Aerospace Projects: Ideas for Third-Year Aircraft Engineering Student

[cw1690]

Hiy there I'm a third year aircraft engineering student and looking for some project ideas. I'm am more mechanically minded so something mechanically or design and test based, how ever I'm open to avionics based things aswell. thanks a lot.

Cw

 

[xatz]

If you want something mechanical I'd suggest trying to make an ornithopter, which is about as mechanically-inclined as it gets. I'm admittedly interested and working on designs of these myself, and I think there's a lot of opportunity here to try something new and innovative.. if you're really up for it, that is.

One thing that's really interesting is how the common house fly has less brain processing than an electric toaster has to process when toast is done, yet it flies every bit as well as any full computer processor on-board jet aircraft..

So, the idea here is that with the right sensors making almost direct influence on how the wings move you can have precise and stable flight, without all that computer hardware weighing down the ornithopter.

Well, there's many other ideas to try with ornithopters, and even getting one to fly at all is probably enough of a project in of itself. You might want to just avoid it all if you're not all that confident..

 

[Ignea_unda]

How in depth are you looking for this project to be? Are there any specific requirements?

 

[cw1690]

Hi there I've came up with the idea of investigating into how the pitot static system and gyroscopic system works and what instrumentation they operate. Also the electronic flight display how this operates and investigating into future flight deck instrumentation.
Would there be anything else you would add to that?

I'm also going to be working on developing a class room flight simulation training device to interpret realistic flight data from the simulated instrumentation.

Let me know what you think, thanks .

 

[alphy]

Hi there, as a fellow scientist, I understand the importance of finding a project that aligns with your interests and skills. Here are a few potential project ideas for a third-year aircraft engineering student:

1. Design and test a new wing shape: You could investigate the aerodynamics of different wing shapes and design a new shape that improves upon existing designs. Then, you could build a prototype and test it in a wind tunnel to measure its performance.

2. Develop a new landing gear system: Landing gear is a critical component of an aircraft, and there is always room for improvement. You could research and design a new landing gear system that is more efficient, durable, or lightweight. You could also simulate its performance using computer software.

3. Design and build a remote-controlled aircraft: This project would allow you to combine your mechanical and avionics skills. You could design and build a small remote-controlled aircraft and test its flight capabilities. You could also incorporate features like autonomous flight or obstacle avoidance.

4. Investigate the use of composite materials in aircraft design: Composite materials, such as carbon fiber, are becoming increasingly popular in aircraft construction due to their strength and lightweight properties. You could research and compare different composite materials and their applications in aircraft design.

5. Develop a new propulsion system: You could explore alternative propulsion systems for aircraft, such as electric or hybrid engines. You could design and build a small-scale prototype and test its efficiency and performance.

Remember to choose a project that challenges you and allows you to learn new skills. Good luck with your project!