VFS Design-Build-Vertical Flight Competition

Mission Statement

The main purpose of this project is to design, build, and fly an aircraft capable of vertical take off in order to compete in the Vertical Flight Society’s Design-Build-Vertical Take off Competition. This craft must fit within all criteria required below for the craft while still being able to be agile enough to win the competition. 

Criteria

One of the criteria is that the aircraft must weigh 20 lbf or less, while carrying a minimum payload of 2 lbf. A second criteria is that the aircraft cannot have a linear dimension exceeding 10 ft. The last key criteria include a minimum of 3 completed laps around the course, seen in the course map, within a 10 minute time limit. 

Mission Profile

Of the courses featured in the VFS Design–Build–Vertical Takeoff competition, the team will only be competing in the Flight Performance Course. The payload is loaded on the aircraft and secured to the airframe and then powered on. The aircraft will vertically lift off from the marked landing zone. The course is flown as shown in the course map, completing as many laps as possible within a 10 minute time limit. The aircraft will vertically land and take-off within the landing zone located at the start/end of each lap. The aircraft must contact the ground without translating for a complete touchdown.When the aircraft has a minute of power left, or has exceeded the 10 minute course time limit, it must enter one of the landing zones and perform a vertical landing. At the end of the course the aircraft must power down.

Keegan Hegger: Archivist, Stability

Chris Imbriano: Recorder, Takeoff/Landing (VTOL)

Will Jackson: Webmaster, Structures/Support

Caleb Kasten: Project Manager, Propulsion

Anthony Rizzo: Treasurer, Electrical/Circuits