I am flying on a 3 channel Bixler (no ailerons) as I want to open a plane drone school and 3 channels systems are so simple it could be flown by 10 years old kids within 2 days, especially if I limit the maximum roll.
When wind is over 5m/s, my Bixler goes much too fast downwind and much too slow upwind at 30% throttle cruise speed with a 6x4 APC prop, everything else being stock hardware.
So during windy days, loiters are not happening well at all, the circular loiter shape being forced into a narrow oval shape, as soon as the plane starts to turn downwind, it can hardly even meet the center of the loiter as it flies too fast.
Same happens during missions, plane cannot seem to be able to follow a straight line when going crosswind, it goes in zig-zags, like taken away by the wind, then comes back to, etc..
I am pretty sure flying 3 channels is not so good when it is a windy day, but is there any way to correct or at least limit that effect thanks to APM tuning ?
Replies
Since ailerons are how you're really supposed to turn an aircraft, and the rudder only approach is basically kinda faking it, it's not surprising that you're seeing authority issues in general. While you might be able to improve it a bit with tuning, I'm guessing that it's not likely to really solve it.
Specifically, ailerons are used continually in ground reference maneuvers like what you're attempting to counteract cross/tail/head-winds smoothly and consistently. Google for videos about ground reference maneuvers and you'll see what I'm talking about. UND has some good stuff on youtube about it.