Hello all,

I am part of a 6-student team from Louisiana State University that is competing in the 2018 SAE Aero West competition in April. We are designing a ~35-lb. RC aircraft capable of carrying about 18 lbs. of total payload, and dropping 4 payloads (2 lbs. ea., 8 lbs. total) onto a designated target. The gross aircraft weight will be roughly 17 lbs. with no payloads in them.

The aircraft contains a plywood/balsa fuselage, a foam core wing design with a carbon fiber spar, a carbon fiber spine, and a foam core tail. The wingspan is 11 ft. 5 inches long and the longitudinal depth is roughly 6 ft.

We are currently running into problems with landing gear. It is going to have to be custom made because we have been unable to find a main landing gear (specifically a carbon fiber one) that meets the dimensions we have come up with based on the Airplane Design, Part II book by Roskam.

We have been looking into aluminum as the material choice, but are concerned with aluminum's tendency to fracture under bending stress. We are looking for any and all advice concerning custom made main landing gear. As of now, we're thinking aluminum, cutting it into three parts, and welding it at the bends. This seems impractical, but may be our only option. Feedback greatly appreciated!

Try Century Jet!!!

Cut a form out of any suitable product like 2x10 lumber. Cover it in saran wrap and lay up a landing gear from carbon fiber and epoxy. Put the whole works in a vacuum bag untill it cures. A post cure at an elevated temp may be desirable for a little extra strength.

Ken

Here is a 6 part video tutorial how to make a carbon fiber landing gear. Hope it helps. Good luck with your competition.

Curious about your payload and the drops. .
8lbs at 2lbs each, 4 drops.. What size are they and where are you are you locating them?
Can they be of any material or are you given a type and size to use?