Good Air frames for mapping

Posted by James Slizewski on December 9, 2013 at 4:38pm

Hi All, 

I'm looking to build a fixed win drone for mapping small fields and was wondering if anyone has any suggested air frames / parts lists that have really worked for them. I was thinking about a skywalker 1880 or an X-8 (although one reviewer I talked to did not think the X-8 was good for mapping). Anyway, I'm hoping to be able to build and use it next semester.

So, what are you guys flying that has worked for you?

Thanks!

JIm

You need to be a member of diydrones to add comments!

Join diydrones

Tags: agriculture, air, airframe, frame, mapping
Email me when people reply –
Follow

Replies

  • James Slizewski December 15, 2013 at 4:49pm

    For me I want it to map a field so it needs to be stable, I imagine, and have the flight time to cover the field. Also, as an aide, is there any reason to go with the pixhawk over APM 2.5/2.6 for mapping? And, if I can ask one more question, I see some folks doing mapping with 'copters. Is there a good reason to go that route over a plane? Thanks - Jim

  • MILAN BEHARIE December 14, 2013 at 2:11pm

    What are the important milestones? Endurance, speed, agility?

  • Guy Compton December 12, 2013 at 5:09pm

    Check out the TechPOD also, www.hobbyuav.com

  • James Slizewski December 10, 2013 at 6:34pm

    Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated. I don't know what I'm going to do yet (so if anyone has other suggestions please keep them coming) but starting next semester I hope to build a UAV for agricultural mapping with some students. So thank you for contributing!

  • Todd Hill December 10, 2013 at 11:17am

    The Wings Maker Ogar ARF.  Gobs of room, and flies great.  Comes with pretty good motor and servos too.  

  • Deon van der Merwe December 9, 2013 at 6:50pm
    There are going to be many answers to this question. I can only say what works for me after testing several options.
    One of the classic, proven camera planes, with flying characteristics that keeps the camera pointing down even in gusty winds, and robust enough to last through multiple seasons of rough landings, is the Zephyr II from RitewingRC.
    The Skywalker from Event38 (they call it the E382) is a good RTF option for mild wind conditions, and one of the easiest planes to launch and fly.
    If you need to carry a heavier payload than a typical point and shoot camera, you can consider a RitewingRC Spade, or an X8 (maybe the new Skywalker with the wider payload space will work well, but I have not had a chance to test it yet).
    All of these designs have been proven to work, but if I had to choose just one it would be the Zephyr.
    Planes to avoid include the X5 (it wallows in wind gusts due to the winglet design), and the Bormatec Maja (flies like a bus and needs extensive modification to be reliable).
  • Drone Nerd December 9, 2013 at 4:58pm

    For build:

    New Skywalker 2013 1880mm or 2014 model (both, carbon fiber tail boom) they has more room for sensors (Cam).

    Skyhunter is VERY good also.

    For BEST Ready To Fly solution:

    https://www.event38.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=E382-3

This reply was deleted.