4th year Aeronautical Engineering students of the University of Limerick took to the skies today as two final year projects in aeronautical engineering were launched. Two teams of students designed and constructed remotely controlled subscale aircraft. Each aircraft has been designed to a strict specification and faced a number of challenges including the carrying of a payload of varying weight.

Monitored test flights took place at the University of Limerick, expertly piloted by William Gaule of Limerick and Shannon model flying club. Both aircraft successfully completed their missions.

Aeronautical Engineering Student and Leader of the ‘Green Team’, Fionan Houston said; “Our aircraft design was tailored to three specific missions. It is quite a different design to previous years as we strived to break the mould and produce something more innovative and original,”

Aeronautical Engineering Student and Leader of the ‘White Team’, Andrew Brophy said; “This project challenged both our aeronautical knowledge and our ability to work together in a large team. The team consisted of both Irish and international students from Luxembourg and France. The project enabled us to use our skills gained over the degree programme and has prepared us for Industry"

Dr Trevor Young, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineering said; "This challenge requires our students to design, build and fly complex air vehicles designed to a demanding set of requirements. The students need to use the information and engineering skills acquired over the entire engineering programme to create an aircraft that is strong enough to support the loads, yet light enough to fly with small electric motors. Good teamwork and good project management are essential ingredients for success. These attributes are highly valued in industry, but are often ignored in many engineering courses.”

UL offers the only Bachelor of Engineering in Aeronautical Engineering programme in the Republic of Ireland and has developed strong links with some of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers including Boeing, Airbus and Bombardier Aerospace.