Team Boomerang to Represent SMAE at IMechE UAS Challenge 2024
Our Stage 3 Aerospace Engineers have recently completed their Aircraft Design module. Working in teams since last October, they were required to design, build and fly an autonomous, fixed wing aircraft with a maximum take off weight of 10kg. Team Boomerang were selected to represent Queens at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers UAS Challenge which takes place at BMFA headquarters in Buckminster, England from the 1st to the 4th of July 2024. They have developed a twin boom, inverted V tail design with novel features including their undercarriage suspension and payload ejection systems. Recent flight tests were successfully completed at the North Down Model Aircraft Club in Kirkistown (see photos). Thanks to the club for hosting and thanks in particular to Keith Malcomson for piloting for us again this year. The team is currently ramping up their flight tests and preparing for their trip to England with the support of our Engineering team in the SMAE Prototyping Lab and main Workshop. Good luck to all concerned and lets hope that the Boomerang really does come back!