Seth Witte, IT 2009
Wind Tunnel Balance
Major
Aerospace Engineering
Mentors
Jeff Hammer, Aerospace Engineering
Brief Bio
I enjoy long distance running and I like to cook—specifically pasta dishes.
Future Plans
I plan to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering. Then I am going to search for a job, and I would like to work for Lockheed Martin or Boeing.
Why Research?
It was a project that I have been talking to the professor about. It sounded fun and interesting, and it will help many people out if we can do it.
What Did I Get from Research?
I expect there will be a better way for students to use the universities wind tunnel.
How Did I Start?
I had talked to a fellow student, and she talked about a professor who had numerous projects he wanted students to help with. I went to him, and he showed me this project.
My Advice for Another Student:
Try to find something you like to do. Hopefully, you can find a professor that is willing to help you out.
Research Summary
I am designing and building a side mounted wind tunnel balance that will collect basic aerodynamic data for half of a fuselage and one wing. With the side-mounted system, the wing size will be a little bigger then the present system, and will allow for results that are more realistic. In addition, it will be a lot cheaper to operate then the present data collection system. It will allow students to have access to the machine when students would not have had access before.