Reviewing Aquila’s first full-scale test flight

This post details the lessons learned from Aquila's first full-scale test flight, specifically focusing on a structural failure during landing. The failure was attributed to high-than-expected wind conditions lofting the aircraft, an autopilot response that prioritized glidepath over airspeed, and an insufficient drag device. The post outlines two key engineering improvements for future designs: the incorporation of a drag device (spoiler or airbrake) and a revised autopilot command to prioritize airspeed limitation over altitude tracking during descent. It also highlights the ongoing iterative process of design, testing, and learning in developing this experimental aircraft.