Advanced Modeling Aeronautics Team

Stickbug is AMAT's entry for the 2024-25 AIAA DBF competition. The competition calls for the team to design an aircraft that perform three separate missions. The first mission requires the aircraft to complete three laps around the airfield without a payload within a five minute window. The second mission requires the aircraft to carry the fuel tanks and glider payload, before flying three timed laps around the field. Scoring is based on the takeoff weight and speed of the aircraft. The third mission requires the aircraft to carry the fuel tanks and glider payload and complete a lap before releasing the glider over the field. The glider will then be autonomously guided to a designated landing area. More points are awarded the closer the glider is to the landing area.     

Stickbug has a pod and boom configuration where the main electronic components and propulsion systems are stored in the frontal pod to simplify construction with a 1" carbon fiber boom protruding from the rear. The boom leads to the empennage section which utilizes a t-tail design to alleviate dynamic instability. This allows the aircraft to return to equilibrium quicker if experiencing a disturbance such as wind in flight. Centered above the fuselage boom is a tapered wing constructed out of balsa wood. The wing is mounted above the carbon fiber tube to ensure adequate clearance for its twin fuel tank payload. Mounted underneath the boom is the X-1 glider. The glider is also made out of balsa wood and will utilize a MATEK flight control for guidance. The aircraft is powered by a single 500 KV Platinum FW-4120 motor from HobbyWing providing a thrust to weight ratio of 0.7 at 85% power. Stickbug is expected to cruise at 80 ft/s or around 55 mph (88km/hr) which will allow it to power through high winds and hopefully allow it to complete laps quicker.