A team from Porter High School in Porter, Texas, is the first-place winner of the 2025 General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) Aviation Design Challenge.
A team from Cambridge High School in Milton, Georgia, took second-place, while a team from El Segundo High School in El Segundo, California, finished in third-place.
More than 70 high school teams, representing 24 states, entered the 2025 GAMA Aviation Design Challenge, according to GAMA officials.
During the first portion of the challenge, teams used complimentary “Fly to Learn” curriculum to learn the principles of flight and airplane design, consistent with national STEM standards. During the second portion of the competition, teams applied their knowledge to modify the design of an airplane and compete in a fly-off using X-Plane software.
This year’s mission was to modify a Cessna 208 Caravan to complete a test flight, carrying as much weight as possible, as fast as possible, in the Himalayas. The teams needed to design their aircraft to maximize speed and cargo weight to successfully navigate between two remote locations in high altitudes, GAMA officials explained.
Judges scored the teams based on test flight performance, a summary explaining design changes, a video submission summarizing what they learned, and a checklist describing steps for the test flight.
Members of the first-place team from Porter High School include Jocelyn Alfaro, Alex Espada, Major Renard, and Eris Rodgers. The team’s design changes included an increased wingspan with the addition of leading-edge slats, propeller modifications to improve efficiency, and adoption of a T-Tail configuration.
Their report went into remarkable detail about their flight testing and piloting techniques to mitigate challenges from the design and conditions, GAMA officials noted.
The first-place prize includes a CubCrafters Manufacturing Experience at the company’s headquarters in Yakima, Washington, demonstration flight opportunities, and much more.
“The GAMA Aviation Design Challenge represents more than just a competition win, it’s opened doors to a hands-on experience with general aviation manufacturing that will shape these students’ futures,” said teacher George Gowdy. “Their success demonstrates the power of engaging STEM education and proves that our students have what it takes to grow into the next generation of aerospace innovators.”
The second-place team Cambridge High School demonstrated their reasoning behind design changes that included increased wingspan and wing chord adjustments, stabilizer adjustments, and propeller modifications to improve efficiency. They will receive a two-day Redbird Flight STEM Lab.
The third-place entry from El Segundo High School illustrated an intricate design with trial-and-error details and reasoning behind continued modifications towards the final configuration for the mission. They will receive one-year ForeFlight Performance Plus subscriptions and a facility tour of Robinson Helicopter Company.
For more information: GAMA.aero and FlyToLearn.com
