ATLAS I "The Survivor"
UoP ATLAS Team participated in Air Cargo Challenge 2007 (ACC2007) at Lisboa/Portugal for first time, with ATLAS I aircraft. It was Designed and built in 9 months (November 2006-July 2007). ATLAS I is a low aspect ratio,high wing, full composite aircraft. It earned the nickname "Survivor" because it experienced 2 fatal crashes during the competition, due to extreme weather conditions (high crosswinds).Flight mechanics group estimated that the peak impact acceleration was 80g during the crash, but the Structures group had already optimized the wing, fuselage and empenage connections for impact loads. Thanks to our pilot, Manos Kerpinis,ATLAS I placed 8th among 21 participants at the end of the contest. Two years later, ATLAS I earned the Young Aerospace Engineer of the Year Technology and Innovation Award at the Aerospace Testing & Manufacturing Expo in Munich on 21-23 April 2009.
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ATLAS II "The Fighter"
ATLAS III "The Efficient"
ATLAS IIIB "The Renascent"
ATLAS IV "The Leader"
ATLAS IVB "The Flag"
After ACC 2013, the main reasons that affect the ATLAS IV’s efficiency were investigated. An advanced work for the aircraft’s response under extremely high wind conditions was carried out. All the changes were adjusted to the ATLAS IV and ATLAS IVB was the outcome: An aircraft with 5 meters span and a lifting capacity of 10.5 kg. ATLAS IVB is a robust, dynamic stable aircraft fully controlled by the rudder (laterally/directionally) and slow response at the longitudinal mode, allowing only smooth control inputs by the pilot. ATLAS IVB is the larger aircraft that ever integrated by ATLAS Team members.