Preliminary design of a radio-controlled micro aircraft for student competition

This work presents a preliminary design study of a radio-controlled micro aircraft. The aircraft is designed with the aim to compete in the SAE Aero Design Student Competition. Different designs were performed by different groups of students following the rules given in the SAE 2017 competition document.  Such rules include the criteria of having the entire aircraft fit in a specific dimensional cylindrical box in unassembled condition, achieving the highest flight score and carrying the highest possible payload with minimum airframe weight, etc. In this scope, the concept generations of multiple designs for the micro aircraft with appropriate dimensions were done. In addition, basic paper prototypes of the designs which were helpful to visualize the aircraft were constructed. 3D CAD models of designs and 2D drawings for dimensional description were prepared. No prototypes were manufactured due to the Covid-19 situation.