Developer Comment by Randy on December 26, 2011 at 7:14pm

Interesting video although I wish he was more specific about how the control is done.  He says things like "various sensors" and "close the loop".  To give him the benefit of the doubt, perhaps this is just so it's accessible to a wider audience.

Anyone know what's that wire thing half way along the wing? (see 5:43)

I wonder what he means my "cheaply"? (see 4:09)  :-).

Comment by John Hestness on December 26, 2011 at 10:11pm

it appears the wire just keeps the wing up and the prop off of the floor.  I think you are right to put "cheaply" in quotes. LOL,  But I searched DIYdrones for "maple seed" and a few other similar devices came up.

Comment by Roy Brewer on December 27, 2011 at 9:39am

It apparently is controlled like a single blade of a helicopter, with virtual "collective" and "cyclic" pitch on the flap actuator

"Development and Flight Validation of an Autonomous Mono-Wing UAS"

http://legacy.vtol.org/forum66/f66_bestPapers/aircraftDesign.pdf

- Roy

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