The Firefly
The Firefly is UVic Aero’s 2024-2025 autonomous wildfire-fighting drone designed for agility, precision, and rapid response. As a hexacopter, it excels in vertical takeoff and landing, allowing it to access remote and challenging terrain. The Firefly can carry a payload of up to 7 kg, making it ideal for delivering fire retardants, water, or essential supplies to critical areas. When unloaded, it weighs 8 kg, ensuring efficient maneuverability.
Materials ….. Carbon Fiber, Aluminium, PLA Plastic
Diagonal Span …………….. 1800 mm (Motor-to-Motor)
Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW) ………………………………. 1.0 kg
Payload Capacity ………………………………………………………… 7.0 kg
Autopilot ………………………………………………………………. Pixhawk 2.1
Propulsion …………………………………………… U8 Lite KV190 (x6)
Battery ……………..…….….. 2 x 6S 6500mAh LiPos (22.2V)
Endurance (MTOW) …………………………… Up to 11 minutes
Endurance (Empty) ………………..……….. Up to 28 minutes
The Scarab
The Scarab is UVic Aero’s eVTOL concept designed for the 2023-2024 AEAC student competition. With a focus on urban air mobility, the scarab is designed to reduce ground congestion on short interurban trips (such as Vancouver-Seattle). Built around a quad-plane configuration, the Scarab combines vertical takeoff and landing with efficient forward flight. The aircraft is safety-oriented and fully autonomous, conceived as an air-taxi platform with scalability in mind. Adequate passenger space, passenger visibility. and stable flight architecture were central to the design. With a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 11 kg and a payload capacity of up to 4 kg, the Scarab balances practical carrying capability with efficient performance.
Materials ………….. Balsa, Carbon fiber, Foam Board
Wingspan ……………………………… 2400 mm (Tip-to-Tip)
Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW) ……………………………. 14 kg
Payload Capacity ……………………………………………………… 4 kg
Autopilot …………………………………………..……………. Pixhawk 2.1
Propulsion ……………… 4x MN4116 450KV, 1x AT7215
Battery ……………………….…….….. 2x6S 9000mAh (22.2V)
Endurance (MTOW) ………………………….……… 23 minutes
Endurance (Empty) ………………………….……….. 31 minutes
