REGULATIONS

REGULATIONS
Index REGULATIONS .............................................................................................................. 2 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 3 2. General Prescriptions.................................................................................................... 3 2.1. Aim ........................................................................................................................ 3 2.2. Projects Aim......................................................................................................... 4 2.3. Warnings, news and contacts ................................................................................ 4 3. How to participate ........................................................................................................ 4 3.1. Professor in charge ............................................................................................... 5 4. Applications.................................................................................................................. 5 4.1. Application Fee ..................................................................................................... 6 4.2. Registration of several aircraft from the same university...................................... 7 5. Insurance and Accidents............................................................................................... 7 6. Aircrafts Configuration ............................................................................................... 7 6.1. Aircraft Identification ............................................................................................ 8 6.2. Motor, propeller and batteries ............................................................................... 8 6.3. Span restrictions .................................................................................................... 9 6.4. Cargo Bay.............................................................................................................. 9 6.5. Payload ................................................................................................................ 10 6.6. Changes in the aircraft......................................................................................... 10 7. Radio Requirements ................................................................................................... 10 7.1. Radio Control ...................................................................................................... 10 8. General Score ............................................................................................................. 11 8.1. Project Score........................................................................................................ 11 8.2. Flight Competition............................................................................................... 13 8.3. Landing................................................................................................................ 14 8.4. Changes and Repairs ........................................................................................... 14 8.5. Preliminary Report .............................................................................................. 14 8.6. Some penalties..................................................................................................... 14 9. Procedures, flight order and logistics ......................................................................... 15 10. Important Deadlines ................................................................................................. 15 11. Notes......................................................................................................................... 16 11.1. Omitted Cases.................................................................................................... 16 11.2. Protests .............................................................................................................. 16 11.3. Competition Officials and Technical and Scientific Counselors....................... 16 Attachment 1 Cargo Bay ............................................................................................. 18

1. Introduction
The competition Air Cargo Challenge, organised by APAE (Portuguese Association of Aeronautics and Space) is a competition aimed at university students of Engineering, Technological Science or Engineers and was created to stimulate the interest for the aeronautics field, working as a test to its capacities. The APAE works as an association that promotes and spreads Aeronautics Engineering and by organising this educational competition, it offers university students and the unique opportunity of developing a multidisciplinary and challenging project from its beginning to the end, testing the acquired knowledge and involving a wide range of challenges, that the students will find in their future professional career: technicians, interpersonal, financials and strict deadlines. Bearing in mind the participation in the Air Challenge Competition, the team should design, document, build and fly an aircraft controlled by radio to take-off with the maximum payload possible. The aircraft should take off in 60 meters, fly over a field at least once and land in the place previously defined by the organisation. The aircraft should use one of the motors defined by the organisation, with no changes.

2. General Prescriptions
2.1. Aim
The Air Cargo Challenge Competition is aimed at Engineering University students or at Technological Science and Engineers that should design, build and fly an aircraft controlled by radio. The organisation will do its best to guarantee the accomplishment of all aims and will make a strong effort to accomplish the main objectives of this competition: - Cultural interchange between universities - Social intercourse between people that share the same interests - To stimulate interest in the aeronautics field - To develop team spirit and mutual help - To join professors and students with the same aim - Share knowledge and techniques between university students and modellers - Develop and experiment new ideas - Hands-on-the-job for professors and students that in their academic life have had few practical experience, to experience their theoretical knowledge. - Opportunity to represent institutions and transmit, in an ethical and professional way, their good image.

2.2. Projects Aim

The team should design and build a plane controlled by radio that will accomplish the demands and restrictions imposed by the rules and with capacity to take-off with the maximum payload possible. The competition is divided in two parts: Design and Flight: - In the design competition the teams will show all the teams way of thinking, clearly justified, used to create the aero models proposal for the competition. - The flight competition determines the maximum payload that each plane can carry in a completely regular flight. The flight competition will consist of three scored runs.

