AIAA Design/Build/Fly competition 2027
Partnerships & Finance:
Niklas Zschern
Max Renner
A New Aircraft, a New Chapter
With the 2027 AIAA Design/Build/Fly Competition, FlightLab MUC is embarking on the design of a completely new competition aircraft. Building on the experience gained from our first DBF project, we are developing a new aircraft tailored to the requirements of the upcoming competition round.
After our first competition season—in which we were the only team representing the DACH region and Central Europe—we are once again setting our sights on the international competition in the U.S. Although our 2026 aircraft was unable to participate in the fly-off following a crash prior to the competition, we were able to gain valuable experience in the design, fabrication, and testing of our own aircraft. These insights form an important foundation for our next project.
What is Design/Build/Fly?
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The Design/Build/Fly (DBF) competition is organized by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). Student teams from around the world design and build remote-controlled aircraft that must complete a mission that changes each year.
The competition evaluates not only flight performance but also the entire development process: from technical design and documentation to manufacturing quality, reliability, and the successful completion of the specified missions.
The competition combines theoretical principles with practical engineering work. Teams must not only thoroughly develop and implement their concepts from a technical standpoint but also demonstrate under competitive conditions that their aircraft meet the specified requirements.
Design and Development
At the heart of DBF 2027 is the development of a new aircraft that meets the specified mission requirements while also advancing our team’s technical capabilities. From analyzing the competition challenge through design and aerodynamic optimization to construction, manufacturing, and testing, the various disciplines of aircraft construction are brought together in a single project.
The aircraft’s design requires careful coordination of aerodynamics, structure, propulsion, and integrated systems. Various concepts are examined and evaluated against the technical requirements before the selected solution is gradually refined and implemented.
The project is being carried out by a newly formed team. Alexandros Noel heads the department. Together, the team members are working to incorporate the lessons learned from the first project into improved design and manufacturing processes and to create a solid foundation for the subsequent testing.
The Road to Tucson
The goal is to participate in the AIAA Design/Build/Fly Competition, which will take place April 15–18, 2027, in Tucson, Arizona. There, student teams from around the world will compete against one another with aircraft they have designed and built themselves.
Until then, the project will go through the key stages of aircraft construction: from concept development and design, through manufacturing and system integration, to ground tests and flight testing.
Each of these steps helps prepare the aircraft for the competition’s requirements and verify the reliability of the overall system. DBF 2027 is thus not only preparation for an international competition but also a continuation of our long-term goal at FlightLab MUC to independently develop challenging aviation projects and combine practical engineering experience with scientific and technical fundamentals.
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Support Our DBF27-Team
The development and construction of a competition aircraft present us with challenges not only in terms of design, but also in material procurement, manufacturing, and testing.To bring our ideas to life, we rely on suitable components, materials, manufacturing capabilities, and collaboration with experienced engineers.
We would be delighted if companies and individuals would support our project and help us bring our design to life—from the initial concept to a competition aircraft ready to fly.
Whether through the provision of materials, technical expertise, or financial support: Together, we can lay the groundwork to bring FlightLab MUC 2027 to Tucson.