Fixed-Wing
It stays airborne on aerodynamic lift from the wing — a design much closer to a traditional RC aeroplane. The result is far lower power consumption, so it flies for hours and covers vast areas, which is why it is the standard for surveying and mapping large sites.
✅ Advantages
• Longer endurance (1–3+ hours)
• Higher speeds
• Better stability in wind
• Carries a relatively heavier payload for its power
• Efficient over very large areas
❌ Drawbacks
• No hover, no vertical take-off
• Needs a large take-off/landing area or launch equipment
• More training — landing is the hardest skill
• More expensive than a multirotor
• Flies forward only — limited manoeuvring
Applications
Examples: senseFly eBee X, and EPO self-build wings (1200–2400mm) running iNav.
🎬 Flight videos (needs internet)
Frequently asked questions
Why does a fixed-wing fly so much longer?
Lift comes from the wing shape during forward flight, not from rotors continuously pushing air down against gravity. Energy consumption is far lower, so flight time exceeds an hour and a single sortie covers wide areas.
What are the practical limits?
It cannot hover or hold a point, it needs a launch area, catapult or hand launch, and landing needs a strip, parachute or net. Any mission that requires close inspection of a single point is not its job.
Where does the centre of gravity go on a fixed-wing?
At 25 to 33 percent of wing chord measured from the leading edge. Getting this wrong is the single most common cause of instability or a first-flight crash.