2.3. Warnings, news and contacts

The organisation is available to all interested people. The contact should be directed through e-mail to info@aircargochallenge.net. Only if you cant keep contact through this e-mail, should you use the general APAEs e-mail: lisboa@euroavia.net or through the cell phone of the person in charge. All the ads, warnings, news, deadlines changes, or any other subject related to the competition will be available in http://www.aircargochallenge.net. The organisation may, or not, contact the teams leader by e-mail about urgent subjects. All teams are considered to be warned till the moment all the information is available at the official site of the competition.

We remind you that the organisation will lead all the teams since the very beginning and it is always available to advise the teams about a specific difficulty. Note: Another aim of this site is to allow the change of opinions, advertise the teams, etc. It is an area that not only belongs to the organisation but also to the participants or merely interested people. Therefore we suggest you visit the site and fill it in.

3. How to participate
The teams must have the following characteristics: - A pilot - Between three to ten members. One of these takes the leaders responsibilities. The number of members that are not university students can never exceed 50% of the total number of members. The number of members that are not university students or professors can never exceed 35% of the total number of members. Excepting the pilot, all the other team members should be professors, students from a University in the science and technology field, or engineers and other people with a degree in the above mentioned areas under the following conditions.

We consider a university student the one that is attending a higher education course or has finished his/her degree less than a year ago. Students from post-graduations, master degrees or doctorates are accepted. Note: If the teams represent universities, they should be submitted to permission by having the written approval of one of the university professors. The teams leader is the member that represents the team in every occasion. When there is need, the decisions/opinions taken by him/her are granted as being the ones of the team too. This member should be always in touch with the others. He/she should pay attention to the deadlines and warnings done by the organisation and therefore the team will suffer the consequences in case it ignores these two items. If something like this happens, the organisation is not responsible.

3.1. Professor in charge

It is only required in case the teams represents a university. The leader should be a professor of the institution and is responsible for the good presentation of the university team. His favorable opinion by the time of the registration automatically declares the team as representative of the university. The professor in charge will always assure that someone who is not allowed wont interfere in the project more than as a source of knowledge and information. That is, maintaining the aim of Hands-on-the-job, anyone outside the team would be more than a member of mere consultation. The aircraft has to be built and designed only by students under the surveillance of professors, without the participation of professionals or people outside the team. If the organisation proves that an irregular action is occurring and the rules of the competition are not being accomplished, the team can be automatically disqualified (immediate and irreversible).

4. Applications
The applications will finish on the 8th December 2006. Applications made after this date wont be accepted. However the organisation may eventually postpone the registration deadlines. The applications are limited to 20 teams. The organisation will consider the applications by order of arrival and by their quality in the accomplishment of the competition aims. The application will only be considered as valid after the organisation receives the following items: - Registration form correctly filled in (by e-mail) - Photos of all the members of the team and pilot (color and by e-mail) - Copies of the student or university professors card - 10% of the registration fee Note: The team will be contacted by e-mail with the reference of registration accepted.

4.1. Application Fee

The teams participation is moderated by a fee that obeys the following conditions: The APAE is a legal association and will make all efforts in order to provide the teams the greatest comfort and support possible. The number of supports acquainted by the organisation will have the same influence in terms of the help given to teams. For example, we are providing accommodation, meals and transports during the stay in Lisbon for the flight competition. First, the participation prizes are guaranteed (trophies and prize moneys) and a dinner to the members of the team too. The rest of the benefits can be analysed in the conditions of the different types of registration fees. There are two different types of application fees: the full-package and the basic package. Thus, we intend you to check what package would be the most suitable for your team and pay special attention to the payment dates. The receipts will be delivered whenever you ask to. Full Package Lodging 5 days / 4 night *** Hostel, breakfast included 3 days lunches (during competition) Dinners Final Dinner Bus Transport from and to the aerodrome Airport Transfers T-Shirt TOTAL Basic Package 3 days lunches Final Dinner Dinners T-Shirt TOTAL 35 130 60% till 7th of April 2007 100% at the first day of the flight competition 10% at the application Payment Deadlines

30% at the registration 100% at the first day of the flight competition

If you wish to stay longer, you should go directly to the hotel or inform us so that we can make a reservation at the hotel. The expenses of a longer stay are not included in the registration fee. In case you pay by cheque, it should be endorsed to APAE. We strongly advise bank transference to the IBAN: PT50 0035 0373 0000 8847 7304 7 BIC/SWIFT: CGDIPTPL The transference data should be sent by e-mail so that we can finish the registration. The application fee wont be returned in any case, unless the event doesnt take place.

