Self-initiated project · 2026–

UAV design and flight-dynamics tool

In this personal project, I am developing a Python tool for preliminary UAV aerodynamic and flight dynamics analysis, alongside a planned physical testbed.

My contribution

I built the geometry and solver workflow, the interface and the checks that compare predictions. The software is in development; the testbed is a CAD design.

In progress

The active UAV analysis application with the reference airframe — The running application with the reference geometry used for the analysis.

Authoring the airframe

The interface edits a parametric airframe and sends the same geometry to OpenVSP and the analysis, so every result traces back to visible inputs.

Lift curve and two drag-model predictions from the UAV tool’s reference wing-and-tail analysis — Outputs from the tool’s 2.4 m reference wing and tails at 20 m/s, QUICK fidelity. Fuselage excluded; numerical predictions without flight validation.

Comparing aerodynamic predictions

The tool runs VSPAERO and keeps a composite drag estimate beside an independent wetted-area buildup, so differences stay visible. Its differential-evolution search rejects failed or implausible results, such as non-positive drag, before scoring a design.

The running UAV Studio drag-polar and model-comparison screen — The same comparison in the running application.

Eigenvalues and a named-mode table from the UAV tool’s reference wing-and-tail analysis — Calculated modes for the same 2.4 m reference example. Mass is stated and inertia estimated; the stability point is 0.82° and the calculated lift-trim angle about 0.80°.

Stability and dynamic modes

It combines VSPAERO static derivatives with AVL rate derivatives, checks their consistency and builds the longitudinal and lateral state-space models. In this example the oscillatory modes are damped and the spiral diverges slowly, doubling in about 38 s; estimated inertia and omitted derivatives remain stated limitations.

The running UAV Studio dynamic-mode screen with computed modes and their limits — Dynamic modes in the running application, with estimated inertia and the omitted unsteady derivative flagged.

CAD render of the planned small UAV with a carbon tail boom and V-tail — The 1 m testbed in CAD. It has not been built yet.

Planned physical testbed

I am also designing a 1 m testbed to fly ArduPilot on a Matek H7A3-WING; its fuselage was designed in CAD in August 2026 and it is not yet built. I hold CAA Flyer and Operator IDs.

Tools and methods

Python, OpenVSP/VSPAERO, AVL, PySide6