Hi the idea here is to come up with a new UAV specific airframe design for the DIY community. Seeing that the AP's are rapidly improving and are cost effective for DIY we have no Airframe to match. We need something with Ailerons to start with, its the only way to fly properly and prevent nasties. A Pod design may be the most flexible as they can be interchanged, also if positioned at the CG it will help to keep the airframe light and reduce CG problems with differing Pods/Payloads.We need some new standards for form factor for the AP and Payload to ease the pain of design and prevent the issues with adapting other designs. To start the ball rolling a few ideas below:UAV specific design, long term platformCost effective, not cheapAirframe with Rx, AP, BattPod for payload/AP (Interchangeable for different missions/payloads) with own powerPod design to form factor & Volume (maybe different Pod designs for same Airframe)New AP form factor (standardization) for mounting and space utilizationRequirements:Max PayloadMax weight to conform to legislation, also max speedDuration, batt size & motorAirframe weight (lower means more payload)SturdinessCGStabilityPod vibration isolationSensor vibration isolationSensor mounting points on airframe with wire pathways to ease installation & attachmentPod electrical connector or means to electrically connect to AirframePitot tube and/or AoA sensor build in, baro sensor positionWheeled or notLand and stall speedGimball for camera and other sensorsRgrdsSarel
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I really like your idea about an open source UAV/airframe Sarel. In my view, such an airframe would preferably be of a modular consept - allowing for various adoptations. I also think it is a good idea to start with the requirements - and secondly select the airframe which fits best.
This project came to a temporary hold (due to various wife-initiated activities, rebuilding of kitchen etc), but I was planning to commence on the project this winter.
I am an engineer currently serving in the Air Force. I have a degree in aviation operations and completing another in electronics engineering. I am more than willing to spearhead an open source airframe. I have several plans I've worked on already. Anyone who is interested can contact me at mshekleton at gmail dot com.
The modular design is a good idea. An interchangeable payload pod placed at the mean aerodynamic chord would be necessary for balanced flight. For maximum duration a large wingspan with a small gas engine is essential. I propose a category III UAV as cat IV will be impossible to legally fly (the FAA is VERY stingy with their UAV permits). A cat III aircraft would have a maximum payload of about 10 pounds, sufficient for most DIY applications. Fast flight is not usually a priority for UAV's. I would err towards slow stall speed and high stability.
The arduino brain sold on this website is very good but there is always room for improvement. I've built a couple flight control computers that are powerful and would make an starting point for an open source project.
So logically we need to start not with the airframe but with the mission. As we know we cannot fly outside LOS so distance is not an issue, maybe a number of laps (loiter) may make up distance. On the small airframe battry capacity and energy consumption will be the limit. On a larger airframe there is more space for "fuel", also a larger payload of say 2-3kg for a range of say 50Km.
Stability of the airframe is important, maybe slow flying as well. How to fly such a small wing slow? What is the practical limit in still air for slow flying?
Any other countries with information regarding Airframe restrictions, kindly add it to this. We need to come up with two designs it seems, a small one (2kg, 4.4lbs) and a bigger one ??kg.
Different countries have rules with different impact on the design of the DIY UAV (Airframe impact only):
USA
Max speed 87 knots, 44.8m/s, 161kmh
All sUAS operated under this regulation must be colored with a high-contrast scheme
capability to descend 50 feet within five seconds
If operating greater than 400 AGL all sUAS weighing over 4.4 lbs (2 kilograms (kgs)) must have the capability to display position and altitude information to the PIC
Weight:
Cat I < 4.4 lbs (2 kgs) Must not be capable of exceeding more than 30 knots calibrated airspeed at full
power in level flight. Constructed in a frangible manner.
Cat II < 4.4 lbs (2 kgs) Gross take-off weight equal to or less than 4.4 lbs (2 kgs) including fuel, batteries,
and payload. Capable of less than 60 knots calibrated airspeed at full power in level flight. Cruise speed of less than 40 knots in level flight.
Cat III < 19.8 lbs (9 kgs) Gross take-off weight equal to or less than 19.8 lbs (9 kgs) including fuel, batteries, and payload. The sUAS must be capable of providing position and altitude data to the PIC. Aviation Band Radio: If operating within 5 NM of a non-towered airport, a qualified visual observer involved with the operation must monitor UNICOM or CTAF and announce sUAS activity on the frequency of the closest airport consistent with applicable procedures.
All Group III sUAS operating beneath
the floor of the lateral limits of Class C or B airspace, or within the Mode C veil, must be equipped and operate an electronic positioning reporting system consistent with 14 CFR 91.215 or acceptable to the Administrator.
