As the aerospace industry pushes the boundaries of autonomous flight, advancements in flight capabilities, efficiency, and adaptability continue to emerge. This project contributes to that progress by designing and building a fully autonomous, fixed-wing aircraft capable of taking off, executing programmed missions (with the option of updating mission parameters during flight), and landing. Following the specifications of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Design, Build, Fly (DBF) competition, the aircraft is engineered to match many of the same design requirements, including: a maximum 6-foot wingspan, payload captive carry, and autonomous capabilities. A rigorous design process has been essential in guiding the team toward developing an effective aircraft. Trade studies were conducted to determine the optimal balance between speed and weight, shaping key design decisions. These studies led to the decision to use a lightweight yet durable airframe consisting of balsa wood, basswood, and carbon fiber, powered by a dual-propeller propulsion system to achieve higher speeds while supporting a maximum takeoff weight of approximately 17 lbs. The aircraft operates using ArduPilot firmware, with GroundControl as our main software, to program the missions. Flight testing has evaluated the in-flight route adaptability, stability, and landing precision across all autonomous flight modes. This research advances the development of autonomous aviation by highlighting the capabilities and potential of programmable flight systems. Future work would focus on refining mission flexibility and expanding sensor integration to improve the flight performance. These advancements align with the growing demand for autonomous aerial solutions, demonstrating their potential to redefine the future of aviation.