Mar 9, 2023 eLazair4 flight
Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары
I put 4 motors on the eLazair4 for a lot of reasons but mainly I did it because I simply wanted to.
I have always wished I had lived during the short era of the great 4 engine flying boats ;)
Please SUBSCRIBE (and hit the bell) to my KZread Channel to be informed when I post future videos here: / @daleckramer
Every successful electric powered aircraft takes a tremendous amount of effort to get things just right, I am not sure I am done yet but I am happy enough at this point to share what the hard work of the last 5 months has yielded.
The tail is a down V tail because when yaw moment is created by the ruddervators, there is also a rolling moment created. With this inverted V tail, that rolling moment turns the airplane in the same direction as the yaw moment and with a normal V tail the rolling moment generally fights the yaw moment. This is tried and true tail design with 45 years of use on 1200 Lazairs. It is cable braced forward and I don't know of any tails removed from handling on water or land .
Immediately after this 1st flight ever of the eLazair4, I moved the floats backwards 4" and now they are now not in water when stationary and I am not concerned if they get wet since I always fly from fresh water lakes.
Here are the main power system component costs for my eLazair4 (in US dollars as of Jan 1, 2023):
$427 delivered for one Dual 14s 1800w balance charger: www.alibaba.com/product-detai...
$920 (on sale) delivered cost for 256 Samsung 40T cells to make batteries for 4 motors (spot welded into 14s4p battery packs): www.18650batterystore.com/pro...
$1,520 delivered for four MAD M17 IPE V1.1 100kv motors: www.mad-motor.com/products/ma...
($200 delivered) for four Eolo props 36x12.8 carbon fiber polymer (trimmed to 32” diameter): sunnyskyusa.com/collections/p...
$300 delivered since the above Eolo props were replaced by four Fiala 32x20 wood props which gave this 230lb pilot 420 fpm climb at 3800 rpm at 33 mph airspeed. Level flight cruising is now at 2500 rpm and 33 mph airspeed. www.aeroscale.shop/collection...
$920 delivered for four 14s 200a controllers APD 200F3[X] : www.getfpv.com/apd-f-series-2...
$95 delivered for four 19000uf Low ESR high frequency controller capacitors: www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...
TOTAL Power System: ~$4,200 PLUS miscellaneous connectors, wire, throttle components etc…
At takeoff about 8 electrical hp is output from of each of the 4 batteries.
There is one 9.25 lb battery inside each motor nacelle and my 2 port charger will charge all 4 in about 3 hours.
This eLazair4 (with floats and batteries) weighs ~290 lbs without pilot.
The floatplane version can stay aloft for about 30 minutes and the wheeled eLazair4 will likely stay up about 45 minutes.
If I carry a second set of batteries on board along with the charger I will have a great time barnstorming around the country.
One complete nacelle with prop, motor, motor controller, battery and a large capacitor weighs about 17 lbs.
Static thrust per motor is about 50 lbs.
Top speed is only about 45mph but I would almost never fly that fast since it discharges the batteries quickly and inefficiently.
Efficient cruise speed currently appears to be 30-35mph.
I designed and made a single lever throttle quadrant to control all 4 motors. I programmed its BLE Arduino board to send PWM signals to each motor controller using a closed PID loop which is based on the actual RPM of each motor. That way the forward RPM of each motor is based on the “frictioned” throttle lever position and the Arduino keeps all 4 motors synchronized using just a single throttle lever.
The throttle lever also moves left and right by a self-centering spring action so I can add/subtract a proportional yaw bias RPM to the left and right motor pairs for yaw control.
And, the throttle lever also has a spring loaded proportional reverse thrust action which allows me to have air brakes in the air and for braking on the water.
With this throttle quadrant the maneuvering on water is nothing short of amazing since I can back up and spin on a dime…
Dale Kramer
Пікірлер: 422
Wow, so cool. Always loved the look of Lazair, and here she is again, beautiful as ever, and all electric. Good to see!
I remember flying with you at the Gimli Manitoba UL meet in the early '80's. I flew my Pterodactyl there from Idaho. During the event that gave each pilot a measured amount of fuel, We climbed up to 1,000' and the pilot that landed last won, I came in second in that event, to your first, and I seem to remember you looping your bird still under power, while I was dead stick gliding down. I could have the details wrong, it's been a long time, but the looping I clearly remember! That entire trip was a blast. I fly a RANS S-7S these days.
@MrMancinorosso
Жыл бұрын
Imagine this with some torroidal blades!!!!!
@futureflow8645
Жыл бұрын
@@MrMancinorosso Why torroidal blades?