4.2. Registration of several aircraft from the same university

The universities may participate with more than one aircraft under the following conditions: - Each aircraft registered should correspond to only one team. - Each aircraft registered should be different in size and geometrical shapes. - The aircrafts registered should show clear differences in the Project among themselves. By different projects we mean projects that follow a different style and thought in the definition of each aircraft. - Each person can only be registered in one team. - Each team can only participate with one aircraft.

5. Insurance and Accidents

The organisation will have insurance. The accidents will be under the protection of this insurance and the organisation will, therefore, decline any responsibilities not covered by the same insurance. We advise all the participants to travel with a health insurance and with an European card of medical assistance.

6. Aircrafts Configuration
Only fixed wings aircrafts have permission to enter the competition. It is forbidden the participation of aircrafts that: - Work by fluctuation of gases lighter than air (for example, dirigibles and balloons) - Produce sustainability by rotary wings (for example, helicopters and auto gyros) - Have other kind of additional or auxiliary propeller. The only way of aircraft propulsion is through an motor chosen among the motors allowed.

- Use auxiliary devices during the take-off that dont belong to the aircraft (including human help) and that arent physically connected with the plane when it lands.

6.1. Aircraft Identification

The aircraft identification should be the following:

6.1.1. Teams number

The fuselage and wings of each aircraft should be identified with the teams number with clear letters of at least 10cm high. The numbers of each team will be decided in a draw. The teams number should be shown at least: - On the top and under the wings - In both sides of the vertical stabilizer

6.1.2. University Name

The University name (if applicable) should be visible in the wings or fuselage. The University initials can be used if they are unique and recognizable.

6.2. Motor, propeller and batteries

6.2.1. Motor
As for the motor/ESC/battery combo: - Motor: AXI Gold 2820/10 - ESC Kontronic / Jeti / Schulze / Castle Creations (min 45 amps) - Battery: Kokam/ ThunderPower / Tanic / ETech / Great Planes min 3000mAh (min 15C) 3s As for the motor, the restriction is obvious, as, although there are other equivalent motors (same diameter, number of poles, etc), this motor/brand is considered to be reliable and of quality, and this is the only way to ensure equality between all teams. As for the ESC, the teams should pick a model from the brands presented (considered to be of quality), with the only limit that it should be able to withstand currents of 45A, at least, given the maximum current presented by AXI. These can not be altered and should maintain their factory look, as to make the identification and pre-flight inspection processes easier.

As for the batteries, the teams should use a 3 cell Lithium Polymer pack (LiPo 3s), with a minimum capacity of 3000mAh, capable of continuous discharges of 15C, at least, as to avoid overheating and ensure the safety of the event. The brands presented are considered safe, reason for which the teams should choose from one of them, as is made for the ESCs. The minimum capacity is considered enough to perform the flight profile. However, any team can bring larger capacity packs. It is demanded that the teams bring with them one pack. However, before flight, the pack must be fully charged, being suggested that teams bring along a second pack, not only to ensure fresh charges on their packs, as well as to avoid that a problem with their pack stop the team from making the flight. As for the ESCs, the packs should not be altered, should maintain their factory look and should be clearly identified as to the number of cells (or nominal voltage), capacity and discharge rate. It is the teams choice what propeller(s) to use, as long as they are commercial ones and do not cause excess current in the motor. This will be measured before each flight, through a static test with the plane still on the ground. If the measurement is above what is specified by AXI as being the maximum current for the motor, the team will no be able to make the flight before making the adequate changes.

