Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by james sowell on May 4, 2012 at 10:38pm

what kind of plane is it ?

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Permalink Reply by JD on May 5, 2012 at 12:36am

Its a powered parachute. :)  Right now I'm really using just two channels, throttle and ailerons.  It's very simple to fly.  Being new to this and being a non traditional airframe I have a few blanks to fill in before I can hook it up and start working thru the process.

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Permalink Reply by james sowell on May 5, 2012 at 1:54am

ok did you go to the search (top right) I have been wanting one of those myself nice and slow but they do not like wind much   

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Permalink Reply by JD on May 5, 2012 at 1:43pm

I've done a lot of looking here but there hasn't been much development... you are right wind is a limiting factor.  I tend to just wait for good days to fly. ;)

So what do you think about the throttle issue?  how would you suggest I approach it.

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Permalink Reply by james sowell on May 5, 2012 at 2:30pm

http://code.google.com/p/ardupilot-mega/wiki/FlightModesAutoPilot http://code.google.com/p/ardupilot-mega/wiki/FlightModesFlyByWire    see if this helps any its all in the wiki

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Permalink Reply by JD on May 5, 2012 at 10:37pm

I that is great link...lol.

As newbie I don't have any experience with the APM as of yet. Would it be plausible to connect my APM and fly it in a FLY_BY_WIRE mode so that the logged data could be used for tuning the PID's?

As I don't have an elevator how would your recommend I connect the APM to my RX? I have two options. Option (A) I connect the RX throttle output to the APM ch3 throttle input.  Or Option (B) RX throttle output is connected to the APM ch2 elevator.

As far as the mode goes which FLY_BY_WIRE vs do you think would be the best option?  

The Wiki says that "attitude controlled by autopilot but throttle controlled manually (by the radio signal); and "B", attitude AND airspeed is controlled by autopilot (FBW B requires an airspeed sensor). Note: in FBW-B there is no direct elevator control; instead, elevator inputs tell the autopilot to increase or decrease altitude using its own logic, which will mostly involve throttle control."

So if attitude is controlled by the autopilot in both options A and B.  is there any loss of control by the pilot? Or is it that all of the pilots commands are just passed thru the APM?

Excuse me for the weak questions...

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Permalink Reply by james sowell on May 5, 2012 at 11:35pm

a read (all) the wiki quick setup guide it will help u understand I have more times than i can rember it goes through rc setup tuning flight modes setups are hard but click on the links and most are there   http://code.google.com/p/ardupilot-mega/wiki/Tuning   http://code.google.com/p/ardupilot-mega/wiki/APM2RC hope im helping let me know how its going and good luck

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Permalink Reply by james sowell on May 7, 2012 at 7:02pm

JD hey are you making any progress ? and is that the hobby king one? I may haft to get me one ; ) let me know if i can help

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Permalink Reply by JD on May 8, 2012 at 12:34am

Hi James, While waiting for my APM did pour over the wikis.  I waited two months so yea I got a good look at the info. lol

I haven't attached the APM yet, I'm been flying to fine tune the CG first..  To tell you the truth. I'm having some reservations and cold feet on hooking it up.  I just don't know what it will do. Nobody has done a powered para glider from the research I've seen and I don't have a deep background with r/c.

So I'm still contemplating my throttle setup.

The other issue that I'm wondering is if the APM's default speed will be an issue.  IE paragliders lumber along there control response is a lot slower than a fixed wing.  I've been looking and wondering if there is a way to slow the APM down or if its needed at all.., Again I just don't know.

I'll take any suggestions.

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Permalink Reply by james sowell on May 8, 2012 at 6:19am

dont be scared thats half the fun ; ) i was (thinking) what if when u setup your radio instead of 100% just 1/2 3/4 whatever max thr. when u fly that might be easy and there is a throttle pitch pid

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Permalink Reply by JD on May 8, 2012 at 3:57pm

Oh yea there is the PID... boy I've done the reading but its still a alien language.

James tell me something.  What useful information can I get from flying paraglider in purely manual mode?

IE can determine the max roll/bank, and throttle/pitch I actually used while in flight?  Is it then possible to then take that data and set the APM for that data?   Because that is what I am thinking of doing.

Do you think I should use the airspeed sensor that I bought?

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Permalink Reply by JD on May 8, 2012 at 5:35pm

Hi James

I've been discussing the paraglider build with somebody that did some work with paraglider albeit they pursued it for it for only a limited time.

Here is what was said

"There is no pitch control. Throttle controls altitude, the parafoil arrangement complicates things by adding some positive feedback, more throttle means higher AOA, meaning lower speed, and the reduced speed ends up converted in altitude, not much, parafoils are inefficient. Just go easy on the gains.

I don't remember how is the APM, how much I changed it, I think I just got the elevator loop controlling the throttle, and tweaked the gains

Elevator controls speed, BTW. Throttle and brakes control climb/sink ratio."

James, what are your thoughts and interpretation on what was said above?

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