The Rapid Design to Prototype Process of the Hummingbuzz Individual Flying Machine

In the history of flight, starting from first gliders of Otto Lilienthal to first powered fixed-wing aircraft designed by Wright brothers or first Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) technology based VS-300 invented by Sikorsky; the notion of human flying machine has always enticed imaginations of the pioneers and observers alike. In the realm of powered VTOL individual flying machines, various inventors have explored several unique and innovative technology concepts (for example tilt rotor, tilting ducted fan, tilt jets, etc.) Georgia Tech Hummingbuzz concept is exploring one such possibility of integrating shrouded coaxial rotors in motorcycle/Jet Ski like configuration to provide a thrilling, quiet and unobstructed view based flying experience. This paper discusses how the concept resulted as a by-product of the Boeing sponsored GoFly competition and Georgia Tech Integrated Product and Process Development (IPPD) methodology used in its Aerospace Design and Systems Engineering program. The paper will also describe in detail the Preliminary Design process used to select the hardware and software required to achieve the design that meets GoFly competition requirements. The paper will discuss the scaled prototype test results and the lessons derived from the tests. In the end, the paper will conclude by providing the future roadmap for the design and development of the full-scale prototype with the end goal of competing in the final phase of GoFly competition in first quarter of 2020.