Last update 7/2/97

FAQ: Frequenty Asked Questions

Question: Do all of the team members need to be student members of AIAA?

Answer: : Since the DBF is part of the AIAA competitions sanctioned by the Student Activities Committee and the AIAA Foundation, all team members should be student members of the AIAA.

Question: What was the maximum number of people that can make-up a team.

Answer: : There is no specific limit on team size. It is up to the team itself to determine a size sufficient to meet the required tasks and small enough to remain manageable. It is expected most teams would fall in the 5 to 10 member size range, but this is only an estimated guideline.

Question: Is it necessary to list all team members on the entry.

Answer: : Yes, we need to know all the team members to verify the under/upper classmen rule.

Question: What is meant by "Upper and Under Classmen"

Answer: : Upper Classmen are (for purposes of the contest) seniors and/or graduate students. Lower Classmen are Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors.

Question: Is it allowed to have/declare more then 1 pilot in a team (in case one of them can not go to the contest, or simply have a back-up pilot)?

Answer: : Yes, teams may register multiple pilots as long as each meets the requirements listed in the rules.

Question: Can we have corporate sponsors? If so, can we put their logo on the UAV at any place that pleases them?

Answer: : Teams may solicit and accept sponsorship in the form of funds or materials and components from commercial organizations. All design, analysis and fabrication of the contest entry is the sole responsibility of the team members. Sponsor and university decals or logos may be placed as desired. Teams should make sure that the final color scheme of the aircraft provides good visibility of the aircraft location and orientation for the pilot.

Question: What is COB in the submission dates mean?

Answer: : COB - Close of Business: data must ARRIVE by 5 PM local time at the specified location.

Question: When will we receive information of the exact contest location, housing options, and the contest day schedule?

Answer: : Detailed contest location and schedule information will be sent to the teams by January 1998.

Question: April 25 is graduation. Is there any possibility of moving the contest.

Answer: : In selecting the contest date we have tried to minimize the conflicts with graduation, finals, mothers day,... We can't miss all possible conflicts as each university is on a slightly different schedule. Moving the date earlier would greatly increase the risk of unacceptable weather, and further shorten the time available to design and build the entries (which will seem VERY short by then).

Question: We were wondering if it wouldn't be easier to just send an official representative from the competition to our school, fly our plane, and take down the score. Then compare with all the other schools competing(they'd probably be on home turf as well), and make the final decision that way?

Answer: : The single site -vs- fly-at-home issue was discussed much by the contest organizers prior to selecting the current contest structure for many of the same reasons you raised. We realize that it is difficult for students to obtain funds for fabricating an entry, even without the added costs of travel. In the end we selected the single-site format for mainly two reasons: (1) the single-site format will allow the teams to see each others entries and learn from each other and will add to the competitive fever always present when pitting your best efforts against others; and (2) the single site is the only way to assure a level playing field for all entries, as weather variations at multiple sites and days would inevitably help some entries and hinder others.

Question: At what wind speed will the contest be called.

Answer: : It will be up to each team to determine whether they want to fly or not. The contest will be called (and the rain date used) if the wind speed exceeds 30 mph for a period of time sufficient to prevent all teams who are ready to fly from being assigned a flight time slot. The 30 mph limit is consistent with normal AMA competitions and is required to retain our contest insurance coverage.

Question: Will a hard runway be used?

Answer: : The contest site is still being investigated, but we will select a site that provides a paved runway.

Question: Our team has completed our design calculations and we have found a manufacturer that carries wing components that will meet our design criteria. Can we purchase components (i.e. foam cores and skins) to construct the wing for our UAV, or are we required to build it from scratch?

Answer: : You may use unassembled components such as wing cores providing they are integrated in a way that results in the final configuration being an original design.

Question: Does the plane have to be an external propeller plane, or can it be a duct fan UAV? A: Ducted fans are also legal if they use a commercial fan assembly.

Answer: : Ducted fans are also legal if they use a commercial fan assembly.

Question: In terms of propellers. Can they be any kind of Gas engine propeller if we wish? Or do they have to be Electric motor propellers? And if we can only use electric motor propellers, can we cut them? Basically, if we wish to, can we use any kind of non-electric motor propellers if they are commercially available?

Answer: : Any commercial propeller for either gas or electric models may be used. Props may be cut to reduce their diameter but the blades may not be reduced in thickness (such as by sanding the airfoils to a new profile) or in chord (such as by trimming the trailing edges).

Question: Can we have two or more sets of wheels which we can interchange during the competition, if the first set wears out quickly.

