Applied Engineering Research

Aerospace Engineering Research Center

Embry-Riddle's Aerospace Engineering Research Center -- also known as EagleWorks -- occupies four hangars adjacent to neighboring Daytona Beach International Airport. EagleWorks focuses faculty, graduate students, and University resources on partnership projects in many areas, including flight testing, flight simulation, rapid prototyping, reverse engineering, aerospace propulsion, structures, advanced avionics, FAA certification, and UAV design. EagleWorks continually grows and maintains meaningful relationships with the aerospace industry, other universities, and government.

For more information about EagleWorks contact:
AVP Research Development and Innovation, Rod Casto.

castor2@erau.edu

A few sample projects:

Problem:

A Swiss company needed to integrate and flight-test its new aircraft engine in a Piper aircraft.

Solution:

The center's researchers conducted mount stress analyses, designed a new air duct system, cooler, and low-drag engine cowl, and performed flight tests of the new engine.

The product developed by Samroen Rotary Engines is simpler and more like a turbine engine than the reciprocating versions found in most small airplanes. It will burn jet fuel, cost less, and perform more safely and reliably than other engines on the market.

Embry-Riddle researchers designed and manufactured a cowl that safely encloses the engine in the space between the cabin and propeller and incorporates the electronic engine control and exhaust system.

Problem:

New aircraft materials and wing designs need to be evaluated in flight, but this is difficult to do without building a new aircraft.

Solution:

The center's researchers mounted a candidate wing atop a Cessna 337 to test its structure and performance. Funding was provided by JRL Consulting Services Inc.

Because the host aircraft and its wing are understood, the instrumentation on the additional wing allows its performance characteristics to be verified in flight against theoretical research. If the experimental wing is safe and effective, it has potential for use on a variety of aircraft, including large military transport planes and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Researchers and aerospace engineering graduate students designed the host aircraft support system and installed the experimental wing. The actual wing was built and designed in France. Flight tests and evaluation are complete.