Structures & Manufacturing
Creates CAD models in SolidWorks, designs internal structures, and conducts finite element analysis. The subteam also oversees the workshop and leads aircraft fabrication and assembly.
Texas A&M University · Aerospace Design Team
Design.
Design.
Build.
Fly.
We engineer, fabricate, and flight-test a competition remote-control aircraft from scratch every year, and take it head to head against 100+ university teams from around the world.
02 / Our Mission
Engineering flight, from concept to competition
Texas A&M Design Build Fly is a project team where students design, build, and flight-test a radio-controlled aircraft from the ground up to meet a new mission profile each year. We give members hands-on experience across aircraft design, structural fabrication, systems integration, and flight testing, the same skills that carry directly into real aerospace careers. No experience required, just a willingness to learn by building.
03 / Industry Connections
Why Join DBF?
Design Build Fly and AIAA at Texas A&M connect our members directly to the aerospace industry, from recruiting pipelines with major defense and aviation primes to research partnerships inside the Aerospace Engineering department. Recruiters aren't looking for a perfect GPA, they're looking for engineers who can point to something they built with their own hands, from a blank sheet of paper to a finished, flying aircraft. That is exactly the experience Design Build Fly gives every member, and it's why so many of our alumni walk straight into internships and full-time offers.
Stability & Control
Performs aerodynamic simulations and
computational fluid dynamics analysis to
determine aircraft sizing, optimize
performance, and evaluate stability.
Avionics & Propulsion
Designs and integrates electronic systems,
including servos, motors, and propellers,
alongside key subsystems such as landing
gear and control surfaces.
Business & Logistics
Oversees the team budget, sponsorship
relationships, event planning, and social
media while supporting outreach and
organizational growth.
Stability & Control
Performs aerodynamic simulations and computational fluid dynamics analysis to determine aircraft sizing, optimize performance, and evaluate stability.
Avionics & Propulsion
Designs and integrates electronic systems, including servos, motors, and propellers, alongside key subsystems such as landing gear and control surfaces.
Business & Logistics
Oversees the team budget, sponsorship relationships, event planning, and social media while supporting outreach and organizational growth.
05 / News
Announcements
More announcements coming soon!
Follow our socials in the footer below for the latest.
06 / Resources
More About DBF
Design Build Fly Competition
Official rules, scoring, and results for this year's Design Build Fly competition, where we go up against 100+ collegiate teams from around the world.
Texas A&M AIAA
Design Build Fly is a project team under the Texas A&M AIAA Student Chapter. Visit their site to learn more about the broader organization.