1. Executive Summary
In March, Project Spearhead kicked off with a focus on building the core engineering tools needed for aircraft design. An aerodynamic sizing toolchain was developed and validated against AVL and CFD, and an engine performance model was built for the internal combustion engine. A propeller trade study was completed, selecting the 20x10 two-blade as the best candidate. A conceptual design was established and flow simulations were run to verify assumptions. The project GitHub repository was set up and the team began ordering parts for a test wing build. Overall, the project moved quickly from zero to a solid analytical foundation in its first month.
2. Project Progress
Team Formation
| Member | Experience Level | Team | Weekly Commitment (hrs) | Areas of Expertise / Championed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| alperenag | Level 5 | Core | 32 | Project Lead |
| Zeynep | Level 4 | Core | 20 | Flight Mechanics |
Progress Overview
March was the first month of the project. The focus was on setting up the analytical foundation, i.e. sizing tools, engine modeling, CFD, and propeller selection, before moving into hardware. A preliminary conceptual design was established and validated through flow simulations. A GitHub repository was initialized. Parts were ordered for a test wing build. By the end of the month, the core toolchain was functional and validated, putting the project in a good position to move into structural design and prototyping in April.
3. Major Studies
Aerodynamic Sizing Methodology
An aerodynamic sizing toolchain was developed from scratch. It sizes the wing from stall speed, solves for cruise trim, and evaluates drag and stall behavior for any airfoil combination. A database of 1634 airfoils was built from XFOIL data at two Reynolds numbers, allowing automated sweeps across the full design space. An airfoil sweep tool runs a two-stage search: first finding the best wing airfoils, then pairing them with tail candidates and ranks results using a weighted score based on wing area, drag, tail incidence, and stall safety.
Aerodynamic Validation — AVL & CFD
A preliminary conceptual design was established with a Clark Z wing, NACA 1412 inverse V-tail, and a blunt fuselage in pusher configuration. CFD simulations were run across a range of angles of attack to evaluate aerodynamic performance. An actuator disk model was used to study how the pusher propeller interacts with the airframe. Results showed that it reduces drag by ingesting the fuselage wake, with almost no effect on lift. A vortex-lattice model was also set up in AVL for quick analysis. The sizing tool was validated against both methods, with lift predictions matching CFD within 5–6%.
Engine & Propulsion Performance Model
An engine performance model was developed for the RCGF Stinger 35cc RE two-stroke. It covers power and torque curves, thrust for different propellers, fuel consumption, and a transition simulation. A propeller trade study compared eight candidates at sea level and 2,000 m altitude. Three-blade props were ruled out because the engine can’t produce enough torque for them. A cooling duct analysis showed that a small NACA scoop is enough to cool the engine in the pusher configuration, with negligible drag.
4. Goals for Next Month
- Begin detailed structural design of the airframe.
- Select and procure eVTOL motors and ESCs.
- Generate aerodynamic database and set up a flight simulation model.
- Define avionics architecture and flight controller selection.
- Design the wing detachment system for transport.
- Continue test wing build with 3D-printed ribs, carbon fiber spars, and Oratex skin.
5. Budget & Resource Allocation
Project Expenses
Reimbursements totaling $315.88 were submitted this month for test wing prototype parts and AI coding assistance. The breakdown can be found here.
Team Members Compensation
The project team was compensated for $6,764.50 this month. The breakdown can be found here.
Total
The total expense of Project Spearhead in March is $7,080.38. Note that the month was only half due to the starting date of the project.