The Team
UBC Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) is a student engineering design team at the University of British Columbia that designs, builds, and flies autonomous uncrewed aerial vehicles, including both multirotor and VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) aircraft. With more than 60 members across five sub-teams (Aircraft, Payload, Electrical, Software, and Admin), the team develops a new aircraft each year and competes at two international competitions: AEAC (Aerial Evolution Association of Canada) and SUAS (Student Unmanned Aerial Systems).
I joined the Aircraft sub-team in September 2026. The Aircraft team is responsible for the mechanical design and manufacturing of the aircraft’s structure, including the frame, fuselage, and carbon fibre spars, as well as the integration of the motors and propellers and the housings for the onboard electronics. Our work spans CAD modelling, material selection, and fabrication using carbon fibre composites, machined aluminium, and 3D-printed components. Since the airframe must accommodate the systems developed by every other sub-team, we work closely with the Payload, Electrical, and Software teams to keep the aircraft lightweight, balanced, and structurally sound.
Current Projects
Suspended Landing Gear In progress
I am designing the aircraft’s landing gear, which incorporates a suspension system to absorb landing impacts. The primary challenge is protecting the airframe and onboard electronics from these loads while minimizing added weight, since any additional mass reduces the aircraft’s efficiency and endurance in flight.
Propeller Motor and ESC Mounts In progress
I am also designing the mounts that secure the propeller motors and their electronic speed controllers (ESCs) to the aircraft’s carbon fibre spars. These mounts must transfer motor thrust into the spars, withstand propeller-induced vibration, and attach securely without damaging the composite structure, all while remaining as lightweight as possible.