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Description of the Nanoflyer, lightest RC helicopter ever

The 2.7 grams original Nanoflyer is lightest contra-rotating coaxial-rotor
RC helicopter ever built. It is battery powered and it uses the Proxflyer concept
to give it inherent stability. The Nanoflyer-II is the same helicopter but it is
upgraded with a larger battery. The flight time is now incredible 10 minutes.
The Nanoflyer-II is still totally silent.


Key specifications, components and materials used to build the small Nanoflyer:

Rotor: Airframe: Motors (x2): Battery: Control: Weight: Flight time:

85 mm (2 contra rotating 4-bladed rotors) Carbon rod 0.3mm and 0.5 mm from WES-Technik Aramid 30 g/m2 fabric from CST 80 mm long, 0.08 mm carbon plate, 0.3mm rod Brass bearings 0.7 mm from Didel 4 x 8 mm, 28 ohm from Didel 1 x 3.7 V, 20 mAh Kokam cell 30 mAh Didel cell for the Nanoflyer-II 2 channels IR control with 2x ESC Yaw control by differential speed of rotors C.G. trimed forward for horizontal flight 2.7 grams (incl. battery and control) 3.0 grams for the Nanoflyer-II Up to 1 minute, (0.5 minute continues) 10 minutes for the Nanoflyer-II

Because of the new Proxflyer concept, this helicopter is much simpler and has
much fewer parts than other model helicopters. The helicopter is passively stable
in hover and during forward flight and has no need for cyclic control. It is controlled
vertically and in yaw (rotation), and it is operated via an IR transmitter module.

STABILITY: Most other "stable" model helicopters, including some toy helicopters from
i.e. Asia, achieve some kind of stability by utilizing centrifugal forces and gyroscopic
effects to keep the rotor and helicopter horizontal at all times, thus preventing it from
entering into oscillations or becoming unstable. The Proxflyer, however, uses a different
approach (patented). In stead of trying to keep the rotors in a horizontal plane, they
are arranged in an innovative way so that they do the complete opposite. Triggered by the
smallest horizontal movement, the rotors tilt up, creating a horizontal force stopping the
motion almost before it starts. The helicopter is kept at the exact same position relative
to the surrounding air. The Proxflyer concept gives the helicopter incredible stability,
but limits the maximum horizontal speed. The concept, without relying on centrifugal
forces alone, give the rotors good and quick stability with respect to the rotor shaft as
well, and it will therefore promptly and smoothly let the helicopter move in the
same direction as it is tilted by i.e. manually shifting the CG forward. As can
be seen in the video clips, it may be controlled very precisely.


Key benefits of the helicopter:

Absolutely stable without the use of any gyros or autopilots There are no servos, actuators, rods, links, gears or other moving part The whole helicopter is operated and controlled by 2 electric motors Forward flight is achieved by adding some weight forward of the CG The rotor blades are encircled by a ring that supports and protects them It is very efficient, all the power is used to generate lift It is silent, the mechanical drives and the rotors generate no noise There are no vibrations It is safe

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