6.2.2. Propellers
Multiple propellers, involved propellers and ducted fans are allowed. However the use of metal propellers is forbidden. A spinner or security screw should also be used and should be correctly fixed. The team should mention a maximum of three types of propellers in the report they choose to use in the flight competition. Only those models will be allowed in the flight competition. After the initial checking of the flight competition, all the changes in the type of propeller should be told to the judges. The propellers must be a commercial and tested product.

6.2.3. Transmission
Transmission boxes, chains and propeller axles are allowed as long as the rotation relation between the motor and the propeller is of one to one.

6.3. Span restrictions

The aircrafts cant go beyond the 1.60 m of span.

6.4. Cargo Bay

The volume of the bay will be checked during the dimensional inspection and Project analysis. The bay could be bigger to allow the bay positioning and the adjustment of the gravity center. The cargo bay should be shown clearly in one of the drawings, including dimensions and the correspondent volume should be included in the data chart of the drawing in 3 sights.

The cargo bay can have any shape as long as it accomplishes the rules (see attachment).

6.5. Payload
6.5.1. Payload or load support
The payload consists of the sum of the weight of the lead plates. The payload should have a support constituted by a transversal rectangular section in horizontal direction and 2 vertical orthogonal plans. The plates should guarantee the equal weight distribution as it is required in the section.

6.5.2. Payload Distribution

The payload cant have any effect on the structural stability of the aircraft, but if should be fixed in the pay so that it can prevent its movement during the flight. The weight distribution in the setting of the payload and the plates should be similar so that the horizontal localization of the gravity center matches the geometrical center as it was designed.

6.6. Changes in the aircraft

Changes made to the aircraft should be presented in writing to the organisation maximum seven days before the beginning of the competition. The judges will make point deductions based on the amount and relevance of the changes done to the aircraft when compared to the previous Project and report. Changes during the competition will only be allowed when accepted by the judges. The judges decision concerning the change cant be questioned by the team.

7. Radio Requirements
7.1. Radio Control
The radio control will be used to fly and operate the aircraft. It wont be allowed any gyroscope assistance. The servos should be capable of supporting the aerodynamic loads the aircraft is going to be submitted to during the flight. The flight will occur either with rain or sun, therefore the teams should be prepared concerning the impermeability of the radio equipment. All radios should accomplish the rules of the frequency of aircraft models. Note: We recommend the use of frequency 35 MHz. A pack of 700 mAh for the receiver is the minimum that should be used.

8. General Score
The general score will be calculated as following: Flight Competition Points + Project Competition Points + Penalties

8.1. Project Score

The Project competition will be scored according to the following criteria: - Detailed drawings = Max 30 points - Report = Max 50 points - Estimated Payload = 10 points - Oral presentation = Max 30 points

8.1.1. Report - 50 points

The report is worth 50 points and should have 30 pages maximum (without attachments), it should be presented in A4 format and Times New Roman 12. The report should be binded so that there arent any separate sheets. It should be correctly identified with the name and number of the team and the University should appear in the front page. Each team should send 5 (FIVE) complete copies of the report. The report will be evaluated in terms of its technical content, methods, creativity, clear organisation and objectivity. A copy of the registration form signed by all the members and the professor in charge of the Project should be attached to the reports. It should be mentioned a maximum of three propeller types that the team will use during the flight competition.

8.1.2. Drawings 30 points

Each copy of the report should include a set of five detailed drawings of the aircraft. These drawings consist in A3 size sheets, printed in one side, properly folded, and bound with the report so that they can be analysed without separating them from the rest of the document. One of the drawings must be a 3-view drawing of the aircraft using european projection, that is: front view at the top left corner, top view below and starboard view on the right (of the front view). The views must contain the main aircraft dimensions (span, maximum length and height, etc.). Below the starboard view there must be a table containing other dimensional information such as relevant areas and/or volumes. Another drawing must be an isometric perspective view of the aircraft. The remaining three must contain information that each team finds relevant with at least one drawing

showing the cargo bay and its dimensions. A standard scale for each drawing must be properly chosen. The 3-view and isometric perspective drawings may not display hidden lines. All dimensions must be in SI units except for linear lengths which should be in millimetres and plain angles which should be in degrees. All the drawings must have a label in the right bottom corner containing the University logo, the teams name and number, a short description and other pertinent information. The drawings receive a score up to 30 points. The team should send a separate extra copy of the 3-view drawing to be used in the dimensional inspection prior to the flight competition. If this copy isnt delivered, the team will suffer a penalty of 15 points, as well as the dimensional inspection penalty itself.

