AeroFold: Folding VTOL 1.6m Plane

Major project of mine, a tour-de-force of my design work: 3D printed folding-wing VTOL aircraft design I've made from scratch. ### Visit [here for the full info & documentation](https://3d.t413.com/go/vtol)! Currently working on the parts list, print guide, assembly instructions, flight documentation, etc! It's changing fast so managing all that work in one place is crucial, and so for now it's [here](https://3d.t413.com/go/vtol)! Are you a developer or moderator for ArduPilot? Amazing, thank you for your work– but you're all banned from my discord and may not have this full design of mine until [this issue](https://3d.t413.com/go/arduban) is resolved. ------ Update 2025-04-09: **Maiden forward flight success!** Flew incredibly. Made a [short YouTube video](https://3d.t413.com/go/aerofold_maiden_yt) and IG post. Also added a few missing things to the Parts list! Next steps are quad-mode dialing-in and then transitions. 2025-04-04 Update: Remade the 3MF with my finalized fuselage/hatch/latch design! `aerofold_r2-latch-bbl2.3mf` 2025-03-31 Update: Just remade the 3MF with all the latest version of the design, r2 ------  See my promo [video on instagram](https://www.instagram.com/t43d_design/reel/DHXBTyESiNp/) If you're interested at all please, I need collaborators/testers/fans to help dial everything in. My discord is set up for this exact thing, please join and say hi: \[[discord invite](https://3d.t413.com/go/discord?tv-aerofold)\] ------ ### Specs: * Wingspan **1.6m** * Minimum battery weight (to fit CG): **50Wh**. Maximum TBD. * Stall speed, max speed, etc: TBD with testing * Dry weight (as configured below): **~800g** (still to be finalized) * Aerofoil Profile: **NACA-4414** at root tapered to NACA-4412. High aspect ratio, ultra efficient. * Features * 4-motor, works with standard 5" FPV quad motors (I used 7" Eco2 motors) * Four servos for control surfaces (V-Tail + ailerons) * Novel wing folding mechanism with only 1 additional servo * Print-in-place tube clamping system for rigid carbon spar utilization * Ailerons use fully printed axle pivoting system * V-Tail control surfaces attached with TPU inserts * All printable on an **A1 Mini** ----------------- ### Folding mechanism Novel approach for folding mechanism is to use a dual-side pulley system using kevlar line– driven by a sail-winch servo situated forward of the CG. Very strong, perfect transition speed, nearly no play, light weight, and has closed loop control (can be commanded to any mid-transition position). ------ ### More! Info & Documentation continues [over here!](https://3d.t413.com/go/vtol) ------