A team from Erie 1 BOCES Harkness Career and Technical Center in Cheektowaga, New York, is the winner of the 2022 Aviation Design Challenge from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.
A team from Raisbeck Aviation High School in Tukwila, Washington was awarded second place.
More than 65 high school teams, representing 28 states, entered the 2022 Aviation Design Challenge. During the first portion of the challenge, teams used complementary “Fly to Learn” curriculum to learn the principles of flight and airplane designs. During the second portion of the competition, teams applied their knowledge to virtually modify an airplane design and compete in a fly-off using X-Plane software.
This year’s mission was to modify a CubCrafters NX Cub with a nosewheel to fly from Seattle, Washington, to Packwood, Washington, to efficiently deliver a maximum payload. The teams needed to design their aircraft to maximize transportable payload and successfully land on a small runway, surrounded by high terrain, GAMA officials explained.
Judges scored the teams based on performance parameters, a checklist of steps involved in the demonstration flight, and a video submission in which the team summarized what they learned.
Members of the first-place team from Harkness Career and Technical Center include Matthew Brooder, Zach Cid, Tyler Doran, Joseph Illos, Connor LaPenna, Mark Maglietto, Ethan Mouyeos, Ryan Myers, Christian Pendola, Tyler Robertson, Maverick Roth, Thomas Schumacher, Thomas Shine, Yulian Sirakov, Jessica Thompson, Aidan Vogt, and Bryce Zeltman. Their design included increased wingspan and horsepower and added winglets and speed brakes.
The first-place prize includes a CubCrafters Manufacturing Experience, tours of Boeing and Signature Aviation facilities, demonstration flight opportunities, and more.
Members of the second-place team from Raisbeck Aviation High School include Emily Batig, Atticus Bhat, Garett Griner, Jason Poon, Blake Unger, and Lyra Young. The team illustrated a well thought-out design process, increased aspect ratio, decreased wing area, and decreased horsepower, according to GAMA officials. They will receive a Redbird Flight Simulations STEM Lab.