Propeller-Wing Interactions on M-Fly Aircraft Performance

The M-Fly Student Design Team is an university design team that focused on the design, construction, and testing of R/C aircraft. The main task of the team is to build an R/C aircraft that can complete tasks in competition. M-Fly has full control over the aircraft design and chase to use a two-motor propulsion architecture starting in the 2021 competition year. To support this design decision, my team and I investigated the performance effect of motor/propeller placement on the wing in the spanwise direction. Results from this study can be found in the linked project poster. My responsibilities on this project included

Leading wind-tunnel execution of propeller-wing interaction trade study and analyzing data into 'rolled-up' performance metrics used to draw conclusion on overall trade study

Writing and executing test plans to experimentally characterize propellers to understand thrust, torque and power required in flight envelope

Prescribing optimal location for wing-mounted propellers for future M-Fly leadership by accounting for three independent factors, including wing structural weight, tip-over angle, and performance improvement