Three brothers from Tampa Bay, the Patel trio, recently celebrated their victory in the FAA’s annual Airport Design Challenge by visiting Tampa International Airport (TPA) to meet the airport’s engineering team. Shaan, 16, Sahil, 15, and Krishiv, 13, won first place in the Primary Airport design category for grades 7-12 under the team name “Aviator Bros.”
During their visit on January 10, the brothers had the opportunity to present their winning design and take a behind-the-scenes tour of TPA. This tour included stops at the Airport Operations Center and insights into the airfield and baggage handling systems. For the Patel brothers, all avid aviation enthusiasts, it was indeed a dream experience.
Shaan shared his passion for aviation, saying, “Growing up, I used to love making model airports and collecting model planes. Now planes have become a part of me, and I love it so much. Being able to come to TPA and see all this after all our effort is fantastic.”
The Airport Design Challenge invites students from kindergarten to 12th grade to design virtual airports in Minecraft, guided by experts from the FAA. Participants learn about key concepts in airport design, including layout, lighting, and innovative growth possibilities. The program encourages collaboration with aviation professionals and fosters creativity among young designers.
In their winning design, the Patels expanded on the concept of Tampa International Airport by incorporating unique features such as diverse dining options, a rooftop garden and observation deck on the Economy Parking Garage, and a dedicated cargo port designed for delivery drones.
This engaging challenge not only showcases the talents of young students but also nurtures their interest in aviation, potentially inspiring future generations of engineers and aviation professionals. The involvement of local airports in such initiatives ensures that young minds can connect theory with real-world applications.