United States Eagles Tender

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students scored big at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics AIAA Design Build Fly competition which pits university students from across the world against each other in challenges meant to test their skills in fabricating and demonstrating electric-powered radio-controlled unmanned aerial vehicles UAV. Comprised of 25 Aerospace Engineering students the Eagle teams design featured a towed sensor a torpedo-like tube with tail fins for stability that is stowed inside the aircraft then can be deployed in flight and won third place overall second in the United States marking the best finish ever for an Embry-Riddle team at this event.The annual AIAA competition teaches our students about the essential engineering trade-offs in aircraft design to meet specific flight performance and mission requirements similar to the actual aeronautical design problems faced by the industry said Dr. J. Gordon Leishman distinguished professor of Aerospace Engineering and the teams faculty advisor. The event provides a real-world competitive environment focused on education practical problem-solving innovation and teamwork. The team was forced to make many operational adjustments due to restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Most notably time in the lab was limited which according to senior Caleb Reeves the teams chief engineer was the biggest obstacle to overcome. In years past we practically lived in the lab he said. We would do homework talk and work on the plane as we pleased in our spare time between classes. This year we were restricted to about six hours a week and just 12 members allowed inside at a time. Needless to say this threatened to put a damper on our progress. Despite the circumstances we were still able to design build and successfully fly the first iteration of the aircraft in record time only 8 weeks Reeves said. Typically it takes 10 to 11 weeks. We saw new first-year members thrive under the challenge like we havent seen in years past. Its almost like the restrictions made the members value the project and dedicate themselves to it even more. And that dedication pays off not least of which by helping students land high-paying jobs after graduation. Becoming deeply involved in a technical project like Design Build Fly is the absolute best thing a student can do to set themselves up for their dream job Reeves said. Employers are looking for individuals with relevant project experience and the competition also provides an outlet for students to apply what they learn in class to a real-life working aircraft Its through application he added that deep understanding takes shape. Design Build Fly allows us as engineering students to break down a problem design a solution and build a working product just as would be done in the industry added incoming team leader Joseph Ayd. Becoming deeply involved in a technical project like Design Build Fly is the absolute best thing a student can do to set themselves up for their dream job.Caleb Reeves the teams chief engineerThat hands-on experience is key once students start the job search. Undoubtedly employers see the tremendous value in this Reeves added. Pre-Covid I didnt know of a single Design Build Fly member that didnt have a job lined up or grad school plans after graduation. For Reeves a flight test engineering position with the United States Air Force Civilian Service was waiting for him after graduation. Many others including Ayd land internships and co-ops before their junior year. Personally I was able to pursue my passion of leading all flight tests for Design Build Fly Ayd said. That ultimately led to my current internship at Boeing as a Flight Test Engineer for the MQ-25A autonomous air refueling platform. The range of skills learned through the competition will serve students long after they graduate according to Leishman.Students must develop an extensive range of skills to succeed in this competition he said. What is particularly difficult is that the Design Build Fly mission changes every year and each team has to start with a fresh aircraft design albeit with the advantage of a growing knowledge base and lessons learned from the previous years.