Student club Meister third at 2024 Japan International Birdman Rally
Meister, an official Tokyo Tech* student club, has finished third in the 2024 Japan International Birdman Rally, held at Lake Biwa in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture in late July. The team competed in the human-powered propeller-driven aircraft category of the contest, the 46th of its kind, and finished third out of sixteen teams with a flight distance of 14,207.46 meters. Results were officially withheld until the event was broadcast on Japanese television on September 4.
The aircraft created by Meister for this year’s competition was called TSUBAME, which translates to swallow. Tokyo Medical and Dental University and Tokyo Tech merged on October 1, 2024 to form Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo), meaning that this was the last Japan International Birdman Rally for Tokyo Tech as an institution. The aircraft’s name was a dedication to the swallow depicted on the Tokyo Tech Seal. It also reflected the team’s long-cherished wish that the aircraft would circle the pylon at the 18-kilometer midway point of the course on Lake Biwa and return to the departure platform, much like a swallow leaves Japan in the fall and returns in the spring.
On the day of the competition, the team performed exceptionally well in the blazing heat and strong headwinds. Despite grazing the surface of the water twice, Meister and their aircraft crossed the 10-kilometer mark for the first time in six years and finished on the podium for the first time in eleven years.
Meister posts updates in Japanese on their activities on their official blog, X, and Instagram.
Comments from participating students
Meister representative Shota Yamazaki
3rd year, Mechanical Engineering
I have served as the representative of Meister for the past year. I think we cannot create a successful human-powered aircraft with just a few dozen members, but we can improve by attracting more people than in the past. There have been many challenges, but we have received plenty of support so far.
On the day of the competition, it was very emotional to fly over 14 kilometers while being watched by everyone, from the families of the club members to Meister club alumni. I can only express my gratitude to pilot Ryosuke, who flew the plane to its limit even though it touched the surface of the water many times. I also want to thank the members of Meister who put all their energy into the design and production of the plane over the past year. And a warm thank-you to everyone who supported us. As Meister continues to grow, we ask for your ongoing support.
TSUBAME pilot Ryosuke Suzuki
3rd year, Electrical and Electronic Engineering
This year, Meister’s team goal was to complete a turn at the 18-kilometer mark. Turning at the halfway point is a high hurdle that the club has not yet achieved, and it has been a tough year for us. Training for Lake Biwa, where temperatures exceeded 35 degrees Celsius, was grueling, and at times I felt like turning my back on my duties. However, now that I have retired from the club, I am truly glad that I devoted myself to Meister. With the expectations of my friends and supporters pushing me forward, the days I spent training — working on the engine and polishing my piloting skills — were truly a blessing.
I was a Meister member for two years, and I realized that our activities are supported by the love of countless people. Thank you very much to you all. I would also like to ask for your continued support and encouragement for those who follow in our footsteps.
TSUBAME designer Shuhei Ito
3rd year, Mechanical Engineering
For one year, the Meister team worked on the design and fabrication of our aircraft with the goal of making the turn at the halfway point at Lake Biwa. We identified problems with last year’s aircraft, and this year we changed the wing structure to be more solid and efficient.
Although there were many difficulties and failures in the fabrication process as we took on the challenge of a new structure, the test flights went well and we were able to go into production fully prepared. We were not able to reach our goal because the design and fuselage were not yet perfect, but I am proud to say that we were able to increase our flying distance significantly thanks to the efforts of all the members of the club.
Next year, I am sure that our juniors will build a better aircraft and achieve our goal, so please continue to support the Meister team!
Meister members and their roles during the contest
Note: Affiliations and roles were accurate at the time of the event.
Shota Yamasaki, Meister representative and Wings Group member
3rd year, Mechanical Engineering
Ryosuke Suzuki, TSUBAME pilot and Drive Group member
3rd year, Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Shuhei Ito, TSUBAME designer and Wings Group member
3rd year, Mechanical Engineering
Moeka Tsukamoto, Wings Group head
3rd year, Mechanical Engineering
Akito Saito, Wings Group
3rd year, Physics
Ruriko Hayasaka, Wings Group
2nd year, Chemistry
Masaki Takayanagi, Wings Group
2nd year, Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering
Nozomi Nishioka, Wings Group
2nd year, Industrial Engineering and Economics
Ryoichiro Ota, Wings Group
2nd year, Systems and Control Engineering
Ohma Matsukawa, Wings Group
2nd year, Mechanical Engineering
Hiroo Yashiba, CFRP Frame Group head
3rd year, Systems and Control Engineering
Kenji Ueda, CFRP Frame Group
3rd year, Materials Science and Engineering
Miki Ono, CFRP Frame Group
3rd year, Mechanical Engineering
Gakuto Hoki, CFRP Frame Group
2nd year, Life Science and Technology
Sotaro Kushibe, CFRP Frame Group
2nd year, Materials Science and Engineering
Yusho Tanaka, CFRP Frame Group
2nd year, Mechanical Engineering
Miyuki Momoi, CFRP Frame Group
2nd year, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
Shinji Motoyoshi, Propeller Group head
3rd year, Chemistry
Shota Araki, Propeller Group
2nd year, Materials Science and Engineering
Haruki Koshikawa, Propeller Group
2nd year, Materials Science and Engineering
Ryosuke Sato, Propeller Group
2nd year, Information and Communications Engineering
Keita Kusunoki, Fairing Group head
3rd year, Mechanical Engineering
Mao Yamagishi, Fairing Group
3rd year, Mechanical Engineering
Yuika Kitajima, Fairing Group
2nd year, Chemical Science and Engineering
So Hashimoto, Fairing Group
2nd year, School of Science
Yuta Suzuki, Electrical Equipment Group head
3rd year, Mechanical Engineering
Takumi Hasebe, Electrical Equipment Group
3rd year, Mechanical Engineering
Subaru Yoshino, Electrical Equipment Group
2nd year, Computer Science
Fu Yokoi, Electrical Equipment Group
2nd year, Computer Science
Tsubasa Ogasawara, Electrical Equipment Group
2nd year, Computer Science
Syu Azuma, Electrical Equipment Group
2nd year, Electrical Electronic Engineering
Akihiro Kaneko, Drive Group head
3rd year, Chemical Science and Engineering
Taketo Suzuki, Drive Group
2nd year, Civil and Environmental Engineering
* Tokyo Medical and Dental University and Tokyo Institute of Technology merged on October 1, 2024, to form Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo).
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Contact
Meister, Science Tokyo
Email meister.publicist@gmail.com