Autonomous flight
Flight dynamics, suspended loads, PX4-based systems, simulation, and control for demanding missions.
Research portfolio · Kathmandu, Nepal
Aviation systems, autonomous flight, and sustainable technology for high-altitude operations.
Mechanical EngineerAviation Quality AuditorUAV Researcher
I investigate how reliable flight systems, rigorous assurance, and resource-efficient technologies can solve practical problems in demanding operating environments.
Current direction
High-altitude autonomous systems
Selected work
01 UAV remote sensing for precision irrigation02 Cost-optimal decarbonization of airport GSEResearch note 01
Cost-optimal decarbonization pathways
Airport ground support equipment at TIA
Read research directionResearch agenda
One systems question, explored across three domains.
How can we design, assure, and deploy autonomous aviation technologies that remain safe, useful, and resource-efficient in constrained and high-altitude environments?
Aviation assurance
Airworthiness, compliance monitoring, maintenance-system quality, operational data, and safety evidence.
Sustainable operations
Energy-efficient aviation, airport electrification, UAV-enabled resource management, and climate resilience.
Selected projects
Research grounded in field systems and operating realities.
01Completed study
NAST Young Scientist Research Grant · Nawalparasi (East)
UAV remote sensing for precision irrigation
Led a field pilot integrating RGB and thermal sensing, Pixhawk-based flight operations, Raspberry Pi edge hardware, orthomosaic generation, vegetation indices, and crop-water-stress analysis for sugarcane production.
02MSc research
Experimental flight dynamics · NAST dissertation grant
Payload-induced oscillations in an unmanned rotorcraft
Investigated suspended-payload instability during takeoff, forward flight, and landing using a Pixhawk 4–based S500 quadrotor platform, with emphasis on vibration behaviour and system response.
03Accepted project
Kathmandu Metropolitan City · Ward 20
Mapping rooftop potential for urban farming
A UAV- and GIS-based assessment designed to identify active and suitable rooftop areas, connect spatial evidence with urban agriculture planning, and work within the local controlled-airspace context.
04Proposed modelling study
Tribhuvan International Airport · OSeMOSYS research concept
Cost-optimal decarbonization of airport ground support equipment
A planned first energy-system modelling study comparing business-as-usual, NDC-aligned electrification, and net-zero airport-operation pathways for 157 ground-support units and their charging, investment, and emissions implications.
Methods & practice
Engineering across analysis, testing, and implementation.
Flight & robotics
Pixhawk 4, PX4, QGroundControl, Gazebo, ROS 2, slung-load dynamics, experimental validation.
Remote sensing
RGB and thermal sensing, Raspberry Pi edge systems, orthomosaics, vegetation indices, GIS analysis.
Aviation quality
Internal audits, surveillance inspections, compliance checks, airworthiness data, KPI and trend reporting.
Energy systems
OSeMOSYS foundations, scenario analysis, demand profiles, technology pathways, and policy-relevant outputs.
Selected publications
From thermal engineering to unmanned rotorcraft dynamics.
- 01
Journal article
Heat Transfer Enhancement Using Rectangular Winglet Pair on a Fin and Tube Heat Exchanger
Acharya, S., Bhattarai, B., et al. (2021). Journal of Science & Engineering Technology, 9(II), 125–133.
- 02
Journal article
An Experimental and Numerical Study of Heat Transfer Enhancement
Acharya, S., Bhattarai, B., et al. (2021). Journal of Engineering Technology and Science, 3(1), 1202–1211.
- 03
Journal article
Study on Effect of Winglet Vortex Generator on Heat Transfer Performance
Acharya, S., Bhattarai, B., et al. (2021). International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts, 9(2), 299–306.
- 04
Conference research
Experimental Evaluation of Payload-Induced Oscillations of an Unmanned Rotorcraft System
Bhattarai, B., et al. Presented through the VETOMAC vibration engineering and machinery research community.
Experience & recognition
A research profile shaped by operational responsibility.
Dec 2018 — present
Quality Assurance Engineer / Auditor
Nepal Airlines Corporation
Conducting audits, surveillance, and compliance checks across aviation maintenance and airworthiness systems; analysing monthly fleet fuel and engine-oil trends; translating evidence into management KPIs and regulatory reporting.
Research leadership
Co-founder & mentor
Research Center of Low Altitude Economy
Building a Nepal-focused pathway for UAV research, high-altitude operations, local engineering capability, and responsible low-altitude applications.
Academic foundation
Mechanical engineering
Pulchowk Campus, Institute of Engineering
Full-scholarship engineering education followed by graduate research in unmanned rotorcraft dynamics, supported through a NAST dissertation grant.
1stPublic Service Commission ranking among approximately 800 engineering applicants
KMC Metropolitan Research FellowshipGraduate admission rank, earning a full MSc scholarship
7 / ~3,000Graduate admission rank, earning a full MSc scholarship
TopOverall class rank during the bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering
Professional development
Selected training and technical development.
July 2026
Energy Modelling Platform – Global
ICTP and Climate Compatible Growth
Selected for training in OSeMOSYS-based energy-system modelling, scenario development, and policy-relevant analysis.
July 2025
Neuromatch Academy Deep Learning
Neuromatch Academy
Intensive training covering neural networks, deep-learning foundations, practical implementation, and collaborative projects.
2026
Internal Auditor Training
International Air Transport Association (IATA)
Briefly explain the main subjects, practical skills, and relevance of this training to your research interests.
Research conversations
Interested in autonomous aviation systems for difficult environments?
I am preparing for research-intensive graduate study and welcome conversations with potential supervisors and collaborators working in aerial robotics, flight dynamics, aviation safety, or sustainable operations.