Gas Powered Quadcopter Progress Update

This is an update of the activities performed over the last year or so. We will be posting some more detailed video, particularly of controls tuning on both the engines and flight PIDs, very soon.
UPDATE: We have a first tethered flight test video available here: • Huge Gas Powered Quadc...

[@MikeDent]

Bloody awesome guys. Glad to see you back! Sorry for the bad luck. Looking forward to future updates and videos.

[@Thatguyyoumettoday]

Its different and cool...I like it. Looks like a fun project! Keep pushing guys

[@route66flyer29]

Having the engine problems you've had and then finding they went out of business should have given you a clue. Thinking it may be time for looking at other motor options?

[@ChileThailandtravel]

Nice..Thanks for sharing..

[@randysonnicksen9475]

Nice to see the update. I am also working on an "HLQ". My payload weight target is 170 Lbs which coincidentally is 10 lbs more than my weight. ;^) I'm trying some different approaches in my design including bearingless rotor hubs, which has occupied my design efforts to date. I finally think I have a rotor blade and hub design and will start to build my first set of rotors and put them on a test stand. My rotor(s) is 1.86m diameter spinning at 1400 RPM. I'm curious what you are using for a sprag clutch (one-way bearing). I'm looking at one-way needle bearings from vxb.com because of their compact size and light weight. Have you subjected your rotors to roll/pitch rates at operating RPM? Curious how they respond to the gyro torques that are generated.

[@kz4506]

Hi the down draft from the blades maby obstructing the natural suction of air into the carbs , maby the engines are really in a vulnerable place they are not moving but the atmosphere around them is , what you think

[@scottallen6133]

best luck forward. on day it will fly.

[@InvincibleExtremes]

ha! same free youtube music that i use sometimes. cool video, goodluck with that thing

[@Incrediblehlq]

Thanks! Free is good, right?

[@edisonzhang6662]

cool project,we are focusing on Oil dynamic model airplane,but now we encountered how do you solve vibrates which makes my controller can not work.the attitude is in a mess.how do you solve this problem.

[@IronHeadMachine]

So what kind or brand engine are those?

[@Authoratah]

you son of a motherless goat

[@BharathwajK]

U can install a smaller and efficient o.s engines

[@Bigwingrider1800]

YEP ONCE AGAIN POWERED METAL.

[@henriquekohmann]

No angle of attack you will not have sufficient cooling in the cylinder head.

[@SorenSL]

Why count down, instead of just turning the thing on? It’s a thing in most videos on KZbin - whenever something is about to happen, it seems that it isn’t possible to start anything, without wasting time with counting down. Is it only me who finds it incredibly annoying?

[@Incrediblehlq]

This is more for the benefit of the rest of the team to make sure they are ready to watch their assigned parts as the engines are started.

[@rcmoviekc9507]

Ja Moin , geiles Fiech :D

[@rogercrier]

What about the Aixro rotary engines from karts? www.woelfle-engineering.com/Produkte/produkte_XR50rotaryengine_en.html I think one was used to fly over Mt Everest, and they are used in paragliders. Expensive probably, but better than seized pistons!

[@yeah9071]

why not electric? It's much much much more reliable.

[@ハルおっさん]

おっなかなかでかいなー

[@VooteleAer]

Fuel mixture too lean.

[@robertlunsford1350]

Can you just talk and get rid of the annoying music?

[@pancaseros9167]

This thing can fly? It reminds me of a bald eagle species T-Rex. Pathetic.

[@magadick100]

Way not just built on a helicopter basis? Helicopters are used as Heavy Lifters

[@pinzgauernorcal]

Im glad you guys didnt give up

[@GaryBeilby]

Wow - isn't this a clear advertisement for the simplicity and awesome of multiple brushless motors and LiPo batteries!

[@colibrimecatronic9922]

Batteries have a very poor energy density. Good enough for camera drones. Not so good for bigger quads.

[@ddbjork]

Yeah, but it can still lift more than this.

[@colibrimecatronic9922]

+Daniel Björk Yes, because electric motors+ Li-Ion batteries have a very high power to weight ratio. However, although it can lift more than a petrol engine, it can only do it for a short period of time because of the low specific energy of Li-ion-1MJ/Kg (in reality 0.5 MJ/Kg due to constant mass of batteries) compared to petrol-46 MJ/Kg(in reality 15MJ/Kg due to low engine efficiency). So a petrol engine quadcopter has 30 times more energy per weight compared to a lithium ion powered electric quad. If power is what you want then a gas turbine engine is the way to go, that's what modern helicopters use.

