The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has opened registration for the 2023 Aviation Design Challenge.
The annual competition, now in its 11th year, is designed to help high school students learn more about aviation and its diverse career opportunities.
The Aviation Design Challenge is open to the first 150 schools that register to participate. Registered schools will receive free “Fly to Learn” curriculum, which is aligned with national STEM standards, to facilitate the learning of flight and airplane design principles. Teachers can guide their students through the curricula in approximately four to six weeks. The teams will then virtually modify an airplane design and complete a mission in a fly-off using X-Plane software.
Completed challenge submissions will be scored by GAMA judges based on the fly-off and other performance parameters.
The winning team will receive an all-expenses-paid general aviation experience, which includes a CubCrafters Manufacturing Experience. The second-place team will receive a Redbird Flight Simulations STEM Lab.
Since its inception in 2013, the Aviation Design Challenge has had more than 650 teams participate, representing more than 400 high schools from 48 states and Washington, D.C. The Aviation Design Challenge has inspired many students to get involved in general aviation or pursue a college degree or career path related to general aviation, according to GAMA officials.
To register and to learn more about the challenge, go to the GAMA Aviation Design Challenge webpage.
Registration closes on Dec. 17, 2022, or once all available slots are filled.