UMass Aeronautics Competition 2025

$2,140
71%
Raised toward our $3,000 Goal
17 Donors
10
days left
Project ends on December 31, at 11:55 PM EST
Project Owners

Join the UMASS Aeronautics Team to Compete in the International (AIAA) Competition!

The UMass Aeronautics Team is an undergraduate student competition team competing in the 2024 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Design, Build, Fly (DBF) International Competition. We're a team composed of 36 underclassmen and who are dedicated to combining topics learned in class and applying them to fix real-world problems in the aviation, UAV, and VTOL industries. This project introduces aeronautics in a hands-on environment to UMass Amherst's MIE department and provides a way for students to step into the fast-growing industries.


Each year, the competition requires teams to design, manufacture, and fly an optimized aircraft capable of performing commercial, welfare, and military missions. 


Last year, the team placed 1st in New England and 15th Internationally, out of 110 teams!


The team is well underway in the development of this year's aircraft which will be able to execute an X-1 Supersonic Flight Test Profile, including carrying heavy "fuel tanks" on the wings and deploy a fully autonomous glider to land at a GPS coordinate. 


We need your help to purchase the required materials and tooling to build the aircraft as well as get the team down to Tucson, Arizona in April to compete in the Fly-Off!


Please see our list of items on this page to help purchase the required materials to build this aircraft! We truly appreciate all help!


We are dedicated to successfully competing in this competition and exposing other students and industry representatives to the UMass College of Engineering, and we are extremely grateful for any donations that will help us with our goal.


Join our team!

Levels
Choose a giving level

$25

Purchase the Aircraft Wiring!

Your donation will allow the team to purchase the wiring hardware necessary to properly control the aircraft!

$50

Purchase the Landing Gear!

Your donation allows the team to purchase materials to construct a carbon fiber landing main gear, and aluminum tailwheel assembly!

$100

Purchase the Wing Materials!

Your donation allows us to purchase the balsa wood ribs and stringers that will make up the shape of the wing, while keeping it extremely lightweight!

$235

Purchase the Aircraft's Motor!

This donation allows us to purchase the DC brushless motor (AT7215 30CC 10-12S) for our aircraft, giving us the thrust necessary to carry heavy payloads and fly at high speeds!

$270

Purchase the Battery!

Your donation allows the team to purchase the propulsion battery for the aircraft, giving it the power and energy capacity necessary to complete the required mission!

$400

Purchase the Transmitter!

Your donation allows us to purchase the transmitter (Spektrum NX8+), allowing our pilot to remotely control the aircraft and and deploy the payload!

$900

Send Student to Competition!

Your donation will allow the team to send a student member to Tucson, Arizona for competition! Each donor at this level will have the option to be added to our "Executive Level Donor" list, and will have the option to have a logo or name on the aircraft!