Document
VIRGL ¥A
CONSORTIUM
SPACE GRANT
()kJ [),_mmi<_z_ ] "mv,r qt, Peninsula C_'nter _7l'3-D Magruder Bonievard Hampton, VA 2',]666 7.57 _ 865-0726 K-L\ _757! 865-7965 v_ven kts,",_us Januaw 26, 2001 http ,"lw_v.vsgc odu edu Member Institutions: Hank Jarrett, NASA Langley Research Center, Mail Stop 264 c _'ege _f To: William and ,Mary Tim Warner, NASA Langley Research Center, mail Stop 264 Mary Coburn, NASA Langley Research Center. Mail Stop 126 Hampton UnwersKy NASA Center for AeroSpace [nibrmation (CASI), Parkway Center, Old Dominion University 7121 Standard Drive, Hanover, MD 21076-1320 University of Virginia From: Mau Sandy, Director , /c Y._ ,_/ -.z_._<... ._7,,.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Umverslt,! Subject: Final Report for NASA Langley Research Center Grant # NAG 1-2315 %lathemattcs and Science Attached is the final report with attachments as noted for NASA Langley Center Research Center Grant # NAGI-2315, a grant to the Virginia Space Grant Science Museum of Consortium to manage the National General Aviation Design Competition.
Virginia Virginia Air and Space The complete financial report will be forwarded directly' from Old Dominion Center Research Foundation.
Please contact me if there are any questions regarding this report.
NASA Langley Research ,Center CC: Kathy Olson, Old Dominion University Research Foundation VSGC Files State Council of Higher Education for Virginta 'Virginia Community College System Virginia Department of Education Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology Aerospace Partnerships in Education * Research ÷ Industry.
National General Aviation Design Competition Project Report October 1, 1999 - September 30, 2000 NASA Langley Research Center Grant # NAG-I-2315 Contact: Mary' Sandy, Director Virginia Space Grant Consortium Msandw@odu.edu/757-865-0726 This report summarizes the management of the National General Aviation Design Competition on behalf of NASA, the FAA and the Air Force by the Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) for the time period October 1, 1999 through September 30, 2000.
This was the VSGC's sixth year of managing the Competition, which the Consortium originally designed, developed and implemented for NASA and the FAA. The seventh year of the Competition was announced in July 2000.
Awards to winning university, teams were presented at a ceremony held at AirVenture 2000, the Experimental Aircraft Association's Annual Convention and Fly-In at Oshkosh, Wis. NASA, FAA and AOPA administrators presented the awards.
The competition calls for individuals or teams of undergraduate and graduate students from U.S. engineering schools to participate in a major national effort to rebuild the U.S. general aviation sector. For the purpose of the contest, general aviation aircraft are defined as fixed wing, single or dual engine (turbine or piston), single-pilot aircraft for 2-6 passengers. In addressing design challenges for a small aircraft transportation system, the competition seeks to raise student awareness of the importance of general aviation and to stimulate breakthroughs in technology and their application in the general aviation market. The Competition has two categories: Innovative Design, and Design It, Build It, Fly It. Awards were given in both categories for this reporting year. Sandy fielded approximately 20 inquiries from potential participants in the Competition.
Innovative Design Catellorv National goals for revitalizing the industry offer excellent, open-ended design challenges with real world applications for the Innovative Design Category. Both individual and team submissions were encouraged. University faculty advisors and students consistently cite the value of this kind of educational experience for their engineering students. Nine design proposals from six universities were submitted for the 1999-2000 academic year competition for the Innovative Design Category. A review panel comprised of general aviation experts from FAA, EAA, NASA and industry, reviewed the design packages and selected the awardees. Sixty-eight students participated in the Competition. Twelve of these students were female and fifty-six were male. There were also eleven thculty members. All winning teams presented their designs in NASA Technical Forums at the EAA's AirVenture 2000. The thrums were coordinated and introduced by Mary Sandy, VSGC Director. Sandy wrote a press release on the Competitionwinnersandobtained graphicmaterialsfor the winning designs.
Thesepressmaterialsweredistributednationallyby NASA Langleyandthe universities
of the winning studentteams.Shealsocoordinated with NASA to arrangefor logistics
andcontentof the awardceremony andthe pressactivitiesat Oshkoshthatrelatedto the
NationalGeneralAviation DesignCompetition.SandyandVSGCadministrativestaff
alsomadehousingarrangements for the members of winning teams who attended the
AirVenture ceremony and activities in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and arranged for travel stipends and award plaques and checks. The Virginia Space Grant Consortium also handled all logistical arrangements for AirVenture 2000 admissions, programs and parking.
The first place award was presented to a 28-student team from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University'/Loughborough University,, Blacksburg, VA and Leicestershire, United Kingdom. Virginia Teck/Loughborough's winning design was lfbr the first successful roadable aircraft, the Pegasus, a general aviation airplane with all the capabilities of the best four-place, single engine aircraft and with the added utiliD' of having the family car with you at any flight destination. Dr. James Marchman, Virginia Tech and Dr. Gait Page, Loughborough Universiw, were the team's faculty advisors. The review panel of general aviation experts rated the design effort outstanding overall. The first place award provided a total of $3,000 to design team members and a $5,000 award to the university's Aerospace Engineering Department.
Second place honors went to Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. for "'Silairus 490", a six-passenger, piston engine aircraft that brings a new dimension of freedom to general aviation. Designed by a seven-student team, the "Silairus 490" offers the capacity of surface independent takeoff and landings to a wide range of customers, shortening door-to-door travel time. One of the goals of the proposed design is to shift personal travel from cars to general aviation aircraft, increasing the accessibility of off airways communities, thus enhancing the demand for new small business and personal aircraft. The second place award provided a $2,000 prize to the student team. Professor William A. Crossley was the team's faculty advisor.
The Purdue team also won the award for the Best Use of Air-Force-Developed Technology Developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory, for its incorporation of the ACLS developed by the United States Air Force. For this award, the team will share a $3,000 prize from the Air Force.
Third place was awarded to Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.
The team's design, called Alnighter, is a modem, composite general aviation aircraft.
The six-place, single-engine, propeller-driven vehicle has a conventional layout. It features sophisticated aerodynamics and advanced systems and avionics. For third place, the ten-student team shared a $1,000 prize. Penn State has the distinction of winning a place award in each year of the competition.
The Best Retrofit Design Award was presented to a four-student, Universit?" of Oklahoma, Norman, Okla., team for development of an innovative, multi-mode tuned exhaustsystemwhich offersnoisereductionwhile improvingthe airplane's performance.
The designwasundertaken asa partof a largeraircraftdesignprojectto showhow an
older aircraft canberetrofittedwith moremoderntechnologies tbr increased performance
andsafety. The award'ssponsor -- theAircraft OwnersandPilotsAssociationAir Safety
Foundationpresented a $500awardto the studentteam.
Design It, Build lt_ Fly It Catezorv ]'he University of Oklahoma won the competition tbr the Design It, Build It, Fly It Award. This award was made tbr their team's design of an energy-absorbing seat t%r the $28R Cougar. The award provided $10,000 to the University of Oklahoma to take the team's highly innovative seat designs through a proof-of-concept phase. Over a period of two years, twenty-two aerospace and mechanical engineering students have been involved in the project. The purpose of the project is to demonstrate the suitability of these features tbr incorporation into general aviation aircraft, either in new design or through retrofit to the existing fleet. The energy absorbing seat design is part of the full aircraft development. The goal for the team's seat design is to create a lightweight, low cost, energy-absorbing, crashworthy seat that would meet the lumbar requirements of federal aviation regulations. The seat design will help dissipate excess energy," and prevent lower back and pelvic injuries. Two universities submitted proposals: Hampton University, Hampton, VA, with a seven-student team and the University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, with a ten-student team.