[@ddbjork]

Colibri Sure, but at this size you have little to no use of the torque the petrol engine can deliver. All the extra stuff needed to get this thing to work adds even more issues than driving such a small thing with an engine.

[@babakzekibi315]

Are you sure? Actually LiPo batteries are as good or even better than nitro engines. I have both, I ve flown both and now I am only flying electric stuff.

[@DevonWayne]

If the engine company you buy from goes out of business... Why are you using those engines? :p

[@54l68l65l20l47l61l6D]

To all of you saying that electric drives are better: there is a reason most aircraft still use ICE--energy density. Gasoline can have at least 30x the energy density by weight of electric batteries. This means that instead of having a 10-30 minute flight time (as with most manned quads today) you can theoretically have a 300-900 minute flight time, all other things being equal. Naturally, energy conversion efficiency and additional weight required for the engine and mechanics will reduce that theoretical number, but that will not significantly reduce the massive weight advantage that combustible fuels presently have over lipo tech for aircraft (especially quads), where weight is everything. Now excuse me while I continue to plan my own manned electric quad. ;)

[@ofpd9330]

A year later and it still won't fly, it's still breaking parts. If this thing ever does fly, it will break in mid air, hopefully no one gets killed by it. Give up, move on.

[@jamiewhite1515]

switch to turbine power...piston engines suck and cause way too much high frequency vibration.....

[@mylesjarvis7571]

Turbine power would be awesome, but fuel consumption would be sacrificed for sure..

[@davidperry4013]

A better design would be large BLDC motors and 44.4 volt lipo batteries.

[@iforce2d]

wow, ICE looks like a huge pain in the ass

[@did3d523]

*NEVER WORK*

[@RYO92]

I will say it again! THIS SHIC CAN"T FLY ! is too heavy

[@dontwobble]

didnt see anything incredible or any heavy lifting..

[@johnfillups4484]

If you expected any lifting in this video you clearly have misread the title. "Progress update" not "flight test" or "lift test"

[@mattdennler9989]

john fillups

[@LuideMulumba]

Then it can't be called incredible, not until it actually does something incredible.

[@DerKrawallkeks]

Nice. I mean there was a lot of problems, but hey, maybe that means the time is coming now, where everything runs smooth;) changing to another engine type is not an option?..

[@BuildBreakFix]

Okay so after a year it still does not fly lolz? Kinda getting bored of this whole project now. 1 year still can't fly...... Hate to tell ya guys but there is 9 hobby and 6 commercial gas multirotors now in production since you started this lol! Might well not even bother this point.

[@ArsyadKamili]

Just use 8*U13 Engine, make an octacopter, lifts 320lbs (160Kg) like feather. Problem solved, no?

[@DualDesertEagle]

The main thing I'm asking myself here is: Why the fuck would someone go through all the trouble of designing all this when a big-ass electric multi-rotor could've done the same thing for cheaper, with much less moving parts to fail, with much less of its own weight to lift and thus increasing the payload and most likely with a much longer flight time than 4 fuel hogging combustion engines would allow for???

[@facemasters3506]

lets see it hover then....

[@DrFoofyMan]

The wrath of God has smiten thee, and thy infernal Godless machine! Begone with ye modern ways, oh beast of progress! If thou were meant to fly, thy God would have given thee wings! Continue at your own peril, ye Godless heathen! Bow down before thy God, and repent, I say, REPENT! j/k

[@kjaubrey4816]

Love your ingenuity. Have you considered just building a VW half motor (kits are available) and setting it up to run on mini propane cylinders? Some ultralight people already us this setup. With propane, you don't have to worry about engine orientation or carburetor flooding. the engine could be centrally mounted to the main shaft, eliminating the need for all of the belts. It would provide the right torque at the right RPM to allow for an even larger build and pistons and cylinders can easily be pulled from the block and replaced. The old ones even have magnesium engine blocks which are about 1/3 the weight of aluminum.

[@LaneWooder]

Talk about trying to pound a square peg in a round hole! Your first design decision when you decided to make a heavy lift UAS should have been to make a hex or octo airframe, quads lack stability and the ability to fly if they lose a motor/prop. Second, instead of using simple electric motors you are using combustion engines and drive trains that have tons of parts. This craft will require constant maintenance, and has too many points of failure that could be catastrophic. If you really think this is the best engineering approach to a 50 pound heavy lifter, you should go try to convince Elon Musk to replace the motors/drive train from his Teslas with a combustion engine system.

