Aviation Design Challenge for High Schools

Registration is now open for the 2021 Aviation Design Challenge.  Sponsored by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, the annual competition is available to the first 150 high schools that apply.  The event promotes jobs in aviation jobs along with STEM education through an aviation-focused curriculum and virtual fly-off.

Registered schools receive a free “Fly to Learn” curriculum, which is aligned with national STEM standards and provides basics of flight and airplane design principles.  The curriculum is designed to be taught in-person or through virtual settings and runs between four and six weeks.  Competitors are then tasked with modifying an airplane design and competing in a virtual fly-off using X-Plane software.

GAMA judges score the challenge submissions based on the fly-off and performance parameters. The winning team receives an all-expenses-paid general aviation experience, and the runner-up receives a STEM Lab Camp furnished by Redbird Flight Simulations.

Since launched in 2013, more than 3,500 students from more than 400 high schools have participated, with past winners going on to pursue aviation careers. Registration closes December 17.