Weekly Summaries

Jan 11th-17th

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.

Jan 17th to 24th

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.

Jan 24th to 31st

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 ealry works of the iron age during the Civil war.

Feb 1st to Feb 8th

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 continuied 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 wireing diagram to see which D-Sub goes to which spot. The goal was to identify deficiencies, understand their root causes, and delevop a plan in oder to continue bulding our drone. In HIST-305 we had our Exam 1 and had my ECON Exam 1 two days later.

Feb 8th to 15th

For this week, I finished the SeligSim 2 assigment 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 nd 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 automonous cars.

Feb 15th to Feb 22nd

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 dont 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.

Feb 22nd to 29th

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