The Airframe subteam is responsible for designing, analyzing, manufacturing, and doing preliminary tests on all the main aerodynamic components and various internal structures of the plane. Using composite materials in synchronization with rapid prototyping technology, this subteam works to create an optimized, efficient, and lightweight custom airframe that is capable of carrying the mission payloads along with all required electronics and internals. Members on this team learn fundamental mechanical engineering skills, ranging from computer-aided design (CAD), to utilizing 3D printers for prototyping, to aerodynamic and static structural analysis on ANSYS.

Wings

The main lifting element of the airframe. Needs to provide sufficient lift and stability to lift more than the weight of the plane. Test and develop new composite materials to increase strength to weight ratio. Determine the best airfoil for our plane as well as washout, taper, and dihedral.

Victor
Sasha

Tail

Monitoring power consumption of various LiPo batteries and reporting remaining battery capacity data to flight controller mid-flight.

Kate
Rayan
Julius

Fuselage

Fully composite lifting body that holds all payloads necessary for flight. Strong and spacious enough to hold five full water bottles, a gimbal, a propeller, and any necessary electronics.

Erika Zubin Nate

Wing to Fuselage Connection

Critical joint used to hold the wings to the fuselage. Transfers load from spars to fuselage's structural skin. Extensive material research and testing was done to qualify part for flight as it needs to withstand three times the weight of the plane.

Rayan Victor Jack

Tube Connectors

Connection joint between wings, booms, and landing gear. Must transfer load from the vertical propellers during vertical flight and wings during horizontal flight.

Kate