The HKUST Aero Team has ranked first in Asia, and 16th out of 107 international teams, at the 28th Annual Design/Build/Fly Competition organized by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). This is the team’s best ever result since they first joined the competition in 2013. Held in Wichita, Kansas in the United States on April 18-21, 2024, the competition proved to be a challenging event that comprehensively tested the students’ skills and knowledge in the areas of aircraft design, aerodynamics, materials, flight testing, and performance optimization.

The objective of this year’s competition was to design, build, and fly a remotely operated aircraft for Urban Air Mobility (UAM) missions. The missions included a delivery flight, a medical transport flight, and an urban air taxi flight. Teams were also assessed on how quickly they can modify their aircraft configuration from delivery to medical transport to urban air taxi. The full rankings of the competition can be found here.

“Witnessing the HKUST Aero Team’s remarkable journey, as they stood toe-to-toe with the world’s leading universities at the AIAA Design/Build/Fly Competition, has reinforced my belief in the transformative power of student competitions,” said Prof. Larry LI, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, who has been leading the team since 2014.

About the HKUST Aero Team
Supervised by Prof. Larry Li, the HKUST Aero Team is a student organization committed to promoting and advancing aerospace engineering and aviation. Comprising over 20 undergraduate students, the team engages in a range of aero-related activities, including industry site visits, guest lectures, exchange programs, and prestigious international competitions, such as the AIAA Design/Build/Fly Competition and the BMFA Payload Challenge. The team consistently showcases their exceptional talent, earning them a well-deserved position among the world’s top universities. More info can be found on its Instagram account.

About the AIAA Design/Build/Fly Competition
Established in 1996, the AIAA Design/Build/Fly Competition offers university students an opportunity to apply their aircraft design knowledge to a real-world scenario. Student teams are challenged to design, fabricate, and demonstrate the flight capabilities of an unmanned, electric-powered aircraft that aligns with a specified mission profile. The ultimate objective is to create a well-balanced design with excellent flight handling qualities and practical manufacturing requirements.

Related link:

• AIAA press release (April 22, 2024): AIAA Announces 2024 Design/Build/Fly (DBF) Competition Winners