Quadrotor Discussion

[POLAND_SPUD]

Years ago I tried making a model Convair XFY-1 Pogo, but without brushless motors or Li-Po it didn't go very well. I was probably also a bit too young at the time to pull it off.

ohh I think we've all seen the same documentaries >>>

[youtube][/youtube]
Strange Planes produced by discovey... rings any bells?

[al-xg]

Oh, I hadn't but I am now.

I had a large book of the history of aviation when I was little, a lot of the same aircraft were in there.

[ramses]

Max payload ?

I could make one of those quite easily, I probably will just for fun one day.

Similar idea here with a quadcopter:

I really like that idea.

Is there a technical reason no one has made a nitro engine quadrotor yet? I would think it would have a much longer flight time, but a more laggy throttle response.

[POLAND_SPUD]

ut a more laggy throttle response

you've answered your own question

there are two main reasons:
1. inertia
2. ICEs are not as easily controlable as electric motors

It seems it's less of a problem if you have just one engine...
[youtube][/youtube]

but once you have 4 or so... and you need to have a system that provides feedback on the ICE RPMs then a PID that keeps its RPMs at a set level

[al-xg]

but a more laggy throttle response.

On a multicopter, the motors must be able to vary their speed very quickly in order to maintain stability, it's the only thing keeping it level.

However some of the full size VTOL seem to manage.

It seems it's less of a problem if you have just one engine...

In this case the airflow from the propeller over the control surfaces is enough to stabilise the plane, the engine doesn't have to vary it's speed very much because the airflow is then controlled by the flaps.

There have been a few multicopters that use flaps to control airflow, but mostly for yaw control and just directing the flow not restricting/opening it.
I think there are a few projects that use flaps on all motors.

Another way would be to have variable pitch blades like on helis, but that adds a lot of mechanical complexity.


This should really be a separate thread by now

[POLAND_SPUD]

In this case the airflow from the propeller over the control surfaces is enough to stabilise the plane, the engine doesn't have to vary its speed very much because the airflow is then controlled by the flaps.

I know I know - that's the beauty of such a setup - you get something that can hover and performs like a normal plane too

Been thinking of building an RC plane for a long time... obviously of something less ambitious than what's discussed here
It would probably be best to get something like this:
[youtube][/youtube]

the only problem is buying the right stuff (and hiding it from my family lol I feel as if I was 13 again)

EDIT
damn I think I found pretty much a similar plane (wild hawk - rcpowers did a review on it too) >>
http://allegro.pl/szybowiec-elektryczny ... 23999.html

now the question is... is it any good ? or should I look for something with more control surfaces and/or a better radio (well one that has at least 4 channels)

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

[youtube][/youtube]

[youtube][/youtube]

Impressive.

[al-xg]

Fireworks but in HD
[youtube][/youtube]

And for POLAND_SPUD, 3D plane flying filmed by a tricopter:
[youtube][/youtube]

[Labtecpower]

Catrocopter!

[youtube][/youtube]

[youtube][/youtube]

[POLAND_SPUD]

And for POLAND_SPUD, 3D plane flying filmed by a tricopter:

Nice I didn't see it earlier

personally I'd like to see a plane with raspberry PI on board... with a 3G modem and a webcam plugged in it

[al-xg]

Mmmm, raspberry pi A couple of my friends have got them, nearly got one myself but then thought I have enough random projects going on !


Well I have flown my phone about on the tricopter and I have unlimited data, Skype FPV ? I'm sure one could use android phone as a host to an arduino and also control it through the mobile data connection.

I might try hovering it via IP streaming on an ad-hoc network, the framerate and picture quality are good but there is still noticeable lag, probably too much for something that is only gyrostabilised.

[POLAND_SPUD]

wow nice

obviously the best thing is that it could theoretically have an unlimited range thx to a 3G modem

though I see some advantages in using a mobile with an android system (it has a camera and a 3G modem already... ohh and some have fairly decent gyros too)
EDIT
ohh and they have freaking gps too

[al-xg]

Yeah, with gyros, accelerometers, magnetometers, GPS, light sensor and cameras one should be able to keep the craft somewhat stable and fly it without the video lag causing too many problems

After all the ARDrone does just that (camera+gyros iirc) to be able to fly over WiFi, so with some better kit and a fixed wing some fairly long range should be easily achievable.

[al-xg]

Le Maudit:

http://www.avinc.com/uas/adc/shrikevtol/


Apparently this thing is intended to fly for 40min with a max weight of 2.5kg and is designed for "hover and stare" & "perch and stare".
Replace "hover and stare" with hover and lob paint and that would be more like it for a paintball-copter


Combine that with Jack's RC gunship video and paintball would become much more of a 3D game

[Heimo]

mhmmm....
anyone else seen this?:
[youtube][/youtube]
thoughts?...