@Rob, yes I did'nt put that very well. Was just in a rush to get out the news of who made them really. No doubt tomorrow it will be discovered in all sorts of other places, but you heard it first ;-) We really have been trying to find out about that company, 444 N registered airframes is not to be sniffed at. So cool that Tridge, CanberraUAV and the Ardupilot.org devs have made it possible for mere mortals like me to play in this game as well.
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@Paul Yes the main pros are there. But Tilt rotor and thrust vectoring allows perching smoothly, will see applications in disaster recovery I believe.
@Rob Talking about power density, fuel cells have a better power density in weight and a larger power density in volume (compared to gasoline). This is not before a few years for DIY drones, but 4-hours flight time has been demonstrated in early April : http://en.mmcuav.com/news_view.aspx?TypeId=4&Id=457&Fid=t2:4:2
For note, gasoline is not more efficient than electric. It's the increased energy density that matters. About 5-10 times that of a LiPo battery. There is no plausible battery technology on the market, or even in the lab, that will close that gap. Battery energy density has been virtually stalled for many years.
Cost is also a huge factor. The gasoline motor in my 800 heli costs $300. It uses $2 in fuel per hour. You just keep pouring it in, and pulling the cord. Getting this heli to fly 1 hour was trivial. Bolt on a couple extra fuel tanks at $10/each.
By contrast, I have an electric 800 heli. The motors and ESC's are about $3-400. So that doesn't change much. However, each set of batteries cost $1000. And it's a challenge to get to 1 hour of flight (But can do it, with a 1kg payload).
I understand double motors to be much more efficient, because you can optimise engines and props for vertical lift (short term) and forward flight (long term)
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@Rob, yes I did'nt put that very well. Was just in a rush to get out the news of who made them really. No doubt tomorrow it will be discovered in all sorts of other places, but you heard it first ;-) We really have been trying to find out about that company, 444 N registered airframes is not to be sniffed at. So cool that Tridge, CanberraUAV and the Ardupilot.org devs have made it possible for mere mortals like me to play in this game as well.
@Paul
Yes the main pros are there. But Tilt rotor and thrust vectoring allows perching smoothly, will see applications in disaster recovery I believe.
@Rob
Talking about power density, fuel cells have a better power density in weight and a larger power density in volume (compared to gasoline). This is not before a few years for DIY drones, but 4-hours flight time has been demonstrated in early April : http://en.mmcuav.com/news_view.aspx?TypeId=4&Id=457&Fid=t2:4:2
Interesting article Gary.
For note, gasoline is not more efficient than electric. It's the increased energy density that matters. About 5-10 times that of a LiPo battery. There is no plausible battery technology on the market, or even in the lab, that will close that gap. Battery energy density has been virtually stalled for many years.
Cost is also a huge factor. The gasoline motor in my 800 heli costs $300. It uses $2 in fuel per hour. You just keep pouring it in, and pulling the cord. Getting this heli to fly 1 hour was trivial. Bolt on a couple extra fuel tanks at $10/each.
By contrast, I have an electric 800 heli. The motors and ESC's are about $3-400. So that doesn't change much. However, each set of batteries cost $1000. And it's a challenge to get to 1 hour of flight (But can do it, with a 1kg payload).
That's a very old video Alex, the N numbers on the wings might have outed who makes them for Google.
http://www.suasnews.com/2016/04/updated-project-wing-video-google/
I wonder if its Pixhawk inside, looks like radios we know outside.
I understand double motors to be much more efficient, because you can optimise engines and props for vertical lift (short term) and forward flight (long term)
Even Google folks are leaning toward double motor set for VTOL designs. I cannot understand why tilting motor are not preferred.
Love the Nerf dart on the pitot tube at 1:10