Dronopter

Name: Date: Period:

Science Simulations, Technology Simulations, Engineering Simulations, Mathematics Simulations

Lesson 3: Avoiding the Dizzies

Just because an object can lift off the ground does not mean that stable flight will occur. The correct combination of propellers is needed to keep the object from spinning wildly, like a carnival ride. Can you find the best propeller combination that provides stable flight?

Doing the science

Start the Dronopter Simulation by clicking on the "Sim" tab.
Select and drag the aluminum frame to the center of the table.
Using only either the 80/8/CW or 80/8/CCW motors, place the motors in the positions stated in Figure 1 and Table 1.
Click the "Test" button to test each motor combination and position.
On the next screen, drag the red circular joystick handle to control the thrust. Note and record in Table 1 whether the dronopter had stable flight or not. Stable flight is defined as flight you can control.
Select the "Build" button to return to the first screen.
Repeat steps 3–6 until all motor positions have been tested.

Table 1.

Exp.	Position A	Position B	Position C	Position D	Flight Result
1	CW	CW	CW	CCW
2	CW	CW	CCW	CCW
3	CW	CCW	CCW	CW
4	CW	CW	CCW	CCW
5	CW	CCW	CW	CCW
6	CCW	CW	CCW	CCW
7	CCW	CCW	CW	CCW
8	CCW	CW	CW	CCW
9	CCW	CCW	CCW	CW

Do You Understand?

Which experiment(s) and motor position(s) gave the dronopter stable flight?

Which experiment(s) and motor position(s) did not result in stable flight?

What generalization can you make about the position of the propellers to achieve stable flight in your dronopter?

While the dronopter has four motors with propellers spinning in a specific way to achieve stable flight, how does a helicopter with only one main propeller for lift have stable flight?