Engineering Commons^™

Causes And Risk Factors 1 For Fatal Accidents In Non-Commercial Twin Engine Piston General Aviation Aircraft, Douglas D. Boyd

Publications

Accidents in twin-engine aircraft carry a higher risk of fatality compared with single engine aircraft and constitute 9% of all general aviation accidents. The different flight profile (higher airspeed, service ceiling, increased fuel load, and aircraft yaw in engine failure) may make comparable studies on single-engine aircraft accident causes less relevant. The objective of this study was to identify the accident causes for non-commercial operations in twin engine aircraft. A NTSB accident database query for accidents in twin piston engine airplanes of 4-8 seat capacity with a maximum certified weight of 3000-8000lbs. operating under 14CFR Part 91 for the period …

The Panther: 2015 Aiaa Design Build Fly, Bryce Milnes, Chris Crawford

Publications

The ERAU Prescott chapter of AIAA participated in the 2015 AIAA Design Build Fly competition at Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson from April 10-12. A remote controlled aircraft meeting and exceeding all competition performance requirements was designed and fabricated by the 30+ students of the team. Additionally, a 60 page report was submitted detailing the project starting from initial considerations and advancing through flight test verification of aircraft capabilities. The success of this project was enabled by the E-Prize and SGA funding received to support our efforts throughout the year. The lessons learned regarding management and planning, engineering design approaches, …

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Uav) Propulsion Research: Conceptual Studies Of “Ultra-Compact Shaft-Less Jet Engines” For Next Generation Uavs, Tyler Eiguren, Trevor Douglas, Tre Buchanan

Publications

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are becoming more commonly used in today’s society, ranging anywhere from military applications to entertainment for enthusiasts and hobbyists. The complexity of current generation UAV’s propulsive devices, based upon a scaled turbine engine and separate gas & electrically powered rotating fan blades, require regular maintenance for every 24 hours of flight. This added cost coupled with necessary intricate machinery deters UAV designers from such engines, leaving a void in current production. Our research team believes that by combining a simplified alternative compression & combustion process with an electrically driven fan, we can develop an energy efficient, reliable, …

Analysis Of A Hybrid Rocket Burn Using Generalized Compressible Flow, Naveen Sri Uddanti

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The analysis of square ports in a hybrid rocket is simple when compared to other complicated port geometries such as a wagon wheel configuration. In the present work, fuel grains with several ports in a hybrid rocket engine are analyzed by transforming the ports into equivalent square ports. As an example, the internal ballistics of a hybrid rocket with circular ports is analyzed by transforming it to an equivalent solid grain with square ports having the same amount of solid fuel and burn time. The results obtained are similar to that of circular port but with a slight decrease in …

Comparing Different Methods For Estimating Total Open Heliospheric Magnetic Flux, Samantha J. Wallace

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

There are extended periods over the solar cycle where significant discrepancies occur between the observed open magnetic flux (i.e., those based on spacecraft observations) and that determined from coronal models. One explanation for the source of these discrepancies is the magnetic fields in CMEs, which have yet to magnetically disconnect from the Sun. These “closed” flux sources can be included in open flux estimates, because open and closed magnetic field lines are not easily distinguished in spacecraft data. Another possibility is that a portion of the open flux measured by in situ spacecraft originates from the time-dependent evolution of solar …

The Design For Manufacturing And Assembly Analysis And Redesign Of An Aircraft Refueling Door Hinge Utilizing Additive Manufacturing, Kurt A. Schwarz

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

In this thesis, an aircraft door hinge assembly provided by Gulfstream Aerospace was analyzed following an established process called DFMA. The hinge was then redesigned to be additively manufactured, which is uncommon currently in industry for load bearing components. It was shown that the Design for Manufacturing (DFM) guidelines were inadequate when applied to the new technology of additive manufacturing (AM). This was primarily due to AM's unique and unprecedented manufacturing capabilities.

A conservative redesign approach was followed due to a limitation in current AM material properties and time available for analysis. Despite this, a significant improvement in weight reduction …

Determination Of Factors That Influence Passengers’ Airline Selection: A Study Of Low Cost Carriers In Thailand, Thapanat Buaphiban

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

This research examined the factors that influenced the airline selection of Low Cost Carriers (LCCs) in Thailand. The research was justified based on the rapid growth of LCC travel in Thailand, particularly in domestic and regional travel. There is a relative lack of successful explanation of the choice of LCCs in Thailand, with only a few studies addressing topics like passenger satisfaction and perceptions of service quality. Following an extensive literature review, the author used a theoretical framework based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) (Ajzen, 1991) in order to explain passenger behavioral intentions. This framework was supplemented by …

