Abstract
The art of a successful design and development project is the ability to use cross-functional engineering knowledge, practices and resources to yield the desired solution. With the aim for the University of Johannesburg to development an optionally piloted unmanned light aircraft (OPULA) and integrate it into the engineering curriculum, numerous design complications and data inadequacies remain unresolved, thus resulting in a gap between the theory and the manufacturing feasibility. In contributing to Project OPULA, developing a 1/3-scaled model airframe framework for Project OPULA through applying mechanical and aeronautical principles, data analysis, iteration and optimization is desired.
In this dissertation, it is found that it is possible to process data and develop a feasible, lightweight, easy to manufacture and load-capable airframe using existing design techniques and locally available materials. This outcome, with the engine compartment, allows the completion of a scaled model of Project OPULA.