QUB - School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Fantastic weather greeted our Stage 3 Aerospace Engineering Students as they tested the aircraft developed as part of their design module at North Down Model Aircraft Club (ndmac.co.uk). Starting from October 2025 and working in groups they designed, constructed and tested their aircraft in perfect flying conditions on 24th April 2026. Both teams experienced challenges spanning structural issues, power supply problems and differences between predicted and actual aerodynamic performance. An excellent learning experience all round! Thanks to NDMAC for hosting - particularly George for his advice and support as well as Keith for piloting and trouble shooting!

The plane below was developed as part of our Stage 3 Aerospace Engineering Project module. The aim was to investigate the replacement of the original carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) structure with bamboo to reduce the carbon emissions for fixed wing UAV production. Results showed that the bamboo was equally capable of sustaining the imposed flight loads. Although the overall weight of the UAV was greater for the bamboo version, research suggests that carbon emissions can be up to up to 75% less than synthetic fiber alternatives, mainly due to carbon sequestration during bamboo growth and lower processing energy. Thanks again to North Down Model Aircraft Club for hosting our flight test and to Keith for his expert piloting skills!

Queen's University Belfast has received a significant investment to boost its world-class aerospace engineering research from The Boeing Company

The announcement came as a team led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Ian Greer visited the Boeing site just outside of Washington DC.

The University will target the investment to support the creation of the Boeing Material Characterisation and Processing Laboratory in QUB - School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, reinforcing Queen’s long-standing leadership in the field of mechanical and aerospace engineering.

The announcement has been warmly welcomed by students as a significant investment in their future, providing them with access to the tools and technology needed to develop industry-ready skills. For staff, the new lab will enhance their ability to deliver hands-on, research-led teaching in a dynamic environment.

Go to the link in our bio for more info