1 hour 20 minutes - APM 2.5 takes the world record for Multi-Copter Duration of Flight powered by a rechargeable battery. [note: records also exist for hover that can occur indoors and take advantage of ground affect]
Flight Requirements:
- Distance > 1 kilometer
- Minimum elevation from ground the greater of 2 meters or two prop diameters (no ground affect)
- Lands within 50 meters of Launch
- Minimum of two way points > 0.25 km apart
- Altitude Climbs: Two climbs > 100 meters each
- Ends before voltage drops below recommended minimum level for recharging
- Flight over ground that does not vary more than + 20 meters in elevation
Actual Flight
- Distance: 1 - 2 km
- Min elevation 2 meters
- Ended at start
- Three way points with two 0.3 km apart
- Two climbs: 126 meters and 112 meters
- 13.06 volts left with 10 volt recommended minimum
- Ground + 10 meters
Time: > 1hr and 20 minutes (81.43 minutes)
Multi-copter:
- Octa 2XQuad 6Up+2Dn (wanted to fly something novel that would show off the flexibility of APM 2.5)
- 3.18 kg AUW
- Li-Ion battery
Attached are the flight logs. Later I'll provide:
o Video
o Earthview of flight
o Altitude gains
o Details of the copter (design and weights)
Replies
World Record Accepted by Guinness on Jan 22, 2014.
Category: Longest RC Model Multicopter Flight (duration)
For those that want to break this record, I can send you two documents: Specific Guidelines Pack (the performance of the ship) and Evidence Required (how the event needs to be run and documented). The record to beat stands at 1 hr and 20 minutes as of this date. Best of luck to everyone making the attempt, setting new records, and furthering technology via open architecture.
Making Li-Ion batteries. I offered this to my brother so it is only fair that I offer it to others. For those interested in making small Li-Ion battery packs to break the record using open architecture, you can send them to me and I'll weld them for you. But, if you are building a big battery, then I suggest you buy a welder as it only costs a fraction of the cost of the batteries.
My brother and I are working with a record agency to define flight (the distance you need to go over ground and up along with the basic rules that define flight versus hover versus use of air lift). This will allow you to break the record and be recognized by a world record organization. I'll keep that information posted here as we get updates. So if you attempt the record before that, friend me and I'll give you the latest update. I should have a preliminary response in about a week.
Great Work Bro!
My gransond and I will try to beat your record except with a quadcopter in January. If Oliver reads this, perhaps he did not realize that helicopters are two rotors or less. Multicopters are more than two rotors by definition. I also agree with you that the record should be repeatable and we will disclose the build and will abide by your record setting criteria as follows:
two climbs of > 100m each
rechargable batteries for all multicopter power needs
> 2 m agl entire flight except for takeoff and landing
land within 50m of takeoff point
>2km flight with two or more waypoints >0.2km apart
terrain less than 20m highest to lowest elevation
Due to the difficulty of filming the flight, we intend to document using the FMS. If we cannot break your record perhaps we will set a quad record.
Jim and Max too
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a "world record" as : a record officially recognized as the best established anywhere in the world - a definition I think we all agree is relevant.
As this flight, while very impressive and noteworthy in itself, has not been officially recognized by any authority or body it cannot be called a "world record", a record absolutely but not a "world record".
Forrest that duration is simply amazing! Especially with all the altitude changes. Did I miss something or could a lot more flight time have been attained without the extra energy up and down, etc...Why didn't you just let the APM fly 3 way points in cruse control (at some average efficient flight speed) and keep altitude constant over the field? Or did you just fly manually? Your Octocopter is the most elegant design I have seen Love it.
Hi Forest
I'm trying to fly my fixed wing 100km
http://diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/anatomy-of-a-100km-attempt
I'd love to know more about your battery pack. I see you used a 4S10P layout, but can you give more details about how you connected them?
Did you solder directly to the terminals? What were the nickel tabs?
Stunning ,well done .
J.C.
So this is a world record for your own requirements? I suppose I could make thousands of world records be that the case. I find it funny that you took EndOfDay's idea for the battery pack and then claim to have a longer duration flight than him based on some arbitrary rules.
-
8
-
9
-
10
-
11
-
12
of 13 Next