AILERON is a student-led club at Virginia Tech focused on aircraft mechanics, real-world engineering skills, and inspiring the next generation through aviation outreach.
Team members start by identifying a real-world problem in aviation or mechanical systems of the experimental aircraft, then brainstorm and explore different ideas together to find the best solution. Once a direction is chosen, team members create CAD models and plan out how the design will work before building a prototype. From there, the team tests, tweaks, and improves the design through FEA analysis and CFD simulations, learning from mistakes and refining performance along the way. Throughout the process, team members collaborate closely, share ideas, and document their progress, making each project not just about the final product, but about gaining real experience and growing as engineers.
Using tools, fabrication techniques, and hands-on skills, team members bring CAD models to life by producing components, assembling systems, and ensuring everything fits and functions as intended. This phase emphasizes precision, safety, and teamwork, as members gain real experience in machining, fabrication, and aircraft assembly. By both designing and manufacturing their own parts, team members develop a deeper understanding of how engineering decisions translate into real-world performance.
The flying phase is where all the hard work pays off, as the aircraft is finally tested in real conditions. After going through careful checks and preparation, the team gets to see how the design performs in the air, gathering data and observing what works well and what can be improved. It’s an exciting but focused stage, where safety is always the top priority and every flight is an opportunity to learn more about the aircraft. This phase brings everything full circle, turning months of design and building into real flight experience and helping guide future improvements.