Career Conducted regular project meetings with the

                                                        CareerEpisode -1 a)   IntroductionCE 1.

1          My first career episode is based on my project DEVELOPMENT OFAMPHIBIOUS AEROPLANE initiated by me as a partial fulfilmentfor the requirement of the degree of Bachelor of Engineering in MechanicalEngineering, The project duration was 2 months, started in Dec 2011 andcompleted in Feb 2012. The project was based in my college, Toc H institute ofScience and Technology Kochi, India.b)   BackgroundCE 1.2Toc H Institute of Science andTechnology is one of the leading professional college in the country affiliatedto Cochin University of Science and Technology. The project was carried out inthe campus of Toc H Institute of Science and Technology.

The aim of the project was to design and develop anamphibious aeroplane which can travel overland, water and sea as the name implies. The plane is able to fly,travel with speed, start, stop, and travel over land as well as water. Theplane will have a float at the base which helps it to land and move through water. Myplan was to develop the aero plane at low cost.  CE 1.3I have performed the following tasks during the project;·        Prepared theproject planning and monitored the planning throughout theproject.·        Investigatedand studied the working of different type’s aircraft.

·        Studied andprepared report on the feasibility of the project·        Designed the aircraft and preparedmathematical design calculations·        Prepared model of the aero plane using a drawingsoftware·        Performedmaterial planning and arranged materials as per required specifications·        Monitored theentire fabrication process.·        Conductedregular project meetings with the project guide and the team·        Prepared the projectreport    CE 1.4Below is the hierarchy of the project with clear demonstration ofmy position;  c)    Personal engineering ActivityCE 1.

5The project started with literature review and detailed research about amphibiousaero planes and its scopes. I studied the principles of aero modelling andlearned the designing of aircraft. After research and studies, I drafted a brief project synopsis narrating themotivation behind the project, estimated cost and results expected afterdiscussing with my departmenthead and project guide. I planned the project and prepared a schedule fortimely completion. The project was planned to complete within 2 months. CE 1.

6The first stage of the project was to carry out necessary designcalculation. Designing is atough task and it needs deep knowledge in the field. The design calculation containstwo stages, determining the dimension of the fuselage and wings and checkingthe stability of aircraft. The dimensions were found out by using aircraft designingsoftware XFLR5. The aircraft was designed to develop with fuselage length of 75cm and wings with span 1m. Then I carried out stability calculations anddetermined the neutral point which determines the stability of aircraft. Ichoose thrust motor to provide power to run the propeller.

I consulted with theaeromodelling lab during design and ensured the key elements of aeromodelling.CE 1.7After the design stage, I moved furthertowards arranging the required materials.

The fuselage was planned to craft withbalsa, one of the lightest but remarkably strong wood. This is to reduce theoverall weight of the aircraft. I used high density foam known as EPP forcrafting the wings.

The other electronic components like Thrust motor, servomotor, propeller, Electronic speed control, transmitter and receiver werearranged as per the required specifications. CE 1.8    One of the challenges we faced was the making of wings. I adopted wirecutting process to make wings. Wire cutting isa process by which wire is heated by passing current through it and cutting thematerial by moving through it. We used high density EPP (expanded polypropylene) to make the wings. So wire Cutting is the best process to make thewings. First we made Sheet metal pieces in the shape of the cross section ofwing which is aerofoil and then it is attached to the sides of the EPP piece.

Anapparatus for wire cutting is made using wood and Nichrome wire is fixed on theapparatus. Then current is passed through and wire gets heated. The EPP ismoved over heated nichrome wire to cut wings with the cross section ofaerofoil.

This process was carried out in the workshop by experiencedtechnicians. I properly monitored the entire wire cutting process and ensuredprecise cutting. CE 1.9Brownpaper is then wrapped over the wing to make it stronger.

Then a piece is cutfrom both the wings to make ailerons. Ailerons should act as a flap so it’sattached to the wings using silicon glue. Thus it can be moved up and down tocontrol the flight. Then a slot of length 50cm is cut on downside of both thewings using soldering iron to attach carbon Fibre road to the wing. The purposeis for its reinforcement and thus the wings get stronger. A servomotor wasconnected under the wing for aileron movement. Fuselage is made using balsawood of 1m length.

Both the main wing and tail is inserted into the balsa bycutting slots in the balsa.  Fin is fixedbetween the tail and a slot is cut on the tail to make the rudder movementpossible. A piece of balsa is fixed in the fuselage to place servo motors forelevator and rudder. The Propeller is fixed at the front of the fuselage and Ifixed all other components like landing gear, Speed control system etc.CE 1.

10 Many tests wereperformed after the development of aircraft. The design was tested for theability to glide. Flaps were tested for its proper movement.

I trained myselfin controlling the flight using flight simulator. After proper testing, we decided to perform the trail run. Iensured the proper working of all components. The trial run was performed in aground with enough space as runway. The plane reached the desired speed after 15sec run in the ground. The trial run was a success and I was able to controlthe flight and landing of the aircraft.  CE 1.

11In this project, I appliedthe knowledge gained from my B tech in mechanical engineering. My knowledge inthe field of aeromodelling, stability calculations, fabrication, engineeringdrawing, and material planning helped me to accomplish my aim. I spend time inhome work especially for reading related books and searching through the internet.The training I attended at the aeromodelling lab of our college helped me a lotin accomplishing the result.   CE 1.12I ensured the key concepts of team management were followed in allthe stages. I got a hardworking and experienced team and I guided them properlywhich really helped me to complete the project on time without any delay. Myproject guide provided me needed advices and I updated the project progress tomy department head in regular intervals.

The materials were collected afterproper study. CE 1.13The detailed project report has been prepared by me after the successof the project which includes the overall processes, design calculations, drawing,materials and tools used and photos. Proper channels were adopted by me inpurchasing the materials.

I always considered the safety of the people workingbehind the project throughout especially at the time of fabrication. I ensuredthat my team was following the safety precautions and wearing the safety equipment.d)    SummaryCE 1.14I completed the project within the scheduled time frame. It was a success and I waspersonally involved throughout the course of the project.

The aim of developingan aircraft that can move three medium was fulfilled. It was the result of theefforts I had put in together with thesupport from the team. After thecompletion of the project, my knowledge and skill level improved and got myselfequipped in facing problems that can arise in my future career. It also helped mein improving my team management and coordinating skills.