Hi All
I'm working with an advocacy group in New Zealand to help them survey and record the state of our fresh water systems, specifically, looking at our rivers and lake shores for stock incursions. Sending a fixed-wing UAV on pre-planned flights up rivers to capture still imagery seems an ideal use for the technology.
Some of the desired parameters are:
Collecting photographs at a density to allow a stitched together view of a river, with individual images ideally tagged with GPS data. We'd be focusing on shorelines so the field of view doesn't have to be huge, but capturing enough detail to see cows would be ideal.
The electronics would probably need to be waterproof, given that when the inevitable unplanned descent occurs, it will probably be over water. At least it's not salt water.
Most flights would take the UAV out of visual range of the operator so telemetry would be good to have.
Ideal, but not essential, would be the ability to break down and store the UAV between missions so it was transportable and easily assembled at site.
I'd hope for a flight time of 30-60 minutes or perhaps a 30km round trip range, depending on speed.
Assuming a budget of approx $3000 all-up, I'd greatly appreciate any recommendations for:
- Airframe (I'm assuming a Bixler or FPV Predator would be fine to start with)
- Camera
- Any gotchas to consider?
As a last thought, how feasible do you think it would be to train volunteers to use a UAV? Does anyone have experience training non-hobbyists they can share?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions. This is my 1st post, but I've been an impressed reader of these forums for a while.
Replies
My opinion:
Soon as you determine that you must remain in visual range, fixed wing aircraft don't make sense anymore. VTOL/Copter is the way to go. Multi-copters are mechanically simple. Helicopters are more complicated but generally have more flight time, faster flight speeds, and can lift more payload.
Welcome to an obsession!
You mean like this
http://photosynth.net/view.aspx?cid=5d0c68c4-9d93-4d2f-80d6-bf5fc8d...
Can't remember if that's the 15km one or not. It does show some trees there one day gone the next.
I doubt if NZ rules would allow you to go out side of visual range, you might not want to send expensive equipment off on its own anyway. Small flights then land and confirm that the images are clear and do it all again.
Do not use a predator horrible things.
Any Canon with CHDK, I favour the shotgun technique because I am a simple type.
Keep asking questions and you will soon get there.