SAE West Aero Design & Flight Competition - First Place Win

A team of MAE students led by graduate student Dan Dougherty and faculty advisor Eric Kendal, competed in the SAE West Aero Design & Flight Competition on Sunday. CSULB's flying wing design, the "Tail-less Tail", entered the open class and became the outright first place winner ($1,000 prize) with a superb payload-carrying flight at Apollo Field in Van Nuys, California.

About thirty US university teams as well as nine entries from as far away as Montreal, Canada, and Canberra, Australia were entered in this International competition. The large twin-engined model in its CSULB colors of bright yellow and black (Please see attached pictures) drew much attention on its arrival at the field and won considerable praise after its flawless flight during the closing minutes of the competition. This great performance emphasizes the excellent Aerodynamics and Airplane Design education at the CSULB Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department and brings worldwide recognition to our University.

This project was partially funded by a donation from DENSO North America. Thank-you, DENSO!

 

WESTEC 2007 Manufacturing Challenge - Innovative variable flex shaft for an existing golf club

The SME student chapter S053 of CSULB led by Manufacturing Engineering Technology (MET) student Mike Romance and faculty advisor, MAE Professor Parviz Yavari entered into the WESTEC 2007 Manufacturing Challenge. The team represented the school with an innovative idea applied to the ever popular sport of Golf. The students created a variable flex shaft for an existing golf club . Currently, golf clubs are available in about 5 different (fixed) shaft stiffnesses. The variable flex golf club allows golfers and teachers to change the flex "on-the-fly" for a changing game play and or instructional use. CSULB won 2nd place, among twelve entries, for this novel idea.