Ok, a quick one from me. A test of sorts for Mikoyansters big chopper challenge.
This is a proof of concept / technology demonstrator.
She is controlled thus;
Vtol controlls rotor rpm
Throttle controls rotor pitch
Yaw controls yaw (via gyros)
Pitch controls the rotor assembly pitch up / down this can also be trimmed using, well, trim.
Roll controls the rotor assembly roll left / right
AG7 and AG8 should be activated at all times.
To take off, vtol full up (full revs on the rotors). Then throttle up to 10%. You should now be flying. Try to get her moving using pitch to nose her down. Use throttle to controll climb/sink and use roll left/right to turn (take it easy with this).
Comments are indeed most appreciated as I am still trying to nail down the flight controls.
Specifications
General Characteristics
- Successors 1 airplane(s)
- Created On iOS
- Wingspan 34.2ft (10.4m)
- Length 36.8ft (11.2m)
- Height 12.2ft (3.7m)
- Empty Weight 4,999lbs (2,267kg)
- Loaded Weight 6,621lbs (3,003kg)
Performance
- Power/Weight Ratio 4.072
- Horse Power/Weight Ratio 0.302
- Wing Loading 74.0lbs/ft2 (361.3kg/m2)
- Wing Area 89.5ft2 (8.3m2)
- Drag Points 3679
Parts
- Number of Parts 59
- Control Surfaces 0
- Performance Cost 408
I understand that in RL it is pitch differential between the two rotors that governs yaw. This is probably do-able in SP if I were to build a rotor head using fuselage and vtol nozzles, I guess. However this isnt do-able with big props, where pitch is only variable one way. I guess the gyro and possibly the momentum of the moving fuselage is screwing with my yaw control? I know I have yaw authority when hovering... I will persevere... Thanks!! @ChiChiWerx
Generally, the way that setup works in RL is by changing the speed differential between the rotors, which spin in opposite directions. In SP, a tail rotor isn't required to counteract the torque from the main rotor, so it's not the counter-rotating mains that are making it difficult to rotate. However, a gyro, while not required for yaw control in SP, does stabilize yaw a bit, once introduced. Have you tried no yaw gyro to see what that does for you? That's where I would suggest you start, instead of coming at it from the other way, where you have a super strong gyro for yaw.
A cracking good test pilot report! Many thanks! Yep, I can adjust the pitch scaling, so that she takes at a more reasonable pitch setting. The lack of yaw? I have no bloody idea. Ive tried rcs nozzles, Ove tried two gyros, Ive tried a tail rotor with pitch authority tied to yaw controls, but no joy. Any ideas? @ChiChiWerx
Thanks matey. This is my first serious crack at a a whirlygig and it is proving a bit of a mission. I dont want to resort to using vtol nozzles, as I think it is a bit ‘cheaty’, so a bloody big prop turned up the wrong way seems to be the ticket. But the lack of yaw control at speed is proving to be a continual pain in the bum. Any ideas? @Tang0five
Easy to fly controls, probably not 100% analogous to a RL chopper, but easy nonetheless. I would tone down the power, as it only takes around 3% to lift off and 2% to fly. I would adjust so that it takes at least 50% to lift off and fly. I realize the adjustment is blade pitch, not power, but I would think about it as a ratio of available pitch which is similar to a power setting. Also, why doesn't it yaw for me, or at least, it doesn't yaw that quickly. Adjust that so that it can yaw easily, as that's a hallmark of a chopper, they can pivot fairly quickly in general. Other controls don't seem out of whack wrt control authority.
I struggle making fixed wing craft fly.... concept seems to work though!
Me either. Thats the problem... Thanks for getting back to me, though. @RamboJutter
@GhostHTX im not a heli dude, sorry.
@RamboJutter
@ChiChiwerx
@Tang0five
@Mikoyanster
@Alien