Informal “2026 Colorado Design/Build/Fly” Competition

AAM Airpark

By: Joe Pirozzoli

About Design/Build/Fly (DBF)

“The 2025-2026 Design/Build/Fly Competition will celebrate its 30th year.  Started in 1996 by the AIAA as an opportunity for university students to apply real-world aircraft design experience by giving them the opportunity to validate their analytic studies.

Student teams will design, fabricate, and demonstrate the flight capabilities of an unmanned, electric powered, radio-controlled aircraft which can best meet specified mission profiles.  The goal is a balanced design possessing good, demonstrated flight handling qualities and practical and affordable manufacturing requirements while providing a high vehicle performance.

To encourage innovation and maintain a fresh design challenge for each new year’s participants, the design requirements and performance objective will be updated for each new contest year. The changes will provide new design requirements and opportunities, while allowing for application of technology developed by the teams from prior years.”

Over 200 universities and institutions of higher education, from around the world, will submit proposals for the chance to compete in the annual DBF fly-off.  The proposals are graded by an AIAA committee, and only the top 100 (or so) are selected to participate.

For more information and to see video of the actual fly-off, please visit:  https://www.aiaa.org/dbf/

AAM and its members have perennially been involved with DBF for many years.  AAM has provided pilots for the University of Colorado (CU), Colorado State (CSU), Colorado School of Mines (CSM), and numerous other universities in the US and the world, as well as lending the Airpark for aircraft and systems testing prior to the official fly-off.  It is very unusual that none of the aforementioned Colorado teams made the cut for 2026.

However, AAM stepped up and agreed to host an informal (unofficial) version of the DBF fly-off, at the AAM Airpark, on the very same weekend (April 18^th – 19^th) as the official fly-off being held in Wichita, KS.  Teams from CU, CSU and CSM were all set to compete in the Colorado DBF Fly-off.

Special thanks to Mark Stenson (AAM Education and Research Coordinator) and Dan Underkofler (AAM Events Coordinator and former DBF pilot) for facilitating the local fly-off.

2026 “Unofficial” DBF Fly-off Highlights

Two days were set aside for the fly-off (Saturday and Sunday) which would be held at the West field.  I agreed to chaperone the teams in Dan’s absense for the entire weekend (if necessary).  Saturday was a beautiful spring day, except it was just a bit chilly in the morning and windy as well.  As such, all 3 teams scheduled to meet at 1 pm at West field.  Due to the weather that day, there was also very little activity at the East field.  So, after a brief discussion with the teams, we agreed to move the proceedings to the East field.

I do not know the exact details of the 2026 DBF missions, but they included aspects of speed, cargo capacity (i.e. weight), towing a banner, and combinations thereof.  The cargo theme this year was “rubber ducks” and “hockey pucks”.  As you can see from the pictures, both were to be incorporated into the aircraft’s payload.  The challenge, as always, was for each team to complete a ground mission as well as 3 progressive flying missions.

The first mission that each team would undertake was to simply complete at least 1 lap of the prescribed flight pattern.  The planes were ready and had presumably been test flown.  I was ready to step in and pilot for any one (or all) of the teams, but each team brought with them an experienced RC pilot.  The pilot for CSM is a actually a current member of AAM.  CU’s pilot is a member of the Boulder club and CSU’s pilot is from Love Air.

There was no pre-determined flight order, but CSU agreed to fly first.  The CSU plane was stable and appeared to fly very well.  However, shortly after takeoff, and before the plane returned to the center of the field, one of its hatch doors had come loose and was flapping in the breeze.  It did not come off, but the team agreed that after completing 1 lap they would land immediately.  I do believe that they were also timing the lap.  Upon landing, which was a bit bumpy, the nose gear became dislodged.  The landing gear was definitely repairable for a second flight if necessary.  As it would turn out, this would be the most successful of all the attempts that day.

CSM would be next.  Their plane was probably the least accomplished in terms of construction.  I noticed a rather significant gap between the trailing edge and the wing and the ailerons.  By significant, I mean about ¼ – ½ inch gap.  I wondered how negatively that might affect flight performance, but did not interfere.  Immediately upon takeoff, it was apparent that the plane was either under-powered or over-weight.  The pilot was able to successfully navigate the first turn and the circle at the center of the field, but when he tried turning on the down wind leg, it lost airspeed, stalled and crashed.  CSM was definitely done for the day.

