I just ran across this on Yann LeCun's blog - Yann is a professor of mathematics at NYU, a leading authority on neural networks, and an R/C enthusiast.This is a conventional airframe with two sets of vectored motors (similar to what we're doing with the blimps). Yann reports that two rotors turn clockwise and two counter-clockwise on a diagonal. Stabilization and control is accomplished with a combination of conventional gyros and channel mixing.
The main advantage I see is that you can horizontally balance the lift vertical vectors in VTOL mode. An alternative approach would be something like an Osprey, where you'd need to align the vertical lift vectors with the fore/aft center of balance of the aircraft. Mechanically, that might be somewhat more challenging, and you would probably have to fight some pitch oscillations.
Good question, though. I wonder if anyone has modified a conventional aircraft for a vectored 2-rotor Osprey configuration ?
That is totally cool. What do you think is the advantage of four vectoring motors over two (as in the miltary's Osprey?) . It seems to you you've got as many degrees of freedom with two vectoring thrustors as a quadcopter gets with four static ones.
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Good question, though. I wonder if anyone has modified a conventional aircraft for a vectored 2-rotor Osprey configuration ?