‘Raven’ Aircraft Entirely Designed and Built by Students Outperforms Once Again in Another Highly Competitive International Arena
Khalifa University’s Team AERONYX of four Aerospace Engineering students won first place with a cash award of AED60,000 at the Al Ain International Miniature Aerobatic Club (IMAC) Gulf Cup Open International 2026, part of the International Radio-Controlled (RC) Aerobatics Competition, reiterating once again the University’s commitment to creating technology leaders through hands-on engineering education, and aerospace innovation..
The refined ‘Raven’ aircraft entirely designed and built by students from Khalifa University outperformed against teams from multiple universities once again, after successfully completing all mission requirements and demonstrating exceptional engineering expertise. The team, led by Hamad Almaeeni, included Mohammad Alhashmi, Bashayer Alhammadi, and Alyazia Alkhemeiri, triumphed over regional and international participants through exceptional engineering, teamwork, and execution. Dr. Rafic Ajaj, Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering, was their faculty guide.
Organized by IMAC UAE, the second edition of the international platform specialized in radio-controlled aviation, featured 86 professional participants from 26 countries, alongside more than 20 participating entities. The competition from 6-8 February 2026 combined precision aerobatics, freestyle showcases, STEM workshops, and family-friendly activities. The event also included a renowned Pilots’ and Judges’ Boot Camp, offering training in Aresti aerobatic symbols, electronic judging, aircraft setup, and scoring methodologies — further emphasizing the technical rigor of the event.
The 2026 IMAC Gulf Cup Open International competition was structured across three areas – Know Flights, Unknow Flights and Free Style Flight. ‘Know Flights’ are performed executing the aerobatic programs issued by IMAC for the year 2026, while ‘Unknow Flights’ are performed executing new aerobatic programs that are delivered to the pilots only on the evening before the flight. The ‘Free Style Flight’ is a program designed by the pilot, four-minute long, and executed following any music chosen by the pilot.
Team AERONYX successfully completed all mission requirements, demonstrating deep technical understanding and advanced aircraft design capabilities. Raven, Khalifa University’s winning aircraft had already earned global recognition by ranking 37th out of 112 international teams last year at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Design/Build/Fly Competition in Tucson, Arizona — an experience that helped the team enhance the aircraft for championship-level performance at Al Ain.
Dr. Rafic Ajaj said: “This accomplishment reflects Khalifa University students’ strong commitment to innovation and their ability to excel in highly competitive engineering environments at both regional and international levels. We are extremely proud of Team AERONYX for their dedication, technical excellence, and collaborative spirit, which exemplifies the innovative mindset that defines our students. This success also aligns with the University’s mission to cultivate future leaders who thrive in both academic settings and real-world engineering challenges.”
Clarence Michael
English Specialist – Editor
