A methodology for multirotor aircraft power budget analysis

Barra, Federico; Scanavino, Matteo; Guglieri, Giorgio

doi:10.1108/AEAT-09-2019-0183

Publication type:	Article in scientific journal
Type of review:	Peer review (publication)
Title:	A methodology for multirotor aircraft power budget analysis
Authors:	Barra, Federico Scanavino, Matteo Guglieri, Giorgio
et. al:	No
DOI:	10.1108/AEAT-09-2019-0183
Published in:	Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology
Volume(Issue):	92
Issue:	6
Page(s):	909
Pages to:	916
Issue Date:	6-May-2020
Publisher / Ed. Institution:	Emerald
ISSN:	0002-2667 1748-8842
Language:	English
Subjects:	Air-Taxi; EVTOL aircraft; Innovative multirotor vehicle; Power budget analysis; Urban air mobility; Performance
Subject (DDC):	620: Engineering
Abstract:	The primary purpose of this study is to analyse the performance of multirotor unmanned aircraft system platforms for passenger transport and compare them with an ordinary helicopter solution. This study aims to define a standard procedure for power budget analysis of unconventional vehicles recently proposed in the aerospace industry, providing guidelines on rotor sizing in terms of required power and the total number of rotors. The ultimate purpose of the proposed work is to describe a methodology for power estimation with regard to emerging electric vertical takeoff and landing (EVTOL) vehicles. In the context of urban mobility, short-range passenger transport between critical hubs in cities is taken into account and innovative aircraft and traditional helicopters are compared according to a common mission profile. The power budget equations used in the helicopter literature are revisited to consider different multirotor configurations (up to 20 rotors) and evaluate the feasibility of innovative aerospace vehicle design. The paper includes insights into the maximum number of rotors that ensure a significative, relative power reduction compared to helicopter platforms (the power-to-cruise over power-to-hover ratio appears to be improved). Based on this preliminary analysis, the results suggest the benefit of reducing the installed rotors to avoid excessive power loss in forward flight. The proposed study provides guidelines for further design considerations and the future development of EVTOL multirotor aircraft. This paper fulfils the identified need for a systematic approach on performance analysis for innovative vehicles involved in commercial applications.
URI:	https://digitalcollection.zhaw.ch/handle/11475/20283
Fulltext version:	Published version
License (according to publishing contract):	Licence according to publishing contract
Departement:	School of Engineering
Organisational Unit:	Centre for Aviation (ZAV)
Appears in collections:	Publikationen School of Engineering

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Barra, F., Scanavino, M., & Guglieri, G. (2020). A methodology for multirotor aircraft power budget analysis. Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, 92(6), 909–916. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-09-2019-0183

Barra, F., Scanavino, M. and Guglieri, G. (2020) ‘A methodology for multirotor aircraft power budget analysis’, Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, 92(6), pp. 909–916. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-09-2019-0183.

F. Barra, M. Scanavino, and G. Guglieri, “A methodology for multirotor aircraft power budget analysis,” Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 92, no. 6, pp. 909–916, May 2020, doi: 10.1108/AEAT-09-2019-0183.

BARRA, Federico, Matteo SCANAVINO und Giorgio GUGLIERI, 2020. A methodology for multirotor aircraft power budget analysis. Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology. 6 Mai 2020. Bd. 92, Nr. 6, S. 909–916. DOI 10.1108/AEAT-09-2019-0183

Barra, Federico, Matteo Scanavino, and Giorgio Guglieri. 2020. “A Methodology for Multirotor Aircraft Power Budget Analysis.” Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology 92 (6): 909–16. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-09-2019-0183.

Barra, Federico, et al. “A Methodology for Multirotor Aircraft Power Budget Analysis.” Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 92, no. 6, May 2020, pp. 909–16, https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-09-2019-0183.