The EESC-USP team has just achieved the best result in its entire history of successful flights: 3 great prizes in the SAE Brasil AeroDesign 2009 Competition.

First of all, we would like to thank the organizer commission for the extremely successful event, which showed excellent organization and hard work. The competition was held from 22/10 (Thursday) to 25/10 (Sunday), at CTA, in São José dos Campos.

The Engineering School of São Carlos took part with 4 different teams. For the Regular Class, we developed the project Alpha, a highlight by its lightness and structural efficiency, as well as the Bravo airplane, designed by trainees. For the Open Class, we had the project Charlie, with 4 engines of 0.30 cubic inches each, as a great innovation. Finally, for the Micro Class, there was the Mike project, a highlight by its technical report and excellent flights.

The reception was held Thursday, as well as the oral presentations, airplanes’ exposition and Technical Report scores divulgation. The Bravo and Alpha teams, both from the Regular Class, took the 14th and 2nd positions in technical report writing, respectively. The Charlie (Open Class) and Mike (Micro Class) were the first ones.

The classification flights started on Friday. The Charlie team classified itself in its very first flight, carrying a 14.4 kg payload. The Alpha and Mike teams had some electric problems at their first try, while the Bravo team had an accident with the nose gear. After repairing, the Bravo team classified itself the same day, flying with a 5.5 kg payload.

The classification flights continued Saturday morning. The Alpha and Mike teams tried another time, and the 400 g Mike airplane accomplished a successful flight with 880 g payload. However, the Alpha team had to face another type of problem, this time with the main gear, and therefore had one last chance to fly. In the end of the day, the 1.6 kg airplane accomplished its first successful and exciting flight with a 5 kg payload.

After the classification, the 4th battery began. In the end of the day, the Alpha team accomplished a successful flight, carrying an 8.9 kg payload, and achieving a 5.6 structural efficiency factor.

During the competition’s last day, three additional batteries were held. The Bravo airplane scored once again by carrying 12.4 kg of payload. This confirmed the team’s payload prediction in an exciting flight, a few meters from the ground. The Charlie aircraft took off easily, carrying a payload of 20.6 kg. During the flight, one of the engines failed. However, thanks to the pilot’s ability and to the fail-safe system incorporated to the airplane, this accident did not cause any trouble. The airplane landed safely after flying approximately for 3 minutes.

During the three batteries, the Alpha team, second place overall, tried to carry enough weight to win the competition, but with no success. In the end of the day, the Charlie airplane still had the opportunity to fly with maximum payload, predicted to 27.8 kg. The engine failing canceled the take off, but, still, the attempt called everyone’s attention in the competition.

Finally, the Alpha team stood 2nd place overall in the Regular Class, and the Charlie and Mike teams won the 1st place from Open and Micro Class, respectively. The Bravo “trainees” team took the 7th place.

Besides adding 2 additional stars in our history, the team will have the opportunity to represent Brasil in all of the 3 Classes during SAE East Competition 2010, USA, in which we have already attained 4 victories from 7 participations.

Besides, the EESC-USP achieved 6 Awards:
Regular Class – Higher structural efficiency factor (Alpha)
Open Class – Best project and highest carried payload (Charlie)
Micro Class - Best project, Best Oral Presentation and Best payload prediction (Mike).

We thank to the pilot Flademir Cesarin, who, since 2003, is a great partner and friend, showing always inestimable helping and flying skills.

We also thank our sponsors OPTO and FERRAMETAL, as well as those who have supported us during the project: The enterprises Alltec, Politeconaço and NSK, as well as to the Aeronautical Engineering and Engineering School of São Carlos. All of them were of extreme importance for our success!

Click here to see pictures and videos!