2000-2001 Competition Guidelines for the 2000-2001 academic year were developed in consultation with Hank Jarrett, Deputy Director, NASA General Aviation Program Office, NASA Langley Research Center. Guidelines are posted on the VSGC Web Page at http://www.vsgc.odu.edu and are available for downloading. All specialized queries were Jorwarded to Hank Jarrett tbr his feedback prior to responding. One query, from George Donahue at George Mason University resulted in NASA's approval of an on-line amendment to the Guidelines to include rotorcraft designs, though this occurred after the time frame for this project.
There has been some preliminary thought given to how the Competition can be revised to embrace the newly funded Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) program. Goals for the 2000-2001 year were expanded to embrace SATS goals. The project manager, Mary Sandy, plans to meet with Jim Burley in the near future to discuss a revised competition, which would have increased SATS focus.
Deliverables Hard copies of the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 Competition Guidelines are attached. Note that the 2000-2001 Guidelines were distributed electronically and in hard copy only by special request. One zip disk version of the 2000-2001 Guidelines is also provided. Hard Copies of the press releases for the announcement of the winners of both award categories are attached.
i
The Na[k)nal Aeronautics and suburban, tufa! and remote Space ,-kJm:_nist:ati,_n ,\/AS.A% comm-init!,_. .vhi!e -]isin_ the Federal A,,iati,,_ n q::&mt 2w._.rene<-_ ,-.f :he vak:e ,,f Administration {R-\A) and the gene-al aviation for business and Air Force Research Laboratory personal use, and its economic re!evance. Faculty and student are sponsoring a .Xationa[ General Aviation Desi,_n participants have indicated that ConTetition fo_ students at U.S.
the oi_en-ended design d'_aHenges aeronautical and engineering offered by. the competition have universities fo_ the 2000-100!
_rovided the basis for quality academic year. The competition educational experiences.
challenges individuais and :earns of undergr, duates and," or For this year's hmovative Desis_n $raduate sR:dents, wor½n 8 wit_ competition, individual students faculty adviso_s, to address or teams are invited to submit design challenges for general paper design projects of systems, aviation aircraft.
subsystems, components o: complete airframes that address Now in its seventh :,ear, the general aviation revitalization compeufion seeks to increase the $,)als. Four cash awards are [nvo[vement ot the academic offered in :his categorT:, including community in the :evitSixation a special award _:or a deqi,-n which inciudes Air Force- of the U.S. genera[ aviation developed _ ' industry, while providing real- _ecnnolog,,es, world design and deve[oement experiences for students. [t All design oackages will be allows university students to reviewed bv a panel of industry, participate in a national effort to university and government revitalize the nation's general experts and written feedback will aviation industry and to help be provided to the participating individuals/teams.
provide small aircraft transportation access to more BACKGROUND i'_lge 2 General Aviation (GA) includes all The average general aviation aircraft is nearly 30 years old and incorporates flight operations except commercial airlines and militarv. The 206,530 technology which is generally GA aircraft in service account for 5_ outdated. Current flight deck technologies range from the 1950's to percent of all U.S. flight hours and the 1990's: piston propulsion 77 percent of all departures in the technologies are more than 40 years United States. During its peak in 1978, U.S. manufacturers delivered old. Revitalization efforts encourage newer, more efficient, and user over 14,000 new GA aircraft.
Between 1979 and 1994, production friendly technoiogies.
dropped to 444 new aircraft per year.
Among the more recent technologies Today's GA market is showing a which can be harnessed in steady recovery with more than revitalization efforts are new air traffic 2,504 new aircraft shipped during 1999. control and navigation tools, such as digital datalink and satellite Advanced General With the start of the GA industry navigation. New computer and revitalization, universities have display technologies, and new Aviation Transport materials and composites processes begun to recognize general aviation Experiments are just a few of the existing as an area for teaching and research.
(AGATE) technologies which can be applied to The government sponsors and their Consortium general aviation revitalization.
partners developed this competition to create this trend and to integrally The revitalization initiative seeks to involve faculty and students in Goal national efforts to revitalize this bring about increased use of general To create the _asis aviation in the U.S. which will, in turn, important sector of aviation. This for a small aircraft increase the volume of aviation competition is an example of the tran_ Jortation system production. Its success will have a type of new partnerships NASA is _nd ,evitalize U.S.
vital and positive economic impact.
forming with academia to capture general aviation through the bold initiative, innovation, talent Revitalization goals include: development znd and enthusiasm present in our deployment of advanced 4- Expanding the Nation's economy Nation's academic community.
technologtes _n new to "off airways" communities; NASA and the FAA have shown that designs and retrv _it 4- Increasing efficient utilization of this kind of competition serves to products. the Nation's airspace; stimulate breakthroughs in 4- Creating world-wide demand for technology and their application in new, U.S.-built, "owner-operated" Members the GA market.
small business and personal Government industry, aircraft; and, and _nwersities _n The revitalization initiative is + Creating jobs in airframe, engane, cost-sharing partnershi _s avionics, airport, and training concerned, in part, with how to industries.
make general aviation more Schedule appealing for business as well as A number of key engineering personal use. Revitalization efforts 1994 to 2001 objectives (see page 5) have been are making general aviation flight established for the revitalization effort.
easier and more convenient.
Products Design teams should incorporate Improvements in air traffic control Engtneer,ng design guidelines these objectives into their selection of accessibility, as well as improved for "best practices" design challenge(s) and their safety, comfort, reliability, Industry standards "or approach.
dependability and performance are atrcraft, training and needed to raise user satisfaction.
infrastructu re State-of-the-art technologies need to FAA certification methods be applied to training and certification to make these goals a reality.
INN O¥ ATI\ E DESIGN CATEGORY GUIDELINES i_(z,_e .; Entries should address design I_7 addition _.o first, second and third
.... . Innovative challenges in one or more of the pIace awards, the Air Force Research
following six technical areas: Laborato_, is offering an award for the
Design Category
best use of Air Force-deveioped • Integrated Cockpit Systems technologies. The Competition PropuIsion, Noise and KEY DATES Coordinator "see ;a3,e 5; can assist teams Emissions with making connections to appropriate • InteLzrated Design aqd Air Force, NASA, or FA..\ contacts as Letter Of lntent Manufacturing needed.
due no later than • Aerodynamics • Operating infrastructure January 31, 2001 • Unconventional Designs
LETTER OF
Such as RoadabIe Aircraft _ ";2a.- .
Design Submittal • _., - .-, ..._.dt_4.~ d...
