Lift & Drag Reductions on Iced Wings During Take Off and Landing with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

This research paper addresses an novel problem that has not been addressed in detail for many decades. Ice formation on aircraft has procedures and protocols to deal with expected and actual problems. Complex modern aircraft are equipped with a variety of techniques to remove Ice formation on an aircraft, especially the wings. The introduction of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles has added an old problem, that of low speed and the lack of power to overcome losses in lift through ice formation. In this research the different types of Ice formation, how they combine and affect Lift and Drag are also addresses in theory and application. Furthermore, practical design and operational recommendations are made for take-off and landing

Design Considerations and Requirements for In-Flight Refueling of Unmanned Vehicles

The need to refuel in-flight has become a significant part of military strategy for air forces to work at further distances from safe shores. The use of Unmanned Vehicles is increasing and expected to be the principal part of military deployment. This paper will address the concepts and requirements for applying refueling unmanned vehicles in a military context for supporting fixed and rotor aircraft. Design aspects of human factors in the process are considered, reviewed and solutions proposed to allow for the first generation of designs to be developed. Furthermore, the practical and operational limitations will be addressed as part of the human factors implications. Finally, the design parameters are proposed for the first stage developments to achieve Unmanned Vehicle refueling

Cognitive Loading, Affect Regulation and Aerodynamic Considerations in Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Systems Refueling Operations

Factors influencing aerodynamics involved in aerial refueling illustrate the potential for specialist operators to manage these operations for remotely piloted vehicles. The authors review aerodynamic characteristics of uninhabited aerial systems during refueling, drogue and boom design and associated flight dynamics, cognitive factors associated with control transfer and refueling, and affective components and their influence on decision making and operator performance. Attention is directed to cognitive loading and encoding challenges, with considerations for hippocampal mapping and hemispheric asymmetry. Implications for system state awareness are examined. Advantages for specially trained refueling pilot operators are discussed and recommendations given for areas of concentration

Low Speed Re-Fuelling of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Using the Drogue System

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) are being required to be used in more and more complex situations with larger payloads for extended periods of time. Increasing the expectations and operating ceiling requires increased amounts fuel, that thus limits the potential payloads. This dichotomy has led to the quest for more fuel efficient UAVs; however, when designs are improved then their expectations are increased further. In manned aircraft this can be achieved by in-flight re-fuelling. This research is focused on the process of re-fuelling a UAV at low speeds and the aerodynamics considerations and problems it potentially brings. Practical conclusions to these concerns are addressed and recommendations for future research are identified

Assessment for Learning: An Outcomes-Based Approach to Enhance Learning

This paper draws on two case studies from UK universities to advance debate regarding assessment strategies and methods in the ERAU Worldwide. It focuses on the use of summative and formative assessment, the role of feedback, and the importance of learning outcomes for continuous academic improvement. Findings from the first case study, with three cohorts of graduate students, show that, where students are encouraged to learn from their mistakes via formative feedback, improvement is more likely than when standard approaches to assessment are employed. The second case study identifies one university\u27s approach to changing the design, delivery and assessment of its courses. Findings reveal the need to match assessment and learning outcomes in order to enhance students\u27 learning experiences

Twin-Wing Design Options Used for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to Achieve High Altitudes at Low Speeds

The paper addresses the aerodynamic performance of twin‐wing aircraft (biplanes) that are remotely piloted. While twin wing aircraft are acknowledged as to having greater maneuverability than monoplanes, they have inherent disadvantages based on the set position of the upper wing to meet piloting needs which induces significant levels of drag from the struts that link the upper and lower wings together. In this research, the aerodynamics of the wing position in relationship to the lower wing are analyzed with Computational Fluid Mechanics/Dynamics and simulation models. It will show that modern material can eliminate the strut drag and allow for greater lift at lower speeds. This proposed design is capable of achieving much higher altitudes with low speeds to offer advanced applications for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, UAVs

Maintenance Implications for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Remote Locations

Maintenance in the aviation industry has evolved considerably since commercial and general aviation became a modern mode of transportation. ICAO has made maintenance a top priority by directing local National Aviation Authorities, NAA, to have implemented, robust and standardized training and qualifications for all maintenance personnel that work on any safety critical structure or component. There are rules, law and standards that are audited and the aviation industry is, perhaps, the most successful industry in maintaining standards and reliability. With the advent of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, UAV, the role of maintenance is now needing to be reviewed to determine how and what is needed. This research paper reviews the concepts and importance of maintenance in this new and expanding industry and the complexity of having international standards for engineers to support continuous airworthiness

Propeller Design Requirements for Quadcopters Utilizing Variable Pitch Propellers

Unmanned aerial vehicles, UAV, has increases in the drastically in these past several years since their costs reduced. This research is based and built upon previous research presented in a conference. With the advent of commercial Quadcopters, four propeller systems, are used, being designed and used to operate the advantages of both flight and hovering. The basic design of their propeller blades has not evolved from the early days of manned flight when wooden fixed blades were used. In this paper that expands upon previous findings and discussions it explores the historical developments. Furthermore, how the expansion and reduction in costs of modern materials and manufacturing techniques that offer more accurate matching of blades’ needs and applications

Expeditionary Blended Learning: New Opportunities and Lessons From the United Kingdom

Recent experiences in live course delivery at ERAU\u27s UK campus, combined with dramatic changes in the operational deployment tempo of US military forces assigned at these bases, creates both challenges and opportunities. Exploiting experiences with blended learning at The Open University, traditional learning at the University of Hertfordshire and other UK universities, and teaching concepts in use within the UK\u27s military staff colleges leads to the proposed Expeditionary model for blended learning within the ERAU European Region. This model can deliver enhanced student involvement and increased enrollments, provided suitable changes in ERAU\u27s underlying business model can be made. A Strengths I Weaknesses I Opportunities I Threats (SWOT) analysis highlights elements of this proposal, while indicating areas that need further examination

Take-off Characteristics for NACA 4612 Aerofoil in a Twin-Wing Configuration With Optimum Angles of Attack

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are used generally at low levels and speeds. The research reported in this article investigates the possible use of twin-wing designs for higher altitudes with a focus on the possible lift capable for either short runways or high payloads. The wing aerofoil and unique Angles of Attack, AoA, are set 5o on the upper wing and 10o on the lower. There is a positive upper wing stagger of 50% of the chord length at height separation of 1 chord. These parameters have been established from previous research and this research investigates how they generate lift at take-off and what lift and drag properties exist. It also determines if these parameters are in-line with those for high altitude flight