The design report

Beyond the capability of an aircraft to become airborne still intact, aircraft testing is
designed to analyze the performance of the aircraft once in the air, as well as on the
ground. This involves experimenting with the maneuvers which the plane is able to
perform, as well as the overall aerodynamic performance of a flight vehicle. In the
corporate world, this offers investors a chance to see their investment in action, and to
compare it with the design parameters and requirements initially laid out.
In the case of the EPUAV designed by RMIT students, the testing was far less stringent
than that a civil or military aircraft is subjected to. The testing phase involved two
ground tests, and three flight tests. These tests were designed to analyze similar areas
to those highlighted above. The EPUAV needed to be capable of safely and securely
handling an array of maneuvers, both on the ground and in the air. Not only did this
mean that the design chosen had to be steady and aerodynamic enough to perform such
tasks, but also that the structure had to be able to withstand the forces applied due to
these maneuvers.
Rather than being subject to the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, or
private investors, the EPUAV “iSpy” was subject to the critique of NUAA professors. The
design parameters set involved the capability to carry a payload of 500g, to take off and
land within a designated amount of space, and the ability to fly at various speeds. For
‘iSpy’, and the students who created it, this was the ultimate test.
Ground tests 6.1
The aim of a ground test is to check the check that the aircraft electronics and wiring, as
well as engines and control surfaces are all in proper working order. If this is the case,
the aircraft will be able to be easily controlled using the remote and the structure and
appropriate control surfaces will be adequate to allow the display of various ground
maneuvers. Although all control surfaces are checked during a ground test, those of
utmost importance are the landing gear, as these are the primary steering device during
taxi.
Ground test 1 6.1.1
Ground test 1 was performed on Monday the forth of January, 2009, on the asphalt area
outside building A10 on the grounds of the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and
Astronautics. This area was chosen due to its close proximity to the lab where the crafts
were manufactured; however it had the drawback of a large number of potholes.
The ground test began by connecting the wires, the ESC and the battery and then testing
these connections. The control surfaces were checked while the aircraft was stationary,
by checking that the remote moved the ailerons, rudders and landing gear to the
appropriate extent in the appropriate direction. The propellers were then checked by
switching them on, but keeping the plane stationary.