SHS3 Aviation And Aerospace Engineering · Semester 2 Week 15: Design and Fabrication of UAVs

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: 3.4.3.LI.1 - Perform simple calculations that yield the properties (such as wing area, number of motors, propellant, etc.) for a small UAV

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

Calculate wing loading by dividing the total weight of a UAV by its wing area, and state the acceptable range for a small stable UAV.
Determine the total thrust required for a multirotor UAV using the rule of thumb of 2:1 thrust-to-weight ratio, then divide the total thrust by the number of motors to find thrust per motor.
Estimate the minimum wing area needed for a fixed-wing UAV given its total weight and a target wing loading.
Compute the battery capacity and estimated flight time for a small UAV using the current draw of the motors.
Use the results of these calculations to justify design choices in a UAV concept sketch produced in the previous week.

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Curriculum details

Strand: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) (Strand 4)
Sub-strand: Design and Fabrication of UAVs (4.3)
Content standard: 3.4.3.CS.2 - Demonstrate knowledge of how to undertake basic UAV design calculations. 3.4.3.LO.1 Make sketches of several UAV concepts to satisfy stipulated mission requirements. 3.4.3.LO.2 Determine by analytical means, the physical properties of a UAV. 3.4.3.LO.3 Construct and fly a small UAV.
Indicator: 3.4.3.LI.1 - Perform simple calculations that yield the properties (such as wing area, number of motors, propellant, etc.) for a small UAV
Suggested placement: Semester 2, Week 15 (Week 35 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Curriculum reference: NaCCA curriculum document, p. 123

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

Talk for Learning: Through a question and answer session, guide learners to make simple calculations to determine the properties of a UAV.
Teaching and Learning Resources:
- A scientific calculator
Assessment (3.4.3.AS.1). The document marks these depth-of-knowledge levels for this indicator: Level 2 Skills of conceptual understanding.