AVIAT'R | UCR

Project Puffin

Aviatr member explaining concepts on a whiteboard to other members in a classroom

This program includes a quarter-long ENGR course, taught by Juniors and Seniors from our club, where participants will receive guidance in building a personal drone. Throughout the course, members will learn basic circuit design, CAD, and fundamental physics to complete their drone by the end of the quarter.

Successfully finishing the Puffin project will equip members with drone theory knowledge and teamwork experience. Freshmen and Sophomores at UCR can join the Aviat'R team only after completing one quarter of the Puffin project and building a functional quadcopter. Alternatively, students who believe their skills exceed the program’s requirements may join through sub-team intro projects and in-person evaluations.

A common challenge in many engineering organizations is the lack of effective mentorship. Novice members often find themselves assigned to complex projects requiring advanced knowledge, which can be overwhelming. To address this issue, the Puffin division offers a program designed for newer members to "get their feet wet" and grasp the fundamentals of aeronautical engineering and drone design. This program includes a quarter-long ENGR course, taught by Juniors and Seniors from our club, where participants will receive guidance in building a personal drone. Throughout the course, members will learn basic circuit design, CAD, and fundamental physics to complete their drone by the end of the quarter. Successfully finishing the Puffin project will equip members with drone theory knowledge and teamwork experience. Freshmen and Sophomores at UCR can join the Aviat'R team only after completing one quarter of the Puffin project and building a functional quadcopter. Alternatively, students who believe their skills exceed the program’s requirements may join through sub-team intro projects and in-person evaluations.

Simulation of airflow over an aircraft model showing colored velocity streamlines in a CAD software interface

Aviatr members in a classroom setting with laptops, listening attentively to a presentation

Hummingbird

The Hummingbird project is a research division within the Aviat'R enterprise focused on developing drone swarming technology and multi-drone networks. Our objective is to create a functional drone presentation system capable of performing intricate drone shows. These shows can be utilized for fundraising and special events, generating revenue to support our team's ambitious projects. We strive to push the boundaries of innovation by designing a sustainable and energy-efficient drone swarm, which will enhance our understanding of navigation and aerial device networks.

Eagle

The Eagle Project is our competitive team dedicated to designing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for global competitions. Participation in this team is reserved for upper-class members who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment. Interested candidates should be aware that the competition entails time-sensitive assignments and strict deadlines. Due to limited space, priority will be given to members with high attendance records and those in Junior or Senior class levels. For more information about the SUAS competition, please visit the SUAS website. Even if you are not selected for the competition team the year you intended to, you will still be allowed to work alongside SUAS members through our other research projects like Hummingbird. For further questions feel free to ask board members via discord or email.