DOMAIN-SPECIFIC TASKS

Task 1: History of Aviation

Objective: Explore the theory of aviation and different types of planes through hands-on models and a visit to the aviation department. Gain a brief understanding of the history of aviation and the pioneers of the field.

Learnings: I learnt about the history of Aviation and also about the various parts of the planes.

History of Aviation

• The history of aviation dates to the 5th century with the invention of kites in China.
• The famous artist Leonardo da Vinci created the first drafts for a rational aircraft in his paintings in the 15th century.
• Later, in 1670, Francesco Terzi, the Father of Aeronautics, published a theory that showed the possibility of lighter-than-air aircraft made of copper foil cylinders.
• The discovery of hydrogen in the 17th century led to the development of the first hydrogen balloon.
• In 1783, the Montgolfier brothers, including Jacques-Étienne and Joseph-Michel, flew the first unmanned hot air balloon over Annonay, France.
• In 1891, Otto Lilienthal became the first person to fly with the help of a gladiator.
• On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright (famously known as Wright Brothers ) achieved the first powered, controlled, and sustained flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
• Military aviation saw a steep rise during the both World Wars.The military used fighter bombers, strategic bombers, dive bombers, and ground-attack aircraft.
• In 1942, Arado Ar 234, the first jet-powered bomber, was launched.
• The 1950s introduced jet-propelled airliners like the de Havilland Comet and Boeing 707, revolutionizing global travel.
• The supersonic plane Concorde flew for the first time on 2 March 1969.

Parts of Planes

I learned about the basic parts of the planes.
I have experienced different types of planes through hands-on models in the NCC unit.
The key components of an aircraft are fuselage, wings, stabilizers, rudder, aileron, etc. I learned about the basic functions of the aircraft parts and their role in making air travel possible. I also learned basic principle of flights, how the flights take place. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is the primary international body that sets aviation industry regulations and standards.

"To most people, the sky is the limit. To those who love aviation, the sky is home." 
 —  Anonymous

TASK 2: Simulation Flying

In this task, I used Real Drone Simulator to get the experience of flying drones, focusing on flight dynamics.
I learned about how factors like altitude, wind and environment influences drone performance. In the simulataor, I learnt how to navigate and pilot the drone by going through several basic maneuvers such as Vertical Ascent and Descent, Hovering, Pitch, Roll, Yaw.

I flew the drone in several environments.

"There is no sport equal to that which aviators enjoy while being carried through the air on great white wings." – Wilbur Wright

Task 3: Design an Airfoil in Fusion 360

Objective: Design an airfoil with NACA 4412 coordinates in Fusion 360. Use the DAT to spline converter or canvas tool to sketch the airfoil. Understand terms such as angle of attack, camber line, chord line, and leading edge. Design two versions: one using a wood environment and another using composites. The wing should generate at least 5 newtons of lift at a wind speed of 25 m/s.
Learnings: I learnt about NACA 4412 coordinates and basic terms related to planes.
NACA stands for National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.
The four-digit NACA series follows a specific format: NACA MPXX
M = 4 → Maximum camber is 4% of the chord length.
P = 4 → Maximum camber location is at 40% (0.4c) of the chord from the leading edge.
XX = 12 → Maximum thickness is 12% of the chord length.

Basic Terms in Flying:
1.Angle of Attack (AOA): The AOA is the angle at which the chord of an aircraft's wing meets the relative wind. The chord is a straight line from the leading edge to the trailing edge.

2.Leading Edge: The part of the aircraft that meets the airflow (or fluid flow) first.

3.Trailing Edge: The part of an object where the airflow leaves.

4.Chord Line: It is an imaginary straight line that runs from the leading edge (front of the wing) to the trailing edge (back of the wing).

5.Camber Line: The camber line is an imaginary curved line that runs midway between the upper and lower surfaces of an airfoil.

"Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society. The optimist invents the airplane, the pessimist the parachute." – George Bernard Shaw

THANK YOU FOR GOING THROUGH MY REPORT