Design, Assembly and Testing of a Mobile Laboratory Based on a VTOL Scale Motorglider

The objective of this paper is to explain the design steps and performance analysis of a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned air vehicle (UAV) based on a Pilatus B4 glider scale model. Energy consumption, forces and thrust analyses are carry out to determinate the perfect match between low take-off weight and high aerodynamic performance. As a first approach a complete analysis of glider aerodynamic performances are settle to understand and design a proper support for VTOL conversion. Longitudinal static stability is fulfilled by evaluating the center of gravity location with respect to neutral position, nevertheless dynamic stability, and V-n diagram in VTOL configuration are evaluated to guarantee a correct behavior during fixed wing flight mode. In addition, power requirements, motor thrust capability and tilt-motors servo assisted system performance are determinate in perspective of flight performance to find out the perfect transition from multirotor take-off and landing mode to fixed-wing flying state. For these purposes a test bench has being designed to evaluate thrust, electrical absorption and rpm motor behavior along the throttle range. Finally, the assembly and preliminary tests are performed in order to validate the VTOL and Forward flight capability.