Aerodynamic analysis and performance of a mini airplane UAV

This paper focuses on the aerodynamic design and performance of a mini airplane UAV. The mini aerial vehicle is based on a conceptual design considering a high aerodynamic finesse (a high ratio between lift and drag), flying and handling qualities in order to perform a reliable and stable flight. The equations of motion are described using the Newton-Euler formulation and the stability derivatives are obtained from the aerodynamic design of the aerial vehicle. A static analysis is presented in order to study the mini airplane in trim condition. Simulations illustrate the performance for the closed-loop system of the aerial vehicle. The platform and its avionics are developed using low-cost, easy operation, sensors and components.