Also available organized by year.
Aerodynamics#
- Experimental and Computational Investigation of Stacked Rotor Performance in Hover G. Jacobellis, R. Singh, C. Johnson, J. Sirohi, and R. McDonaldAerosp. Sci. Technol. 2021
Combined experimental and computational study of coaxial stacked rotor aerodynamics in hover. Provides validated performance data relevant to compact eVTOL rotor configurations.
- Experimental and Computational Investigation of Stacked Rotor Acoustics in Hover G. Jacobellis, R. Singh, C. Johnson, J. Sirohi, and R. McDonaldVFS Forum 2020
- Investigation of Stacked Rotor Performance in Hover Part 1: Experimental Measurements C. Johnson, J. Sirohi, G. Jacobellis, R. Singh, and R. McDonaldVFS Forum 2020
- Investigation of Stacked Rotor Performance in Hover Pt. II: Computational Validation G. Jacobellis, R. Singh, C. Johnson, J. Sirohi, and R. McDonaldAHS Aeromechanics 2020
- Development of an Interactive Wave Drag Capability for the OpenVSP Parametric Geometry Tool M. Waddington and R. A. McDonaldAIAA Aviation 2015
- Aerodynamic Shape Optimization of Propulsion–Airframe Integration While Matching Lift Distribution A. M. Gary and R. A. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2014
- Flight Testing Small UAVs for Aerodynamic Parameter Estimation A. Chase and R. A. McDonaldAIAA AFM 2014
- A Meshless Finite Difference Scheme for Compressible Potential Flows A. Ramos and R. McDonaldAIAA 2011
- Constrained Hermite Interpolation for Mesh-Free Derivative Estimation Near and On Boundaries R. A. McDonald and A. RamosAIAA J. 2011
- A Three-Dimensional Vortex Particle–Panel Method for Modeling Propulsion–Airframe Interaction J. Calabretta and R. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2010
- Lift Superposition and Aerodynamic Twist Optimization for Achieving Desired Lift Distributions K. Lane, D. Marshall, and R. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2010
- Formulation, Realization, and Demonstration of a Process to Generate Aerodynamic Metamodels for Hypersonic Cruise Vehicle Design R. A. McDonald and D. N. MavrisSAE WAC 2000
Aircraft Design#
- Battery Knockdown Factors for Conceptual Design R. A. McDonaldAIAA Aviation 2024
Develops and quantifies battery knockdown factors — the gap between cell-level energy density and what is actually usable at the pack level in conceptual design. Provides practical sizing multipliers accounting for thermal management, depth of discharge limits, and aging.
- Electrified Lift-Plus-Cruise Aircraft Sizing with Varying Battery Modeling Assumptions I. Chakraborty, A. A. Mishra, and R. A. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2024
Examines how different battery model fidelity assumptions — from simple specific energy to full electrochemical models — propagate into differences in vehicle sizing for a lift-plus-cruise eVTOL configuration.
- Batteries Are Not Fuel R. A. McDonaldengrXiv 2023
A conceptual paper examining the fundamental differences between battery-stored energy and chemical fuel from an aircraft design perspective. Argues that treating batteries as a drop-in fuel replacement leads to incorrect intuitions about performance, range, and sizing — and develops the correct frameworks.
- Future Aircraft Concepts and Design Methods R. A. McDonald, B. J. German, T. Takahashi, C. Bil, W. Anemaat, A. Chaput, R. Vos, and N. HarrisonAeronautical Journal 2022
A broad survey of emerging aircraft concepts — electric, hybrid-electric, urban air mobility, supersonic, and autonomous vehicles — and the design methods needed to evaluate them at the conceptual stage.
- Open Vehicle Sketch Pad: An Open Source Parametric Geometry and Analysis Tool for Conceptual Aircraft Design R. A. McDonald and J. R. GloudemansAIAA SciTech 2022
Comprehensive overview paper describing OpenVSP capabilities, architecture, and applications. Covers geometry parameterization, analysis integration, scripting, and the broader ecosystem of tools that interface with VSP.
- Modeling of Electric Motor Driven Variable Pitch Propellers for Conceptual Aircraft Design R. A. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2016
- Modeling of Electric Motor Driven Propellers for Conceptual Aircraft Design R. A. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2015
- Optimal Propeller Pitch Scheduling and Propeller–Airframe Matching for Conceptual Design R. A. McDonaldAIAA Aviation 2015
- Aerodynamic Shape Optimization of Propulsion–Airframe Integration While Matching Lift Distribution A. M. Gary and R. A. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2014
- Electric Propulsion Modeling for Conceptual Aircraft Design R. A. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2014
Develops system-level models for electric propulsion components — motors, controllers, gearboxes, and batteries — suitable for integration in conceptual aircraft sizing codes. Companion to the electric motor modeling paper.
