A Paper Plane that Flies, not just Glides

YAHOO News ^ | Wed, Dec 11, 2013 | David Miller

[RedMDer]

The paper airplane is more than a piece of folded paper that glides and turns before hitting the ground--it’s a classic part of growing up. We all made them, some that worked well and others that tanked immediately after takeoff.

They’re a low-tech fixture in a high-tech world, so when inventor and pilot Shai Goitein created a module that turns the classic paper airplane into a Bluetooth-enabled smart phone-controlled paper airplane, he risked stomping on nostalgia.

But the PowerUp 3.0 is so simple to understand that instead of messing with a classic they’ve brought renewed interest to the paper airplane, and just in time before every kid gives up their notepads for an iPad.

[RedMDer]

Are you sure they were well-meaning? LOL!

[Sherman Logan]

I would suggest that depends on your definition of efficiency.

One definition would be the extent to which a system provides for the wants and needs of those it serves. For that definition the one-lamp approach isn’t efficient at all, as one lamp type simply cannot meet diverse needs.

[Little Ray]

I don’t have a smart phone. But now I want one.

[aquila48]

“I would suggest that depends on your definition of efficiency.”

You are 100% correct, sir. 99% of the world’s arguments could be quickly disposed of if the parties involved would first agree on the definition of the terms they use.

[lonevoice]

You’re gonna want one, right?

[Da Coyote]

Any one see any logical reason why the electronics would not work this way?

(not the power for the electric motors- the controller circuts)

The controllers would be switching more current for the increased power moters - and are most probably not rated for this. Depending on how the control is done, one might be able to simply add a couple of components in the control output that would switch the increased current.

In addition, the actual control circuitry is designed for the mechanical lags/etc of that small airframe. Make things bigger, and things might not work so well.

The above is vastly simplified, but one never knows. You can always try. Don’t spend too many bucks and stand far back when you fire it up.

Good luck.

[Mr. K]

my goal is to build one man-sized (capable of lifting at least 300 pounds.

Does anyone know of a good tiny gas or other-fueld engine that would only have to run at constand speed?

I wanted to use one to re-charge the batteries while it was flying

[Steely Tom]

You would have to make sure of the following things at least:

1. Interface motor controller outputs of copter controller with larger drivers that can handle the increased voltage/current of the motors you choose
2. Make sure mechanical time constant of the larger copter you make is not too much different than the mechanical time constant of the hexacopter kit from which you take electronics
3. make sure relationship between all axes of gyroscope package and all motors is exactly the same as that on the hexacopter kit.
4. make sure that time constant of motor/propeller system is not too different from that of the original hexacopter. This might require some delicate trimming of prop diameter and pitch and motor electromechanical response

[JoeFromSidney]

A few modifications and you’ve got yourself a drone.

I was thinking the same thing. This has potential well beyond the paper airplane. Need to find the code signals the app sends and design a receiver for a much bigger vehicle.

[BwanaNdege]

Too true!

[Organic Panic]

You didn’t build that. Someone else made that happen

[RedMDer]

Perfect! LOL!

[Mad Dawgg]

"Any one see any logical reason why the electronics would not work this way?"

I would think your new electric motors would need to have very low tolerances for voltage regulation. If not you are going to have a hell of a time controlling flight.