By Steve Manganelli
The annual Design-Build-Fly (DBF) Competition is just weeks away and SEFSD is helping San Diego State University (SDSU) get prepared. Myself as technical advisor and Safety Officer Steve Neu, Pilot will be at the upcoming International Competition in Tucson beginning April 10th. The Competition pits the top 110 Aerospace Engineering undergraduate college student teams from literally around the world! Never mind March Madness, this is April madness!
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) sanctions an annual competition called “Design-Build-Fly requiring student designed electric powered cargo carrying R/C model. The specific rules change every year so not only is there no continuity from graduating students, but each year’s new rules create new challenges. This year’s rule set pays homage to the full scale X-1 supersonic flight test program circa 1948. SDSU will not be building a B-29 to carry “Glamorous Glennis” to supersonic glory, but their own version of a launching aircraft to carry a small glider (less than 0.55 lbs, not to worry) and deploy it so it lands in a specific location to attain bonus points. The glider cannot have any R/C controls but may have GPS or other very modern means to guide it to the “bonus box”. For more info on DBF rules go here : AIAA Design/Build/Fly Competition | AIAA .
Team Aztec Aero’s prototype X-1 Launch Aircraft, the Ehecatl (Aztec God of wind) made it’s first flight on February 20th, 2025 in capable hands of SEFSD Safety Officer Steve Neu. Prior to that, I took it through the wringer, setting control throws, proper center of gravity, security of installed equipment, etc. One of the required missions to carry simulated fuel (16 Oz water bottles) on wing pylons was accomplished on the day of the first flight without much drama as the students built a good flying model. The relative scoring depends on how much weight they carry and how fast they can fly on the 1000’ racetrack course. We will optimize our cargo weight and speed on subsequent test flights. The real excitement is X-1 deployment mission!
All attempted deployments of the X-1 made so far have been successful as long as you count “success” as the X-1 disengaging from the Ehecatl on command. Unlike the rocket powered full scale X-1 which matches thrust/speed with the B-29 before releasing, our unpowered X-1 glider appears to rocket backwards as it is released which makes sense. The release height is mandated as 200’ to 400’ so the little X-1 being deployed from the 6’ span, 10 lb Ehecatl looks more like a hatch cover falling off in flight and blowing downwind than a deployed air vehicle! To date, we’ve tried (illegal) radio control on the X-1 to get a handle on it and several configurations of X-1. To see more, come out and watch our final test flights scheduled for Sunday afternoons between now and the competition. In the picture L to R are Jackie Hernandez (Treasurer), Layla Spangle (Aerodynamics Lead), Jenna Schrady (Systems Lead and Chief Engineer), Bryan Ramirez (Manufacturing Lead), Ryan Kataoka, and Kevin Vu (Report Lead).
