Aviation Design

My first project during my aerospace degree was during my first year. I had joined AIAA and decided to join the Aviation Design competition they hosted. This competition was team based, with minimal restrictions on size and the competition events known. Each team was taught how to design a model aircraft and then manufacture their aircraft. For this project, I was able to be the team lead for the same team for two years, with a 2nd place finish in our first attempt.

While I came into this project with a degree in aeronautics and my pilots license, my team had great ideas and opinions for our aircraft that not only focused the design, but ultimately led us to second place in our first attempt. I designed the wings, created performance calculations, designed, and built our drop mechanism, and advised our team with my practical experience. The plane we designed, while one of the larger aircraft, was one of the lightest, quickest, and most agile.

I was so proud of this project and team, that not only did I have my team sign the aircraft after the competition, but I took the plane home and have had hanging on my wall ever since.