CU was last.  Their plane was larger, had twin motors as was capable of carrying 32 rubber ducks and at least 5 hockey pucks.  It was not necessary to carry the payload on the first flight, but this is worth mentioning because, if successful, they may have easily won the cargo mission challenge.  CU’s plane also had a very long fuselage and a large conventional tail.  Upon takeoff it was obvious that the plane had plenty of power and was very stable.  Unfortunately, very shortly after takeoff, but not before it was able to gain about 75 feet of altitude, the elevator dislodged from the stab, and the plane came crashing to ground.  This ended their day as well.

As is always the case, DBF began with great enthusiasm and excitement.  And, as is often the case with many teams, DBF presents significant challenges and disappointments.  As mentioned earlier, CSU had the most success having actually completed a full flying lap and having landed their plane with only minor damage to the nose gear.  However, under the strict rules of DBF, a mission is not successfully completed unless the plane is landed and completely intact.  Thus, the Colorado 2026 DBF Fly-off techically finished without a clear winner.

Epilogue

Even though this was not the official fly-off, nor did it include nearly 100 teams from around the world, nor was it held in an exotic location such as Wichita, KS, I believe it was just as exciting and exhilarating for these CO teams.  I also believe that they put in just as much time and effort as they would have for the official competition.  After all, there is a lot of pride and competitiveness between these “in-state” rivals.  And, all the teams exhibited the great sportsmanship and camaraderie that is typical of the DBF fly-off.

I too felt the same exhileration and sense of belonging that I’d felt the numerous times I piloted (and assisted) at official DBF fly-off’s in both Wichita and Tucson.  Being around and working with these undergraduate engineering students takes me back to my college days at “Whiskey Tech”, and it reminds me of my own children when they were undergrads.  It does, in a very real way, make me feel alive and young again with attitude that everything is possible.  The fact that this interation also involves the hobby that I am most passionate about is simply icing on the cake!  I will always accept an invitation to participate in DBF.

University of Colorado (Team CU)

Colorado State University (Team CSU)

Colorado School of Mines (Team CSM, not all present)

Lots of Rubber Ducks

and Hockey Pucks

Design-Build-Fly Competition (West Field, Sat & Sun)

3/31 update: NOTE date change.

The club plans on changing the gate code on Wednesday, April 4.  The new gate code was sent to the club email list.  If you did not receive the email, please contact the Membership Coordinator though the contact form.

“Annual Tradition & Generational Event”

By:  Joe Pirozzoli

History and Recent Memories

The “Frozen Finger Fun Fly” (FFFF) has been a Club tradition since 2004, as is evidenced by the plaque on the front of the trophy.  Prior to that, I do not recall the Club having a fun fly or any other organized event on New Year’s Day.  I remember the days when a handful of very zealous members would try to put up the first flight of the year.  Some guys were willing to be at the field at midnight, regardless of the weather, point their car lights over the runway, and take-off at the stroke of midnight.  Lanny Hansen was one of those guys and managed to claim that honor for many years.  Even in recent years there have been early birds to the Airpark on New Year’s Day, of which I was not usually one.  Ironically, this year (2026) was my turn.  I arrived a bit later than planned, happily opened the gate, and flew several flights well ahead of the rest of the crowd.

The FFFF has been successfully executed for 23 consecutive years (2004 – 2026).  The trophy (after this year) has room for 7 more names (i.e. for 30 years of champions).  As far as I know, all but one of the prior years was on the actual day (i.e. January 1^st).  In 2022 the event had to be postponed due to snow blocking the road.  Still, 4 of us crazy bastards managed to get into the East field and put up a couple of flights.  The 2022 FFFF was eventually completed on January 9^th that year.

2026 FFFF Highlights

The first thing that is worth pointing out is the attendance.  We had one of our biggest years in recent memory with 16 participants (8 Sportsman/Juniors and 8 Experts).  I’m sure the mild weather (i.e. 50 degree temps and virtually no wind) was a contributing factor.  The only complaint one could have had was that it was heavily overcast the entire day.  Regardless, any time we can get double digit attendance for the FFFF is a good year… so 16 is exceptional.

