Over 6,000 students compete in aircraft design contest in China
The 2026 China Universities Aircraft Design Competition is underway in Zigong City in southwest China's Sichuan Province, bringing together more than 6,000 students and teachers from over 200 universities.
The fifth edition of the competition opened on Friday and features 12 events. Student teams design and build miniature aircraft that must complete a range of practical tasks.
In one logistics drone event, aircraft must carry cargo and release it accurately over a designated target. This year, a team from Beihang University replaced conventional round parachutes with glider parachutes, developing the solution largely from scratch.
Another event tests short takeoff and landing capabilities. After an unsuccessful attempt, a team from the University of Hong Kong immediately began analyzing possible causes, stressing that learning from failure is an essential part of improving their designs.
Organizers say the events are based on real-world aviation needs. Logistics transport and targeted cargo drops, for example, can be applied to emergency rescue, disaster relief and the development of the low-altitude economy.
Representatives of the Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics said the competition is designed to help students turn classroom knowledge into practical skills. While the internet and artificial intelligence have made aviation more accessible to young people, building real aircraft still requires extensive hands-on experience.
According to CCTV+, the growing number of university students gaining practical aviation experience is helping expand China's pool of young talent for the aviation industry.
