This spring, the Union Aero Team proudly tabled at multiple Admitted Students Day events to introduce prospective students and their families to the incredible work our team is doing. With our competition aircraft on display, hands-on components laid out for viewing, and our engineers ready to answer questions, the booth was a popular stop for students excited about STEM, aviation, and hands-on engineering.

Visitors had the chance to learn about our recent successful participation in the SAE Aero West 2025 Competition. We shared insights into the design process, from CAD modeling and aerodynamic testing to electronics integration and flight testing.

More than just technical talk, we emphasized what being part of the Aero team means: collaboration, creativity, leadership, and a chance to apply classroom knowledge in real-world engineering challenges. We were excited to see so many admitted students expressing interest in joining our team and contributing to our next big flight!

We’d like to thank the Dean of Engineering, Ashok Ramasubramanian, Ph.D., for giving us the platform to share our passion, and we look forward to welcoming new members from the Class of 2029!

Learn more about Union Aero Team’s 2025 aircraft.

Learn how to support us for the 2026 Competition.

Have questions or want to learn more? Contact us at aeroclub@union.edu.

Photo by Leza Sorn

From April 4th to April 6th, 2025, the Union Aero Team proudly represented Union College at the SAE Aero West Competition in Van Nuys, California. This event marked our most all-around successful performance in over six years, a testament to the dedication, innovation, and resilience of our entire team.

Months of intense design, prototyping, and flight testing culminated in the creation of a highly competitive aircraft, one of the few at the competition to complete a successful flight.

However, what truly defined this year was more than just flight success. Faced with unforeseen engineering challenges, time constraints, and operational hurdles, the Union Aero Team came together with unwavering focus.

From late-night repair sessions in the Airbnb’s Kitchen to quick-turn problem-solving on the flight line, every member of the team demonstrated a remarkable level of perseverance, collaboration, and technical creativity.

This year’s competition effort embodied Union College’s tradition of academic excellence, hands-on learning, and innovation. It also solidified the team’s growth and set a strong foundation for even greater achievements in the years to come.

We’re incredibly proud of what we accomplished and deeply grateful for the support from our sponsors, advisor, and the Union community.

Learn more about Union Aero Team’s 2025 aircraft.

Learn how to support us for the 2026 Competition.

For more updates or to connect with the team, contact us at aeroclub@union.edu.

Photos by Spencer Shaffer