Just sharing that the Aeromapper UAV is now ready to order with the new parachute recovery system.
Will very briefly describe a typical mission sequence so the basic setup of parachute + APM2.5 is explained (at the end). We think simplicity is king:
1. Assuming flight mission has been created on Mission Planner before, the UAV is launched manually and it will perform an automatic takeoff / climb to waypoint 1.
2. When hitting waypoint 1 the "photo sequence" starts by manually flipping the GEAR switch on the remote control (a Spektrum DX8). At that moment the camera lens cover on the bottom of the UAV opens automatically and the camera starts triggering every 3 seconds (triggering frequency is customizable every X seconds).
3. The UAV automatically flies to waypoint 2, then 3, a so on... UAV can be returned to launch at any moment by switching to RTL or by turning off the remote in which case the failsafe will be activated (but the parachute does not deploys on failsafe).
4. When hitting last waypoint, UAV heads toward home and loiters at an altitude of about 80 m (preset on Mission Planner). So this is when the human pilot enters back into action: first has to pause/stop the triggering sequence by flipping back GEAR switch. Then the ventral lens cover door will close automatically, protecting the lens of the camera on landing. Then, at the discretion of the human pilot according to the topography, wind speed & direction of the UAV the parachute switch is activated and ... voila! See it land nicely for the next flight. The parachute can be packed back in a couple minutes (we'll post videos on this soon).
Thanks!
More info on the Aeromapper UAV here.
Comments
How close to the ground can you activate the parachute without damage?
In a confined space I would think the parachute may also not be ideal due to lack of control for the landing. Cool idea though.
The parachute recovery system is a must for UAV operation. Most of the RC pilot can land at their local flying field. But if the landing site of the operation is confine, they'll have some problem. I was told that a stabilized head is also under development or prepare to production. Combine this two features will made aeromapper an ideal aeromapping tools.