Architecture selection
The first question is whether vertical operation should be provided by dedicated lift rotors, tilting propulsion, a tailsitter arrangement or a pure multirotor. Each option trades cruise efficiency, mechanical complexity, control complexity, mass and packaging differently.
Propulsion and thrust sizing
Hover thrust margin, propeller diameter, battery voltage, motor operating points and electrical power need to be considered together with aircraft mass. For hybrid fixed-wing VTOL concepts, the cruise propulsion system and inactive lift hardware also influence aerodynamic efficiency.
Transition and control constraints
VTOL aircraft that transition between thrust-borne and wing-borne flight require geometry and control authority that work in both regimes. Motor placement, CG, propeller torque, slipstream interaction, control-surface effectiveness and transition airspeed are important early design inputs.
Packaging and structure
Multiple propulsion units, ESCs, batteries, wiring and landing interfaces create significant packaging and structural requirements. The detailed design needs to preserve maintainability and manufacturing practicality while avoiding unnecessary mass growth.
Relevant configurations & methods
- lift+cruise VTOL
- tailsitter UAVs
- quadrotors
- multirotor UAVs
- fixed-wing VTOL integration
- electric VTOL propulsion
The exact engineering scope depends on aircraft size, mission, maturity and required validation. AVIOX therefore defines each development phase around the information available at that stage.