Another highlight was the event itself.  We did several things this year that were never done before or that were done with very unique twists.  That is due to the ingenuity of the CD (Landen Jekel) and his helper/grandfather (Rodger Barsch).  There were a ground event and 2 flying events.  I particularly enjoyed the “racetrack” ground event and the “climb and glide/precision landing” event.  I didn’t much care for the “hover” event because, as is common knowledge… I SUCK AT 3D”. 

Perhaps the most notable aspect of this FFFF was the CD himself (i.e. the 2025 FFFF champion).  Landen Jekel is a 4^th generation RC flyer from the Barsch family.  When I joined the Club in 1984, there were already 3 generations of Barsch’s very active in the Club.  Landen’s uncles, then very young themselves; of course, his grandfather Rodger (who is also a founding member of AAM); his great-grandfather; and a great-uncle.  How cool is that!!!

Any of us that have been able to enjoy this hobby with our children or a parent consider ourselves very fortunate, no matter to what extent because sometimes that may only be for a short while.  Rodger and Landen, in particular, are very fortunate.  We should all be so lucky… to enjoy the greatest past time there ever was, with virtually everyone in your family.  My hat is off to both of you my friends, you are truly blessed.

The 11/30 Float Fly is canceled due weather. The forecast is for very cold temperatures and there will be ice on the lake. 

More “JD” Model Sightings (L-4 Grasshopper)

By: Joe Pirozzoli

Introduction

On any given weekend, when there’s a pretty good crowd of pilots, you are very likely to find at least one of the planes from JD LaVasseur’s estate.  FYI… it is always a very pleasant and warm reminder of our dear departed friend and the generous donation he made to our Club.  I’ve spoken of JD many times and my great admiration for him.  That is why I am proud to own 2 of his planes and make sure they get plenty of “stick-time”!

Very recently, including 2 weekends this past October, another of JD’s planes has been restored and is now getting a lot of stick-time… that being his Bill Hempel (i.e. “Team Edge”) 40% scale, L-4 Grasshopper.  “Team Edge” boasts of being the “Home of the World’s Largest ARF’s”.  No doubt this is true because they offer many large-scale models, some of which are up to 65% scale.  Thus, if your thing is uber-sized scale models… then Team Edge is your destination for a wide variety of large, impressive scale models!

Flight of the L-4

As a fanatic scale modeler, with a preference toward warbirds, the L-4 was undoubtably an attractive choice for JD.  Finding the age and date of which it was first flown was pretty easy.  I simply contacted our trusty Club photographer (and current Newsletter Editor), Lee Jay Fingersh.  Lee Jay not only sent me photographs, but also a video of the maiden flight.  The pictures below were taken on August 26, 2014.  There is also a video of the maiden flight, presumably the same day.  The stats on JD’s L-4 are as follows:

• Scale – 40%
• Wingspan – 14 feet
• Weight – ~49 pounds
• Motor – DLE 120 cc

JD flew the L-4 many times and at many events.  There photos of JD and his L-4 at most of the AAM Airshows and Warbirds Over the Rockies© from 2015 through 2018.  Subsequently, JD’s health began to decline and his activity level was significantly diminished after his left leg was amputated in January 2019.  However, he was still participating in static events, shows, attending club meetings, building models, and visiting the field.  His last visit to the Airpark was on October 29, 2022.  JD passed away just 13 days later on November 11, 2022.  Per his final wishes, all of his models including the L-4, were donated to the Club.

Two of the signature features of JD’s L-4 were: 1) the pilot insignia on the right side of the aircraft (in white lettering) which read, “LT. JD La Vasseur”; and 2) the “Grumpy” (of the “7 dwarves”) insignia on the left side.  Although JD was an extremely pleasant and amiable person, in many pictures he does appear to be frowning, which contributed to the “Grumpy” legend.  All the photos below were all taken during the Arvada Harvest Festival parade and AAM Airshow on September 10, 2016.

It is also worth noting that the 3 large scale warbirds (PT-19, P-47 and Zero), on the parade float, were all JD’s.

The Next Chapter for JD’s L-4

JD’s L-4 was successfully auctioned on June 25, 2023 along with the rest of his donated estate.  At that time, the L-4 was not flyable due to some minor damage (and a little hanger rash) to various critical components including the wing-tube housing.  I specifically recall that the wing-tube housing would need to be repaired or replaced before it could be flown.  Spoiler alert… the person that purchased it at the estate auction is NOT the same person that owns it today and is flying it with regularity at our Airpark.

