The roar of propellers and cheers of spectators marked the launch of the 2025 China Universities Aircraft Design Competition (CUADC) this week at Moganshan General Airport in Zhejiang Province. Over 4,000 undergraduates from 150+ institutions – including Tsinghua University, Zhejiang University, and Poland's Poznan University of Technology – converged to test their engineering prowess in one of Asia's most watched aviation events.
FPV drone battles kicked off the 9-day competition, with student pilots executing precision maneuvers to burst airborne balloons. The event blends technical skill with creative problem-solving, challenging participants to optimize aircraft performance while thrilling crowds with aerobatic displays like inverted hangs and swallow-rolls.
Organizers emphasize the competition's role in nurturing next-gen aerospace talent. Military academies and civilian universities alike use the platform to advance research in aerodynamics and drone technology, aligning with the Chinese mainland's strategic focus on aviation innovation.
