Project HummingBird

Project HummingBird is a fully autonomous missing persons detection aircraft with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities. It utilizes live thermal video processing, adaptive search patterns, and RTK GPS communication with a ground station to optimize search techniques across various terrain and minimize the time to relay the location of missing persons. This project greatly contributes to the research and healthcare aspects of SLU's mission as the goal of our project is to ultimately help save lives during search and rescue missions.

project hummingbird.pdf

Justin Pointer

Justin Pointer is a senior from O'Fallon, MO majoring in Aerospace Engineering along with a minor in Engineering Mathematics. He plans to work for Spirit Aerosystems in Wichita after graduation as a systems engineer.

Wesley Hawkins

Wesley Hawkins is a Senior Aerospace Engineering student at Parks College of Engineering, Aviation, and Technology, at Saint Louis University. Originally from West Frankfort, IL, Wesley has lived in Saint Louis the last four years both on and off campus. Aside from being incredibly studious with his studies, Wesley enjoys a number of activities which do not overlap with school. A few of these activities includes kayaking, cooking, and hiking. Future plans include the completion of the Accelerated Bachelor of Science to Master of Science program at Parks College where he will graduate Spring 2023. After graduation, he plans to enter the workforce in the Saint Louis area and start a garden in his future suburban yard.

Hugo Holley

Hugo Holley is from San Francisco, California and is majoring in Aerospace Engineering at Parks College. He works primarily on the structures and propulsion design for Project Humming Bird. After graduation he intends to move back to the west coast and earn his pilots license.

Adam Walker

Adam Walker is a senior aerospace engineering student from Lexington, KY. Adam is also a member of the school’s cross country and track and field teams, and is on the pre-medicine track. He plans to graduate this spring and apply to medical schools this summer.

Trevor Akers

Trevor Akers is a senior aerospace engineering student at Parks College of Engineering, Aviation, and Technology at Saint Louis University. He comes from Springfield, IL and began studying aerospace four years ago after dreaming of such endeavors since middle school. Trevor is a Patrick P. Lee Scholar and Tau Beta Pi member who has taken part in several on campus actives pertaining to both his studies and hobbies such as his involvement in the Design Build Fly team, AIAA student chapter, Cycling Club, and Wilderness and Adventure Club. He is currently working at Trek Bicycle Corporation and hopes to continue to develop his career there, post-graduation.

Chris Bale

Chris Bale is a senior aerospace engineering student at Parks College of Engineering, Aviation, and Technology, at Saint Louis University. Chris is also pursuing a marketing minor at Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business. Originally from Chatham, IL, Chris has lived in Saint Louis the last four years on campus. Chris has also been a member of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity since his freshman year at SLU. After graduation, Chris will be moving out to Wichita, Kansas to work at Spirit Aerosystems as a Design Dimensional Management Engineer.

Nicholas Morrow

Nicholas Morrow is a Senior Aerospace Engineering student at parks College of Engineering, Aviation, and Technology at Saint Louis University. Nicholas is from Sacramento, California, and currently lives on the campus of Saint Louis University. He spends his free time as an active member of on campus clubs, such as the eSports club. Once he completes his Bachelor’s degree, he plans to start a career in Madison, Wisconsin starting in July 2022.

Jack Wahl

Jack Wahl is a senior aerospace engineering student. He enjoys hiking, spending time outdoors, and hanging out with friends in his free time. After graduation Jack plans on working for Boeing in the St. Louis area.

Elliott Platz

Elliott Platz is a senior at Saint Louis University’s Park College of Engineering. Before attending school in Saint Louis Elliott was born and lived in Chicago Illinois. Aside from this design project Elliott has also done research with SLU’s Space Systems Research Lab. After graduation Elliott will be a Systems Engineer for Spirit Aerosystems

Brendan Muldoon

A Saint Louis native graduating from the aerospace engineering program at SLU in the spring of 2022, Brendan is a member of the avionics/flight control team on Project HummingBird and has personal interests including autonomous flight vehicles, renewable energy solutions, and guitar.

Dr. Srikanth Gururajan has had a tremendous impact on the design and development of HummingBird. The team's access to SLU's AirCRAFT Lab has helped generate new ideas while still holding true to the lab's tried and true techniques and processes. Dr. Gururajan is available for questions and advice whenever needed. Without his guidance throughout this project, flight would be a much harder mark to achieve.