@AlienLivesMatter
Жыл бұрын
@@futureflow8645quieter and more efficient propeller
@sagizm0nd
Жыл бұрын
@@AlienLivesMatter more mass, manufacturing cost, drag for just being quiet,idk
@onemantwohands5224
Жыл бұрын
Hey mate , that's an awesome recollection man love how time gives up it's good stories 🙏👍
I wish there were plans I could purchase for this ultralight. It was a superb design and I love its flight characteristics.
My hat's off to you. Your aircraft looks graceful and well proportioned. The anhedral stab is a work of art. The performance is simply breathtaking.
Most impressive. Light weight and just enough speed for a nice relaxing flight above the lake.
Amazing, would not believe that you could break sucktion and get in air so quickly. Great job!
@stone8597
Жыл бұрын
I think with those four motors pumping lots of air over the wings...you probably have a lot of induced lift with just the motors running.
Nice work Dale! I have always enjoyed the Lazair design. I owned one for several years and put over 800 hrs on that Series 2. Someday I will get another one.
68lbs for 200 pounds of thrust, and 45min of flight time? That doesn't sound too bad.
Wow! Thank you for the technical details. Very impressive machine! Extremely well done, sir! 👌🙏
@joewoodchuck3824
Жыл бұрын
Where are the technical details?
@fullchargeahead7964
Жыл бұрын
@@joewoodchuck3824 Read the video description. Quite detailed. 👍
Thank you for sharing.........so jealous in a great way
Super cool. Thanks for sharing
I owned a Lazair Series II back in the day and it was the best flying plane (ultralight) I ever owned. I would imagine, with those four motors pumping air over the wings that you have a lot of induced lift just sitting there...thus when you put the power to it the plane just wants to lift right where it's sitting. I wish were still able to purchase a Lazair...sort of wish I never would have sold mine.
@MJ-td3ij
Жыл бұрын
I agree. I sold mine and regret that decision. Someday I hope to own another one. It would be great to be able to build one new from a kit.
Бесподобно и восхитительно. Особенно удачно реализовали задний ход и разворот. Класс! Всех благ.
Intoxicating - Absolutely amazing - that's what the Lazair is !
@rayfletcher3683
Жыл бұрын
Took about 40 years for that to be accepted. Totally agree!👍 great design Dale! A lot of people , including me have tried without success to improve it.!😊
Learnt to fly on a Lazair two place (rotax powered) Beautiful and elegant wing. Thanks for this, brings me back minus the two stroke exhaust smell.
This is the best recreational aircraft I have seen so far.
Thzts just fabulous, thanks for sharing
just nothing short of amazing
those four motors means double redundancy, even if two failed, thanks to the extra ones and the big wings he can safely glide to a safe landing. looks good for a nice quiet sunday to survey your farm and see how everything is going on.
Wow, such detail, what a beautiful bird, thank you for sharing
Probably the coolest thing I've seen on KZread yet. Great work!
It about jumps into the air! Well done...
Wow! That is unreal!
Wait a minute... Reverse and some asymmetric thrust to steer? Now that's a very cool set of features! I only saw that applied on the R/C planes I built here, but I never saw in a full scale aircraft! That's amazing! :D
@DaleCKramer
Жыл бұрын
Yes
That’s amazing, thank you for the video 👍
What an admirable aircraft this is. It looks right, so I'm sure it will fly right.
I still have a brochure I picked up at a fly in from 50 years ago. Always loved the design.
I used to own a Lazair. Awesome little machine. I wish I still had it.
great plane. i love the 4 props design
Instant torque! Great!
The tech details are worth months of research for someone not up to speed on the different components. Thank you.
This is incredible! You’ve made your dream come true! Congratulations! I always liked float planes! I’m playing with large scale RC and flying airliners for a living. Never was brave enough to combine RC components with a plane you can actually sit in. You did it! Some of the planes I’ve built are close to the size of your ultralight. I don’t know how good of a swimmer are you but I would consider a sailer life jacket what blows up if it gets in the water otherwise it’s like a belt. Super light and barely there.
@DaleCKramer
Жыл бұрын
Thank-you and also thanks for your suggestion.
Wow - wonderful design. Well done!
Awesome ! Good to see the Lazair flying again....thia time with electric motors!
Fantastic. You have come a long way since the SOSA days. Good to see you. There is one in a container where I fly now.
Non-flier here, just some bloke looking at KZread and stumbled on this video. That looks brilliant, well done. 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
Good flight indeed. Huzzah!!
Congratulations 👏👏👏
Congrats, she's a beauty.
Looks good Dale.
Great video! That must be a great experience. My father owned and flew several different airplanes. The closest to an ultralight like that was his 1948 fabric covered Stinson. He bought it in poor condition and restored it.
this is truly amazing, such a whimsical and inspiring aircraft you've constructed, nice work :)
Great invention
The Wright Brothers would be very impressed to see your achievement. Greetings from Tasmania Australia 👍😁🇦🇺🦘
Wow that plane has some pretty impressive climb rates too!!
