Jump Start
This society is part of the Jump Start Scheme.
Sometimes a society that has existed in previous years doesn't continue on into the new year for whatever reason, often because the people who run it graduate. This means that sometimes a society is ready to go, but missing a crucial part of what's needed to make it tick, that could be you! With our jump start a society programme, you can become a society leader and pick up where the society left off! If you're interested in adopting this society, please contact Christy for more information! Otherwise, if you'd be interested in joining the society, please sign up so we know which societies have the highest level of interest and where we can offer the most support!
Potential New Society Alert!
This is a brand new society - and we need members!.
This society is brand new, and in order to become an official society it needs a minimum of 10 members before it can start.
If you love the sound of this society and would absolutely join it if it was set up, then see the Join section below to show your interest!
Apply to the team
Were accepting application for the competition team. This involves weekly meetings where we plan, discuss, and build the UAS. We're currently accepting positions for: Electrical, Software, Structural, CAD, Aerodynamics, Social Media, Business and Marketing, Documentation, Model Making, and many more.
Apply now 👉 https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/kr7z10upsF
Who are we?
We are Team Aero-Watt, a down-to-earth multidisciplinary team annually building a fully autonomous plane for the IMechE UAS challenge! Teams from different universities all over the world taxi in to take part in the competition at BMFA Buckminster over 4 days – completing missions such as waypoint navigation, payload delivery, and efficiency. This year, the competition was flying far above the rest, with organisers noting that teams were out flying earlier in the week than ever before!
Our team is made up of around 35 enthusiastic members, but are generally split into several sub-teams: Aerodynamic Design (AD) - focusing on highly optimised aerodynamic surfaces which achieve stable and efficient flight, Airframe (AF) - focusing on structure and physical manufacturing of the aircraft, Software and Electrical Systems (SES) - focusing on the power system, autonomy, and control of the plane, and Operations (OP) who handle documentation, health and safety, and business side of the competition. However, we try to promote as much cross team collaboration and everyone is involved in big decisions! Working through year-round deliverables, ensuring the plane fits technical specifications, and physical rapid-prototyping alongside iterative assembly, we really do try to provide an industry-similar experience but with all the perks of being student led, such as regular socials!
Last year we designed and built a 6.3kg flying wing, with a fully carbon fibre monocoque and balsa wings. The AW25 could carry a payload of 3.7kg and fly for upwards of 30 minutes fully autonomously. We broke records with our efficiency score and were the first team to showcase a fully enclosed payload bay with working doors. Aero-Watt won the most promise award and placed 6th overall (2nd in the UK).
Three years ago, we were the first team to demonstrate a fully autonomous VTOL transition. Winning the media and engagement award the following year, and the highly prestigious Innovation award the year after.
This will be our 6th year at the competition and we're going for gold. To find out more info, come find us at the the Watt Welcome Fair 3rd September 2025 (we're the ones with the big plane) , or follow our Instagram at @aerowatt to hear about any other events we’ll be at!
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