Dawson Aerospace Club team photo
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Dawson College · Student Aerospace & Robotics

One of the largest student groups at Dawson College.

With over 50 members, the Dawson Aerospace Club is one of the largest student groups at Dawson College. We are entirely student-run and led with some adult supervision. We aim to create a space where all students from various fields can come together and learn. We're building a community of Innovators and Builders to take on the future's most important challenges. Whether it's the electrification of technology or exploring the cosmos, Dawson students will be prepared to tackle them.

Who We Are

University-level engineering for CEGEP students

Historically, advanced engineering challenges like Launch Canada and Formula SAE have been dominated by university teams—in fact, no CEGEP has ever competed in either. We are changing that. By bringing these high-level projects to the CEGEP level, we aim to give our members a head start and fast-track their path into the industry.

01

Student-run, 50+ members strong

One of the largest student groups at Dawson, led and operated entirely by students with some adult supervision.

02

A space for every field

We bring together students from all kinds of backgrounds and give them a place to learn hands-on, together.

03

Building toward the future

A community of innovators and builders preparing to tackle the future's biggest challenges — from electrifying technology to exploring the cosmos.

Meis Manibus Astra — "With my own hands, to the stars."

Avionics

Flight computers, sensors, telemetry, and the embedded software and control systems that fly on everything the club builds.

DIV / AV
Current Project

Janice — RC Plane Restoration

The first official project of the Dawson Aerospace Club is the restoration of our RC airplane: Janice. Janice was a gas-powered, single-cylinder plane. We decided the best way to get her flying again was to fully electrify her. We applied to The Dawson Foundation and got a SEEDS grant to allow us to purchase the parts we needed. A lot had to go into this project, whether it was redesigning the nose for the new motor, gutting the interior to allow for new hardware or creating an on-board flight controller from scratch.

Future Project

To Be Announced

Our next Avionics build is being scoped. Photos land here once it's underway.

Formula SAE

The start of a competition Formula SAE racecar — mechanical design, CAD, manufacturing, and controls.

DIV / FRC
Current Project

Formula SAE

The world is electrifying fast; nowhere is that more apparent than the automobile industry. 20 years ago, electric cars were a distant idea akin to flying cars; now they are approaching the norm. The Dawson Aerospace Club intends to participate in the FSAE competition next year. Among us are many motivated mechanical engineering techs who have found a practical way to use what they've learned.

Future Project

FSAE competition

Every year the SAE hosts a competition where all FSAE teams compete in various technical categories. Long term, we would like to compete in this competition on behalf of Dawson College, a feat no CEGEP has ever achieved.

Rocketry

Airframe design, aerodynamics, recovery systems, and simulation, plus propulsion-related research within safe, legal, educational limits.

DIV / RKT
Current Project

Amateur Rocketry Program

The DAC serves as the primary hub for amateur rocketry at Dawson College. Whether you're interested in getting your CAR/ACF certification, learning about rocket motors or just generally interested in the field, this is the place for you. As the barrier to space continues to break down, Canada must have a part in this new industry. Our members continue to learn and gain experience in preparation for Launch Canada Junior next year.

Future Project

Further CAR/ACF certification

Many members are interested in getting up to an L3 certification. This takes a tremendous amount of time, energy and money. The DAC will continue to support its members as they grow into experts in their domain.

Launch Canada

The first CEGEP team to compete in Canada's premier intercollegiate rocketry competition.

DIV / LC
Current Project

Launch Canada Challenge

Launch Canada is the largest student rocketry competition in Canada, and we intend to be the first CEGEP students to compete in it. We are building an experienced team to compete in Launch Canada Junior as a stepping stone toward full university-level high-altitude competition entry.

Future Expansion

Competing in the larger Launch Canada

Launch Canada Junior is a stepping stone to the larger Launch Canada competition. Once we have proven our ability to successfully build and launch a rocket to Launch Canada and Dawson College, we will aim to participate in Launch Canada on the same level as other universities.

Partners

Built with the support of our sponsors.

Materials, components, machine time, and funding from the organizations below make our build schedule possible.

Interested in sponsoring DAC?

We put together a sponsorship package covering visibility, hardware access, and reporting for every tier.

Request Sponsorship Package
Contact Us

Get in touch with the team.

Whether you're a prospective member, sponsor, or collaborator, connect with us through any of our official channels below.

Club Email
General Inquiries
dawsonaeroclub@gmail.com
Leadership
President's Desk
nicholastirschler@gmail.com
Location
Campus Base
Dawson College, Montreal

Follow & Join Our Community

All major communication is done through instagram, all comunication and planning is done through discord, our codebase is public on github, follow on linkedin for the larp.

Instagram @dc_aero_club Discord DAC Server GitHub DawsonAerospaceCode LinkedIn Dawson Aerospace Club