Mayday! Mayday! I tested the FPV system on the Raptor140B, with nearly disastrous results. Luckily, the APM was onboard to save the day!
I added the 400mw 1.3Ghz FPV transmitter to the 140B, and took it for a test flight. Right after take off I had significant control issues, and barely recovered the airplane. Thinking it may have been the flight controller, and wanting to determine the cause while the same circumstances were available, I double checked all connections and systems, and flew the aircraft again.
Again, it had significant control issues, even in manual modes. Luckily, the APM flight controller was able to safely loiter the airplane overhead while I determined that indeed the Turnigy 9x transmitter was no longer able to safely control the airplane.
This required me to create a mission mid flight, update the mission, update flight parameters, and attempt an autolanding, the first time I've tried this feature.
Watch the find out the results!
-Trent
Safety Statement: To maintain safety, I prepared by doing many thing things including:
-obtaining personal permission from a vast majority of property owners (I couldn't reach all of them)
-maintained a continues watch for full scale aircraft, and;
-maintained direct control of the aircraft for the majority of the flight
-this airplane and system has OVER 1,000 MILES of perfect performance, with 90% of it autonomous with this exact set up. It has been tried and proven many, many times, including over 200km of cross country flights
-the autopilot was programmed to continue to fly after a signal loss, which has been tested and proven to perform many, many times
-the flight was over a very open and low populated area, with 99%+ of the area being open fields or trees
-the altitude read over 120m, but elevation increased during flight as I took off out of a low valley. True AGL for the flight is 100-120m.
-avoided all airports and populated areas.
-I've flown at this location 3-5 times a week for the last year. I know it very, very well.
-I conducted test flights with the new set up that I did not show during the video to confirm stable performance
Raptor 140b+ Stats:
Weight: 2280g
Max Flight Time: 70min
Max Range: 97km
Stall Speed: 35kph
Cruise Speed: 90kph
Max Speed: 135kph
Radio Range: 1.5km
Energy Carried: 167wh (15,000mAh at 11.1v)
Drive Power: 850w
Total Flight Time on Craft: 7.0 hours
Total Flight Distance on Craft: 498km
The equipment used---
Raptor 140 airplane: http://store.mygeekshow.com/product-p/raptor-140-kit.htm
Radio Tx: ParkeFlyer Turnigy 9x Tx: http://parkeflyer.com/
Telemtry: 915mhz 100mW 3DR http://store.3drobotics.com/products/3dr-radio-telemetry-kit-915-mhz
Laptop: Compaq Presario CG57
GPS Dongle: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000PKX2KA/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?redirect=true&ref_=oh_details_o02_s00_i00
Flight Controller: APM2.6 https://store.3drobotics.com/products/apm-2-6-kit-1
Reciever: 6ch FlySky http://www.hobbypartz.com/79p-r6b-receiver.html
Telemtry: 915mhz 100mW 3DR http://store.3drobotics.com/products/3dr-radio-telemetry-kit-915-mhz
Battery: (3) 5.0Ah 20C Lipo: http://store.mygeekshow.com/product-p/5ah-3s-battery.htm
ESC: 60A Brushless http://store.mygeekshow.com/product-p/60a-esc.htm
Motor: 3542 1450kv brushless http://store.mygeekshow.com/product-p/1450kv-3542-motor.htm
Prop: 10x7 Carbon Fiber Folding http://www.hobby-lobby.com/10x7_carbon_fiber_cam_blade_798_prd1.htm
Servos: 11g digital http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=42620
Onboard camera: http://www.ebay.com/itm/16-V2-Lens-D-808-Key-Chain-Video-Camera-/380627482427?#ht_5755wt_1149
Learn More:
Raptor Details: http://www.mygeekshow.com/theairplanes/Raptor140.html
USA Trip Details: http://www.mygeekshow.com/usatrip/
Follow the Show:
Website: http://www.mygeekshow.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MyGeekShow
Twitter: http://twitter.com/mygeekshow
Google+:http://plus.google.com/116950154481685699344
Skype: MyGeekShow
UStream: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/mygeekshow
Filmed, Edited, Produced and Published by Trent in Arkansas, USA
Comments
Hi Trent,
You probably already know this, but I didn't see anyone bring this up in the comments. The standard operating procedure for flying RC airplanes is to do a range check with your RC system before flying. Probably not before every flight, but certainly after any kind of change or repair to the aircraft, and for UAV/FPV that becomes even more important when you add transmitters to your aircraft, or move antennas around. I've been frustrated by not passing the range check and not being able to fly and that is no fun. I've also barely passed my range check, called it close enough, and converted a big expensive airplane into toothpicks. Every RC radio system I've ever used has had a mechanism for range checking (either by not extending the antenna on a 72mhz system, or running in a low power mode for 2.4ghz systems.) Thanks for sharing your experiences though, I enjoy watching your videos when I get the chance!
AKRCGUY: Yessir! Not kidding, my heart was racing the whole time. Was a little scared my family would find me dead of a heart attack with a safely landed Raptor140 next to me : )
Graham: Very true... all apart of the fun and education. I'd like to run FPV during the trip. Three main reasons: 1: Object avoidance (we'll be in LOS the whole time, but it would be nice to have that extra view) 2: Altitude confirmation (we'll be flying long distances with changes in air pressure, so the baro is bound to be off after a while) and 3: emergency/redundancy operations (landing or navigation)
Thanks, Trent, I've been through all the teething pains of getting FPV equipment to work and made some mental notes of the ranges I was getting :)
One of the main reason's why I got my first ArduPilot 5 years ago was to have a RTL failsafe in case of signal loss when flying with FPV. FBW_A mode was also something that attracted me as it won't allow the plane to do anything silly while learning.
Good luck with your USA trip, are you keen to FPV the whole way?
Trent, You had me on the edge of my seat. Nice job and quick thinking. I second all of the others recommendations regarding better radio gear and antenna placement.
Graham: Excellent stats, thank you for sharing. I think its awesome that 1. you know that, and 2. you can just spit it out on the spot. Impressive!
AWESOME comments everyone. Thank you so much for your input. Yet another example of the DIYD community's ability to come together to assist a fellow hobbyist. Thank you!
Confession: I have a 433mhz EZUHF sitting at home, waiting to be installed on my 9x. I just haven't had the time yet to install it. I guess I do now!
I've recently swapped my 9X stock module with FRsky and haven't lost control of a plane since. The diversity RX works wonders and the RSSI feedback lets me know when I'm pushing the boundary of my reception. It's a cheap and easy solution that delivers.
A low pass filter on the VTX is pretty much mandatory if you're using 2.4GHz for control. Like the FRsky swap, it's a cheap and easy solution that delivers.
Keep up the good work!
Cool stuff, never heard anyone get so excited that their plane landed safely, lol
Trent, on a Hitec Aurora 9 I get about 2.4km (7800ft) range without my 1.3GHz VTx (on 1040MHz), about 800m (2600ft) with the VTx on and with a lowpass filter and about 300m (980ft) without the lowpass filter.
+1 on FrSky they are great. Separate all your antennas put some in the wingtips Trent its what all the big platforms do. Well done on returning home in time for tea and medals.
Due to the nature of your goal, you may want to invest in a LRS. That would ensure that lost link would be very rare, unless something on the plane or in the area spits out a lot of 430 MHz noise.
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