The intention of this minor is to design, construct and fly a fixed wing single engine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) which is capable of flying a predetermined automated mission and drop a small package of food. The wing must be built with composite materials and its span is limited to 2 m. EASA CS-23 demands for both climb performance and wing strength must be applied.

• You effectively manage and function within a multidisciplinary (model aircraft) design project;
• You carefully weigh design demands and motivate all (multidisciplinary) design decisions;
• You design a model aircraft using composite materials and integration of (of the shelf) autopilot technology;
• You use engineering software and simulators for design validation and prediction of (dynamic) behavior;
• You practically construct a high quality model aircraft (from own technical drawings) using a mix of production and joining techniques;
• You critically assess design quality (using data form practical testing);
• You prepare and execute an unmanned 'mission' ensuring compliance with operational requirements and effectively managing risks.

The student masters the English language (listening, speaking, reading and writing) and is acquainted with the subject of mathematics and physics. The minor is given in English since international students participate as well.

• Anderson, J.D. JR. (2008). Introduction to Flight. McGraw-Hill. ISBN 9780071263184
• Lennon, A. (1996). Basics of R/C Model Aircraft Design: Practical Techniques for Building Better Models. Air Age. ISBN 9780911295405 
• Raymer, D.P. (2002). Aircraft Design: A Conceptual Approach. 4rd Ed. AIAA Educational Series. ISBN 9781563478291
• Raymer, D.P. (2002). Simplified Aircraft Design for Homebuilders. Conceptual Research Corporation. ISBN 9780972239707
• Simons, M. (1999). Model Aircraft Aerodynamics. Trans-Atlantic Publications. ISBN 9781854861900

Schedule will be published approximately 2 weeks before the start of the minor. On average, there will be approximately 20 hours of classes in a week. However, full time commitment is required for successful completion of the assignment.

Workload: 40 hours a week (group work, self-study and 20 to 5 contact hours). The number of contact hours is adapted to the phase of the project, but on average (weekly):

First half of the minor: 

• 10 hours of lectures 
• 2 consultancy hours 
• 4 hours of simulator practical 
• 4 hours of production technologies workshops

Second half of the minor: 

• 2 hours of lectures
• 1 consultancy hour
• 2 hours of simulator practical

The second half of the minor includes a flight test and a mission flight day.

30 ECTS. Assessment forms include:

• Project plan and concept design presentation & defense;
• Simulator test, detailed design report, production plan, wing strength test and aircraft construction;
• Mission execution, evaluation presentation & defense and evaluation report

If the result of an assignment is insufficient, a reparatory assignment is given. Usually this will be a repair of the original work. In case of a presentation a resit will be planned within two weeks. In case of a report a new deadline will be set, with the amount of work and the progress of the project taken into account. In principle, reparatory work needs to be accomplished within the corresponding semester.

If a student fails to successfully complete the minor in the period in which they took the minor, it is possible to finalize the minor in a following period in which the minor is given.
If a minor is no longer offered or if the minor has been rewritten, the degree programme will offer the student two further opportunities to finalize this minor the following year. 

Questions about the minor?
Contact Hans Devilee, h.devilee@hva.nl

Questions about the Kies op Maat-procedure?
Contact: Monique Ax-Bervoets, Christian van Dokkum  minoren-techniek@hva.nl

​Material cost: Material costs are €50 - €150, dependent on the choices made during the design and production phase.

Applications will be processed in the order of receipt of signed learning agreements. There are 5 places available for Kies op Maat students.