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3D RoboticsPermalink Reply by Chris Anderson on September 19, 2010 at 3:14pm

Well, for starters we look for something better than what's already out there (just consider the Skywalker as a baseline). Why don't you start by explaining what disadvantage you see with the planes most people already use and what you're planning to do to avoid that.

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Permalink Reply by APaperClip on February 19, 2011 at 4:43pm

The short take off and landing was the main issue I wanted to solve. My first design incorporated leading edge slats, flaperons and raked wingtips. My current design is a completely different approach - a VTOL tilt rotor.

In the latest design I've added a couple of other features:

• the ESC cooling asked for by Ritchie
• modularity

UAVs have many potential applications, I figured having an easily swappable section of the airframe could be of use for a multirole drone.

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ModeratorPermalink Reply by Gary Mortimer on September 19, 2010 at 3:17pm

Well ideally you would want vertical 0 speed landing with a 100knot five hour cruise, but that might not be possible on a 50 dollar lipo.

Payload can never be secondary.

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Permalink Reply by APaperClip on February 19, 2011 at 4:47pm

By secondary what I actually meant was not to overdo it. What’d be the point of being able to carry a brick wall if it removed the other "selling" points?

As for speed and endurance, my original idea was for this to be used as platform for filming. I believed the best way to design the airframe for this task would be to make it relatively slow, stable and with a decent flight time.

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Permalink Reply by John M. Smith on September 20, 2010 at 1:25pm

What about something like this.

http://store.evuas.com/techpod-uav-p-2.html?zenid=micnjsungucec599l...

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Permalink Reply by Ritchie on September 20, 2010 at 2:57pm

Personally my design would be based around the current sorts of UAVs (predator, global hawk, sea avenger etc) taking the design components I like into one airframe.

Huge wings for gentle flight (possibly gliding)
External thrust (EDF like global hawk or motor on back like Predator - Easystar and EasyGlider placement is not my fav)
Payload area designed for start (to make sure CG is centered with or without payload)
ESC cooling location (not just stuck on the top/side like mine is now)

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3D RoboticsPermalink Reply by Chris Anderson on September 20, 2010 at 3:09pm

Sounds exactly like the Skywalker. There are so many good platforms out there that are so cheap now it's hard to see the case for custom-making another.

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Permalink Reply by Shannon Morrisey on September 23, 2010 at 8:03pm

As I recall, the case for always custom-making yet another platform has something to do with "98%" and "That mass of niches [which] has always existed, but as the cost of reaching it falls—consumers finding niche products, and niche products finding consumers—it’s suddenly becoming a cultural and economic force to be reckoned with."

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AdminPermalink Reply by Thomas J Coyle III on September 20, 2010 at 5:30pm

Ritchie,

If you have the money, buy a Borjet Maja like I did. You can modify it to your heart's content as it is really an unfinished aircraft and not an ARF by any stretch of the imagination.

I have one and have bought the landing gear kit to go with it as I do not want to get hit by the rear mounted propeller. There are several build threads on RC Groups with RedRx7 being the best build log.

Regards,
TCIII

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Permalink Reply by John M. Smith on September 20, 2010 at 9:50pm

I have a Borjet Maja and (2) Skywalkers. Both great platforms...

You can modify both of these and many others to do what you may be looking for. However if you are looking for a design that is ready for FPV and Autopilot integration right out of the box. Try the Techpod. It's made with UAV in mind and FPV RC flight ability for hobby usage and the rest of your imagination.

http://store.evuas.com/techpod-uav-p-2.html?zenid=r4nf3fpq204nfv8bg...

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Permalink Reply by Ritchie on September 21, 2010 at 3:58am

I've looked at the Borjet before but at that price I can build one to not only do what I want but look like I want. It is only the wings that will actually get my worries going but then I can simply buy some if I chicken out.

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