Texas A&M Vertical Flight Design Team Structure
VFD members are hand picked every year to form an elite team united under a common goal: pushing the boundaries of vertical flight and winning the National Design-Build-Vertical Flight (DBVF) competition hosted by the Vertical Flight Society (VFS). While VFD members are divided into four sub-teams, there is a high degree of interdisciplinary collaboration, and VFD members become experts in a variety of fields. Our team members’ renowned blend of ingenuity, dedication, and technical skills allow them to thrive in real-world engineering applications. VFD is more than just the world’s premier vertical flight design team, it’s a hub for the next generation of pioneers in aerospace and aviation.
Sub-Teams
In order to properly manage the workload of taking a full scale eVTOL aircraft through the complete design cycle, VFD members are divided into four sub-teams: Aerodynamics, Structures, Avionics & Controls, and Business. Each sub-team has its own unique skill-set and responsibilities, with all of them working together to create the final aircraft.
Aerodynamics
The Aerodynamics sub-team consists of 5-7 members under the direction of a Team Lead, responsible for the design, analysis, and manufacturing of all aerodynamic surfaces, such as the wings and cowling.
Aerodynamics members are required to learn both 2D and 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools including but not limited to XFLR5, Athena Vortex Lattice (AVL), and ANSYS Fluent. In addition, the aerodynamics team conducts extensive wind tunnel testing in the AVFL wind tunnel.
Members must also be proficient in their programming abilities, particularly with Python, Matlab/Simulink, and Git/Github.
This sub-team also requires knowledge of basic Solidworks CAD modeling, and will learn a variety of manufacturing methods including 3D printing and CNC hot wire foam cutting.
As with all of the other sub-teams, the most important qualities are dedication and a desire to learn, as senior VFD members are always willing to help new members learn the above skills.
Structures
The Structures sub-team consists of 6-9 members under the direction of a Team Lead, responsible for the design, analysis, and manufacturing of all structural components, such as the payload bay and frame.
Structures members are required to learn and use Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software for structural analysis, including Abaqus and Solidworks FEA.
This sub-team also requires advanced knowledge of Solidworks CAD modeling, and students will gain a variety of experience with creating complex models.
Members will also become proficient with a variety of advanced manufacturing methods, as well as conducting physical stress tests and experiments.
The structures sub-team is also the most involved with overall aircraft assembly, taking the lead throughout the fabrication process.
Avionics & Controls
The A&C sub-team consists of 5-7 members under the direction of a Team Lead, responsible for the design, selection, and analysis of all GNC systems and avionics components, such as the autonomous flight controller and powertrain.
This sub-team requires high proficiency levels with programming in C++, Python, Matlab/Simulink, and Git/Github for use in developing autonomous software and advanced analysis programs.
Sub-team members will also develop fundamental rotorcraft theoretical knowledge, including Blade Element Momentum Theory (BEMT) for powertrain analysis.
Members will also become proficient with autonomous mission planning, and various industry standard flight controllers.
The A&C sub-team is also the most involved with aircraft wiring, and members can expect to become skilled at soldering.
Business
The Business sub-team is a brand new addition to VFD, consisting of 4-6 members under the direction of a Team Lead. They’re responsible for maintaining finances, securing sponsorships, managing outreach, and creating merch. Each business team member is placed in charge of a specific sector.
The treasurer is expected to diligently maintain budgets, manage finances, and generate balance sheets in Microsoft Excel and/or Intuit Quickbooks.
Fundraising conducts sponsor outreach to secure new donations, oversees the fulfillment of current sponsorships, and explores other sources of income such as grants and merchandise sales.
Marketing focuses on increasing social media presence, outreach amongst students, and works to maintain and improve the website.
Media/Graphic design works closely with the entire business team to create graphics and promotional material as needed, in addition to documenting VFD’s full design process of the aircraft.