Author: Larry Kruse
Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/12
Page Numbers: 52,53,54,55,56,57
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THE NEED FOR SPEED

By Larry Kruse

Many university aeronautical engineering programs tend to focus on theoretical knowledge more than on applying that knowledge to solve real-world problems. That has not been the case recently at Oklahoma State University's School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Under the leadership of Dr. Andy Arena, the Maciula Professor of Engineering at OSU, students have gained real-world experience and success through participation in a national aeromodeling design and performance competition sponsored by the 35,000-member American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).

Over the past decade, OSU aeronautical engineering students have compiled an impressive record in the annual AIAA competition — seven first-place wins, six second-place awards, two third-place awards, and one fourth-place finish — with multiple teams entered each year, collectively outdistancing all other universities in the United States by a wide margin.

New partnership and flight station

Following this sustained success, Dr. Arena and his staff forged a new partnership with the NASA Oklahoma Space Grant and the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), working through the local AMA club, the Stillwater R/C Flyers. This alliance served not only to organize a new competition but also to establish a joint-use flying field to benefit all participating partners.

As a first step, the OSU Unmanned Aircraft Flight Station was constructed 12 miles east of Stillwater with a 600- x 60-foot Petromat runway, pilot stations, a shaded pavilion, and a storage and maintenance building.

Gene Smith, representing the Stillwater R/C Flyers Club, commented on the joint effort:

“Developing what would become a symbiotic relationship, Dr. Arena enlisted the Stillwater R/C Flyers’ help in planning the layout of the new site, laying the runway fabric, and developing the inaugural event program. The club’s affiliation with the AMA was instrumental in obtaining insurance coverage to protect the university as well as the club and its members.”

Capstone project: Speedfest 2011

At the beginning of the 2010 fall semester, approximately 40 senior aeronautical engineering students were divided into two teams to fulfill their capstone course requirements: to design, build, and fly a model aircraft specifically tailored for speed competition — the first Speedfest 2011, slated for late spring of the new calendar year. The teams were organized as the Orange Team and the Black Team (named for the university’s school colors). Students were further divided into three subgroups, each responsible for aeronautical design, aircraft structure, or power components. Close teamwork and cooperation became mainstays as the semester progressed.

To give both teams specific focus, aircraft requirements were set at the outset of the semester:

  • Electric propulsion only, using 11.1-volt battery packs of any capacity.
  • A 40-amp McMaster-Carr safety fuse, which must be externally accessible as the arm/disarm link.
  • The aircraft must take off without a human touch after the propulsion system is armed.
  • Propellers and batteries may be changed between missions, but no other part of the aircraft configuration may be changed.
  • Multiple models may be used as long as they are identical in geometry and weight, excluding the batteries and the propeller.

These requirements allowed the teams to use off-the-shelf batteries and propulsion systems, as well as brand-name 2.4 GHz radios to keep the airplanes on course. The constraints tended to dictate aircraft size and weight, so both design teams ended up with aircraft similar in geometry. The Orange Team produced a blended wing/body with a spanwise battery pack which team members custom-soldered. The Black Team opted for all-molded composite construction designed to withstand the calculated 15 g loads in the required high-speed turns.

Missions and flight operations

The models had to perform two missions. Mission One was a pylon course with pylons set 600 feet apart. The models flew 10 laps in a figure-eight pattern with all turns away from the pit and launch area. Mission Two was a flat-out speed dash with timing set for the length of the 600-foot course; timing occurred during two full-speed passes, one in each direction. To eliminate speed from a diving start, the models had to be level as they entered the measured course and maintain that attitude throughout the run. Two complete runs were averaged to determine top speed.

A judging panel composed of graduate students assured compliance with the rules. Because of the precise timing requirements, Dan Bierly, an experienced RC pilot from the Stillwater R/C Flyers Club, served as the pilot for both teams for safety and consistency.

One interesting ancillary requirement — no human touch after the propulsion system was armed — created its own engineering challenge. Because the aircraft had no landing gear, teams had to devise ways to get their airplanes into the air at a workable altitude before the electric motor took over. Both teams used a ramp solution, but reached the ramp’s top speed differently:

  • The Orange Team used a catapult to accelerate the aircraft before the motor engaged, taking inspiration from the Wright brothers and early aviation pioneers.
  • The Black Team used a short-burning rocket-boost motor mounted at the rear of the airplane to push it up the ramp to flying speed.

Both systems worked reliably and showcased the project’s creativity.

Competition results and community engagement

The day-long competition featured several lead changes and spirited banter between students. Ultimately the Black Team won, achieving an impressive 171 mph in the speed dash and averaging 149 mph in the pylon course. The competition was so close it required the full seven rounds to determine the winner.

Students were enthusiastic regardless of outcome. Orange Team leader Isaac Reese said the contest was “very competitive, but ... we’re all friends, too. It’s kind of like a sibling rivalry.” Black Team leader Wes Combs was pleased with the event’s turnout — more than 750 parents, grandparents, fellow students, and aviation enthusiasts attended. “The air show aspect is nice,” he said, “because it brings it home so friends and family can come.”

Billed as an invitational air show and a speed competition between two OSU teams, Speedfest 2011 used set-up times between speed runs for demonstration flights by the Stillwater R/C Flyers Club and neighboring AMA clubs, full-scale flybys with antique and unusual aircraft, and a static rocket display by a local rocket club.

In wrapping up the experience, Dr. Arena emphasized the importance of relationships: “Much of the work done on the new field was by students who were supported by the NASA Oklahoma Space Grant Consortium. Another very important relationship is that between aeronautical engineering and the University Multispectral Lab. Ken Vierra, who is with UML, was instrumental in working with us on a joint proposal to make Oklahoma a center for UAS testing and economic development.”

Gene Smith of the Stillwater R/C Flyers agreed: “Thanks to the hard work of Dr. Arena, Dr. J.P. Conner, the OSU Aerospace students, the relationship with NASA, and our local club's affiliation with AMA, the event was a major success ... and we now have a new flying field of which both OSU and our club can be proud.”

Next year’s capstone challenge, Speedfest II, is being developed. It will be difficult to surpass this year’s accomplishments, but Speedfest 2011 was a winner by any measure.

Larry Kruse [email protected]

Sources

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.