FLARES - Flying Launch and Recovery System from Insitu on Vimeo.
Recently I ran across this really interesting system being used to launch and recover the Scan Eagle, which is a 40+lb airplane. That makes this a VERY large octocopter! It's a very interesting concept. The launch seems much gentler on the airframe than a typical catapult launch. And even though it's a huge octocopter, it replaces two separate launch and recovery mechanisms, which normally are trailer mounted. They can be seen in this video to get a sense of the scale.
Paradise Fire Olympic National Park, Washington, USA from Insitu on Vimeo.
Comments
As I see it, if yaw controller is tuned with some headroom and told to point in the same direction as the natural weather vane, the controller hardly does anything. This thing is not made to fly any kind of turns, just go up and down for release and catch.
John, yes, I assumed the legs are to make it weathervane, but the curious thing is, wouldn't the yaw controller resist it? Perhaps they have plumbed in input from a weathervane of some sort.
I notice that the airplane is mounted at an angle under the airframe. I assume they tilt the copter about 15 degrees or whatever to match, get some airspeed, then drop. The legs might just be lending yaw stability.
I have to ask... is the forward-flight performance of the Aerovel really that much better than a helicopter? Those launches and recoveries are crazy.
Its a Tricopter BTW look at the tiny motors on the tips. I love it thats why its the sUAS News logo aircraft!
I have to add another video, autonomous boat and aircraft.
Lets not forget Boeing have to play VTOL catch up now that Tads new machine that can out fly the Scan Eagle is making sales.
interesting idea, i will try it at home.
Azhar its my attempt to make a fortune on reality TV business shows and kickstarter. Or a go at a shark tank drone. I don't like the X5 so I don't mind sending it to its doom. I do like the work of the VertiKUL lads from Belguim who seem to have it bob on with the 45 degree tilted launch. So I'm copying that. It is just an X5 on a wood frame.
Since they can make sure they always have a headwind during lunch and retrieval. My guess is that the large leg rudders are there to make the octo naturally vane in the wind direction.
I just can't believe the size of the catapult required to launch what is just a 40lb aircraft. Is it because it's designed to fly fast, with lower wing area, and thus much higher stall speed?
Pfft. I could hand catch that Scan eagle. Once.
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