MIST aeronautical team stands 4th in the Asian region

Every year, the Design/Build/Fly (DBF) competition, hosted by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), brings 110 teams worldwide to test their aircraft design, construction, and flight skills. Against over a hundred talented teams worldwide, a team from the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), the representative from Bangladesh, stands fourth in the Asia region in this competition.

The 2024 AIAA DBF competition unfolds in Wichita, Kansas, drawing participants from 13 nations, including the United States. This event, renowned as one of the most rigorous aviation contests worldwide, attracts talents from esteemed institutions like MIT and the University of California.

Here, Team Novonil, representing MIST, Bangladesh, captures hearts and imaginations with their exceptional aircraft, named 'Akash Tori'.

Team Novonil, led by Asif Hasnayeen, has achieved the peak of aeronautical perfection through dedication and creativity.

Despite financial limits, they demonstrate their creativity by developing a masterpiece that exceeds expectations. Their aircraft, Akash Tori, flies across the sky, representing a nation's ambitions and aspirations.

Reflecting on their achievement, team member Navid Ibne Newaz Chowdhury, a fourth-year student at MIST's Aeronautical Engineering Department, shared, "Alhamdulillah, that was a great moment. We all felt that, finally, our hard work paid off. We were so happy."

According to Navid, the inspiration behind the name 'Akash Tori' came from a similar aircraft used by Biman Bangladesh Airlines. This connection to national pride was a motivating factor for the team.

He explained the design and development process in layman's terms, "The design team conducted the aircraft design and development process, calculating necessary parameters like takeoff speed, motor RPM, weight, sizing, and CG calculation. Then, we created a CAD model and began manufacturing. Despite material and budget constraints, we overcame these challenges by pooling their resources."

Among the most notable features of 'Akash Tori' was its innovative folding wing mechanism, which received praise from other teams.

Navid stated, "The folding wing mechanism and our design stood out. Every team who saw it praised it highly."

Team Novonil believes that dedication and commitment are the keys to victory.

Their success in finishing second among South Asian teams and fourth in Asia reflects Bangladesh's potential in aerospace engineering.  As accolades and praises flow in, Team Novonil expresses gratitude to their mentors and supporters for their unwavering support throughout every difficulty.

From Air Commodore Md Aminul Haque to the dedicated faculty members and graduates of MIST, their steadfast support has helped shape Team Novonil's path to success.

Team Novonil aims to develop 'Akash Tori' more. Navid shared, "We have a plan for that. In Sha Allah, if we have enough budget, we will further develop our 'Akash Tori'."

Balancing academic responsibilities with the demands of preparing for such a high-level competition was no small feat. The team divided their work among members, ensuring that each member diligently worked on their assigned tasks, allowing them to balance their academic commitments with their preparation for the competition.

A particularly memorable moment during the competition in Kansas was meeting members of the National University of Singapore team at Wichita Airport. Navid explained, "We gossiped a lot and shared our experiences. Later, we helped each other in times of need. Fortunately, we met three Bangladeshis currently enrolled in various US universities there."

Team Novonil's journey in aeronautics, where aspirations take flight and boundaries are nonexistent, shows the power of passion, tenacity, and creativity. Their achievement extends far beyond the competition, serving as an inspiration to future generations of engineers.

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