Flight Management and Data Acquisition System for a Dynamically Scaled Model Airplane

Full-scale test airplanes are expensive to build. The goal of this project is to create a dynamically scaled model that flies like a full-scale Kodiak aircraft. The on-board data acquisition/management system collects data from the model’s sensors during flight which can be validated against sensors on the full-scale aircraft.

The Customer
Quest Aircraft Company, based in Sandpoint, Idaho, was started with the underlying mission to design and manufacture a backcountry aircraft specifically suited to the demanding needs of mission and humanitarian aviation organizations. Many mission field situations exist that can only be accessed by a STOL aircraft that can land on, and take off from, unpaved, remote strips.

The Aircraft
source: http://questaircraft.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Quest_Electronic_Brochure_April_20141.pdf

Control Surface Force Measurement

 * A custom loadcell will take the place of the stock linkage between the servo and control surface. An HX711 load cell amplifier on a breakout board containing voltage conditioning and A/D conversion electronics relays a reading from the load cell to a microcontroller. The microcontroller then processes the data for real-time control and data acquisition by the Raspberry Pi.



Motor Torque and Thrust Measurement

 * Ways to incorporate strain gauges into a custom load cell and how that load cell will mount to the engine and firewall of the model are being considered. An engine test stand has been constructed to not only properly and safely break-in the engine, but to allow mounting of test fixtures to measure it's characteristics, or the characteristics of other components in the presence of the engine's air flow and vibration. By mounting the engine to a plate connected to a pair of linear pillow-blocks, a force gauge can be attached to the plate to measure the thrust produced.


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Avionics and Data Aquisition

 * A Raspberry Pi computer paired with a NAVIO+ autopilot shield and running ArduPilot APM software forms the core of the flight-control system. The on-ground pilot's radio control is routed through this system, providing software assisted stabilization and emergency scenario autopilot.  A separate radio system relays flight data to a ground station running flight management software.
 * An Arduino Nano will serve as a data concentrator for strain gauge measurements from the control surfaces and the torque/thrust load cell. This data can then be sent to the ArduPlane firmware via the NAVIO+ HAT (Hardware Attached on Top).

ArduPilot Firmware Website: http://plane.ardupilot.com/

Team Information
Benjamin Clark

Mechanical Engineering

I am 23 studying Mechanical engineering at the University of Idaho. I grew up in Moscow as well as lived in Brazil for 2 years serving a full time proselytizing mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am an active member of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) and I am serving my second year term as project lead. I have traveled to Bolivia as part of an EWB travel team to collect data required for future projects. I am fluent in Portuguese and have a working knowledge of Spanish. I have worked as an intern for Siemens in their Building automation division, and currently work as a research lab technician at WSU SSL Lab. I enjoy outdoor activities and frequently hike, rock climb, backpack and mountaineer. I am a marathon finisher and am training for my second.

I am excited to be involved in this project, I have been trying to figure out where I want to go with my degree and see this as a great opportunity to help me decide!

Evan Holbert Electrical Engineering

I am a senior in University of Idaho's Electrical Engineering program and currently interning for Schweitzer Engineering Labs' Engineering Services in automation. My field of interest is in system control and data acquisition with an emphasis on power, but really anything involving PLCs. I’m originally from Sandpoint, ID, and like to snowboard when I can make it up to Schweitzer Mountain. Nathaniel Meager

Mechanical Engineering

I am a 22 year old Mechanical Engineering student. I have my private pilot license and have been flying since the age of 17. Currently, I am enrolled in the Naval ROTC program and expect to attend Naval Flight School sometime next year. The outdoors is where I belong and during the spring, fall, and summer you’ll probably find me camping, backpacking, or climbing mountains. I have a new interest in triathlons and hope to complete the Coeur d’ Alene Ironman in August. The beset sport in the world is soccer. I am excited to be finishing up my college career and start a new career in the Navy, wherever that takes me.

Kelly Moore

Mechanical Engineering

Long time resident of Moscow with an interest in business and engineering and current co-owner of Howard Hughes Video Rental and President of FourMoore Inc., as well as full time student in Mechanical Engineering. I am a former Green Builder and built the first certified Green Home in Idaho located in Moscow Id. I am a world traveler having lived in India for two years, Pakistan for one year, and Lesotho, Africa for two years. I am a private pilot with over 500 hours and ratings for jump pilot and tow pilot, a D licensed Skydiver with over 600 jumps, a Hang-glider and Para-glider pilot with over 400 hours of flight time. I was a founding board member of the Moscow Civic Association Inc., My Own Home Inc., and a Former board member of Latah County Economic Development Council. I am married with two adult children.

Caleb Morgan

Mechanical Engineering

I joined the army in 2001 at the age of seventeen as a junior in high school. After graduating, I spent 7 months in Georgia where they trained me in electronics maintenance. From mid-2004 to early 2006, I was deployed to Iraq the first time. Between 2006 and 2009, I was a UAV ground crewman and professional mechanic. In 2009, I enrolled in college and in 2011 was redeployed to Iraq for one year. After which, I continued my college career until now. In 2013 I retired from the Army.

In my free time, what little there is, I like to work on cars, electronics, and guns. During the summer, I spend my time reconstructing a house.

Jacob Skaug

Electrical Engineering

I am a lined up to graduate this May and eager to push my skills and test my knowledge on a true design project. The dynamically scaled model airplane is where I believe I can do this the best. My interest in Electrical Engineering started my senior year in high school physics. My teacher took us through an electrical section and I loved it. I switched my intended major to Electrical Engineering after this. Now, I can hardly believe I have the opportunity to join in on this exciting project.

Austin Wahl

Electrical Engineering

I am an electrical engineer in the process of completing my senior year at the University of Idaho. On top of working with the electrical system, I am responsible for creating and maintaining the team’s budget as well as purchasing all the necessary items to complete our project. When I’m not working on school work or attending class I like to golf, hike and camp.