Making Aviation History - The First Quadcopter to Fly Across the English Channel

[wgt40w]

Theoretical question:

As a multi does not generate extra-to-props lift in motion [?], would a multi stay in the air the same amount of time - regardless of whether travelling forward Or just hovering ??

If the same, than you could beat this record - without using a chase boat - by just sitting on a beach, whilst the multi hovers over the nearby sea - record of longest flight time 'over the sea' ??

:laugh:

[electrotor]

Theoretical question:

As a multi does not generate extra-to-props lift in motion [?], would a multi stay in the air the same amount of time - regardless of whether travelling forward Or just hovering ??

If the same, than you could beat this record - without using a chase boat - by just sitting on a beach, whilst the multi hovers over the nearby sea - record of longest flight time 'over the sea' ??

:laugh:

Let us assume still air as a reference.
If the multicopter was simply hovering the only power required is to maintain position.
However if the multicopter was moving, power would be required to overcome the drag induced over the frame as well as the simple wind resistance. In addition I doubt very much if the shape of the frame moving through the air would generate any lift to reduce the load on the thrust borne lift of the motors and props. Therefore I would estimate that it would stay in the air for less time when moving.

[stevec]

Let us assume still air as a reference.
If the multicopter was simply hovering the only power required is to maintain position.
However if the multicopter was moving, power would be required to overcome the drag induced over the frame as well as the simple wind resistance.
I would estimate that it would stay in the air for less time.

but there is transational lift. like a helicopter rotor, the disk moving through the air generates lift.
so Quads tend to be more efficient when flying forwards or in fact in any direction. obviously the efficiency reduces as the disk tilts forward so it could be negated in fast forward flight but if you are at less than 15 degrees angle of attack relative to the oncoming airflow then you will see lift.

/Steve

[FPVSteve]

I've noticed I can fly forwards straight and level with my quad at a lower throttle setting than just hovering so you're probably right stevec

[electrotor]

but there is transational lift. like a helicopter rotor, the disk moving through the air generates lift.
so Quads tend to be more efficient when flying forwards or in fact in any direction. obviously the efficiency reduces as the disk tilts forward so it could be negated in fast forward flight but if you are at less than 15 degrees angle of attack relative to the oncoming airflow then you will see lift.

/Steve

A helicopter rotor is not simply a propeller pointed up the way. The pitch angle of the blades varies throughout each revolution, at least in a helicopter with a swash plate. This pitch change along with the fact that in forward flight a blade will also be retreating during a rotation causes dyssmetry of lift. Certainly there is an effect caused by translational lift but I wonder if the other negatives would cancel this out. It has maybe never been tested. Any takers?

[electrotor]

I've noticed I can fly forwards straight and level with my quad at a lower throttle setting than just hovering so you're probably right stevec

I have noticed reduced flight times on windy days so perhaps there is sweet spot where low-ish airspeed helps generate a little extra lift but in higher winds (and therefore higher airspeeds) the drag and wind resistance takes more power to overcome than the reduction of power gained due to the extra lift generated.
I suppose it is difficult to know for sure without testing.

[stevec]

A helicopter rotor is not simply a propeller pointed up the way. The pitch angle of the blades varies throughout each revolution, at least in a helicopter with a swash plate. This pitch change along with the fact that in forward flight a blade will also be retreating during a rotation causes dyssmetry of lift. Certainly there is an effect caused by translational lift but I wonder if the other negatives would cancel this out. It has maybe never been tested. Any takers?

There are a lot of anecdotal references but I have not seen any proper proof.
I have noticed (like Steve above) that when flying forwards I tend to need to take a bit of throttle out or it climbs.

it would be nice to see if a proper teetering head design made things any different but I doubt it would add anything except complexity.

I think that if you want efficiency you use wings, if you need the adaptability of landing anywhere then either land the plane on its tail google style or get a multi and live with the short range.

/Steve

[wgt40w]

So - to go back to my original question:-

To beat the Cross Channel record, I could sit on the beach,say, on the East coast and either hover over the sea or fly in circles over the sea (establishing which is the most efficient energy usage method) and claim a new record !!!!

I wouldn't really bother - it would be as exciting as watching paint dry !!

[Ratty]

I wouldn't really bother - it would be as exciting as watching paint dry !!

A bit like watching their channel crossing video.  ;D

[electrotor]

So - to go back to my original question:-

To beat the Cross Channel record, I could sit on the beach,say, on the East coast and either hover over the sea or fly in circles over the sea (establishing which is the most efficient energy usage method) and claim a new record !!!!

I wouldn't really bother - it would be as exciting as watching paint dry !!

Your mission wgt40w should you decide to accept it, is to do just as you suggest. In order for your possible record to be accepted you will require a team of observers from Guinness World Records and some method of keeping everyone awake. Hey, maybe that's why they had the chase boat after all - boredom alleviation.

[wgt40w]

A bit like watching their channel crossing video.  ;D

Yeah, only slower!

[wgt40w]

Your mission wgt40w should you decide to accept it,

No thanks, I'll leave it to Com Truise as the theme for his next film !

[stevec]

Perhaps you could tow a rubber dinghy across the channel with an s900 or maybe wake board behind it


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[FPVSteve]

Now that would be worth watching :D

[FPVSteve]

Maybe I was too harsh on the guy - it is an achievement after all.

It's just that when I was watching the video I wanted to slap him  because he made it sound like it was a huge technical achievement when it really wasn't. Certainly with a couple of hours thought any of us could do the same. Maybe a couple of extra hours for me, but I'd get there eventually :laugh:

What he should be congratulated on is actually getting off his backside and doing it - he is indeed the first person to fly a quadcopter across the channel, so fair play to him for that.

Next up:

   
• Non-stop return journey. That way it's a technical challenge because unless the winds are 0, there will be a headwind one way. (Do you need permission from France if you're not landing? Just buzz the beach and come home?)
• FPV version, no chase boat.