Our students from the JetStream team have presented "Vratislavia", their unmanned plane which they will take to this year's SAE Aero design competition. Academic teams of all over the world will compete in the USA in early March

It weighs only 3.5 kg, but is capable of carrying as much as 12 kg. Built of very light carbon fibre, the plane is of an impressive size - with wing span of 3.74 m and 2 m in length. The students of Wrocław University of Science and Technology, members of the Academic Aviation Club, worked for a few months on "Vratislavia", applying solutions they had used in their previous constructions but also introducing some improvements. Thanks to that, "Vratislavia" features more modern electronics and improved wind ends and fin, which provide better flow of air streams and reduces the aircraft drag.

The plane will take part in one of the three of SAE Aero Design West competitions, i.e. the Advanced one, considered to be hardest. The challenge consists in a simulation of human cargo airdrop. "Vratislavia's" task will involve lifting three loads and drop them from an altitude of at least 33 m in a way to make them land as close as possible to designated airdrop areas. The competition jurors will also rate the technical report prepared by the team members as well as the plane structure itself.