Better hovering

With the improved engine mount we can hover much better. There's much more airflow and the skirts are kept at a noteably higher pressure. Thanks to Adrian and Michael for their help today.



The flight went very well. It hovered low at idle and made it up to full height at a mid level throttle. With the full power I was easily able to balance the craft. And Adrian reported it was very easy to slide the vehicle around.

Here's a slow motion version. It's great to be able to see the air gap under the skirt. Also watch the fun dust cloud as it gets started running.

A little bit more about the process below. There was some basic assembly to get started. And then we tested the engine while still on the blocks.

The new engine mount at the time of the first test

After the first test we needed to disassemble it again so I removed the extra metal now that the engine had been alligned and bolted down in place.

Metal removed

Trimmed engine mount

Collet with locktite before tightening

 When we ran the first test there was a repeat of the fan blade coming off even with the lock tite.

Scrapes observed on the bottom of the engine.

 We found some scrapes on the bottom of the engine where the fan had actually ridden up the shaft due to the air pressure and was rubbing on the bottom of the engine. I guess it still had enough friction to keep spinning too.

The collet spacing after extreme tightening

So after the fan came off again we remounted the fan, and this time I tightened it as hard as I could. I'm not sure it will dissassemble, but it should at least stay assembled. The collet is down to 2 and a little threads showing vs the original 4 or so when untightened.

We ran it through several tests and it stayed on. Here's a video of the last test where we throttled up to test it at full RPM



Before we got started today we added some handles to the corners for easier moving when off. Here's the timelapse through the first engine test. The battery died during our dissassembly and cutting down the engine mount extra parts.

Here's the view of reassembling the fan and installing it.



The final test on the blocks was interesting as we throttled it up, and in the process we watched the cowling counter rotate from the propeller. I'm not sure exactly the phenominon which caused that. Watch below. The yellow cowling has marks on the sides for alignment.