Who We Are

Aero Design @ UC Irvine is a student-led collective of more than 40 undergraduates from interdisciplinary fields in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, materials and business. Each year, we design, build and flight-test an electric, remote-controlled cargo aircraft to compete at SAE Aero West. Guided by creativity, collaboration and a drive to push the boundaries of engineering, we tackle every stage of the design process top to bottom as a team.

We strive to advance electric unmanned aviation by outperforming past prototypes in flight duration, structural efficiency and durability. Your support of our work plays a part in shaping the next generation of all-electric aviation, fueling the development of lighter, stronger structures and cleaner, more efficient propulsion systems.

                                       Zot Force One Test Flight

Competition

The SAE Aero Design West 2027 will take place in mid-April at Apollo XI Model Airfield in Van Nuys, California. Student teams from across the nation will display and demonstrate their projects in a four-phase competition. This includes a written design report and cost analysis, static structural test, dynamic flight test and a review of material and propulsion efficiency. A panel of aerospace industry professionals judge each school’s performance, efficiency and technical innovation.

                       Team members celebrating test flight success

Why Your Support Matters

Our fundraising goal of $3,000 will fully equip our team to prepare for the competition in April 2027! Your donations will directly enable us to:

• Cover SAE registration and testing fees
• Cover transportation, lodging and shipping costs for the team and plane
• Fabricate precision components for manufacturing
• Acquire high-efficiency electric motors, battery packs, flight controllers and more

Every dollar brings us closer to developing a top-performing aircraft and giving 40+ students an invaluable opportunity to pursue their passions and develop hands-on skills!

                         Team members working on manufacturing

Connect With Us

Check out our website, follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn or reach out to us directly by emailing our Operations Lead & Creative Director at anil@uci.edu.