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For this week, my group rotated drones and I helped check off the new Believer drone by going through the punch list process. I reviewed the previous team’s blog and saw what they completed and what was still needed to be done. The previous group left us with installing motor mounts, soldering ESCs, attaching ruddervator latches, and finishing control surface linkages. I also checked that the hardware was up to date and made sure the DATX controller had full motion. Additionally, I made sure the parameters on the CubePilot matched ours. Aside from AT-219, in my ECON 210 class we started learning about supply and demand, as well as shifting market prices and changes in quantity demanded and supplied. In HIST 305, I dove into the industrial phase of the United States and how different technologies were factors in military advancement.
I focused on downloading a flight training software called SeligSIM, which is a realistic flight simulator that uses real controllers and real simulated training. After downloading and launching the simulator, I went through the calibration and connected the Orqa controller to my PC. After that, I edited the controls so I was comfortable with how everything was configured. After setting everything up, I chose the MiG 15 as a test aircraft to feel out the controls. I did crash a few times at first, but after practicing more, I was able to get more familiar with the controls and how the aircraft responded. This lab helped me understand how useful flight simulators are for practicing control and building skill that replicates the outdoors. Aside from AT-219, in ECON-210 I learned a lot more about shifting supply and demand curves and how in increase or decrease in supply or quantity can shift graphs.
For this week, we started using the SeligSim for training purposes instead of leisure testing. I tested the surface controls for the aircraft and learned what each control does and the direction of control. I also went through lessons on takeoff, turns, stall recovery, and landing techniques. One thing that stood out to me was how important it is to do a full control check before flying to make sure nothing is reversed or misconfigured. Another skill i learned was how to recover from a stall and what not to do when at stall speeds. Practicing these lessons helped me understand how crucial orientation is when flying. In History class, I learned about the Battle of Hampton roads and the early works of the iron age during the Civil war.
For this weeks lab, me and my team continued on working on the believer drone and continued working on building and installing the motor mounts as well as the motors itself. After installing the motors, I started working on the D-Sub connector and soldering the servos as well as the ECS to these connectors. After reviewing the feedback from the other group I checked for imperfections in the build and continued where the last group left off. After installing the motors, I started fitting all the servo wires into the wing as well as looking at the wiring diagram to see which D-Sub goes to which spot. The goal was to identify deficiencies, understand their root causes, and develop a plan in order to continue building our drone. In HIST-305 we had our Exam 1 and had my ECON Exam 1 two days later.
For this week, I finished the SeligSim 2 assignment which was about ground taxi training using an R/C aircraft. I selected the Alpha 40 trainer aircraft and went through the control checks to make sure the ailerons, elevator, rudder, and throttle were responding correctly. After that, I tested the takeoff speed in zero wind conditions and found that the aircraft lifted off at around 37 mph at about half throttle. After testing this, I set a 6mph south crosswind to see how the aircraft would react to the wind. after many tries, the plane wants to turn to the right no matter the opposite input on the controller. I then put the aircraft in a headwind situation and saw that the aircraft wanted to take off at 2/3 throttle and sometimes half throttle. This assignment helped me understand how wind conditions affect control inputs and how important rudder discipline is during ground operations. On the weekend I did attend the Chicago Auto show and there was a lot of new and exciting cars as well as autonomous cars.
For this weeks lab, me and my team finished assembling the wings and used fiberglass tape to the edges of the wings so it is more structurally sound when in flight or landing. We also finished soldering the D-Sub connectors and installed them to the fuselage of the aircraft. Also we fixed the broken D-Sub from last lab and made sure each pin on that fixed D-Sub worked so we don’t have to spend money and buy a new one. This was another case of improvising and problem solving. Each step in this lab process was crucial to understand how each component works and how teamwork is important when challenges occur. In History class I learned about the Scientist craze which was about the demand for scientists in the 2oth century before World War II.
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Weekly Summaries
Jan 11th-17th
Jan 17th to 24th
Jan 24th to 31st
Feb 1st to Feb 8th
Feb 8th to 15th
Feb 15th to Feb 22nd
Feb 22nd to 28th
For this weeks lab, I finished SeligSim 3 assignment which was about saving energy in using left or right hand traffic pattern. I created a table showing the airspeed characteristics of the Alpha 40 scale aircraft and its limitations of airspeed. After taking off, I experienced something called P Factor which happens at full throttle when the propellor is spinning fast in one direction and must be countered by using rudder. While flying, I performed left hand turns and saw how energy turns work and the if the plane pitched up or down while In the air. After performing basic flight maneuvers, I transitioned into landings and flare where before landing you pitch the nose up so you lose energy and so you glide to land. In History class I learned about WW2 and the types of technologies used during the ware like the Norden Bombsight and airplanes.
