As we re-focus on a rebuild of the double-decked octocopter, there are benefits to be derived from our excursion into a more conventional layout a few posts back:
Specifically, the inclusion of a central void in the lower quad allows for the phone-box to be inset, so that its weight will be supported whilst the air vehicle is at rest on the ground. Bear in mind that in flight the burden of the payload is split 50/50, tho' before lift-off the lower quad has to support 100% of the gross weight.
This is alleviated altogether if the phone-box is tasked with supporting the weight the upper quad, along with that of the passenger. In turn this means that the lower quad can be altogether lighter. At the same time it means that the lower set of propellers may still be raised to some extent clear of the ground, so as to avoid the prop-strike hazard that inevitably attends an air vehicle with a proportion of its power around its base.
All will become clear, however, once construction is recommenced.
