Flight test and simulation results for an autonomous aerobatic helicopter

The X-Cell.60 is a model helicopter with a 5 ft rotor diameter, designed for competition aerobatics. In this paper we present the flight test and simulation results for the helicopter performing aerobatic maneuvering under exclusive computer control. We have previously demonstrated in flight an autonomous axial roll maneuver. Our next goal is to demonstrate operationally useful, and more challenging maneuvers, namely split-S and Immelman. Both maneuvers provide a rapid way to change direction of flight by trading kinetic and potential energy.