http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzP0Zqxam7E#t=309
Great Idea, as easy a s a drone to fly, some redundancy built in, but limited forward speeds and I am speculating not so great in any winds.
Yea but it is pretty cool if you have a big building, a long extension cord and don't need to actually go anywhere.
You dont think with modern lipo batteries it could fly for 30 mins? One thing I know form Lipo Rc helicopters when the battery power drops off its really quick so its best to use a timer and not get there because you wiull come down fairly immediatly. There is a reason why its an indoor demo. Still and easy to fly copter thing, can probably be flown off an I phone like a drone. As batteries improve...
I think you're right... In the specs it mentions... "Our volocopters are fitted with a rescue system in the form of a parachute which safely lets the entire aircraft sink to the ground in the case of an emergency. At helicopters in contrast, is the main rotor in the way."... Second sentence is a bit of a twist though!... ;-)
Maybe I'm being short sighted, but how is this going to be more efficient than a turbine powered copter?
alot less expensive to build a zillion times less complex, way easier to maintain and electrics are efficient, plus easy to fly. On the otehr had cant really go anywhere, probably imited load, limited ability to fly in any weather. A toy, but pretty cool application of available tech.
Full size aircraft have been tested successfully at 260'. You can save an 85 lb drone from under 100'. It's just a matter of time. Volocopter Manned Flight Expected Soon - AVweb flash Article
