DIY engineer Ben Biggs has set a new world speed record for an RC battery-powered drone. The custom-built aircraft reached 730 km/h (453.6 mph) during downwind flight tests on a windy day. Biggs also achieved 640 km/h (397.7 mph) while flying upwind with the same machine.
Custom-built aircraft reaches 730 km/h downwind and 640 km/h upwind in flight tests
The drone weighs 2 kg (4.4 pounds) and draws a peak power of 19.1 kW (25.6 horsepower). This performance required 449 A at 42.5 V during the high-speed runs. Biggs modified the aircraft by increasing propeller pitch and switching to carbon fiber blades with a toothed design.
The toothed propeller design aims to direct airflow straight past the blades instead of allowing it to wrap around them in spin-wise directions. The tests involved pushing the drone at full throttle for extended periods due to favorable wind conditions. This approach caused the batteries to die and smoke after one drone crash-landed during testing.
Biggs plans to submit his new speed record for an official Guinness World Record certification. He currently holds the previous world speed record for RC battery-powered drones that he broke with this latest build.
Source: NotebookCheck
