[twic]

Could you couple one of those engines to a generator, and use that to power the electric motors? You'd need a battery or supercapacitor to handle change in throttle demand that outpaces generator response too.

[jsjohnst]

Weight is the limiting factor. Try to find a generator that can output up to 400amps at 25V (what my big drone draws) and yet weighs less than five pounds including fuel.

I think that’s a more impossible goal than increasing power density in batteries is.

[danmaz74]

400 ampere??

[scotty79]

https://youtu.be/7zMPodObo-Y

This guy tries to make gasoline powered generator for large drone.

[yardie]

Thermal to mechanical to electrical to mechanical. That’s a lot of energy conversions and with each conversion you lose a lot of efficiencies.