When aerospace engineering senior Andrew Morden joined Air Devil’s, a remote control airplane engineering and flying organization, he said the six-year-old club's workshop became his second home.
Morden, now the organization's structure leader, is one of 85 members who compete on an international level every year.
"I think it's a really good idea to do it just to get some experience with aircraft design," Morden said. “It's really complicated subject and it's really important to be able to work with a team."
Each year, the organization travels to a different state in April to compete against other universities, many of which are international.
Don Wood, the club's vice president and chief engineer, said the competitions are usually comprised of half international collegiate teams and half American collegiate teams.
"It's a pretty interesting experience when you go to a competition where they open it up to the entire world basically," he said. "Colleges around the world participate. It's a great mingling opportunity to share that passion for aviation and design."
Depending on the year, the team faces different types of engineering challenges.
Aerospace engineering major and club president Jeffrey Kirkman said this year each team is required to make two airplanes, one smaller than the other. The larger one must be able to carry the smaller plane as well as a Gatorade bottle in the second trial.
In past years, the Air Devils have placed well. They placed 23rd overall last year with one of the fastest planes.
“In the past two years, we have done really well in the flying aspect and competed really well," Wood said. "This year we are focused more on the engineering process and compete more on the level with the scores.”
He said competition judges also test the planes on their ability to taxi on the ground.
Kirkman said going to competitions and overseeing the organization is difficult, but rewarding.
"It's a little bit crazy, I've been a member for the past two years," Kirkman said. "This is my first year holding an elected position. You have to be able to sit down and work with the engineering office, and holding a good status in the eyes of the engineer office. And look at budgets and make sure that all in all, we are working in a safe environment and that everyone going in has the proper training."
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