Student Projects
Estonian Aviation Academy supports and encourages students to create and participate in projects. Taking part in projects is an excellent opportunity for students to gain insight into how an organisation operates, apply their knowledge, acquire practical experience, and build new connections.
Ongoing projects:
BlueNimbus: building an Unmanned Aerial System and participating in the IMechE UAS Challenge competition
Objective: to build an
Unmanned Aerial System
to compete in the prestigious international IMechE UAS Challenge held in the United Kingdom. The competition is organised by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, which is also well known as the organiser of the renowned Formula Student competition.
Project homepage: https://bluenimbus.ee/.
Student Rockets at the Aviation Academy
Students of the Aircraft Engineering programme design and build their own rocket as part of the course "Rocket Propulsion".
The first student group successfully carried out a test flight in January 2025. During the test flight, the RP1 rocket reached a maximum altitude of 439.1 metres, which is roughly the length of four football pitches.
Completed projects:
Blue Sparrow: building an Unmanned Aerial System and participating in the IMechE UAS Challenge competition
Objective: to build an Unmanned Aerial System in order to compete in the prestigious international IMechE UAS Challenge held in the United Kingdom. The competition is organised by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, which is also known as the organiser of the renowned Formula Student competition.
Blue Sparrow team results at the 2025 competition:
- Innovation Award;
- Operational Supportability Award.
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Blue Sparrow team results at the 2024 competition:
- 3rd place overall;
- special award in the airworthiness category.
Additional information:
- Project website: https://droonilabor.ee/
- Blue Sparrow student project lead: Miron Šois
- Academic support for the project: Oskar Saarepera, oskar.saarepera@eava.ee.
The student project has grown into the NGO Droonilabor.
Development of an EASA-certified parachute module for Unmanned Aerial Systems
Objective: to develop an EASA-certified universal parachute module compatible with all rotorcraft and helicopter-type Unmanned Aerial Systems. The aim is to improve safety in drone operations and enhance their airworthiness in higher-risk areas.
Project period: June 2023 - June 2025
Funder: state budget funds for research and development
The student project has grown into the NGO SafeDrone Systems.