Does anyone know if it's possible to use the ardupilot as a training aid.I'm about halfay through building a model trainer that looks like a microlight from the book 'Learn to make models that fly' called the 'Micro-T'. I intend to use this model to teach myself how to fly as my nearest modelling club is more than 50 miles away. (There is one thats closer but say they don't have a qualified instructor)Anyway could I build his model and have the ardupilot control certain functions till I get up to speed?Some off hand stats are:Span; 60"Power; .28cuin pusher4chThe best bit is that its a pusher and the last chapter on this model shows a conversion for a photo module. Easy enough to turn it into a UAV after I learn to fly (Hopefully).Thankyou for any replies
Does this plane use ailerons or just a rudder?
You could skip the co-pilot and just use a custom version of Ardupilot. I have a simple stabilization only version that works with the IR sensors. No GPS needed and very little to no calibration needed. Problem is I've not tested it on ailerons yet.
I would change the model to electric but I've quite an outlay invested so far in glo, I'll have to stick with it for now.
As for the FMA copilot, at the moment it's a bit out of my price range, I'll have to wait.
Thanks so much for the sim info and link. I've downloaded the FMS software until I can afford a better version.
Also got a control set from ebay for just over £20.
There are several levels to this thread...
1) using flight stabilizers to correct the tesndency of learners to correct or freeze,
2) using a simulator to learn correct control and become more comfortable, and
3) using an autopilot like ArduPilot.
Remember, you do have to know how the fly before using the last level, for tweaking the setup and adjusting the PIDs.
(I learnt the hard way... crashing LOTS of planes....way before they had levelers or sims)
Jim,
A good simulator to get started with is FMS (Flight Model Simulator). It's free, offers a ton of different planes/sites. It allows for the creation of new planes, but with a little searching you'll find a model that meets your needs without learning how to build your own version. Not that learning is bad, but you are already learning something (how to fly). The simulator is good and a lot of the planes/helis are good as well, but you do find some that have been made that don't seem very realistic in flight. Here is a link to FMS site.
You can get from ebay, or Nitroplanes or a dozen other sites a controller that connects to your pc via USB. They run less than $20. Here's a link to NitroPlanes controller.
The best thing to do to have a great first flight is to practice on a simulator. It teaches you about the orientation of the plane relative to you. You get to learn how the plane changes comeing toward you versus flying away from you. FMS is not the best, but it with the cheaper controller will get you going until you find a good deal on a better system like FS One or Real Flight.
@Jim,
I agree with Thomas, Some good FMA II combo offers i found here , there may be other offers around Jim , so look around. Never used FMA or seen but I like what I see and hear :) .
I learnt to fly with Sim and then straight to field :)
I have crashed three EZ*s and have built three more. I have managed to salvage most of the hardware from each crashed EZ* and recycle it. This time I plan to use an FMA CDP-4 copilot with my EZ*s and a FMA Copilot II with my Twin Stars to help mitigate the tendency to overcorrect and crash.
Jim, Morli is right about starting out using a simulator and an easy to fly electric like the EZ*. A gas/nitro powered plane can be hard to control for a beginner. Also you might want to consider a trainer link between your transmitter and that of an experienced R/C pilot.
I believe that Futaba offers some kind of rudimentary flight stabilization with their 2.4 GHz transmitter/receiver modules.
However, the nice thing about the FMA Copilot II is that it can be transferred from aircraft to aircraft and can be externally programmed outside of the fuse.
Comments
You could skip the co-pilot and just use a custom version of Ardupilot. I have a simple stabilization only version that works with the IR sensors. No GPS needed and very little to no calibration needed. Problem is I've not tested it on ailerons yet.
I would change the model to electric but I've quite an outlay invested so far in glo, I'll have to stick with it for now.
As for the FMA copilot, at the moment it's a bit out of my price range, I'll have to wait.
Thanks so much for the sim info and link. I've downloaded the FMS software until I can afford a better version.
Also got a control set from ebay for just over £20.
Again a big thanks
1) using flight stabilizers to correct the tesndency of learners to correct or freeze,
2) using a simulator to learn correct control and become more comfortable, and
3) using an autopilot like ArduPilot.
Remember, you do have to know how the fly before using the last level, for tweaking the setup and adjusting the PIDs.
(I learnt the hard way... crashing LOTS of planes....way before they had levelers or sims)
A good simulator to get started with is FMS (Flight Model Simulator). It's free, offers a ton of different planes/sites. It allows for the creation of new planes, but with a little searching you'll find a model that meets your needs without learning how to build your own version. Not that learning is bad, but you are already learning something (how to fly). The simulator is good and a lot of the planes/helis are good as well, but you do find some that have been made that don't seem very realistic in flight. Here is a link to FMS site.
You can get from ebay, or Nitroplanes or a dozen other sites a controller that connects to your pc via USB. They run less than $20. Here's a link to NitroPlanes controller.
The best thing to do to have a great first flight is to practice on a simulator. It teaches you about the orientation of the plane relative to you. You get to learn how the plane changes comeing toward you versus flying away from you. FMS is not the best, but it with the cheaper controller will get you going until you find a good deal on a better system like FS One or Real Flight.
Good Luck
I agree with Thomas, Some good FMA II combo offers i found here , there may be other offers around Jim , so look around. Never used FMA or seen but I like what I see and hear :) .
I learnt to fly with Sim and then straight to field :)
I have crashed three EZ*s and have built three more. I have managed to salvage most of the hardware from each crashed EZ* and recycle it. This time I plan to use an FMA CDP-4 copilot with my EZ*s and a FMA Copilot II with my Twin Stars to help mitigate the tendency to overcorrect and crash.
Jim, Morli is right about starting out using a simulator and an easy to fly electric like the EZ*. A gas/nitro powered plane can be hard to control for a beginner. Also you might want to consider a trainer link between your transmitter and that of an experienced R/C pilot.
Regards,
TCIII
FMA II specs are impressive and some review is here
I believe that Futaba offers some kind of rudimentary flight stabilization with their 2.4 GHz transmitter/receiver modules.
However, the nice thing about the FMA Copilot II is that it can be transferred from aircraft to aircraft and can be externally programmed outside of the fuse.
Regards,
TCIII
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