- Impact of Advanced Energy Technologies on Aircraft Design R. A. McDonald, A. T. Chase, C. Green, and M. WaddingtonAIAA SciTech 2014
- Low Energy Nuclear Reaction Aircraft: 2013 ARMD Seedling Fund Phase I Project D. P. Wells, R. McDonald, R. Campbell, A. Chase, J. Daniel, M. Darling, C. Green, C. MacGregor, P. Sudak, H. Sykes, et al.NASA/TM–2014-218283
- Electric Motor Modeling for Conceptual Aircraft Design R. A. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2013
First paper in a series developing physics-based motor models for conceptual design. Establishes specific power and efficiency scaling laws from motor geometry and electromagnetic principles.
- Enabling Rapid Conceptual Design Using Geometry-Based Multi-Fidelity Models in VSP J. BelbenAIAA SciTech 2013
- Establishing Mission Requirements Based on Consideration of Aircraft Operations R. A. McDonaldJ. Aircraft 2013
Journal version of the mission-requirements work, extending the conference paper to a full treatment of how operational considerations should shape aircraft design requirements — including fleet dispatch reliability and time-of-day traffic patterns.
- Solar Energy Collection Analysis Tool for Conceptual Aircraft Design G. Glazebrook and R. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2013
- Fundamental Sizing Implications of Constant Weight Aircraft R. A. McDonaldAIAA ATIO 2012
Analyzes how the constant-weight constraint of battery-electric aircraft (fuel doesn't burn off) fundamentally changes sizing behavior relative to conventional aircraft — including range, payload fractions, and structural sizing.
- Mission Performance Considered as Point Performance in Aircraft Design R. A. McDonaldJ. Aircraft 2011
Derives the conditions under which integrated mission performance (range, endurance) can be computed from instantaneous point-performance analysis — enabling faster design-space exploration without full mission simulation.
- Conceptual Design of a Next Generation, 150 Passenger Commercial Transport R. Halper, K. Lane, D. Marschik, B. Morham, J. Pham, R. McDonald, and B. WrightAIAA SciTech 2010
- Conceptual Design of an Environmentally Responsible 150-Passenger Commercial Aircraft N. Smith, B. Blessing, J. Dixon, A. Mackey, G. McKenzie, R. McDonald, and B. WrightAIAA SciTech 2010
- Designing a Green Aircraft: Cal Poly's 2009 Undergraduate Aircraft Designs R. McDonald and B. WrightAIAA SciTech 2010
- Geometry Needs of Conceptual Aircraft Design — Panel Discussion A. Hahn and R. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2010
- Lift Superposition and Aerodynamic Twist Optimization for Achieving Desired Lift Distributions K. Lane, D. Marshall, and R. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2010
- Parameter Estimation of Fundamental Technical Aircraft Information Applied to Aircraft Performance M. Vallone and R. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2010
- Multidisciplinary Design Optimization of an Extreme Aspect Ratio HALE UAV B. Morrisey and R. McDonaldAIAA ATIO 2009
- Underpowered Aircraft — Performance and Operational Possibilities A. Ezzard, M. Vallone, and R. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2009
CHTLS#
- A Meshless Finite Difference Scheme for Compressible Potential Flows A. Ramos and R. McDonaldAIAA 2011
- Constrained Hermite Interpolation for Mesh-Free Derivative Estimation Near and On Boundaries R. A. McDonald and A. RamosAIAA J. 2011
Education#
- Conceptual Design of a Next Generation, 150 Passenger Commercial Transport R. Halper, K. Lane, D. Marschik, B. Morham, J. Pham, R. McDonald, and B. WrightAIAA SciTech 2010
- Conceptual Design of an Environmentally Responsible 150-Passenger Commercial Aircraft N. Smith, B. Blessing, J. Dixon, A. Mackey, G. McKenzie, R. McDonald, and B. WrightAIAA SciTech 2010
- Designing a Green Aircraft: Cal Poly's 2009 Undergraduate Aircraft Designs R. McDonald and B. WrightAIAA SciTech 2010
- Senior Design at Cal Poly: A Recipe for Success R. McDonald, J. Puig-Suari, D. Esposto, and B. WrightAIAA SciTech 2009
Electric Propulsion#
- Battery Knockdown Factors for Conceptual Design R. A. McDonaldAIAA Aviation 2024
Develops and quantifies battery knockdown factors — the gap between cell-level energy density and what is actually usable at the pack level in conceptual design. Provides practical sizing multipliers accounting for thermal management, depth of discharge limits, and aging.
