About S2FAR
Transforming aerial concepts into flight-ready prototypes at Oklahoma State University's Tulsa campus
Transforming aerial concepts into flight-ready prototypes at Oklahoma State University's Tulsa campus
Oklahoma State University (OSU) is a leading R1-classified research institution, serving over 25,000 students at its main campus in Stillwater and the growing Tulsa Campus. Conveniently located near downtown Tulsa, OSU-Tulsa connects academic excellence with industry partnerships in the region. The School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) at OSU is home to advanced facilities such as the LaunchPad Center for Advanced Air Mobility and the Counter-UAS Center of Excellence, supporting pioneering research in unmanned aerial systems, flight dynamics, and VTOL technologies. The Simulation to Flight Applied Research (S2FAR) Laboratory is located at OSU’s Tulsa campus in the Helmerich Research Center.
The Skyway Range, developed in collaboration with OSU’s Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education (OAIRE), Osage LLC, and Tulsa Innovation Labs, delivers an unmatched environment for the research, development, and testing of unmanned and advanced air mobility systems. With a 114-nautical-mile flight corridor encircling over 1,200 square miles of mixed urban and rural terrain, Skyway offers exceptional flexibility and scale for cutting-edge flight testing.
The OSU Vertical Flight Society (VFS) Student Chapter, founded in August 2025, recently became an officially recognized student organization at Oklahoma State University. We currently have 22 members and hold quarterly meetings. Two S2FAR students are on the leadership team for the chapter, and Dr. Comer serves as the chapter faculty advisor. Our chapter was accepted into the 2026 VFS Design-Build-Vertical Flight competition and will be competing for the first time in school history.
Our chapter’s purpose is threefold: (1) to bring together students interested in vertical flight and unmanned aerial systems, (2) to connect them with professional development opportunities through invited speakers and networking, and (3) to provide pathways for participation in national competitions. These include the annual VFS Design-Build-Vertical Flight (DBVF) competition and the VFS Student Design Competition.
Through these activities, the OSU VFS Student Chapter will give students access to hands-on technical experience, career mentorship, and visibility in the broader aerospace community. By fostering both professional development and experiential learning, the chapter will position OSU students for success in industry, research, and graduate studies.