| Advanced Aero Vehicle Group places 5th |
|
|
| Written by Neil Rapp | |
|
Earlier this month, Missouri S&T’s Advanced Aero Vehicle Group competed in the Aero Design Competition in Fort Worth, Texas, and placed 5th overall. The annual competition, which is sponsored by the Society of Automotive Engineers, took place over the first weekend in April. Each team is given the challenge of designing a remote control aircraft. At the competition, the teams are awarded points for their aircraft’s ability to carry extra weight and for the aircraft’s flight score. Teams also receive points for their written design reports and oral presentations. Missouri S&T’s plane uses two 0.4 in3 engines that are limited to a 0.8 in3 displacement. The plane is capable of flying through the air at speeds of about 58 miles per hour. Missouri S&T’s team received 2nd place in both the design report and oral presentation portions of the contest putting the team in 1st place. However, the team did not receive a flight score and in the end, Missouri S&T placed 5th overall in the competition. Unlike previous years, this year the plane had to take off from a strip of grass, rather than a paved runway. This proved to be a big challenge for the team. During the first flight, the airplane, dubbed “Whalicus,” snagged a wing tip on a rough patch of turf as it tried to takeoff and ended upside down on the runway. After adjusting the plane to correct some center of gravity problems, the team was ready to try again. The second flight looked good as “Whalicus” took to the air. Unfortunately right as the plane finished its successful takeoff the back bulkhead of the airplane sheared off and the tail separated from the plane. The AAVG design team meets Wednesday nights at 8:00 in ME Room 217. To find out more about the design team contact Jared Loebs or Elijah Schuldt. To see photos of both flights go to http://experiencethis.mst.edu. |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|