This year’s IT FLIES finalists with judges and organisers at Swansea University’s flight simulation suite.
Aerospace students put their skills to the test in an international competition aimed at highlighting their technological talents – and once again Swansea University was among the prize winners.
The University teamed up with ST Engineering Antycip to host the IT FLIES UK 2026 Aircraft Design and Handling competition. The annual event gives students the chance to take their designs beyond the theoretical and into a simulated, real-world environment.
Six teams from universities in the UK and Europe students presented and defended their own conceptual aircraft designs before having them evaluated by professional test pilots inside the Merlin Flight Simulator at Bay Campus.
The winners were:
- Best Aircraft Design – University of South Wales, The Nabla Wyvern;
- Best Innovative Aircraft – University of South Wales, The Orca; and,
- Best Presentation - Swansea University, The Marlin.
Beside taking home first prize, the winning team from USW was also awarded a speaker slot at the Royal Aeronautical Society Flight Simulation Conference 2026 where the students will present their design work to a professional aerospace audience.
Professor Spencer Jeffs, head of the Aerospace at Swansea University, said: “Yet again this fantastic event has given us a chance to allow students - from Swansea and further afield – to put their skills to the test using our facilities and simulators.
“It is always exciting to see our future aerospace engineers in action here in Swansea. The level of technical thinking, creativity and professionalism from the students was very impressive.”
Amir Khosh, Merlin Manager at Antycip said: “IT Flies continues to showcase the incredible creativity, technical capability and passion of the next generation of aerospace engineers. What makes the competition particularly special is the opportunity for students to experience how simulation can bridge the gap between theoretical design and real-world evaluation.
“We are extremely proud to continue supporting this initiative alongside Swansea University.”
Find out more about studying aerospace engineering at Swansea University