We received one of a few Sky Observer samples ZETA Science had available for testing a couple of weeks ago for evaluation before they go into production, assembled it and took it for a test flight.
The RTF model is very near completion with all electronics and cabling cleanly and accurately pre-installed. Apart from installing your own gear (cameras, receiver, LiPos, autopilot, etc.) only a few simple assembly steps need to be performed which include: freeing the pod door for access to the payload area, gluing the rudder/elevator in place, gluing the wing central wing joiner down.
Overall this looks like a very very well thought out and product with a high quality finish and has loads of room in the pod for all your UAV gear.
Specifications
Material: EPO foam
Length: 78.71in (2000)mm
Wingspan: 59.51in(1511)mm
Flight weight (AUW): 2500-3000g
Radio: 2.4G 7ch TX /7ch RX
Battery: Li-Po/ 3S 11.1V/5200-10000mAh/20C
Balance Charger: 2-4S
Propeller: 12*6 prop
Motor: Out-runner brushless 4250 KV950
ESC: Brushless 60A ESC
Servos: (4pcs 9g + 4pcs 12g metal)
- 12g Analog metal servo*2pcs (Aileron)
- 12g Analog metal servo*1pcs (Elevator)
- 9g Analog servo*1pcs (Pod’s door)
- 9g Analog servo*1pcs (Rudder)
- 9g Analog servo*2pcs (Flap)
- 12g Digital metal servo*1pcs (Vertical landing/forced landing)
Here's a video of our first (manual only) flights on a cold foggy day. We'll follow up with some autonomous flights once we get a Pixhawk in there and hopefully with some better weather.
Some of the issues uncovered during the build and test flights have gone back to the manufacturer and will be corrected.
Comments
@ Simon.
Any updates? Hows the Observer holding up?
Have you installed the Pixhawk and flown autonomously?
I'm also interested in flight times and durability.
I see HK offers kits for just over $200.
Very interesting. What sort of flight times are you getting on this? I'm tempted to go for an endurance setup on one.
Is there anything like this airframe that has polyhedral wings so there is just elevator and rudder?
Looks good, any idea/hint on price ?
Yeah the Raven famously lets its wings fall off in the deep stall landing, energy has to go somewhere cool that they are thinking of it though.
@Gary, the pod feels quite strong. I'm more worried about the vertical force on the wings.
I haven't tested it yet, will do in the next round of flights. In the picture you might notice the servo arm foremost on the elevator. This is used for raising the whole horizontal tail.
I've been told by ZETA that it is "for fun" and not meant to be the normal landing technique. The Israeli Skylark inflates an airbag underneath when the deep stall is initiated which this one doesn't have. I think I'll be testing it in long grass the first time.
Won't that break the pod off? Deep stall normally requires bits to give.