1. Conceptual Design Report
SU Design/build/fly
SU DBF

2. Agenda Mission Requirements Design Requirements
Configuration Selection
Sizing Program
Score Predictions
Regional Competition
Management
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3. Mission Requirements – Scoring
Score = Written Report Score * Total Mission Score / RAC
Total Mission Score = MF1 * MF2 * PF + Bonus
RAC = EW1 * Wt_Battery1 * N_Components + EW2 * Wt_Battery2
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4. SU DBF

5. Mission 1 Manufacturing Support Aircraft Arrival Flight Scoring
Fly 3 laps in 5 minutes
No payload
Scoring
2.0 points for completion
0.1 points for incompletion or failure
SU DBF

6. Mission 2 Manufacturing Support Aircraft Payload Delivery Flight
10 minute time limit
Carry sub-assemblies of production aircraft internally
One lap with each sub-assembly group
No limit to number of flights made
Production aircraft battery does not need to be carried
Scoring
4.0 points for completion
1.0 points for at least 1 successful delivery
0.1 points for unattempt or failure
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7. Mission 3 Production Aircraft Flight Scoring
Carry a 32 oz Gatorade bottle internally
Fly 3 laps in 5 minutes
Scoring
2.0 points for completion
1.0 point for partial completion (did not complete all 3 laps)
0.1 points for no attempt or failure
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8. Bonus Mission Production Aircraft Assembly Scoring
First three missions must be successful
Assemble the production aircraft in 2 minutes along with installation of payload
Wing tip test and control systems check
Scoring
2.0 points for completion
0.0 points for failure/unattempt
SU DBF

9. Design Constraints Takeoff Distance Propulsion Systems Payload
Limited to 100 ft takeoff
Propulsion Systems
All components must be commercially available
Propeller driven and electrically powered
NiCad or NiMH batteries must be used
Any cell count, voltage, capacity
No limit to weight of systems
Payload
Must be carried internally for Missions 2 and 3
Must be securely fastened
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10. Key Design Features Empty weight Battery weight
Number of production aircraft sub-assemblies
Payload requirements
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11. Configuration Selection
Aircraft Configuration
Wing Configuration
Wing Placement
Motor Configuration
Landing Gear Configuration
Tail Configuration
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12. Aircraft Configuration
Mono
High aspect ratio, low induced drag, inherently stable, relatively easy to build
Large wingspan, leads to structural weaknesses due to stress, higher profile drag due to more aerodynamic surfaces Bi
More wing area means smaller wings, easier to break down, more lift-providing surface, more stable
Requires more connections and support, adding weight and drag
Tri
High lift, high stability
High weight and drag, low maneuverability, very complex
Flying
Great lift/drag ratio, less parts, less connections and weight, easy to make
Low repairability, incapable of carrying mission payload unless it’s very large
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13. Wing Configuration Dihedral Anhedral Polyhedral Straight
More stable plane, combats dihedral effect of slipstreams, higher ground clearance
Slightly difficult to make, angles on each side must be identical
Anhedral
More maneuverable, allows for faster turns
Could roll more easily, less stable in flight, possible ground clearance issues, angles on each side must be identical
Polyhedral
High stability and maneuverability
Very complex, difficult to manufacture reliably and break down
Straight
Easy to manufacture
Doesn’t excel in any particular area
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14. Wing Placement High Mid Low
Creates pendulum effect with plane’s weight, very stable; clearance from ground allows for wing-mounted engines
Less maneuverability
Mid
More “centered” center of gravity, more balanced plane overall, more maneuverability
Requires a support through fuselage which complicates housing a payload
Low
Landing gear can fit on wings
Weight above wings makes it less maneuverable, possibly susceptible to rolls
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15. Motor Configuration Single Tractor Single Pusher Wing Mounted
Weighs less, requires less takeoff space, moves center of gravity forward
Propwash creates induced drag, compromises stability
Single Pusher
Payload can be loaded from front
Center of gravity moved back, potentially behind center of lift
Wing Mounted
More thrust available, easier to lift payload and accomplish missions faster, could balance out aircraft
Dependent on wing structure, much heavier due to extra motor, electronics, and structural elements
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16. Landing Gear Configuration
Tail Dragger
Most stable, tilts plane backward, increasing angle of attack, allowing for shorter takeoff distance
Potential danger for propeller to clear the ground during landing
Tricycle
Very stable, wheels directly below center of gravity and lift, reliable taxiing and landing
In-flight drag from wheels and support structure, generally heavier than other configurations
Bicycle
Generally lightest option, least amount of in-flight drag
Wings may hit ground upon landing, taxiing is difficult without ability to steer
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17. Tail Configuration Conventional T-Tail H-Tail V-Tail
More durable, needs less reinforcement, easier to service and design
3 separate parts
T-Tail
Ground clearance
Weaker because only one mounting attachment
H-Tail
More control surface area, easier to turn, increased resistance to yaw motion
Higher drag, multiple parts
V-Tail
Fewer parts, less drag
Complex to design and build, angle must be accurate
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18. Figures of Merit
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19. Selection Matrices – Manufacturing Aircraft
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20. Selection Matrices – Manufacturing Aircraft
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21. Selection Matrices – Manufacturing Aircraft
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22. Selection Matrices – Manufacturing Aircraft
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23. Selection Matrices – Manufacturing Aircraft
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24. Selection Matrices – Manufacturing Aircraft
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25. Selection Matrices – Manufacturing Aircraft
Monoplane
High wing anhedral
Single tractor motor
Tricycle landing gear
Conventional tail
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26. Selection Matrices – Production Aircraft
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27. Selection Matrices – Production Aircraft
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28. Selection Matrices – Production Aircraft
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29. Selection Matrices – Production Aircraft
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30. Selection Matrices – Production Aircraft
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31. Selection Matrices – Production Aircraft
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32. Selection Matrices – Production Aircraft
Monoplane
High wing (straight)
Single tractor motor
Tail dragger landing gear
Conventional tail
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33. Sizing Program
WORK IN PROGRESS
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34. Score Predictions
WORK IN PROGRESS
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35. Regional Competition Tentative date: April 2
Tentative location: Rome, NY
Reached out to about 30 schools
4 definite responses
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36. Management
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