Answer: : The rules state "Upon landing, the aircraft must be capable of a second flight with no repairs or service other than recharging batteries, and possible replacement of the propeller(s)." You may have extra sets of wheels, but for a flight to count, they would have to be in good enough shape for a second flight with no change. If you elect to use "ablatable" wheels, it will be up to the Flight Line Judge's discretion if upon landing the wheels meet the "no repairs" rule to be ready for a second flight.

Question: What constitutes "over the counter" batteries, and does this apply to the battery pack or to the individual cells?

Answer: : The "Over the Counter" refers to the individual cells. This is a change from the rule for the 1996/97 contest year.

Question: Could the electricians in the Electronics Shop at our university build the battery pack, since they are licensed electricians?

Answer: : Yes, as long as they use commercially available cells.

Question: Do you have a vendor list for speed controller and/or gear reduction suppliers?

Answer: : The "MOTORS" and "ACCESSORIES" sources listed on the web site vendor page can supply controller and gearbox sources that are suited to their motors. Other sources would include all of the major hobby part suppliers listed in RC magazines.

Question: How is the radio fail-safe described in the safety supplement to be implemented.

Answer: : This is a feature available in many production RC radio systems. It is recommended that one of these system be utilized, as then teams are only required to program the action desired from each of the control system servos.

Question: Is the 2.5 lb battery limit only for propulsion. Can we use a separate battery for the receiver.

Answer: : Yes, the 2.5 lb battery pack is only for propulsion. A separate battery can (and should) be used for the receiver and servos. This will allow control of the aircraft for a safe landing if the main propulsion battery voltage drops before the estimated flight duration.

Question: Can we construct a composite can for an otherwise stock over the counter model motor? Does the motor controller have to be an over-the-counter controller?

Answer: : The motor and/or controller must be an unmodified commercial product. The intent of this rule is to prevent excessive cost, and to provide all teams access to equal propulsion technology so they can concentrate on the aircraft aerodynamics and structural aspects.

Question: Do the wires and connectors have to be commercially available?

Answer: : Yes

Question: When you check the CG, what kind of a point will you use? For example will it be checked with fingers or dowels or something even sharper?

Answer: : The CG check will be coincident with the structural verification test described in the Safety Requirements supplement to the basic rules. Specifically, two team members will be asked to pick the aircraft up by the wing tips using their hands (usually a clenched fist placed under the wing at the desired location works well). They will (gently) lift the aircraft at it's full contest weight by the wing tips at the marked axial CG location.

Question: Will the payload be supplied by the team or the contest admin?

Answer: : By the team.

Question: If battery power fails can an immediate landing be made without making a complete lap (question paraphrased by editor)

Answer: : First priority is safety of personnel, followed by minimizing damage to equipment. If power fails unexpectedly the pilot will setup for as safe an emergency landing as possible. As denoted in the rules, partial laps do not count and there will be a "zero" landing score applied for landing outside the specified area even if "on" the runway. Teams are encouraged to predict their energy reserve as accurately as possible. The best score will occur by completing full laps with a landing in the designated area while remaining under power, rather than flying until power is lost and forcing a hurried landing.

Question: Will there be a maximum altitude, other than the visibility requirement?

Answer: : There is no specific numerical altitude limit. It would be very difficult to enforce a rigorous altitude limit without altitude telemetry equipment on each aircraft which would be a significant expense burden. The contest flight judge will enforce maintaining a "safe" altitude for both personnel/ground and flight visibility reasons, and may order the pilot to descend if he feels the altitude is too high. In general, altitudes of 300 to 500 feet are probably nominal, and altitudes near 1000 feet are likely to have the judge order a decent.

Question: Is information available about previous year designs and results?

Answer: : A summary of characteristics for all the entries that competed in the last years contest will be available on the contest web site. Remember that the objective of the prior years contest was slightly different, so you will have to adapt the design data accordingly. (Prior year rules will also be maintained on the web site for reference.)

Question: In the AIAA Student Design/Build/Fly Competition rules it states that "The aircraft must make a level 360 degree turn to the right and a level 360 degree turn to the left." Will the turns be made only on one lap?

Answer: : The intent of the maneuver requirement is to assure the designs are capable of reasonable handling. The left and right 360 degree turns will be made on the same leg of a single lap. The two turns must be completed before entering the timed portion of the course, but you may complete one or more un-timed laps if required to trim the aircraft and obtain a safe flight altitude.

Question: Would we ever have to make any vertical loops with the UAV?

Answer: : No