15
votes
Accepted
Do aerodynamics scale for model aircraft?
Aircraft do not scale linearly, for a number of reasons.
Most aerodynamic equations include a speed squared term. If you halve the speed, you only get a quarter of the lift and drag, so models tend ...
- 7,418
11
votes
Accepted
How do DJI drones achieve such long flight times compared to traditional FPV drones?
There's no magic technology, it's just a difference in design goals. FPV drones are designed for speed, performance and robustness, DJI drones are designed for duration and carrying a gimbled camera.
...
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10
votes
Drones capable of smooth plane/bird-like flight
You might be able to write custom flight control software for a multi-copter that would simulate this. You might get close just by radically limiting the pitch and roll rates and being gentle on the ...
- 7,418
9
votes
Drones capable of smooth plane/bird-like flight
(Edit: The original version of this question asked about "drones" in general. This answer was based on the question pre-edit, hence the clarification of drones vs. quadcopters.)
First, a ...
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8
votes
Do aerodynamics scale for model aircraft?
Elaborating on @Robin's answer with the full effects of the cube-square law.
If we were to construct a model aircraft at half the length of a full aircraft, the model would:
Have half of the ...
- 752
5
votes
How do DJI drones achieve such long flight times compared to traditional FPV drones?
This is a good question. In short, While DJI drones certainly have a lot of engineering and design put into them, the way they achieve long flight times is no secret. The DJI drones' long flight times ...
- 5,802
3
votes
Drones capable of smooth plane/bird-like flight
The premise of your question is based on fairly limited observation of aviation.
First there are many fixed wing "drones". They just haven't been as prevalent in the consumer market as in ...
- 208
3
votes
If AUW is 90 grams, will 4500Kv motors be better than 7500Kv?
Lower kV motors will spin more slowly but with more torque. Spinning more slowly (with the same prop) will give you less thrust and less power (and thus lower current) at full throttle.
However, a ...
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2
votes
Drones capable of smooth plane/bird-like flight
"Drones are small helicopters": False. Drones are fixed prop and that mechanical difference alone places the devices in a unique category. The actual differences are many. It should also ...
- 1,078
1
vote
Flight properties vs Energy Storage, is it a linear relationship?
Battery capacity and flight time isn't a linear relationship as a battery that is too small may not be able to supply enough current, and one that is too large may be too heavy for the motors to lift.
...
- 7,418
1
vote
Drones capable of smooth plane/bird-like flight
Drone capable of smooth, gliding, birdlike flight?
Possible, and done. (Missiles optional)
- 163
1
vote
How do DJI drones achieve such long flight times compared to traditional FPV drones?
I have built and owned plenty of racing and photo drones. DJI is one of best for photo drones.There is a big difference in a racing drone that uses ESCs and motors that take a lot of power to fly at ...
- 11
1
vote
Do aerodynamics scale for model aircraft?
For a given constant global density, mass grows with the cube of the linear dimension.
Concerning lift, all other things equal, lift grows linearly with the wing area, and the wing area grows with ...
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