraduate aerospace engineering seniors and assisted by underclassmen of all disciplines and skill sets.

Recent Awards

Design, Build, Fly at Virginia Tech took second place honors in Wichita, Kansas, in the international AIAA Design Build Fly competition in 2018.

Fast Facts

Team size: About 20 members
Department Afiliation: Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering
Workshop: Ware Lab

Learn More

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