The Advanced Aero Vehicle Group from Missouri University of Science and Technology placed first in the United States, and third worldwide, in an intercollegiate design competition held recently in Marietta, Ga.

Earlier this month (April), more than 60 university teams from around the world competed in the Aero Design East competition, a remote-controlled airplane contest sponsored by the Society of Automotive Engineers. The competition was won by a Brazilian university, Escola de Engenharia de Sao Carlos da Universidade de Sao Paulo. The second place team represented Warsaw University of Technology from Poland.

The 2009 airplane from Missouri S&T, Sky Miner, has a wingspan of more than 14 feet.

In Georgia, teams were judged on design reports and oral presentations, as well as a flight component. Missouri S&T successfully flew in three rounds of the competition, carrying a payload of 22.67 pounds.
The S&T team brought home $500, along with several trophies and plaques for their high scores in the design and presentation categories.

Each year, S&T students design and manufacture a new remote-controlled airplane for the competition. This year, the 20 active members worked on tasks ranging from designing and evaluating original ideas to material preparation and manufacturing.