College of Engineering > Academic Programs > Polymer and Fiber Engineering > Academic Programs > Student Info > Auburn University Hovercraft Team

Auburn University Hovercraft Team

The newest member of War Eagle Motor Sports is the Auburn University Hovercraft team, sponsored by Phi Psi professional fraternity. The team workshop is located in the Composites Lab, 118 Textile Building. The team is currently fabricating craft #5. This project contributes to the education, experience, and professional development of team members and increases the educational value of Auburn University.

This team was organized in order to:

• Attract more students to Auburn University's engineering majors due to the exposure the project attracts from the media and key automotive, fiber, marine, industrial, and composites companies
• Enhance the education of each team member through practical, hands-on experience
• Raise public awareness of the quality of education at Auburn University
• Inform students of valuable opportunities for student involvement, self-improvement, and professional development while attending AU
• Develop productive relationships between corporate sponsors and student engineers, with the goal of creating career opportunities and life-long relationships
• Provide visibility and publicity for our sponsors

AU's hovercraft team is composed of talented students and advisors from a variety of disciplines in engineering.

Specific goals:

• Design and build a race-worthy hovercraft with the capacity for two people
• Minimize the craft weight and drag by optimizing the hull and cockpit design and materials used
• Incorporate a variety of sensors (pressure, speed, rolling, pitching) with portable data logging system to monitor the craft performance
• Provide an extensive training program for craft driving
• Introduce an automatic remote control system to the craft in order to enhance its dynamic performance and stability.

For more information:

• AU Hovercraft I Scrapbook
• Auburn University Hovercraft Team