ST Engineering Antycip (Antycip), in collaboration with Merlin Flight Simulation Group, is excited to announce the upcoming IT FLIES UK 2025 Aircraft Design and Handling competition. Taking place on 5th June 2025 at Swansea University's Faculty of Science and Engineering, the event will once again provide aerospace students with a unique opportunity to showcase their creativity and technical expertise while testing their aircraft designs on state-of-the-art flight simulators.

This one-of-a-kind competition pushes students to turn theoretical designs into real-world flying machines. Leveraging Merlin's EXCALIBUR flight simulation software, participants will experience how their concepts perform in various flight scenarios. The competition encourages participants to develop not just visionary concepts but designs that can meet the practical demands of flight, pushing the boundaries of aerospace engineering.

For teams who may not have direct access to a Merlin flight simulator, the competition allows for the use of an offline editor. Teams can submit their designs, which will then be tested on Antycip's MP500-1 simulator. The performance results will be sent back to the teams for analysis, helping them refine and improve their designs before the final test flight.

IT FLIES UK 2025 will follow a two-phase structure:

• Design Presentation: Each team will have 10 minutes to present their aircraft design, highlighting its innovation, functionality, and engineering process.
• Flight Simulation: The aircraft design will be tested in real-time flight simulations, with professional Test Pilots assessing its performance in ground handling, takeoff, climb, cruise, approach, and landing.

This competition is a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, focusing on the crucial aspect of flight performance. Unlike traditional design contests, IT FLIES UK emphasises creating viable aircraft designs that can be validated through real-time simulation, replicating industry standards.

Michael Hendy, senior technician (Aerospace Engineering), at Swansea University, shared his perspective on the competition: "We are very much looking forward to hosting IT FLIES UK again this year. The competition gives the students a great experience in show casing their aircraft and having their models put through their paces on the Merlin simulators by professional test pilots and then presenting them to a professional body of pilots and engineers."

Amir Khosh, commercial solutions manager at Antycip, also expressed his excitement: "IT FLIES UK offers an exceptional platform for students to test the boundaries of their creativity and engineering skills. By bridging the gap between theory and real-world application, we help foster the next generation of aerospace engineers and innovators. We're excited to see the groundbreaking designs that will emerge from this year's competition."

IT FLIES UK 2025 promises to be an outstanding opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience, refine their designs, and prepare for successful careers in aerospace engineering. We invite all eligible teams to take part in this inspiring and competitive event.