Great work! I want one! It's fitting that one of the most iconic ultralights goes electric.
Superb !!!
Very cool, I built an electric Paramotor and appreciate your design. Thanks!
Thats awesome!!!
Brilliant!
Beautiful!
That is absolutely the coolest ultralight I've ever seen that thing jumped out of the water
Looking forward to see specs on the motor system. I'm definitely teased.
@DaleCKramer
Жыл бұрын
Coming soon!
Soo cool🎉Good job.
Wow a surprising turn of speed for take off. Looks like a fun project. 😃😃
Great projects
Subscribed on first watch and I hope you will post more videos
Awesome!
I have those same floats on my Quicksilver , I like how your plane has the inverted tail feathers it reminds me of my old friend Moulten Burnell Taylor's mini Imp ..
this is it. love it. Watch out for the phone in the t-shirts pocket..it´ll slide right into the lake
@DaleCKramer
Жыл бұрын
It is mounted in front of me as an instrument when I am flying and I only put it in my shirt pocket as I walk off the dock. I will be careful. :)
Lazair will always be my favourite ultralight design.
Very nice! Build it and they will come. Produce plans and they can build their own. Very short take off run. Nice climb. I bet that is a ton of fun at less than 300 pounds.
what a awesome little plane. wish I had one...
What an excellent design. 🤩 Impressive runtime too for an electric! If there were two cells in parallel for each motor I doubt it would double the flight time, but it would be interesting to see how much of a boost it would be.
Wow, I want one of those! 👍🏻
Magic.
Nice job!
Nice project !
beautiful
amazing!!!!!!!
Epic. Absolutely epic.
Too freaking awesome
Well done
I remember my old Vector 600. Your Lazer is quit similar. So light !! Friend of mine use to play a lot with PP software : I told him : well, you want to be a pilot. For myself I never wanted to be a pilot but I wanted to FLY. I so I did since 1984 to 1990. 350 hours flying. (In France)
I'm impressed.
WOW~~~~~other than getting in and out.......NICE PLANE!
@dubes5594
Жыл бұрын
Nice plane...with reverse!
Awesome.
Very impressive aircraft - shows what electrics are becoming capable of. Not that much range, but decent power and built on a budget I'm sure far smaller than any gasoline aircraft. For one or two daily "clear your head" flights off the lake this is perfect. Based on the description and what's seen in the video, this must be the most maneuverable on the water seaplane ever built. I'd probably go through a few battery cycles just playing around on the water before I'd even take off, as the water would be so much fun - once in the air it's far less unique.
Beautiful, just beautiful. I'd love a 2m RC version... wheels and floats.
@DaleCKramer
Жыл бұрын
That would be cool!
I look and I can't believe this is actually a unique aircraft👍
I gotta say right off using the rental snorkel boom awesome idea..
@DaleCKramer
Жыл бұрын
Nope, I own it so it makes even more sense until I replace it with a simple cable braced arm from shore.
That's great and with the new toroidal propellers you will sell even more of these . Perfect .
Very nice 👍
BRAVO !
This is so cool.❤
Wow Dale!
OUTSTANDING! windmill in the background adds a bit irony
@DaleCKramer
Жыл бұрын
I love watching that windmill from our deck lounges...
This is so cool! Is there anywhere where you catalog the design process? Like, what made you choose 4 motors instead of 2 larger ones? I saw something like this with a single float, does 2 make it more stable? Does it handle better on the water or on the step? Is there any other changes you are looking to change?
@DaleCKramer
Жыл бұрын
1. Not yet other than this video description and my comment replies. 2. See video description. 3. It is just a matter of choice. 4. On step and off step are at different speeds so hard to compare. Both handle well. 5. So far no changes needed except that I am still optimizing propeller selection and building my final LazairVane design.
Pretty cool modification you made on your UL.
that amazing !!
Какая красота!
I like the anhedral tail, that's something a lesser designer might have omitted in favor of a traditional setup. Really good takeoff performance too! That surprised me, those electric motors have some power.
pretty cool!
Ah, the quiet 🙏
I got nothing I got nothing at all I just tipping my hat sir tipping my hat phenomenally well done and I might add quite a bit jealous.
Cool.
nice
Would love to see the view from a go pro! Really beautiful plane, so graceful.
@DaleCKramer
Жыл бұрын
You will see it from an Insta360 X3 camera soon, please subscribe so you get notified.🙂
I wonder how much spreading the motors across the wing like that improves low speed handling. I bet if you move them further out on the wing, put winglets on, and use them for differential thrust you could really improve the yaw and pitch in Stol flight
@DaleCKramer
Жыл бұрын
I will show some cool 'in flight' yaw maneuvers in a future video, stay tuned by subscribing to my channel.
impressive