Individual students/teams are by May 7, 2001 A ietter of intent to participate in the encouraged to consider more than one Innovative Design category must be of the technology areas m their design Awards Ceremony submitted by the faculW' advisor. The package. It is desirabie that interfaces letter of intent should provide full with other systems be addressed. For August 2001 contact information for the advisor example, if an operations concept is (including fax and e-mail if available) developed for an ice protection system, U.S. cotleges with at least four-year as well as a general description of how additional credit will be given if the accredited engineering programs may the design package will be approached.
design also considers the interaction compete. It is anticipated that this Specific course involvement should be with a cockpit weather system for projc,t :rill be undertaken as part of a noted, as well as that of s:udent graphical display for forecasting icing formal undergraduate or graduate professional societies and industry or conditions and/or the design of an engineering course. Student other participants.
operational interface for the pilot.
professional societies may also Retrofit options for existing aircraft participate in the competition, either Letters must be received no later than offer great potential for meeting independently or as a partner to an Janua W 31, 2001; however, it is in the revitalization goals. Some areas where individual's/team's interest to submit academic course effort. All design innovative designs with near-term projects must be developed under the a letter of intent as early as possible.
applications are desired include, but guidance of a university faculty Individuals providing letters of intent certainly are not limited to: advisor. Universities are encouraged, will receive additional general aviation Affordable collision avoidance but not required, to take a multi- background material which will be systems departmental approach and/or team helpful in the design process, as wetI t Situational awareness aids with other academic organizations. as additional information on • Single lever power control Individual students/teams may choose evaluation criteria and any other systems to consult directly with industry competition updates as they become • User friendly, effective, low available.
representatives but are not required to do so. fuel warning systems • Effective alarm and warning For the successful revitalization of management options General Aviation, short term • Improved exterior lighting applications of AGATE technologies are For the purposes of needed. To support revitalization goals, the Competition, successful designs should focus on general aviation technologies with most immediate and aircraft are defined cost effective impact. Designs for as fixed-wing, systems or subsystems with retrofit single-engine, applications are encouraged; however, singIe-pilot aircraft whole aircraft designs will be for 2-6 passengers, considered. Designs will be primarily turbine or piston.
judged on their potential impact on the The performance marketplace. Emphasis will be on specifications are affordable technologies, innovation and 150-400 kts with a increased utility in both retrofit range of 800-1,000 products and new aircraft. {See page 4 miles. All entries for design submission requirements.)
should apply to this category, or aircraft.
[NNO_v.-\ FI_, L DES[C,N C.-V EGORY (,LIDELINES Co,Ttin,ed . .:_, DESIGN PACKAGE Ten sets of the entire design package must be received bv tile Competition Coordinator no later than May 7, 2001.
Eevie',vabh_' _,_'cti_m_ [i_ed below are subie,? _o a _ota[ pa_4e !imit ot 40 double sc'aced na<,a_ in 1_ mint type. F_r cvaiua:!otz F'xrposes, r_:','ie',vers ,,vi','.
_cc'_:_ :m the rcvic,.vable secti,nns or: the design eroe_<ai [nc[udir_ required a_vendices, but may re[erence .-\pcendix g ,_'_,::v_'._iJ at their discretion.
The seven _:ec:i.,ns and re,.:uired appendices _-hou[d be readily i.lent:fiaL-ie.
that would need _o be :mdertaken to brin£ :he design to the product stage.
AWARDS _,: : Emphasis should be on increased ,' 40 :xF_e "'-" _ : a/fordabilitv and uti[iv;.
An awards ceremony wilt be held in I. Exe___,,ti,.e 5_:m:'narv.
7 _" Discassion or: lessons learned from :he August 2@01. Awards are antidpated as follows: de'q,,n orocess, incIuding a critical 2. Backgrot,nd on the recent history and $5,000 Award anaivsis of ues%n _'_ flaws identified status of general aviation in the U.S.
to the Universiby Academic during the orocess.
This sect:ion should broadly address D_artment of First Place Winner issues relating to revitalization and Appendices A-D are required, but not demonstrate :hat the team has a clear S3,000 First Place Award included in the 40-page limit.
understanding of the issues.
to Design Team A.
List of complete contact information 3. A concise statement of the destg_n_ $2,000 Second Place Award (use permanent addresses) _or alI chaIIenge(s) you have chosen to to Des'G,, Team advisors and team members. Include address and how :hose design e-mail, _ax and ohone numbers.
cha![enges re!ate to US. general 51,000 Third Place Award aviation revitalization goals.
_'o Des:;,z Tom.*: B.
Desc:'ipnen (approximately one page) of the university., college, professional 4. Description of the team's systems The Air Force Research Laboratory society., indust W, or other instim_ons en_neenng approach to the problem.
is offering a $3,000 involved m the project.
This section should inciude a description of the team _-md its overall C. Sign-off page for faculw advisor(s) aircraft design or approach :o _e oroblem.
aircraft subsystem and department chairts).
' team award for an design which meets 5. A description of how each o_ the D. Evaluation of the educational "--,.'" all criteria for the technical areas is addressed io.
exoerience provided bv the FroNd. National General drawings, mockups, computer codes, etc., as appropriate to provide Aviation Design Competition and T,t_e.qfllowin 3, appendix is G-tiona[: evidence of a thorough de-_i,,n includes Air Force-developed _esq. technologies. Background on Air E. Other support material: additional Force tedqnolo_es is available atht_:/ drawings, computer codes and other :_. Descripuen of _he projected impacts :v:u;u..v"r!.._,q.'ti'.t under Technology design e!emcnts as appropriate.
oi :he team's desi£n wHh a ._hocot>._h Transfer or through ._he .\FRL Tech discussion of how it meets general Connect Hotline at (800) 203-6451.
aviation revitalization goals. This The design package should identil_' section should address the the applicable Air Force technoIogies commeroai potential for the design, and document the source.
including a description of processes ENGINE E RING OBJECTIVES t)_,_e 5 • Emphasis on low-cost, high 5 Develop technique to accurately predict INTEG RATED C OC KPIT reliability, low incidence of false aileron and eIevator loads for large _ 'SYSTEMS ' :' alarms, and reduced emissions control surface deflections.
through improved operationaI 1. Reduce time and cost to learn and control• 6.
Design a method for protecting the maintain all-weather safe operations _eading edges of iaminar-flow surfaces Develop innovative propulsion design skills by 50 percent (from current level 3. from aerodynamic contamination.
of >1000 hours). which incorporates alternate fueIs, low emission and low noise technologies• 7.
Reduce cost for design and manufacture • Achieve integration of weather, of ice protection systems for laminar navigation (moving map), terrain,' t_o',*," wings.
obstacle database, traffic situation, INTEGRATED DESIGN & and wake vortex information into one MANUFACTURING s.
Reduce cost for design and manufacture multi function display.
of ice protection systems for horizontal • Achieve integration of simplified tailpIanes.
I. Develop and validate low-cost flight controls with flight guidance manufacturing methods to reduce Develop unconventional designs, such displays.
airframe and propeller cost and weight. 9.
as roadable aircraft, which consider • Develop integrated computer-based • Achieve reduced cost of manufacture break through technologies for training systems that coordinate the of airframe components by 25 to 40 affordable designs that could capture a use of both on-board and desktop mass market.
percent• computers and displays (including virtual reality). 2. Develop and validate QualiW Control/ Non Destructive Evaluation (NDE)
7 T i6iQi)/
2. Reduce dependence on ground methods to reduce airframe cost and controller voice commt.mications for _.1 F PcCSTRU CTURE weight, increase quality of production, safe, random access, point-to-point and reduce cost of maintenance.
navigation in future air traffic systems.
1. Reduce the operating complexity, and • Achieve reduced dependence on costs for airspace and ground systems manual inspections through in- 3. Implement situational awareness infrastzucture equipment and procedures process NDE quality control for technologies and operating systems to for both pilots and air traffic managers.
composite manufacturing processes reduce accidents and fatalities caused by • Achieve simplified situational and thus reduce time and cost for weather (icing, low visibility, convective awareness and decision-making composite structure design weather) as a primary factor.
validation. between pilots and controllers for • Achieve integration of expert systems "free-flight" or "direct-flight" • Develop low-cost inspection for flight training, planning, capabilities.
techniques for airframe structure.
operations, propulsion system • Develop design concepts for advanced management decision aiding, icing 3. Develop and validate advanced crash- Communication/Navigation / avoid and exit decision aiding, and worthiness concepts and design Surveillance (CNS) air and ground emergency, decision-making.
methods to reduce full-scale testing systems based on datalink and requirements for certification.
