The 2024 China Universities Aircraft Design Competition (CUADC2024) recently took place in Dingzhou, Hebei Province, where the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) achieved great success.
After eight days of intense challenges, SUSTech secured a national second prize and three third prizes, marking a breakthrough for the University in national-level aircraft design competitions.
The SUSTech team is mainly comprised of students from the University’s Aeromodelling Association, as well as individuals with a diverse academic background in over ten disciplines, from various departments and colleges, including the Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, the Department of Mathematics, and the School of Microelectronics.
They participated in various flight competition projects, including a time-limited transport flight, a micro fixed-wing limited-distance flight, a multi-rotor UAV mission flight, and a wing static load engineering challenge. The “Wangzheye” crew notably overcame strong crosswinds during the time-limited transport flight, placing 12th out of 80 teams.
This success marks a new chapter for SUSTech, as it’s the first time the University has won prizes in projects focused on both scientific research and design, as opposed to electric glider projects. The competition, known for its complexity and competitiveness, required multidisciplinary expertise and extensive preparation.
Under the guidance of Lihao GAO, Lecturer of the Department of Mechanics and Aerospace Engineering, students underwent rigorous training for this competition, including theoretical study, production process training, and participation in various camps and preparation activities.
In the southern division prior to the national finals, SUSTech’s teams excelled, with all four projects being shortlisted and winning one championship, one first prize, and three third prizes, setting a new benchmark for the University’s performance.
The CUADC, organized annually by the Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics, is the premier aerospace competition for university students in China. This year’s event featured seven flight challenges across three categories, along with an engineering verification project.
With 428 teams from 102 universities across China mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, and nearly 3,000 participants, the competition showcased the best in aerospace design and innovation.
