The model I created for UTAT (University of Toronto Aerospace Team) Power Flight team has demonstrated my skill of using advanced features in Solidworks.

The model of the vertical stabilizer is one of the components on a power flight design. Vertical stabilizers are always referred to tails of flights, and they are used to balance the flight during turning.

Creation of the CAD model of the vertical stabilizer is based on the airfoil shape of standardized NACA0012, which is 18” tall and 18” long from the leading edge. The model will be used for future construction of the real vertical stabilizer on the power flight. The advanced modeling skills used for this CAD include curve features, multi-plane geometry, loft, extrusion cut, and split and sophisticated measuring skills. The entire model consists of front ribs, main spar that connects all the ribs, a rear spar that interfaces the fuselage, a turning hinge and rear rudder which can turn on the hinge.

Due to the geometry of an airfoil and the shape of a loft, length of each cutting rib varies along the loft. Therefore, each part is similar but completely different in terms of size from the rest. This characteristic of the model is the major obstacle for me to overcome.

Whereas, completion of the model has demonstrated my teamwork ability as well. I incorporated with a teammate, we separated the work, tried different methods to approach to the final result. And eventually, we compiled our results together to get the final model.