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Captain’s Message The aerospace industry is among the fastest-growing industries worldwide. In 2025, the market size was estimated at 402.75 billion USD and is projected to double by 2034.

At Queen’s Aerospace Design Team (QADT), we are dedicated to pushing boundaries with the development of high performance & autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for national and international competitions in Canada, Europe, and the United States. With the continued growth in industry aerospace applications in recent years, QADT has seen an unparalleled expansion, and our dedicated team of more than 150 undergraduate students has not disappointed.

This year, the AEAC technical team developed 2 UAVs from the ground up to compete at the AEAC 2026 student competition hosted in Ottawa. This included a 3D printed vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drone to map urban fires, as well as a heavy-lift quadcopter designed to autonomously extinguish fires using a water gun. While in parallel, the AIAA technical team developed a fully carbon fiber fixed wing aircraft optimized for long range cargo flights and banner towing.

Alongside the technical teams, the QADT research branch wrote two research papers for submission to the IMAV conference paper call and the VFS student design competition. Respectively, these papers focused on the application of compliant airfoils on efficiency gains in flight and the conversion of a tilt rotor aircraft to a hybrid electric engine to prove the feasibility of electrifying the aerospace industry!

QADT offers a unique opportunity for development and growth for students in any discipline, including gaining technical experience in aero-mechanics,



Electrical, and Software, and the opportunity to conduct research in a variety of unique fields, as well as the chance to gain experience in business and management. QADT is looking to continue its rapid growth and expansion by taking on like-minded individuals to not just continue the development of advanced drone technology but push the boundaries of what student teams are capable of.

We eagerly await your application.

‘Aviation is proof that given the will, we have the capacity to achieve the impossible.’

— Eddie Rickenbacker, WWI flying ace

Erin Payne

Mechatronics & Robotics Engineering ‘28

Purujit Kantiya

Mechatronics & Robotics Engineering ‘28

Flight School is a newly established program under the Aero School branch, designed to give students the opportunity to become confident and capable drone pilots. Throughout the school year, students will build both the technical knowledge and practical flying experience needed to understand how drones operate in real world environments.

The program will guide students through key topics such as air law, meteorology, navigation, and flight operations, while providing hands-on opportunities to develop their piloting skills. With structured lessons, exam preparation, and flight practice,



Flight School aims to take students from no prior experience to competent pilots ready for their advanced flight review. Whether you are interested in aerospace, emerging drone technology, or simply want to learn how to fly, Flight School offers the chance to gain a unique set of skills and take your first steps into the world of aviation.

By the end of the school year, members will be qualified to carry out a wide range of drone operations and with further qualification, be able to operate in controlled airspace. Members will finish the program with recognized Transport Canada certifications, hands-on experience, and a solid foundation in drone operations that can support future projects, and opportunities within the growing drone industry.

We encourage students from all academic backgrounds to apply; you don’t have to be an engineer to have an interest in drone aviation!

A member of Flight School can expect to gain skills in the areas of:

- Drone piloting / Practical Operations
- Flight Planning / Navigation
- Weather Assessment / Meteorology
- Air Law / RPAS Regulations
- Flight Safety / Risk Assessment

Application & Interview Details

We do not look at your resume as a deciding factor. We weigh it the least compared to your written application and interview.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: September 19th, 2026 (11:59 PM EST)

Interviews will occur in person after the deadline. We are happy to provide accommodation for these interviews, so please reach out to us and let us know how we can make the process more accessible for you!

Contact Information

Please email any questions or concerns to aero @engsoc.queensu.ca or text @queensaero on Instagram!

📌 Queen's Aerospace Design Team (QADT) - Flight School Team Member (Canada)
🏢 EngSoc
📍 Canada