4. Establish requirements for preferred, satellite navigation technologies to affordable datalink for GA usage. reduce reliance on ground-based • Achieve increased survivability radar and voice communications.
through low-cost, energy absorbing 5. Reduce cost of near all-weather flight structural design concepts and systems by 50 to 80 percent. Establish means for increased utility of advanced restraint devices.
airports in advanced air traffic management ("free-flight") environment.
• :PR.9 FLSION .
7.._7" . ,;5:.' _.'.._ .'. _.._ .._ . • -:,. ; C:' ' AERODYNAMICS "_': • Achieve integration of commercial information systems (rental cars, 1. Establish certifiable digital single-lever accommodations, food services, Develop computer-driven configuration powerplant control systems. I.
design optimization code and use to operational services) with flight • Emphasis on reducing costs: improve a current production aircraft. information (weather, traffic, extending time between overhauls, procedures, facilities databases) increasing fuel economy, and 2.
Develop active noise reduction system systems for all general aviation reducing direct operating costs• for interior use in general aviation airports.
aircraft.
• Address safety by reducing pilot • Achieve low-cost implementation of workload and increasing engine all-weather operationaI CNS Design improved, single-flap high-lilt reliability. 3.
capabilities for airports and system to reduce noise footprint in heliports without precision landing 2. Develop engine diagnostics and airport vicinity for both takeoff and capabilities in current instrument condition monitoring for greater safety, landing phases of operation.
landing systems.
efficiency and lower cost.
Develop technique to predict drag in • Identify, critical m-flight conditions, 4.
both cruise and takeoff cortfiguration to capture non-critical conditions for within 5% and apply to a production analysis/trending and pre/post- aircraft.
flight diagnostics.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Page 6 COMPETITION COORDINATOR
Virginia Space Grant Consortium
Old Dominion University Peninsula Center 2713-D Magruder Boulevard Hampton, VA 23666 Phone: (757) 865-0726 Fax: (757)865-7965 msandy@odu.edu http://www.vsgc.odu.edu Questions regarding the competition should be provided in writing. At the sponsors" discretion, queries and responses may be made available to all design teams on a periodic basis.
NewsRelease
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Langley Research Center HamDton, Virginia 23681-0001 Embar£oed For Release Until: k[ichael Braukus Jui_ 29, 2000 Headquarters, Washington. DC .C_, _8- 1979) [Phone: _%q _- .',Xarv Sandy i,',e_:h Heart Virgmm Space Gram Langie.v Research Center. Hampton. VA Ot r _, *-'q Consor_i um ,:Phone: 757,,"Sd4-6 L_3t880-_4/_) i Phone: 757/865-0726) T(mv .X,(olinaro FAA Great Lakes Reglon {. Phone 84-7,294-7427) RELEASE NO, 00-060
NASA and FAA announce design competition winners
Oshkosh, W£s. NASA and the FAA <-q.ay recogmzed :earns of university students for :he_r Lnnovauve designs by announcing :he winners o( the t999-2C00 NationaJ General Avmtion Design Competition. Five awards to winning universitF :earns ",*,'erepresented at a ceremony heid at AirVenture2C©O, the ExpenrnenLal Aircraft Association's Annual Convention and Fir-in at Oshkosh, Wis.
Now in its sixth year, the compettqon calls for individuals or teams of undergraduate and graduate students trom U.S. engineering schools to participate in a major national effort :o rebuild the U.S. general aviation sector. For the purpose of the contest, general avtauon aircraR are defined as single or tv<n engine i turbine or p_ston), single-ptbt, fixed-wing aircraft for 2 - 6 passengers. The competiuon seeks to raise student awareness o( the importance o£ general aviation by having the student address design challenges (or a small aircraR transportation svstem.
NASA and :he FAA hope to stimulate breakthroughs in _chnoiogy and their appiicauon m the general aviation marketplace.
[n addition to cash prizes, the teams also have the opportunity :o present NASA Technical Forums at AirVenture.
The first place award was presented to a 2S-student :earn from VirginiaTech, Blacksburg, Va. and its collaborating partner -- Loughborough University, Leicestershire, United Kingdom.
The award provides a total of $3,000 _o Virgmm Tech% design team members and a $5,0@0 award to Virgima Tech's Department of Aerospace 2nd Ocean Eng,neenng.
The :earn. which dubbed _ts design Pe_aa-z_-. undertook the challenge o( destgmng an arcrmk th,,: ._ cu',d be 'r._adab[,e" -- capable o( both ground and wr travel. The abiit_v to sw,,tch from atrcmtt :o car-tike oDeratlon allows such a vehicle to effectDeiy utilize small w q:yor_, wlnle o((e,qng true door-to-door service. The _eam recognized that :he cost _o actually produce such an a_rct-aft would exceed today's t,,pical gener_ avzat_on aircraft cost; however, the students believed the additional cost should readiiv be oft-set by the convemence of not having to have a car for ground transportation.
- more - Dcslaning an alr,"ground vehicle [)resented umquc problems. Thc students recognized Lhat design [-radeoR-s were needed _n order to obtain good performance _n :he mr and adequate oertc)rrna.nce on the road,sinceroad use ,,,,.as anttc_pa.ted tobe occaslonal.The team had to meet saI-etv and (._pera[ionaJ regulations forboth aircraft and automobiles.For one thing, the wing had to be Folded,retracted, or other_vise storedforroad use. The need fora targewing area. forflight, a small span for highway use, and low lift in car mode was addressed by the use oia telescoping wing.
Dr. James >Iarchman, _ lrglntaTech and Dr. Gary Page, Louo_hborouo_h University were the team's (acuity advisors. Financ*al support from Virgima Tech's College of Engineenng and The Boein __Compan,/permitted the inclusion of students r-tom Lougiaberough Unlversi_,:, a major British research institution, as intemation_ collaborators m the design. The faculD advisors and student team members found that the international and tnterdisciptinarF' _eam de_.8i o_/1 approach added great value :o the educational experience and mirrored the kind o( triter-national partnerships typical in Loday's global marketplace.
Second place honors went to a seven-student team from Purdue University, ',,Vest Lafayette, {rid., for the Silairus 490, a six-passenger, hlgh-performance piston engine aircra_t wtthlan Air Cushion Landing System (ACLS) in lieu of traditional landing gear. The design offers the capability of surface independent takeotT and landing, per-mining the vehicte to access otT-ai_vays commumties thus shortening door-to-dcx)r travel time. The Silairus 490 features a hi__.h-tech, electronically data-linked ccxzkpit with a comfort.able cabin that is adaptable for man,, chent appiicaeons. Dr. _ mr,am A. Crossley was the ,a,,u_<r advisor. The second place award provides a $20(}0 prize to the student team. The Purdue team also won the Best Use of A_r- Force-Developed Technology award {-or its incorporation or- the ACLS developed bv the Umted States Air Force. For this award, the team will share a $3,0C© prize from the Air Force.
The Purdue team also won the Best Use of Air-Force-Developed Technology award for its incorporanon of the Air Cushion Landing System (ACLS) developed by the United States Air Force. For this award, the team will share a 53,000 prize from the Air Force.
