Wow, there's been more interest than I expected.  Many people joining but no one saying anything :-)  My APM 1.0 boards are supposed to arrive tomorrow.  I ordered the 1.0 boards by mistake, I didn't realize they weren't the latest and greatest.  I suppose it doesn't matter that much since I mainly want them to just familiarize myself with the concept and how everything hangs together, how to test everything, etc.

The PX4 boards are due to ship within the next couple of weeks.  As I understand it, the PX4 doesn't have a full autopilot yet.  I'm not sure what all it *is* capable of right now.  It will likely take me a while just to get familiar with the software environment anyway.  At least it's familiar to me, I spent most of my career as a developer on C/*NIX.  Last few years I've been doing MS .NET.

Didn't mention it here before, but I've also been active in R/C aviation for many years.  I design and sell scale R/C models, mostly German a/c from WWII.  My latest design is the Horten Ho 229.  My work was featured in the NatGeo documentary Hitler's Stealth Fighter.  I built several props for the film and made brief appearances.

Gary