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Amy Wilder

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has opened registration for the 2026 Aviation Design Challenge. Registration closes on Dec. 19, 2025, or when all available slots are filled. This challenge is open to the first 150 U.S. high school teams that register.
Now in its fourteenth year, the annual competition promotes aviation careers among U.S. high school students through a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curriculum that incorporates flight simulation and aircraft design.
Registered teams receive free “Fly to Learn” curriculum, aligned with national STEM standards, to support instruction on flight and airplane design principles. Teachers can guide students through the curriculum in approximately four to six weeks. Teams then apply that knowledge by designing modifications to an aircraft to meet a simulated mission using X-Plane software.
“GAMA’s annual Aviation Design Challenge provides a great avenue for students to learn about the science of flight and principles of aircraft design. We are excited to open the registration for the 2026 Challenge and look forward to cultivating aviation learning experiences and expanding interest into our great industry,” said James Viola, president and CEO of GAMA.
Completed submissions will be scored by GAMA judges based on mission completion and other entry requirements. The winning team receives an all-expenses-paid general aviation experience, including a CubCrafters Manufacturing Experience. The second-place team receives a Redbird Flight STEM Lab, and the third-place team receives one-year ForeFlight Premium subscriptions.
Since its inception in 2013, the <a href="https://gama.aero/opportunities-in-ga/aviation-challenge/">Aviation Design Challenge</a> has had over 950 teams participate, representing more than 485 high schools from all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Organizers note the program has inspired many students to get involved in general aviation and to pursue college studies or careers related to the field.

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