uOttawa Aeronautics

Co-Captain & Pilot

Sep. 2024 – Present · Structural Design · Flight Operations · Team Leadership

Serve as Co-Captain & Pilot for uOttawa Aeronautics, leading aircraft design, manufacturing, team coordination, and flight operations for SAE Aero Design competition aircraft. Progressed from team member and pilot into a leadership role responsible for technical direction, build execution, testing, and competition readiness.

Co-Captain & Pilot

Overview

I serve as Co-Captain & Pilot for uOttawa Aeronautics, helping lead the design, manufacturing, and flight operations of competitive aircraft for the SAE Aero Design Competition.

My role grew from team member and pilot into a leadership position focused on technical direction, team coordination, build execution, and competition readiness.

I oversee key parts of airframe design, structural optimization, and system integration while also directing flight testing and serving as competition pilot.

Working on aircraft

Role Progression

2024–2025 Season — Team Member & Pilot

Contributed to the team’s first full competition cycle, supporting Micro and Advanced aircraft development, successful test flights, and competition preparation in Texas.

  • Participated in aircraft construction and final assembly
  • Provided design input during late-stage development
  • Supported flight testing and aircraft validation
  • Helped bring both aircraft from concept to flight

Impact: Helped support the team’s first-ever competition participation.

View uOttawa Aeronautics Competition Page
uOttawa Aeronautics aircraft and team
Aircraft render
Competition field
Aircraft assembly

2025–2026 Season — Team Lead & Pilot

Stepped into a leadership role overseeing both Micro and Advanced class teams as Co-Captain, responsible for technical execution and team coordination.

  • Led airframe design decisions, including structure, materials, and aerodynamic configuration
  • Coordinated manufacturing, integration, and subsystem alignment
  • Directed 20+ flight testing sessions to refine performance and reliability
  • Managed team workflow, timelines, and competition readiness
  • Served as competition pilot during scored flights

Impact: Helped lead the team to its first international podium finish — .

SAE Aero Design team
Competition aircraft team

Team Growth & Leadership

Beyond technical work, I helped strengthen the team environment by supporting onboarding, mentoring newer members, and improving design workflows.

  • Organized CAD training sessions and design workshops
  • Supported onboarding and mentorship for newer members
  • Improved team communication and workflow consistency
  • Helped build a stronger culture of accountability and technical development

Impact: Expanded team capability and improved consistency across design and manufacturing efforts.

Team growth and leadership

2025–2026 Aircraft Projects

SAE Micro aircraft

SAE Micro Class Aircraft

Lightweight aircraft optimized for payload efficiency and short takeoff performance.

View Project
SAE Advanced VTOL aircraft

SAE Advanced Class VTOL Aircraft

Tilt-rotor tri-copter platform combining vertical takeoff and fixed-wing flight.

View Project

Future Work

2026–2027 Season

  • Continue growing team membership and technical capability
  • Expand manufacturing methods to improve build quality
  • Improve aerodynamic performance and system integration
  • Scale design workflows, training, and team processes