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
Replies
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
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