Three brothers from Tampa Bay, Shaan (16), Sahil (15), and Krishiv Patel (13), achieved an impressive milestone by recently winning the FAA’s student airport design competition. They visited Tampa International Airport (TPA) on January 10 to engage with the Airport Planning and Development team, showcasing their award-winning project from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Design Challenge.
During their visit, the Patel brothers enjoyed an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of TPA, which included the Airport Operations Center, SkyCenter One office building, airfield, and baggage handling systems. For aviation enthusiasts like the Patels, this experience was a thrilling culmination of their hard work and passion for flight.
“I grew up loving to create model airports and collect model airplanes,” Shaan Patel shared. “Now, planes are a significant part of my life, and seeing everything at TPA after all our effort feels incredible.”
The Airport Design Challenge invites students from Kindergarten through 12th grade to design virtual airports using Minecraft, guided by professionals from the FAA. The competition separates entries into categories based on grade levels, and the Shahs clinched first place in the Primary Airport design category for grades 7-12 under the team name “Aviator Bros.”
Participants in this initiative have the opportunity to meet with aviation experts, collaborate with fellow student designers, and learn about various aspects of the aviation industry. Although students are encouraged to consider local airports to aid in their designs, they receive valuable instruction on airport layout, pavement, lighting, structures, and innovative development strategies.
For their project, the Patels focused on enhancing the features of Tampa International Airport, adding innovative elements such as unique dining options, a rooftop garden and observation deck atop the Economy Parking Garage, and streamlined access to a cargo port designed for delivery drones.
This accomplishment not only highlights the creativity and talent of young minds in engineering but also inspires future generations to pursue careers in aviation and design. It demonstrates the potential for young innovators to make significant contributions to the industry, fostering a sense of excitement about what they may one day achieve.