Hover controls for a unique small-scale thrust reversing UAV

A unique Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) capable Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is presented. The goal of this study is to determine the feasibility of the use of PID control design to develop an attitude control solution as the first step in developing complete flight controls for this particular UAV during vertical flight. Analytic low Reynolds number aerodynamic models are created using traditional large-scale modeling techniques. Simulation models for each controller are created from the analytic models. Analytic and simulation models are validated by comparison with experimental data. Evaluation of experimental results from the implementation of each controller developed is performed using the simulation models. The ability of each individual controller to meet its respective design goals is evaluated and discussed.