Numerical Investigation Of Tonal Noise On A Transitional Airfoil Under Varying Conditions, Warren W. Hiner

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The generation of discrete acoustic tones is a problem of interest in transitional airfoils. Such tones exist for moderate Re below 2,000,000 and for low to moderate angles of attack. The purpose of this study is to use linear stability theory to study the growth of instabilities on the pressure and suction surfaces of airfoils for varying Re between 144,000 and 468,000 and angles of attack between 0˚ and 12˚. High accuracy 2D simulations based on an Implicit Large Eddy Simulation (ILES) code are conducted for a NACA0012 airfoil for varied conditions, and linear stability analysis is performed to predict …

Determination Of A Simplified High-Order Vortex Equation For Radial Equilibrium With Cfd Verification, Travis K. Matsumoto

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The goal of this thesis is to determine a flow model that provides a better blade design over current design techniques utilizing a hybrid vortex model. This hybrid vortex model combines the well-established simple radial equilibrium vortex models into a higher order equation that will establish the basis for a more flow-accurate model. In this paper, we will discuss the basis and derivation of these vortex models, the shortcomings of current techniques, and verification of the new vortex model with empirical data via Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD). The simple radial equilibrium equation set has been known to the scientific community …

Benchmarking Of Computational Models Against Experimental Data For Adiabatic Film-Cooling Effectiveness For Large Spacing Compound Angle Full Coverage Film Cooling Arrays, Simon R. Martinez

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

This study aims to benchmark experimental data that tested the effects of blowing ratio, surface angle, and hole spacing for two full coverage geometries composed of cylindrical staggered holes at a compound angle of 45 degrees. These holes varied parametrically the inclination angle to be 30 and 45 degrees, while maintaining a lateral and axial spacing of 14.5 hole diameters. Within this study, the local film cooling effectiveness was obtained from 30 rows for the 14.5 diameter spacing. Utilizing a velocity profile at the crossflow inlet produced significant differences in the results produced when compared to a uniform freestream velocity …

Investigation Of Pulse Detonation Engines: The Effect Of Variable Blockage Ratio On The Deflagration To Detonation Transition, Christopher Tate

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Detonation and constant volume combustion is well known to be thermodynamically more efficient than the typically utilized constant pressure. There have been numerous approaches of achieving detonation through deflagration-to-detonation transition most of which use evenly spaced obstacles with a specified constant blockage ratio to generate turbulence and pressure fluctuations. There have been few efforts to study effects of varying blockage ratio as a function of axial distance. This research analyzes the effect of variable blockage ratio on deflagration-to-detonation transition in ethylene-air mixtures. The experiments show that with certain blockage ratio functions detonation is more repeatable and produces a smaller variation …

Scalloped Leading Edge Vaned Diffuser Analysis For A Compact High Pressure Ratio Centrifugal Compressor, Vinod Poonamchand Gehlot

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Microturbines and small gas turbines are often an attractive option for turbo-hybrid application research in aviation due to their simple design and high power to weight ratio. However, the low operating pressure ratios of microturbines leads to low thermal efficiency, which results in very high fuel consumption. Higher operating pressure ratios in microturbines could vastly improve their current fuel efficiency. This thesis focuses on developing a compact, single stage 8:1 pressure ratio centrifugal compressor stage designed to meet the high-pressure ratio requirements of microturbines and small gas turbine engines in turbo hybrid-electric propulsion applications. The first stage vaned diffuser was …

Controlled Rest In Position (Crip): Consumer Perceptions In The United States, Scott R. Winter, Jason Carryl, Stephen Rice

Publications

Controlled rest in position (CRIP) has been suggested as a viable countermeasure to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the ongoing efforts to combat in-flight pilot fatigue. It is already in use in other parts of the world; however, it is not currently permitted in the United States. While expert opinion suggested it poses little threat to flight safety, with valuable returns in terms of improved crew alertness and performance, there is some doubt about the level of consumer buy-in. This study completed a preliminary investigation into overall consumer willingness to fly, in the use of CRIP procedures in the …

The Women Airforce Service Pilots (Wasp) Of World War Ii, Natalie J. Stewart-Smith

ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program

Hear the fascinating story of the women who flew in WW II as members of the WASP, from Natalie Stewart-Smith. Her thesis on them was the very first academic study of the WASP and is based on numerous personal interviews, including Jacqueline Cochran, their founder. The military contribution of women fliers during World War I is a seldom seen part of the WASP story as well.

