Meet UBCO Aerospace is a student-led engineering design team that brings together passionate students to design, build, and test innovative aerospace systems. The team works on a diverse range of projects, including drones, rockets, fixed-wing aircraft, and drone racing initiatives, while also participating in national and international competitions such as the AEAC National Student Drone Competition and LAUNCH Canada. Beyond technical design, UBCO Aerospace promotes collaboration, technical skill development, and outreach through workshops, community events, and STEM engagement activities. The team provides students from all faculties with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, strengthen problem-solving skills, and contribute to advancing aerospace innovation at UBC Okanagan.
UBCO Aerospace Team with their Aircraft
How did your team get started or grow over time?
We’re a student-led engineering design team at UBC Okanagan with one big focus: aerospace. What started as a small group of students passionate about flight has grown into a team that designs, builds, and tests everything from drones and rockets to fixed-wing aircraft and racing drones.
Our projects don’t stop at campus, either. We put our designs to the test on national and international stages, competing in challenges like the AEAC National Student Drone Competition and LAUNCH Canada.
We’re also pushing into new territory with our pilot project, the Space Design Team. Guided by UBCO Aerospace, this group is preparing a technical proposal for the 2026 AIAA Undergraduate Team Space Design Competition, blending research with hands-on problem-solving.
But what really makes our team different is the culture. We’re not just building aircraft’s; we engage in workshops, community events, and STEM initiatives. From hosting workshops and STEM events to representing UBCO in competitions, we’re committed to growing as engineers and as a community. UBCO Aerospace provides students from all faculties the chance to gain hands-on experience, strengthen problem-solving skills, and contribute to advancing aerospace innovation.
“We’re committed to growing as engineers and as a community“
What kinds of projects or competitions has your team been involved in?
UBCO Aerospace has been involved in a wide range of projects and competitions across drones, rocketry, fixed-wing aircraft, and space design. On the UAV side, the team has competed in the AEAC National Student Drone Competition, with upcoming tasks focused on fire reconnaissance and extinguishing for 2026, while also running internal drone racing events, UAV certification training, and technical workshops such as PCB design, GitHub, and Flight Simulation.
In rocketry, the team participates annually in Launch Canada and is preparing for the international FAR-OUT competition with projects like the Dragon Lady rocket, DIY and certification rockets, an autonomous steerable parachute system, a new all-in-one ground station, and the “Hell’s Kitchen” motor test stand designed for liquid, hybrid, and solid engines. The Fixed-Wing division has built a 3D-printed plane (63 Seconds) and is working on new projects such as Dragon Lady Glider, a Flying Wing, and a competition-ready base aircraft, with members learning skills in CAD, aerodynamic simulation, and stability analysis.
In addition, the Space Design Team, a pilot program under UBCO Aerospace, is preparing for the 2026 AIAA Undergraduate Team Space Design Competition by developing a heliophysics mission concept to enable Earth–Mars communication. Together, these initiatives highlight the team’s commitment to hands-on aerospace innovation, technical skill-building, and national and international competition.
UBCO Aerospace’s drone wiring and electronic’s system
What has been one of your team’s proudest accomplishments so far?
One of UBCO Aerospace’s proudest accomplishments was at the 2023 AEAC Student Drone Competition, where the team won two awards: placing 2nd overall out of more than 14 top Canadian university teams and earning the Innovation Award for developing our custom helicopter platform, ORCA. More recently, the rocketry division achieved a historic milestone with the successful launch of HYDRA Mini, the first clustered hybrid rocket launched from Canadian soil. This launch made UBCO Aerospace the first non-commercial team, and possibly the first team worldwide, to fly a clustered hybrid rocket using different impulse engines. These accomplishments showcase both our technical innovation and our ability to compete on a national and international level.
“We placed 2nd overall out of more than 14 top Canadian University teams and earned the Innovation Award. This showcase’s our ability to compete on a national and international level.”
UBCO Aerospace’s Hydra Mini
How has being part of the design team shaped your view and understanding of
engineering?
Being part of UBCO Aerospace gives students the chance to take engineering concepts beyond the classroom and see theory come alive in real-world projects like drones, rockets, and fixed-wing aircraft. These hands-on experiences deepen our understanding of design, testing, and problem-solving under real constraints, while also emphasizing collaboration, leadership, and adaptability.
The learning goes far beyond technical skills. Team members develop project management, budgeting, sponsorship outreach, and event organization experience, while also strengthening communication, teamwork, and public speaking through outreach and industry engagement. Together, these opportunities build resilience, sharpen time management, and expand professional networks shaping a well-rounded foundation for success in both technical and non-technical careers.
What was a challenge you had as a team and how did you overcome it?