[@craigwilliams9754]

Don't give up lads, when it does hit the sky everybody will be astonished and mesmerized. I get people freaking out over my P4PP and other quads. Asking silly questions like how can it hover and piolet itself .If that guy can get his bathtub in the air and fly it to the local shops im sure you guys will succeed. PS, Don't forget to add a return to home feature and one key take off and landing lol. 👍

[@chadgdry3938]

Machinist handbook. You making your own bits, which is really great, but learn from a hundred years of experience by getting that hand book

[@Tadesan]

Robert Paul Guidry these guys are suffering from sophomorism. They'll be fine later.

[@bushpilot4234]

I know the feelimg! My heavy lift electric quad is using 24 inch props and the arms can not take the torque. Almost a year of upgrading the frame and arms. New stronger motor mounts and more . Now time for a third maiden. I always wanted to do CP, but electric power no gas.

[@valcye]

Teething and gear failure is to be expected. I hope you pull this off, this machine has huge possibilities. I've been down this road and had the same problems. Q. Why does it need to be Quad?. . A. the quad generates more interest. Blade design suggests that 4 blades are far more efficient than 16 small blades that have the same surface areas So i guess it comes down to business or pleasure, if you want it to lift 100kg you should be looking at coaxial and if its for fun then enjoy your adventure. wish you the best

[@adicahya]

like many comments here, I don't think combustion engine is a good choice along with the use of belt drive. you will get many losses, vibrations and structural fatigue. electric motor is still a good choice. maybe using one that used for motorcycle like zero. anyway, good luck. :)

[@BonifiedWingnut]

Yeah I didn't read all of the comments or look for any of your future videos but it looks like you need cooling fans on the engines since it appears to have very little prop wash over them.

[@bobpombrio1499]

I think I understand what they are trying to achieve here. But they have not considered some common things, like engine reliability, also they seem to have used common soft aluminum and steel for parts. Aircraft use hardened materials a lot like titanium and aircraft aluminum. They are trying to do this on a budget. Also they need to understand the FAA requirements for aircraft of a certain weight, power, and planned usage, If this is going to be for a hobby class then they need to watch size and weight. If this thing is going to be for commercial use then it will never pass the FAA.

[@ingusmant]

If the engine company is no more why don't buy some of the molds and other machine tools to make your own engines? seems cheaper than changing the whole design for a new engine

[@agab5201]

you obviously don't know the basic principle of 4 motor control... not 2 parallel axis .. it can not ever fly nor have a stable flight at all... hope you acknowledge that... give up, sit down and read first a bit then try again... this all was a waste of time... don't you think...

[@Lexesbenz]

funny i stumbled upon this, I'll be visiting the Tech Shop in San Jose next month with some friends, I'm coming in from NY.

[@nathanpennell2309]

wow.. i assumed something went horible wrong and you gave up....but things did go horribly wrong and you keep going. awesome to see the project coming along. slowly but surely thanks guys cant wait for some hover testing....

[@joaodirickson4687]

By now I'd give up on otto combustion engines ... Have you considered using a gas turbine generating electricity and high power electric motors? Soon copper will be replaced by carbon composites in brushless motors giving a better power x weight ratio.

[@carver7585]

Shouldn't you be building the engines? I mean if you're just sourcing the engines then you're basically just a middle man doing assembly. From that position you're always going to be at the will of someone else. If you want to make real progress you're going to have to design the engines yourself so you have more control and frankly, something to sell at the end of the road.

[@captquazar]

You should consider getting Rota power Wankel engines from moller International. Already aviation grade rated. The best power to weight ratio available.

[@jjs4976]

Give it a set of 4 electric propellers aswell, making it a bi-hybrid. That way the electric engines can handle fine adjustments and assist at take off while the fuel engines take care of the heavy lifting. Just a thougt.

[@luckycstriker]

less pictures more video. less text more talking. Your project is absolutely awesome, though !!

[@beaverslayer661]

how close now? God i hope real close now cause I can hardly contain the excitement of wanting to this Godzilla fly. great job and keep aiming for the best.

[@qturn4726]

Wow its really awesome.... Really superb quad

[@jelenekoutdoors9023]

wow should of put all that $ into a kick ass chopper....they can auto rotate if the engine cuts!!!!!

[@newdean1637]

Gas is not the right approach for the future. One of the pluses of quadcopters is redundant engines you have a single point of failure. Your two engines should be completely separate.

[@arsitama]

Actually it looks awesome, but scarry. Looks like a killing machine. But I can't wait to see that beast fly.

[@electrotechcr2510]

If your engine distroy so You can use small bike engine Sorry for advise but Just i saying you

[@mickcarson8504]

Thank God, someone has some intelligence left to call this a Quadcopter, instead of bullshit drone.

[@iainnoonan8838]

are you guys going to put this into production ,im looking for somththing like this for my buisness, if so what is the estimated cargo weight and will you ship to england if cleared by the caa.

