The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has opened registration for the 2022 Aviation Design Challenge.
Now in its 10th year, the annual competition helps high school students learn about the science of flight, the mechanics of creating aircraft, and career opportunities in aviation, according to GAMA President Pete Bunce.
The Aviation Design Challenge is open to the first 150 schools that register. Registered schools will receive free “Fly to Learn” curriculum, which is aligned with national STEM standards, to help students learn about flight and airplane design principles. Teachers can guide their students through the curricula in approximately four to six weeks through in-person or virtual settings, according to GAMA officials. The teams then virtually modify an airplane design and complete a mission in a fly-off using X-Plane software.
The winning team will receive an all-expenses-paid general aviation experience. The second-place team will receive a STEM Lab Camp provided by Redbird Flight Simulations, a manufacturer of aviation training devices and tools.
Since its inception in 2013, the Aviation Design Challenge has had more than 600 teams participate, representing more than 400 high schools from 46 states and Washington, D.C.
To register and to learn more about the challenge, please visit the GAMA Aviation Design Challenge webpage. Registration closes on Dec. 17, 2022, or once all available slots are filled.