A team of young engineers from the University of Michigan took first place in this year’s Vertical Flight Society (VFS) Design-Build-Vertical-Flight competition. The event, which challenges students to build a remote-controlled, unmanned electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight not exceeding 20 pounds, attracted seven academic teams.
The VFS, which is a technical society founded as the American Helicopter Society in 1943, awarded the top prize of $2,000 to the Michigan team. The University of Maryland came in second ($1,000) and Ohio State University was in third place ($500). Honorable mentions went to Montreal’s McGill University, Oregon State University, Pennsylvania State University, and Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology in New York.
Unfortunately, ongoing Covid restrictions meant that the usual fly-off event could not take place. The VFS judging plane evaluated the students based on a final technical report and virtual presentation.
Ordinarily, the event would have been held at the U.S. Army’s Robotics Research Collaboration Campus near Aberdeen, Maryland, which is part of the Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory. The Army has signed a five-year educational partnership agreement with the VFS.
The group’s aim with the competition is to develop hands-on skills and familiarize university students with eVTOL aircraft and the advanced air mobility industry. The multiple start-up companies expanding in the sector have a growing need for engineering skills.
In total, VFS awarded $5,500 in prize money during this year’s competition. Back in December 2020 when each of the seven teams submitted a preliminary report, the University of Michigan was ranked top ($750 prize), Oregon State and Ohio State tied in second place ($500 each), and the University of Maryland came in third ($250).
