Assistant Professor Gurudutt Chandrashekar, Ph.D., of the Wade Department of Mechanical
and Aerospace Engineering, was awarded $6,000 in Indiana Space Grant Consortium funding
for Trine University’s team in the 2025 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
(AIAA) Design/Build/Fly competition.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Design/Build/Fly (DBF)
competition challenges student teams to design, fabricate and fly an unmanned, radio-controlled
aircraft. This annual event offers real-world, hands-on experience in aircraft design,
testing and construction.
Building on the program’s participation since 2019, Dr. Chandrashekar, senior design
instructor, has guided Trine’s DBF team since 2023, helping students refine methods
for aircraft weight reduction and structural integrity.
In 2024, the DBF team achieved one of its highest placements, ranking 55th out of
107 teams despite challenging windy conditions. By integrating custom carbon fiber
components into the design for the first time, students reduced the plane’s weight
while maintaining strength, a critical factor given the strict takeoff distance requirement.
The team also pioneered the use of 3D-printed parts for essential structural elements.
This year’s team consists of seven senior mechanical engineering students: Hailey
Budney, Dillon Dennison, Matthew Edison, Bryan Maida, Nathan Mast, Ryan McDonald and
Cassidy Victor.
“I wanted to be a part of this because I have an interest in aerospace and felt like
an in-depth, hands-on project related to that subject would aid in my understanding
of concepts learned in class. Additionally, I believed there to be a certain level
of complexity that I thought would be a fun challenge, especially with my competitive
nature, having wrestled majority of my life,” stated Budney, who was selected team
manager for the project.
The 24/25 AIAA DBF team is making several modifications to last year’s design due
to changes in the competition rules. One major change is the addition of a release
mechanism to the bottom of the fuselage to allow for the launch of the autonomous
X-1 test vehicle in the third mission of the competition.
“One of my main focuses is the X-1 test vehicle, which I hope to manufacture and begin
testing following winter break,” said Budney. “My goal is to hone in on the design
of the glider as well as successfully configure the autonomous flight system so that
we can score all of the available bonus points in the third mission.”
They will continue incorporating advanced materials and manufacturing techniques,
guided by past successes and setbacks. Additional changes include a different mounting
method for the wings of the main aircraft to allow for a more secure connection, a
different landing gear configuration and material composition to provide more strength
and reduce failure, and a more thorough manufacturing process of the carbon fiber
composites to reduce the potential damage from crashing.
“I believe we have a well-rounded team that will achieve a level of performance in
the competition that Trine University has yet to see,” concluded Budney.
This year's funding will also provide travel assistance for the team to compete in
Tucson, Arizona, next April. This experience equips students with valuable skills
in aircraft design and project management, essential for their future careers in the
rapidly expanding aerospace sector.
Photo: From left, Trine University Design/Build/Fly team members Dillon Dennison, Nathan
Mast, Bryan Maida, Ryan McDonald, Matthew Edison, Hailey Budney and Cassidy Victor.
