The 2024/2025 academic year has been a dynamic and inspiring period for EUROAVIA Forlì-Bologna, marked by growth, innovation, and extraordinary achievements.
The year began on a high note, as the association welcomed many new members and surpassed 250 in total, reaching the milestone of becoming officially recognized by the University of Bologna. To celebrate, in October, members gathered for the much-anticipated FLY-WITH-US event in Forlì, where students had the chance to experience ultralight flying and enjoy aviation from an entirely new perspective.
In November, attention turned to both technical learning and scientific exploration. The section launched a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) course, providing students with hands-on experience in aerodynamic simulation, while in Bologna a conference entitled “The Evolution of the Universe” by Yves Gaspar inspired attendees with insights on relativity, black holes, and the mysteries of the cosmos. That same month also marked the beginning of an exciting journey for five aspiring engineers who formed the Aether team to participate in the PACE Future Innovators Awards, a competition dedicated to designing HMIs for large-screen cockpits. For most of them, this was the first competition of its kind, as well as their first encounter with advanced HMI software such as VAPS, which brought challenges but also the thrill of new discovery.
December added two memorable experiences outside the classroom: a company visit to Lamborghini, which included access to both the factory and museum, and a behind-the-scenes tour of Aeroporto Marconi, where students learned about the airport’s police department and visited the firefighters’ helicopter hangar.
The following months continued to broaden horizons. In February, members explored satellite and space technologies at NPC-Spacemind, while March offered a fascinating trip to the Radio Telescopes of Medicina, giving participants a glimpse into cutting-edge radio astronomy research. In May, attention shifted to high-performance automotive engineering with a visit to Pagani, where students discovered the world of hyper-luxury car design and engineering excellence.
Meanwhile, the Aether team worked tirelessly on their PACE competition project. After months of teamwork and dedication, they were thrilled to learn in April that they had advanced to the final stage as one of the top two teams. This meant an invitation to present their work at PACE Days 2025 in Berlin, held on May 13–14. In front of an audience of professionals from leading companies such as Airbus, Lufthansa, Leonardo, and PACE TXT, the team presented their HMI design and, to their delight, were announced as the overall winners of the competition. It was the perfect reward for months of effort and a truly unforgettable experience that combined technical challenge, international exposure, and professional growth.
The academic year concluded in August with Forlì hosting the Airbus Sloshing Rocket Workshop Final. Finalist teams assembled and launched their rockets, while cultural activities brought together participants from across Europe. On August 29, alongside the workshop, EUROAVIA Forlì-Bologna also organized a career fair, where companies met with students, offering invaluable networking opportunities and insights into the aerospace and engineering sectors.
Looking back, the 2024/2025 year will be remembered not only for the diverse events and opportunities that enriched our members, but also for the international recognition achieved at PACE Days. From local initiatives to global stages, EUROAVIA Forlì-Bologna has once again shown the passion, talent, and drive of its members and set the bar high for the years to come.