17 September 2008 Update

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
2008/09 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:

Payload Questions:

All payloads for this year will be provided by the teams.    Please note the change in payload specification in the 2009 Rules document.

  1. Question: Can we modify the payloads to include mounting provisions?
    Answer: You may make modifications to the payloads to allow them to be mounted to the aircraft with the following conditions. 
    (1) The simulated fuel tank must remain water tight. If it leaks during the mission the attempt will not be scored. 
    (2) All of the release mechanism components (servo, any moving linkages/parts) must be part of the aircraft mount, not part of the store. 
    (3) No part of the original store shape may be inside the mold lines of the aircraft when attached (store fairings may not be attached to the aircraft and stores may not be submerged inside the aircraft).

  2. Question: Do the box hinges and latches need to be recessed to remain inside the specified outside dimensions limits?
    Answer: No.  "Reasonable" allowance will be made for the hinges, latches, and folding handles to exceed the specified dimensions.

  3. Question: Can we place the fuel tank inside the aircraft or should it be outside the aircraft just like the wing stores?
    Answer: The fuel tank is a store and must comply with all the requirements specified for stores.

  4. Question: There seems to be no mention of velcro or magnets in the rules (aside from no velcro holding the box together).  Does this mean we're allowed to use velcro and magnets to hold battery packs and hatches, etc. so long as everything survives the structural verification and shake test?
    Answer: Access hatches and internal components that are not part of the payload or payload retention system may be secured with velcro or other fasteners.

  5. Question: When the plane is lifted from its wingtips for the structural verification, will that be with the full payload for the pre-mission (~14 lb) or the maximum flight payload (~8 lb)?
    Answer: The wingtip lift test will be with the heaviest flight payload, the full centerline "fuel tank".

  6. Question: Will the box only be dropped right-side-up?
    Answer: No, the judges may elect to have it dropped on any side.  We will not require it to be dropped on a single "corner".

  7. Question: Does the centerline store need to be "dropable" since there are no missions that require it.  Can it be removed by a crew member?
    Answer: The centerline store must meet the requirements of all other stores.  It must be able to be triggered for release remotely, and must be able to fall free from the aircraft.  It can not be assisted by a crew member.

  8. Question: Can you clarify the “No part of the original store shape may be inside the mold lines of the aircraft” definition?
    Answer: No store (centerline or wing) may be recessed/submerged/shielded by any part of the aircraft.  The full store must be visible outside the lines of the aircraft when viewed from the front, side or rear with the aircraft at flight attitude.  For the wing stores, "side" may be considered to be normal to the wing dihedral plane.

  9. Question: Do the wing stores have to contain the parachute?
    Answer: No.  The wing stored do not need the parachute, and MUST not contain a motor.  The required ballast to meet the minimum store weight may be any material as long as it is securely fastened in the store and does not contain any hazardous materials such as mercury or lead.

  10. Question: May we mount more than one store on a single pylon/hard-point?
    Answer: No.  Stores must meet the required separation, which requires one store per mounting location.

Flight / Mission Questions

  1. Question: Do we have to fly all of the different missions to get a score?
    Answer: You will get a score for each mission you successfully complete.  The flights must be completed in the order specified to obtain a score.

  2. Question: During mission 3, can the ground crew carry the airplane from where it releases a Patriot back to the take-off position, or must it taxi on its own?
    Answer: The aircraft must taxi anytime it is on the ground.  If it "rolls" off the runway during a landing it may be carried back to the point were it left the runway.  It must taxi on it's own to the payload release point and if required back to the take-off location.

  3. Question: The rules state the 3 flight missions must be completed in succession. If a team completes the 3 flight missions could they try to improve on Mission 1 without losing their scores for missions 2 and 3? Can a team try to improve on Assembly after their 3 successful flight missions?
    Answer: You may go "backwards" for a repeat attempt after completing a subsequent mission task without loosing the existing scores.

  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: Must the box be rectangular?
    Answer: No, it can have curved sides/ends, but it must fit within the specified rectangular space so no dimension of the box may be greater than the specified length x width x height dimensions.

  8. Question: What is the expected density altitude of the flying site?
    Answer: 100o and 10% humidity (think thin air) is not unusual.

  9. Question: Is it possible that the assembly task will be started with the box upside down?
    Answer: No.  After the mandatory box rotations, you will be allowed to set it on the defined bottom for the timed portion of the task.

  10. Question: Can the box have more than just the "top" face removable for access?
    Answer: The removable "top" can contain what ever portion of the box desired.

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.

  2. Question: We have talked with an outside vendor and they posses a manufacturing technique that we are not capable of producing here at the school.  The design of the part would be done by us, with manufacturing done by them..  Is this permitted by the rules?
    Answer: No.  The rules (sponsor section) say “All design, analysis and fabrication of the contest entry is the sole responsibility of the student team members.”  Commercial components may be used if part of the manufacturers public product line.

  3. 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?  If our school does not have machining capabilities can we have a vendor laser cut our ribs and formers or machine our original design molds?
    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.  You may have molds machined for composite parts, but the team must make the actual parts themselves.

  4. Question: Are gyros legal for stability purposes?
    Answer: Yes

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: 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.

  12. 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. For aircraft configurations where the CG is not within the chord of the wing tips, a third lift point, located as far from the CG as possible, will be used to balance the aircraft.

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