Getting Hands-On with the UAS Technology Club

Focusing on providing experience, developing skills and building confidence and independence in uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) applications, the UAS Technology Club on Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Daytona Beach Campus provides students with an outlet to learn and engage with mechanical design, avionics, software and flight outside of the classroom.

UAS Tech is open to all undergraduate and graduate students regardless of their major, academic year or skill level. From a student’s very first meeting, they are given opportunities to learn and get hands-on with club projects.

“I was not expecting to really work with the aircraft until maybe my second or even third year,” said Gabriel Alcantara (’30), who is pursuing a B.S. in Uncrewed Aircraft Systems. “And then I came to UAS Tech, and they explained, ‘we solder, we crimp, we teach you all these things no matter what year you're in.’ That's what led me to stay involved and keep showing up.”

Building from the Ground Up

UAS Tech was initially founded in 2012, but due to students in leadership roles graduating and pandemic restrictions in 2020 and 2021, the club experienced difficulties in recruiting and retention. With fewer than 10 members, the club faced an uncertain future.

When Mechanical Engineering senior Dylan Hardt (’26) joined in 2024, he and a few other members saw potential for how the club could be completely reimagined — increasing group flight meetings, developing new training programs and focusing on building a team with diverse skillsets and degrees.

“This [2025] fall semester, after the foundation was laid in the spring, we simply hit the ground running,” said Hardt, now the club’s president. “We knew what members wanted more of — more training, more flight activities and more professional development opportunities. At our first meeting, there were 30 people who showed up; at our second, there were 40.”

Now, the club is vibrant, with consistent attendance and high levels of involvement. Students have even joined throughout the semester, continuing to grow the club and the legacy it will surely leave for the next generation of Eagles.

Prioritizing Safety First

As a part of reorganizing UAS Tech, focusing on documentation and safety was a high priority. UAS student Kyle Murray (’26) stepped into the role of safety officer, building the club’s safety manual and procedures from scratch.

“I took it upon myself to adopt some of the procedures I saw in Embry-Riddle's UAS program for UAS Tech, which included site surveying the locations that we'll be flying at and conducting a club-wide safety checklist before every flight activity,” said Murray.

Murray’s checklist covers everything from operations and logistics to weather conditions and a pilot risk assessment. Taking into consideration a pilot’s physical and emotional stress factors helps to determine if someone is safe to fly and reduces the chances of injuries or damage to the aircraft.

As safety officer, Murray is also responsible for ensuring that the club is operating within FAA standards and regulations.

“Since the first time I came to a meeting and participated in my first flight day, I’ve felt like UAS Tech has upheld a very high safety standard,” said Sharik Bose (’30), a first-year UAS student who was also involved in a UAS club at his high school.

Through the implementation of flight logging, UAS Tech also helps students build confidence and experience behind the controls.

“I designed and implemented the current UAS Tech flight log myself, as well as pushed for an official UAS Tech training regimen,” said Murray. “By being involved in UAS Tech, students can learn about what's expected from the industry."

In the short time that flight logging has been a part of the club, members have already accumulated a combined total of over 50 hours.

The Future of UAS Tech

Although the revival of UAS Tech is a relatively recent event, its members are already looking toward how they can create an environment for future success. By focusing on career-oriented lessons and projects, the club attracts students who are dedicated to furthering their knowledge and opportunities in fields like UAS.

“We have local companies that do Part 107 and Part 108 operations present during some of our lecture meetings, giving our members a feel for what the UAS industry is like right now,” said Computer Engineering student Zechariah Lea (’26).

The current leadership team also played a vital role in creating a culture within UAS Tech that fosters continuous improvement and collaboration.

“The leadership team goes very in-depth in explaining and passing on their knowledge to first-year students so that once we step into a leadership position, we can pass that on to future students,” said UAS student Alexander Davis (’30).

Ultimately, the success of UAS Tech can be attributed to the self-starting students who came together over a common goal — creating a place where Eagles of all backgrounds can learn about and share their passion for UAS.

“We care about your success and learning and want to help you grow new skills,” said Hardt. “We have a lot of great members who are all a very kind and tight-knit group, and people are always joining us in the middle of the semester who you’d think have been there for years.”

No matter what path you choose — UAS, engineering, aviation, business, safety, space or computer science — the UAS Technology Club on the Daytona Beach Campus is ready to help you soar.