Hi are all the flying wing analyses that you did based on all the weight being homogeneous? I would be interested to know if there is any research where the optimal wing is calculated when there is a non-structural central weight like the fuselage of an aircraft, or the body of a bird. It would be interesting to find the optimal aspect ratio for varying body mass: wing mass ratios. Also given a central body that can be longer than the chord of the main wing, then the c of g can be moved forward using the distribution of the central body mass. This might allow for non-swept back planforms. In fact the optimal solution for the case where there is a distinct central body mass, may have no sweep back as suggested by the wings of birds. It would be interesting to find data from bird anatomy to see if there is any relationship between body mass:wing mass ratio and aspect ratio in birds. I say this imagining that the moment placed on the wings by the body might reduce the optimal aspect ratio by requiring the wings to be more robust.
@@tbuyus8328 ok multi part question. Many answers to each question and even then not all answers thought out or answered. 1/ the correct approach comes from the Breguet Range equation. Breguet makes us realize that wingspan is a result, it is not a driver of the answer. The real question we need to answer is “What is the maximum aerodynamic efficiency possible for this given structural mass.” By using structural mass the wing solution drives to an analysis that has been largely ignored. 2/ sweep was used initially as a conservative approach. It turns out that making everything work unswept is also possible (note: birds with the greatest aero efficiency and the greatest range have unswept center sections but retain swept outer wing panels, albatrosses) 3/ the real ideal solution is neither all wing, nor separate wing/body. It is a blended wing body. The push is to minimize skin friction and aero drag together.
@@albionbowers9391 Thanks for answering. Be interesting to see how much drag might further be reduced by placing electric pusher propellers aligned with the vortices. Structural-battery spars might be nice too, if they exist! Would also be cool to see a pedal powered hpv with a prandtl wing.
Al! I am not an intern, I'm a 10 year veteran at Sikorsky working heavily in aerodynamics (aeronautical engineer specializing in vehicle design, currently design/build/test wind tunnel models) and am VERY excited about the implications of this. Would love to chat with you, and maybe learn what's currently going on with the project. Let me know!
I have one fully built and programmed for autonomous takeoff and flight... I'm just waiting for a calm day, it's been windy here for 3 weeks straight now.
Making this special airplane available as an rc model is really cool! Does it actually have the lift distribution suggested by Al Bowers and can you feel the proverse yaw when flying it?
We have used the same span load distribution proposed by al Bowes but we achieved that with different airfoils and twist for functional reasons (we needed more internal space). About the proverse yaw is quite impressive how far forward we had to move the CG in order to achieve enough proverse yaw. It was an interesting project.
@@eclipsonairplanes Ok, very interesting! Now I reall wish I had a 3D printer! How does the plane handle in slow flight and what are the stall characteristics like?
Looks awesome! Great work! It’s so encouraging to see so many of these flying all over the world!
Nice design, Al!
Hi are all the flying wing analyses that you did based on all the weight being homogeneous?
I would be interested to know if there is any research where the optimal wing is calculated when there is a non-structural central weight like the fuselage of an aircraft, or the body of a bird. It would be interesting to find the optimal aspect ratio for varying body mass: wing mass ratios. Also given a central body that can be longer than the chord of the main wing, then the c of g can be moved forward using the distribution of the central body mass. This might allow for non-swept back planforms. In fact the optimal solution for the case where there is a distinct central body mass, may have no sweep back as suggested by the wings of birds. It would be interesting to find data from bird anatomy to see if there is any relationship between body mass:wing mass ratio and aspect ratio in birds.
I say this imagining that the moment placed on the wings by the body might reduce the optimal aspect ratio by requiring the wings to be more robust.
@@tbuyus8328 ok multi part question. Many answers to each question and even then not all answers thought out or answered.
1/ the correct approach comes from the Breguet Range equation. Breguet makes us realize that wingspan is a result, it is not a driver of the answer. The real question we need to answer is “What is the maximum aerodynamic efficiency possible for this given structural mass.” By using structural mass the wing solution drives to an analysis that has been largely ignored.
2/ sweep was used initially as a conservative approach. It turns out that making everything work unswept is also possible (note: birds with the greatest aero efficiency and the greatest range have unswept center sections but retain swept outer wing panels, albatrosses)
3/ the real ideal solution is neither all wing, nor separate wing/body. It is a blended wing body. The push is to minimize skin friction and aero drag together.
@@albionbowers9391 Thanks for answering. Be interesting to see how much drag might further be reduced by placing electric pusher propellers aligned with the vortices. Structural-battery spars might be nice too, if they exist!
Would also be cool to see a pedal powered hpv with a prandtl wing.
Al! I am not an intern, I'm a 10 year veteran at Sikorsky working heavily in aerodynamics (aeronautical engineer specializing in vehicle design, currently design/build/test wind tunnel models) and am VERY excited about the implications of this. Would love to chat with you, and maybe learn what's currently going on with the project. Let me know!
The hero shot at 1:55 is a nice touch. You rock!
Yeah our pilot is very good ;)
Very nice! Great job on this design. It looks beautiful in the air.
I have one fully built and programmed for autonomous takeoff and flight...
I'm just waiting for a calm day, it's been windy here for 3 weeks straight now.
Beautiful plane mate
How much weight did you put in nose to fly it ? Mine is unpredictable, with 70gr lipo in max front ... You should do a cg video .
hey, that's really cool. Great job!
How's pitch control? Is very sensitive?
Making this special airplane available as an rc model is really cool! Does it actually have the lift distribution suggested by Al Bowers and can you feel the proverse yaw when flying it?
We have used the same span load distribution proposed by al Bowes but we achieved that with different airfoils and twist for functional reasons (we needed more internal space). About the proverse yaw is quite impressive how far forward we had to move the CG in order to achieve enough proverse yaw. It was an interesting project.
@@eclipsonairplanes Ok, very interesting! Now I reall wish I had a 3D printer! How does the plane handle in slow flight and what are the stall characteristics like?
@@fixusc 3D printers are cheap nowdays, Ender 3 is the one that we use and costs around USD150. Stall is docile mainly due to the fordward CG.
how are the performances as an e-sailor in thermals. Is thermal flying possible?
Yes you can use it, for that porpuse the LW-PLA version is highly recommendable
Wow. That looks awesome. Just finished building my model V. Could you also do a frisbee/DLG style launch instead of just over head launching it?
DLG style won´t work, under the wing there is a
handle that you can use to launch it.
Nice
Would you be able to put a camera onto it? Such as a gopro?
Yes, we did it ;)
What is required to print this, but 5m wingspan?
I honestly don´t recomend you using 3D printing technology for that project.