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Introduction

A world of Science Competition

      During the final year of studies, mechanical engineer students from the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico go thru a design and construction course called Engineering Capstone Design. This course allows the students to apply previously learned mechanical engineering knowledge in an innovated design course. For this particular year (2006-2007) a group of 4 students will design and built an RC model plane for the world renowned Areodesign SAE competition.

      The Aero-Design project is intended to provide undergraduate engineering students with a real-life engineering exercise. The students will find themselves performing trade studies (calculation and seeking information) and making compromises to arrive at a design solution that will optimally meet the mission requirements while still conforming to the configuration limitations of the project. This reports requires both written and oral communication skills as park of their engineering workplace.


     The design and construction of remote control aircraft revolves around the goal of lifting the most weight possible with a limit wing plantform of 1000 square inches, following the specifications of the SAE competition ( See Objectives). Design and fabrication of the airplane must be designed and built by the student without direct involvement from professional engineers, radio control model experts, pilots, machinists, or related professionals. Professionals may not make design decisions, nor contribute to the drawings and the report. To make the project design any literature or knowledge related to R/C aircraft design, construction and information from professionals can be used as long as the information and discussion of alternatives with their pros and cons are given in the references design report. 


     SAE Aero Design Competition features three classes Regular, Open, and Micro. Regular Class (MICADARO ME-94) is intended to be simpler than Open Class, and therefore more accessible to the fledgling team. Open Class is intended to be less restrictive than Regular Class.

For more information on the actual competition please visit www.sae.org