University of Cambridge > Department of Engineering > Teaching Office index page > 3rd year index page > Projects page

ENGINEERING TRIPOS PART IIA - 2012/2013

Project GC2 - Light Aircraft Design

Leader:Dr J Jarrett email: jpj1001

Project Type: Group
Project Category: Design
Prerequisites: 3A1 essential
Timing: Fridays 11-1pm and Tuesdays 9-11 plus afternoons

SUMMARY

The project involves the aerodynamic, mechanical and structural design of a light aircraft.

AIMS

To explore the conflicting demands placed on the design by different engineering specialisms,
To develop and use methods of visualising and thus effectively handling the inherent multidisciplinary design trade-offs,
To demonstrate a viable and safe design concept for the aircraft,
To maximise the payload fraction of the final design.

FORMAT

Students will work in groups of 3, but will each write individual reports. One member of each group will concentrate respectively on the aerodynamic, mechanical and structural design.

ACTIVITIES

Week 1: Operational requirements and flight safety,

Week 2: Conceptual design – including the handling of competing aerodynamic, mechanical and structural requirements,

Week 3: Preliminary design – refinement and validation of the concept to determine reasonable performance estimates,

Week 4: Maximisation of the payload fraction.

ASSESSMENT

Format: Submission Date - Marks

Interim report: 11am Friday 24 May 2013 – 40 marks (weighted 60/40 in favour of group work, the remainder for individual work)
Final report: 4pm Friday 7 June 2013 (Baker Building Reception) – 40 marks (weighted 60/40 in favour of individual work, the remainder for group work)

Last updated: November 2012

teaching-office@eng.cam.ac.uk