December Newsletter

Aero

Aero has finished design work for their full-scale prototype and begun construction! Laser-cutting of plywood and balsa parts for the wing, fuselage and empennage is underway, and Aero hopes to fly the prototype over the winter break. Another exciting project is a museum exhibit at the Royal Western Canadian Aviation Museum, which includes Aero-built aircraft from 2011, 2018, and 2022. We are extremely excited about this opportunity and have been working steadily with the museum curator to get the exhibit ready by early January.

Baja

The Baja team is currently undergoing and striving to complete its design phase. The team recently completed its first concept design review which had a great turnout, with industry participants from Elmer’s and Magellan attending, as well as several alumni and advisors. The team is aiming to start its build phase near the beginning of December and striving to gain as much sponsorship as possible in order to make major purchases as soon as possible. The Baja team has also been busy with recruiting students from Red River College (RRC) and assimilating them to the team, with the team currently having 5 students from RRC in its roster. The team is aiming to have a fully drivable vehicle by the end of March next year.

Formula

UMSAE Formula is now well under way in building our vehicle. We have completed welding our main chassis structure together and our engine is about to be fired up on the dyno for the first time! Also, our drivetrain, suspension, and uprights sections are all nearing completion and soon will be mounted onto the chassis. UMSAE Formula also held our second External Design Review in November where we were able to gather feedback from our continuously supportive Alumni and Faculty.

Formula Electric

Formula Electric hosted a design review at the start of November with Alumni and Industry contacts to get feedback on our first complete iteration of the 2023 vehicle’s design. We’re now finishing our second iteration of design, as well as starting on manufacturing the designs, considering the key criticisms we heard from our design review. Along with manufacturing and design iteration, we’re also testing key aspects of our vehicle’s concept. Initial submissions of the Structural Equivalency Spreadsheet (SES) and Electrical Systems Form (ESF) have been submitted for inspection by SAE International design judges.