Western Aero Design Plane

[RocketManRC]

Looks good Gary! Keep us posted.

[Beavertail]

Lots of progress and confusion with parts not being laser cut and other issues.... Major Issue discovered today was the tail. On the calculation and spread sheet was based on the full span of the horizontal stabilizer, however, for some reason it was only half span distance was typed in. Therefore, the avg cord and span was made as about 23cm and 0.7m full span respectively, versus the 2.5 avg cord and 1.4m full span it was suppose to be, so a horizontal stabilizer has to be recut from the new CAD done today... hopefully Monday haha. Anyways, other than this major upset, we finally found a solution for mounting the landing gear on the wing (I forgot to take pictures), as well as the tail assembly to the fuse, also the fuse is just about done . I just made the top hatches on the top which will be held on with magnets today. Enjoy!

[Beavertail]

some more pictures! team has been working every day this week to get this done by next Wednesday. more work on this tomorrow!

[Beavertail]

More Progress done on the plane! the tail has been laser cut and the vertical fin has been glued on. Little issue with fitment on the carbon spars with spacing so the fin leans forward a little.

[RocketManRC]

It's starting to look like an airplane all right

Any idea what the flying weight is going to be Gary?

[Beavertail]

I believe the total calculated weight is suppose to be 13.47 lbs, however i am also sure we are quite over our weight as the balsa we got this year was alot denser and therefore heavier than the one we got last year (which is closer to the weight used to calculate the weight on Solidworks). As we result there is a worry at the moment of the plane being tail heavy as well but that is still to be determined!

edit: just confirmed that the max weight will be 45 lbs fully loaded with four payloads but hopefully we won't hit 45lbs.

[waxman]

I believe the total calculated weight is suppose to be 13.47 lbs, however i am also sure we are quite over our weight as the balsa we got this year was alot denser and therefore heavier than the one we got last year (which is closer to the weight used to calculate the weight on Solidworks). As we result there is a worry at the moment of the plane being tail heavy as well but that is still to be determined!

edit: just confirmed that the max weight will be 45 lbs fully loaded with four payloads but hopefully we won't hit 45lbs.

Wow, that's going to be quite a plane. Looks like a blast to work on. Where is it going to be flown?

[Beavertail]

Hi John! Sorry been stuffed with exams and didnt check for replies recently. The Goal for this plane is the "Payload Drop - advanced class" SAE Aero Design Competition in Fortworth Texas, where we drop up to 4 payloads from 100ft and see how close we can get there is a target on the ground (forgot size). That being said, this being a design competition the actual drop and distance to bulls eye is worth rather little amount of points, most points is in the design report as well as the build dimensions vs CAD dimensions etc. Also, We are leaving on Wednesday! pretty exciting! and "IF" the plane comes back in one piece Myself and a friend, also in aerodynamics team, have plans to convert this into a twin and or quad motor electric plane

[RocketManRC]

Good luck Gary and take lots of pictures!!!

[retiredVTT]

"Give 'em Hell, Gary; ..Nova Scotia, will be watching."

(no pressure!)

Bill