Thunderchook
Well-Known Member
Okay, so we've done the tandem wing to death.
What about the good Ol' Flying Saucer look-alike?
There are several working examples, most recently the David Rowe U.F.O:
https://youtu.be/eFgr90LobAQ
Now, in this video
https://youtu.be/WKiQqORDnJQ
... the guy states that a circular planform is unstable and this is why he has opted for a donut shape.
David Rowe has stated (and told me personally - yes, I've spoken to him!) that it is most stable.
I guess a major disadvantage of the UFO design is purely ergonomic - difficulty in ingress/egress and restricted downward visibility.
David Rowe says that flight characteristics somewhat resemble a gyrocopter with relatively short take off and landing distances.
Would the aeronautical engineers amongst us care to comment?
What about the good Ol' Flying Saucer look-alike?
There are several working examples, most recently the David Rowe U.F.O:
https://youtu.be/eFgr90LobAQ
Now, in this video
https://youtu.be/WKiQqORDnJQ
... the guy states that a circular planform is unstable and this is why he has opted for a donut shape.
David Rowe has stated (and told me personally - yes, I've spoken to him!) that it is most stable.
I guess a major disadvantage of the UFO design is purely ergonomic - difficulty in ingress/egress and restricted downward visibility.
David Rowe says that flight characteristics somewhat resemble a gyrocopter with relatively short take off and landing distances.
Would the aeronautical engineers amongst us care to comment?
