Skip to content
Week 5: February 7th - February 13th
AT 219 Autonomous Aircraft Technology and Maintenance 2
In AT 219, we discussed two articles.
In lectures this week, we discussed operational planning and its importance. Operational planning enhances safety, ensures compliance, boosts efficiency, and improves outcomes. We also defined the specific parts of operational planning, such as defining the mission and constraints, assessing the site and risks, ensuring the mission abides by the airspace, regulations, and proper waivers. In addition, we extended our conversation to Crew Resource Management, assigning roles, selecting appropriate equipment, verifying maintenance, and planning logistics. Finally, we reviewed weather and environmental planning, mission and flight plan development, checklists and briefings, monitoring and contingency management, and post-flight debriefs.
In our lab for this week, we continued working on ground testing for the Believer. We finished taping the empennage and making sure the tape was as smooth as possible. We also completed wire management to improve safety and prevent any damage. Next, we calibrated the motors on the Believer to ensure they both started at the same time and at the same speed. We ran into a few errors and needed to troubleshoot to fix the issues. The last step that needs to be completed is Weight and Balance. This step is critical to guarantee structural integrity, stability, and performance.
AT 319 Unmanned Aerial Systems Applications, Data, and Documentation
This week in AT 319, we learned about attribute data and tables. We learned about spatial data, relational databases, types of tables, and their components, field types and characteristics, and Boolean Operations. In addition, we learned how to spatially join conditions, the different types of joints, and querying attributes.
In our lab this week, we worked with table operations in ArcGIS Pro. We were provided more practice with tabular data management by viewing, selecting, re-ordering, and updating this tabular data. We practiced selecting by specific attributes, joining two existing tables together, and creating new tables.
AFT 361 Leading People and Effective Communication
Our first lecture in AFT 361 this week was dedicated to more informal briefings. Some of the briefings were on topics like The Helen Keller Conspiracy, Military Bases, Science Behind Lifting, and How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome. Our second lecture of the week explained the differences between professional and unprofessional relationships.
AT 381 Aviation Security
In AT 381 this week, we discussed airport security basics. This included the regulatory framework, shared responsibility model, what the Airport Security Coordinator role and duties are, explained what the Airport Security Program is, talked about security areas and their access requirements, described the components of the Physical Access Control System, discussed daily operations and challenges, and finally, recognized emerging threats. We also learned about upcoming assignments like our group case studies, regulatory debates, and our FEMA 200 certification. Lastly, we had the Purdue University Airport Director, Adam Baxmeyer, come in and talk with us about his role, duties, and experience.
Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps
This week, for Air Force ROTC, we had our regular two Physical Training Sessions. The first one focused on legs and running, while the second centered on upper-body and abdominal workouts. At Leadership Laboratory, we did opening and closing ceremonies to practice proper flag protocol. In addition, this LLAB concentrated on expeditionary skills to prepare us for OBM and for after commissioning. We practiced how to spot an IED, the proper checklist to follow if one is identified, how to read and plot points on a map, how to properly use a compass, MEDAVAC, and Tactical Combat Casualty Care. Furthermore, I attended flight meetings, Supplemental Instruction, staff meetings, and mentorship time throughout this week.
Research Assistant
During this week, I was unable to attend our weekly meeting. However, I organized a trip to the Purdue Polytechnic High School in Englewood, Indiana. Another research assistant and I traveled there to give a class a presentation on what Unmanned Aerial Systems are, how to obtain their Part 107, how they apply to many industries, and our specific experiences at Purdue University. In addition, we brought the DJI Matrice 300, the DJI H20T Thermal Sensor, and the Skydio 2+ to give a demonstration on how these aircraft operate.
Want to print your doc?
This is not the way.
This is not the way.
Try clicking the ··· in the right corner or using a keyboard shortcut (
CtrlP
) instead.