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

Simon Howroyd July 26, 2013 at 1:18am

Matthew, you may find my page useful. My setup is a few pennies under a grand and so far I've got a useful payload of 2.6kg but expecting this to go up to 3.6kg in the next few days with some more tests.
Matthew Fitzgerald July 25, 2013 at 1:27pm

Hi Gents, I'm looking for some advise. Iv served in the British army for 7 years operating UAV's and doing aerial surveillance planning, I'm starting my own business doing aerial surveillance and would love some advise on parts to use? the set up here looks perfect! relatively low cost but powerful. Would any one take the time to detail the parts on this awesome UAV as I'm not familiar with the industry yet and would love some help getting started. I have a budget of £2000 for a trial aircraft. Any help given will be massively helpful. thank you in advance.
kamal orabi July 18, 2013 at 8:02am

thank you antonio
Antonio Alfaro July 18, 2013 at 6:21am

Already sent.
kamal orabi July 18, 2013 at 4:05am

can u send the param file for my mail pls couse i cant download it this is my mail

kamalorabi@yahoo.com

thank you
Antonio Alfaro July 17, 2013 at 4:08pm

Hi John

Thanks a lot ! For sure it will be a very good entry level.
John July 17, 2013 at 11:02am

Here is what i'm using, been doing good for about a year now. I'm sure yours will need a little tweaking but it's a start.

http://www.fileswap.com/dl/9GL79M4LJW/
Antonio Alfaro July 14, 2013 at 8:00pm

My X8 setup :

Motor: NTM4238, 750 Kv , 780 W max.
ESBC: Turnigy 80 Amp
Folding propeller: 14x6
Battery : 4S 5000mAh
VideoTx: TS352 500mW/ 5,8 Ghz.
VTX battery: 3S 1350 mAh.

I am just starting with Arduplane, so will appreciate your recommended PID settings just not to start from scratch.
Felipe Vaz July 11, 2013 at 10:57am

Can you please repost the PID settings that you are using, I tried the fileswap link but it's not working anymore
UADan April 25, 2013 at 8:07pm

How did you setup the power system? I see what looks like a Castle CC BEC Pro in there, which is what I was planning on using in mine for 12v power. Assuming your using the Castle for 12v power to the video transmitter, camera, etc, how are you getting power to the APM?

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