Introduction
This preliminary design evaluation began in May, 2004, under a Fixed Price Agreement between Meekins & Associates and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Details of the effort are described in Appendix A: Statement of Work, dated April 24, 2004. Administrative direction is provided by Peter S. Pierpont, Director, Engineering Research Center. Engineering analysis is being performed by Professor of Aerospace Engineering Charles N. Eastlake, Principal Investigator, and by Aerospace Engineering graduate student (now MSAE graduate) Isaac Wanjohi under Professor Eastlake’s supervision. The aircraft design concept being evaluated is a twin-hulled amphibian incorporating an integral ducted fan propulsion system, for which John Meekins of Meekins & Associates has been granted Patent No. US 6,592,073 B1.
Deliverables specified in the Statement of Work include an eleven item list which has been expanded into a twenty-four item list to facilitate division of effort among participants and to clarify tracking of accomplishments. This expanded list is presented and discussed in more detail in the Analysis section. This Progress Report documents accomplishments on the project at approximately its midpoint. The report is being delivered to Meekins & Associates one week after the August 15 nominal due date because of the delay required to re-establish normal business function in the aftermath of Hurricane Charley.
Significant progress has been made and the design concept appears feasible based upon preliminary analytical results. It should be noted, however, that initial emphasis has placed on setting up a framework of conveniently usable analytical tools and that all results arrived at to date should be viewed as test cases that can and probably will be modified before the conclusion of the analysis. Specific data used and the logic behind design choices selected are described in more detail in the following sections.
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