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Revised Docking Challenge

34.1k AgDynamics  10.0 years ago
293 downloads
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Auto Credit Based on AgDynamics's Mid-Air Docking Challenge

Slight balance, handling, and visual upgrades to my previous docking challenge entry. Chase plane and lead plane are both nearly perfectly stable. Raise the landing gear as soon as the tails come off the ground, and you'll catch the lead plane just off the end of the runway.

Stay as light on the inputs as possible. The control surfaces have been made as small as possible for precision close-quarters flying, but as a result the chase plane handles like a boat.

Use the landing gear to slow down if you end up passing the lead plane. If you're careful you can make multiple attempts at docking. My record was 6 attempts, and I only stopped there because I ran out of fuel.

Fair warning: This may actually be impossible. I've put a whole lot of time into trying to get this thing to work and I have yet to succeed. It works in concept on the ground, but in the air I'm not sure it would ever properly latch unless you got the angle absolutely perfect.

I'll continue working on it, but I don't have much hope.

General Characteristics

  • Predecessor Mid-Air Docking Challenge
  • Created On Windows
  • Wingspan 37.5ft (11.4m)
  • Length 73.8ft (22.5m)
  • Height 12.7ft (3.9m)
  • Empty Weight 3,381lbs (1,534kg)
  • Loaded Weight 3,893lbs (1,766kg)

Performance

  • Power/Weight Ratio 1.154
  • Wing Loading 26.7lbs/ft2 (130.2kg/m2)
  • Wing Area 146.0ft2 (13.6m2)
  • Drag Points 2225

Parts

  • Number of Parts 51
  • Control Surfaces 5
  • Performance Cost 500