On Monday of last week (April 28) the ten members of the EESC-USP Team that went to the U.S., returned from the SAE International Aerodesign East competition. Inside the luggage: the trophy for 4th place and the honorable mentions for Best Oral Presentation and Best Project.

Once on the very first day of competition, the team went very well. We made the best oral presentation of the design competition and received a great score for our technical report, ensuring the title of best project. On the second day, the team made an empty weight flight and two successful loaded flights: 15.43 lb (7 kg) and 21.61 lb (9.8 kg). Other flight attempts failed due to strong winds that hampered us and the other teams. On the same day, we identified and fixed a vibration in the fuel tank that made the engine fail on one of the flights. We finished the day in 2nd place.

In the last and decisive day, we calculated that a payload of 25.35 lb (11.5 kg) would give us a great chance of being champions. There were two unsuccessful attempts and, on the third, we diminished somewhat the load to ensure that the plane took off. In the latter, the aircraft took off with clearance and gained altitude, but a sudden side gust overthrew the aircraft.

Even with these unforeseen events, the team has worked to keep the plane competitive, having to perform some quick repairs during the competition in order not to lose any flight round, to provide the maximum possible score within the limits of the project and to achieve the sought after first place. Finally, the team finished with the overall 4th place among 39 teams in a competition that brought together several countries. A great result for our records.

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