Comments:

Specific:
I will research and determine appropriate components for a medical VTOL aircraft, focusing on safety, reliability, efficiency, and medical payload support.

Measurable:
I will show understanding by writing a short explanation of how the propulsion, power, and control systems meet medical mission requirements.

Achievable:
I will use manufacturer specifications, engineering references, and basic aviation safety principles to guide my research.

Reasonable:
The scope of this research is realistic for a student project and focuses on conceptual component suitability rather than full-scale aircraft design.

Time-Bound:
I will complete this research and explanation within 2 weeks.

Career Connection:

This project reflects the work of aerospace engineers, who design and evaluate aircraft systems to meet specific mission requirements such as safety, efficiency, and payload capacity. By researching components for a medical VTOL aircraft, I am applying real aerospace engineering principles including propulsion analysis, power management, system integration, and risk assessment. These are the same skills aerospace engineers use when developing emergency-response aircraft, drones, and advanced air mobility vehicles used for medical transport and rescue operations.

For January 5, 2026

Comments:

Dec 16, 2025 SMART goal update

Sorry instead of two weeks it will be minimized to 1 week since winter break. yay!

Comments:

• Specific: You are selecting materials (Carbon fiber, balsa, foam) that fit a specific weight class.

• Measurable: The hard limit is 2kg (Total Weight = Airframe + Electronics + Battery).

  • Note: To hit a 2kg total, the empty airframe (materials only) should typically weigh no more than 1.0kg - 1.2kg.

• Achievable: At 2kg, you can use robust materials like fiberglass-reinforced foam, plywood ribs, or PETG 3D prints without being too fragile.

• Reasonable: Staying under 2kg ensures you can use standard, cost-effective motors (e.g., 2212 or 2814 size) rather than expensive heavy-lift setups.

• Time-bound: 2 weeks to finalize the list.

Career: This goal is Relevant because it forces you to practice mass optimization and cost engineering—core responsibilities of an aerospace structural engineer. You must balance the strength/stiffness required for flight with the lowest possible weight and cost (the industry's ultimate trade-off).

Comments:

Specific:
I will design and test a control system for my VTOL RC aircraft using an Arduino microcontroller and Bluetooth communication. This includes setting up the microcontroller, configuring Bluetooth modules, writing control code, and integrating signals for motors, servos, and sensors.

Measurable:

First, establish stable Bluetooth communication between Arduino and a phone/controller app. Second, Program Arduino to interpret Bluetooth commands and output control signals to at least four channels, hopefully (ex, throttle, tilt/servo control, yaw, mode switching). And third, successfully demonstrate a full bench test where all VTOL control surfaces/motors respond correctly to Bluetooth commands.

Achievable:
I will use Arduino IDE, example libraries, datasheets, and tutorials to build and refine the control system. I will test each function step-by-step to ensure reliability before aircraft installation.

Relevant:
This will allow wireless, customizable, real-time control of the VTOL prototype, which is essential for flight testing and future autonomous features.

Time-Bound:
I will complete the entire Bluetooth-to-Arduino control system within a month, including coding, wiring, and full bench testing.

Conclusion:

This is all so I can test folding capabilities and drone configuration flying capabilities. 

Comments:

Specific:
I will research and identify all essential components needed to build a functional VTOL RC aircraft, including motors, ESCs, flight controllers, batteries, servos, propellers, airframe materials, and stabilization sensors.

Measurable:
I will compile a detailed comparison chart of at least a couple of variable options for each component category, including specifications, and pros/cons.

Achievable:
I will use reliable sources such as RC forums, hobbyist guides, manufacturer datasheets, and YouTube engineering channels to gather accurate information.

Relevant:
This goal directly supports the successful design and construction of my VTOL RC aircraft by ensuring I choose components that work well together and meet performance requirements.

Time-Bound:
I will complete all research and create the final component selection list within around 2 weeks.

Comments:

Nov 24, 2025

S. Attaching control surfaces

M. By comparing my progress against the grade 10s

A. Ive built control surfaces on rockets before

R. Just a small part nothing big

T. Hopefully we can get this done by the end of the week

Comments:

Nov 17, 2025

S. Gluing on the rest of the aircraft

M. Have Saheel help me

A. Achievable since I have attached multiple other parts

R. Realistic since I have experience gluing3d printed parts

T. Aiming for the end of this week

Comments:

Nov 13, 2025

S. Gluing the parts together

M. Have some peers help speed the process

A. Achievable since I have had experience gluing parts when creating my rocket

R. Realistic since we got the vtail all glued

T. We are aiming for the end of next week

Comments:

S. Getting the remaining parts printed

M. Using multiple 3d printers to speed up the process

A. Achievable since we have seen the success of printing with other parts

R. Realistic since the left wing is finished

T. We are aiming for the end of this week for all major body parts of the aircraft.

Comments:

S. Getting the rest of the right wing printed

M. We can use multiple 3d printers to get printing done faster

A. Achievable since it's only printing left.

R. Realistic since we have a finished body of the aircraft

T. We are hopefully aiming for the end of this week for at least one wing.

Comments:

S. Getting the body printed out and the V-tail section

M. We can use most of the space on the print bed to start getting larger prints done and out of the way.

A. Achievable since parts have very little infil, resulting in quicker prints.

R. Realistic since the body of the aircraft is almost done printing and seems to be going really well.

T. Can hopefully get the Body done this week and the V-tail and main wings once we come back from the strike.

Comments:

S. Getting the smaller parts printed clearly and sanded for best fit.

M. Was not able to achieve this last week so hopefully by the end of this week.

A. Achievable since its only slicing errors.

R. Realistic since I have made small intricate parts with a 3d printer before.

T. Hopefully a hollow shell of the helicopter can be built starting next week.

Comments:

S. 3D printing the helicopter base and getting some of the V22 Osprey 3d printed

M. Most likely by the middle to the end of next week. Hopefully this week.

A. Achievable since the parts are already made in Fusion 360.

R. Realistic since I've made a guided rocket before.

T. A hollow shell for a helicopter should be done by next week.

Comments:

Medical supplies*

Comments:

The main goal this week will be to get the design thinking sheets done for the new design of a v22 osprey/cl48 dynavert combination for far distance medical supply transportation.

S. Designing the main structure and body of the transportation device.

M. Easily measurable into two separate sections (Body and Structure).

A. Achievable within the week as it will be designed in fusion 360 to which I have access at home.

R. Reasonable goal since it focuses on a smaller portion of a bigger portion which is designing.

T. A semi-finished design by the end of the week is a good time-based goal.