Zipline P2 Drone
Drones or UAVs have quickly become useful in a wide range of industries. From construction to agriculture, utility inspections, and even logistics, people are now turning to drones to solve some challenges or streamline their workflows. However, quadcopters ( four rotors) often come to mind when we talk about drones.
That’s because they are the most common types of drones used. Fixed-wing drones are another popular type, but they have limitations due to their need for a runway and complex controls. However, they are still useful for some large-scale projects.
However, there is another type that is gaining popularity and quickly excelling in areas where quadcopters and fixed-wing drones are limited: the VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing). With its unique capabilities, VTOL drones have the potential to revolutionize operations in Africa, offering solutions to challenges that were previously difficult to overcome. So, what are VTOLs, and what benefits and challenges do they have regarding operations in Africa? Let’s find out.
What are VTOLS?
As the name suggests, a VTOL drone has Vertical Take Off and Landing. It combines the mechanisms of a quadcopter and fixed-wing, offering a versatile solution for various operational needs. It takes off like a quadcopter, transitions to a fixed-wing drone in the air, and then back to a quadcopter for landing. This adaptability ensures that VTOL drones can handle a wide range of tasks, making them a valuable asset in diverse industries.
Advantages of VTOL Drones
Longer Flight Times
While not as long as fixed-wing drones, VTOL drones have proven to have longer flight times than quadcopters. Multirotors, including quadcopters, consume a lot of energy to take off and stay in flight. On the other hand, fixed-wing drones conserve energy, allowing them to fly for longer. By combining rotors and wings, you are able to experience the benefits of taking off from anywhere. When it gets in the air, you can utilize the energy efficiency of a fixed-wing system.
They Don’t Need a Runway
Fixed-wing drones operate like manned airplanes that need a runway to take off and land. This limits the areas you can fly from and increases the risks of crashing when taking off and landing. By taking off like a quadcopter or helicopter, you do not need a runway, and as long as you anticipate how the drone reacts, taking off and landing a VTOL drone is manageable.
Maneuverability
Fixed-wing drones are not easy to maneuver but can cover very large areas. On the other hand, Quadcopters are more maneuverable but offer less flight time for long-range flights. With a VTOL, you have more room for maneuvering it by switching to quadcopter mode, and you also get to experience long-range flights by switching back to fixed-wing mode.
Stability
VTOL drones are relatively stable during flight, though not as stable as fixed-wing drones for horizontal flight, and you need to plan the flight correctly to counter wind direction and strength.
Payload Capacity
VTOL drones have enough payload capacity to carry various sensors. However, their capacity is lower than that of a fixed-wing drone since the VTOL system makes them heavier. However, when compared to multirotors, VTOLs have higher payload capacities. This is because multirotors are often to be as light as possible since higher takeoff weights increase battery consumption.
Challenges of VTOL Drones
Now that we know the benefits of VTOL drones, let’s look at some challenges.
Complexity
For starters, VTOL drones can be quite complex to operate compared to multirotor drones. Most quadcopters are sold as Ready-To-Fly, so you can just get to the field and start flying in a few minutes. Multirotor manufacturers have also advanced, creating sensors that ensure seamless flight in various weather conditions. As a result, learning how to fly a multirotor takes a few days since the sensors do most of the work. For VTOL drones, there are a lot of moving parts that need to be set up. Operating a VTOL requires much more training to be certified and more practice to fly them comfortably compared to multi-rotors.
In some cases, you will find that the drone comes with a ground control system, and to operate the drone, one person needs to be in the control system while the other person operates the drone. While this creates jobs, it also increases the operational costs. The drone is also complex in its operation since it has two systems: the Fixed-Wing and the Multirotor systems. The transition between the two systems is complex, and sometimes it fails, causing the drone to crash.
High-Altitude Effects
As with other drone types, most VTOL drones in Africa are imported from other countries. As a result, those drones may have been tested with the altitudes of the respective countries, but when they face altitude differences in Africa, they fail to operate or don’t achieve the advertised flight performance. If a drone is tested at a lower altitude where there is higher air density, it might perform as required. When you take the drone to a higher altitude area with lower air density, the drone will consume more power to stay in flight, reducing flight time and potentially crashing since the batteries may not have been designed for such conditions. However, there are some ways we can deal with high-altitude issues;
- Design the drones with high-altitude in mind, or design and test them in high-altitude areas in Africa.
- Engage with local experts to understand how the drones they have used have been affected by differences in altitude.
- Train the pilots to anticipate the changes in altitude and weather and how to operate the drones in such scenarios.
Cost
Designing and building VTOLs is quite expensive, making them less accessible to some users. As mentioned earlier, complex systems also require a team to operate, adding to the operational cost. Some use cases automate the operation of VTOL drones, but that still needs to be economically viable for it to go mainstream.
Applications of VTOL Drones
Despite the challenges, VTOL drones are becoming valuable tools in the following industries. With ongoing research and development, we can expect to see improvements in VTOL drone technology, making them more efficient and cost-effective in the future.
Delivery
Thanks to the longer flight times and range, VTOL drones are being used to deliver medical supplies, food, and other products worldwide. For instance, Zipline, one of the African delivery companies, uses a customized VTOL drone known as the P2. It has wings for flight efficiency and five propellers for efficient hovering when delivering and achieving high forward speed to reach the required areas faster. Other companies like Swoop Aero, Wing, and Skyports also use VTOL drones for delivery.
Surveying and Mapping
VTOLs are useful for mapping large areas because they can travel further and last longer in the air. Their ability to take off from anywhere also makes them suitable to map rugged areas. Whether you want to create a digital twin of a city, scout an area for mining, or create an up-to-date map that’s more accurate than satellite imagery for a large area, VTOL drones will work for you. Some models of VTOL drones to look into for surveying and mapping include Wingtra, Simukai, Milvus, JOUAV, and Trinity.
Surveillance and Monitoring
When using multirotor drones for surveillance, one challenge users face is limited flight times and limited range. However, multirotors are also good since they can easily hover in one place. On the other hand, fixed-wing drones are great for surveillance as they can travel further, last longer, and carry more advanced sensors, but they can’t hover. VTOLs are proving the best of both as they allow you to hover like a multicopter when needed and then keep flying as a fixed-wing. As a result, they have been used for monitoring wildlife, surveillance, and support of ground security teams in vast areas, among other uses.
Should you Use a VTOL Drone?
Choosing a drone for your project depends on a lot of factors. Based on what we have learned, VTOL drones are perfect if you are looking for a drone that can travel further, such as in BVLOS operations, last longer in air, and is versatile in that it can carry different types of payloads. If you have a limited budget, don’t have to cover very large areas, and aren’t prepared for the higher operational costs, multirotors are still viable.