FAQ - Custom orders
Q: Can I buy partially or custom built systems?
A: Yes. This can save you time and money. We engineer and integrate custom equipment to meet your needs
Q: Are your models and ENGINEERING INFORMATION available?
A: Many parts including the as-built fuselage and payloads are dimensionally accurate to ensure reliable fit and function. A weight & balance worksheet is also available upon request.
Q: Do you offer volume discounts?
A: Absolutely. Please email or call us to start this process.
FAQ - Aircraft
Q: how do I ensure a safe launch?
A: The twin-engine propulsion system of the Elanus Duo is engineered to climb out of your hands with minimal effort. We view it as more of a “release” than a “throw.” The propellers in front of the wing maintainin a safe distance from the operator at all times during launch. Launching in to the wind is the best way to ensure immediate climb performance. The takeoff profile is significantly steeper compared to other similar aircraft as you can see in our videos.
Q: it is often windy where I fly. Is that a problem?
A: The way we handle wind might surprise you. There is no easy answer to the question, but wind is not as difficult as gusts. Let us attempt to explain.
Takeoff performance is IMPROVED because there is more air traveling over the wings before you launch. Be careful though; gusty and strong winds can pull the airplane out of your hands before you intend to launch. Carry the aircraft nose-down pointed into the wind at all times on windy days.
Cruise performance, specifically range, is affected, but flying “crosswind” can minimize the reduction in range. Turn radius when turning into the wind is also significantly reduced. Aircraft with higher cruise speed options (like ours) have compound benefits because they use less of their speed and energy to correct for that wind, and they fight the wind for less time by getting the job done faster. An aircraft with just a 25% cruise speed increase can finish a job twice as quickly in windy conditions.
Landing performance is also IMPROVED. Wind makes for a steeper approach and slower ground speed at touchdown. Have you ever seen a traditional aircraft land nearly vertically without vertical thrust? We have, and that was due to the high winds.
Q: Do our operators need to be trained?
A: Training is always beneficial, however we believe that the Elanus Duo is designed to fly with only minimal operator intervention, usually during landing. the autopilot assists the operators so that releasing the control results in a straight, safe glide. Our instruction manual covers the details of every operation, and many customers with no fixed-wing flying experience have successfully completed complex missions alone. We do advise that self-training be done in a very open area to keep operator-controlled landings safe.
Q: How is the mission status of the aircraft monitored? are there failsafes?
A: By default, we use dual-redundant radio links to and from the aircraft. The RC transmitter on the 2.4GHz spectrum sends operator control information including stick, switch, and mode information to the autopilot. The transmitter also receives detailed information about the signal strength and battery from the aircraft. The telemetry system on the 900MHz spectrum relays more detailed information about the position, orientation, and mission status of the aircraft to a laptop. It is also bidirectional and can be used for many things including changing the behavior of the aircraft, monitoring the payload, initiating an automatic landing, and ensuring adequate safe performance.
Q: What is landing like?
A: While landing can be automated with the ToF (LiDAR) sensors, we generally recommend…
Q: it is wind where we fly, is that a problem?
A:
Q: is foam a good material for an aircraft?
A: