I have to build a Multi Functional Thermal Imaging Drone or M.F.T.I
It has to include the following telemetry hardware :
1)Speedometer
2)GPS
3)Thermal imaging camera
4)High qaulity still image camera
Other necessary must haves or be able to do.
1) Autopilot regarding sustainable flight and landing (Auto learn take off location )
2) Waypoint guided flights and simultaneous live video streaming
3) Longest range posiable
4) 1 hour flight time minimum
5) Must be able to see and fly in the dead of night.
6) Must be able to send inflight command change.
Discussion:
1) What will be the best autopilot hardware setup.
2) What will be best RC setup
Im open for ideas, comments and help
[edited by moderator]
Replies
Just read the whole thread, [phew'] and I don't want to rain on your parade since you have already chosen an airframe; but if I had to make a long endurance drone I would go for aerodynamic effieciency, involving a large wing span.
The thing is, if you load up an airframe to it's maximum payload it will not perform optimally and will be draggy, and [for the same battery] will have less endurance than an airframe optimised for your payload.
just sayin :D
And also, have you ever bought from www.lowpricerc.com? Because their prices are so low it makes me wonder if its a scam !
http://www.barnardmicrosystems.com/L4E_thermal_imaging.htm for thermal cameras
http://hackaday.com/2008/07/03/ardupilot-arduino-based-uav-autopilot/ prototype by chris in a hack a day page for speedometer
and try to hack the microsoft web camera model life cam series 5 or 6000 which should be easy get back to me about progress and keep in touch on my page because im working on something like that but more advanced.
a-line systems inc Brooklyn NY