Over at RCG, Gary, who makes these sweet birds in his workshop in Toronto, asks if if there would be interest in selling them for UAV use:
"The only electronics onboard are 3 gyros + 2 mixers. The first video is with one 4S 3000 battery, the second is with two. Payload capacity above and beyond the batteries is 2 lb. There's more info, including the 5-lb-payload eVader 750, at
http://www.gressaero.com
I think the main features of these aircraft are that they are quite robust, have lots of payload room between the props, and handle winds well.
As stated I currently make just the platforms, and have had some interest from APers. What I'd like to do is determine if they might be viable as UAVs and, if so, develop them for this segment. Specifically, I would need:
your feedback
--to determine if there is interest in the platform by itself for DIY UAVs
--info on a good autopilot for integrating in-house
--info on 3rd parties that could integrate and package
--good exposure for the end-product"
Comments
If you don't care about VTOL, then yes, you should definitely use wings.
1) can it fly?
2) does it carry the weight of the auto pilot and any other pay load you wish to add to it and still fly?
if both answers are yes then it doesn't matter how many motors it has or what it looks like anything can be a good UAV. everthing else comes down to personal tastes and mission specs, you wouldn''t be using this for long duration flights but it would make a good maneuverable short range eye in the sky.