About the Project

A Year of Dedication

Mission 1: Forest Management - (configuration 1)

Planimetric mapping and forest imaging
Tracking forest inventory
Tracks vegetation growth
Identifying logging activities, roadways, houses, etc

M3: Wildlife Management - (configuration 1)

Uses camera filters and object detection to help scrub footage for wildlife
Has an optional camera turntable to keep the camera trained on subjects
Can be used to track wildlife sightings, conduct population censuses, highlight human impacts, and identify habitats
Wing configuration can depend on what type of study / wildlife is being observed

Mission 2: Fire Mitigation - (configuration 2)

Can mark dry regions prone to fire
Reseeding of large areas more efficiently
Can map fire prone areas for first responders
Possibility of thermal imagery
Marking oads for evacuation routes
Assist first responders with radio repeaters to boost communication range

Mission 4: General Research (either configuration)

Can be easily retrofitted to support a wide array of research profiles
The modular payload compartment allows for easy installation, and reinstallation of equipment in the field
Wing configuration can depend on what type of study is being performed

The challenge proposed for this year's Aerospace (fixed-wing) Senior Design Project involved developing an unmanned aerial vehicle for use by the NC and US Forest Service for a variety of possible scenarios. The OVERSEERS' Project FALCON was designed to develop a simple, modular aircraft capable of a variety of tasks to support the US Forest Service. A multifunctional Unmanned Aerial Vehicle will allow employees to observe and study more land area in less time. The emphasis was placed on modularity, ease of use, and stability.

Introducing the Overseers Senior Design Team

Early on, the team was given a set of leaership roles, and delegated each other to them. Roles were chosen based on individual skillsets and personal interest. Each of these lead roles were to oversee that respective category of the project's development, however, each member of the team has participated in most aspects of the project at least at some point.

The various roles include are split into two categories; administrative roles and technical leads. These roles include;

Administrative Positions

Project Manager: In charge of coordinating efforts among team members and team lead positions. Responsible for organizing meetings, reporting a weekly status form, helping the team to meet deadlines, and keep everyone working efficiently together.
Systems Engineer: In charge of considering the big picture of the engineering project, aka making sure major systems are working properly as a whole, maintaining proper functionality between the various subsystems, and helping the team meet the various overall objectives and missions set forth by the project. Our systems engineer eventally took lead trying to figure ou the various electronics and payload systems.
Manufacturing Lead: In charge of managing all physical fabrication and manufacturing processes involved in the project. This includes both making sure all designs and CAD models reflect a reasonable (and viable) plan for actually manufacturing down the line, as well as overseeing those processes when the time eventually comes.
Financial Manager: In charge of recording and keeping track of all transactions and purchases in the duration of the project. Keeps the team on track financially, researches ways to save money, and warns the team when funds are getting tight.
Test and Safety Lead: In charge of overseeing any and all processes that may prove a hazard to the other team members, other teams, and/or property. Makes sure the team uses all available tools and resources properly/safely, and reports whenever anyone gets injured, or property gets damaged.
Communications Liason: In charge of communications for the entire senior design project. This entails both between members of the team, as well as with those outside the team, such as the advisors, NCSU faculty, enternal contacts, and others.

Technical Leads

Aerodynamics Lead: In charge of any task that deals with the wings, lift, drag, etc. Helps the stability and controls lead with developing the various controls surfaces, works with the propulsion lead to determine required thrust required for flight, and works with the other leads to best develop the optimal structures to support the wing and tail setup.
Propulsion Lead: In charge of anythinf dealing with the motor, propeller, electronic speed controller (ESC), and/or battery.
Stability and Controls Lead: In charge of coordinatinng anything that deals with the ailerons, elevator, rudder, and other control surfaces as well as their cooresponding electrical setups.
Structures Lead: In charge of the development of all various strutcures and support systems that go into making the FALCON sysytem. This includes the fuselage, wings, tail, landing gear, mountings for the various components, and more.
Materials Lead: The materials lead is a position that the team created, dividing the roles of the structures lead somewhat, especially after the team lost a teammate early on in the first semester. This position takes into consideration the overall structures and tries to optimize for the materials used to build each component.
CAD and Simulations Lead: The team's CAD lead is in charge of all computer simulations, digital computer aided design models (CAD), and any other way of digitally representing, designing, testing, and optimizing, the various systems and structures of the UAV. This team's CAD lead is responsible for designing much of the FALCON's body make-up as, the team's logos and branding, this website, operating the 3D printers, running the laser cutters, and more.