Aeromodelling: Let your Dreams, Take Flight

Aeromodelling can be the first step for venture into the field of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), which has numerous engineering applications such as video surveillance, intelligence, remote sensing etc. It is an amazing module for self articulation, which leads the person to a successful career as a Pilot, Aircraft Designer, Aircraft Maintenance Technician, Aero-Space Engineer etc.

What is Aeromodelling?

Aeromodelling involves the activities such as design, development and flying of small air vehicles. The objects such as Radio Controlled Aircraft, Ornithopters (a machine that flies by flapping its wings), paper planes, etc. are contained in the modeling. We can learn, relate the concepts of science and engineering principles. It helps to understand all the fundamental principles of Flight, how and why an aircraft flies. 

History of Aeromodelling

Aeromodelling activity was started in the nineteenth century by Dr. Thomas Young. He discovered the lifting property of cambered surface in comparison to flat surface.

Streams involved in Aeromodelling

Aeromodelling involves a lot of interdisciplinary concepts of various engineering streams such as Mechanical, Electrical, Aeronautical, Electronics, and Computer Science, but majorly it involves Aerospace/ Aeronautical engineering topics.

Types of Aero Models

There are two types of aero models: Powered Models and Unpowered Models.

Powered Models: The powered models can fly with the help of engines and propellers. Most of the flying models can be categorized into groups.

• Free flight (F/F) model aircraft fly without any method of external control from the ground.

• Control line (C/L) model aircraft use cables leading from the wing to the pilot.

• Radio-controlled aircraft contains a transmitter operated by the controller, sending signals to a receiver in the model which in turn actuates servos. Servos manipulate the model's flight controls in a similar manner to a full sized aircraft.

Propellers: Powered aero models, including electric, internal-combustion, and rubber-band powered models, generate propel by rotating an airscrew. Propeller is commonly used to generate force due to the angle of offensive blades, which forces air backwards. Due to this, the plane moves forward.

 

Unpowered models: The unpowered models are operated without any engines.  They can remain flying for a specific period of time without committed force. They can be classified as fixed-wing gliders, lighter-than-air balloons and tethered kites. Parachutes require a route, not just a vertical drop. Due to powerless gliders, flight persists through exploitation of natural wind in the surroundings. 

 

Aero Models used in Advertising

Many airlines permit their aircraft models for promotional uses. These include Delta Air Lines, Air France, British Airways, Avianca, Aeroméxico, FedEx, Polar Air Cargo, Air New Zealand, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, South African Airways, Finnair, American Airlines,  Lufthansa, Japan Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Korean Airlines, and Asiana Airlines, etc. 

Benefits of Aero Modeling

Aero modeling helps to improve hand and eye coordination, understand the importance of team work, learn to cope with success and failure, create 3D objects, learn to work with plans, use hand tools etc. Also it gives immense feel of Achievement, High Confidence & Self Esteem. It ignites the Right-Brain Activity and promotes better learning. It helps to improve Logical Reasoning Capabilities of the person. Youngsters can be educated to an exciting field of science that trains them to live a life full of Thrill & Excitement and to become a role model for others in their community.

 

So, Aeromodelling has a lot to offer for the technocrats with the desire to sharpen their multi-disciplinary skills and apply them. And unlike the trendy conviction, Aeromodelling is not just for faddy flyers!

 

About Author

Prof. Supriya Sawwashere is Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science Engineering  & Information Technology. She has 14 years of experience. Her areas of interest include Theory of Computations, Computer Security and Computer Graphics.

The New Driver: Artificial Intelligence

Human beings have long feared about the rise of the machines – our own creation becoming smarter and more intelligent than us. But as Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing our world and empowering the Fourth Industrial Revolution, we do not need to be afraid. Right now, it’s almost everywhere — at our workplace, in our homes, cars, in our phones and laptops. Apart from our private lives, AI is influencing multiple business spheres like automotive, healthcare, economy, e-commerce, and entertainment. Over time, AI is going to become more sophisticated and omnipotent. Let us take a look at how AI will change the way we live and work.

AI Examples in the Real World

The impact of AI is not only visible but also tangible. Many major companies offer their own artificial intelligence assistants: Microsoft uses Cortana, Samsung Electronics utilizes Bixby, Amazon has Alexa, Apple offers Siri, and Google has Google assistant, respectively. These AIs can understand human commands and respond accordingly. But, AI in your smartphone will be able to go far beyond. Google Duplex is an upgrade of Google Assistant that can understand context. AI in Google Duplex can make an appointment on your behalf over the phone.

Impact of AI on Society

AI is still far from the futuristic image you might have in your mind — flying cars or AI robots like in Ex Machina that can easily pass for humans. Many believe that AI can be used to discover new drugs. Indeed, AI can become a perfect solution for many R&D centers that are looking for brand new drugs, which is a highly expensive and time-consuming discovery process.

How Can AI Benefit Humans?

Drug discovery can be not the only AI benefit this technology can provide humans with. Another challenge that humanity is facing right now and which can be prevented with the help of AI is the discovery of new and sustainable materials. It is believed that artificial intelligence can speed up the process. Besides, as with drug discovery, artificial intelligence can invent new compounds and properties to create a new type of material.

Impact of AI in Everyday Life

We, as smart human beings, will always derive considerable pleasure out of books, music, TV shows, and movies we like. And without giving it much thought about what lies behind our everyday activities, we use recommendation systems to choose entertainment for our liking. These are just a few uses of AI in daily life. And the chances are — you know these AI-powered examples very well like YouTube recommendation engine, Netflix Match finding in dating apps as Badoo, eHarmony, Hola, Hily, and many others, Photo and video editing apps as Toolook. 

AI Trend that will Dominate Our Lives

Now you have AI in your pocket, and in other things too. AI has been already implemented into smart home devices like home-security, air condition, and light control systems. When IoT meets artificial intelligence, it’s highly likely to be the dominant trend that will influence our everyday lives.

AI Application in Business

AI is going to be an integral part of almost every business domain. Automotive, marketing, and advertisement, agriculture, healthcare, e-commerce, criminal justice, and many others will definitely benefit from using artificial intelligence.

AI and The Economy

We observe a considerable influence on human lives, society, and numerous business spheres, but it does not begin or end there. AI is also going to alter the economy which will have both positive and negative outcomes. 

So, artificial intelligence is no longer mere science fiction as it has long gone far beyond theories and assumptions.

About the Author

Dr. Mrudula Nimbarte is working as an Associate Professor in the department of CSE at JDCOEM, Nagpur.She has more than 17 years of teaching experience. Her areas of interest are Image Processing, DBMS, TOC and Compilers. Apart from teaching, she is also interested in spirituality.