ENGS 89/90 Reports

Year of Graduation

2025

Project Advisor

Wei Ouyang

Instructor

Fridon Shubitidze

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

2025

Abstract

Takeoff and landing are the most challenging phases of flight. Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) performance metrics quantify how efficiently an aircraft minimizes takeoff and landing distance. These measurements ensure safety and have even become the basis of STOLcompetitions, where pilots compete to minimize their takeoff and landing distance. While pilots use mathematical models to predict STOL distances, there are no available means for pilots to measure their true STOL performance instantaneously, affordably, and easily. STOLmate 1.0 laid the foundation for instantaneous, accessible STOL performance reporting; however, the current device requires labor-intensive manufacturing, has reliability issues in certain weather and runway conditions, and has a range of inaccuracy. Additionally, the corresponding software has limited UI design elements, few customization functions, and no data persistence. STOLmate 2.0 expands upon STOLmate 1.0, providing a more enjoyable user interface, more reliable performance in different environmental conditions, easier manufacturing, and a 33% reduction in manufacturing cost. The new hardware is built around a PCB design with the addition of accelerometer data to expand the information available to STOLmate users and enable our sponsor to explore further techniques to enhance performance accuracy. On the software end, we provided a ground-up redesign of the iOS app, flight history data, and customizable airplane and airfield settings. STOLmate is the first commercially-available device to enable pilots to train for STOL competitions by determining their takeoff and landing performance independently, and STOLmate 2.0 will enhance the features of the pre-existing model.

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