The AIAA at Notre Dame

Design/Build/Fly

Overview | New Members | Team Organization

The Design/Build/Fly Contest is an annual competition sponsored by the AIAA providing real world aircraft design experience for students. Teams must design and demonstrate a radio controlled airplane to meet specific mission requirements. The requirements change each year, presenting unique challenges.

The 2010-2011 contest in Tucson, Arizona was Notre Dame's first entry. The airplane had to fit inside a carry-on suitcase and be hand launched. Despite the fact that most members were underclassmen, team "Nelson's Grandkids" completed all three mission requirements, finishing 28th out of 96 teams.

Preparations for the 2011-2012 competition will begin at the start of the fall semester and continue through the competition date in April.

Anyone interested is encouraged to participate. You need not be an aerospace engineer to get involved. For more information, contact Matthew Kudija

The Notre Dame DBF team is advised by Prof. Robert Nelson and graduate student John Cooney.

For the official contest website, click here.

The team poses after a successful project.