ODU UAV TEAM 2013 John Plank, Ethan Pratt, Michael Midkiff Kenneth Jermstad and Ignacio Santos Proudly Present: Advisor: Dr. Drew Landman

Project Overview : The UAV project was formed because of the lack of senior projects that dealt exclusively with Aeronautics engineering Goals of the Project: To design, build and fly a UAV that could be assembled from a suitcase

Calculate in-flight parameters to analyze performance. Lift coefficient. Induced drag coefficient. X, Y, Z coordinates of leading edge, chord length, airfoil. Mass and inertia breakdown. AVL and Tornado programs

Maximum Range Gliding FlightPowered Flight

Maximum Endurance Gliding FlightPowered Flight

Autopilot System Ardupilot Mega Flight Modes Manual Stabilize Circle

Stabilize Mode in Simulation on.wmv on.wmv

ArduPilot Setup Diagram 7.4V LiPo Battery Power Module ESC Brushless Motor ArduPilot Mega 2.5 Receiver Servo GPS

First Test Flights: On April 13 several attempts to get the Bixler to fly autonomously end unsuccessfully when the Bixler suddenly darts out of control and crashes

Success: On April 20 a major project goal is accomplished as the Bixler achieves autonomous flight

Flight Video ght.wmv ght.wmv

Dihedral wingPolyhedral wing Higher Stability Design Stabilizing Stable Higher lift Principle Wing configuration

Designed dimensions Final wing 51.5 cm cm 10˚ Wing dimensions

-Foam -Fiber glass -Plywood -Steel rod -10˚ -SD High lift, gliding Wing construction

Pod Design Revolved NACA 0018 Airfoil Chord: 500mm

Machining the Pod Cut on Lathe with increments every 1/16

Machining the Pod

Pod Cavities Cavities for electrical components – Carved using wood tools – Carved using Dremel

Pod Cavities Laser Cut Motor Mount Hand Tapped HolesBoom Mount Cavities for Electrical Components

Tail Design 12 Span Tail15 Span Tail 19 Span Tail Stable Boom Length 4 up to 234 up to 15 1 up to 9 Stability estimated using tail volume coefficient (C h ) Stable range: 0.3 < C h < 0.6 Decided to reduce span to 15

Skills Acquired Lathe cutting Woodcarving Hot wire cutting Fiberglass coating Soldering AVL Tornado X-Plane RC Setup 3D Modeling

Gantt Chart