
- 17 Dec 2024 11:20 AM
- 0
18 Teams Enter 5th Annual Drone Competition
In October, a record 18 university teams submitted letters of intent to compete in the fifth annual Design-Build-Vertical Flight (DBVF) Student Competition. The teams represent universities located in 12 US states, plus Canada. This marks the largest number of academic teams to participate in the DBVF Competition since VFS launched the event in 2020.
This competition challenges student teams to design, build and fly a remote-controlled or autonomous electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, specifically tailored to address the demands of wildfire response.
“This year's DBVF focuses on engineering to address real-world applications, and we are excited to celebrate the innovation that each team brings to the competition,” said Adithya Ramaswami, Chair of the DBVF Student Competition. “Students will have to think through many design considerations and technical decisions as they work to optimize their aircraft.”
The 18 university teams are:
- Auburn University: VSDDL
- Case Western Reserve University: VTOL CWRU
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Thunder Vertical Flight Team
- Georgia Institute of Technology: DRXC
- McGill University: MDVFS
- North Carolina A&T State University: Aggie Vertical Flight Club
- North Carolina State University: Ignus Dominatus
- Santa Clara University: SCU eVTOL Bronco Air
- Texas A&M University: Texas A&M Vertical Flight Design Team
- University of Akron: Zips Drone Design
- University of California, Irvine: AeroZot
- University of California, San Diego: Whiplash
- University of Maryland: AMAV
- University of North Dakota: UND Aerohawks
- University of Texas at Austin: VFS at UT
- University of Wisconsin-Madison: Wisco Wingmen
- Vaughn College of Aeronautics & Technology: VCAT Golden Wind
- York College of Pennsylvania: Spartan VTOL
VFS will award a total of $5,000 to the highest-scoring teams after a head-to-head flyoff in early April. VFS is grateful for the support of SURVICE Engineering, which is hosting the DBVF flyoff with the support of its Applied Technology Operation (ATO) facility for the third year in a row at Harford Airport in Churchville, Maryland.
Sponsorship opportunities are available. To learn more, go to www.vtol.org/fly.
Read about the 2024 DBVF competition and check out the details on the 2025 challenge!
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