2 October 2006 Update

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
2006/07 Competition Specific

Please check the FAQ often during the competition.  Please note that rules interpretation questions are not answered by e-mail until after the entry date (when all participant e-mail address are known), so that all teams will have equal access to all rules information.

*** All Rulings In This FAQ Supplement The Official Rules! ***

General Notes:

·       Brushless motors are now legal.

Payload Questions:

All payloads for this year will be provided by the individual teams.  Suitable payload definitions are given in the rules to allow teams to create their own payloads.

  1. Question:  Must the camera ball be an actual softball or can it be any spherical object with at least a 11.25 in circumference?  If it must be a softball, can it be modified (e.g. to reduce its weight) or is there any particular kind of softball required  
    Answer: It must be a commercially produced softball meeting the specified minimum circumference.  You may not hollow out the ball.  You may add attachments to mount the ball as outlined in the Rules document.
  2. Question:  Would a biplane's wingspan be recorded as the wingspan of one wing, the wingspan of one wing times two, or the distance from one top corner to the diagonally opposite bottom corner?  How would a swept wing be measured?
    Answer: The definition of wing span for the RAC calculation is covered in the 2007 rules document.
  3. Question: Does the outlet leg of the air sampler need to be vertical as shown in the sketch in the rules document?
    Answer: No, it may point in any radial direction wrt the airplane flight axis.
  4. Question: Are you going to give a minimum weight, specific brand, or other details for the soft ball?
    Answer: No.  The rules contain all the specifications for the softball required.  Also, see #1 above.
  5. Question: Does the aircraft need to be capable of flight without either of the payloads?
    Answer:  The payloads may not constitute a structural portion of the aircraft, but the aircraft cg does not need to be such that the aircraft could fly if the payload(s) are not installed.
  6. Question: Is there a specification for the cg location of the payload simulated processor units?
    Answer: No.
  7. Question: Do the payloads need to be fully enclosed and if so can “payload specific” fairings be utilized to enclose the payload elements?
    Answer: The payload elements must be enclosed except for the sampler tube inlet and outlet as specified in the rules (the entire sampler tube may not be external, only the sections specified in the rules), and at least ½ of the softball (also defined in the rules).  You may use payload specific fairings provided they are not structural and are such that the aircraft could still fly (possibly with ballast, see #5 above) without either payload being present.

Flight / Mission Questions

  1. Question: Can we design our plane to only perform the non-flying tasks?
    Answer: No.  The rules clearly state “Contest aircraft must comply with all aspects of the following specification:” which includes both flight missions and both ground tasks.
  2. Question: Since the box must be “latched” at the beginning and end of the ground mission, what is the requirement for a “latch”?
    Answer: The latches must be sufficient to allow lifting the box by the lid when closed (it is recommended that teams install handles on the top of their box to make it easier to demonstrate).
  3. Question: Do we have to fly all of the different missions to get a score?
    Answer: See #1 above.  The aircraft must complete at least one of the two flight missions for a score before the ground task scores will be included (see Rules).
  4. Question: Is there a minimum altitude for flying the course?
    Answer: No. Altitude must be high enough for safe flight as set by the discretion of the Contest Director.
  5. Question: Can we tailor the configuration of the aircraft differently for the different missions?  For example, could we use different sized propulsion systems for each flight?
    Answer: You cannot change the hardware configuration of the aircraft for the different missions.  You can however change the propeller diameter/pitch for each flight attempt.
  6. 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 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.
  7. Question: Does the RC transmitter need to also fit inside the specified storage box?
    Answer: No.

Aircraft Configuration Questions

  1. Question: On the webpage it states that aircraft CANNOT be of rotary wing design. Rotary wing being somewhat defined in another section as 'vertical flight capability'.  However, thrust vectoring IS allowed, as are ducted-fan units.  Is vertical Take-off via ducted-fan units legal, or does that fall under the rotary aircraft definition?
    Answer: A ducted fan configuration capable of thrust vectoring for short take-off but not true vertical flight would be legal.

Report Questions

Report format rules are significantly changed from prior years.  Be sure to follow the current rules.  Being allowed in prior years is not grounds for expecting the same item to be allowed this year.

  1. Question:.
    Answer:.

General Questions

  1. Question: Is it safe to assume that if the rules do not explicitly forbid something, it is allowed?
    Answer: The rules are intentionally designed to not impose too many limitations while allowing each team an equal chance. If something adheres to the "spirit" of the rules it is likely to be allowed. If you have any specific questions you would like clarified they may be addressed in a private e-mail to the contest administrator. Ideas will not be disclosed to other teams if they represent a legal and innovative approach. If it is deemed to be not legal, it may be added to this FAQ or posted to the other teams at the administrator’s discretion.
  2. Question: What would constitute “non-critical” versus “significant damage” on landing as described in the rules?
    Answer: The decision will be at the discretion of the flight line judges.  In general, “non-critical” damage would allow the aircraft to be easily returned to safe flight status. A couple of examples of “non-critical” damage would be a broken propeller, bent landing gear, sheared nylon bolts or minor scratches to the finish. If any component is structurally damaged and would be considered a hazard to safe flight then it will be considered as “significant damage”.
  3. Questions: Can there be thrust vectoring via rotating the engine, nozzles, blown surfaces etc.?
    Answer: Yes. Any of the above options is allowed, and may be varied during flight. However, "rotary wing" vehicles are not allowed, so you may need to consult the judges with your specific design and it's thrust levels to be sure it doesn't cross over the line into vertical flight capability.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

    There is a maximum size of the flight crew (pilot and assistant) and ground crew (3) for this years competition. Please see the RULES section for more details on the limitations on the flight and ground crews.
  6. 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. Teams will be allowed to revise/update their official membership one time in February.
  7. 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.
  8. Question: Does the 1/3 under classmen rule apply to the people present at the fly-off site?
    Answer: No.  The 1/3 , 2/3 distribution applies to the team as a whole, from the entry date through the end of the contest.  Not all team members must be present at the fly-off.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.  You may also have components of your design machined to your design specifications by an outside contractor if the team and/or university does not have the required machining facilities.
  12. 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 required that your radio system be able to provide this function.
  13. 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.

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