Design and development of an experimental aircraft

Abstract

A flying aircraft can be dangerous to operate. Airworthiness and safety issues must be fully addressed. A variety of designers and producers have taken the easy route by procuring and assembling suitable knock-down kits from which good 'home-made' aircraft have been produced. Many of such aircraft have are deployed in private leisure, sport and other categories. Production of experimental aircraft poses special challenges, because the resulting air vehicle must not only fly safely but be capable of supporting aerial experimental activities. In the present work, the university team's focal point is on the optimum balance of flight safety and effective achievement of the experimental missions. Hence we address such functions and capabilities as handling qualities, aerial photography and the multi-faceted system of aerodynamic data acquisition, on-board storage and retrieval. Further, all design calculations must mainly be produced from the designer's original concept and not imported from other sources. The team is unaware if a similar aerial vehicle has been produced, tested and used in such a stringent frame, in a university environment.