` 2004 DBF Q&A #7
28 January 04



1) As an addendum to Q&A #6 on student -vs- outside fabrication of the aircraft.

"When does something stop being a purchased component and become an outside fabricated aircraft?"

If a part is listed in a commercial vendors catalog or web site and the students had no input to it's design it is a "purchased component" and may be used as-is or modified by the students for use.

If a part is student designed but the vendor issues a part number for it and makes it available to all teams; and it is a single homogenous material, it will be considered a "purchased component".  Custom molded composite components are NOT a homogenous material.  An aluminum motor mount IS a homogenous component.

Any part made by students (staff supervision is allowed) using university facilities IS allowed.

If it fails the above tests, it will be allowed (ie. not considered an outside fabrication) if it is:

1) laser cut wing ribs
2) custom cut foam wing/tail core (only)
3) Specifically authorized by the judges in advance of it's being purchased/used

2) Also, it has been asked what tolerance we will use on the "1/2 inch" exit hole.  The tech judges will have a no-go gauge made in our local shop at 0.501", which must not be able to pass into the exit at the fuselage surface.

-Greg
Gregory S. Page
ITT AES B210
2560 Huntington Ave
Alexandria, VA 22303
202-404-1251
202-767-6194 FAX

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