Helicopter Based UAV

Hi guyz I am new to UAV development. I am starting to build a 6 Channels RC Helicopter Based UAV.

I have this 6 channel RC Helicopter that I purchased from www.bananahobby.com

I m totally new to UAV developement. So can anybody lead me what components I would to require to make it UAV. This helicopter has radio range of 1 KM. My requirement is UPLINK-Downlink Range 5KM. A camera with OSD. Can upload way point during mission.( One Important thing I am working to convert it into solar power.)

Can send the live videos of the area up to 5KM. Can take the pictures of the designated area upon ground station request. I also has GSM+GPS+GPRS personal tracker. Can I use this tracker to track the helicopter.

Please assist me what the hardware I must have to convert it into a UAV.

Thanks alot for your replies

Ahmad Usman

Comments

wurpfel February 21, 2010 at 7:33am

when the heli move foreward it works, but stay on place wouldn`t work. you have to substitute the flaky GPS data with image-recognition of the ground or maybe a arduIMU with some sensors added will work on a heli.

look on the quadrocopter!
Ahmad Usman February 21, 2010 at 7:10am

Thnks Alex, Morli and Hooks. What if I restrict my requirements to just 1 KM. But do FMA Direct and Ardupilot are compatible with helis?
Moderator

Alex February 21, 2010 at 6:23am

Best of luck, my advice is for you to perhaps attempts something alot more simple, like lets say, get a helicopter to hover is more challenging than what you think :P. And as hooks said if you want to get everyhting on your list you will need a realy big budget, and evin more time. I would also guess your helicopter cant fly long enough to reach 5km so why not start with less range, Also have you looked a the legal issues? In most of the world you cant operate these aircraft beyond visual range. Also I think making a solar power helicopter is a massive task in itself.. I could be wrong but i don't know if this has ever been done?.

Basically dont give up on your goals, but be realistic and start simple and work your way up in small steps. Projects like these take a long long time.
Moderator

Robert Krogh (hooks) February 21, 2010 at 5:18am

Please send me your recipe when/if you get it flying with all this hitech things. I hope you have a big budget because it's sounds like a big mouthful.

As a newbee I'll start with a easystar and then go from there.

Best of luck with your project.
Admin

Morli February 21, 2010 at 5:16am

Hi Ahmed, Welcome
first thing first, Since you said your are new to this, you need to read a bit of the stuff on first page so that you can understand and make your own choice , start here.
You will soon realise few things like,
your heli may be too small for all the stuff you want to put inside and with 5 k.M range.
Also that the heli requires lot more power than what you might be able to supply with your solar panels.
Heli is also little difficult as of now to be converted as UAV as diy AP still hasn't matured yet for it for technical reasons.
If you are looking for FPV style 5km range with this heli then it might be possible but you have to search in other RC forums. there are some heli stabilization units( heli command, fly mentor etc) basically to help new heli pilots learn , search for them in google and you will find more info.
Last but not least first search in the forum post /catogories above if there is any other suitable forum post/catogory that answers your question and your post should be resolved there. You should start here in newbie
or here Good Luck

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