MACH DBF - Soar With Us! Sponsor the Future of Aviation.

$850
Donated
170% of $500 goal
13
Donors
This campaign ended on December 03, 2024, but you can still make a gift to University of Michigan by clicking here!
About

MACH Design, Build, Fly (DBF) is a compact student-led team at the University of Michigan that competes in the prestigious annual AIAA Design, Build, Fly "Flyoff" competition, where over 100 international universities compete to create the best RC aircraft of all. This year's competition is held in Tucson, Arizona, where we are tasked with creating a mothership that will carry heavy "fuel tank" payloads for mission scoring, and an entirely autonomous "X1" glider which will be dropped midair to land in a specific location along the runway. We must show our aircraft has greater speed and endurance than the competition by flying 3 laps as quickly as possible, and then as many laps as possible in under 5 minutes, while carrying the largest payload possible.

Using advanced composite architectures, high-grade electronics and propulsion components, as well as imaginative and state-of-the art aerospace engineering concepts are all critical to earning the top spot at competition. Our past designs have earned us places among the top 10 consecutively for the past two years (after COVID), and this year we are aiming for a top 5 spot! 

We are like a tight-knit family. MACH is unique out of all the project teams in Michigan because we are composed of a small specialized and dedicated member base of only about 20 students, which allows us to put greater attention to detail into our designs, as well as get each person involved on actual hands-on work. Our mission is twofold: to give engineering students hands-on experience that goes beyond classroom theory and to cultivate professional skills through real-world applications. Every year, our team completely redesigns and constructs a new aircraft, providing our members with invaluable opportunities to work directly with industry-standard tools. This hands-on experience equips them with a broader set of skills and a competitive edge in the job market, setting them apart from other college graduates.

In addition to technical development, MACH focuses on creating an inclusive environment where members can make an immediate impact on design and leadership. Our small team structure ensures that every member has a voice, and their contributions are integral to the success of the final product. By keeping the team small, we enable students to take on leadership roles quickly and make meaningful contributions to the project early on. This environment extends to social events and professional networking opportunities, where students can bond with peers and connect with industry professionals at the Flyoff competition.

Your donation will help cover the costs of flights, lodging, and materials, ensuring all our members—regardless of financial background—can access these invaluable experiences. The impact of supporting MACH DBF goes beyond a single competition; it shapes the future of the aerospace industry by developing the next generation of skilled, inclusive, and passionate engineers