I'll start by introducing my self, I'm an experienced RC pilot (6y+ exp) on both fixed wing and CP I/C helicopters. I have a Private Pilot Licence and 200 hours experience there. I work as a network administrator but have no experience in component programing nor electronics soldering, but I know what its all about. My math skills are very light (I can't disamble a Kalman filter formula) but I still want to get into UAV's.
I've dug into what I can find on the internet about autopilots and components and I'm a little confused.
What I'm interested in is testing and configuring and testing more, ultimately having a drone capable of long distance and/or high altitude flights with autonomous takeoffs and landings. I'm not interested in a video down-link for now but possibly GSM link for in-flight communication and data flow.
I know about regulation restrictions and I'm not interested in loosing my PPL for this, so everything will be done with local 'FAA' permissions. Here in Iceland that is easier then in ex. USA.
As a base airframe I'll use a Protech Megastar XL 100" with a 37cc petrol engine. If needed I'm open to airframe modifications, as most pictures I see on the internet show a push prop, V-tail planes.
Can you guys give me advice on where to go next, what autopilot, GPS, airspeed-, altitude-, sonar-, temp- sensors, interface, etc. I should dig into and order to be able to start monitored/logged flight tests.
One more question; are you using simulators (like x-plane) to do initial tests and navigation experiments and how do you connect it to the AP?
Thank you.
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