Comment by Tj Bordelon on September 20, 2010 at 11:24am

This is my personal autopilot/IMU/Modem combo, but the math will work anywhere :) There isn't really instability. The tail's downforce is reduced with reverse throttle ON, basically having the same effect as reducing your elevator deflection. I only notice issue if I'm trying to hold my nose up over -8 degrees. Reverse throttle works well when you don't need much tail, and that's during dives. Yeah, it's the Easystar from hell with the huge antenna and gorilla glue everywhere. I even have bumper stickers on it now. Going strong after 3 years now.

Attitude is maintained because you reduce the maximum reverse thrust as your pitch command goes higher. For me, it turns off with commands higher than about -5, scaling to 100% at -30 pitch. This lets it work during the dive, and during the approach, but not during flare and the final stage of landing.

Comment by Ritchie on September 20, 2010 at 3:36pm

It is not the Easystar from hell its the Epicstar.
I guess the critical part of the reverse thrust isn't getting that to work its where it works.
The UAVDev team have successfully created an IMU wind vector estimation file so perhaps that could be used to create a landing pattern setup with the Ardu in mind. I'm gonna enjoy this.

Comment by Andre Germain on September 22, 2012 at 6:36pm

Arresting is certainly a good option - we've been doing it for decades, see here; 

F4 arresting

F18 arresting

And our early RPV in early 90s (not arrested! 65 lbs): RPV

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