Engineering

Aerospace students compete in design-build-fly competition

The Nittany Griffin, a miniature airplane created by a team of aerospace engineering students, took its maiden flight April 20 in Tucson, Ariz., at this year's Cessna Aircraft Co./Raytheon Missile Systems Student Design-Build-Fly competition. Penn State placed 12th among 36 teams. Student groups from around the globe attempted to meet the challenge presented by the contest's sponsors: Design an airplane that fits in shipping container 2 feet long, 4 feet wide and 1.5 feet high, and that can score high on required ground and flight tasks. The Nittany Griffin team was advised by Mark Maughmer, professor of aerospace engineering, and graduate students David Maniaci and Robert Roedts. Members included aerospace seniors Chris Saunders and Julia Cole, engineering sophomores Ryan Hedges and Dominic Piazza, and engineering first-year students Yvette Lerma and Tony Tao. Cash prizes were awarded to the first-, second- and third-place teams. The competition is administered by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Last Updated March 19, 2009

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