%0 Journal Article
%T PTVC-M for Ultra-Agile VTOL and 300+ km·h<sup>-1</sup> Cruising
%A Chung-Kiak Poh
%A Chung-How Poh
%J Advances in Aerospace Science and Technology
%P 48-57
%D 2016
%I 
%R 10.4236/aast.2016.11005
%X There remains a need to develop improved VTOL techniques that are cost-effective and with minimum
compromise on cruising flight performance for fixed-wing aircraft. This work proposes an
elegant VTOL control method known as PTVC-M (pitch-axis thrust vector control with moment
arms) for tailsitters. The hallmark of the approach is the complete elimination of control surfaces
such as elevators and rudder. Computer simulations with a 1580 mm wing span airplane reveal
that the proposed technique results in authoritative control and unique maneuverability such as
inverted vertical hover and stall-spin with positive climb rate. Zero-surface requirement of the
PTVC-M virtually eliminates performance tradeoffs between VTOL and high-speed flight. In this
proof-of-concept study, the VTOL-capable aircraft achieves a VH of 360 kmĄ¤h<sup>-1</sup> at near sea-level.
The proposed technique will benefit a broad range of applications including high-performance
spinsonde that can directly measure 10-m surface wind, tropical cyclone research, and possibly
serving as the cornerstone for the next-generation sport aerobatics.
%K Pitch-Axis Thrust Vector Control
%K VTOL
%K Tailsitter
%K Ultra-Maneuverability
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=67701