Abstract:

For us innovation in teaching is a new way of bringing students to their own learning process, from parameters that are sufficiently attractive, stimulating and innovative. The main idea we have in the Centre for University Studies in Aviation (CESDA) related to educational innovation is that the synergistic activity and student participation in the carrying out of a real application project in the final phase of their training are very beneficial for their learning process.
For the past three years and to consolidate the knowledge they have received throughout their aviation training, teams of two students have collaborated in the design, simulation, construction and in the future in flight tests, of a single seat ultra light aircraft prototype called Microjet XFA-3. This process is structured in two phases: Phase 1 is the preliminary design of the prototype and the building of a model in an aerodynamic scale for studying the general behavior of the design ; and Phase 2 is the study of the final prototype design and construction of a realistic model of XFA-3 to human scale application of construction methods, testing, certification by AESA (Spanish Aviation Safety Agency) and test flights. This project is the result of a collaboration agreement between CESDA and the FAQCIL ENGINEERING SL company (Patent owner of the aircraft configuration) with educational and scientific goals, including the development of new learning methodologies in the field of aviation and the construction of a flexible aerial platform for easy mounting for future studies of other engines, propellers, systems, materials and fuels.
During the academic year 2009 - 2010 aviation students of CESDA and the Chemical Engineering School of the University Rovira i Virgili (URV ETSEQ) worked together, with the supervision of professors from the two schools in the numerical simulation of air flow around the aircraft XFA-3 using a high level simulator (FluentR) and testing different alternatives for different parts of the aircraft body, optimizing them. They numerically demonstrated that the aircraft is able to fly in all types of weather conditions, validating its technical viability.
The most important results of this project is that the first promotion of the students involved have successfully managed to complete Phase 1; the second promotion has managed to start the Phase 2 construction of the fuselage, the lifting surfaces and 3D fluid simulations . The current promotion continues in Phase 2 devoted to the construction and installation of mechanical systems and static tests, while future promotions will focus on the installation and calibration of systems, installation of emergency equipment and finishes, preparation of operations and flight tests handbook, the maintenance and spare parts handbook, as well as the certification by AESA.
The aim of this paper is to study and analyze the benefits for students in collaborative work between a company (Faqcil Engineering, SL), a university education center (CESDA) and a public university (URV) and shows the main end product of the Project: the jet XFA - 3. That is not only an airplane, but also an aerial platform where various aircraft systems can be tested, namely: different kinds of navigation and control systems, different propulsion systems (turbojet, propeller driven by electric motor, fuel cells, etc.) and several systems and materials (i.e., carbon nanotubes for critical structural components).

Keywords:

Cooperative projects, ultra jet, aircraft, airplane, numerical simulation, aviation studies.