March 2nd to 7th
For this week’s lab my team and I focused in our Believer final inspection as well as flight planning and emergency procedures. As a group, we reviewed the punch list from previous labs to ensure all issues were resolved before final inspection. We performed a last power on test to see if all the controls and motors were functioning properly. I worked on mission planning using the ULTRA UAS by creating timely flight briefings which showed me how detailed preparation needs to be before any operation. I also recreated the kidney bean mission for KLAF RWY 10 and learned how to set up way points and add command options to the flight plan so the actual flight can be successful. The next part of the lab was to practice in flight handoffs and communication between GCS and safety officer. I learned about aircraft behavior at different altitudes and emergency situations. Overall, this lab tied everything together like flight planning and inspecting drones. In ECON, I learned about liquidity in business and formulas to calculate total revenue.
March 9th to 13th
For this week’s lab, I continued working on the X-Plane simulator where I acted as both the GCS operator and Safety Pilot. I set up the simulator by launching the FCU and X-Plane and making sure I was set before flight. I also connected the GCS, SPAS, and DATX controller, making sure everything was properly synced before flight. This process helped me understand how important proper setup checks are are before starting any mission. After setup, I created and flew an autonomous kidney bean circuit at 700 AGL and focused on key flight parameters like airspeed, altitude, and positioning during each phase of flight. I paid close attention to the SPAS in order to initiate my landing. I also practiced stabilized flight, where I learned to balance energy by pitching for speed and using throttle for altitude control. In History class I had my 2nd exam and did very well on it scoring a 90%
March 16th to 21st
For this week’s lab, I worked on X-Plane assignment 1 and I started decoding METAR data as well as wind behavior and flight performance. I analyzed a METAR report and determined the wind direction and speed, which helped me choose the correct runway which was Runway 28 at KLAF. I also learned about how headwinds at certain positions of flight affect performance and speed especially at turn base to final. I compared flying in 5 knot versus 20 knot headwinds and saw how stronger winds result in slower groundspeed, steeper angle of approach, and shorter distance to land. After that, I set up the simulator and completed multiple stabilized flights under different wind conditions, including two with headwinds and four with crosswinds at different speeds. On the crosswind flights, I practiced crabbing and and slide slipping so stay centered with the runway. This week in TECH 120, i started prototyping my teams project and started brainstorming my teams idea for the final project.
March 23rd to 27th
For this weeks lab, I traveled to the ASREC flight site where we observed a Believer demo flight, practicing launch techniques, and completing a site assessment. During the demo flight, I acted as a visual observer and followed sterile cockpit procedures while watching the full flight from takeoff to landing. I observed the aircraft location, airspeed, and alignment on the GCS to better understand how these mission are carried out. After that, I practiced launching the Believer using a foam roller and recorded four successful launches in slow motion. The main objective of using foam roller was to imitate how to throw the believers in later labs. This gave me a better feel for how important technique is during launch. In TECH 120, me and my team started building our first prototype of what could possible be our design. We didn’t use proper materials as it was just a start to the design project.
March 30th to April 3rd
For this weeks lab, I developed an operational plan for our Believer missions at ASREC, focusing on executing a kidney bean flight pattern while maintaining safe coordination between the PIC, VO, and GCS. I chose team roles, with myself as PIC responsible for flight decisions and safety. I also analyzed the operational area by identifying key features like access roads, obstacles, and site limitations. Finally, I built my own emergency procedures and risk assessments In ECON I had my exam but was a tough for everyone so I did okay. I went to a car meet and took some photography.
April 6th to April 10th
For this week, my team and I ran into a problem with our believer drone which was that the servo arm for our drone cracked. For lab this week was the believer signoff which is the final checks to make sure the team believer is airworthy and in good condition to fly. Four our team, the servo arm as well as the servo bracket on the left tail and right wing was cracked ad had to be 3d printed. Our professor gave us comments on our signoff and what should be improved. I was able to test fit the 3d printed parts and see if the prints were the right size. Overall our drone was not ready to fly yet but I understood what the believer signoff is for and how important it is to precheck your aircraft before any mission. This week in History class I learned about the space age and technology that defended US airspace during the Cold War.
April 13th to April 17th
For this week’s lab, My team and I finally 3d printed the correct brackets for the servos as well as corrected any deficiencies our professor commented on for our signoff. After completing final checks, my team and I started flying the believer out in the ASREC and started logging flight hours as well as GCS hours. We would first go through the pre flight checklist, check throttle, linkage, and weather before flying. After launching I was able to fly the believer and learn how wind can impact airspeed based on the upward and downward leg turns. After flying the typical kidney bean pattern, the weather unexpectedly shifted into windy gusts that affected the drones performance. It was interesting to see the performance of the Believer drone against gusty winds.
April 20th to April 24th
For this weeks lab I started logging in flight hours with the Believer drone. This time I controlled the GCS and making sure the pre checklist for the GCS was done properly. After observing different believer flights, I rotated my role to be the PIC for DAB10 and flew for 5o minutes before leaving the airfield. I went to the Graham Ralul Performance car meet over the weekend and took many pictures. In TECH 120 I had created 3D printed propellers capable of heating by steel and i presented our project in class.
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