Thought I'd share my latest creation with the forum—a vertical takeoff and landing design I call the VTO (short for vertical takeoff). This is the most maneuverable and fun to fly airplane I've ever owned! It hovers with ease, does beautiful slow turning harriers, tight 3 ft diameter loops, spins around on a wingtip for quick turns, and then hovers straight down for a vertical landing. I regularly fly it in the street in front of my house, and even though the street is lined with trees on both sides, the model flies so slow and is so maneuverable that there's plenty of room to fly full aerobatics in just the 20 ft street width.

This design was heavily inspired by the recent JAR thread, so I have to give credit where credit is due for that great and simple design. The primary difference between the VTO and the JAR, apart from stylistic differences and the addition of vertical takeoff landing gear, is that it has a higher wing aspect ratio (1.5 vs 0.9). I did this for two reasons. One is to make the airplane float a little better in maneuvers (with an aspect ratio of only .9, the JAR really hangs on the prop), and two is to lower the vertical CG relative to the ground so the airplane is less tipsy in vertical takeoffs and landings.

Here are the specs:
Wing span: 30"
Wing area: 603 sq in
Weight: 10.7 oz RTF with 2s 1200 mAh battery (11.6 oz with 3s 1200 mAh battery)
Power: Stock GWS EPS-350C with D gearing (6.6:1) and 10 amp ESC
Propeller: GWS 12x6 with 2s battery, or GWS 10x4.7 with 3s battery
Construction: BlueCore foam with carbon rod reinforcement

If anyone is interested in plans, let me know. I'd be glad to post them and share the fun!

Steve

Here's a side view of the airplane. While the vertical takeoffs are easy (just add throttle!), I've found the vertical landings are harder than I expected. If you have any sideways velocity or get hit by a gust of wind at landing, the model will fall over on it's back (or belly). This usually doesn't damage the model, but does tend to crack the prop. If you catch it early enough you can add a blip of throttle to get it up away from the ground for a second try, but once the model is on the ground and falling over you don't want to add throttle lest the model grinds itself in….ouch. It's tricky but a lot of fun trying.

Here's a flyby shot.

Another slow speed flyby shot.

Awesome!!

Yes, plans please!!

Jon

And this pic shows the obligatory hover shot...

Oops, lost the hover pic...

I saw a guy at a ProBro funfly this summer who had a similar setup.. It was nuts..

Very Cool, yes I to would like the plans, Thanks Steve

jet set44,very cool idea,plans would be appreciated and well used.

cheers

COOL! Can you send the plans to

edible_engine@lycos.co.uk preferably both tiled and full sheet!

Ian

Very cool! I would love to get a set of plans. Tiled if possible.

I would appreciate the plans also looks like fun

Pm'd you for plans m8


thx

Tom

I would love plans! Thats very nifty!

Thomas