I want to start with a basic prototype, and build it up from there. Thanks for mentioning the wind factor. The wind is light here, about 5-10 miles/hour. I will have to see how a blimp handles winds of 20+ miles. All I can think of right now is to minimize the area of resistance and keep the nose pointed in the wind, when it gets heavy.
You must have accumulated a wealth of knowledge in your career. I know even less, but I am committed to a longer term vision and eager to learn from you. This is a open forum, so by all means, if any of my ideas could be helpful, I would be glad. I going to buy a toy uav, the cheap hand sized ones to wet my feet with the technology and flight dynamics. Much of the tech is driven my miniaturization from mobile phone tech and parts similar and interchangeable, like batteries, cameras. I spotted 2 small Photo voltaic panels on a rechargeable spot light, that I could use as a power source.
Adrian, I have the same goal in mind. I am a helicopter avionics tech working in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. I know almost nothing about UAV, but I have been around aviation for more than 35 years. I am not an electronics engineer by any means, but I know a lot about getting aircraft in the air and back safely. I hope you don't mind if I "steal" some of the ideas you get on the forum and use them myself. I'm not even sure that I have any practical uses in mind, I just want to build it and fly it.
Hope you have great good luck on your project, and I will post mine when I get it going.
low altitude, low speed flying to monitor sheep, cattle, inspect fencing, wild life video's, added level of farm security. My "other truck" on the farm.
follow GPS way points, with ability to take UAV of route to inspect an item of interest, and return to route
Camera with zoom capability, live feed/recording to ipad/viewing/controlling device
fully autonomous, but able to receive instructions from 3-5 miles, hopefully without a direct line of sight
able to fly perpetually, powered via ultra light weight pv panels and battery pack, super nice to have docking station at home base to recharge battery via electromagnetic induction charging for night flight, with night vision/infra red camera.
want to buy all parts stock and standard and build this beast of a machine
where is the best places for parts, easily shipping to South Africa, without bleeding me bone dry?
Replies
Hallo Sam
I want to start with a basic prototype, and build it up from there. Thanks for mentioning the wind factor. The wind is light here, about 5-10 miles/hour. I will have to see how a blimp handles winds of 20+ miles. All I can think of right now is to minimize the area of resistance and keep the nose pointed in the wind, when it gets heavy.
Adriaan
Hallo Marc
You must have accumulated a wealth of knowledge in your career. I know even less, but I am committed to a longer term vision and eager to learn from you. This is a open forum, so by all means, if any of my ideas could be helpful, I would be glad. I going to buy a toy uav, the cheap hand sized ones to wet my feet with the technology and flight dynamics. Much of the tech is driven my miniaturization from mobile phone tech and parts similar and interchangeable, like batteries, cameras. I spotted 2 small Photo voltaic panels on a rechargeable spot light, that I could use as a power source.
Adrian, I have the same goal in mind. I am a helicopter avionics tech working in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. I know almost nothing about UAV, but I have been around aviation for more than 35 years. I am not an electronics engineer by any means, but I know a lot about getting aircraft in the air and back safely. I hope you don't mind if I "steal" some of the ideas you get on the forum and use them myself. I'm not even sure that I have any practical uses in mind, I just want to build it and fly it.
Hope you have great good luck on your project, and I will post mine when I get it going.
Marc
Specifications:
low altitude, low speed flying to monitor sheep, cattle, inspect fencing, wild life video's, added level of farm security. My "other truck" on the farm.
follow GPS way points, with ability to take UAV of route to inspect an item of interest, and return to route
Camera with zoom capability, live feed/recording to ipad/viewing/controlling device
fully autonomous, but able to receive instructions from 3-5 miles, hopefully without a direct line of sight
able to fly perpetually, powered via ultra light weight pv panels and battery pack, super nice to have docking station at home base to recharge battery via electromagnetic induction charging for night flight, with night vision/infra red camera.
want to buy all parts stock and standard and build this beast of a machine
where is the best places for parts, easily shipping to South Africa, without bleeding me bone dry?