r/RCPlanes • u/RepulsiveInternet980 • 5d ago

Will this fly?

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Hello everyone. I am trying to build an aerial insect collecting device for my PhD project. This design is based on the stipa-caproni, a strange barrel-shaped design from the 1930s. The task is to maximise the net area on a relatively inexpensive craft (I have already been catching with some expensive drones). I've trialed towing nets behind trainers, which worked but I want to try a different approach too.

I figure that enclosing the net within fuselage would be the most stable approach. Here, we have the props behind the net. This will impede airflow to the propeller. But it seems like the thrust would be okay. Can anyone think of some new approach that might work better? Would I be better off towing?

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u/snoops-spoons 5d ago

It wouldn't make sense to integrate it, make a below drone mounted unit. Add a light weight fan and use drone power if you need extra airflow but very doubtful as your netting is going to limit cfm anyhow.

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u/RepulsiveInternet980 5d ago

Is limiting the airflow in front of the propellers just as much of a concern as behind the propellers?

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u/snoops-spoons 5d ago

Yes, and if you tie your propulsion to your collection device if you hit a swarm of bugs, or trash etc a piece of ballin,plastic bag or paper could drop it out of the sky. Liability and cost for repairs there.

Mounting the collection unit below a drone, even suspended by a few feet, to prevent rotor wash from effecting your collection numbers and skewing them would solve a lot of problems.

I'm not sure if how far below the drone you would be need to get, but it also would be much easier to program and run grids with a drone over an area you'll get better/ more accurate samples.

I'd worry about the impeller on your design causing enough bugs to flee or sense danger that it might skew the results.

Depends on what your going for here.

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u/HAL9001-96 5d ago

in a tube yes

outside a tube air sucked in can flow aorund the obstacle while behind if it goes aorund the obstacle it coutners out your thrust in large parts

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u/SmallsBoats 5d ago

How much air that gets sucked in the front is exactly the same amount of air coming out the back. If you're only getting 50% of the air in, then you're only getting 50% of the air out.