DLR_Uni_Summer_School 2025 takes students from all over Germany up in the air

From 8 to 12 September, the DLR_Uni_Summer_School took place in Braunschweig once again. The Summer_School offers a unique opportunity to follow in the footsteps of flight test engineers. Participants can put their theoretical knowledge to the test during practical research flights, collecting and evaluating data. The event is organised by the Institute of Flight Guidance (IFF) at Technical University of Braunschweig and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR). A varied supporting programme at the research airport rounded off the event.

Participants of DLR_Uni_Summerschool 2025. Photo credit: Kristina Rottig/TU Braunschweig

Meeting at the airfield – in the background, the two research aircrafts from TU Braunschweig and DLR. Photo credit: Kristina Rottig/TU Braunschweig

Close to the technology: sensors and their functions are explained here. Photo credit: Kristina Rottig/TU Braunschweig

At Braunschweig Research Airport: the two research aircraft belonging to TU Braunschweig and DLR. Photo credit: Kristina Rottig/TU Braunschweig

Finally! At the DLR_Uni_Summerschool, students have the unique opportunity to apply their knowledge in practice during flight. Photo credit: Kristina Rottig/TU Braunschweig

Exercises in the flight simulator. Photo credit: Kristina Rottig/TU Braunschweig

Evaluation of measurement data. Photo credit: Kristina Rottig/TU Braunschweig

Photo credit: Kristina Rottig/TU Braunschweig

This year, around 40 students from universities specialising in aerospace engineering took part in the five-day programme. Participants came from RWTH Aachen University, TU Berlin, TU Braunschweig, TU Darmstadt, TU Dresden, TU Hamburg, TU Munich and the University of Stuttgart.

Research flights

Participants had the opportunity to record measurements with both the Reims Cessna F406 ‘D-ILAB’ from the IFF and the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan ‘D-FDLR’ from the DLR. In addition, they were allowed to test the simulator of the DLR research helicopter EC 135 FHS.

Prior to the week-long event, all participants familiarised themselves with the theoretical basics of research flights. On the first day of the Summer_School, the participants presented their acquired knowledge to each other as an introduction. Some additional theoretical knowledge on research aircraft and research flights was covered before the first groups took to the air. During the flights, the students recorded all relevant data for evaluation using typical measurement cards. They also received a log from the onboard measuring system, which they used to carry out their own evaluations during the week. At the end of the Summer_School, the results were presented to the other groups.

Accompanying programme

In addition to flight tests and the evaluation of measurement data, participants were offered an exciting programme at the research airport and the DLR. At the DLR, various guided tours of selected institutes and facilities took place. Guided tours of two institutes at Technical University Braunschweig (the Institute of Aircraft Propulsion and Fluid Machinery, and the Institute of Fluid Mechanics) gave participants the opportunity to explore these facilities. The company Aerodata also presented itself and its facilities to the participants. The programme concluded with an opportunity to visit the remote tower at Braunschweig Wolfsburg Airport. The accompanying programme rounded off with a visit to the BFU and the associated wreck hall.

We would like to thank all the organisers, contributors and participants of this year’s Summer_School and hope that we will be able to welcome many interested students from all over Germany here in Braunschweig again next year. Special thanks go to the DLR and Braunschweig-Wolfsburg Airport for their close cooperation in making the Summer_School possible.