From gregory.s.page@nrl.navy.mil Wed Jan 26 11:16:30 2000
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 14:20:11 -0500
From: Greg Page <gregory.s.page@nrl.navy.mil>
To: aiaadbf@amber.aae.uiuc.edu
Subject: Fwd: DBF Q&A #1


>Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 15:18:51 -0500
>To: Bob Paczula AIAA, dbf::brian richardet, dbf::chris bovais, dbf::Craig 
>Nickol, dbf::david levy, Doug Young Design Engr TC, John Vassberg, johns 
>Design Engr TC, Len Parrish - Pax, Ray Chattman, dbf::selig, Tracy Wathen, 
>Cal Poly SLO, Clarkson U, Cleveland State U, E Stroudsburg U, Georgia 
>Tech, Mass Institute of Tech, Miami U, Middle East Tech U  #1- Turkey, 
>Middle East Tech U #2 - Turkey, Middle East Tech U #3 - Turkey, Oklahoma 
>State U #1, Oklahoma State U #2, Purdue U, Queens U #1 - Canada, Queens U 
>#2 - Canada, Syracuse U, U delgi Studi di Roma, U of Arizona, U of 
>California - LA, U of California - SD, U of Central Florida, U of 
>Illinois, U of New Mexico, U of Southern California, U of Texas - Austin, 
>United States Military Academy, University at Buffalo, Utah State U, 
>Virginia Polytechnic and State U, West Virgina U, Wichita State U
>From: Greg Page <gregory.s.page@nrl.navy.mil>
>Subject: DBF Q&A #1
>
>Here is the list of questions I've received over the summer months.
>
>Q: How will you account for fractions in the Rated Aircraft Cost? For
>example, if our wing area is 6.5625 feet, is that a) 5 + 6.56 hours, or b)
>5+ 7 hours? If fractional, how many significant figures do you want us to
>list?
>A: Two (2) digits after the decimal is more than adequate.
>
>Q: If we were to have pneumatic systems, would we be allowed to recharge 
>our air tanks in the 10 minute time limit?
>A: Yes, air tanks can be recharged during the payload installation/removal.
>
>Q:Are NiCds the only battery that can be used or can the newer NiMH 
>(Nickel - Metal - Hydride) batteries be used?
>A: Only NiCad batteries are allowed in the contest.
>
>Q: Aircraft must complete 2 full laps of the course with no payload. This
>non-scoring return task must be completed before attempting another scoring
>sortie of task #1.
>Does this mean 2 laps in the air or does this include touch-n-go phase.
>A: Take-off, upwind turn, downwind leg, downwind turn, upwind leg, upwind 
>turn, downwind leg, downwind turn, approach & landing: That makes the 
>required 2 laps.
>
>Q: Does the aircraft have to stop between two different sorties? In other 
>words, while changing the flight from a payload sortie to a return/ferry 
>sortie, does the pilot have to
>stop the aircraft in order to unload it, or may we design a system which 
>can unload the payload without stopping.
>A: The aircraft must come to a complete stop, the engine be "safed", and 
>then the crew may change the payload.  This is described in quite a bit 
>more detail in the rules.
>
>Q: Is the use of two batteries allowed if both batteries are carried
>during the flights?
>A: You may use multiple packs, each feeding a separate motor, or you may 
>use a single pack feeding multiple motors.  All packs must be connected 
>during all flights, but you may elect to not run some engines all of the 
>time.  Cost functions for multiple motors/packs is described in detail in 
>the FAQ.
>
>Q: Is variable geometry allowed?
>A: Yes, as long as no parts are added/deleted from the aircraft.  Variable 
>geometry may be either manual (on ground) or servo activated.
>
>-Greg
>
>
>
>

Gregory S. Page
Formula 402

email: gregory.s.page@nrl.navy.mil
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