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Stingray

VTOL Fixed-Wing Aircraft

The Stingray is a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) fixed-wing plane built around an existing open-source design with a mostly 3D-printed frame.

The project has been a way for us to get more experience with fixed-wing aircraft, from printing and assembling the airframe to flight testing, repairs, and mission planning.

What We're Working On

Stingray gives members a chance to get hands-on with the full process of working with a fixed-wing aircraft, including:

  • Printing and assembling the airframe
  • Setting up electronics and flight controls
  • Testing VTOL and forward flight
  • Planning practice missions
  • Troubleshooting problems after flights
  • Repairing and maintaining the aircraft
Stingray2 Stingray

Why Stingray?

Unlike some of our other projects, Stingray is not built around one specific competition or final goal.

Instead, we use it for practice missions and flight testing. That gives members a chance to make mistakes, fix problems, and get comfortable working with a real aircraft before moving on to more advanced projects.

It also helps us build experience with the differences between multirotors and fixed-wing aircraft, especially when it comes to flight planning, control, and maintenance.

Goal

The main goal of Stingray is to give members real experience flying, maintaining, and troubleshooting a VTOL fixed-wing aircraft so we can carry those lessons into future builds.

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