- Electrified Lift-Plus-Cruise Aircraft Sizing with Varying Battery Modeling Assumptions I. Chakraborty, A. A. Mishra, and R. A. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2024
Examines how different battery model fidelity assumptions — from simple specific energy to full electrochemical models — propagate into differences in vehicle sizing for a lift-plus-cruise eVTOL configuration.
- Batteries Are Not Fuel R. A. McDonaldengrXiv 2023
A conceptual paper examining the fundamental differences between battery-stored energy and chemical fuel from an aircraft design perspective. Argues that treating batteries as a drop-in fuel replacement leads to incorrect intuitions about performance, range, and sizing — and develops the correct frameworks.
- Future Aircraft Concepts and Design Methods R. A. McDonald, B. J. German, T. Takahashi, C. Bil, W. Anemaat, A. Chaput, R. Vos, and N. HarrisonAeronautical Journal 2022
A broad survey of emerging aircraft concepts — electric, hybrid-electric, urban air mobility, supersonic, and autonomous vehicles — and the design methods needed to evaluate them at the conceptual stage.
- eVTOL Stored Energy Overview R. McDonald and B. GermanUber Elevate Summit 2017
Presentation at the first Uber Elevate Summit covering the fundamental energy storage requirements for urban air mobility eVTOL vehicles and the technology gap relative to available battery systems.
- Modeling of Electric Motor Driven Variable Pitch Propellers for Conceptual Aircraft Design R. A. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2016
- Modeling and Test of the Efficiency of Electronic Speed Controllers for Brushless DC Motors C. R. Green and R. A. McDonaldAIAA Aviation 2015
- Modeling of Electric Motor Driven Propellers for Conceptual Aircraft Design R. A. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2015
- Optimal Propeller Pitch Scheduling and Propeller–Airframe Matching for Conceptual Design R. A. McDonaldAIAA Aviation 2015
- Electric Propulsion Modeling for Conceptual Aircraft Design R. A. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2014
Develops system-level models for electric propulsion components — motors, controllers, gearboxes, and batteries — suitable for integration in conceptual aircraft sizing codes. Companion to the electric motor modeling paper.
- Impact of Advanced Energy Technologies on Aircraft Design R. A. McDonald, A. T. Chase, C. Green, and M. WaddingtonAIAA SciTech 2014
- Electric Motor Modeling for Conceptual Aircraft Design R. A. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2013
First paper in a series developing physics-based motor models for conceptual design. Establishes specific power and efficiency scaling laws from motor geometry and electromagnetic principles.
- Establishing Mission Requirements Based on Consideration of Aircraft Operations R. A. McDonaldJ. Aircraft 2013
Journal version of the mission-requirements work, extending the conference paper to a full treatment of how operational considerations should shape aircraft design requirements — including fleet dispatch reliability and time-of-day traffic patterns.
- Solar Energy Collection Analysis Tool for Conceptual Aircraft Design G. Glazebrook and R. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2013
- Fundamental Sizing Implications of Constant Weight Aircraft R. A. McDonaldAIAA ATIO 2012
Analyzes how the constant-weight constraint of battery-electric aircraft (fuel doesn't burn off) fundamentally changes sizing behavior relative to conventional aircraft — including range, payload fractions, and structural sizing.
eVTOL#
- Aerial Vehicle with Differential Control Mechanisms T. Akers, P. Kalogiannis, M. Moore, R. A. McDonald, and I. A. VillaUS Patent 12,110,106, 2024
- Battery Knockdown Factors for Conceptual Design R. A. McDonaldAIAA Aviation 2024
Develops and quantifies battery knockdown factors — the gap between cell-level energy density and what is actually usable at the pack level in conceptual design. Provides practical sizing multipliers accounting for thermal management, depth of discharge limits, and aging.
- Electrified Lift-Plus-Cruise Aircraft Sizing with Varying Battery Modeling Assumptions I. Chakraborty, A. A. Mishra, and R. A. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2024
Examines how different battery model fidelity assumptions — from simple specific energy to full electrochemical models — propagate into differences in vehicle sizing for a lift-plus-cruise eVTOL configuration.
- Batteries Are Not Fuel R. A. McDonaldengrXiv 2023
A conceptual paper examining the fundamental differences between battery-stored energy and chemical fuel from an aircraft design perspective. Argues that treating batteries as a drop-in fuel replacement leads to incorrect intuitions about performance, range, and sizing — and develops the correct frameworks.
