Build full-stack
engineering systems from scratch.
Founded
2026
AERL launched as a student-led engineering research lab at De Anza College.
Current Members
63
A cross-disciplinary team spanning hardware, controls, software, and documentation.
Committees
4
Controls, hardware, electronics, and simulation working groups.
Flagship Platform
FCS
A flagship systems program spanning embedded control, simulation, and prototype validation.
Mission
Why the lab exists
- Execute ambitious engineering projects
- Develop engineering talent
- Foster interdisciplinary collaboration
- Contribute to open knowledge through publications and open-source work
- Bridge academia and industry
Vision
What we are trying to build
- Theory learned in class is applied directly to projects.
- Failures are structured learning opportunities, not dead ends.
- Members leave more capable than they arrived.
- The work matters beyond a single quarter or a single team.
Values
Engineering culture that survives handoff
The lab is designed to feel closer to a serious engineering environment than a generic club page: scoped work, technical ownership, validation, and documentation that matters.
Rigor
We do things right: test thoroughly, document completely, validate claims, and learn from mistakes.
- Test thoroughly
- Document completely
- Validate claims
- Learn from mistakes
Collaboration
We work across boundaries so knowledge and ownership are shared instead of trapped in one subgroup.
- Share knowledge freely
- Help each other succeed
- Cross-train across domains
- Build on each other’s work
Ambition
We take on problems that force us to grow technically instead of settling for safe demos.
- Tackle hard problems
- Push technical boundaries
- Learn what is needed
- Ship real results
Openness
We publish what we learn so the next team can start from a stronger place.
- Open-source code
- Publish results
- Teach others
- Document thoroughly
Flagship Project
Current flagship projects
The public site stays high-level. The deep technical details now live under the integrated documentation section.
Flight Control System Project
One project hub, from overview to validation logs
The FCS hub covers objectives, architecture, committees, theory, validation targets, and logs for a Teensy-based custom flight control stack running on a quadcopter test platform.
Current Build Cycle
Execution status across both tracks
Two parallel tracks. One shared goal: leave behind systems that work and documentation the next team can actually use.
Track A
Track A — Physical Drone Build
Week 2: Procurement & workspace setup
Finalize BOM, order components, setup workspace.
Track B
Track B — Simulation & Controls
Week 3: Equations of motion & state vector
Translate math to code and implement motor thrust modeling.
Committees
Ways to contribute
You don't need to know everything to join. You need to show up, ask good questions, and do the work.
Controls & Dynamics
Studying rigid body dynamics, state-space representations, and control theory. Applying it to quadcopter attitude and stabilization.
Simulation & Software
Writing and maintaining the Python simulation environment used to model flight dynamics and validate controllers before any hardware tests.
Electronics & Power
Wiring the drone correctly — power distribution, ESC connections, flight controller signal lines, and sensor interfaces.
Hardware & Fabrication
Physical assembly of the drone platform — frame, motor mounts, component placement, and vibration isolation.
Documentation & Ops
Writing test logs, maintaining the BOM, coordinating field sessions, and making sure the Week 12 handoff package is actually usable.
Ready to build something real?
AERL is open to De Anza students, sponsors, and collaborators who want serious engineering work, clear ownership, and documentation that leaves the next team stronger.