Variable-pitch props allow for amazing 3D performance with fixed-wing aircraft, as this video demonstrates. But they also require real skill to fly. How hard would it be to use APM to automate these sort of acrobatics? Or even just do VTOL takeoff and landings?
(from Hackaday)
Comments
Hey Sebastian, I think You've definitely got it.
A good reversing ESC that could actually cut it was always the best answer, it's just that until now all of them have required way too long to go from Max CW to Max CCW.
Clearly that problem is solved, these seem like they would work great on light foamy fixed wing 3D planes too.
What do they cost, where can you buy them and how long till the 35 Amp one is available.
I want some of these.
Best Regards,
Gary
Well quads are never going to achieve the endurance of a wing. Yes batteries will improve, that improvement will bring a dramatic improvement for conventional platforms as well. I already know of one person that has used the work of the multi rotor world to push his conventional aircraft out to a five hour flight time. That's why I say the old 40 minutes is the new six hours for sUAS. I can see a six hour fixed wing platform cost half the cost of a one hour multirotor. Add some VTOL into the fixed wing and only make it fly for three hours and it will still win.
Why add mechanics and servos?
The ultraESC[1] can inverse the rotation direction of an brushless motor. It includes also live monitoring of the esc[2]
Have a look at this nice demonstration: http://vimeo.com/61127136
[1] http://flyduino.net/UltraESC-20A-2-4S-ESC
[2] http://ultraesc.de/index.php?ESC=noe_GUI
mwc quad // ultraesc 3d from warthox on Vimeo.
For quads was done at time ago =)
http://acl.mit.edu/projects/vpitch_quad.html
Welcome to traditional 4D VPP flying
When I played with tail sitters a couple of years ago it was very simple to do the take off and landing its the transition to forward flight that is hard. Well for me anyway. My current VTOL favourite, with clever yaw handling.
Hi Chris,
It wasn't clear to me if you were talking about fixed pitch or quads.
Of course the Curtis Youngblood Stingray 500 collective pitch quad has been available for some time:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVNZ4dbZkhk
But there was a couple of years ago an inexpensive variable pitch motor prop combo for super light 3D foam planes, but it was discontinued because it was very fragile and short lived.
In fact, collective pitch or not, I have been surprised no one has undertaken more than the simple flip so far.
But having said that, my guess is the APM would be hard tasked, but automated acro flight with or without collective pitch is probably an ideal add on for the Pixhawk for both fixed wing and copters, the only limits should be set by safety and common sense (sometimes in short supply).
The guy flying in that video was very pro by the way.
MIT ACL variable pitch quadrotor:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIkqqVr_u9U