Aerodynamics and Design for Ultra-Low Reynolds Number Flight

Chapter 7
Micro-Rotorcraft Prototypes
7.1 Introduction
The penultimate goal of the preceding chapters is to develop the understanding and the
facility to achieve controlled powered flight at unprecedented small physical scales.
Moving further towards that end, several rotorcraft of varying physical size and
capability have been designed, fabricated, and tested. The goal of this closing chapter is
to introduce the vehicles that have been developed in conjunction with this body of
research and affirm the practical value of the preceding work. These prototypes have
demonstrated both the high potential for such vehicles, and some of the limitations
imposed by current technology and the relevant aerodynamics.
7.2 The 15g Prototype
The smallest rotorcraft developed using the rapid rotor analysis and design method is the
15g prototype pictured in Figure 7.1. Like all of the vehicles associated with this
research program, it is referenced simply by its target gross take-off mass. This vehicle
incorporates four of the four-blade 2.5cm diameter epoxy SDM rotors described in
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