Universities Heavy Lift Challenge

This is an annual competition, which is organised by the British Model Flying Association and BAE Systems that requires students to design and fly load-carrying model aircraft, controlled by radio. The competition stretches the ability of the students and provides an excellent opportunity to apply the theoretical concepts to a practical application. The development of a good machine requires each team to display design flair, technical knowledge and understanding and a healthy degree of pragmatism, which are very useful qualities in any prospective engineer.

The rules specify that the aircraft has a 61 metre distance to become airborne and a distance of 122 m in which to land, which can test the undercarriage to the limits given the relatively large payload (5-7 kg) carried. One of the student participants explained "it sounds easy and certainly no problem to fly your Wot4 remote control aeroplane, but try it with a model carrying an extra 7kg of weight on board that won´t climb above 20 ft"!
The President of the British Model Flying Association made the comment recently that "designing a unique aircraft to meet the stringent specifications is a challenge to the intellect, to understand the aerodynamic principles, and to optimize the various performance characteristics to give the best result. And it is certainly a practical challenge to construct the aircraft with sufficient strength and reliability to perform the contest flights in any weather".
The Heavy Lift Challenge, apart from the technical aspects, gives students valuable experience operating as a team in much the same way as they will ultimately have to do in their industrial careers. Furthermore they are given the opportunity to demonstrate their communication and presentation skills when they give a talk about their flying machine.
The competition is in collaboration with the BAE Systems and judging is by a team of professional engineers.

Please read more about participating in the Heavy Lift Challenge on the Simiurq society webpage: Simurq Aeronautics

Watch Simurq videos: Simurq aircrafts