[@Tadesan]

1:48 why are you using a "one way bearing"? The concept is cool no doubt, but using one in any sort of load bearing or high duty application is for fools. Why did you choose to do that,?

[@jimmartin7899]

Why not just make a bracket to hold a few drones and have software to make them all function like a huge drone? = /

[@pokies100]

Watching from New Zealand. Enjoyed the video format. Keep typing.

[@SuperVanGogh13]

Internal combustion just isn't and easy way to go with a quad.....

[@doncooper3946]

Multi-copters pretty much came to be because how insanely fast electric drive can be altered - and what a decent closed-loop control and flight system can do with multi-axis accelerometers.

[@Duraltia]

I've seen a video of a guy doing 3D Acrobatic maneuvers on a Quad that is only equipped with one motor but then 4 Servos for pitch controlled Props that allow him to do maneuvers like inverted flight without reversing the rotation of the props. From my understanding, most of the up and down maneuvers in relation to the Quad's orientation were done using the pitch movement of the Props as a means of compensation for the motor spinning at fairly even rpms - which could be increased to make even more aggressive flight maneuvers. I assume this buggers is working on the very same principle - Just using an ICE.

[@reillystsb]

I see a lot of really nice first class fabrication I also see a lot of ways to take weight off of it

[@pancaseros9167]

If the idea is to do the quad combustion is to use four engines, four servos. The servos make of electric precision.

[@EPIC-ed4gq]

A completely missed idea. It's incredibly heavy, incredibly complicated, incredibly unreliable, incredibly difficult to achieve full control. You guys aren't the first ones to try to build a gas powered quadcopter and the results have always been disappointing. The same lift capacity can be easily achieved using a large gas powered helicopter and this is a well tested and used in practice technology. There is currently some research being done on electric multicopters using a gas engine as a power generator and this idea seems to be more promising then what you guys try to accomplish.

[@sandsifter149]

I think i know why the engine maker went out of business..They made SHIT engine..!

[@MrApru1]

Just throw a motor an cyclone in there on beta flight 3.0 and be happy with zero tuning.

[@Matt-uf2nc]

lol cool, i subscribed like 2 hours ago, hoping one day you'd guys be back

[@tyrannospank9637]

ffs, videos on youtubes with images your supposed to read are the stupidest thing. Buy a mic or put it in the description.

[@stevefox3763]

very impressive work but utter stupidity how close you remain to the blades when spooled up.

[@journalsofjadednews1108]

It seems the biggest problem is not the engine itself but that cranky guitar "music". ugh !

[@bip48l.o.95]

Sorry probably totally wrong comment, but do anyone know the music?

[@MichaelRainabbaRichardson]

Glad to see the project is still going. love to see the challenges and solutions here. Thanks for taking the time to share.

[@Tadesan]

Use a differential Right? I mean come on. Amateur hour!!!

[@BrianBallardmasalaicno]

Quality control seems to be missing? Who cannot do their job properly?

[@harmoes7342]

just subscribed like to see you build this drone , have fun and don't give up

[@adronepilotcom7278]

shared in www.adronepilot.com we are building an engine powered quad, but different concept.

[@GroovyVideo2]

i gas rotor for lift- 4 electric rotors for guidance- what U are doing is not wise

[@ikeimage]

add more oil to the gas -that piston looks mighty dry. move to a single 4stroke engine?

[@imemyself2820]

Do I hear a 2.5HP Briggs & Stratton chainsaw engine?

[@AEOsama]

i think ur using the wrong type of engine...try something turbine like wren 44 engine....

[@EliteRock]

Music is some of the most irritating I've ever heard.

[@Incrediblehlq]

I'm happy to take suggestions for the next video. Only requirement is that it's free and licensed for unlimited use.

[@superchargedVR1]

Great device but annoying as fuck music and text boxes!!

[@coc7711]

replace the 2 stroke try wankel engine if it is available or GTEngine

[@cpnproductions3488]

you guys located in the manatee area? i could probably lend you guys a hand.

[@ravensburgpiet]

Hi guys get some ROTAX engines 100% reliable

[@cypher10297]

The RPM seems to be too low!? Isn't it? Can it even lift itself?

[@johnrabolloro2568]

Hi, will I be able to get a hold of one once development is complete???

[@floridadragonslayer]

Have you considered a single turbine power plant?

[@ibleed1]

PIDs is the new buzzword. Clearly.

[@noahbrooks6591]

So this thing can carry a fuckton of drugs across the border?

[@Taxi3600m27]

Das scheiß Ding fliegt nicht. oder die haben die Hosen voll😂😂😂

[@ZylTinyHomes]

Use chainsaw motors?