MACH 8: Scorpion (Optimal Moment)

This aircraft was built for the 2023-2024 competition. The mission for 2024 was to design, build and test an aircraft to simulate a short takeoff passenger and medical transport aircraft. This competition presented many unique challenges and required the aircraft to have the following features:

• Wingspan below 5 ft with one xy dimension of the aircraft less than 2.5 ft in the parking configuration

• Internally house a medical supply cabinet with 3 x 3 x 4 in min. dimensions, as well as EMTs, crew, and a patient

• Internally house crew and passengers

• Quickly load, unload, and change payload configurations

• Take off in under 20 feet of runway

A prototype was constructed in the Fall semester, which was tested and used together with MDO and analysis to inform the final aircraft design. The final aircraft incorporated MACH’s first use of hollow-core molded wings, a mylar-bagged profile tail, a T-tail, and improved upon the semi-monocoque fuselage developed for MACH 7. The aircraft also featured a unique upper and lower payload bay structure, which allowed for smooth wing integration and uninterrupted payload space on the lower deck. Finally, the aircraft incorporates a folding tail section rather than the conventional folding wings, allowing for a lighter and simpler construction.

At the competition in Wichita, KS, the team completed all three flight missions and placed 9th out of 107 teams, MACH’s best ever placement.