Gondola.
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Certainly, the main component to any airship is the Gondola, in relative terms, it is a mechanism that allows the engines to be rotated for the purposes of flight. Our Gondola's are Manufactured from CNC machined Carbon Fiber and Aircraft Aluminum, then ultimately, they are bolted to the "Undersling Bulkhead Assembly". This secure method of attachment ensures that the propulsion system is actually part of the vehicle as a whole. The Gondola, which is positioned upon the "Center of flight" of the airship, allows us to vertically ascend and descend into some of the smallest of areas, all with complete safety and confidence.
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At the heart of our Gondola, is our exclusive ''Turret Vectoring Mechanism'' or better known as the T.V.M. This device is one of our proudest inventions and can best be described as a ''Winch with Brains''. It has been engineered specifically for the purpose of rotating, then clamping the engines to any thrusting angle required during flight.
One of the TVM's most unique characteristics is the electronic ''Static Brake System''. This feature will automatically apply an electronic brake ''at any time the turret is not in rotation'' then simultaneously disconnect power from the main batteries. This imperative feature allows for an ''On-demand drive'', ensuring onboard battery management and conservation.
If a drive system ('Futaba Sail servos' are commonly used by others in the industry) depends soley upon a direct current from batteries, the drive will always be hunting to hold position and will constantly drain your batteries, I will guarantee, it will let you down due to premature failure in short order.
The TVM is actually two seperate winches that face each other and share a common drive pulley. This in particular produces the most robust and intelligent device without any associated problems of over-travel or backlash. The TVM realizes where it is (Thrusting angle)by means of a potentiometer, which allows for minuite degrees of adjustments from the Control Transmiter. Both Winches are then electronically signalled from an dedicated onboard receiver.
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We use only high quality "Gates Belts and Pulleys" in our T.V.M's, and our drive belts are also guarded and will not stretch or contract in varying temperatures. There is also circuitry onboard that by means of an audible and visual alarm, warns you that the batteries are too low for flight, or that you have an individual battery failure.
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Another important consideration is the axis of rotation of the engines, that is, the engines must be allowed to rotate with authority at any thrust setting. For this reason, we rotate the engines about their "Static" and "Dynamic" centers of balance. In short, relieve as much engine induced torque as possible from the drive unit itself.
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Also, its crucial to dampen all associated harmonics before they reach any sensitive equipment (Camera, Autopilot Systems, etc) we have gone to great lengths to ensure that all vibrations are met at their source. For example, the engines are isolated by means of specially developed interchangeable motor mounts which also isolate the separate throttle servos. The engines and propellers are ''Ducted Fan Shrouded'' for safety and efficiency.
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In regards to redundency, we have a total of three receivers onboard the Gondola, controlling the engines throttle setting and the TVM's position. This ensures that you will always have control in the event that a servo fails for any reason. We install the Independent Receivers within a weather and dust proof enclosure that is located in the center of the gondola, also mounted on anti-vibration stand-offs.
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We recommend the use of the O.S Max 2 stroke, alcohol burning engines. These High-end Fuel Injected Engines are relatively quiet and long lasting, they come with a full 2 year warranty and are capable of approx. 750 hours before overhaul. They develop over 3.5 h.p. each, and in turn, produce around 35lbs. of thrust to lift, which is more than enough to hoist even the healthiest of payloads aloft.
O.S MAX 1.60 F.I. Fuel Injection Control Unit.
CONSISTENCY
The Electronic
Fuel Injection system constantly supplies
the correct fuel/air mix to the engine,
regardless of speed, altitude or attitude. |
THROTTLE
RESPONSE Very
little trim is needed to set up the
engine perfectly; even at low speeds,
the idle is reliable, so you can concentrate
on flying. |
STABILITY
Once adjustments
are made, the 1.40/1.60 RX-FI engine
holds them very well. |
POWER
The 1.60 RX-FI
creates the kind of "pulling
power" needed for maneuvers that
demand steep climbs, and it works
with 15% nitro fuel. |
MAINTENANCE
With fewer
moving parts (no valves, camshaft,
etc.), the 1.60 RX-FI is easier
and cheaper to set up and maintain
than a 4-stroke. |
OTHER
FEATURES The 1.60
RX-FI also boasts the advantages of
lower noise output than a 4-stroke,
excellent fuel consumption and minimal
vibration levels. |
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Each and every one of our Gondola's are manufactured to an exacting tolerance, every system is designated with a serial number, as each unit is tracked in our "Part Smart" program, allowing future part replacements and upgrades.
Our Gondola's are easy to maintain and are capable of lasting for any number of years, even under the harshest of flying conditions.
We've preferred not to have our customer perform research and development, and only after years of rigorous use and abuse, have we finalized our gondolas, and our finished product is the clearly the most refined unit available on the market today.