Physics of Drone Dynamics Inside an Enclosed Moving Vehicle: An Analytical and Experimental Investigation of Non-Inertial Reference Frames, Enclosed Fluid Entrainment, and Multirotor Autonomy

When an aerial micro vehicle (MAV) or quadcopter hovers inside an enclosed moving transport platform—such as a passenger car, train carriage, or cargo van—popular intuition often suggests it should instantly slam into the rear windshield as the vehicle moves forward. In practice, however, a multirotor maintains a stable hover relative to the interior cabin during uniform cruise. This research paper provides a comprehensive theoretical breakdown and experimental analysis of the physical mechanics governing autonomous drone flight inside enclosed moving environments.