Annual VFS Design-Build-Vertical Flight Competition
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.
Congratulations to our 2026 DBVF Winners:
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1st Place Overall: Georgia Institute of Technology
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2nd Place Overall: The University of Akron
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3rd Place Overall: University of Maryland
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Top FTR: Embry Riddle Aeronautical University — Prescott
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Top Fly-Off Score: Georgia Institute of Technology
2025-2026 DBVF Competition Final Scores
A 35-point deduction was taken off from the final score for each instance:- Competing with a fully different aircraft than what was submitted in the FTR
- Submitting a non-compliant FTR that required resubmission
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Premier Sponsor/Software SponsorAVL is excited to partner with DBVF to provide complimentary simulation software for teams that are accepted to compete in DBVF 2025-2026.
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Premier Sponsor -
Host SponsorFly-off: Apr. 7-10, 2026
SURVICE ATO
3538 Aldino Road
Churchville, MD 21028
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Rules and Eligibility
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 a current FAA Part 107 Drone Certification or equivalent certifying authority (non-US based teams).
- Previous years' details, including FTR and footage from the fly-offs, can be found on this webpage.
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DBVF 2025-2026 Participants
Institution Team Name University of Akron UA VTOL Case Western Reserve University VTOL CWRU Cooper Union Air Cooper Embry Riddle Aeronautical University — Prescott DOLPHIN Florida Atlantic University Hovering Owls Georgia Institute of Technology DRXC University of Maryland AMAV North Carolina A&T University Aggie Vertical Flight Club Santa Clara University Pegasus Texas A&M University Texas A&M VFDT Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology VCAT UAV University of Wisconsin-Madison Badgerfly York College of Pennsylvania Spartan Skyforce
Refer to the Request for Proposal for requirements, rules and deadlines.
Updated 11/24/25: Consult the Frequently Asked Questions document, which is updated every month.
Safety and Wiring Plan
Submit your Safety, Risk Mitigation and Wiring Plan by January 7, 2026.
Final Technical Report
Submit your Final Technical Report by March 2, 2026.
Final Presentations
Final presentations will be held virtually during the week of March 16, 2026.
Video Submission
A video of the aircraft demonstrating flight readiness is due by March 23, 2026.
