>> About AIAA
What is AIAA?
We are the University of Wisconsin Chapter of the national organization. The nonprofit American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the principal society and voice serving the aerospace profession. Its primary purpose is to advance the arts, sciences, and technology of aeronautics and astronautics and to foster and promote the professionalism of those engaged in these pursuits. Although founded and based in the United States, AIAA is a global organization with nearly 30,000 individual professional members, over 50 corporate members, thousands of customers worldwide, and an active international outreach. AIAA is the U.S. representative on the International Astronautical Federation and the International Council on the Aeronautical Sciences.
Here at the UW, we are a small, student run organization supported by the College of Engineering and in particular by the Department of Engineering Physics. Members are from mostly technical majors, though other students with a passion for air and space activities are welcome and have joined. A majority of members are from Engineering Mechanics and Astronautics, as this major encompasses the interests of the organization.
Our activities in the past have ranged from plant trips to NASA centers to hosting speakers to making technology demonstrations for the Engineering Expo to promoting Reduced Gravity projects on NASA's Vomit Comet. As a student run organization, we continue to work to push forward the interests of all of our members. If you want something done, just speak up or email us at aiaa@cae.wisc.edu, and your voice will be heard.
What projects are AIAA members involved in?
AIAA members are encouraged to participate in student competitions and funding can sometimes be acquired by the AIAA organization. In past years, students have participated in the:
- NASA Zero-G Initiative (see http://zerogravity.rso.wisc.edu/)
- Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium programs; see http://www.uwgb.edu/wsgc/
- SAE Heavy Lift competition
- AIAA Design/Build/Fly competition; see http://www.aiaa.org/
How do I get involved?
If you want to be a part of AIAA, the best thing you can do is start attending the general meetings (see the Home page for scheduled meetings). You can also contact us at aiaa@cae.wisc.edu to get on the emailing list to receive informational emails regarding our general meetings, guest speakers, outreach programs, and other aerospace-related opportunities.
For those interested in leadership positions, elections are typically held in the last meeting of the academic year (usually in early May), but officer positions are often still vacant over the summer, so the first meeting of the fall semester will fill the remaining positions. Also, due to co-op appointments and graduating seniors at semester, there may be a few positions open at semester, elected at the last meeting of the fall semester (usually in early December).