Although I'm still gathering information in the field of UAVs by programming the UAV Playground, I have now designed and built this Flying Wing as a future carrier for whatever electronics I'll be using. I've tried to design it as versatile as possible by using a platform where all the electronics is velcroed on (last picture). Like that it should be possible to carry around even bulky pieces of hardware.Specification- Kline-Fogleman KFm3 Airfoil (top steps at 50% and 75% chord)- Wingspan 1240mm- Wing area 24.8dm²- Weight 430g (330g without battery)Electronics- TURNIGY 28-26B 1350Kv motor- Master Airscrew 7x4 propeller- TURNIGY Plush 25A ESC- Rhino LiPo 3S1P 30C 1050 mAh- 2 x HXT900 1.6kg/cm servo
This is the camera mount and its removable nose cone.
The back view of the Flying Wing with the motor and the KFm3 Airfoil steps visible.
Here the canopy is removed and the electronics and an Arduino are visible.Free Design Tools [update]- ProgeCAD 2008 Smart (AutoCAD clone)- Google SketchUp (3D modeling)- WinLaengs4 (CG calculation)- Estimate Electric Motor and Prop ComboFirst Flights [update]The maiden flight was absolutely unproblematic. Only a few minor trim adjustments where necessary and I increased the travel adjust for elevator and aileron to 115%. I also mixed some elevator to the throttle so that the plane now stays level on throttle up. Elevon reflex is set to 3 degrees.The reactions to the stick movements where quiet precise and it always amazes me how stable my Wings fly. Flying a curve with elevons only was a pleasure and you wouldn't have noticed the absence of the rudder in non acrobatic flying.The KFm3 Airfoil is recommended for slow flying planes and although the maximum speed is rather low the flyable speed bandwidth is more than sufficient for a UAV ship.I tested different weight configurations from 450 to 590g and there is definitely more payload potential because even at full load with a 2200mAh lipo and the camera mounted vertical climbing was still possible.Flight time was about 25 minutes with a 2200mAh lipo (1680mAh recharged).
Aerial Video Central SwitzerlandA manual non stabilized flight in gusty winds. I used a Toshiba Camileo S10 1080p HD video camera weighing 119 grams and costing about 165$.For better quality and less jerking you can download the video from Vimeo (you need an account).A flight in the Swiss mountains [update]Filmed with the Toshiba Camileo S10 in WVGA mode (848x480, 60fps, no stabilization).
Wow what scenery, I think I will have to come over there and do some airframe testing rather than in a muddy windy Bedfordshire. I'm getting on well with UAVplayground. Am building a model of Airframe 3 in sketchup to use with it. Thanks for a great tool.
Now wheres the ferry timetable.
Your airframe still looks great BTW. Love the opening shot. I might just go and get my own version now.
Beautiful. Steady as she goes. It's nice to view an aerial video which isn't bouncing all over the place. A very stylish-looking aircraft. Just outstanding work. The music is very fresh as well.
It's made of 7mm styrofoam bought in a supplies store. The sheets are 800x620 mm and cost about 1.65$ a piece.
Of course you could use the plane for manual flight only (as I still do) but according to the construction it's more fragile than for example an EasyStar. So if you are looking for a plane that can carry around a decent amount of payload and that gives you easy access to the electronics this could be the way to go.
What type of foam construction is this, It looks very well built. Would it be good for plain RC? Also the flight time of 25 minutes of a 2200mAh battery is pretty good especially as the batteries could be expanded...
It's hard for me to estimate the stall speed. It seems to be very low but unlike my other KF wings it has a slight tendency to tip stall. I'm sure it won't do that anymore with a larger lateral area (bigger winglets).
Comments
Now wheres the ferry timetable.
Your airframe still looks great BTW. Love the opening shot. I might just go and get my own version now.
Of course you could use the plane for manual flight only (as I still do) but according to the construction it's more fragile than for example an EasyStar. So if you are looking for a plane that can carry around a decent amount of payload and that gives you easy access to the electronics this could be the way to go.
What would you estimate is your minimum airspeed before stalling ?
I uploaded a very short aerial video taken from the UAV Flying Wing: Youtube video (don't forget to click on HQ)
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
of 4 Next