Influence of Propeller Overlap on Large-Scale Tandem UAV Performance

Abstract

This paper investigates the interference that arises from overlapping Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) propellers during hovering flight. The tests have been conducted on [Formula: see text] ultralight carbon fiber propellers using a bespoke mount and the RCBenchmark Series 1780 dynamometer at various degrees of overlap [Formula: see text] and vertical separation [Formula: see text]. A great deal of confusion regarding the losses that are associated with mounting propellers in a co-axial configuration is reported in the literature, with a summary of historical tandem helicopters having been conducted. The results highlight a region of beneficial overlap (0–20%), which has the potential to be advantageous to a wide range of UAVs.