Team F16: Autonomous Research Plane

Author(s) Information

Andrew Sugamele, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow
Andrew Whitacre, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow
Nicholas Toal, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow
Cole Bushur, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow

College - Author 1

College of Engineering

Department - Author 1

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree Name - Author 1

BS in Mechanical Engineering

College - Author 2

College of Engineering

Department - Author 2

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree - Author 2

BS in Mechanical Engineering

College - Author 3

College of Engineering

Department - Author 3

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree - Author 3

BS in Mechanical Engineering

College - Author 4

College of Engineering

Department - Author 4

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree - Author 4

BS in Mechanical Engineering

Date

6-2024

Primary Advisor

Eileen Rossman, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Department

Abstract/Summary

The autonomous research plane is a remote-controlled plane used for both in-flight data collection and to explore new manufacturing methods for Design Build Fly, an engineering club on campus. The club does not have the resources or time to implement data collection for their competition plane, so we built a plane in parallel, following similar rules to mimic the work and schedule that the club would use during their season. We first did research and analysis to determine the structure of the plane, geometry of wings, sizing of the tail, and what airfoil to choose. The manufacturing process included making an internal fuselage structure from carbon fiber tubes with ABS plastic joiners, with balsa spar and ribs for the wing and tail structure. The wing skin was made from 2- ply Kevlar and carbon fiber layup using prepreg composites. The first objective in researching more manufacturing methods concluded with the decision to make a composite plane. The second objective was to have the plane collect data from multiple sensors while flying. We chose to use a flight controller to handle many sensors needed for autonomous flight. The rest of the sensors were run with a separate data acquisition system using a microcontroller. The club had previously done testing on the ground, but no in-flight data collection. Our goal was to have 10 minutes of data collected in a flight, stored on an SD card for the club to use for research and analysis. This project taught the club and the students involved a lot about aircraft design, composites manufacturing, and analysis, culminating in recommendations and conclusions that conclude this document.

URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/mesp/763