Hi. I want to build a UAV for college and I need a bit of help. I want to make a bigger UAV with an extended range and time of flight (around 3 hours and at least 20 miles). The main thing I need is the wingspan and the size of the craft. If anyone can help me with figuring out the sizes and weights need to acquire lift, e-mail me.
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3 hours is asking... a lot. 45 min is considered an impressive flight time with the sorts of planes frequently used here. Dont think I've seen any that go for more than maybe an hour, unless you're actually looking at partial solar power or automated thermals climbing....and those are whole other bags of worms.
Is there any reason you actually need that time and range? It'll start costing far more as those requirements increase.
Why do you want to build a UAV for college? This may seem like a naive question, but it is actually the key question that drives a UAV design. If you are interested in platform (aircraft) development, you need specific goals (weight, range, speed, etc), before you can begin a design. Note that this is entirely separate from designing an autopilot and flight management system, which is a lot of what we talk about around here. Integrating an autopilot to a specific platform is another project, with its own challenges, especially all-up testing. To get a sense of scope, _each_ of the above problems would be a two-semester project at most engineering schools, and would not be an individual effort.
If platform development is what you're interested in, probably the least painful introduction would be Dan Raymer's "Simplified Aircraft Design for Homebuilders":
Each of them will require some interpretation (and digging for parts/materials data) to work for aircraft as small as most UAVs, but the process (and the formulas) are what you need to size and design an airframe
Oh -- and be aware that there are regulatory issues for UAVs with the capabilities you are contemplating. Be sure to read the regulatory FAQ...
Replies
I think your asking a bit much! Try starting with 1 hour at 60kmh
Is there any reason you actually need that time and range? It'll start costing far more as those requirements increase.
If platform development is what you're interested in, probably the least painful introduction would be Dan Raymer's "Simplified Aircraft Design for Homebuilders":
http://www.amazon.com/Simplified-Aircraft-Design-Homebuilders-Danie...
Although his "Aircraft Design: A Conceptual Approach" is what we use at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University:
http://www.amazon.com/Aircraft-Design-Conceptual-Approach-Education...
Each of them will require some interpretation (and digging for parts/materials data) to work for aircraft as small as most UAVs, but the process (and the formulas) are what you need to size and design an airframe
Oh -- and be aware that there are regulatory issues for UAVs with the capabilities you are contemplating. Be sure to read the regulatory FAQ...
http://diydrones.com/profiles/blog/show?id=705844%3ABlogPost%3A28583