Yusef Sabra

Activity 1.5 Gossamer Condor Design Brief Yusef Sabra

1. Who was responsible for the design of the Gossamer Condor? Write your answer
on the line next to the word Designer in the design brief.
Dr. Paul Maccready.
2. What was the problem that the designer and his team were trying to solve? Be
advised, the problem was not to design an aircraft. The design of an aircraft was
part of the solution to the problem. Write your answer as a complete sentence(s)
on the lines next to the words Problem Statement in the design brief.
The team had to create a man-powered, maneuverable aircraft capable of
overcoming various obstacles set within a course and land safely following the trial.
3. To what degree was the solution to be realized? Was the designers intention to
merely sketch an idea and be done? Was the intention to come up with an idea,
build it, and stop there? Or, was it the designers intention to design, build, and
test an idea?
The intention of the designers was not only to create and build a design, but test
it and reevaluate it until it was capable of completing the flight-based challenge set forth.
4. What expectation(s) did the design have to meet before it would be considered a
successful solution to the problem? In other words, what did the solution have to
do? Combine your answer with the answer from question three, and write it as a
complete sentence(s) on the lines next to the words Design Statement in the
design brief.
The design had to be completely constructed and ready for use, as well as
capable of navigating through the obstacle course safely and successfully, before being
considered successful.
5. What limitations did the design team have to work with? What criteria did the
solution have to meet?
The designed aircraft had to be powered by man and capable of safely
overcoming the obstacles presented in the obstacle course.

2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Introduction to Engineering Design Activity 1.1.3 Gossamer Condor Design Brief (Optional) Page 1

Yusef Sabra

Gossamer Condor Design Brief

Designer:

Dr. Paul Maccready and his associates at AeroVironment

Problem Statement:

The team had to create a man-powered, maneuverable

aircraft capable of overcoming various obstacles set within a
course and land safely following the trial.
The design had to be completely constructed and ready for
use, as well as capable of navigating through the obstacle
course safely and successfully, before being considered
successful.

Design Statement:

Constraints:

The intention of the designers was not only to create and

build a design, but test it and reevaluate it until it was
capable of completing the flight-based challenge set forth.

The designed aircraft had to be powered by man and

capable of safely overcoming the obstacles presented in the
obstacle course.

Conclusion
1. Aside from being the first to solve the problem, what was the major motivating
factor for the designer of the Gossamer Condor?
To achieve the age-old dream of man-powered flight and win Kramers prize in the
process.
2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Introduction to Engineering Design Activity 1.1.3 Gossamer Condor Design Brief (Optional) Page 2

Yusef Sabra
2. Where did the idea for the Gossamer Condor come from, and what did it have to
do with the power output of a bicyclist?
Much of the design ideas were inspired by the hang-glider. The power-output of a
bicyclist was important as it was fully man-powered and a great amount of endurance
and skill was needed in order to sustain flight.

3. What was the major natural element that caused the most problems to the
Gossamer Condor?
The major natural element causing the Gossamer Condors troubles was the wind. The
wind could easily ruin the desired flight path of the Condor by impacting its movement.
4. What were three major differences between the first generation design and the
final generation design of the Gossamer Condor?
The wings were swept back, the pilots space enclosed, and each of the wings
undersides covered with enduring mylar.
5. How long did it take the design team to accomplish their goal? Was this the
amount of time that the design team expected?
The goal took an entire year to accomplish whereas they originally expected it to take
only a few months.

2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Introduction to Engineering Design Activity 1.1.3 Gossamer Condor Design Brief (Optional) Page 3