Dayton Engineer
University of Dayton team takes first place at IT Flies international flight simulation competition
By Karen Updyke, School of Engineering
On April 23, the University of Dayton Pelican Team members: Andrew Killian, Luke Duncan and Mauricio Hernandez came in first place with their aircraft design at the IT Flies international flight simulation competition.
According to Dr. Sid Gunasekaran, University flight simulation lab director, “They designed the Pelican, an aerial fire bomber aircraft with a blended wing body (BWB) configuration that satisfies the niche requirements in this aircraft type as part of my MEE 425 Aircraft Design class in the fall of 2021 and then entered it in the spring competition.”
Professional test pilots and the UD teams, faculty, and staff were present at the School of Engineering Flight Simulation Lab to host the virtual competition via Zoom.
Air Force lieutenant colonels, majors and generals from the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP) "fly" the student-designed simulations and contribute significantly to their aircraft design knowledge at the Lab.
The competition awards prizes in two categories: Best Flight Handling and Best Project Presentation.
Best Flight Handling 2022
- First Prize: The University of Dayton Team Pelican: Killian, Duncan and Hernandez with their LAM Pelican, received $800 from the Merlin Flight Simulation Group.
- Second Prize: Mississippi State University with Skywalker with their twin engine turboprop executive aircraft.
Best Presentation 2022
- First Prize: The University of Dayton Team NMA: Colin Fletcher and Andrew Killian with their mid-sized twin engine airliner, received $200 from the Merlin Flight Simulation Group.
- Second Prize: Mississippi State University with their advanced tactical aircraft.
The test pilots were surprised by the quality of the aircraft models that competed this year. All teams put forth well-designed and well-tuned models that satisfied the intended objectives,” said Gunasekaran.
The University of Dayton Merlin Flight Simulation Laboratory provides aerospace students with a unique opportunity to showcase their designs through IT Flies! USA and UK competitions.
The competitions are held at the University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio, USA, in April and Swansea, Wales, UK, in June.
The next international IT Flies competition will be held in England on June 8.
IT Flies international flight simulation competition, April 23, University of Dayton Flight Simulation Lab
IT Flies international flight simulation competition, April 23, University of Dayton Flight Simulation Lab
IT Flies international flight simulation competition, April 23, University of Dayton Flight Simulation Lab
IT Flies international flight simulation competition, April 23, University of Dayton Flight Simulation Lab
IT Flies international flight simulation competition, April 23, University of Dayton Flight Simulation Lab
IT Flies international flight simulation competition, April 23, University of Dayton Flight Simulation Lab
IT Flies international flight simulation competition, April 23, University of Dayton Flight Simulation Lab
IT Flies international flight simulation competition, April 23, University of Dayton Flight Simulation Lab
IT Flies international flight simulation competition, April 23, University of Dayton Flight Simulation Lab
IT Flies international flight simulation competition, April 23, University of Dayton Flight Simulation Lab
IT Flies international flight simulation competition, April 23, University of Dayton Flight Simulation Lab