One of our biggest challenges has been navigating the steep learning curve that comes with aerospace design. From financial constraints to coordinating complex projects, UBCO Aerospace has faced its share of setbacks, including the occasional lost or crashed aircraft. In more than one case, the team had to rebuild an aircraft overnight just to make it to competition or testing on time.
High-powered rocketry has added another layer of complexity. Projects like the HYDRA Mini clustered hybrid rocket demanded rigorous planning, extensive simulations, and strict compliance with CAR/Tripoli safety standards.
What got us through wasn’t just technical skill, but communication, collaboration, and grit. By working across sub-teams, testing iteratively, and approaching problems creatively, we turned obstacles into lessons. These experiences have shaped us into a team that’s resilient, adaptable, and capable of tackling ambitious technical goals together.
The UBCO Aerospace team standing with their aircraft
How do you think student design teams contribute to the UBCO engineering experience overall?
Student design teams like UBCO Aerospace don’t just give students technical practice, they shape the culture of engineering at UBCO. They create spaces where students from different disciplines come together to innovate, compete, and represent the university on national and international stages. These teams become a bridge between campus and industry, building connections, inspiring younger students through outreach, and showcasing what UBCO engineers are capable of. More than projects, they foster pride, community, and a spirit of innovation that strengthens the entire engineering experience at UBCO.
“Student design teams like UBCO Aerospace don’t just give students technical practice, they shape the culture of engineering at UBCO. They create spaces where students from different disciplines come together to innovate and compete”
What was one of your team’s best memories’ while working together?
One of UBCO Aerospace’s best memories was during the successful launch of the HYDRA Miniclustered hybrid rocket. The moment when the rocket lifted off flawlessly, after months of design, testing, and coordination across sub-teams, brought the entire team together in celebration. Other unforgettable moments include overnight rebuilds of crashed aircraft to ensure competition participation, the excitement of winning awards at the 2023 AEAC Student Drone Competition, and engaging with the community during STEM outreach events.
How does being part of the team prepare members for co-op positions or jobs post
graduation?
Being part of UBCO Aerospace is more than a student activity, it’s preparation for co-op placements and future careers. Members gain critical aerospace industry skills through projects in drones, rockets, fixed-wing aircraft, and space systems, while also developing professional strengths in project management, teamwork, leadership, and communication. Close collaboration with industry sponsors and experts, along with exposure to competitions, workshops, and community outreach, further builds adaptability, time management, and networking. For those on competitive teams, balancing demanding projects with academics mirrors a full-time workplace, giving members a valuable head start as they transition into industry careers.
“Being part of UBCO Aerospace is more than a student activity, it’s preparation for co-op placements and future careers”
As a member of the team, what opportunities are available to connect with industry
professionals, alumni or companies?
As a member of UBCO Aerospace, students have multiple opportunities to connect with industry professionals, alumni, and companies. These include participating in national and international competitions such as the AEAC Student Drone Competition and Launch Canada. The team collaborates directly with industry sponsors and experts for mentorship, technical guidance, and project support. For example, past sponsorship with KF Aerospace provided not only financial support but also unique experiences, including tours of their facilities, participation in the KF Aerospace Open House, and the opportunity to observe live aircraft maintenance within their hangars. Members also gain exposure to alumni in aerospace and related fields, helping build professional networks, gain industry insights, and enhance career prospects.
A UBCO Aerospace member wearing the club’s official shirt
What are the technical and transferrable skill members typically develop by being part of
the team?
Members of UBCO Aerospace develop a wide range of technical and transferable skills.
Technically, students gain experience in design, simulation, testing, and problem-solving across drones, rockets, fixed-wing aircraft, and space systems. They also learn software tools such as SolidWorks, XFLR5, KiCAD, and flight simulation platforms, and develop skills in aerodynamics, systems integration, and control. Transferable skills include project management, teamwork, leadership, communication, public speaking, time management, and collaboration with industry sponsors and experts.
What advice would your team give to students thinking about joining or starting a design
team?
Our advice to students considering joining or starting a design team is to step out of your comfort zone and get involved. Design teams simulate real-world industry projects, giving you the chance to collaborate with peers who have diverse skills and backgrounds. You’ll learn from each other, tackle challenges together, and grow both technically and professionally. Being part of a design team offers hands-on experience, exposure to competitions, and opportunities to connect with industry, all while building teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership skills that are invaluable in your future career.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Even though UBCO Aerospace is labeled as a design team, it is not limited to engineering
students. The team welcomes members from diverse disciplines, including computer science for software, business for sponsorship and outreach, and arts for media and marketing — every background can contribute meaningfully.
Curious about the UBCO Aerospace? Visit their website to learn more: https://aerospacerocketry.wixsite.com/home