First-Place Winner ($3,000)
Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, Bengaluru, India
Second-Place Winner ($2,000)
University of Central Florida
Third-Place Winner ($1,500)
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach
Best Report Score Winner ($100)
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
This event is a highlight of our year at AIAA when students get real-world aircraft design experience. Teams submitted their proposal and formal design report, and also were encouraged to submit a video presentation showcasing their aircraft in flight (links to the winning videos are included above).
This year’s teams were treated to a message from Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and DBF alumnus, Joshua Dobbs. Dobbs is a 2017 graduate of Tickle College of Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he majored in aerospace engineering with a minor in business administration. During the awards ceremony, Dobbs shared his insights with all the participants. “Engineering can be hard, especially in this discipline. We are working to change human transportation on Earth and in space. Seems pretty simple, right? In those moments when the problems seem insolvable and overwhelming, remember why you became passionate about the field. Along any journey to reach your goals you will face adversity. Your attitude will define how you overcome it.”
May Board of Trustees and Council of Directors Meetings Move Us Forward. We had a very successful series of meetings with the AIAA Board of Trustees and Council of Directors. We introduced strategic steps AIAA is taking to better meet customer needs of today and tomorrow by establishing a domain structure. AIAA will be focusing on three domains: Aeronautics, R&D, and Space. In each of the domains, we will strive to deliver outcomes, including solving problems to deliver impact and relevance, quickly aligning to meet and outpace the dynamic marketplace, and providing a “seat at the table” for professional members and organizations. We will continue to share more with members about the domain structure as our strategy takes shape.
Leaders Teaching Leaders at 2021 AIAA Leadership Symposium. The first AIAA Leadership Symposium was held 4–6 May with more than 200 volunteer leaders attending each day. The impressive lineup of speakers featured 15 experts, as well as three keynote presenters, sharing their stories and relating them to AIAA leadership positions. Their talks helped further align our committees and strengthen leadership across the Institute because we know leadership is the backbone of our organization. I would like to give a specific shout-out to Peter Montgomery, who serves as chair of the Talent and Leadership Development Committee, for his leadership of the program development and serving as emcee of the three-day event. Building on this year’s success, we are planning the next Leadership Symposium in conjunction with the 2022 AIAA AVIATION Forum.
Expanding Our Outreach to High School Students. This month we announced the four recipients of the inaugural Roger W. Kahn Scholarship—the first-ever scholarship AIAA has offered to high school students. Read more about the students who received one of the $10,000 scholarships to help them pursue an aerospace or STEM major in college next year. This scholarship is a new opportunity to help fill the workforce pipeline with a more diverse community of aerospace professionals – students from groups currently underrepresented in the aerospace profession are especially encouraged to apply. The AIAA Foundation received applications from over 180 high school seniors around the world competing for the Kahn Scholarship. In addition, we have welcomed more than 600 high school student members this year after just launching our new free high school membership in March.
During the summer months, I encourage our members to get more directly involved in shaping the future of the aerospace workforce. Work with student interns who might be part of your organization. Volunteer as a mentor through AIAA Mentor Match on Engage where you can connect with, share experiences, and give inspiration to students or young professionals in your field.
Find Your Dream Job at the Professional Virtual Career Fair. Make the best decision you can make for your career by attending the upcoming Professional Virtual Career Fair, Wednesday, 9 June, 1500–1800 hrs ET USA. By attending, you'll be more than just another resume. Connect with employers in real time from the comfort of your home or office via desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Corporate members can still join the event to recruit new talent. Contact Nancy Hilliard if your organization is interested in purchasing a room.
Recognizing Diversity During Asian American Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. Our Diversity Working Group (DWG) celebrated AANHPI Heritage Month by recognizing AIAA Fellow Dr. Tom Shih, Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Purdue University, and the eighth Editor-in-Chief of the AIAA Journal. Dr. Shih was born in Taiwan and moved to the United States at age nine, growing up in Morgantown, West Virginia. As DWG member Doug Yazell posted on Engage, Dr. Shih started his university studies at West Virginia University, but finished his Bachelor of Engineering degree in Taiwan because his parents moved back to Taiwan. He found his multicultural background—first learning about America and China in junior high and high school as the only Chinese student in the class, and then learning about America and China again in Taiwan as the only American in the class – helped him better understand different perspectives and become more aware of his own unconscious biases. We are grateful for Dr. Shih’s contributions to our community and celebrate his achievements in the aerospace industry. You can connect with Dr. Shih directly on LinkedIn.
As we pass the anniversary of the tragic and unjust death of George Floyd, I recall the statement AIAA issued in the days following. We said, “The aerospace community must lead. Diversity, inclusion, and acceptance are prime objectives for the Institute.” This continues to ring true today, yet more work must be done to achieve our goals of inclusion and acceptance. Let’s keep the conversation going on Engage.
Finally, I invite you to reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day during this holiday weekend in the United States. We will gather and celebrate our friends and families and the freedoms we enjoy. Please join me in a collective pause to remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Sincerely,
Dan Dumbacher
Executive Director, AIAA