Third place was awarded to Pennsvtvania State University, Universitw Park, Pa. The team's design, called, Aln*ghrer, is a modem, composite general aviation aircr_t. :Fhe six-place, single- eno_ine, propeller-driven veh.ic[e has a conventional layout. It features sophisticated aerodynamics an_t advanced systems and avionics. The team's faculty advisor was Dr. Barnes McCormick. For third place, the ten-student team will share a $1.,000 prize. Penn State has the distinction of winning a place award in each year o_ _he competition.
The Best Retrofit Design Award was presented to a four-student, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Okla., team for development of an innovative, multi-mode tuned exhaust system which offers noise reduction while improving the airplane's performance. The design was underr.a!<en as a part or a larger axrcrat-t design project to show how older aircraft can be retrofitted with. more modem technologies for increased performance and satety. The work was done under the supervision of Dr. Kar[ Bergey, the student's faculty advisor. A $500 award was presented to the student :earn by the award's sponsor -- the AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pi{ots Association) Air Safety, Foundation.
The competition ts managed for NASA and the FAA by the Virginia Space Grant Consortium.
Guidetines will soon be avmlabie for the seventh annual competition to be held during the 20C©- 200 t academic year. [ndivtdual or team submissions as well as designs ranging from componen_ and subsystems to complete mrcra#t designs are encouraged. Guidelines can be requested at 757/865-0726 or msandy@ odu.edu.
- end - Note: Electronic images to illustrate this stow are available by contacting Keith Henry at h .k. h e n ry @ Iarc. nasa. qov.
National
General
Aviation
Design
Competition
Guidelines
The National Aeronautics and Space The competition is divided into two Administration (NASA), the Federal categories, each with separate Aviation Administration (FAA) and guidelines and time lines. The first the Air Force Research Laboratory is the Innovative Design Category are sponsoring a National General (see pages 3-4), under which individual students or student teams Aviation Design Competition for students at U.S. aeronautical and submit paper design projects of engineering universities for the systems, subsystems, components or 1999-2000 academic year. The complete airframes to address competition challenges individuals general aviation revitalization goals.
Five cash awards are offered in this and teams of undergraduates and/ or graduate students, working with category, including special awards faculty advisors, to address design for product designs which are challenges for general aviation readily retrofitable to existing aircraft. aircraft and those which make innovative use of Air Force- Now in its sixth year, the developed technologies. The second competition seeks to increase the category, Design It, Build It, Fly It involvement of the academic (see page 5), allows individual students or student teams to take community in the revitalization of the U.S. general aviation industry well-developed design projects to a while providing real-world design proof of concept or demonstration and development experiences for stage. The award for this category students. It allows university includes a cash development grant students to participate in a major and the opportunity to demonstrate national effort to rebuild the U.S.
the concept at the Experimental general aviation sector while raising Aircraft Association's (EAA) student awareness of the value of AirVenture held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
general aviation for business and personal use, and its economic relevance. Faculty and student All design packages will be participants have indicated that the reviewed by a panel of industry, open-ended design challenges university and government expert_ and written feedback will be offered by the competition have provided the basis for quality provided to the participating teams educational experiences.
BACKGROUND Page 2 General Aviation (GA) includes all flight 1950's to the 1990's; piston propulsion operations except commercial airlines technologies are more than 40 years old.
and military. The 192,000 GA aircraft Revitalization efforts encourage newer, more efficient, and user friendly in service account for 58 percent of all U.S. flight hours, 33 percent of all miles technologies.
and 76 percent of all departures in the United States. During its peak in 1978, Among the more recent technologies which can be harnessed in revitalization U.S. manufacturers delivered nearly efforts are new air traffic control and 18,000 new GA aircraft. Between 1979 and 1994, production dropped below navigation tools, such as digital datalink 1000 new aircraft per year. Today's GA and satellite navigation. New computer market is showing a steady recovery and display technologies, and new with more than 2,200 new aircraft materials and composites processes are just a few of the existing technologies shipped during 1998.
which can be applied to general aviation revitalization.
With the start of the GA industry revitalization, universities have begun to recognize general aviation as an area The revitalization initiative seeks to bring for teaching and research. The about increased use of general aviation in the U.S. which will, in turn, increase the government sponsors and their partners developed this competition to create volume of aviation production. Its success this trend and to integrally involve will have a vital and positive economic faculty and students in national efforts impact. Revitalization goals include: to revitalize this important sector of + Expanding the Nation's economy aviation. This competition is an to "off airways" communities; example of the type of new partnerships + Increasing efficient utilization of NASA is forming with academia to the Nation's airspace; capture the bold initiative, innovation, + Creating world-wide demand for talent and enthusiasm present in our Nation's academic community. NASA new, U.S.-built, "owner-operated" and the FAA have shown that this kind small business and personal aircraft; and, of competition serves to stimulate breakthroughs in technology and their + Creating jobs in airframe, engine, application in the GA market. avionics, airport, and training industries.
The revitalization initiative is A number of key engineering objectives concerned, in part, with how to make (see page 6) have been established for the general aviation more appealing for revitalization effort. Design teams should business as well as personal use.
Revitalization efforts are making incorporate these objectives into their selection of design challenge(s) and their general aviation flight easier and more convenient. Improvements in air traffic approach.
control accessibility, as well r as improved safety, comfort, I COMPETITION COORDINATOR reliability, dependability and performance are needed to Virginia Space Grant Consortium raise user satisfaction. State- Old Dominion University Peninsula Center of-the-art technologies need 2713-D Magruder Boulevard to be applied to training and Hampton, VA 23666 certification to make these goals a reality.
Phone: (757) 865-0726 Fax: (757) 865-7965 The average general aviation E-Mail: msandy@odu.edu aircraft is 27 years old and incorporates technology Questions regarding the competition should be which is generally outdated.
provided in writing. At the sponsors' discretion, Current flight deck queries and responses may be made available to technologies range from the all design teams on a periodic basis.
INNOVATIVE DESIGN CATEGORY GUIDELINES Page 3
Two additional sponsored awards are be primarily judged on their potential offered in this year's competition. The
Innovative impact on the marketplace. Emphasis
will be on affordable technologies and AOPA Air Safety Foundation is sponsoring an award for the best retrofit
Design Category increased utility in both retrofit and new
design and the Air Force Research aircraft. See page 4 for design Laboratory is offering an award for the KEY DATES submission requirements.
best use of Air Force-developed Teams should address design challenges technologies. The Competition
Letter of Intent
Coordinator can assist teams with in one or more of the following six
due no later than
technical areas: making connections to appropriate Air Force, NASA, or FAA contacts as needed.
January 31, 2000
• Integrated Cockpit Systems • Propulsion, Noise and
Design Submittal
Emissions
LETTER OF:INTENT
by May 2, 2000
• Integrated Design and Manufacturing
Aw a rds Ceremony
• Aerodynamics A letter of intent to participate in the • Operating Infrastructure Innovative Design category must be
August 2000
• Unconventional Designs submitted by the faculty advisor. The Such as Roadable Aircraft letter of intent should provide full U.S. colleges with at least four-year contact information for the advisor accredited engineering programs may Teams are encouraged to consider more (including fax and e-mail if available) as compete. It is anticipated that this than one of the technology areas in their well as a general description of how the project will be undertaken as part of a design package. It is desirable that design package will be approached.
formal undergraduate or graduate interfaces with other systems be Specific course involvement should be engineering course. Student addressed. For example, if an noted, as well as that of student professional societies may also operations concept is developed for an professional societies and industry or participate in the competition, either ice protection system, additional credit other participants.
independently or as a partner to an will be given if the design also considers academic course effort. All design the interaction with a cockpit weather Letters must be received no later than projects must be developed under the system for graphical display for January 31, 2000; however, it is in the guidance of a university faculty forecasting icing conditions and / or the team's interest to submit a letter of advisor. Universities are encouraged, design of an operational interface for the intent as early as possible. Individuals but not required, to take a multi- pilot. Retrofit options for existing providing letters of intent will receive departmental approach and/or team aircraft offer great potential for meeting additional general aviation background with other academic organizations. revitalization goals. Some areas where material which will be helpful in the Teams may choose to consult directly innovative designs with near-term design process, as well as additional with industry representatives but are applications are desired include, but information on evaluation criteria and not required to do so. certainly are not limited to: any other competition updates as they become available.
