While I'm certainly not brave enough to flight test something like this, this guy has some...ingenuity. This is the latest episode in a long series.

https://youtu.be/Hj0r63xfG-M

I like the compact design. Much smaller LZ and obstacle clearance that other conventional rotor wings.

Don't fly any higher than you would like to fall.

Think I'd be looking for a large field for flight testing! Interesting motor array/pattern.

Then there's this kid, who's going to kill himself:

He needs to commit and give it full power! I feel like there are so many other ways to kill yourself, why go through the trouble of building this death trap. Lol

I just think it was interesting that he chose gas engines and built a precise fuel controller for them, and that they are responsive enough to control the flight of the aircraft via software. Did you see the size of those props!?

Zzz wrote:Did you see the size of those props!?

It slices! It dices! I see the power of Darwin at work.

tom

That's awesome. But it seems like he made it pretty risky to reduce the weight. Seems more intuitive to have the rotors above you for stability and so that you could land it in the brush without hitting rotors. Also it appears that the rotors are set up exactly right so slice off his elbows.

Other than that, major success. I fully support this effort.

Seems to me a possible solution would be a gas/electric hybrid.

A small gas (or diesel) engine operating at a constant maximum efficiency RPM powering a generator to run the electric motors.

Much better range/duration and the percise power manipulation of the electric motors. Maybe incorparate short duration batteries to allow a safe landing in the event of the reciprocating engine failing.

Mountain Doctor wrote:Seems to me a possible solution would be a gas/electric hybrid.

A small gas (or diesel) engine operating at a constant maximum efficiency RPM powering a generator to run the electric motors.

Much better range/duration and the percise power manipulation of the electric motors. Maybe incorparate short duration batteries to allow a safe landing in the event of the reciprocating engine failing.

Agreed. Also seems much simpler from a controls/plumbing perspective. Batteries are heavy, but a small one that could provide say 50% power for even 1 minute (for a steep, but controlled descent) seems like a safe bet.

They have been flying a gas powered manned multi-copter for a while now. You can buy one brand new, and it even comes in a classic green color. I think they call it the Shit-hook.

Kidding aside, kudos to the people who are developing this sort of thing on a homebuilt level. But they always seem to forget that the smaller the diameter of the rotor the greater reduction in propulsive efficiency for a given power source.

So if you have a multi-copter with three rotors sitting next to a multi-copter with twelve rotors, sitting next to a helicopter with one rotor... and the same size battery for all of them, simple physics tells us the helicopter will lift more and fly longer with the same battery, because the larger rotor is essentially a higher aspect rotating wing.