This is a simple tool to boost development/use on the UDB. It basically loads your Options file and enables editing and compiling (and soon uploading/burning). Here are a few screen shots.

The above is the main screen showing the general settings, including the Vehicle Name, MAVLINK SYSID, among other general Settings.

Above is the screen to change I/O Settings.

And below is the screen for the all useful control gains....

Eventually hope to use the tool to edit waypoints. Working on this currently hoping to have 3D editing interface, using NASA World Wind for Java (WWJ). The waypoints will translate to LOGO instructions for mission planning.

WWJ makes 3D views easy, and specifically figuring out terrain elevation.... Even before fully loading the data, you can discern clearly elevation.....

I'll post the code soon on a repository, and hope if anyone finds it useful they'll check it out, give feedback and possibly help evolve the tool.

As its Java, it should be platform neutral.

Thanks Coby for initial design and idea for interface!

It is interesting what you can find in Nairobi. Electronics are scarce, but surprisingly I found a place stocking polyester resin!!! It was like a dream come true! I've seen composite materials being used and I thought I should give it a go for my new Flying Thing (see old one here). So anyway, to avoid waste and cost (mostly the latter, I am good at the former :) !), I decided to use fabric and resin to cook up something that will help me learn a lesson or two! So here goes....

1. I needed the frame, so a few plastic soda bottles will do. Wings also plastic

2. The wing and fuselage has to have a good aerodynamic shape, or pretend to have one :)

3. I wanted a delta-like wing with front Canard, yes Burt Rutan's a genius :)!! So why not borrow a design? To make the shape, I had to use a prop before applying the fabric and resin

and....

then...

...so that eventually...

. Then the canard....

...to become....

....now the fabric. First I fastened it to the frame using wood glue then applied resin and another fabric on top to strengthen it all....

Now we are ready to apply resin and another fabric to strengthen it all up!

Special thanks to Dan of DIYDrones for sending me brushless motors during the first Flying Thing! I promised to make use of them, and I am trying, though constrained in electronics. Coby of Metanomy (metanomy.org) has provided immense support. He provided the APM in the shots below, as well as invaluable support and advice. To follow the story behind the flying thing, follow http://www.metanomy.org

Hi all, its wonderful to see wonderful creations... I've been envious (not jealous :) ) of many a post now, and decided to get even! Unfortunately here (Nairobi, Kenya) the electronics are limiting, no access to good airframes save from importing, leaving us enthusiasts disappointed, so I have decided to start with an airframe, then build the logic to fly it using a small enough PC motherboard, details on this later....

The challenge: Can one build a UAV with materials available in one's backyard?

Below is the preliminary airframe structure. Here I am using PVC tubing (Yes, I said PVC, my payload is no more than a kilo :) ) and cut out PVC sheet to brace the wing and form an aerofoil shape. Notice the top-most tubing has wider diameter than the one to the lower part of the image...

I used PVC glue and used bottles to hold it in place to dry... very sophisticated :D

To keep it light enough, I have decided to fill the gaps between the PVC sheet with a nylon bag, glued and stuck in place with PVC glue and duct tape :D ... below see it balanced...

The tail section is screwed to the rest of the plane so that it can fit in the van for , below....

Notice my methodology, the "Close enough (CE)" methodology... and all my coding employs "Code Like Hell (CLH)" methodology, I do get things done though :)....

Here are a few photos of the "thing" thus far...

I will use something for the nose to be more workable ( I believe the term is aerodynamic but this goes against my methodology :) )

some landing gear....

... yes from my daughter's baby stroller....

Tomorrow, I will test the "thing" to see if it can attain lift with some rigged control surfaces before I continue and report back here at, say, 0800!  Good night one and all....