2008 SAE Aero Design East Competition

A team of ONU Mechanical Engineering seniors competed in the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Aero Design East Competition from April 18-20, 2008.

The goal of this competition was to design, construct, and fly a radio controlled model aircraft that met the specifications put forth, and was capable of carrying as much weight as possible.  The competition was held in Marietta, GA on 18-20 April.   The ONU team came away with a 15th overall ranking among 39 teams entered in the ‘Regular Class’.  They received a 3rd place award in the written report category.  Their airplane flew successfully both empty and with six pounds of weight on board.  With thirteen pounds on board, the plane flew very well, but its landing gear failed on landing.  Attempts to fix the landing gear and fly again resulted in another failed gear, and finally a flight-ending crash.

The ONU team consisted of seniors Kevin Burns, Chod Dagenfield, Jon Mills and Nick Yontz.  They were accompanied by Bill Kanzig (ONU Engineering Machinist), and their faculty advisor, Dr. Jed Marquart.