14 Nov 11 Update

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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:

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: Do we have to use the same plane for each mission?
    Answer:      You must use a single plane for the entire contest weekend.

  3. Question: If the airplane is damaged on a flight can we use the another copy of the aircraft which has the same design?
    Answer:  No, you must repair the original aircraft.

  4. Question: Is it permitted to add/remove necessary/unnecessary components to/from the aircraft to perform the different flight missions?
    Answer:     You may change internal (payload bay) components between missions.  All external portions of the aircraft must remain the same for all missions.

  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: What constitutes a successful landing?
    Answer:     The aircraft must touch down ON the runway.  It may roll/slide, not bounce, off the runway after touchdown.

  7. 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.

  8. 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”.

  9. 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 director will determine if it becomes unsafe for teams to fly. Wind speed is not the only factor the that may be considered.

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. 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 doesn't cross over the line into vertical flight capability.

  3. Question: Can we change the aircraft geometry, such as wing sweep or span, for different missions?
    Answer: Variable geometry is allowed provided it is controlled remotely through the RC control system.  You may not "swap out" parts for different missions.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

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

  7. Question: Do the external fuse accessibility requirements (from behind if tractor, from the front if pusher) exclude the use of a pusher-puller type multi-engine configuration?

    Answer: You may use a push-pull configuration but must locate the fuse(s) such that they can be accessed by the crew member without having to reach over or around either propeller or being in the propeller disk plane of either propeller.

  8. Question: Does the propulsion battery have to be a single unit (with all cells physically and electrically connected) or can it consist of separate packs.

    Answer: You may use multiple battery “packs” to power either multiple or a single motor(s) provided the total weight of all packs flown as a set meet the rules requirement.  Any/all packs/motors must be fused such that no single battery or motor can exceed the maximum current requirement.  If it requires multiple fuses to meet the current protection requirement, then ALL fuses must be removed whenever you are required to “safe” the aircraft system.

  9. 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.

Report Questions

Report rules may be 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.

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: Regarding the test flight photo, does this photo have to be submitted with the report, or just brought to the competition?

    Answer: The photo must be shown to the judges during the technical inspection.  We will not have copies of the reports available at the contest, so if you want to use a photo in your report you must bring your own copy.

  3. Question: Can we use LiPo batteries in our transmitter?

    Answer: No.

  4. Question: Are the transmitter and receiver allowed to be store bought?

    Answer: The transmitter and receiver MUST be a commercial FCC approved system.  No modifications to the transmitter (or it’s case) or the receiver (or it’s case) are allowed.

  5. 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.

  6. 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. Please see the CURRENT YEAR RULES for more details on the limitations on the flight and ground crews.

  7. 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.

  8. Question: Can we change team members during the contest year?
    Answer: You may change team members anytime during the contest year as long as you continue to meet the team composition rules.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. Question: Can the team members be changed?

    Answer: Team members may be updated/changed at any time during the contest provided the required team makeup is maintained.  We will make a “One Time” update to the team member lists posted on the website.  Teams wishing a team member list update must submit an updated copy of the contest entry form with all fields fully filled (but only the team member information may be changed).  We will notify teams when website update change information may be sent, normally in February..

  13. Question: Can we have corporate sponsors? If so, can we put their logo on the aircraft 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.

  14. 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.

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