TITLE:
PTVC-M for Ultra-Agile VTOL and 300+ km·h-1 Cruising
AUTHORS:
Chung-Kiak Poh, Chung-How Poh
KEYWORDS:
Pitch-Axis Thrust Vector Control, VTOL, Tailsitter, Ultra-Maneuverability
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Aerospace Science and Technology,
Vol.1 No.1,
June
27,
2016
ABSTRACT: There remains a need to develop improved VTOL techniques that are cost-effective and with minimum
compromise on cruising flight performance for fixed-wing aircraft. This work proposes an
elegant VTOL control method known as PTVC-M (pitch-axis thrust vector control with moment
arms) for tailsitters. The hallmark of the approach is the complete elimination of control surfaces
such as elevators and rudder. Computer simulations with a 1580 mm wing span airplane reveal
that the proposed technique results in authoritative control and unique maneuverability such as
inverted vertical hover and stall-spin with positive climb rate. Zero-surface requirement of the
PTVC-M virtually eliminates performance tradeoffs between VTOL and high-speed flight. In this
proof-of-concept study, the VTOL-capable aircraft achieves a VH of 360 km·h-1 at near sea-level.
The proposed technique will benefit a broad range of applications including high-performance
spinsonde that can directly measure 10-m surface wind, tropical cyclone research, and possibly
serving as the cornerstone for the next-generation sport aerobatics.