VSKYLABS RC XFY-1X Pogo
ELECTRIC COUNTER-ROTATING TAIL-SITTER - 1:8 SCALE - CHALLENGINGVTOL - HOVERING CAPABLE - TRANSITION FLIGHT
Type: Giant-Scale RC Model based on the XFY1 Pogo
Scale: ~1:8
Length: 1.65 m ( 5.41 feet)
Wingspan: 1.13 m (3.70 feet)
Weight: 14 lbs / 6.35 Kg
Engine: 2 x Electric powered. Suggested pair of T-Motor AT7215 (170KV)
Propeller: 2 X 3-blade, 24" (counter rotating) at approximately 4000-6000 rpm
Electric system (simulated): 2 × 10S 8,000-10,000 mAh LiPo in parallel. Two T-Motor AT7215 KV170 counter-rotating motors operating at 37V nominal, ~65A per motor at operational power, ~130A total system draw, ~4,800W combined output. Peak system draw at full power: ~170A / ~6,290W. Combined battery capacity: ~666 Wh. Full-power endurance: approximately 6 minutes at the limit. Max battery temp ceiling: 80°C. Real-world numbers will depend on how hard you push it.
Performance/Limitations: Maximum speed: 70 knots / 81 mph / 130 km/h (sea level, full power, straight and level). Vne: 90 knots / 104 mph / 167 km/h. Note: top speed is limited by prop pitch selection - the fixed-pitch propellers in the RC model are optimized for low-speed thrust and VTOL transition performance rather than forward flight efficiency, reflecting the primary mission of the model.
Channels:
- Throttle
- Rudder
- Elevator
- Ailerons
- Control modes (Full, Dual-Rates/Expo) - Recommended full mode at all times.
Pilot Notes:
The XFY-1X is an experimental, exotic tail-sitter that pushes real-time aerodynamic simulation to the extreme. Counter-rotating propellers, a delta wing, and flying surfaces sitting directly in the propwash combine to create a fascinating flying laboratory that explores the boundaries of what X-Plane's physics engine can simulate. There is nothing else like it in the RCE fleet.
Controls: Full control mode is mandatory for takeoff, transitions, and landing. Dual rates or expo may be used during high speed forward flight, though not recommended.
Vertical Takeoff and Hover
The model is designed for vertical takeoff and can hover across all control axes (pitch, roll, and yaw). Control in hover is challenging, orientation wise, especially because it is controllable in all 3 axes. The gyro correction system was deliberately kept modest, replicating the plausible control systems of a home or scratch-built model of this configuration.
Transition to Forward Flight
Acceleration and manual transition to forward flight is straightforward in principle, but do not rush it. Attempting transition too early, at high AOA and low speed, risks an abrupt departure and loss of control. Let the aircraft accelerate fully and establish itself before committing to the transition.
In forward flight the XFY-1X carries high wing loading and loses speed and lift quickly without power or in steep turns. Gliding capability is minimal. This aircraft must be flown with power at all times. Not necessarily at full throttle, but power-off flight is not a practical option.
Transition Back to Hover
This is the most demanding phase of flight. Slow down gradually at low altitude, maintaining positive power throughout to preserve controllability and lift. Gently pull up toward vertical while adding power. Once stabilized on the vertical axis, ease the throttle and descend calmly in hover. The primary challenge at this point is spatial orientation; the perspective shift from horizontal to vertical flight especially if transition was made at a higher altitude requires concentration. Once back at low hover altitude, tail-landing is straightforward.
Interestingly, the real-world Pogo was designed during an era when modern 3D aerobatics and thrust-vectoring flight were still considered as 'futuristic' concepts, for sure not trivial.
Designing a highly capable 3D aerobaitc RC version of the Pogo would be relatively straightforward today, using optimized CG and an aggressive gyro-assisted stabilization system. However, the VSKYLABS RCE XFY-1 Pogo was intentionally designed to as authentic as possible to the original Pogo configuration and flying qualities. To achieve this, the mode uses low gyro-assistance ratios. This retains the original aircraft's traditional forward CG layout, which allows maintaining stability under direct human control in the 50's era.
These 'old school' 50's tail-sitter design characteristics result in a unique transition technique when going from level flight to tail-sitting hovering. Instead of executing a 'modern' aggressive "mesh" into the vertical state, the RC pilot should pitched it into a the vertical position while in-flow, and to perform a kind of a hammerhead-stall like maneuver as airspeed decays, while settles back into a powered hover. This operation reflects the operational nature of the original concept.
The description in the previous paragraph suggest a long and gradual maneuver, but keep in mind that it is a 1:8 scale RC model, and the transition described above is quite fast.
Transition methods done in modern 3D aerobatic RC Models such as the J-10 (in real-world, as well as in RC-Elements), which are equipped with advanced 3D thrust-vectoring capabilities and aggressive gyro-assist controls, can be done far more aggressively and directly.
The flight segments shown in the following video were carried in real-weather conditions, with generally calm air and light winds below 5 knots. Even so, landing a 1950s-era 1:8 scale tail-sitter design turns to be a challenging task. The 1:8 Scale mode showed noticeable sensitivity to the light winds during the recovery and landing phases, which can be observed throughout the video. Landing a tail-sitter while it drifts is quite a challenge.
Real world reference model:
*The following product link shows a real-world reference of similar real-world product. It is provided for informational purpose onle. It is not produced by or affiliated with VSKYLABS. Various design features and other characteristics may vary, when compared to the VSKYLABS model in X-Plane.
Real world reference video:
*The following video shows a real-world reference for the model. It is provided for informational purposes only. It is not produced by or affiliated with VSKYLABS. All credits belong to the original content creators. Various design features and other characteristics may vary, when compared to the VSKYLABS model in X-Plane.
VSKYLABS RC Elements Vol. 1 screenshots - X-Plane 12:
