OSU's First Vertical Flight Society Student Chapter & DBVF Team
Oklahoma is ready to take flight. With your support, students at Oklahoma State University will launch the state’s first-ever Vertical Flight Society (VFS) Student Chapter and build a team to compete on the national stage at the 2026 Design-Build-Vertical Flight (DBVF) competition.
The Student Chapter will create a vibrant community for students passionate about vertical flight, connecting them to industry experts, professional development, and career opportunities. Startup funding of $2,000 — along with $500 from VFS and MAE — will allow us to host engaging meetings, provide food and resources that bring students together, and support travel for guest speakers who can inspire and mentor our members.
The heart of this project is OSU’s debut DBVF team. With $8,000 in support, students will design, build, and fly an advanced UAV, gaining hands-on skills in fabrication, testing, and flight operations. Our team will be unique in bringing together students from both OSU Stillwater and OSU Tulsa, uniting talents across campuses to build, fly, and compete as one Oklahoma team. In Spring 2026, they will travel to Maryland to represent Oklahoma for the first time in this prestigious international competition.
The OSU Vertical Flight Society (VFS) Student Chapter, founded in August 2025, recently became an officially recognized student organization at Oklahoma State University. We launched with 12 founding members and, following our kickoff meeting in Fall 2025, have grown to 25 active members. We're always recruiting more students!
Our chapter’s purpose is threefold: (1) to bring together students interested in vertical flight and unmanned aerial systems, (2) to connect them with professional development opportunities through invited speakers and networking, and (3) to provide pathways for participation in national competitions. These include the annual VFS Design-Build-Vertical Flight (DBVF) competition and the VFS Student Design Competition.
By funding this project, you are not only supporting a new student organization but also empowering Oklahoma students to innovate, compete, and lead in the future of aerospace.
$25
Ground Crew
“Every bolt counts.” Helps cover shop consumables, 3D-print filament, adhesives, connectors, and safety gear used on each prototype. Donors receive: Thank-you on our website + social media; name on the PhilanthroPete donor wall.
$100
Hover Supporter
“Get it off the ground.” Funds a matched propeller set, wiring/terminals, LiPo safety equipment, or basic avionics harness items. Donors receive: Email updates from the build and flight-test campaign + $25 recognition.
$250
Transition Partner
“Power + control.” Typically covers a high-capacity flight battery or a pair of ESCs, plus spares for flight-test readiness. Donors receive: Invite to an on-campus demo day/lab tour + $100 or below recognition.
$1,000
Avionics Sponsor
“Brains on board.” Supports a flight controller (Pixhawk-class), GPS/compass, telemetry radio, and ground-station accessories for the competition airframe. Donors receive: Logo on team website and pit banner at events; optional short shout-out during demo day; 1 draw at naming the competition vehicle + $250 and below recognition.
$2,500
Flight-Test Leader
“From prototype to competition.” Funds major airframe materials (carbon/foam/CNC), motors and spares, flight-test instrumentation, and a portion of DBVF travel. Donors receive: Prominent logo on the aircraft (where rules/safety permit) and team shirts; invitation to a private flight-test showcase with the team; 3 draws at naming the competition vehicle + $1000 and below recognition.