Calling All Students: GAMA Launches Annual Aviation Design Challenge

High school students work on an airplane wing. Courtesy GAMA

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has kicked off its 2022 Aviation Design Challenge. It’s part of the association’s effort to promote careers in aviation, as well as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in U.S. high schools.

The challenge, in its 10th year, is open to the first 150 schools that register. Schools will receive a 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 four to six weeks through in-person and virtual settings. The teams will then virtually modify an airplane design and complete a mission in a fly-off using X-Plane software.

“This valuable program provides students with the opportunity to learn about the science of flight, the mechanics of creating aircraft, and the exciting career opportunities available in the general aviation industry,” said Pete Bunce, GAMA’s president and CEO.

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. The second-place team will receive a STEM Lab Camp, provided by Redbird Flight Simulations, an industry leading manufacturer of aviation training devices and tools.

Since its inception in 2013, the Aviation Design Challenge has had more than 600 teams participate, representing more than 400 high schools from 46 states and Washington, D.C.

For more information or to register, click here.