We are thrilled to share that our remarkable DBF team achieved 15th place out of 98 teams worldwide at the 2025-2026 AIAA Design/Build/Fly (DBF) competition, hosted by AIAA Corporate Member Textron Aviation in Wichita, Kansas, from 16 April to 19 April 2026.
This year’s mission challenged teams to design, build, and fly a remote-controlled aircraft capable of completing charter flights with plastic ducks and pucks as passengers and cargo, respectively. Another mission required teams to tow a long banner and deploy it mid-air. To succeed, aircrafts had to accommodate different mission payloads, withstand landing impacts and in-flight vibrations, and deliver reliable performance across all mission attempts. Competing against strong teams from around the world, we are proud to share that our team ranked 1st in Asia once again – a significant milestone in our journey this year.
About AEOLUS:
AEOLUS is PolyU’s official representative team in the prestigious AIAA DBF Competition. Comprising passionate students from AAE, the team embodies the creativity, collaboration, and technical excellence of PolyU’s emerging aviation talent. AEOLUS is committed not only to the design, construction, and operation of innovative remote-controlled aircraft but also to fostering a strong culture of teamwork, resilience, and personal growth among its members. Through hands-on learning and real-world challenges, the team develops critical thinking, leadership, and problem-solving skills that prepare students for success in the ever-evolving aviation and aerospace industries. Through every project, AEOLUS strives to inspire the future of aviation engineering in Hong Kong by empowering young talents to push boundaries and embrace innovation.
About AIAA Design/Build/Fly Competition:
Now celebrating its 30th year, the AIAA Design/Build/Fly Competition was established by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) in 1996 to provide university students with practical experience in aircraft design. In this competition, participants are required to design, build, and demonstrate the flight performance of an unmanned, electric-powered, radio-controlled aircraft. The event places strong emphasis on achieving a balanced design, good flight handling characteristics, cost-effectiveness, and high performance. Each year, new design challenges and performance goals are introduced to foster innovation and technological advancement. Overall, the competition offers students a valuable platform to apply their knowledge in a practical setting and contribute meaningfully to the field of aviation.
