Ascend Aerial Supports UCSD's Design Build Fly program

When you think of a modern drone pilot, you might picture someone executing commercial missions over rooftops or inspecting solar farms. But sometimes that same expertise becomes a bridge between academia, community clubs, and student engineers. That’s exactly what Jim Bonnardel, owner-operator of Ascend Aerial Data, has been doing—stepping into the skies not just for business, but to support the UCSD Design/Build/Fly (DBF) student team and the Silent Electric Flyers of San Diego (SEFSD) community.

As the owner of Ascend Aerial Data, Jim has built a reputation as a leader in professional drone services—completing over 9,000 missions and logging more than 1,000 hours in the air. His company supports industries ranging from construction to infrastructure, but Jim’s passion for flight extends beyond business. A lifelong RC and UAS enthusiast, he has also been a central figure in San Diego’s electric flight community.

That passion for sharing knowledge and elevating the next generation is what led him to support UCSD’s DBF program through SEFSD.

The Design/Build/Fly competition, hosted annually by AIAA, challenges student teams to design, fabricate, and fly a custom aircraft capable of completing demanding missions. For UCSD students, this program is a chance to put engineering theory into practice—balancing aerodynamics, propulsion, structure, and control systems in a real aircraft.

But no amount of classroom knowledge replaces the experience of flight testing. That’s where Jim steps in.

The Silent Electric Flyers of San Diego (SEFSD) provide one of the best RC fields in the country, located near Mission Bay. The club is known for its emphasis on electric propulsion and community involvement, recently recognized as AMA’s Club of the Month.

For UCSD DBF, SEFSD’s field is essential: it’s a safe, regulated, and welcoming environment where students can test and refine their designs. With Jim already deeply involved in SEFSD, the partnership was a natural fit.

Jim’s role goes far beyond simply flying an aircraft.

• Test Pilot & Troubleshooter – With years of RC and drone experience, Jim helps take student prototypes safely into the air, identifying issues like balance, trim, or control response that aren’t obvious on the workbench.
• Coach & Mentor – By guiding students through the finer points of flight behavior, he shows how small adjustments in design and setup translate into real handling improvements.
• Community Liaison – As a respected SEFSD leader, Jim ensures the DBF team’s flights are coordinated with club operations and conducted safely.
• Data & Documentation – Jim also helps collect and share flight data, videos, and insights that students can use to refine their designs.

His involvement makes the difference between simply testing an aircraft and truly understanding it.

Jim Bonnardel’s work with UCSD DBF is a reminder that mentorship is as valuable as technology in shaping the future of aviation. By lending his skills, time, and experience, he helps bridge the gap between academia, industry, and the RC community.

The result? Students gain hands-on engineering wisdom, SEFSD strengthens its role as a hub of innovation, and Ascend Aerial Data continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing flight at every level.

It’s no surprise that SEFSD’s recognition as AMA Club of the Month cited this very collaboration. With leaders like Jim supporting the next generation, the skies over San Diego are in good hands.