Affordable collision avoidance For the purposes of the competition, general aviation aircraft are defined as systems Situational awareness aids fixed-wing, single-engine, single-pilot aircraft for 2-6 passengers, turbine or Single lever piston. The performance specifications power control are 150-400 kts with a range of 800- systems 1,000 miles.
User friendly, effective, low For the successful revitalization of fuel warning General Aviation, short term applications systems Effective alarm of AGATE technologies are needed. To support revitalization goals, successful and warning designs should focus on technologies management with most immediate and cost effective options impact. Designs for systems or Improved exterior subsystems with retrofit applications are encouraged; however, whole aircraft lighting designs will be considered. Designs will
INNOVATIVE DESIGN CATEGORY GUIDELINES Continued Page 4
_ !i/)/,ii_ i_i:: _;CI::_:; _,:_<:_i,i,_ :_ <_ , , : _: Ten sets of the entire design package must be received by the Competition Coordinator no later than May 2, 2000.
Reviewable sections listed below are subject to a total page limit of 40 double spaced pages in 12-point type. For evaluation purposes, reviewers will focus on the main body of the design proposal, but will reference the required appendices at their discretion. The six sections and required appendices should be readily identifiable.
Appendices A-D are required, but not /_KDDITIONAL : ::_ included in the 40-page limit ....... .... .......... ....... : : _ ......
Main Body qf the Design Proposal: A.List of complete contact information 1. Executive Summary.
(use permanent addresses) for all 2. Background on the recent history and advisors and team members. Include status of general aviation in the U.S. The Air Force Research Laboratory e-mail, fax and phone numbers.
This section should broadly address ......... b) is offering a $3,000 team B. Description (approximately one page) issues relating to revitalization and of the university, college, professional i _ design or aircraft demonstrate that the team has a clear society, industry, or other institutions understanding of the issues.
__ award for an aircraft_( .. subsystem design involved in the project.
which meets all criteria 3. A concise statement of the desig_n_ _'_ for the National C. Sign-off page for faculty advisor(s) challenge(s) you have chosen to General Aviation Design Competition and department chair(s).
address and how these design and includes Air Force-developed challenges relate to U.S. general D.Evaluation of the educational technologies. Background on Air Force aviation revitalization goals.
experience provided by the project.
technologies is available at http:// www.afrl.af.mil under Technology 4. Description of the team's systems The following appendix is _tional: Transfer or through the AFRL Tech engineering approach to the problem.
This section should include a Connect Hotline at (800) 203-6451. The E. Other support material: additional design package should identify the description of the team and its overall drawings, computer codes and other applicable Air Force technologies and approach to the problem.
design elements as appropriate.
document the source.
5. A description of how each of the technical areas is addressed in drawings, mockups, computer codes, The AOPA Air etc., as appropriate to provide Safety Foundation is /"_'_'X evidence of a thorough providing a Best An awards ceremony will be held in process.
Retrofit Potential August 2000. Awards are anticipated as Award of $500 to a follows: 6. Description of the projected impacts $ 5,000 Award student design team.
of the team's design with a thorough This award will be given for the best to the University Academic discussion of how it meets general technological innovation that can be Department of First Place Winner aviation revitalization goals. This section should address the readily adapted to existing aircraft and $ 3,000 First Place Award offer a cost effective, near-term solution commercial potential for the design, to Design Team to technology upgrades. Special including a description of processes that would need to be undertaken to consideration will be given to the $ 2,000 Second Place Award practicality of the design, including bring the design to the product stage.
to Design Team cost and ease of implementation within Emphasis should be on increased $1,000 Third Place Award the existing fleet.
affordability and utility.
to Design Team
DESIGN IT, BUILD IT, FLY IT - COMPETITION GUIDELINES Page 5
chapters, and other appropriate aviation • sign-off page for faculty advisor(s) organizations. These groups might provide and department chair(s); • letter of institutional commitment to matching contributions, either cash or in- kind. The greatest contributions from such the project signed by the alliances can come from access to experts and individual(s) authorized to make exposure to industry culture climate and sponsored program commitments for role models for students. The practical the submitting institution(s); and knowledge and enthusiasm of EAA chapter • letters of commitment from industry members would be an asset to participants. or other partners for matching contributions.
The EAA Technical Counselors and Flight Advisors could participate by providing Ten sets of the entire proposal package consultation in flight test planning and must be received by the Competition implementation. Participation by AGATE Coordinator no later than February 4, 2000.
industry experts is also encouraged. A list of AGATE contacts is provided at: http:// Text should be double-spaced and 12-point agate.larc.nasa.gov. Proposers needing type should be used. The narrative portion assistance in connecting with the EAA, The Design It, Build It, Fly It category of the package may not exceed 40 pages in AGATE industries or contacts at other encourages students to take design concepts length and will be the primary focus for sponsoring organizations should contact the to a higher level "flight proof-of-concept or evaluators. Drawings, computer codes, video Competition Coordinator.
flight concept demonstration phase".
and other appropriate design elements may be included as attachments.
The competition particularly welcomes This competition category is open to component design challenges. A few proposals that can demonstrate completion Post Award Requirements: The time frame for examples follow, but are only offered to of the design phase of a concept with high building and testing of the winning stimulate thinking on the part of proposers: relevance for General Aviation revitalization proposal(s) has been expanded to a full goals (see page 6). Such concept flight 4" concepts that are retrofitable to existing academic year. The winning proposal(s) will demonstrations might include, but are not aircraft be announced by March 17, 2000. The limited to, prototype flight testing, in-flight + angle of attack sensors and indicators winning team(s) will then have until May 31, simulation, in-flight software demonstrations, + new fuel quantity sensing systems 2001 to complete their project. The winning radio control models, and other proof of + single or multi channel stabilization team(s) must present, exhibit and provide concept flight testing as appropriate.
systems demonstrations (as appropriate) at the EAA's Proposals need to demonstrate a thorough + new types of sensors for aircraft AirVenture during summer 2001.
design phase and applicability to AGATE propulsion systems Additionally the winning team(s) are engineering goals and objectives. This + altitude hold systems and indicators required to submit a flight test technical competition category fosters the + electro-mechanical trim actuators report summarizing the results of the testing.
development of viable concepts while + crash survivable seats Peer review of the technical report from the continuing to meet the educational objectives flight test community is required before of the National General Aviation Design The possibility for flight testing on the EAA's publication and distribution. A safety review Competition. NOTE: Proposals do NOT have GlaStar aircraft can be explored for will be performed if required by the sponsors.
to be derived front previous National General appropriate proposals. The GlaStar is a two- Aviation Design Competition subntissions.
place high-wing aircraft with conventional
AWARDS
aluminum wings. It has a composite fuselage U.S. universities with at least a four-year covering a steel tube framed cockpit and is accredited engineering program may powered by a Lycoming engine. The aircraft $10,000 Building Fund participate in this category of the is equipped with reconfigurable electronics competition. Student teams or individuals $ 500 Student Prize capability and can accommodate a variety of under the guidance of faculty members flight test equipment. This venue should be should submit proposals, to include budget Government sponsors anticipate making up discussed prior to proposal submission with requirements, for seed funding. The total to two awards from a total award pool of the Competition's Coordinator.
award pool is $10,000. Funding will be $10,000, though the entire pool can be given provided to the winning proposal(s) at the to one winning proposal.
