Design, modeling, and manufacturing of delta wings with wing fences

• A delta wing was designed and manufactured to operate under Bogotá’s high-altitude conditions. • The EPPLER 396 airfoil was selected for its high lift-to-drag ratio and aerodynamic efficiency. • Flow correctors and winglets were implemented to enhance stability and reduce drag. • Low-cost materials such as polystyrene, balsa wood, and plastic mesh were used effectively. • Flight tests confirmed stable performance in different cities, including Bogotá and Bucaramanga. This work presents the aerodynamic design, structural integration, and experimental validation of a low-cost delta-wing UAV optimized for high-altitude, low-density environments such as Bogotá, Colombia. A multi-stage workflow was implemented, comprising computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis, finite element verification, and telemetry-based flight testing using IMU sensors. Fifteen airfoils were numerically screened under both gliding and powered conditions, identifying the EPPLER 396 profile as the most efficient, achieving a maximum lift-to-drag ratio of C L / C D = 71.2 and a stabilizing moment slope d C M / d α = − 0.045 . The addition of passive flow-control devices (winglets and wing fences) reduced induced drag by approximately 8% and increased roll damping by 32%, as confirmed through five repeated 300 s flight tests. The measured longitudinal damping ratio ( ζ L = 0.36 ± 0.04 ) and roll dispersion ( σ ϕ = 2 . 9 ∘ ) demonstrated stable flight behavior across all tests. The results are consistent with recent findings, validating the aerodynamic benefits of spanwise fences for low-Reynolds delta configurations. Overall, the integrated CFD-experimental approach provides a reliable and accessible framework for aerodynamic validation of small-scale UAVs operating in high-altitude environments.