• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.10-16
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• 2017

In order to improve the safety of the multi-copter, Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) performed a wind-tunnel test using an octocopter with the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 28 kg. The wind-tunnel test was performed with three different RPM ranges, 3,500, 4,500 and 5,500 rpm, and three different wind speeds, 3.5, 5 and 7 m/sec. The tested range of the angle of attacks was $-40^{\circ}$ to $20^{\circ}degree$ and ${\pm}90^{\circ}degree$. Vortex ring state (VRS) of the tested multi-copter was located around the vertical descending speed of 6 m/sec and the decrement of thrust was about 13 % at the time of testing. Compared with the single propeller wind-tunnel test result, the propeller efficiency of the octocopter dropped to 10 to 15% depending on the propeller RPM. It is hypothesized that the obtained aerodynamic characteristics by the wind-tunnel test will be used to improve the performance and wind resistance of the multi-copter.