About Design, Build, Fly
Design, Build, Fly (DBF) is the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics’ annual student aircraft competition. Teams design, manufacture and demonstrate an electric, radio-controlled aircraft against a changing set of mission requirements.
The challenge brings together aircraft structures, propulsion, manufacturing, flight testing and teamwork. Each season’s rules define the design restrictions and the flight and ground missions used to assess the aircraft.
Explore ADDI’s aircraft reports
For detailed aircraft specifications and first-hand accounts of development and competition, explore these documented seasons:
- DBF 2023: Hugo 5 — aircraft design, mission performance and competition results.
- DBF 2020 — development during a season disrupted by the pandemic.
- DBF 2019: Hugo 1 — ADDI’s first DBF participation and its folding-wing aircraft.
For information about the 2024 season, contact the team.