Cat IV < 55 lbs (25 kgs) Group IV sUAS are the largest sUAS permitted to operate under this regulation. Because of
their large size, their operation is restricted to extremely remote areas that pose minimal
perceived risk to those on the surface. The PIC must obtain a Letter of Authorization (LOA) from the FAA verifying that
the planned area of operation can be considered uninhabited and extremely remote.
RSA
Light UAS with maximum take-off mass of less than 150 kg
Max 70 knots, 36m/s, 130 kmh
Has an impact kinetic energy that does not exceed 95 kJ when assessed against both a high speed and free-fall impact scenario, and which is calculated as follows - i. Kinetic energy = 0.5*Max. Operating Mass*(1.4 * Max. Level Speed) and Kinetic energy resulting at impact from a free fall from a height of 400 ft.
Replies
As a matter of fact, I started a similar thread at RCGroups earlier this year:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1026525&highlig...
This project came to a temporary hold (due to various wife-initiated activities, rebuilding of kitchen etc), but I was planning to commence on the project this winter.
Looking forward to follow your project.
Regards,
Jorn
The modular design is a good idea. An interchangeable payload pod placed at the mean aerodynamic chord would be necessary for balanced flight. For maximum duration a large wingspan with a small gas engine is essential. I propose a category III UAV as cat IV will be impossible to legally fly (the FAA is VERY stingy with their UAV permits). A cat III aircraft would have a maximum payload of about 10 pounds, sufficient for most DIY applications. Fast flight is not usually a priority for UAV's. I would err towards slow stall speed and high stability.
The arduino brain sold on this website is very good but there is always room for improvement. I've built a couple flight control computers that are powerful and would make an starting point for an open source project.
Look forward to hearing from you guys.
Mark
So logically we need to start not with the airframe but with the mission. As we know we cannot fly outside LOS so distance is not an issue, maybe a number of laps (loiter) may make up distance. On the small airframe battry capacity and energy consumption will be the limit. On a larger airframe there is more space for "fuel", also a larger payload of say 2-3kg for a range of say 50Km.
Stability of the airframe is important, maybe slow flying as well. How to fly such a small wing slow? What is the practical limit in still air for slow flying?
Rgrds
USA
Max speed 87 knots, 44.8m/s, 161kmh
All sUAS operated under this regulation must be colored with a high-contrast scheme
capability to descend 50 feet within five seconds
If operating greater than 400 AGL all sUAS weighing over 4.4 lbs (2 kilograms (kgs)) must have the capability to display position and altitude information to the PIC
Weight:
Cat I < 4.4 lbs (2 kgs) Must not be capable of exceeding more than 30 knots calibrated airspeed at full
power in level flight. Constructed in a frangible manner.
Cat II < 4.4 lbs (2 kgs) Gross take-off weight equal to or less than 4.4 lbs (2 kgs) including fuel, batteries,
and payload. Capable of less than 60 knots calibrated airspeed at full power in level flight. Cruise speed of less than 40 knots in level flight.
Cat III < 19.8 lbs (9 kgs) Gross take-off weight equal to or less than 19.8 lbs (9 kgs) including fuel, batteries, and payload. The sUAS must be capable of providing position and altitude data to the PIC. Aviation Band Radio: If operating within 5 NM of a non-towered airport, a qualified visual observer involved with the operation must monitor UNICOM or CTAF and announce sUAS activity on the frequency of the closest airport consistent with applicable procedures.
All Group III sUAS operating beneath
the floor of the lateral limits of Class C or B airspace, or within the Mode C veil, must be equipped and operate an electronic positioning reporting system consistent with 14 CFR 91.215 or acceptable to the Administrator.
Cat IV < 55 lbs (25 kgs) Group IV sUAS are the largest sUAS permitted to operate under this regulation. Because of
their large size, their operation is restricted to extremely remote areas that pose minimal
perceived risk to those on the surface. The PIC must obtain a Letter of Authorization (LOA) from the FAA verifying that
the planned area of operation can be considered uninhabited and extremely remote.
RSA
Light UAS with maximum take-off mass of less than 150 kg
Max 70 knots, 36m/s, 130 kmh
Has an impact kinetic energy that does not exceed 95 kJ when assessed against both a high speed and free-fall impact scenario, and which is calculated as follows - i. Kinetic energy = 0.5*Max. Operating Mass*(1.4 * Max. Level Speed) and Kinetic energy resulting at impact from a free fall from a height of 400 ft.
EU
Any EU info available please post here.
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