As the Class of 2025 celebrates their academic achievements, we spotlight one of this year’s winner for Best Thesis Award for the MSc in Aerospace Engineering, Zhang Xiangyu. His journey from childhood fascination to designing the future of flight is nothing short of inspiring.
Growing up, Xiangyu was captivated by the skies, building model aircraft and immersing himself in documentaries about flight and exploration. But it was a high school visit to an airshow, where engineers discussed the next frontier in aviation, that crystallised his ambition: to create real-world aerospace solutions that are both innovative and sustainable.
“I’ve always been intrigued by how things fly,” he shares. “When I saw drones and sustainable aviation technologies up close, I knew I wanted to be part of building the next generation of aircraft.”
That vision took flight at TUM Asia. Pursuing his master’s in Singapore, he found the perfect platform to marry theory with hands-on industry relevance, particularly in the emerging field of electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
His academic journey was marked by rigorous learning, moments of challenge, and steady perseverance. “Some of the courses were difficult,” he admits. “But discussing concepts with classmates and professors really helped me get through.”
Courses taught by Prof. Florian Holzapfel such as Flight Mechanics, 飞行控制系统, and Airworthiness, proved especially transformative, sparking a deeper interest in the possibilities of eVTOL.
His award-winning thesis, which explored the intersection of aerodynamics and machine learning, demonstrated not only his technical depth but his forward-thinking mindset. “Weekly brainstorming sessions with my supervisor pushed me to think faster, adapt quickly, and embrace a ‘fail fast, learn faster’ approach.”
He attributes his success to one thing: consistency. “I showed up for every lecture, asked questions, kept a learning journal… it wasn’t just about studying hard, but staying genuinely curious.”
Today, Xiangyu is applying that same energy as an Aerodynamics Design Engineer at AutoFlight, a leading company in the eVTOL space. His current work blends sustainability with advanced flight design, helping redefine how people might travel in urban environments in the near future.
“In five years, I hope to be leading a team that’s designing the next generation of eVTOLs. Urban air mobility is no longer science fiction, it’s an engineering challenge we’re solving today.”
Beyond technical expertise, he says the most valuable skills he’s gained are systems thinking and adaptability, essential traits in a field that crosses boundaries between AI, sustainability, and mechanical design.
Studying in Singapore was also a life-enriching experience. “I loved the multicultural environment. Sharing ideas and experiences with classmates from all over the world helped me expand my worldview,” he reflects. Weekend nature getaways around Southeast Asia became his favourite way to recharge.
A quote that’s guided him recently?
“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”
His dream? “I’ve never been to Germany,” he says with a smile. “But as a TUM graduate, I’d love to visit one day and see where it all started.”
What would he tell incoming students? “Don’t just chase grades. Be curious. Join activities, pursue internships, and ask for help. Engineering is collaborative, someone else might have the insight you need.”
He adds, “One thing I wish I knew earlier is that iteration is everything. Every mistake isn’t a failure, it’s data for the next breakthrough.”
Congratulations to Xiangyu and the entire Class of 2025, your flight path is just beginning.
