autoreply
Well-Known Member
What's often missed is that rigid rotors with an electric engine cannot grow much beyond 2 meters/6 ft or so. Above that, you need exponentially more power to lift a given weight which runs into the power density of both electric motors and batteries.
Worse, once rotors grow beyond 1 meter/3.5 ft in span, you need ridiculously high strength and low weight (because of inertia). That quickly becomes pricey, pricier than a complete ICE.
About 10 rotors per occupant is about the lower limit for man lifting flight. Want less rotors; plan for a cyclic, collective and a gear box.
Worse, once rotors grow beyond 1 meter/3.5 ft in span, you need ridiculously high strength and low weight (because of inertia). That quickly becomes pricey, pricier than a complete ICE.
About 10 rotors per occupant is about the lower limit for man lifting flight. Want less rotors; plan for a cyclic, collective and a gear box.