Efficient Drone Scheduling and Flight Path Neil Sukhtankar
What is the most efficient daily schedule and flight path for a multi-purpose campus drone? This paper explores optimal daily scheduling and flight-path integration for a drone tasked with delivery, 2D mapping, and 3D structural inspections. Synthesizing peer-reviewed engineering literature, IEEE conference proceedings, and global logistics reports from 2022 to 2026, it weighs mathematical routing models against real-world constraints. The findings point to a three-tiered framework: grouping missions sequentially by payload, shifting flight geometries between 2D and 3D models based on the task, and embedding real-time sensory adaptations to bypass poor weather and pedestrian traffic. It fills a gap in literature that favors single-use commercial logistics over multi-role institutional deployment.
Read the full paper → The Effect of Propeller Pitch on Drone Flight Time and Thrust Output Krishang Thakur · Sophomore, BASIS Phoenix
Drones are increasingly important across delivery, agriculture, infrastructure inspection, and emergency response, yet limited battery life remains a defining challenge. Because propellers directly influence thrust generation and energy consumption, this paper investigates: how does increasing propeller pitch affect a drone's flight time and thrust output? Drawing on NASA publications and aerospace engineering studies, it finds that increasing pitch generally improves thrust, since the propeller moves more air per rotation, but it also demands more motor power, raising battery consumption and cutting flight time. Drone design therefore balances performance against efficiency: higher-pitch propellers suit speed and lift, while lower-pitch designs favor endurance.
Read the full paper → Reducing Maintenance Errors Through Improved Aircraft Documentation Adyasha Mohanty
Aircraft maintenance relies heavily on accurate technical documentation, yet inconsistent practices, outdated manuals, and poor accessibility all lead to errors. This paper asks: how can aircraft documentation be improved to minimize complex maintenance while boosting safety and efficiency? Through a literature review of government publications, FAA and NASA research, technical reports, and human-factors studies, it identifies inaccurate documentation, organizational noncompliance, and poor information systems as major contributors to errors that can lead to accidents. Integrating digital maintenance systems and standardized documentation practices improves both accuracy and accessibility. Modernizing these systems is vital to aircraft safety, maintenance efficiency, and operational cost across the industry.
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