Discussions

Autopilot Process

Posted by Erik Hatch on February 21, 2011 at 4:15pm

Hi

Im a little confused as to how the uav flight process works. Specifically, what is the procedure? Do I fly my airplane with the transmitter and then at some point switch to autopilot? From there, does the autopilot fly a route based on what i have loaded into it? When the aircraft returns, how do i recover to land? Does the autopilot hold altitude based on gps? i know there is an airspeed sensor available, so does that mean airspeed is not determined using gps?

 

will the autopilot fly the airplane out of radio range safely, then return it withing range? i guess my real question is it possible to fly several miles away from the rc transmitter?

 

if there is a thread or manual that answers my questions can some please point the way?

 

Thanks

Erik

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Replies

  • Squalish February 22, 2011 at 7:54am

    The most common method with a fixed-wing UAV:

    Write waypoints

    Initialize autopilot (Turn on & write 'home position')

    Launch

    Manual control, circle to altitude

    Turn on autopilot

    Fly waypoints

    Return to home

    Turn off autopilot

    Manual control, circle to ground level

    Manual Landing

     

    Height above home is preprogrammed in...  so theoretically you don't really need 'circle to altitude'.


    One of the technologies that looks promising (see Pteryx) is parachute recovery, so that manual landing isn't necessary.


    The method we use with multirotors (MikroKopters specifically) is:

    Initialize autopilot

    Write waypoints

    Set mode: Position Hold

    Launch

    Bring to Altitude manually

    Turn on Altitude Hold

    Switch from Position Hold mode to Waypoint mode

    Fly waypoints

    Switch from Waypoint mode to Return to Home mode, wait

    Switch to Position Hold Mode

    Turn off Altitude Hold

    Bring down and land manually


  • wolfgang February 22, 2011 at 2:39am
    Hi Erik,

    Yes, you fly your airplane with your transmitter, switch to AUTO and the plane will fly to the waypoints previously programmed. When it is done, it will return to where you started (where you got GPS lock) and circle around that position at a preprogrammed height until you flip again your switch and take over manual control.
    There are more autopilot functions then just going from one waypoint to the next. You will learn more by browsing these pages and the forum, but a lot seems still guesswork (to me)

    regards,
    Wolfgang
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