Comparison Of Aircraft Tire Wear With Initial Wheel Rotational Speed, Abdurrhman A. Alroqi, Weiji Wang

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

The impact an aircraft has on its tires when it lands has been problematic practically since the invention of the airplane. Upon touchdown, the tires frequently smoke as rubber burns off and tire material is worn away while the tires slip up to a steady rolling speed. To minimise tire slip, torque or spin mechanisms could be added to each tire assembly to accelerate the tire to match the landing speed. Patents have been registered since the 1940s to improve tire safety and performance, decrease the substantial wear that results from every landing, and save airline companies the cost of …

Efficient General Computational Method For Estimation Of Standard Atmosphere Parameters, Nihad E. Daidzic Ph.D., Sc.D.

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Knowledge of standard air temperature, pressure, density, speed of sound, and viscosity as a function of altitude is essential information in aircraft design, performance testing, pressure altimeter calibration, and several other aeronautical engineering and aviation science applications. A new efficient computational method for rapid calculations of standard atmospheric parameters up to 86 orthometric km is presented. Additionally, mass and weight of each standard atmospheric layer were calculated using a numerical integration method. The sum of all fractional masses and weights represents the total mass and weight of Earth’s atmosphere. The results obtained here agree well with measurements and models of …

Aircraft De-Icing System Using Thermal Conductive Fibers, Min Soon Park

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The accumulation of ice on the leading edges of aircraft wing poses complications for flight control as drag is increased with a tendency for higher relative turbulence over the wing. Pre-emptive and reactive ice removal techniques have been employed in the past by electromechanical, thermal, chemical and pneumatic methods. In this thesis, a carbon fiber fabric is utilized as a heating de-icer for composites aircraft wing surface structures. Two prototypes are constructed, tested to generate temperature profiles, and an appropriate heating voltage is selected for effective de-icing via distinct avenues of heating system configurations. The heat transfer efficiency of the …

Hybrid Electric Power System Validation Through Parameter Optimization, Hasnaa Khalifi

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Battery models can be developed from first principles or from empirical methods. The work presented in this thesis is semi-empirical, the model was validated using test data through parameter optimization. Simulink Parameter Estimation toolbox was used to identify the battery parameters and validate the battery model with test data. Experimental data was obtained by discharging the battery of a modified 2013 Chevrolet Malibu hybrid electric vehicle. The resulting battery model provided accurate simulation results over the validation data. For the constant current discharge, the mean squared error between measured and simulated data was 0.26 volts for the terminal voltage and …

Arff Wg's Response To The Ntsb's Recommendations, Rita "Rene" Herron

Publications

This piece is the final installment in a series of articles discussing research in connection to the four applied research projects the ARFF Working Group and Federal Aviation Administration are conducting concerning the National Transportation Safety Board’s recommendations from the report of findings on the crash of Asiana Flight 214.

Boeing Workshop: Aircraft Construction And Familiarization, Rita "Rene" Herron, Jason Graber

Publications

In May, the ARFF WG, Boeing Fire Department (BFD), and Port of Seattle, Fire Department (Sea-Tac) offered an aircraft construction, familiarization and educational workshop. This three-day training event reached the full capacity of fifty attendees and focused upon the Pacific Northwest ARFF training and Boeing Aircraft production for the 737, 747, 777 and 787 aircraft. Attendees represented thirteen U.S. states and three foreign countries: Canada, Germany and Singapore.

Eugene Bullard: World’S First Black Fighter Pilot, Larry W. Greenly

ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program

In honor of Black History Month, hear the fascinating story of Eugene Bullard the American who became the world’s first black fighter pilot in WW I. Award-winning writer and author of a new book on Bullard, Dr. Greenly will discuss how Eugene ran away to France and enlisted in the French Foreign Legion. He then joined the Lafayette Flying Corps where he was trained and flew combat missions. What happened to this decorated hero later and his eventual return to the U.S will also be covered in this unique talk.

Regional Aviation Early Career Pilot Attributes Study, Stewart Wayne Schreckengast, Douglas A. Drury

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

The Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA) has identified a need to better understand the concerns of its members in the attraction and retention of early career pilots. RAAA has further identified the need to better understand any shortcomings in professional aviation training programs in Australia so as to provide appropriate guidance from an industry point of view. The RAAA Training and Education Committee (TEC) facilitated the undertaking of this study with its members. This study provides insight into the technical and non-technical attributes that aviation manager’s value in early career pilots.

The C-130 Hercules In Vietnam, 1971-72, John Hopper

ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program

Learn how the famous C-130 Hercules came about and how it was used extensively in Vietnam. Hear Lt Gen Hopper, who flew it then as young 1st Lt, discuss the concept of ‘tactical aviation’ and how hazardous resupply missions were planned and conducted. Or, as he modestly puts it “How to fly from A to B without getting shot!” Real stories from a real combat pilot. He will also talk about its more recent use in Desert Storm

Economic Interrelationships And Impacts Of The Aviation/Aerospace Industry In The State Of Florida Using Input-Output Analysis, Kelly A. Whealan-George

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The study provided a detailed description of the interrelatedness of the aviation and aerospace industry with principal industries in Florida and Volusia County (VC) using Input-Output (IO) analysis. Additionally, this research provided an economic impact analysis of the creation of a university research park in Daytona Beach (DB). The economic impact measures included not only direct economic output and industry employment descriptions but also described the multiplier effects in the form of indirect and induced impacts using data for 2012.

