• International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.313-318
• /
• 2010

The power plant system of a tilt rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was verified by the Ironbird ground test, which considerably reduces cost and risk during the developmental stages. The function and performance of the engine, drive line, nacelle conversion, and rotor systems were evaluated using a building block test approach. The Ironbird test concept facilitates the discovery of potential faults in earlier stages of the testing period. As a result, the developmental testing period could effectively be shortened. The measured test data acquired through a ground control and data acquisition system exhibited satisfactory results which meet the developmental specifications of a tilt rotor UAV.

• Aerospace Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.193-201
• /
• 2013

Propeller is an important component of Human Powered Aircraft (HPA) propulsion system. HPA uses large diameter low rotational speed propeller to get high propeller efficiency. The propeller was designed by HPA propeller designing program. The propeller pitch is adjustable by rotating the blade axis angle at ground. Performance of the propeller for various parameters are analysed by the same program used for design. Off-design condition performance was also checked including pilot power change and flight speed change. The propeller was manufactured in ultra-light structure using carbon composite material down to 950g. The propeller was ground tested on ironbird and installed on KARI HPA. Finally the HPA flew 291m with this propeller.