Raisbeck Aviation High Awarded GAMA Honors

According to GAMA, this year more than 60 high school teams, representing 28 states, entered the competition. Aviation teams from Porter High School in Porter, Texas, and Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C., were awarded second and third place, respectively.

"[Raisbeck’s] entry optimized the aircraft to carry a maximum payload in the shortest time with an elaborate design process, which included low two-section wings with fast airfoils, a streamlined fuselage, and increased horsepower," GAMA said. "The team’s first-place prize includes a CubCrafters Manufacturing Experience and demonstration flight opportunities."

Members of the Raisbeck Aviation High School team include Charles Atchison, Kenji Gonzales, Colin Harrison, Brent Jansen, August Johnson, Gavin Johnson, Alex Mill, AJ Poon, Colin Renberg, Oliver Swanson, and Emile Woo.

“The GAMA Challenge is one of the highlights of the school year for team members at Raisbeck," the school's aviation team advisers said in a statement. "This year's team really had a fun learning experience with the bigger turbine-powered Caravan flying in Alaska. They were really excited to learn their design had won first place and are looking forward to the CubCrafters Manufacturing Experience.”

The challenge gives high school students the opportunity to use a complimentary “Fly to Learn” curriculum to grasp the principles of flight and airplane design, consistent with national STEM standards. In the second phase of the competition the team used software to virtually modify an airplane design and compete in a fly-off using X-Plane software.

This year’s mission was to modify a Cessna 208 Caravan, then fly the aircraft from Homer to Seward, Alaska, as quickly and efficiently as possible. The process included finding the most expedient route between the two remote locations. The teams were scored on performance parameters, a checklist of steps involved in the demonstration flight. The teams also submitted a video detailing what they learned during the process.

“Once again, the teams participating in the GAMA Aviation Design Challenge continue to amaze us with their dedication and enthusiasm for aviation and unique perspectives on aircraft design," said Pete Bunce, GAMA president and CEO. "We congratulate the Raisbeck Aviation High School team for their outstanding first-place submission and also recognize the teams from Porter High School and Gonzaga College High School for their respective second and third-place submissions. We applaud all the schools for participating and are particularly proud of the hard work that they all put into their submissions. We look forward to furthering the reach of the program and sparking student interest into the rewarding opportunities within general aviation."

The second-place entry from Porter illustrated a design with an extended high-aspect ratio wing, larger propeller, reduced engine rpm, a T-tail design, and an airfoil-shaped fuselage. They will receive a two-day Redbird Flight Simulations STEM Lab.

The third-place winners from Gonzaga demonstrated design with slightly decreased wing area, decreased horsepower, a four-blade propeller, and an aerodynamic fuselage to reduce drag. They will receive one-year ForeFlight Performance Plus subscriptions and a flight simulator experience with Joby Aviation. 

The 2024 Aviation Design Challenge had many sponsors, including Bombardier, Camp Systems, Cirrus Aircraft, Click Bond, CubCrafters, Embraer, ForeFlight, Garmin, Gulfstream Aerospace, Hartzell Propeller, Jet Aviation, Joby Aviation, Pratt & Whitney Canada, Redbird Flight, Signature Aviation, Textron Aviation, and Wipaire. Sponsors provide financial support for the curriculum, software and prizes, as well as in-kind donations.

“We are grateful for the tremendous support of the program’s sponsors,” Bunce said. “Their commitment to furthering youth outreach allows us to be able to offer and grow this program and its incredible experiences.”