The project
On a day-to-day basis, team responsibilities are divided among members. To better organize and ensure that each one will do something they already know how to do well, we are divided into 6 technical areas and an administrative area.
The technical areas are Aerodynamics, Performance, Stability and Control, Loads and Aeroelasticity, Structures and Tests and Electrical.
To perform all the necessary tasks, our members develop technical skills, such as the use of aerodynamic analysis software, such as CFD, programming, mainly in Matlab, and the use of structural analysis software. We also learned how to use design software, such as SolidWorks and AutoCAD, to make 3D and 2D models of our planes.
We apply several engineering concepts in our projects, both in terms of fluid mechanics, as well as concepts of material strength, material selection and even technical design. And, of course, we also learned how to build a plane with our hands, one of the coolest things.
In addition, we have a lot of contact with project management, personnel management, teamwork, marketing and resource management, things that are not directly taught in an engineering degree and can be differentials for the curriculum at the beginning of professional life. It helps to have a good networking with company representatives as well, which can guarantee job openings or internships in the future.
But it's not just work that we live on. The workshop (and now in pandemic times, the discord) is a super fun and lively environment, we had a lot of fun there. We also go to party together, or see a movie together, online games or just a simple meal to exchange ideas. No one is alone and the are interesting people to talk to here.
Aerodynamics
When wondering how to keep something in the sky many aspects of engineering are involved, one of them is lift forces.
Aerodynamics studies the action of forces on the aircraft. The objective is to design surfaces that present the best possible interaction with the flow, in order to increase lift and reduce drag. This process occurs through the most varied methods, among them computational fluid dynamics.
stability and control
When you think about how an airplane works, maybe you wonder how it is kept in the air without losing its stability and control during a flight, right?
Part of what keeps the plane in the air is studied from the area of stability and control that deals with ensuring that the aircraft remains stable around a point of balance. The objective is to evaluate how forces and resulting moments contribute to the stabilization of the aircraft after suffering some external disturbance.
At the same time, the control study is carried out, which consists of dimensioning aerodynamic surfaces, so that the pilot can control the plane and perform maneuvers in any flight condition.
Performance
If you've ever been on a plane or near an airport, you've probably already come across the powertrain working.
The performance area studies aircraft performance. Engine-propeller combinations are analyzed with the aim of a powertrain that ensures greater traction for the plane. The performance area also evaluates all parameters related to the aircraft mission, it's trajectory and its behavior from takeoff to landing, optimizing all aspects of the aircraft so that it can carry as much cargo as possible.
Loads and Aeroelasticity
Have you ever heard of flutter? This phenomenon, which can cause serious accidents, happens when the vibrations on the aircraft enter the natural frequency of its structure.
To ensure the integrity of the plane, the Aeroelasticity area has the objective of determining at what speeds the deformations suffered by the aircraft structure bring about unwanted phenomena like this one and then guarantee that these speeds are outside the flight envelope.
The Cargo area essentially studies the distribution and effects of forces on the plane's surfaces, both in flight and on the ground. The main objective of this area is to define the speed and acceleration limits within which the aircraft can safely fly in order to fulfill its mission.
Structures
Have you ever wondered what materials our plane's components are made of? Or how to select them in order to develop a competitive aircraft?
It is in this scenario that the development of the structural project enters through the dimensioning and testing of the structural components of the aircraft. In this area, the study of the materials that are present in the plane, computational analysis of the components and structural tests are carried out in order to guarantee a light, safe and competitive aircraft.
Electric
Did you know that the electrician is responsible for preparing the on-board telemetry set as well as the entire control system that actually makes the plane come to life and function?
This indispensable system basically works as follows: the radio transmits signals to the receiver located inside the aircraft, which in turn activates the servos, moving the control surfaces (ailerons, elevator and rudder).
Embedded telemetry on the other hand is much more complex. This system aims to acquire and record relevant data for the project during a flight, such as the angle of attack, the path traveled and the speed of the plane in different phases of the flight, in addition to the current and voltage in the servos/motor.
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Marketing
How to make our projects and ideas reach your target audience?
Marketing is the area responsible for integrating the team with the commercial, academic and social environment. Through our social networks, we create a bridge between Urubus and the community, representing the team and UNICAMP. It is also the area's responsibility to maintain contact with sponsors, keeping them up to date on the project.
ADM and HR
But what is the secret for a team made up of such different people to work well?
The administrative area is the center of the team and is responsible for managing the members. She is the one who guarantees the supply of materials for the construction of the plane, monitors the progress of the project and optimizes work within the team.
The administrative work also involves the team's relationship with the university and external institutions such as sponsors and bodies responsible for the competition. It is in this area where we verbalize the distribution of tasks and make decisions that do not involve the technical project.
The human resources (HR) area is a new area in the team. It was founded with the purpose of improving the work performance and well-being of the members. It is an area that is in the a priori structuring part, but with many interesting projects for the development of our members, seeking human training in addition to technical knowledge.
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In addition to the areas described, there is a multidisciplinary project stage that aims to determine which will be the most advantageous type of aircraft according to current regulations, which considers factors from all areas above, new ideas and successful past solutions. With the project ready, the team writes a succinct technical report describing all the analyses, considerations and tests carried out for evaluation by the technical committee of Aerodesign. Subsequently, this project is also shaped into an oral presentation, which is presented on the first day of the competition.
As well as the project itself, the team is concerned with managing tasks among members, managing available resources, marketing and seeking new sponsorships, logistics for the competition, and selecting and training new members. Providing then, experience and knowledge far beyond what is learned in the classroom for members who actively participate in Aerodesign.