Design Build Fly 2023

Our team will represent San Jose State University in the upcoming AIAA 2023 Design, Build, Fly (DBF) Competition. This year’s DBF competition requires teams to design, build, and test aircraft to execute four electronic warfare missions that test performance, payload capacity, aircraft stability, and structural integrity. Design Build Fly is an annual competition held by The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) for universities around the world to apply their knowledge outside of the classroom. Every year 110 universities are selected after proposal submission to compete in the fly-off in Tucson, Arizona. This year, the team consists of eleven San Jose Senior State University Aerospace Engineering students. Each member has their respective role responsibilities, including controls, body construction, and wing design. We have secured a position in the competition at fly-off and will do our best to win.

The team is raising funds to help pay for tools, parts, and travel to the competition. Like any project worked on, we must consider all costs. The primary necessities for the team are parts. Examples include construction materials (Carbon fiber, Monokote, Balsa wood, Foam) and electronic components. By the beginning of next semester, the team has a goal to complete the prototype construction. This is a significant but important goal to be on track in creating the best airplane possible. The team has been working non-stop to begin a preliminary design that allows redefining the design using our knowledge as engineers. A second critical goal includes raising funds to get the team to the competition and lodging in Tucson, Arizona in the month of April. 

We need all the support we can get to make this project successful. Since we are representing our university to the best of our abilities, a crowdfunding campaign would be an excellent way to leverage support for greater reach and exposure. Please make your gift today and help us get one step closer to out goal.