Project Overview

Designed and built a remote-controlled (RC) aircraft over the course of a semester, optimizing performance within defined constraints to maximize range, stability, maneuverability, and payload capacity. The project required translating theoretical aerodynamic concepts into a functional, flight-ready aircraft.

The Problem

The objective was to develop an aircraft that could:

• Meet strict dimensional and payload constraints

• Successfully takeoff, maintain stable and controllable flight, and land

• Travel a specified distance efficiently

• Balance weight, lift, and structural integrity

My Contributions

• Took on a project coordination role, helping organize tasks, track progress, and align team members across design and build phases

• Contributed to conceptual aircraft configuration, wing sizing, and performance trade-off analysis

• Led the finite element analysis (FEA) of the wing structure to evaluate stress distribution and predicted deflection under aerodynamic loading

• Supported fabrication and assembly of the wing and fuselage components

• Assisted in troubleshooting structural alignment and integration challenges during build

Final Outcome / Impact

• Delivered a fully functional, flight-ready RC aircraft

• Successfully completed takeoff, sustained flight, and landing

• Demonstrated integration of conceptual design, structural validation, and hands-on fabrication

• Applied analytical tools and team coordination to execute the full engineering design cycle under time constraints

Key Skills Applied

• Aerodynamic Design & Performance Analysis

• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) & Structural Validation

• Constraint-Based Engineering Design

• CAD Modeling & Technical Documentation

• Hands-On Fabrication & Assembly

• Project Coordination & Team Collaboration

• Engineering Trade-Off Analysis