Freighter 15

An aero modelling competition which will test your knack for making remote controlled aircraft. 1.1 Introduction: The wrath of Hurricane Katrina is unleashing on the island of Hopulele and the island is in dire need of reinforcements. You are the Lieutenant Colonel of the Reinforcement team and the challenge is to choose a freighter which can do this. The bigger the plane, more the probability that it will be sucked into the Katrina. On the other side, there should also be space for reinforcements. It's to make a diligent decision and make a choice for your Freighter 15. 1.2 Task: Design and make a light wireless remote controlled aircraft (using electric motors only) which can carry the maximum payload, including pitch and roll (yaw is optional) and which can complete a specified path and successfully land in the specified zone

The specifics of the task: The following order of the task has to be strictly followed:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Start from one of the launch zones (I or II). Pass the first turning line A. Take a U turn after crossing line A Pass the second turning line B Take a U turn after crossing turning line B Take a U turn again Land in the Landing zone

Figure 1: Task Specifications

2. ARENA and MACHINE SPECIFICATIONS

2.1 Machine Specifications: 1. An aircraft is defined as an object that has the four forces of flight, namely lift, drag, weight (gravity) and thrust due to propeller acting on it at any point of time. 2. The aircraft is to be designed in such a way that it can carry a maximum possible payload. 3. The use of launching mechanisms is prohibited. The aircraft should be hand launched. 4. The use of IC engines is prohibited. Only electrical motors are allowed. 5. Teams must provide their own payload for all portions of the competition. 6. The participants are free to use the materials of their choice. However the use of Balsa wood/foam (sun board)/sunpack is advisable. Balsa wood is light, easy to handle and fabricate the Aircraft making it the best choice. 7. Participants must make all parts of the aircraft themselves. Usage of Ready-to-Fly (RTF) and Almost-Ready-to-Fly (ARF) kits is strictly prohibited. However, the kit comprising of unassembled cut-pieces of Balsa wood is allowed. 8. Use of ready-made actuators/motors, remote controls and propellers is allowed. 9. Any dimension of the aircraft should not exceed 60 cm i.e. maximum allowed dimension is 60cm, whether it be wingspan or the length of the aircraft. 10. Use of gyroscopes (gyros) is prohibited. 11. If anyone found not following above rules will be disqualified. 12. PAYLOAD is a dead weight, i. which provides no addition to the strength of the wings and fuselage for e.g. steel rods to strengthen the wings are not allowed ii. which provides no aerodynamic advantage in terms of lift for e.g. placing extra sets of wings to gain more lift is not allowed iii. Max dimension of the payload should be 30% of the maximum dimension of the plane

Payload should comprise of maximum of two identically shaped discrete bodies. Payload has to be brought by the teams for the competition. The organizing team is not responsible at any time in the competition for providing the payload. 13. Empty weight of the aircraft is defined as the total weight without the payload. The empty weight of the plane should not exceed 500 grams at any point of time during the competition. The empty weight of the plane would be checked by the coordinator before every run.

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Figure 2: Top view of the arena

Figure 3: Arena 3D view, View 1

Figure 4: Arena 3D view, View 2

3. RULES OF THE COMPETITION

3.1 Game Rules 1. The aircraft must successfully complete the circuit. 2. During departure and approach to landing, the pilot must not fly the aircraft in a pattern that will allow the aircraft to enter any of the no-fly zones. The run would be counted as null and void in the event the plane enters into any one of the no fly zones. 3. The aircraft must take off and land intact to receive points for the flight. All parts must remain attached to the aircraft during flight and landing manoeuvre, with the exception of the propeller. 4. Broken propellers are allowed, and will not invalidate a flight attempt. 5. The payload must be secured to the airframe to ensure the payload will not shift or come loose in flight. 3.2 Competition rules: 1. A minimum of 100 grams of payload would have to be carried for the round. The weight of the payload would be decided by the teams for their respective aircraft and would be notified to the coordinator. 2. The teams are expected to fix the payload tightly and should be intact during the course of the flight. 3. If any part of the payload detaches during the flight, the flight score will be counted according to the payload left with the plane after landing. 4. However, if the payload detaches after landing, it will not be given any penalty. 5. The time of flight for a run is defined as the time taken by the aircraft to finish the tasks given, reach the finish line and land. 6. A maximum time of 3 minutes will be given to complete the circuit. 7. The aircraft has to be hand launched i.e. the aircraft will be launched in the air with hand and no other launch devices. 8. The timer will start from the moment as soon as the aircraft is in the air. 9. The timer will stop only when the aircraft finally comes to a halt. 10. Each team will be given two runs and the better of the two will be considered for the calculation of points. a) Two chances would be given for each run, only if the plane lands before the Turning Line (A) or fails to launch, as shown in the figure. b) If the team thinks that the plane is not functioning properly they can use the second chance only by landing before the Turning Line (A). c) If the plane crosses the turning line, re-run will not be given. 3.3 General Requirements during the game: 1. Radios: The use of 2.4 GHz radio is required for all aircraft competing in the competition. 2. Metal Propellers Prohibited: Metal propellers are not allowed.

3.4 Abstract Submission: 1. All the participants need to submit an abstract on their aircraft. 2. For teams requiring accommodation, the last date of submitting the Abstract is 1st December 2011. 3.5 Video Submission: 1. Participants have to submit a video of the working model before the competition. This video will be used to shortlist teams for the competition. Only short listed teams will be eligible to participate in the Freighter 15 at Techfest 2012. 2. The video should be an unedited clip, at least 1 minute length, showing the aircraft taking off initially and taking a U-turn. 3. In the video, one of the participants from the team must demonstrate that he/she has decent flying skills for safety reasons. 4. The participants need to show their aircraft, the basic functions of their remote control, fly the aircraft with which they will be participating in the event and demonstrate its launch/take off, flight and landing. 5. The clip should preferably be in AVI or MPEG format. If any other format is used, please attach appropriate video plug-ins to ensure that the organizers can run the video properly. 6. The CD has to be couriered in a single envelope to the postal address of Techfest: Techfest Office Students' Gymkhana IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai - 400076. 7. An email will be sent to the team leader confirming the reception of the entry. 8. Techfest 2012 is not responsible for any postal/courier delays, so participants are encouraged to send their entries well in advance to ensure receipt before the last date. 9. The video submission is mandatory for all participants due to safety concerns. All participants who are able to show their basic flying skills in the video will be allowed to participate in the competition.

4. JUDGING CRITERIA
4.1 Scoring The score of the successful run would be calculated as follows: Score= (500 Empty Weight) + Payload + Landing where,

Empty weight = weight of the plane excluding the payload Payload = as defined above in Machine Specifications, in grams Landing = 10 points for landing in spot landing zone , 10 points for safe landing of the plane in the landing zone(30mx30m). Maximum can be hence, 20 points if the team lands the plane smoothly in the spot landing zone

In case of a tie in score, the team which completes the task in minimum possible time would be declared as the winner.

Safe landing is defined as a smooth landing where the propeller of the plane is undamaged and also the remaining parts are intact after the plane touches the ground. Spot Landing is defined as landing the plane in spot landing zone (10mx10m)
4.2 Certificate Policy Certificate of Excellence will be awarded to all teams who are in the top 3 positions. Certificates of Participation will be given to all the teams that have positive score. 4.3 Team Specifications A team must consist of a maximum of 4 participants. Students from different educational institutes can form a team. 4.4 Eligibility: All students with a valid identity card of their respective educational institutes are eligible to participate in FREIGHTER 15 at Techfest 2012.