Proposals must include the following: beginning of the build phase by the government sponsors of the competition. • an executive summary; • design overview with support The proposal should include a design documentation; summary, plans for the demonstration phase, timeline, and budget for the project. The • plans for the development and demonstration phase, including proposal must include measurable progress how student teams/or individuals points, as well as a plan for providing timely The Experimental Aircraft Association will approach this phase; updates to the sponsors. Ties to GA is sponsoring a $500 per team student • flight safety review process; revitalization goals must be presented. An award. The EAA prize money will be • timeline to comply with award appropriate aviation safety review process awarded at AirVenture following delivery of requirements; is required. Matching contributions from the flight test technical report and exhibit • plans for development and peer industry are encouraged and should be and/or demonstration of the flight article.
review of the technical report; Information on the EAA and AirVenture is delineated in the proposal and explained in • budget with narrative, including a budget narrative. Universities are available at http://www.eaa.org.
travel costs to AirVenture; encouraged to involve industry, EAA
ENGINEERING OBJECTIVES Page 6
Develop technique to accurately predict • Emphasis on low-cost, high 5.
reliability, low incidence of false aileron and elevator loads for large control surface deflections.
alarms, and reduced emissions through improved operational 1. Reduce time and cost to learn and control. 6. Design a method for protecting the maintain all-weather safe operations leading edges of laminar-flow surfaces 3.
Develop innovative propulsion design skills by 50 percent (from current level from aerodynamic contamination.
of >1000 hours). which incorporates alternate fuels, low emission and low noise technologies. 7.
Reduce cost for design and manufacture • Achieve integration of weather, of ice protection systems for laminar navigation (moving map), terrain/ flow wings.
obstacle database, traffic situation, and wake vortex information into one Reduce cost for design and manufacture multi function display.
of ice protection systems for horizontal • Achieve integration of simplified tailplanes.
1.
Develop and validate low-cost flight controls with flight guidance manufacturing methods to reduce 9.
Develop unconventional designs, such displays.
airframe and propeller cost and weight.
as roadable aircraft, which consider • Develop integrated computer-based • Achieve reduced cost of manufacture break through technologies for training systems that coordinate the of airframe components by 25 to 40 affordable designs that could capture a use of both on-board and desktop mass market.
percent.
computers and displays (including 2, virtual reality). Develop and validate Quality Control / Non Destructive Evaluation (NDE) 2. Reduce dependence on ground methods to reduce airframe cost and controller voice communications for weight, increase quality of production, safe, random access, point-to-point and reduce cost of maintenance.
navigation in future air traffic systems.
1. Reduce the operating complexity and • Achieve reduced dependence on costs for airspace and ground systems manual inspections through in- 3. Implement situational awareness infrastructure equipment and procedures process NDE quality control for technologies and operating systems to for both pilots and air traffic managers.
composite manufacturing processes reduce accidents and fatalities caused by • Achieve simplified situational and thus reduce time and cost for weather (icing, low visibility, convective awareness and decision-making composite structure design weather) as a primary factor.
between pilots and controllers for validation.
• Achieve integration of expert systems "free-flight" or "'direct-flight" for flight training, planning, • Develop low-cost inspection capabilities.
techniques for airframe structure.
operations, propulsion system • Develop design concepts for advanced management decision aiding, icing 3.
Develop and validate advanced crash- Communication/Navigation / avoid and exit decision aiding, and worthiness concepts and design Surveillance (CNS) air and ground emergency decision-making.
methods to reduce full-scale testing systems based on datalink and requirements for certification.
4. Establish requirements for preferred, satellite navigation technologies to affordable datalink for GA usage. reduce reliance on ground-based • Achieve increased survivability radar and voice communications.
through low-cost, energy absorbing 5. Reduce cost of near all-weather flight structural design concepts and systems by 50 to 80 percent. 2. Establish means for increased utility of advanced restraint devices.
airports in advanced air traffic management ("free-flight") environment.
• Achieve integration of commercial information systems (rental cars, 1. Establish certifiable digital single-lever accommodations, food services, 1. Develop computer-driven configuration powerplant control systems.
design optimization code and use to operational services) with flight • Emphasis on reducing costs: information (weather, traffic, improve a current production aircraft.
extending time between overhauls, procedures, facilities databases) increasing fuel economy, and 2.
Develop active noise reduction system systems for all general aviation reducing direct operating costs.
for interior use in general aviation airports.
aircraft.
• Address safety by reducing pilot • Achieve low-cost implementation of workload and increasing engine all-weather operational CNS Design improved, single-flap high-lift reliability.
capabilities for airports and system to reduce noise footprint in heliports without precision landing 2. Develop engine diagnostics and airport vicinity for both takeoff and capabilities in current instrument condition monitoring for greater safety, landing phases of operation.
landing systems.
efficiency and lower cost.
4.
Develop technique to predict drag in • Identify critical in-flight conditions, both cruise and takeoff configuration to capture non-critical conditions for within 5% and apply to a production analysis / trending and pre / post- aircraft.
flight diagnostics.
NewsRelease
National Aeronautics and Space Admm_stration Langley Research Center Harn0ton ' Virginia 23681-0001 Embarped Nor Release Until: ,<[ichael Braukus July 19, IC:'00 Headquarr_ers, Washington, DC (Phone: "_ _"_- =0-,_ )8- 1979) _{arv Sand', KeLth HenE, V:rginta Space Grant kan,_iey Research Center, Hampton, VA Consor:_um ,:Phone: 757 _-6110,880-1471) I Phone: ....... ._r, / b ,. 86>0 ,, ,ot Tony ,',,{o/inaro FAA Great Lakes Region <Phone: 847/294-7427") RE, LEASE NO. O0-0d0
NASA and FAA announce design competition winners
Oskkostz, Wis. NASA and the FAA :cda7 recogmzed r.eams o( university students (or their innovative designs by announcing the w_nners o( the [999-1000 National General Aviation Design Competition. Five awards to winnmg universi%' teams were presented at a ceremony held at AirVenture2CO0, the Experimental Aircraft Association's Annual Convention and _v-[n at Os,hkos h, Wis.
Nov,, in its sixth year, the competition .calls for individuais or teams of undergraduate and _raduate students from U.S. engineenng schools to participate in a major national effort to rebwld ['he U.S. general aviation sector. For the purpose o[ the contest, general aviation aircraft are defined as sino_.le or twin -" o ,:i_arbtne or _ - _ ,,n...ine piston), single-prior, fixed-winG, aircraR for " - 6 passengers. The competiuon seeks :o ruse student awareness of the importance o( general av{ation by having the student address design chailenges for a sm,.fll aircraft transportation system.
NASA and the FAA hope to stimulate breakthroughs in cech_noIogy and their application in the genera] aviation marketplace.
in addition to cash prizes, the te_,%ns also have the opportunity to present NASA Techrucat Forums at AirVenture.
The first place award was presented to a !S-student :earn from Virginia Tech, Btacksburg.
Va. _nd its co[!aborating partner -- Loughborough Universi%', Leicestershire. United Kingdom.
<5 %'" The award provides a total oi $3,000 to V{rgmia Tech's design team members and a ....
award r_o \,'[rgirna Tech's Department o( Aerospace and Ocean Eng_neenng.
