Hi @Alex-Kushleyev,
Thank you for the detailed explanation regarding the Starling 2 payload margin and the thrust-to-weight considerations. The breakdown is very helpful for my design trade-off.
I would like to ask one follow-up regarding the Stinger FPV. In my application, flight endurance is not the primary constraint, so the shorter flight time compared with Starling 2 is not necessarily a blocker. Durability, compact size, and the ability to carry a small external sensor package are more important for this specific use case.
With that in mind, could you please provide a similar payload-oriented assessment for the Stinger FPV?
Specifically:
What is the typical all-up weight of a standard Stinger FPV configuration, including battery?
What is the approximate maximum thrust per motor?
Using the same recommended minimum thrust-to-weight ratio of approximately 2.0 for good controllability, what additional payload margin would you consider practical?
Are there recommended mounting areas or structural points on the Stinger frame for small external payloads?
Are there any known limitations compared with Starling 2 regarding payload mounting, center-of-mass sensitivity, or PX4 attitude-controller tuning?
For an indoor application where flight time is less critical, would you generally consider Stinger FPV a better candidate than Starling 2 for carrying a small external sensor package, or would you still recommend staying with Starling 2?
At this stage, I am trying to make a platform selection between Starling 2 and Stinger FPV before freezing the mechanical layout. Once I understand which platform has the more suitable payload margin and mounting flexibility, I can share the planned sensor list, estimated added mass, and CAD/mounting concept for your review.
Thanks again for the support.
Best regards,
Eyal
