ST Engineering Antycip marks 25th year of IT FLIES UK with Swansea’s double win
Celebrating 25 years of inspiring future aerospace engineers, the IT FLIES UK 2025 competition concluded at Swansea University with impressive aircraft designs and stand-out student talent.
Paris (France), 12th June 2025 – ST Engineering Antycip (Antycip) is proud to mark the successful conclusion of the 25th anniversary edition of IT FLIES UK, held this year at Swansea University. This annual event continues to set the benchmark for experiential learning in aerospace engineering, providing students with an unparalleled opportunity to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application.
The winners of IT FLIES UK 2025 are:
- Best Aircraft Design: FlyGrow Bumblebee – Swansea University
- Best Innovative Aircraft: Little Red Dragon – University of South Wales
- Best Presentation: FlyGrow Bumblebee – Swansea University
Participants from leading universities showcased their aircraft designs, which were rigorously tested using the state-of-the-art Merlin flight simulators. Evaluated by seasoned test pilots, each design underwent comprehensive assessments, including ground handling, take-off, climb, cruise, approach and landing phases. This hands-on experience is invaluable, offering students insights into real-world flight dynamics and performance.
Unlike traditional academic competitions, IT FLIES UK emphasises the integration of design innovation with practical testing. By leveraging advanced simulation technology, students gain firsthand experience in validating their designs, fostering a deeper understanding of aerospace engineering principles. This approach not only enhances their technical skills but also prepares them for future challenges in the aerospace industry.
“IT FLIES represents everything we believe in at Antycip, empowering the next generation of engineers through immersive, hands-on learning,” comments Amir Khosh, Merlin manager at Antycip. “This 25th anniversary is a milestone not just for the competition, but for the continued partnership between academia and simulation technology. We’re proud to help students turn great ideas into validated designs, and ultimately, into real-world aerospace innovation.”
The stand-out of this year's competition, the FlyGrow Bumblebee from Swansea University, clinched both the Best Aircraft Design and Best Presentation awards. This innovative aircraft is a safe high operational tempo sprayer (SHOTS) aircraft designed for short take-off and landing (STOL) performance. Its unique folding wing configuration addresses storage constraints, making it highly adaptable for various operational environments. The design exemplifies a harmonious blend of practicality and innovation, showcasing the team's exceptional engineering prowess and forward-thinking approach.
“Competing in the 2025 IT FLIES competition was an exciting and different experience. It was great to compete against like-minded and innovative teams and have the opportunity to learn from experienced pilots and engineers,” says Katie Fung from the winning team from Swansea University. “The Merlin flight simulator is integral to the aircraft and design projects of both third year and master’s students at Swansea University, as a fantastic way to visualise and refine designs. Overall, it was a challenging yet fun and informative experience.”
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