“ … Design Challenge MER 498: Senior Design Project II Student Nikolay Garabedian Adviser Professor Andrew J. Rapoff, Ph.D. … States 18 March, 2014 … MER 498: Senior Design Project II Nikolay Garabedian 37 the wing at 30 inches from its middle … ”
Abstract
A highly efficient airframe was designed in preparation for the 2014 SAE Aero East Design Challenge. The competition is scheduled to take place in Marietta, GA from the 11th to the 13th of April. The aerodynamic outline of the airplane was generated through extensive fluid mechanics analysis and review of established winning strategies. To construct the aerodynamic forms, load analyses were performed on the wing, fuselage, tail boom, and tail. Using the results of these studies, the best combination of wooden and aluminum components was established. All parts of the airplane were refined numerous times to arrive at the most efficient airframe, in terms of strength, weight, machinability, and cost. This year’s Union College Aero team was the first one to build and test a fully functional prototype between the first and second academic terms of the year. The final design will attempt to outperform all other 75 teams that are going to enter the competition.
“ … Herzog, Adam, NikolayGarabedian, Evan States, and Richard Hojnacki. 2014 … ”
Abstract
Union has participated in the annual SAE Aero Competition for the last 6 consecutive years. The aim of the competition involves the design and construction of an RC aircraft capable of carrying a maximum payload weight as consistently as possible. This report will summarize the methods used to determine shape and size of the final aircraft's control surfaces, as well as include an analysis on the plane's performance characteristics. The final design utilizes a 100 inch span main wing with a rear taper and an upright H-tail design. In addition, the horizontal tail has a stabilator in place of a horizontal stabilizer with elevators. This configuration was found to minimize the effects of drag and maximize performance at the anticipated Reynolds Number the plane will be flying at. Previous design iterations were proven to be inefficient after the completion of a to-scale working prototype in the middle of the project's design process. A theoretical estimate of this plane's maximum takeoff weight was calculated to be around 30 lbs., taking into account a 200 ft. runway with the effects of variable thrust and drag. The plane will be competing April 11-13, 2014 in Marietta, GA.
