Re: [Paparazzi-devel] Quad Tilt Rotor using Lisa/M

[Richardson, Mark E C1C USAF USAFA CW/CS13]

Hey Reto, 

 We came up with our prototype requirement based on a combination of
customer needs and what we believed we could develop in the time frame. I
must mention that the mission profile is almost exactly how you've said; but
instead of just landing and being done, having the capability to take off
again to go to different areas. Our customer has asked not to publish the
requirements on line so I cannot go into too much detail on this setting but
I can discuss them with you in a private setting. 

We have considered the motorized parachute (powered paraglider) but as you
have said, flying with a paraglider wing is inefficient. Also, since we
would like the ability to move after landing, getting the wing to inflate
just right for a takeoff would be a big challenge.

We have not considered a gyrocopter, this is basically for the same reason
we couldn't go with just a deployable quad, it is not capable of sustaining
a glide. I did see one video of a copter/plane that some company developed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBfW4mbrodA which would almost fit our entire
profile; however, just like the VERTI4 it cannot fit in a small space.

Helicopter was the same way... range is insufficient.

So I described this prototype to be launched and deployed with the help of a
drag chute, for our prototype purpose, that is just fine. However, once
perfected and having the ability to inflate the wings in fractions of a
second we would it could to autodeploy without a chute.

Thanks for the tip on the Vtail, I will incorporate that onto our final
prototype. 

David,

The landing requirements are anywhere from an open/deserted environment full
of whatever nature has to an urban environment - atop houses/buildings.

And this thing?
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152152603155874&set=a.101521526029
05874.1073741834.590205873&type=3&theater
we are actually considering building a carbon wing like the one on it for
out prototype. Its pro/s compared to the inflatable wing are :

no need for CO2/inflating mechanism
lower possibility of damage if props strike wing
lighter than inflatable wing

however, as you can see on the second image, in order for the wing to fold
it is made up of a couple of layers on a mold of the airfoil without an
internal structure -- although this is doable, I doubt we can get as much
efficiency as with the inflatable wing, even in a final model.

I would like to clarify that although we are attempting to have a flying
prototype by may, it does not mean it has to be perfect; in fact, our only
job is to really present this tour customer and for them to decide wether or
not the idea is worth developing further.


Thanks to all!
--Mark

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