Introducing… Randy Chrinka, current owner of JD’s L-4.  As mentioned, Randy did not purchase JD’s L-4 at the estate auction in 2023.  Rather, he purchased it around May 2025.  Randy does not know (for certain) if the person he bought it from is the same person that acquired it at the estate auction.  However, the person he bought it from confirmed that the L-4 he was selling to Randy originally had a “Grumpy” insignia on the left side of the aircraft.  This is an important detail which confirmed that this had been JD’s L-4 because, at the time Randy purchased the plane, the plane had been re-covered (with fabric) and the “Grumpy” insignia was gone.

I inquired about the history of Randy’s L-4 because I was naturally curious if it had been one of JD’s models, despite the fact that there were many obvious modifications and improvements to the model.  IOW… today, the L-4 looks nothing like it did when JD owned it.  As I spoke more with Randy, he divulged many details about acquiring the L-4 and the numerous modifications and improvements that he had made.  I also got to know Randy, who is relatively new to the Club, a lot better.  He is obviously a very meticulous “scale” modeler.  Everything that I’ve seen him bring to the field be it the L-4, helicopters, IMAC planes, etc. are all large, scale aircraft finished with incredible detail.  He is also a very accomplished flyer.

The L-4 was in reasonably good condition and supposedly flyable when Randy purchased it last May.  However, he did not want any of the original radio components or the DLE engine.  Thus, he only purchased the airframe.  The following are most of the modifications and improvements Randy made (which are substantial):

• GP123 cc engine with stock exhaust
• Extreme Flight 54 oz fuel tank (resulting in 40 min flight times)
• AirTop 8” rubber tires
• New, custom M6 axles
• Extreme Flight carbon tail wheel
• New or refurbished struts (painted white instead of green)
• All new Xact FrSky 5404 servos all around
• FrSky TDR12 receiver “Powersafe”
• IBEC ignition
• Interior carbon fiber, deck for batteries, and rudder servo mounts
• Painted interior and epoxy cleared painted firewall
• Installed scale cloth interior fuselage (aft of the pilot)
• All new clear glass all around
• Custom-made instrument panel to scale detail
• New scale pilot
• All new wiring
• Unilight Nav/Strobe combos installed on wing tips
• New insignias on the nose (both sides)
• Note… the tail number (092257) is the same

Randy’s maiden flight of the L-4 was sometime last June 2025.  He says it went very well and has been enjoying flying it ever since!!!

Acknowledgements:  Original photos of L-4 are by Lee Jay Fingersh.  To see additional photos and events, please visit Lee Jay’s website.

Members,

I am happy to report that a quorum was achieved and we were able to conduct our annual business meeting last Tuesday, November 4^th.  We held elections and the following individuals will be your Officers for 2026:

President – Joe Pirozzoli

Vice President – Jamie Park

Treasurer – Ken Monblatt

Secretary – Scott Emerson

Safety – Shazam Kianpour

I am also happy to report that we have a full contingent of Board members for the upcoming year:

Chief Flight Instructor – Brian Gates

Events Coordinator – Dan Underkofler

Field Marshall – Larry Barnes

Membership Coordinator – Chris Koerner

Newsletter Editor – Lee Jay Fingersh

Webmaster – Dan Jones

Public Relations Committee Chairperson – Rodger Barsch

Thanks to everyone that participated in the meeting such that we were able to achieve a quorum.

Joe Pirozzoli, President

The Float Fly for 10/19/2025 is canceled due to high wind forecast. 

By:  Joe Pirozzoli, President

Oct 5, 2025 Update: 2026 Club Officer candidates have been updated

Notice of Annual Business Meeting – Tuesday, November 4^th, 2025

It is my obligation to schedule and announce our intent to hold an Annual Business Meeting (“ABM”) on Tuesday, November 4^th, 2025 at 7 pm.

Location will be:  Arvada Seventh-day Adventist Church, 7090 W 64th Avenue, Arvada, CO 80003.

The official AGENDA scheduled for the ABM will be:

• The election of Club Officers for 2026 (i.e. President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Safety Officer). Please see separate report from the Nominating Committee regarding the current slate of officers.

Quorum Requirements

Please note that in order to conduct the ABM and have the Elections, we must have a quorum consisting of at least 30 active/voting members.  Please make a point of attending for the sake of holding the elections and conducting other club business as proposed in the agenda.