About Us
What do we do...
Hummingbird Gas Turbines is a student research group founded in 2006, with the aim of enabling students to complete semester and thesis projects with the support of the Chair of Turbomachinery and Flight Propulsion. We operate several test benches for experimentally investigating the performance of various small gas turbines. Historically, we have focused on research projects to improve and analyse the performance of existing engines, but as of the Winter Semester of 2025/2026, we have centralised activity around the design and development of Humo. Humo is the world's first student-built, sub-1kN twin-spool turbofan engine. As of May 2026, the thermodynamic cycle design and preliminary sizing of Humo-A, the test bench prototype has been fixed. Detailed design of turbocomponents in conjunction with the development of a structural design concept is the group's focus for the rest of 2026.
At present, nearly 20 students from various points in their studies are working towards the development of Humo-A. Our members are simultaneously developing a rapid functioning prototype of the turbojet core of Humo-A to investigate operational behaviour, and developing methods to design aerodynamically optimal flow features using an iterative pipeline of 1D, 2D and 3D design. We also have a separate group of students focused on building operational knowledge in our workshop. They are in charge of workshop safety procedures, and are our experts in running and supervising live engine tests. We are composed of a wide range of different interests and abilities, combining both the enthusiasm of those early in their education, and the experience of those near the end.
Hummingbird Gas Turbines offers students the opportunity to bridge the gap between their lectures, which focus on understanding the operation of existing turbomachines, and an industrial setting, where gas turbines are developed from the ground up. Turbomachinery and flight propulsion is a rich and complex field, with significantly higher knowledge and financial barriers to entry. As a consequence, student groups that work in the field are comparatively rare. We provide the opportunity for students to encounter the complex technical challenges involved at an early stage. Alongside technical development, there is also a major component of project management and organisation that we encourage our members to participate in and build on, especially as the Humo project is a bigger endeavour than we have embarked on previously. The Hummingbird group is supported by experienced staff members from the Chair of Turbomachinery and Flight Propulsion.