 |
 |
|
|
||
|
 |
Department of Engineering |
|
|
|
|
| University of Cambridge > Engineering Department > News & Features |
17 June 2009
The stabiliser is at the front, which
prevents stalling and minimises weight.
The two projects optimised the aerodynamic
interaction between the canard and the wing.
Click on the image to see a larger version
Dr Holger Babinsky and his student Tom
Shearn examining oil flows on the
wind-tunnel model
Click on the image to see a larger version
e-Go is powered by a small, 28 hp engine
giving 80 mpg. The cockpit instruments
are all computer-based.
Click on the image to see a larger version
Two fourth year students here at the Department of Engineering are working with e-Go aeroplanes LLP to create an aircraft that pushes the boundaries of design; not only high performance, but also very low weight and good fuel economy.
The Engineering Department is a centre of excellence in aeronautical engineering, in particular aerodynamics. Both students are working on the aerodynamic qualities of the design as their fourth year project.
Tom Shearn of Fitzwilliam College is being supervised by Dr Holger Babinski. Tom is using the low speed wind tunnel to test a quarter-scale model to look at stall effects at low speeds with the aim of creating an aircraft that is very safe.
Mark Wolfenden of Churchill College is being supervised by Professor Bill Dawes. Mark is working in parallel with Tom using the most advanced computer techniques to analyse the same design. Both students are then comparing their results which gives them a direct comparison of the two approaches as well as helping to improve the overall design of the aircraft in the future.
"Tom and Mark at the Engineering Department have provided us with vital data on the aerodynamics of e-Go
that has helped us improve its design. They've made a very significant contribution to the project," said e-Go creators Tony
Bishop and Giotto Castelli.
e-Go was started by Giotto and Tony who both live in Cambridge and work with a group of volunteers who are helping on the
project. It was started as the result of a new deregulated class of aircraft announced by the Civil Aviation Authority, and won
a design competition run by the Light Aircraft Association. It is a single seater aircraft that weighs less than 115kg, but
flies at over 115mph.
More information about the e-Go project, including ways in which you can get involved, is available on the company website:
www.e-go.me/
|
|
| | Search | CUED | Cambridge University | |
|
|
© Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge Information provided by web-editor |