- Routing Based on Aerial Vehicle Characteristics A. T. Chase, I. A. Villa, L. A. Wilhelm, J. Petersen, R. A. McDonald, M. D. Moore, and C. MikolajczakUS Patent 11,804,141, 2023
- Aerial Vehicle Using Motor Pulse-Induced Cyclic Control R. A. McDonald, M. Moore, and I. A. VillaUS Patent 11,345,469, 2022
- Future Aircraft Concepts and Design Methods R. A. McDonald, B. J. German, T. Takahashi, C. Bil, W. Anemaat, A. Chaput, R. Vos, and N. HarrisonAeronautical Journal 2022
A broad survey of emerging aircraft concepts — electric, hybrid-electric, urban air mobility, supersonic, and autonomous vehicles — and the design methods needed to evaluate them at the conceptual stage.
- Quad-Wing Vertical Takeoff and Landing Aircraft I. A. Villa, M. Moore, R. A. McDonald, H. T. Won, A. Chase, A. M. Gary, and C. SeubertUS Patent 11,267,570, 2022
- Experimental and Computational Investigation of Stacked Rotor Performance in Hover G. Jacobellis, R. Singh, C. Johnson, J. Sirohi, and R. McDonaldAerosp. Sci. Technol. 2021
Combined experimental and computational study of coaxial stacked rotor aerodynamics in hover. Provides validated performance data relevant to compact eVTOL rotor configurations.
- Experimental and Computational Investigation of Stacked Rotor Acoustics in Hover G. Jacobellis, R. Singh, C. Johnson, J. Sirohi, and R. McDonaldVFS Forum 2020
- Investigation of Stacked Rotor Performance in Hover Part 1: Experimental Measurements C. Johnson, J. Sirohi, G. Jacobellis, R. Singh, and R. McDonaldVFS Forum 2020
- Investigation of Stacked Rotor Performance in Hover Pt. II: Computational Validation G. Jacobellis, R. Singh, C. Johnson, J. Sirohi, and R. McDonaldAHS Aeromechanics 2020
- eVTOL Stored Energy Overview R. McDonald and B. GermanUber Elevate Summit 2017
Presentation at the first Uber Elevate Summit covering the fundamental energy storage requirements for urban air mobility eVTOL vehicles and the technology gap relative to available battery systems.
- Multidisciplinary Design Optimization of an Extreme Aspect Ratio HALE UAV B. Morrisey and R. McDonaldAIAA ATIO 2009
OpenVSP#
- Advanced Scripting Development and Application of OpenVSP T. Nascenzi, T. Cuatt, and R. A. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2025
- Open Vehicle Sketch Pad: An Open Source Parametric Geometry and Analysis Tool for Conceptual Aircraft Design R. A. McDonald and J. R. GloudemansAIAA SciTech 2022
Comprehensive overview paper describing OpenVSP capabilities, architecture, and applications. Covers geometry parameterization, analysis integration, scripting, and the broader ecosystem of tools that interface with VSP.
- Development of an Interactive Wave Drag Capability for the OpenVSP Parametric Geometry Tool M. Waddington and R. A. McDonaldAIAA Aviation 2015
- Interactive Reconstruction of 3D Models in the OpenVSP Parametric Geometry Tool R. A. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2015
- Parametric Identification of Surface Regions in OpenVSP for Improved Engineering Analysis A. M. Gary and R. A. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2015
- User Defined Components in the OpenVSP Parametric Geometry Tool J. R. Gloudemans and R. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2015
- Aerodynamic Shape Optimization of Propulsion–Airframe Integration While Matching Lift Distribution A. M. Gary and R. A. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2014
- Enabling Rapid Conceptual Design Using Geometry-Based Multi-Fidelity Models in VSP J. BelbenAIAA SciTech 2013
- Geometry Needs of Conceptual Aircraft Design — Panel Discussion A. Hahn and R. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2010
- Improved Geometry Modeling for High Fidelity Parametric Design J. Gloudemans and R. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2010
Patent#
- Aerial Vehicle with Differential Control Mechanisms T. Akers, P. Kalogiannis, M. Moore, R. A. McDonald, and I. A. VillaUS Patent 12,110,106, 2024
- Routing Based on Aerial Vehicle Characteristics A. T. Chase, I. A. Villa, L. A. Wilhelm, J. Petersen, R. A. McDonald, M. D. Moore, and C. MikolajczakUS Patent 11,804,141, 2023
- Aerial Vehicle Using Motor Pulse-Induced Cyclic Control R. A. McDonald, M. Moore, and I. A. VillaUS Patent 11,345,469, 2022
