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Annual VFS Design-Build-Vertical Flight Competition


The 2025-2026 DBVF RFP is now online! Please submit your LOI by October 30, 2025.

This electric-powered remote-control vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) competition seeks to encourage interest in unmanned aircraft technology, and small air vehicle design and fabrication. The competition is designed to develop hands-on skills and familiarization with eVTOL and advanced air mobility (AAM) technology at the university student level and prepare the next generation of engineers and leaders to push the limits of this exciting technology into the future.

Team eligibility rules:

  • Team members must be full-time students and can be at undergraduate and graduate levels; at least one Faculty Advisor must be named.
  • The student team captain(s) and university faculty advisor(s) must be a current VFS member at the time of Letter of Intent submission — the student rate is $25/year. Learn more about VFS membership enrollment and benefits!
  • Each team’s pilot must also hold an FAA Part 107 Drone Certification or equivalent certifying authority (non-US based teams).
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