2008 Aircraft Design
In 2008, M-Fly optimized the SAE constraint of having the sum of all dimensions
to be no greater than 175 inches by making a biplane aircraft. The main factor
that contributed to the decision to pursue a biplane design was the lack of
feasibility of a monoplane design. The assumptions made earlier dictated that
a monoplane design would result in having a low aspect ratio wing (AR less than 6).
A biplane design would provide two wings that had more favorable aspect ratios,
albeit with added drag and weight penalties. However, since a main objective of
the design was to lift the heaviest possible payload and not to travel for high
speeds or long distances, the disadvantages of the biplane design were not seen
as highly disadvantageous.
Technical Specifications:
Length: 70 in.
Wing Span: 82 in.
Height from the ground: 22 in.
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 55 lbs Power plant:
Engine Model: 1 × OS 61 FX
Maximum Power: 2 HP Cruising Speed: 60 ft/s