-['he team, which dubbed i_s design Pe_a.na. undertook the challenge or-deslgmng art alrcrat that would be "roadabie" -- capable or both ground and mr travel. The ability to switch from arcmf: to car-like o_ratton allows such a vehicie to effectively utilize small W_rts, _,v _[e o[t-enng true door-to-door serv{ce. The team recognized that the cost to actually produce such an aircraft would exceed todaYs typical general aviation aircraft cost; however, the students believed the -additional cost should readily be offset by the convenience o( not havmg to have a car Ior ground transportation.
- more - Designing an air/ground vehicle presented unique problems. The students recognized that design tradeoiTs were needed in order to obtain good ,_rten-nance in the a_r and adequate perio[Tnance on the toad, since road use was anUc_pated to be occasional. The team had to meet saCely and operational regulations for both aircraft and automobiles. For one thing, the wing had to be folded, retracted, or othe_vise stored for road use. The need for a large wing area for flioht, small span for highway use, and. low lift in car mode was addressed by the use of a telescoping wing.
Dr. James Nlarchman, Virgima Tech and Dr. Oa O' Page, Loughborough University, were the team's taculb advisors. Financial support from Virginia Tech's College of Engineenng and The Boeing Company permitted the inclusion of students from Loughborough Universtb', a major Bnttsh research mstttution, as international collaborators m the design. The facul_ advisors and student team members found that the internatlonaI and interdisctpltna W team design approach added great value to the educationai experience and mtn-ored the ½nd o( international partnerships Eyptcat in today's global marketplace.
Second place honors went to a seven-student team from Purdue University, West La[ayette, Ind., for the Silairus 490, a six-passenger, high-performance piston engine aircraft v,,iEh an Air Cushion Landing System (ACLS) in iieu of traditional landing gear. The design offers the capability of surface independent takeotT and landing, permitting the vehicle to access of[--atr_va.vs commumties thus shortening door-to-door travel trine. The Silairus 490 features a high-tech, eiectromcally data-linked cockpit with a comfortable cabin that is adaptable for many cttent applications. Dr. William A. CrossIey was the t3.cuItv advisor. The second c_lace award provides a $20CO prize to the student team. The Purdue team also won the Best Use of Air- Force-Developed Technology award for its incorporation of the ACLS developed bv the Umted States Air Force. For this award, the team will share a $3,0Ct) prize from the Air Force.
The Purdue team also won the Best Use of Air-Force-Developed Technology award for its incorporanon of the Air Cushion Landing System (ACLS) developed by the Umted States Air Force. For this award, the team will share a $3,000 prize from the Air Force.
Third place was awarded to Pennsylvania State University, University, Park, Pa. The team's design, called, Alnighter, is a modern, composite _eneral aviation aircraft. The six-place, single- engine, propeller-driven vebac[e has a conventiona_ layout. [t features sophisticated aerodynamics and. advanced systems and aviomcs. The team's faculty advisor was Dr. Barnes McCormick. For third place, the ten-student team wit1 share a $ ].,000 prize. Penn State has the distinction of winning a place award in each year of the competition.
The Best Retrofit Design Award was presented to a four-student, Universit.? of Oklahoma, Norman, Okla., team for development of an innovative, multi-mode tuned exhaust system which offers noise reduction while improving the airplane's performance. The design was undertaken as a part or- a larger mrcraft design project to show how older mrcraft can be retrofitted with more modern technologies for increased performance and safety. The work was done under the supervision of Dr. Karl Bergey, the student's faculty advisor. A $500 award was presented to the student team by the award's sponsor -- the AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Piiots Assoc_anon_ Air Safetw Foundation.
The competmon is managed for NASA and the FAA by' the Virginia Space Grant Consomum.
Guidelines wiil soon be avmlable [-or the seventh annual competition to be held dunng the 2@00- 2001. academic year. Individual or team submissions as well as designs ranging from components and subsystems to complete mrcra.ft designs are encouraged. Guidelines can be requested at 7577865-0"726 or msandy@odu.edu.
end - Note: Electronic images to illustrate this sto W are av_labie by contacting Ketth Henry at h.k.henrv@iarc, nasa.qov.
NewsRelease
Nati@nal Aeronautics and Space Administration Langley Research Center Hampton, Virginia 23681-0001 For Release: Keith Hen U July 29, 2000 Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA (Phone: 757/864-6 t20) Mar 7 Sandy Virginia Space Grant Consortium (Phone: 757/865-0726) Jerri Culpepper University of Oklahoma (Phone: 405/325-170 l) RELEASE NO. 00-058
University of OMahoma Wins Design It, Build It, Fly It Competition
A gq'oup of student engineers from the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Ok. working to create safer, more crashworthy seating for General Aviation passengers has won the Design It, Build [t, Fly [t award of the National General Aviation Desi_n Competition. The student team, worMng under the guidance of faculty advisor Karl Bergey, will receive a $ I0,000 _ant to take the team's highly innovative seat designs through a proof-of-concept phase. The students will also receive an award of $500 from the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), the award co-sponsor, upon presentation of the final results of their work at the EAA's ,adrVenture 200t in Oshkosh, Wis.
The National General Aviation Design Competition, which is sponsored by NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration, encourages university student teams to participate in a national effort to revitalize general aviation. This category allows students to take a well-evolved design to a proof-of-concept phase. The University of Oklahoma award is the second to be made in this category. An earlier version of the seat design won the Design with Best Retrofit Potential award in the t 999 General Aviation Design Competition, which was sponsored by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA).
Senior aerospace engineering design students at :he University of Oklahoma are designing and building a four-place high performance general aviation aircraft, the BAC S28R Cougar, that incorporates a number of innovative design features and complies with current FAA requirements for aircraft certification. Over a period of _wo years, 22 aerospace and mechanical engineering students have been involved in the project. The purpose of the project is to demonstrate the suitability of these features for incorporation into general aviation aircraft, either in new designs or through retrofit to the existing fleet.
The energy absorbing seat design is part of the full aircraft development. The goal for the team's seat design is to create a lightweight, tow cost, energy-absorbing, crashworthy seat that would meet the tumbar loading requirements of federal aviation regulations. The seat design will help - more - -2- dissipate excess energy and prevent lower back and pelvic injuries.
The team used a variety of static and dynamic tests to narrow the type of material that should be used. The goal is to design the seat such that the occupant loads would be dissipated in the seat pan rather than the seat frame itself. The seat pan is made of expanded carbon steel, which has been slit and expanded or drawn into an open mesh pattern in a single operation without loss of metal. This process creates a material that is stronger per pound and absorbs impact energy through plastic deformation. The resulting material looks much like a diamond-patterned chain link fence. Early tests using a _apered seat pan have indicated its capability to minimize loads on a passenger's spinal column.
Karl Bergey, faculty advisor, said, "The purpose of the program is to provide hands-on design and fabrication experience for the student aerospace engineers. In a computer-dominated educational system, the requirements for real world engineering judgement are often neglected. The COUGAR project supplies that linkage."
Oklahoma students will use the award to undertake additional testing to refine the design of the seat pan and to validate the results of their previous static and dynamic tests. Since the seat pan desig-n is fairly well evolved, the design of the seat back will be the focus of analysis and testing for optimum config-uration, design and strength.
The National General Aviation Design Competition is coordinated for NASA by the Virginia Space Grant Consortium. Copies of the _m.fidelines for the 2000 - 2001 Academic Year Competition can be requested by calling 757/865-0726 or emailing msandy@odu.edu.
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