Atmopod™ VTOL Aircraft

"The electric rocket"   * Lifts off like a rocket   * flies like an airplane   * Hovers like helicopter   * Lands in its own footprint   * Low wing loading for slow flying   * Large control surfaces for 3D maneuvers   * Protected motor and propeller in midsection   * Impact resistant construction

   Atmopod™, "the electric rocket", is a battery-powered tail-sitting Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft shaped to stably rest upright on the ground and lift off vertically like a rocket.  It has enough stored energy to shoot straight up out of sight, but can also glide and fly on its wing like an airplane.  In that mode, it looks somewhat like a powered kite that is equally capable of moving gracefully through the air or performing wild 3D aerobatic maneuvers thanks to the large control surfaces located directly in the propeller wash.  When commanded by a trained pilot, this craft can hover and land vertically.  A less experienced pilot can hand launch it horizontally, operate it under reduced power like a park flyer, and put it down on the keel. 

    The Atmopod concept is protected by pending patent.  Prototypes were built and flown in 2003.  Domain names electricrocket.com, atmocraft.com and atmopod.com, among others, were registered in 2003.  Some early prototypes shown in the pictures and video were made of 2mm corrugated plastic, and 6mm blue foam.  The current version of the Atmopod™ VTOL is made of carbon-reinforced 3mm white and grey Depron foam.  Two white elevons mounted on the white wing control pitch and roll.  A grey rudder attached to the grey body controls yaw.  The top and bottom of the aircraft are identified by the color of the circular foot guards: the four white discs are mounted on the top part, and the four grey discs on the bottom.  In addition, the four decorative belt covers can be used for further differentiation of the sides of this flyer. 

    In the basic configuration, three servos are used for the control surfaces, and one channel is used for the motor throttle control.  The minimum requirement for the radio is thus a four-channel system with elevon mixing.  Optionally, the rudder can be split into two parts that each has its own servo, delivering better roll response.  The radio then needs an additional channel and more versatile mixing ability.  Alternatively, the control processing can be done onboard using suitable mixing components, in which case any radio with four channels of proportional control can be used, simply transmitting pitch, roll, yaw, and throttle commands to the aircraft.

    The Atmopod is currently offered only as an airframe kit that includes the hardware for the airframe.  In order to get the aircraft to a flight ready stage, you additionally need the following  recommended components and accessories:

    1) Propeller: 10X4.7 in (254X119 mm) slow flyer, APC or GWS brand.
    2) Motor: Brushless outrunner motor with Kv=1000 rpm/V to 1100 rpm/V, such as E-flite Park 370 1080KV or Axi 2208/34.  The Axi motor requires an accessory motor mount kit.
    3) Motor controller: 10 A brushless ESC (electronic speed controller) with BEC (battery eliminator circuit).
    4) Servos (3): Micro servos each weighing 8 g (0.28 oz) or less.
    5) Servo extension cable: 30 cm (12 in), JR connector, only one needed.
    6) Battery: LiPo (lithium polymer) 730 mAh to 900 mAh, 7.4 V, 2S (2 cells in series).  One battery is needed to fly for 7 to 9 minutes, additional ones will give more satisfying flight sessions.
    7) Battery connector: Micro plug set, Deans brand, part no. 1222.  One set needed for first battery; one set needed for each additional two batteries.
    8) Charger: specifically adapted for charging LiPo batteries.
    9) Radio system: RC airplane radio with four proportional channels and elevon mixing, including transmitter, receiver and charger for transmitter battery.

    With the above recommended setup using the 730 mAh battery, the flying weight is 262 g (9.25 oz), the wing loading is 15.1 g/sq dm (4.9 oz/sq ft), the stall thrust is 397 g (14 oz), and the thrust to weight ratio is 1.5, delivering good 3D as well as slow flying.  Due to its light wing loading, the Atmopod™ does not handle well in gusty wind conditions. The current draw is 9 A at stall, full throttle.  A hotter motor with a Kv around 1300 rpm/V can be used together with a smaller propeller, such as a 9X4.7 in (229X119 mm) thin electric.  The CG is located in the center if the propeller well for responsive handling, or up to 20 mm (0.79 in) forward of this point for stable flight.

    The Atmopod™ VTOL requires some skill to fly well.  It is suitable for intermediate to advanced pilots who have experience in hovering 3D RC airplanes.  In its basic form, without gyroscopic stabilization, its flight and control characteristics are closer to those of a 3D airplane than a helicopter. 

Ordering Information

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Specifications

Instruction       Manual

Photos

Video

E Zone Review

Review by Michael Heer in E Zone - June 29, 2005