Simple questions about auto take-off and a catapult launcher (and a RTL question too)

Hi,

I will use a catapult launcher to throw a heavier X8 wing and I want to use the auto take-off APM 2.5 function. I did read that it needs 3m/s before engaging throttle. So here are my 2 questions:

1) When changing to auto, does the throttle stick needs to be zero? Do I need to move it after changing to AUTO?

2) I have the uBlox lea-6h, the catapult launcher is pretty fast, will it lag to detect 3m/s? I mean, only after the plane leaves the launcher that it will turn on the throttle? Wouldn't be this too late?

Because right now I turn on the throttle up to 40% and then use the catapult and at the same time max throttle.

Now a basic question. Let's assume that I can take off autonomously, complete the mission and then RTL what position the throttle stick have to be all time? And how do I control the throttle in RTL mode? (or any auto mode)

Thanks

Ok, first off I'm no expert on this but it's been my experience flying my Bixler that if I switch to AUTO before I toss the plane the motor will start at a certain speed just as it's leaving my hand. I found out by accident one time when I didn't get to the throttle stick fast enough and the motor started by it self. Pretty cool actually. I'd like to be able to tell you how to set the speed but it's always worked by default for me. Now if you add a LAUNCH to the MP then the motor will go to full throttle immediately when you switch to AUTO. If you don't add the LAUNCH command then the motor will not start when switched to AUTO until the speed is reached which will be much slower than your catapult speed so it will probably be at full power before the wing is off the rails. You don't need to give it any throttle.

The RTL throttle is set by a parameter and will go to that setting when RTL is engaged. The cruise speed is set by a setting also and you don't have to touch the stick at all while on AUTO. You can over ride the auto throttle if a setting is set. You need to go through all the settings in the parameter list. Most have descriptions of how they work. I don't have my plane set up right now so I hope these descriptions aren't too vague.

In theory, you can set your radio to AUTO and launch the catapult and the wing will climb to your set altitude at the first waypoint. When all the waypoints have been hit it will return to the starting point and circle at the pre set loiter radius indefinitely. Then you switch off AUTO and land.

If you have any more questions, just ask.

Have fun

Neil

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not2fast July 21, 2013 at 9:08pm

Ok, first off I'm no expert on this but it's been my experience flying my Bixler that if I switch to AUTO before I toss the plane the motor will start at a certain speed just as it's leaving my hand. I found out by accident one time when I didn't get to the throttle stick fast enough and the motor started by it self. Pretty cool actually. I'd like to be able to tell you how to set the speed but it's always worked by default for me. Now if you add a LAUNCH to the MP then the motor will go to full throttle immediately when you switch to AUTO. If you don't add the LAUNCH command then the motor will not start when switched to AUTO until the speed is reached which will be much slower than your catapult speed so it will probably be at full power before the wing is off the rails. You don't need to give it any throttle.

The RTL throttle is set by a parameter and will go to that setting when RTL is engaged. The cruise speed is set by a setting also and you don't have to touch the stick at all while on AUTO. You can over ride the auto throttle if a setting is set. You need to go through all the settings in the parameter list. Most have descriptions of how they work. I don't have my plane set up right now so I hope these descriptions aren't too vague.

In theory, you can set your radio to AUTO and launch the catapult and the wing will climb to your set altitude at the first waypoint. When all the waypoints have been hit it will return to the starting point and circle at the pre set loiter radius indefinitely. Then you switch off AUTO and land.

If you have any more questions, just ask.

Have fun

Neil

This reply was deleted.

ArduPlane User Group

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