1. Christopher Cottingham
The Black Pearl
AME 441: Senior Design
Group 1
Ryan Cobb
Jacob Conger
Christopher Cottingham
Travis Douville
Josh Johnson
Adam Loverro
Tony Maloney

2. Design Proposal Design Drivers Objectives Low-Drag Flying Wing
Maximum Level Speed
Maximum Climb Rate
Objectives
Increase Available Power
Decrease Drag
Decrease Weight
Low-Drag Flying Wing
With Drag-reducing winglets

3. Initial Design Considerations
Stability
Wing Sweep
Wing Twist
Reflexed Camber Line Airfoils
Proper Payload Arrangement
Winglets
Fabrication
No fuselage or tail
Fewer control surfaces
Takeoff & Landing
Takeoff Sled
Landing Skids
Payload Arrangement
Increased Root Thickness
Internal Storage
~ 70 in3 interior

4. Paoli Flying Wing (unpowered)
Comparison Aircraft
The Black Pearl
Zagi XT
Surikaty
XE2-400
Paoli Flying Wing (unpowered)
Thunder Tiger
TOW (lbs)
4.2
2.125
3.5
1.5
2.05
4.8
Wing Span (ft)
5.8 4
6.42
8.7
5.02
Wing Area (in2)
707
425
751
502
966
400
Wing Loading (oz/in2)
0.095
0.08
0.75
0.05
0.034
0.192

5. Fuselage Design No Actual Fuselage
Wing root thickened to accommodate payload
Optimized airfoil fuselage shape

6. Wing Bubble

7. Stability Design Payload arrangement Wing Sweep: 20o Aerodynamic Twist
C.G. Forward of A.C. Positive Static Margin (SM = 0.11)
Wing Sweep: 20o
Aerodynamic Twist
Reflexed Camber Line Airfoil
Low (or positive) moment coefficient

8. Aerodynamic Wing Twist

9. Stability Design Winglets Reflexed trim position
Enhance directional stability
Wing alone is directionally stable
Reflexed trim position

10. Control Surfaces Preliminary: Final: Sf/Sw = 0.2958 Sa/Sw = 0.1225
Plane Flaps
CL= 1.5 with flaps
CL= 1.0 without flaps
Final:
Flaps Unnecessary
Flaps & Ailerons Linked
Elevons enhance control authority

11. Engine Performance Astro 15 Static Thrust T/W Ratio
Predicted Thrust: 6.0 lbf
Actual Thrust: 3.15 lbf
T/W Ratio
Predicted: 0.96
Actual: 0.75
12 x 6 Pusher Propeller
12 Cell Battery

12. Battery Complications
12 Ni-Cad Cells spliced to custom fit forward in bubble
Learning Curve
Discharging, charging problems
Soldering Connections

13. Takeoff Sled Steerable sled for 211 ft. takeoff roll
Carbon-reinforced Ply Base
Dowels through wing

14. Sled Complications
Field bumps/wind gusts change effective angle of attack on each half-span.
Asymmetric lift-off causes binding in dowel slots.
Mechanical forces magnify friction on dowels.
Solution: Hand Launch

16. Structure Two main basswood spars Carbon fiber carry-through spar
Root section 3.25” x 14” cutout for propeller
Thin Balsa wood skin

17. Propellers courtesy of H2
Landing Skids
Two plastic skids arranged symmetrically
Protected propeller
Absorbed landing impact
Motivation for Design
Propellers courtesy of H2

19. On-board GPS Data

20. Conclusions Conceptual Final % change Max Velocity (fps)
Conceptual
Final
% change
Max Velocity (fps) 98 77
-21.43
Climb Rate (fps) 10
9.5
-5.00
Takeoff Weight (lb)
6.26
4.2
-32.91
Thrust-to-weight
0.96
0.75
-21.88
Wing Loading (oz/in2)
0.125
0.095
-24.00
Winglet Area (in2) 44
23.625
-46.31
Bubble Volume (in3) 70
Span (ft)
5.8
Aspect Ratio 6
Elevon Area (in2) 21
73.8 
251.4 

22. Questions