I wonder if someone's Hexa/Octo-copter was ever saved by having 6/8 motors instead of the 4 of a Quad. I ask this question because I would like to switch to f.i. a Hexa Y6 if the effort and expense is worth it. Can the flight controller handle the loss of one motor without pilot intervention?
I had the following problem: Something went wrong with one of the ESC's of my Quad. I can measure the corresponding motor runs at 5000 rpm while the 3 other motors run at 3500 rpm just before take-off. The f/c can't even handle this on its own. I have to steer or use full trim in the opposite direction to counteract and then it does fly. Of course complete loss of the motor can't be compensated in a Quad and the crash is guaranteed. But how about Hexa/Octo? Has anyone experienced this in real life?
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Loosing a motor with an hexa or an octo should allow to recover without problem as soon as you have enough remaining power to carry the load and compensate for the wind. You can test a motor fail using a RC relay, where you will connect an ESC signal line. Then when you want to simulate a motor fail, activate the remote relay through a free radio channel.
Hi Marcel,
I currently fly a V-Octo, and all I can say is yes; the other day one of the motors stopped due to bad connector, and I didn't even notice it, someone said, "hey that motor is not spining!!", then I brought the bird closer, and the motor was motionless; and it kept flying nicely.
Dani