MANE Fundamentals of Flight: The Faculty-Led Program in Puerto Rico

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1 MANE Fundamentals of Flight: The Faculty-Led Program in Puerto Rico Overview of Experience and Educational Accomplishments Prof. Luciano Castillo Victor Maldonado (PhD student & TA) Dates Abroad: May 21 st to June 5 th, 2010 University Partner: Universidad del Turabo, Puerto Rico Host & Partner: Prof. Gerardo Carbajal (UT)

2 Overview Dates and Location Friday, May 21 st to Saturday, June 5 th 2010 University: Universidad del Turabo, Caguas, Puerto Rico Lodging: San Juan Park Hotel, San Juan, Puerto Rico Main Objectives To immerse undergraduate students early in the aeronautical/ mechanical engineering curriculum to a project based approach and multi-cultural experience as part of an engineering education. To design, build, and fly a model aircraft in two weeks (it can be done!) 2

3 Background The faculty-led study abroad experience was offered as a special section for the students of MANE-2060 Fundamentals of Flight, which is the introductory course for the aeronautical engineering major. The idea of a study abroad experience in our course was to provide an educational experience not possible in the traditional classroom, and to bring a project based experience (integrate analysis, design, prototype, team work and multi-cultural experience) in a single course. This study abroad opportunity not only provided direct understanding of fundamentals and applications of aeronautics but it was done early on the academic stage. Most of the students were freshmen whom by the end of their first year knew if aeronautical engineering was for them. 3

4 Methodology The study abroad program was balanced with academic activities at Universidad del Turabo in Puerto Rico (6 to 8 hours per day) during the week, and social and cultural activities on evenings and weekends. There were a total of 26 students from RPI and 7 from UT, which were assembled into 6 teams with at least one student from Puerto Rico. The student teams were presented with the challenge to work together to design and build a model airplane to meet certain flight requirements (which they proposed) while carrying a one pound weight. The academic activities were divided into topic lectures of design of aircraft, construction time, and seminars on related aerospace topics from academic and industry professionals from Puerto Rico. 4

5 Design Formulation: Wing Example The aircraft design lectures and formulation was based on the textbook Design of Aircraft by Thomas Corke. The design spreadsheets were modified by the course TA for relevance and ease of use. 3 Wing Planform Top View y (ft) x (ft) 5

6 Aircraft Designs In the next few slides, the design process is illustrated from concept to construction for several teams and their aircraft. A high Lift and Endurance Aircraft Thickness: 12.0% Camber: 8.0% Max C L : Max C L angle: 10.0 Max L/D: Max L/D C L : (@6 ) Zero-lift angle:

7 Aircraft Designs An Aerobatic Aircraft Flight Requirements Flight at Mach ft altitude Symmetric airfoil Bottom mounted wing Large ailerons y (in.) Horizontal Tail x (in.) Horizontal Tail, lbf 12% Ver>cal Cruise Drag Tail, lbf 6% Wing, lbf, 68% Fuselage, lbf 14% 7

8 NACA 6514 Airfoil Max Cl of Zero lift angle: -7 degrees Flaperons Rectangular 7 foot Wingspan Aircraft Designs A Short Take-off Aircraft Design Criteria: Maximize coefficient of lift High stall angle Flaperons Reduce weight Reduce drag High angle of attack at take off High wing structure Taildragger fuselage design Horizont al Tail, lbf 12% Vertical Tail, lbf 6% Cruise Drag Wing, lbf, 68% Fuselag e, lbf 14% 8

9 Students Aircraft Designs A Long Endurance Aircraft 5ft wingspan 6 inch chord length NACA 4415 airfoil 20 angle for double dihedral Aspect Ratio Design Matrix CL Chord (ft) Span (ft) C_D_o C_D_i C_D D (lb) L/D

10 Test Flying On Thursday, June 3 rd, the students airplanes were test flown by experienced model airplane pilots at a flying field. All the airplanes successfully took off, however some flew longer than others. 10

11 Seminars and Lectures Invited guests came to speak on topics ranging from a supersonic land vehicle, propulsion, aerodynamics, undergraduate research at UT, the aerospace industry in Puerto Rico, and design and innovation. 11

12 Social and Cultural Activities Social and cultural activities included visits to Arecibo National Observatory, the Rainforest, and the Caverns of Camuy; one of the largest underground cave systems in the world. Caverns of Camuy The rainforest Arecibo National Observatory 12

13 Conclusions This unique study abroad (Project Based Approach to integrate theory, design, hands on, multicultural experience) opportunity enhanced a student s education not only by learning senior level aircraft design principles at the freshman level, but required them to work together in multi-cultural teams to successfully complete course objectives. The students gave presentations of their team s aircraft design to their peers and faculty, and in the process receiving feedback about their design; what worked what did not, and how they could have improved their aircraft. The instructor believe that a study abroad experience such as this should be an integral part of an undergraduate engineering education. Student feedback surveys are available and will be used for such purposes. Group photo in front of the engineering building at UT 13

14 Acknowledgements Dr. Gerardo Carbajal, Faculty Partner & Host, UT Dr. Jack T. Allison, Dean Engineering, UT Dr. Prabhat Hajela, Dean Undergrad Ed, RPI Dr. Guillermo Araya, Invited Speaker, Swansea, UK Prof. Stefano Leonardi, Invited Speaker, UPRM, PR Mr. Jose Castro, Invited Speaker, PRIDCO, PR Prof. Yazan Hijazi Moghraby, Invited Speaker, UT Mrs. Karen M. Dvorak, RPI Office of International Programs. UT Faculty, Staff and Personnel: Transportation, Facilities Mrs. Jamie Obst, RPI Office of International Programs. 14