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Old 12-09-2008 | 08:58 AM
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gittarpikk
 
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Maryville, TN
Default RE: Zero speed landing possible ?

I think your still "hunting" here...and not all stones unturned.

I will propose two designs one of them is mine and not yet built, but will be soon.The other is a real old one that works and plans can be ordered from RCM Plan service.

First
The Vertigo airplane. built around the 80's if I remember right and has a rotating ducted fan (actually ducted prop design) in the center of a fairly conventional RC design. you can "u tube" it under vertigo. If I remember right, this plan is available through RCM

I have a design that will be an electric that has two fan-props in the wing with the prop planes being on te wing planes. One on each side of fuse. This is a sorta delta-ish design. The props and motors are matched but reversed . One motor turns CW and the other CCW. This is the vertical lift portion.

There is a mid fuse (actually slightly behind horizontal engines/props) horizontal drive motor/prop. (can be a vari-pitch) 4D anyone , with a twist even!)(The vertical drives can also be reversible-taking 4D to a higher level still)(OMG I think we've created a'nuther monster)

Concept : Fly a regular approach, slowly increasing the vertical motors and reducing forward pitch on the horizontal drive. (computer mixing curve). Ending with full vertical (extended lower rudder can offer the control a tail rotor would normally offer on a copter) Mix (if needed ) ailerons to the vertical drive motors) for low speed aileron control. If needed a very small diameter vertical trim motor/prop could be added in the center of the horizontal stab and mixed to the elevators for low speed pitch control.

In reality, the addition of trim props/motors will really not be needed if the point of landing is acheived just as the plane comes to a complete stop, simultaniously touching on the mains. (just as a bird would land) as inertia of the prior air-movement stabilized and balanced angle of the wing(fuselage-horizontal landing approach) will already be achieved and will only be for a fleeting instant, dead still.

I don't think you(looking through VR goggles) will be able to judge the right speeds and angles for this type of landing, however I think it is easily possible as an rc pilot.

Now, maybe this is what your hunting for.

I have been thinking of this for maybe 5-6 years and have a drawing of a testbed plane. I would be interested in joining efforts with someone who has the ability and innovation to prototype it and get a proto up and running. I have (through a friend) a source for international cheap manufacture of a commercial model.