UC Aerocats Soar to Top Finish in Elite Flight Competition

Student aerospace engineering team places 4th overall and 1st among advanced teams at prestigious aviation contest.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:58am

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A bold, abstract painting featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circular forms, and precise intersecting waveforms in soft, earthy tones of green, brown, and blue, conceptually representing the complex aerodynamic forces and engineering principles behind the Aerocats' high-performing aircraft.The Aerocats' expertly engineered aircraft soars above the competition, showcasing the team's mastery of aerospace design and manufacturing.Today in Dayton

The University of Cincinnati Aerocats, a student aerospace engineering team, excelled at a prestigious national flight competition, placing 4th overall and taking 1st place among advanced teams. The team's expertly designed and constructed plane took to the skies after months of preparation, manufacturing, and testing at the university's 12,000-square-foot 1819 Ground Floor Makerspace.

Why it matters

The Aerocats' strong performance highlights the value of hands-on engineering education and access to advanced manufacturing facilities, which allow students to translate their designs into functional aircraft. The team's success also raises the profile of UC's aerospace engineering program and demonstrates the university's commitment to fostering the next generation of aviation innovators.

The details

The Aerocats competed against 34 other teams in a test of aircraft design, construction, and flight at the annual competition. After countless hours of work in the university's makerspace, trial runs in Dayton, and a 16-hour drive to Central Florida, the team's plane took to the skies, climbing to a 4th-place finish in the regular class and a 1st-place ranking among advanced teams.

  • The competition took place in March 2026 in Central Florida.
  • The Aerocats spent months prior preparing their aircraft in the 1819 Ground Floor Makerspace in Cincinnati.
  • The team conducted test flights of their plane in Dayton, Ohio before the competition.

The players

University of Cincinnati Aerocats

A student aerospace engineering team at the University of Cincinnati that designs, builds, and flies aircraft for national competitions.

Dylan Lawrence

An aerospace engineering student at the University of Cincinnati who served as the 2025 regular team lead for the Aerocats.

1819 Ground Floor Makerspace

A 12,000-square-foot facility at the University of Cincinnati that provides equipment, mentorship, and certifications to help student engineering teams like the Aerocats succeed.

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What they’re saying

“We were walking in, shooting for top five. This placement overall … this was something we were really proud of.”

— Dylan Lawrence, Aerospace Engineering Student, 2025 Regular Team Lead

“Everything being put on paper is a lot simpler than what you're actually going through doing … so manufacturing is half, if not more than half, of the process.”

— Dylan Lawrence, Aerospace Engineering Student, 2025 Regular Team Lead

What’s next

The Aerocats plan to build on their success and return to the competition next year, aiming to further improve their aircraft design and flight performance.

The takeaway

The Aerocats' strong showing at the prestigious aviation competition demonstrates the value of hands-on engineering education and access to advanced manufacturing facilities. Their achievement highlights the University of Cincinnati's commitment to fostering the next generation of aviation innovators.