8.1.3. Calculation of the Payload 10 points

The chart of the prediction of payload should be included in all copies of the report. The data should be selected under a relevant basis and the chart should include the linear equation. The chart should also present the line.

8.1.4 Delay penalties

The reports, drawings, the estimated payload chart and the envelope with the 3 view drawings, should be delivered to the organisation on the established date. The organisation wont be responsible for losts or mistakes in the addresses. It is suggested that all the reports and drawings are sent by post or delivered in hand. Only the receipts and the post stamps will be accepted as proof of the sending date.

8.1.5. Oral Presentation 30 points

All teams should make an oral presentation of their Project on the competition day. The aim is to share the Project with all the audience. The presentation is scored with 30 points maximum. There will be penalties for those who arrive late. The following items are taken into account: - Students explanation - Clearness - Honesty - Elements about difficulties during the Project, commands for a future Project, description of the methods used in the construction, etc - Work in the oral presentation It should take 20 minutes maximum, with no tolerance. The teams should have a data show and a computer.

The teams should be prepared to answer any questions asked by the judges. In the presentation they must include the pictographic or film graphic evidence that proves that the aircraft has previously flown.

8.2. Flight Competition

The number of points given to a team will be based on the payload carried in a complete acceptable flight. So that it can participate in the flight competition, the team must accomplish all the requirements of the competition Project and must have previously tested the aircraft. The team should demonstrate at the oral presentation an evidence that the aircraft has already successfully flown in the same conditions it is going to participate in the competition. If the organisation concludes that this isnt happening, the team can be declassified based on a security argument. An aircraft that has never flown is not a secure equipment.

8.2.1. Maximum Payload loaded

The flight competition consists of 3 runs (and a free test run) in which the teams will try to carry the maximum weight possible. The number of points, at this time, will be based on its maximum payload carried in a fully acceptable flight and it will be calculated as following: 25 points for each 1.000 Kg that the aircraft carries. It could be or not considered fractions till 0.050 Kg keeping the same basis for the score.

8.2.2. Pattern flight (fully acceptable flight)

The aircraft should take off from a specific place of the defined landing strip 60 meters long that will be shown at the competition day, perform at least a complete turn of 360 and land. The initial position of the aircraft is with the main landing gear at the departure line in the landing strip. The aircraft should take off (be in the air) in 60m or the attempt is invalid. There is no limit of how many turns the aircraft can do before landing, as long as it respects the aerial limit defined before the competition. Repairs are only allowed to broken parts. Changes are only allowed if the judges give their permission. Note: Any change (due to repairs, or not) to the original project will suffer penalties decided by the judges, except if it is made under their permission.

8.3. Landing
The aircraft should land inside the area of 120 meters long and an accident will invalidate the landing attempt. The initial touch of the aircraft needs to be inside the area but the rolling and stop can exceed this limit.

8.4. Changes and Repairs

The aircraft can be repaired during the competition. However the aircraft should finish the competition with similar elements to the original ones. The servos, propeller, motors and landing gears can be replaced at any time. The organization must be informed of all the changes as well as of alterations of the propeller model. The use and addition of covering, tape, glue, small screws or rivets and structural internal components is not considered as a change.

8.5. Preliminary Report

A preliminary report (see 9.) should be delivered, so that the organisation can know the progress of the project. The report consists of a written document that shouldnt exceed 1 (one) A4 page and 8 pictures. The text should be a summary of the situation the project is in, making reference to what is already developed, what isnt developed yet, the difficulties faced, etc. The pictures should be an evidence of the aircrafts building condition and can also be about the experience of the team in the development of the project, etc The report should be sent by e-mail and it isnt scored. There is, however, a penalty for teams who dont deliver the report. Due to its great experience, the organisation is available from the very beginning to advise the teams about any specific difficulty. Obviously all these documents are kept secret.

