Design, Build, Fly Competition
Jose Diaz
Meet the mechanical engineering team of eight seniors, including Julian Brown, Peyton Clark, Victor Bueno Garcia, Jonathan Kleinman, Kyle Lam, Gabe Shedid, George Simon, and Keaton Viadro, under the advisement of Professor Mohammad Ayoubi. They are embarking on a project to overcome the technical challenges of designing and building an unmanned aircraft within a year, aiming to compete in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Design, Build, Fly Competition in 2024. The competition, centered around the theme of "Electronic Warfare," involves aircraft staging, surveillance, and jamming. The team must design an aircraft that can fly along a predetermined path and complete specific challenge criteria, including turns and loops.
The team is divided into two groups, CFD Aerodynamic Design and Structures and Controls. The ultimate goal of this project is not only to compete in the competition but also to reinforce students' knowledge and personal development, aligning with the strategic vision of Santa Clara University of educating the whole person. Each team member plays a vital role in competition in order to achieve a common goal. The project allows the students to learn teamwork, leadership, and collaboration skills, helping them grow professionally and as individuals. If you would like to learn more about this project, check out their live presentation in Mechanical Engineering Session 1 during the Senior Design Conference.