Discussions

Has anyone built an ArduPlane that runs on Nitro Fuel?

Posted by Kevin Mahler on January 19, 2012 at 12:47pm

I see a lot of discussions about flight times and how to extend times. As nice as electric power is, fuel is still king. The Drones that the military fly, run on fuel and have long flight times.

Has anyone tried building an ArduPlane drone that runs on Nitro Fuel? If so, what sort of flight times did you receive? What model plane? Engine? I may try this over the summer...

Kevin

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Replies

Michael Smith January 29, 2012 at 1:42pm

5hp, gasoline engine, big plane...almost 10 ft w/s. but expensive ($2000). Has 3 hours flight time off 1 gal 93 octane/ 2cycle oil. Army gets flight time out of wet wings (tanks in wings) w/more powerful egines...34+ hp.

fpvhobby.com please leave some available for me...lol

I am selling my nitro planes because of the hassle...cost...

kyosho calmato and p-51 for sale
Gary Hunkin January 21, 2012 at 4:24am

It is best to use a weedwaker motor converted and lightened with electronic cdi. Costs are minimal ($20) and you can run cheap gasoline. You can convert these to run nitro with a glow plug adapter, but nitro is expensive. Power outputs are 3hp with a modded 28cc motor.These motors can fly a siseable aircraft and mission time can be really long if optomised. Converted weight is very low compared to power output.This what most "pro" UAV systems use.
UAS_Pilot January 20, 2012 at 8:52am

You cannot say that military uses only fuel engines. I work in the industry and I know of many UAS that have electric propulsion sys.. An hav 2-3 hr flight times.
Toby Mills January 19, 2012 at 1:53pm

vibration is still the primary issue with fuel engines. its possible but you need a lot of vibration isolation to decouple the engine from the airframe and the AP from the airframe.