8.6. Some penalties

The following penalties will be applicable to the total score. The penalties applicable to the score are described in the Procedures and Logistics Manual. Subject Delays during the competition day Use of a non standard motor Replacement of parts without acknowledgement of the organization The chart payload Air density is missing Changes to the original project of the aircraft Penalty 2 points / minute Elimination 10 points 10 points Defined for each specific case

Delay in the delivery of the report / drawings Disrespect for the limited aerial area To break security rules Size of the cargo bay not allowed Unstated protests Disrespect / disobedience to judges Unsuitableness regarding the aims of the competition Any attitude against organizing and logistic procedures Exceeded span The evidence of the first successful flight is missing Documents missing on the competition day The preliminary report is missing Etc. Delay or not being present on opening for oral presentations

10 points / day Disqualification in that run Can go till disqualification Min. 20 points Min. 10 points Min. 10 points till disqualification Min. 30 points till disqualification 3 points Disqualification Disqualification from the flight competition Obstructed team 40 points Not defined 12 points

The consumption of any alcoholic drink or illegal chemical product wont be allowed during the competition. This rule is to be respected during the competition at any stage. Any violation of this rule will cause the immediate banishment of all the members of the teams from the same university and not only of the team that broke it. This is valid to the members of the teams and university coordinators. The organizers of the competition have the right to interpret the competition rules and to apply penalties to unforeseen attitudes, aiming the competitions efficiency and security.

9. Procedures, flight order and logistics

The organization will create, attached to this document, a Procedure Manual. Procedures, flight order, logistics and method during the competition should be respected by the teams.

10. Important Deadlines

Application Delivery of the Preliminary Report Delivery of the reports together with the other documents Acknowledgment of changes in the project Flight Competition Evidence that the aircraft has previously flown 8th December 2006 1st to 7th April 2007 1st June 2007 (without penalty) and 7th June max. (with penalty) Until seven days before the competition Beginning of September 2007 First day of the competition at the oral presentation

Publication of the official score

Until 10 days after the end of the competition

Note: Any of the affixed dates can be changed, therefore the participants should pay attention to further news.

11. Notes
11.1. Omitted Cases
The organization should make all efforts in order to provide comfort to all teams during the development of the process and during the competition. It will treat all teams equally. All matters not mentioned in this regulation will be analyzed and decisions will be taken regarding the fairness and equality of all teams. The organization has the right to change this regulation at any time, warning about the same change. Such documents warning about the change of the current regulation will be named as Supplement to Regulation.

11.2. Protests
The teams have the right to protest against the decisions made by the organizations. The current regulation and the decisions of the judges cant be the target of any protests. The protests should be presented in writing to the responsible ones and addressed by the teams leader. The organization is available to accept any suggestions or critics aiming to improve any detail of the competition. We remind you that unstated protests will end up in a penalty.

11.3. Competition Officials and Technical and Scientific Counselors

The organization includes three groups of people that will take after the score process, checking and management of the competition. The name of these people will be announced at the appropriate time.

11.3.1. Judges

Responsible people manage the competition. They are the responsible for the competition and their information is supreme. They are in charge of the logistics, security, procedure accomplishment, regulation, judge management and score. The judges are the eyes of the competition. All the judges measures, checking and validation are considered to be supreme and are always right. These measures, checking and validation will often seem subjective barriers once the judges dont have milimetric devices. We have to consider these mistakes as normal, trusting the judges capacity to do their work the best way humanly possible.

11.3.2. Technical and Scientific Counselors

Scientific Committee: constituted by university professors in the aeronautics field. They cooperate with the organisation about the regulations, so that this event becomes more interesting from the engineering and science perspectives. Technical Committee: It is responsible for the creation of the regulations and it has to assure that all these rules are accomplished during the Air Cargo Challenge. It has to check if the projects respect all the rules and to assure that all the flying competition occurs according to the previous established procedures and rules.

Attachment 1 Cargo Bay

Dimensions in mm

The vertical supports should be screwed, have 8mm diameter and should have the according butterfly-nuts.