It is possible to fly without motors,

But not without

knowledge and skill.

- Wilbur Wright (1867-1912)

Date: May 8, 2021

Time: 11AM

Location: Heskett Center

• Wingspan: 4.6 ft

• Length: 2.9 ft

• Aspect Ratio: 8

• Empty Weight: 6.8 oz

• Max Payload Weight: 9 oz

• Propulsion: 7.4 V, 200 mAh Battery

• Propeller: 8” x 4.5 MR

• Flight Speed: 11 – 24 ft/s

• Endurance: 3.3 mins

CONTACT

E.J. Lynch

Team Leader, Aerodynamics, Structures

ejlynch4@protonmail.com / (405) 921-7472

Charles Jennings

Propulsion, Stability & Control

G292M288@wichita.edu

Gauge Carmichael

Aerodynamics, Stability & Control

gaugelcarmichael@gmail.com / (316) 204-9454

Jungim Hwang

Stability & Control, Propulsion

jxhwang@shockers.wichita.edu

Ryan McBroom

Structures, Aerodynamics

ryanmcbroom@hotmail.com / (316) 253-9386

Special Thanks

Faculty Advisor, Dr. L Scott Miller

Sponsor, The Boeing Company

Team 13, ICT Aeronautics

SPECIFICATIONS

DESIGN MISSION

Our team at ICT Aeronautics has developed a small, indoor R/C aircraft to carry a variety of small sensors to detect hazardous chemicals and gases in areas deemed dangerous for humans.

Rib and Tooling Assembly

3-View Drawing

• Optimum lift generating wing design

• Simple 3-part construction

• Optimum storage capacity

• Easy-access sensor and component exchange

• Low unit cost for easy replacement

• Hand launch takeoff to save battery power

• High aspect ratio of 8 reduces power consumption

• 5° Dihedral improves lateral stability

• Tapered wing improves lift

• 2-piece fuselage design reduces empty weight

• Detachable penny holder gives easy change of the amount of payload and CG location

• 90° laminated balsa wood on ribs improves strength of the wing structure

• Rudder and elevator control surfaces

• Minimum 3 minutes of flight time

• Successful landing

• 200mAh battery for power supply

• Carry the most number of sensors (pennies)

• Maximum 2 servos for control surfaces

STRATEGY

AE 12 – Defying Gravity

Team MembersEJ LynchAerodynamics Lead / Structures

Charles JenningsPropulsion Lead / Electronics

Gauge CarmichaelAerodynamics Lead / Stability & Control

Jungim HwangStability & Control Lead / Propulsion

Ryan McBroomStructures Lead / Aerodynamics

Bronze Propeller CompetitionThe 2021 Bronze Propeller competition involves the designing, building, and flying of “A Small Indoor Sensor Deployment Aircraft”. The mission is to fly as many sensors as possible for a flight time of 3 minutes within a basketball court sized area. The scoring is solely based on number of sensors (pennies) carried.

Mission Requirements:• 5 minutes for Pre-Flight Check

• Takeoff

• 3 minutes flight time within the indoor area

• Successful landing

StrategyThe aircraft is design to fly at slower speeds and easy maneuverability. Given the small indoor flight area, slow and maneuverable flight is important for lowering pilot workload and aircraft safety.

Strategy: Fly design payload to establish a score then push the aircraft limits to increase max scoring ability.

Design Features:• Empty weight: 6.8 oz

• Aspect Ratio: 8

• Structural Limit: 3/-1.5 g’s

• 24 ft/s max flight speed

• Taper wing design optimizing lift

• Monocoque fuselage

• Simple construction/low part count

Design and Layout

ESC Controller: 4.8 in

Servos: 11.6 in

Motor/Prop: -0.3 in

Battery: 0.85 in

Payload: 0.35 in

Components

Measurements in inches

AerodynamicsWing Design: NACA 6412 airfoil[1]

• Large chamber allows the wing to reach a maximum value of CL,max = 1.22 decreasing the stall speed.

• Good aerodynamic characteristics at low Reynold’s number which works well with the slow speed of the aircraft

Horizontal and Vertical Tails: Flat Plate airfoil• Flat plates used for simplicity due to size constraints and had

negligible aerodynamic improvements over a symmetric air foil.

Tapered Wing:• The wing’s taper ratio of 0.45 creates an ideal lift distribution

that is an elliptical shape. Lower loads on the wing tips reduces bending loads on the wing. Zero sweep about the chord for structural benefits.

[1] – Image credit: Airfoil Tools (airfoiltools.com)

NACA 6412

Ideal Lift Distribution Along Wing-Span

Stability and ControlStatic Margin = 15.3%

Tail Incidence Angle and Trimming were set at• Tail Incidence Angle: 2°• Trimming: -6° at cruise

Elevator and Rudder were sized to• Elevator chord: 20% of H-tail• Rudder chord: 40% of V-tail

Wing Dihedral 5° increases lateral stability

PropulsionThe aircraft propulsion system was required to attain a T/W ratio of 0.26 a maneuvering speed. Thrust required at empty weight and max payload are 1.77lb and 2.34lb, respectively.

Propulsion Design details:

• Great Planes Rimfire 250 Motor

• 1750 Kv

• Brushless

• 5568.5 RPM – no load

• APC 8x4.5MR Propeller

Electronics details:

• Spektrum DSMX 6ch AS3x ESC

• Built in receiver

• Eflite 200mA, 7.4V, 2S LiPo Battery

• Max Current: 5A

• Spektrum RC 2.3 Servos

• 2.3 gram of force

StructuresThe wing was design to handle bending, torsion, and shear load experienced at 3 g’s loading during flight.

Wing Design details:• Material: 3 laminated 1/32” balsa sheets (90/0/90 layup)• 6 spars; 2 at each wing section• 21 ribs • 1/32” balsa leading and trailing edge skin• Heat shrink covering

Tail Design details:• Flat plate horizontal and vertical tails• Heat shrink covering

Image of complete wing connected to tooling (upside down orientation)3 wing sections; 1 center section and 2 dihedral outer sections

21

3

Wing Construction

Scoring PredictionsA key limitation to consider is the small 200 mA battery required for competition. Reducing aircraft weight and maintaining maneuverability is the key to a high score.

Endurance Prediction: 3 min 20 seconds• Mission requirement: 3 min

Loaded Aircraft Weight: 9 oz (25 pennies)• Mission requirement: As many as possible

Minimum capable turn radius: 8 feet• Width of the indoor area = 50 feet; Aircraft full turn capability = 16 ft

Mission Score = 25

Contact Information

EJ LynchEmail: ejlynch4@protonmail.comPhone: (405) 921-7472

Charles JenningsEmail: G292M288@wichita.edu

Gauge CarmichaelEmail: gaugelcarmichael@gmail.com Phone: (316) 204-9454

Jungim HwangEmail: jxhwang@shockers.wichita.edu

Ryan McBroomEmail: ryanmcbroom@hotmail.comPhone: (316) 253-9386

Photos