Research and Project Experiences
Research Projects

Research Projects

In situ Flight Data Analysis, Performance, and Planning for STOL Operations

Supervised by Dr. Sudip Bhattrai

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  • Designed an In Situ Flight Data Analysis (iFDA) toolbox for turboprop aircraft, offering real-time performance calculations and decision-making aids, validated within 3% accuracy against flight manuals and simulations.
  • Integrated terrain proximity analysis and dynamic decision support to improve operational safety in complex, geographically constrained short takeoff and landing (STOL) environments.
  • Demonstrated the toolbox’s capability in real-time path planning and Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) avoidance for challenging terrains, such as Nepal’s Annapurna region.

Related Publications:

[1] D. Kunwar, P. Bhandari, S. Shrestha, S. Bhattrai, V. Paudel and S. Neupane, “In situ Flight Data Analysis, Performance, and Planning for STOL Operations,” AIAA Aviation Forum and ASCEND, Jul. 2024.Available: https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2024-4253

[2] D. Kunwar, P. Bhandari, S. Shrestha, and S. Bhattrai, “STOL Operations Based on In Situ Flight Data and Performance Analysis,” Journal of Air Transportation, (Under Review)

Formulation of Insitu Flight Performance Toolbox for Decision Support System

Undergraduate Thesis, Supervised by Dr. Sudip Bhattrai and Er. Vishal Paudel

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  • Developed a mathematical model to estimate operational requirements and performance calculations for various flight phases using MATLAB, particularly tailored to the DHC-6, series 300 aircraft.
  • Validated and tested the model by cross-referencing it with performance charts and supplementary data obtained from Nepal Airlines Corporation.
  • Incorporated decision support aids the model for the imposed airport, aircraft, and regulatory limitations.
  • Designed an intuitive graphical interface integrating the outputs, decision aids, and flight profiles generated.

Related Publications:

[1] D. Kunwar, P. Bhandari,and S. Shrestha,“Formulation of Insitu Flight Performance Toolbox for Decision Support System," Thesis, Tribhuvan University, Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus, 2023. Available: https://elibrary.tucl.edu.np/handle/20.500.14540/17733

Study on Effects of Spring and Damping Elements on UAV Landing Gear System

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  • Aimed at development of a suitable damping mechanism in landing gear to ensure safety of sensitive payloads during the delivery using UAV,
  • Formulated a Simulink-based model to study the effects of spring and damping elements in a simplified oleo strut landing gear system for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
  • Utilized the model developed to choose suitable materials for spring and damper to limit the transmitted shock within 5g’s to ensure the safety of medical packages for a fixed-wing medical delivery drone.

Related Publications:

[1] D. Kunwar, P. Paudel, S. Dhakal, S. Pandey, and S. Paudel, “Study on Effect of Spring and Damping Elements on UAV Landing Gear System,” Poster, International Conference on Vibration Engineering and Technology of Machinery (VETOMAC), Springer Nature, 2022

Study of Temperature Distribution and Cooling Effectiveness for Combined Impingement-Convection Cooling (CICC) in Strut Insert Turbine Blade

Academic Research, Supervised by Asst. Prof. Kamal Darlami

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  • Investigated the cooling effectiveness of a turbine blade with Combined Impingement- Convection Cooling (CICC) design at different blowing ratios using Ansys Fluent.
  • Studied the temperature distribution and velocity profile over the blade surface to determine blade film cooling performance

Related Publications:

[1] B. Parajuli, D. Kunwar, P. Regmi, and S. Shrestha, “Study of Temperature Distribution and Cooling Effectiveness for Combined Impingement-Convection Cooling (CICC) in Strut Insert Turbine Blade,” Preprint, 2021

Additional information on previous project works can be found in the projects tab here