I'm not directly connected to the university but am good friends with the faculty adviser and go
with them as a volunteer. It's a lot of fun and something different for sure. The plane is an
original design with an 85" undercambered wing. Power is a Jett .46 with the Jett pipe and fuel
system. The plane is designed to drop a 3 pound package into a drop zone using GPS, telemetry
and video to deliver the package which is dropped by a second radio system not controlled by the
pilot. The takeoff weight of the airplane is 26 pounds. That's right, 26 pounds. Basic empty
weight is only 8 pounds, the rest is ballast and bomb weight. Construction is carbon fibre and
wood with many of the parts being water cut. The team is from the University of Tennessee at
Martin. Thanks.
I wanted to thank you once again for allowing the UT/Martin SAE Aerodesign team practice at
your field last month on our way to the competition at Lakeland. The practice and data we
worked up were invaluable to us and directly contributed to the team finishing in 3rd place
among more than 40 teams from around the world. We could not have accomplished this without
your help. It's one of the things I love most about our hobby the way modelers help each other
like this. Anyway I've attached a photo of the team we took at your field. Feel free to publish it
in a newsletter or wherever else you see fit. Thanks again and take care.
Rick Helmke
The name of the event is the SAE Aerodesign East competition. It's a weight carrying event and
there is an SAE West coast version as well. Same event just held in California I believe. Last year
the east event was held in Cumming, GA and next year will be held in Houston.
Your clubs hospitality allowed us to get some much needed testing and practice that led
directly to our top three finish in this event. Without it we'd have not done nearly so well. It's
the first time UT/M has ever placed in any category of SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers)
competition. I was also pleased to show these kids, none of whom are RC'ers, just what a good
bunch of people modelers are. Thanks again.