Coaxial rotor test with Infernal Robotics

[Galane]

This craft needs Infernal Robotics. http://pastebin.com/Evv4k1u4

It also needs this edited CFG dropped into the SPP\Wings folder. There was a complete lack of pieces usable for making rotor blades in the stock parts.

PART
{

name = rotorBlade
module = Winglet
author = Porkjet, Galane

MODEL
{
	model = Squad/SPP/Wings/connector5
	scale = 2, .5, .5
}

rescaleFactor = 1

node_attach = 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0, 0.0, 0.0, 1

TechRequired = highAltitudeFlight
entryCost = 2400
cost = 100
category = Aero
subcategory = 0
title = Rotor Blade Type 1
manufacturer = C7 Aerospace Division
description = Found in a trash bin next to a wing factory.

attachRules = 0,1,0,1,1

mass = 0.02
dragModelType = override
maximum_drag = 0.02
minimum_drag = 0.02
angularDrag = 2
crashTolerance = 15
maxTemp = 3400
explosionPotential = 0.1
fuelCrossFeed = True

dragCoeff = 0.02
deflectionLiftCoeff = 0.5
}

co-axial rotor test by g_alan_e, on Flickr

co-axial rotor crash by g_alan_e, on Flickr

[Azimech]

Nice!

I'm curious though ... which parameter(s) did you adapt? If you look at my helicopters you see they're using all stock wing parts.

[Galane]

Added the scale = line and changed the dragCoeff = Changed the name too. Directional control, especially yaw, seemed to be quite good. Have to pitch forward to fly forward. Use chase cam or go IVA for easier controlling.

To fly this, keep upping the number in the speed in the IR window until it takes off when holding the button down. I didn't assign keys. Would be nice if there was an auto run and throttle mod for IR. Would be easier to fly.

Another issue is when you let off the button or key the IR rotary parts quit moving instantly. If there was a ramp up/down setting it might be possible to land this without crashing. The tailfins cause pitch down and forward moving when the rotors are stopped.

There are three powered docking washers. One upright on the bottom and two in the middle with fixed bases together, topmost one has invert axis on. Swap them for free spinning, unpowered washers for use with tip jets or for attempts at autogyro rotors.

Still not much luck there. I'm thinking with stock aero it's not possible to get a rotor to spin fast simply by dragging it through the air. On my side by side twin rotor gyro I took the rotors off, leaving the stub wings built of a single line of 1x1 panels and four type 5 elevons and it'd still fly, though needing full throttle instead of half.

What might be neat is using tweakscale to shrink some IR parts to create a rotor with collective pitch. Hmmmm, now I'm thinking that at a much larger scale it might be possible to use IR pistons to control a swash plate and use landing gear wheels to follow it and control the blade pitch, using free docking washers at the blade roots for pivots.

Definitely a job for a joystick or gamepad mapped to several keys to control such a monster.

[Azimech]

I consider IR unsuitable for driving a rotor or propeller beyond testing a concept. There is a method to increase the rpm of the rotor, stock aero has got nothing to do with it. Using IR to shrink parts and create a collective pitch is a good idea, I've used that on my turboprop airplane.

Building a cyclic/collective using IR is pretty easy. Keep in mind you need Ferram's collider mod if you want to manipulate parts on the same craft.

Edited February 13, 2015 by Azimech

[Galane]

How do I get the free spinning rotors on this thing to spin fast like they need to?

I tried it first with a single rotor but unless it can be made to freewheel fast enough it can't fly straight. I haven't tried a coaxial free spinner yet. Turns out that craft can fly without the rotors, at full throttle. (Thus proving Anime Aerodynamics. Anything can fly with enough thrust.)

[Azimech]

I guess a real gyrocopter has a way of rotating the blades on all three axis depending on direction of movement, just as a normal helicopter has.