This research concluded the average labor income of the aviation and aerospace industry was higher than average labor income in …

Suborbital Spaceflight: A Student Team’S Plan To Send A Rocket To Space, Bryce Chanes, William Carpenter, Julio Benavides, Matthew Haslam, Brenda Haven

Aviation / Aeronautics / Aerospace International Research Conference

The Eagle Space Flight Team was created with the goal of becoming the first undergraduate team to design, build, and launch a rocket capable of suborbital spaceflight. In order to achieve this goal, the team will have to design a rocket capable of atmospheric flight at speeds over Mach 5 and launch it on one of the largest amateur rocket motors ever made. Over the next three years, the team will progress towards accomplishing this feat through a series of incremental test flights. Before the space flight, the team will build three sub-scale rockets designed to reach altitudes of 30,000’, …

Autonomous Satellite Recovery Vehicle, William Lewis, Devonte Grantham, Francisco Pastrana, Shane Williams, Joshua Moffett, Jessy Law, Kyle Ouellette, Janet Marnane

Aviation / Aeronautics / Aerospace International Research Conference

In collaboration with ERFSEDS, we would like to send a small satellite attached to a quad-copter as the payload for ERFSEDS rocket which will reach an altitude of 10,000 feet. The quad-copters objective will be to collect atmospheric data as it descends. Our plan is to 3-D print a new chassis for the quad-copters electronic components and arms that will allow the quad-copter to fold its arms inwards to meet the required space constraints. After launching the rocket, the satellite will be deployed at the target altitude and begin collecting data once jettisoned from the rocket. Once reaching 2,000 feet …

Atmospheric Weather Balloon For Near Space Research, Francisco F. Pastrana, Devonte Grantham, Shane M. Williams, Jessy Law, Jennifer Nason, Janet Marrnane

Aviation / Aeronautics / Aerospace International Research Conference

Atmospheric Weather Balloon for Near Space Research

The Society for S.P.A.C.E. has been working on the development of a weather balloon that will reach a height of 80 to 100 thousand feet and will collect data from the atmosphere. The weather balloon is attached to a Styrofoam box that contains an Arduino board controlling a set of sensors that will measure: temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction.

The data will be collected and transmitted through an Xbee antenna that will provide us with remote monitoring capabilities. The data and images gathered will aid understanding of the characteristics and …

Nasa Human Exploration Rover Challenge, Gabriella E. Fortes, Zach Henney, Mo Sabliny, Johnnie Perry, Jessica Chow, Jessica Turcios, Aaron Taylor, Brenda Haven

Aviation / Aeronautics / Aerospace International Research Conference

NASA's Human Exploration Rover Challenge, held annually in at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, is an engineering design challenge that asks teams of student engineers to design a human-powered vehicle capable of traversing a simulated lunar surface. The rover must be able to be transported in a 5x5x5 foot cube, echoing the design constraint faced by the engineers who built the Lunar Roving Vehicles used by the astronauts of the later Apollo missions.

Microcontrollers In The Aviation Classroom, Padraig Houlahan

Aviation / Aeronautics / Aerospace International Research Conference

Modern commercial aircraft are increasingly dependent on digital technologies that detect sensor data and pilot control movements, interpret them, and then issue appropriate control signals to remote motors that move control surfaces. Because such technologies are innately complex, it would appear there is an unacceptably large academic burden on introducing them into the undergraduate pilot's curriculum .

However, in recent years there has been an explosion of interest in using micro-controllers in academic teaching (high-school and undergraduate levels) and in hobby applications, resulting in a large, online, freely available knowledgebase of techniques and solutions. Here, I demonstrate how easy it …

Unlocking The Mysteries Of Flight: From The Top Down, Juan Merkt

Aviation / Aeronautics / Aerospace International Research Conference

Traditionally, principles of flight are taught from the bottom-up. That is, we start by examining underlying causes (properties of air) and later move up to top consequences (aircraft performance). This traditional approach is analogous to that used by airplane designers and is most obvious in theory of flight textbooks for pilots. The problem with a bottom-up approach is that it introduces basic concepts as isolated “parts” without providing a “big picture” context. This can lead to poor understanding among student pilots. I suggest an opposite approach. Rather than starting with the underlying causes of flight, we can unravel basic principles …