Overview
Dr. Jielong 'Jacky' Cai is an assistant professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Wichita State University. He specializes in the area of experimental aerodynamics and air vehicle design. His research interests include applied low speed aerodynamics, rotorcraft & propeller aerodynamics and small scale air vehicle flight testing (fixed wing and multi rotor). He is leading the WSU 3x4 ft low-speed wind tunnel aerodynamics research group. He also serve as the KEEN Catalyst for the Aerospace Engineering Department and focuses on applied learning for aerospace engineering.
Information
Applied Low Speed Aerodynamics
- Experimental Aerodynamics Investigation on Novel Wing and Vehicle Design
- Aerodynamic Interaction between Propeller and Wing in Low Speed Transition
Rotorcraft & Propeller Aerodynamics
- Propeller to Propeller Interaction for Multi-rotor Vehicle Applications
- Novel High-Efficiency Multi-Rotor Wind Tunnel & Flight Testing
- Unsteady Aerodynamics Response of Propeller
Small Scale Air Vehicle Flight Testing
- Flight Testing for Fixed Wing and Multi-Rotor UAV.
- Experimental Data Validation with Flight Testing
AE 528 Aerospace Design I
AE 628 Aerospace Design II
Peer Reviewed Journal Publications
2024: Cai, J., and Gunasekaran, S., “Predicting Fixed Pitch Propeller Performance Across Incidence Angles and Advance Ratios” AIAA Journal.
2024: Cai, J., and Gunasekaran, S., “Propeller Ceiling Effect in Forward Flight” AIAA Journal of Aircraft. Doi: 10.2514/1.C037779
2023: Cai, J., and Gunasekaran, S., “Propeller Ground Effect in Forward Flight” AIAA Journal, Doi: 10.2514/1.J062984
2023: Cai, J., and Gunasekaran, S., “Frequency Response of RC Propellers to Streamwise Gusts in Forward Flight”, MDPI Wind, doi: 10.3390/wind3020015
2022: Cai, J., Gunasekaran, S., and OL, M., V., “Effect of Partial Ground and Partial Ceiling on Propeller Performance”, AIAA Journal of Aircraft, doi: 10.2514/1.C036974
2020: Cai, J., Gunasekaran, S., and OL, M., V. "Propeller Ground and Ceiling Effect Parametric Data", AIAA Journal of Aircraft, doi: 10.2514/1.C035839.
Peer-Reviewed Conference Publications
2025: Cai, J., and Gunasekaran, S., “Prediction of the Tandem Propeller Performance using Linear Superposition Method”, AIAA SciTech 2025 Forum.
2024: Cai, J., Gunasekaran, S., and OL, M., V., “Investigation of Positively Staggered Vertically Offset Propellers in Tandem”, AIAA SciTech 2024 Forum, AIAA 2024-1510
2023: Cai, J., and Gunasekaran, S., “Sinusoidal Gust Response of RC Propellers in Tandem Configuration” Vertical Flight Society Forum 79, 79-2023-1154
2023: Cai, J., Gunasekaran, S., and OL, M., V., “Vertically Offset Overlapping Propellers in Tandem Configuration”, AIAA SciTech 2023 Forum, AIAA 2023-2464
2022: Cai, J., and Gunasekaran, S., “Propeller Ground and Ceiling Effect in Forward Flight”, Vertical Flight Society Forum 78, 78-2022-0072
2022: Cai, J., Gunasekaran, S., and OL, M., V., "Sinusoidal Gust Response of RC Propellers at Different Incidence Angles ", AIAA SciTech 2022 Forum, AIAA 2022-1536
2021: Cai, J., Gunasekaran, S., and OL, M., V. "Propeller Partial Ground and Ceiling Effect Prediction", AIAA SciTech 2021 Forum. AIAA 2021-0614.
2020: Cai, J., Gunasekaran, S., OL, M., V. and Ahmed, A., "Propeller Partial Ground Effect", AIAA SciTech 2020 Forum. AIAA 2020-1028.
2019: Cai, J., Gunasekaran, S., Ahmed, A., and OL, M., V., "Changes in Propeller Performance Due to Ground Proximity", AIAA SciTech 2019 Forum, AIAA 2019-1097.
Other Peer Reviewed Conference Publications
2025: DeMoor, J. and Foster, M. Cai, J., and Gunasekaran, S., “Flight Test and Wind Tunnel Testing of a Novel Tandem Overlapping Drone Concept” AIAA SciTech 2025 Forum
2025: Parlett, S., Cai, J., and Gunasekaran, S., “Experimental Investigation of a Variable Pitch Propeller at Various Incidence Angles in Forward Flight” AIAA SciTech 2025 Forum
2025: Schreyer, G., Cai, J., and Gunasekaran, S., “Experimental Investigation of Various Lift Distribution Wing Designs” AIAA SciTech 2025 Forum
2024: Pabon, J., Gao, X., Cai, J., and Gunasekaran, S., “Experimental Investigation of a Skin-Actuated-Camber (SAC) Morphing Wing Design”, AIAA SciTech 2024 Forum
2024: Duncan, L., Cai, J., and Gunasekaran, S., “Powered Wing's Response to Streamwise Gust Encounters”, AIAA SciTech 2024 Forum
2024: Schutter, E., Guzman, C., Cai, J., and Gunasekaran, S., “On the Linear Superposition of Wing and Propeller Performance in a Wing Embedded Propeller System” AIAA SciTech 2024 Forum
2023: Gogidze, G., Cai, J., and Gunasekaran, S., “Effect of Propeller Incidence Angle on Wing Embedded Propeller Configuration in Forward Flight”, AIAA SciTech 2023 Forum, AIAA 2023-2284
2024: Kulig, J., Running, C., Cai, J., and Gunasekaran, S., “Back-Imaging of Pressure-Sensitive Paint to Determine Close Proximity Ground Effects of Propellers” AIAA SciTech 2024 Forum
2022: Culpepper, G, G., Cai, J., and Gunasekaran, S., “Effect of Forward Propeller Tilt and Inlet Shape in Propeller-in-Wing Thrust Vectoring” AIAA SciTech 2022 Forum, AIAA 2022-1539
2021: Culpepper, G, G., Cai, J., and Gunasekaran, S., “Propeller and Propeller-in-Wing Thrust Vectoring” AIAA SciTech 2021 Forum, AIAA 2021-0615.
2024: School of Engineering Graduate Research Scholars Award, awarded by the University of Dayton.
2024: Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Assistant Award, awarded by the University of Dayton.
2022: Outstanding Research Award, Aerospace Engineering, awarded by the University of Dayton.
2019: Outstanding Graduate Scholarship Award, Aerospace Engineering, awarded by the University of Dayton.
2019: Koehler International Student Award, awarded by the University of Dayton.