On December 9th, students in Dr. Benjamin Kwasa’s Introduction to Engineering course demonstrated their Lighter Than Air (LTA) projects. This project serves as a class capstone, where students are placed on teams and must successfully design, build, and fly an aircraft that adheres to a specified budget.
Students work with their teams to come up with a preliminary design before giving a presentation of their work. After passing this presentation, teams begin building their aircraft using balsa wood, propellors, and electronics such as servos, motors, and electronic speed controllers. After successfully constructing their aircraft, teams are then tasked with flying their craft using remote controls and a large helium balloon. The aircraft must successfully complete an obstacle course in the atrium of the Aeronautics and Engineering Building.
Introduction to Engineering is offered in both Fall and Spring semesters, and covers engineering basics such as technical writing, problem solving, and engineering standards. Students in majors including Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, and Aeronautical Systems Engineering Technology take this course, usually early in their academic careers. The class has previously been taught by other College of Aeronautics and Engineering Faculty members, including Dr. Syed Shihab and Dr. Christina Bloebaum.