Unite and soar on wings united
The University of Applied Sciences JOANNEUM in Graz, Austria, has made a significant mark in the global aerospace undergraduate scene, winning the first prize in the 2022 AIAA Design/Build/Fly (DBF) competition. This prestigious event, organised by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), is an annual contest that challenges university teams to design, build, and fly an unmanned aircraft based on specific mission profiles.
FH Joanneum's victory, confirmed in 2022, showcases the team's exceptional skills in aerospace design and manufacturing. The competition, which attracts international university teams, is renowned for its rigorous design, construction, and flight testing of custom-built UAVs, emphasising both technical capability and innovative approaches. Past winners have included teams from various countries, underscoring the competitive and global nature of the event.
Lucas Kappel, the subteam leader of FH Joanneum's DBF team, played a crucial role in the team's success. Having started his Bachelor's degree in Air Traffic Management at FH JOANNEUM in 2018, Lucas gained professional experience in the airline industry during an internship. He completed his Bachelor's degree in 2021 and immediately began his Master's degree. Lucas is also a resident of the STUWO Heim Smart Living in Graz, and during the pandemic, he often performed his tasks online from his STUWO apartment.
The DBF team's current project involves designing, building, and testing a UAV for delivering vaccines. The team is currently in the construction phase and has already completed initial test flights. The missions for this year's competition include a flight without payload, transporting syringes in containers, and fully automatic unloading of cargo without manual assistance.
The joanneum Aeronautics team, which consists of three active teams: Team Drone Tech (TDT), the Laviators, and the DBF team, eagerly awaits April of this year. That's when they will travel to Wichita, Kansas, for the competition. The team maintains a monthly blog series "Hangartalk" on the FH JOANNEUM website and has a presence on popular social media channels, keeping the public informed about their progress.
The success of FH Joanneum's DBF team in 2022 places them among the top global contenders in the competitive aerospace undergraduate DBF arena, with continued recognition in subsequent competitions. For more historical data or technical specifics about the aircraft design or scoring from the 2022 event, one may need to look directly at the official AIAA Design/Build/Fly competition archives or FH Joanneum’s aerospace department publications.
In summary, FH Joanneum's DBF team's triumph in 2022 is a testament to their technical prowess and innovative approach in the aerospace field. As they prepare for this year's competition in Wichita, Kansas, expectations are high for another successful showing from this talented team.
FH Joanneum's DBF team's success in the 2022 AIAA Design/Build/Fly competition, under the leadership of Lucas Kappel, demonstrates their ability to merge industry-relevant experience in the airline industry with advanced aerospace technology, showcasing their potential in the global finance-backed aerospace industry. As they compete in the 2023 event with their innovative UAV designed for vaccine delivery, they continue to contribute to technology advancements in the sector, furthering their reputation in the competitive arena.
