Veracruz students manufacture experimental electric aircraft
veracruz - Students of mechatronics engineering and automotive mechanical engineering at the Centro Universitario Latino de Veracruz (CEULVER), built the first manned electric aircraft called “Proyecto Mantarraya”.
Although it cannot be called an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft because it cannot carry more than one person, among other characteristics, it is a “class work” that was born out of curiosity after talking about drones.
The vehicle cost just over US$14,719, weighs 86 kilograms, is 4.80 meters long and 2.70 meters wide and is technically capable of supporting up to 300 kilos of cargo due to its six industrial engines.
Despite this, Victor Leyva, electrical engineer and professor of the class, estimated that the aircraft is capable of carrying a person of 80 kilograms at most, since so far it was only tested with one of the students at a height of two meters for a few seconds,
“So far we have not tested the maximum take-off weight. We have kept it, let's say, in a safe range of less than 70% of the load, but we have already done tests with the 120/130 kilogram sacks in addition to the weight of the aircraft, and it has lifted off without problems,” Leyva commented.
The planning process consisted of several stages. The first was its creation in a 3D design in augmented reality and then it was tested in a stress simulation software, where they were able to confirm the type and caliber of the materials so that it would be replicable.
The intention, explains engineer Leyva, is that it should be light, resistant, made of materials easily available in any country, and that it should fit in any pan to be transported in case of emergency; the function for which it was designed.
“When we dared to actually pilot a manned one, it was because we were doing many tests, and we decided 'okay, it already held 140 kilos, let's take one' (we checked) configuration, satellites, and that day there was no wind at all, and we dared to make a flight”, says the engineer.
The recognition received by the project was such that as a result it will be presented at the Mexican Aerospace Fair (FAMEX) next April.
So far, Victor Leyva explained that the aircraft is not capable of being operated from the inside, but it can be controlled by a remote control with a range of meters. Among the safety elements it must have are carbon fiber, protectors on the propellers and other issues that, he explains, he would like to be advised by the Secretary of the Navy.
According to the students, the objective of the project, financed by their university, should not remain only in the academic field, but could have real applications, such as aerial rescue in areas of difficult access.
The project has received thousands of comments of support, and some have even offered to cooperate in order to continue supporting them.
