Turning Performance Improvement for UAVs with Side-Force Fins by Increased Slipstream Velocity of Inside Propellers

Abstract

This paper proposes a method to improve turning performance of small UAVs with side-force fins. In a steady flat turn, inside aileron suffers from decreased stall angle, and thus cannot sufficiently reduce the rolling moment caused by wing lift notably when the radius of turn is small. The proposed method compensates deficiency in airspeed of inside wing using propellers. The efficiency of this method is studied in an analytical way and demonstrated through flight test of an experimental aircraft.