Second-year B. Tech. students of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Amritapuri Campus, Abhay Sengar, Abhiram C. Anil, Rahul Krishnan and Vivekanand Mishra, recently won the second prize in a nationwide aeromodelling competition.

The competition AirStrike was part of the fifth edition of the technology and astronomy festival (Techno-Astro fest) of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Trivandrum, organized during March 22-25, 2013.

The Amrita students received a cash prize of Rs. 10,000 for their design and fabrication of a remote controlled airplane.

Competing with 40 other student teams, the Amrita team was asked to design a craft weighing under 700 grams. The teams could specify the total weight and power of the aircraft, keeping it within 1 metre fuselage and wing size. Use of electric motors was to be in line with the specifications provided.

The aircrafts were to fly to specified spots in the shortest possible time and land safely in the landing zone.

The Amrita students designed a craft with 98 centimeter fuselage and wing size, weighing 410 grams. The working of yaw, roll and pitch; the craft’s three axes of movement, was well demonstrated. It is the combination of these three controls that enable an airplane to effectively maneuver itself.

All shortlisted teams were invited to participate in the aero show. The aircrafts showed off various stunts as they flew around specified routes, turned towards the landing area, flew below and above ropes tied at fixed heights, finally landing safely in the landing zone.

“We performed well and scored 185 points. The team which topped, comprised of final-year students of IIST, Trivandrum; it scored 250 points,” commented the winning Amrita students.

These students received support from second-year BTech student Ashwath, of the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, to make all the electrical connections.

“We have been working on aeromodelling planes and had developed 5 – 6 models. This was the first competition we took part in and it was a good learning experience,” the enthusiastic students shared.

The fact that the students were only in the second year of their BTech program and were not even enrolled in an Aerospace program, adds further merit to their achievement.

“I feel immensely pleased to know that our students of Amrita secured the second prize for their brilliant, innovative developmental work. This shows that indigenous ideas can be practically implemented successfully,” stated Dr. Ganesh Udupa, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering.

“We also sincerely pray to the Divine for all our Amrita students to bring laurels to the University and achieve the best in their lives, serving society with their intellectual capabilities,” he added.

April 17, 2013
School of Engineering, Amritapuri