E-VTOL-1 FPV Tailsitter Drone Maiden Flight
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Published 2024-06-03
• E-VTOL-1 Successful FPV Drone Tail L...
01:28 QSTB - FBWA
05:02 FBWA - MANU
05:10 MANU - FBWA
05:55 FBWA - QSTB
08:05 QSTB - FBWA
08:40 FBWA - QSTB
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The maiden of my 3D printed @eclipsonairplanes 'e-VTOL-1'.
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Discussion: -
Increasing loss of control towards the end in Ardupilot's stabilised hover mode - 'QSTB' commensurate with a gradual loss of motor power.
A belly landing was not viable owing to the vertical fin surface that projects below the fuselage.
Luckily, the maiden was performed in an area with soft knolls of grass to mitigate any 'events'.
ESC's are sometimes programmed to limit power delivery the when battery gets low.
This could be the fundamental reason for the increasing loss of power and therefore control at the end.
Further rearward centre of gravity may help?
I may extend the control surface deflection to even further beyond that recommend by the designer.
Might try other Ardupilot hover modes than provide even more stabilisation.
Will also have a look at hover tuning: -
ardupilot.org/plane/docs/tailsitter-tuning-guide.h…
Next test flight soon.
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Tips: -
Pick a windless day + wide open space for maiden flight.
Point wingtip into wind - especially when model is drifting away from you in the hover - then use differential thrust to drive it home (rotating around aircraft-reference yaw axis).
Takeoff and land positively - (not softly, nor slowly).
Transition to landing mode upwind of home (the wind will ease it back home).
Very large control throws seem ideal.
Don't be a hero - maximal use of automation (provided set up properly) is sensible.
See the tips in this commercial drone video: -
• WingtraOne performance and best pract...
If you're really keen - print off a good few sets of motor mounts to take to the testing field.
Unless COMPLETELY lined up with the vertical, when you switch to QSTAB for take off, launch immediately - or at least use the stick to put the control surfaces back to neutral!
If you don't - the stabilisation will kick in(it will think it's flying) and give you full control deflection in no time - not ideal for lift off!
The centre of gravity for a tailsitter is important in an extra dimension. When hovering it is important that there is not too much weight in the belly of the plane or on its back, so that it leans forward or back. This is particularly important for non-vectored tailsitters.
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Reference: -
3D print files: www.eclipson-airplanes.com/e-vtol-1
Basic setup: www.eclipson-airplanes.com/stepbystep
Ardupilot tailsitter general: ardupilot.org/plane/docs/guide-tailsitter.html#gui…
Ardupilot tailsitter tuning: ardupilot.org/plane/docs/tailsitter-tuning-guide.h…
Setup walkthrough, from a guy, far more clever than me: docs.google.com/document/d/1yQwxzXMdOSVAbHlTBgLeg4…
Setup of similar plane: • HOW-TO ArduPlane VTOL Tailsitter setup
forum.flitetest.com/index.php?threads/vtol-tail-si…
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?4039377-Ecl…
• Taming the Tail-Sitter: Hover to Forw...
discuss.ardupilot.org/t/wing-wing-z-84-tailsitter-…
forum.flitetest.com/index.php?threads/eclipson-e-v…
newtonairlines.blogspot.com/2024/06/inav-vtol-tail…
github.com/iNavFlight/inav/blob/master/docs/VTOL.m…
github.com/robustini/eXploraVTOL
• Tailsitter test flight 15 - First VTO...
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Parameters currently toying with: -
Q_ANGLE_MAX - 3000 cdeg increased to 6000 cdeg (30 degrees increased to 60 degrees hover lean angle).
ARMING_CHECK - remove the pre-arm compass check - that pesky compass calibration issue potentially stopping you from flying - (you might just want to hover).
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Equipment: -
Radiomaster TX16S transmitter
Radiomaster ELRS Ranger-Micro transmitter module
Radiomaster ELRS RP1 receiver
Matek F405 Wing V2 flight controller
Matek M10Q - 5883 GPS with compass
MATEK ASPD-4525 digital airspeed sensor
4S 1500mAh LiPo.
2 x Sunnysky X2212 -KV1250II outrunner brushless motors
2 x Hobbywing Skywalker 30A ESC's
APC Propellor 8x6E
APC Propellor 8x6EP
2 x Emax ES08MD II 13g Digital/Metal Gear Servo
Rush Tank Ultimate II VTX
Eachine 'K-loverleaves' SMA VTX antenna
Caddx Ratel 2
VIFLY Finder 2