Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
group
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Senior
Lead Presenter's Name
Bradley Rhoads
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Engineering
Faculty Mentor Name
Kimberly Heinzer
Abstract
The riggers of modern flight training require a cost-effective, sustainable, and reliable aircraft, with most current options relying on conventional propulsion. The Nimbus T-1 is a next generation trainer aircraft designed to embody efficiency, usability, and affordability while incorporating a hybrid-electric propulsion system to reduce fuel consumption and the potential for high noise emissions. The design process involved constraint analysis, weight estimation, and aerodynamic optimization to balance performance and efficiency. A low-wing, traditional tail configuration was selected through a decision matrix based on stability, cost, and maintainability. A hybrid powerplant was incorporated to allow for electric-powered taxiing and fuel-efficient cruise. Structural analysis ensured durability, while cost and market evaluations reaffirmed its economic viability within the existing flight training crowd. The Nimbus T-1 features a thrust-to-weight ratio of 0.35 and a wing loading of 20 lb/ft², ensuring a well-balanced middle ground between performance and cruise efficiency. The hybrid-electric system is projected to reduce operating costs to $112 per flight hour, making it competitive with other trainers currently on the market. Its tricycle landing gear, ballistic parachute system, and optimized control surfaces enhance safety and further boost training adaptability. With its hybrid propulsion, cost-efficient operation, and modern design, the Nimbus T-1 represents a sustainable and economically stable solution for the future of general pilot training, aiming to bridge the gap between traditional and next-generation trainer aircraft.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Aircraft Preliminary Design
The riggers of modern flight training require a cost-effective, sustainable, and reliable aircraft, with most current options relying on conventional propulsion. The Nimbus T-1 is a next generation trainer aircraft designed to embody efficiency, usability, and affordability while incorporating a hybrid-electric propulsion system to reduce fuel consumption and the potential for high noise emissions. The design process involved constraint analysis, weight estimation, and aerodynamic optimization to balance performance and efficiency. A low-wing, traditional tail configuration was selected through a decision matrix based on stability, cost, and maintainability. A hybrid powerplant was incorporated to allow for electric-powered taxiing and fuel-efficient cruise. Structural analysis ensured durability, while cost and market evaluations reaffirmed its economic viability within the existing flight training crowd. The Nimbus T-1 features a thrust-to-weight ratio of 0.35 and a wing loading of 20 lb/ft², ensuring a well-balanced middle ground between performance and cruise efficiency. The hybrid-electric system is projected to reduce operating costs to $112 per flight hour, making it competitive with other trainers currently on the market. Its tricycle landing gear, ballistic parachute system, and optimized control surfaces enhance safety and further boost training adaptability. With its hybrid propulsion, cost-efficient operation, and modern design, the Nimbus T-1 represents a sustainable and economically stable solution for the future of general pilot training, aiming to bridge the gap between traditional and next-generation trainer aircraft.