ArduPilot Purple + Skywalker X8 + FPV = Summer Loving

So I have some vacations coming up and already have some quads and a hex I figured I needed a fixed wing to round out my aerial camera fleet. (for now) heh. So I took the plunge and picked myself up an X8 to fill up with electronics.

I'm running an ArduPilot Purple, with a Castle 75 esc waiting for Hobbyking to drop of my new Scorpion motor until then I have a 700W max 50Amp local hobby store motor to power the bird. I'm running 1.2 video feeding through MinimOSD with a Sony 720 line mini cam. I have a roll and tilt GoPro mount in the works that I'll post up some pics when I can get some play time on the router this weekend. Communication is done through a Futaba 10C 72Mhz and some 900Mhz XBees.

I've only made a few mods for now like adding a second motor mount plate that bolt through the foam to the outer plate.

I made some electronics trays and filled in the lower camera cut out with some foam and Gorilla glue.

I ended up bringing the control linkage up through the wing, leaving it on the bottom seemed like a bad idea for a belly lander. I have never flown a or built a fixed wing, but I said the same about the multirotors and DIYDrone's gear and community made it simple, awesome and enjoyable. Only crashes were ah-hem user error. So I'm hoping for the same luck with this bird. I do have tons of hours now on RealFlight sim just to make sure I feel comfortable with the controls. That being said any input from from you guys will be greatly appreciated. I'll update this blog as things progress and as I get the camera mount going. But for now heres some more eye candy. Be happy and safe all!

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Comments

Gustav Kuhn September 6, 2012 at 1:33am

I'm going to do the same :-)

Reckon an inch or two beyond the nose should be fine.
Simon Howroyd September 6, 2012 at 12:54am

Just building my X8 now... (eek, so excited!)

Has anyone used either of the two circular holes either side of the nose for a pitot probe? If so, any problems and how far out does the probe protrude to not be affected by the boundary layer over the nose?

Cheers,

Excited Simon
Charles K Taylor August 31, 2012 at 11:26pm

Having a heck of a time tuning NAV PIDs... anyone make any progress with the new control loops for 2.6?
Itzik Ronen August 29, 2012 at 5:30pm

Can someone that achieves good results with the tuning in all weathers, send me the parameter file?
Gustav Kuhn August 28, 2012 at 1:28pm

Tsk, tsk, just so happens that I installed a SK 3548-900 from a previous project in my X8 :-)

Desperately trying to get it completed before the weekend !

I find I need to fit 3 X 400mA/h 4S packs in the nose to balance the wing.

I need to fine tune it manually, before fitting the APM.
ggtronic August 28, 2012 at 10:41am

in fact my actual motor is only approx 600W... and push it to 800W for 5 sec. burst...

i would go with this one , only 174g ...best HK quality & good punch :

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__18165__Turnigy_Aerodrive...

the 48mm is not only for power...but also to reduce prop noise (prop far away from back cowl)
Itzik Ronen August 28, 2012 at 9:05am

Thanks for the answer.

I like to lunch the X8 with catapult, to your opinion; can I reduce the motor power?

Jeffbetts, Can you give info on the motor type?
JeffBetts_KK4MTC August 28, 2012 at 8:49am

I agree. I'm flying with 500 watt 780kv 13x6.5 4-cell setup and cruise around 100 watts in low wind.
ggtronic August 28, 2012 at 8:43am

yes 800w is ok with 3kg AUW X8... this is only for surge peak usage(take off)...cruise speed only need 90 to 150w
Itzik Ronen August 28, 2012 at 4:04am

ggtronic - So you believe that 800 watt is enough?

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