- Quad-Wing Vertical Takeoff and Landing Aircraft I. A. Villa, M. Moore, R. A. McDonald, H. T. Won, A. Chase, A. M. Gary, and C. SeubertUS Patent 11,267,570, 2022
Student Research#
- Development of an Interactive Wave Drag Capability for the OpenVSP Parametric Geometry Tool M. Waddington and R. A. McDonaldAIAA Aviation 2015
- Modeling and Test of the Efficiency of Electronic Speed Controllers for Brushless DC Motors C. R. Green and R. A. McDonaldAIAA Aviation 2015
- Parametric Identification of Surface Regions in OpenVSP for Improved Engineering Analysis A. M. Gary and R. A. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2015
- Aerodynamic Shape Optimization of Propulsion–Airframe Integration While Matching Lift Distribution A. M. Gary and R. A. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2014
- Flight Testing Small UAVs for Aerodynamic Parameter Estimation A. Chase and R. A. McDonaldAIAA AFM 2014
- Impact of Advanced Energy Technologies on Aircraft Design R. A. McDonald, A. T. Chase, C. Green, and M. WaddingtonAIAA SciTech 2014
- Enabling Rapid Conceptual Design Using Geometry-Based Multi-Fidelity Models in VSP J. BelbenAIAA SciTech 2013
- Solar Energy Collection Analysis Tool for Conceptual Aircraft Design G. Glazebrook and R. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2013
- A Meshless Finite Difference Scheme for Compressible Potential Flows A. Ramos and R. McDonaldAIAA 2011
- Constrained Hermite Interpolation for Mesh-Free Derivative Estimation Near and On Boundaries R. A. McDonald and A. RamosAIAA J. 2011
- A Three-Dimensional Vortex Particle–Panel Method for Modeling Propulsion–Airframe Interaction J. Calabretta and R. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2010
- Conceptual Design of a Next Generation, 150 Passenger Commercial Transport R. Halper, K. Lane, D. Marschik, B. Morham, J. Pham, R. McDonald, and B. WrightAIAA SciTech 2010
- Conceptual Design of an Environmentally Responsible 150-Passenger Commercial Aircraft N. Smith, B. Blessing, J. Dixon, A. Mackey, G. McKenzie, R. McDonald, and B. WrightAIAA SciTech 2010
- Lift Superposition and Aerodynamic Twist Optimization for Achieving Desired Lift Distributions K. Lane, D. Marshall, and R. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2010
- Parameter Estimation of Fundamental Technical Aircraft Information Applied to Aircraft Performance M. Vallone and R. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2010
- A User Friendly Interface for Gaussian Process Metamodeling C. Baukol, R. McDonald, and N. DelmasAIAA SciTech 2009
- Multidisciplinary Design Optimization of an Extreme Aspect Ratio HALE UAV B. Morrisey and R. McDonaldAIAA ATIO 2009
- Underpowered Aircraft — Performance and Operational Possibilities A. Ezzard, M. Vallone, and R. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2009
Systems Visualization Interface#
- A User Friendly Interface for Gaussian Process Metamodeling C. Baukol, R. McDonald, and N. DelmasAIAA SciTech 2009
- Error Propagation and Metamodeling for a Fidelity Tradeoff Capability in Complex Systems Design R. A. McDonaldGeorgia Tech 2006
Thermodynamics#
- Performance Characterization of Turboshaft Engines Using Work Potential Methods D. W. Riggins, C. D. Wilson, B. A. Roth, and R. A. McDonaldJ. Am. Helicopter Soc. 2005
- A Method for Thermodynamic Work Potential Analysis of Aircraft Engines B. Roth, R. McDonald, and D. MavrisAIAA JPC 2002
- An Investigation of Applications for Thermodynamic Work Potential Methods D. Mavris, B. Roth, and R. McDonaldGeorgia Tech 2002
- Performance Characterization of Turboshaft Engines: Work Potential and Second-Law Analysis B. Wilson, D. Riggins, B. Roth, and R. McDonaldAHS Forum 2002
Uncertainty & MDO#
- Parameter Estimation of Fundamental Technical Aircraft Information Applied to Aircraft Performance M. Vallone and R. McDonaldAIAA SciTech 2010
- A User Friendly Interface for Gaussian Process Metamodeling C. Baukol, R. McDonald, and N. DelmasAIAA SciTech 2009
- Error Propagation and Metamodeling for a Fidelity Tradeoff Capability in Complex Systems Design R. A. McDonaldGeorgia Tech 2006
- Formulation, Realization, and Demonstration of a Process to Generate Aerodynamic Metamodels for Hypersonic Cruise Vehicle Design R. A. McDonald and D. N. MavrisSAE WAC 2000