What do you hope your aircraft will accomplish in real-world emergency response scenarios? What draws you and your team to emergency response innovation?

We hope our Flyer, RPAC, will revolutionize emergency response by providing a fast, adaptable, and efficient solution for disaster relief. RPAC will feature multi-role flexibility to adapt to different missions, along with electric propulsion for sustainability and efficiency. RPAC can bridge critical gaps where traditional methods fall short. By reducing response times in natural disasters and remote medical emergencies, it has the potential to save lives.

Our interest in emergency response innovation comes from a deep awareness of the challenges people face in the aftermath of disasters. After seeing the fallout of Hurricane Helene in the mountains, North Carolinians gathered in camaraderie to support those affected. We witnessed firsthand that when the roads are blocked, communication lines are down, and first responders struggle to reach those in need, every second matters. Seeing these obstacles made us ask: How can we make a difference? Would we be able to assist in such a critical moment? 

By developing autonomous aircraft with advanced navigation, we aim to provide rapid access to affected areas, deliver critical supplies, and save lives. Our goal is not just to build an aircraft, but to create a transformative solution that empowers emergency responders and helps communities quickly.

Team Lead: Dr. Farhan Gandhi

Team Members: 

Evan Arnold   

Ashutosh Chandravanshi   

Weston Fong   

Eve Fulton   

Anubhav Halder   

Koda Lemelin   

Alexander Stillman   

Jonah Whitt