Design, Build, Fly (DBF)
Hosted by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Design-Build-Fly (DBF) is an exciting intercollegiate competition where teams from all over the world design, build, and fly unmanned electric aircraft in a no-holds-barred contest of engineering prowess, ingenuity, and not-crashing-ability. Running from October through April, the Design-Build-Fly competition sees over 100 university teams create high-performance aircraft designed from the ground up to tackle real-world challenges–from remote vaccine deliveries to aerial reconnaissance and surveillance.
By joining the DBF team, students will experience the entire aircraft development lifecycle from requirements and initial concept through flight test and operation. Ever wonder why some planes utilize a low-wing configuration while others favor a high-wing set up? Learn about aerodynamics and aircraft configurations as we make these same decisions developing our own aircraft. Interested in working with carbon fiber composites, CNC machines, 3D printers, and other industry materials and equipment? DBF has it all. Maybe you just want to see something you built with your own hands take gracefully to the skies. Well, we feel the exact same way! No matter your interests, there is a place for you in DBF.
Beyond the engineering experience, this project will also help you in your search for internships and jobs outside of Stanford. Our members have had the pleasure of working for General Atomics, Zipline, Wing, Wisk, Electra, Gulfstream, Kodiak, Sabrewing Aircraft Co., Singer, and many more! The competition is recognized and respected by schools, companies, and aerospace professionals all over the world and is contested by universities ranging from Embry Riddle to the University of New South Wales. DBF is a fantastic way to network with fellow engineering students and experts alike, build up your resume, and fly circles around the competition! We’ll see you at the flight line.
To stay up to date with Stanford DBF, join the club's Slack channel #dbf for info on meetings.
