VTOL Drone for Extended Flight

I was selected by Professor Anita Penkova to assist in the design and development of a high-endurance VTOL drone engineered for maximum time in the air. The drone features a five-motor configuration (four for vertical lift and one for forward thrust), removing the need for traditional control surfaces like ailerons, rudders, and elevators. This approach reduces drag, saves weight, and simplifies the control system. My work focused on fuselage design and aerodynamic optimization, where I tested and analyzed multiple airfoil designs to determine which provided the greatest lift-to-drag ratio for efficient gliding. The resulting configuration allows the drone to transition smoothly from powered flight to extended glide, significantly improving overall endurance and energy efficiency.