The objective was to fly over 60 minutes (1 hour) without stopping to replace or recharge the batteries. This test was to prove that flying at this weight and amp draw configuration was possible. Due it success, the 140c will be able to be constructed with similar characteristics, but be able to carry twice the watt/hours.
To accomplish this 62 minute flight I needed to add an additional 5,00mAh of batteries, bringing the Raptor 140b to 15,000mAh, or 166.5watt/hours
This flight broke five MyGeekShow records:
-Longest flight: 62.4 minutes
-Furthest distance covered: 71.4km/44.4mi
-Most power consumed: 160watt/hours
-Longest total flight time by craft: 7.0 hours
-Furthest total distance by craft: 498km/309mi
Flight Stats:
Ground Covered: 71.4km/44.4mi
Duration: 62.4 min
Watt Hours: 159.9 (14.4Ah at 11.1v)
Avg Amp Draw: 13.9A
Avg Ground Speed: 68.7kph/42.7mph
Efficiency: 447m/Wh or 5.0km/Ah or 202mah/Km
Max altitude AGL: 116m
Max ground speed: 124kph/77mph
Max distance from ground station: 607m/0.4mi
See you next week!
-Trent
Safety note: I maintained line of sight during this flight, and had my controller close by to take manual control as needed. The altitude read over 120m, but elevation increased during flight. True AGL for the flight is 100-120m. I avoided all airports and populated areas.
Raptor 140b+ Stats:
Weight: 2280g
Max Flight Time: 70min
Max Range: 90km
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 Turnigy Lipo: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__9184__turnigy_5000mah_3s_20c_lipo_pack.html
ESC: 60A Brushless http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__32820__TURNIGY_Plush_60amp_Speed_Controller_USA_Warehouse_.html
Motor: 3542 1450kv brushless http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=38700
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
Justin: It would! The 140C will operate at 14.4v to try to take advantage of that.
Would swapping to 4s or 6s batteries increase efficiency?
u4eake: Thank you! So far, so good. This plane has over 500km on it, so I'm pretty confident in the set up, we should be just fine.
Swift: Thanks!
Dusan: I really should test one of the motors on a test stand or something...
Trung: You're right! Totally could... drawing that much power per km is a little excessive, but its cruising at such a high speed! That would a fun test, just slow and steady, and see what we can get out of it.
Thank you everyone for your support!
Nice job Trent,
The Raptor 140 is a slick wing to be able to carry that much battery. I suspect if not for your mission constraints (highway LOS), you would easily break 100 km if your motor/prop were sized for 50-60 kph. (I know you have specific mission constraints for your current goals.) My Phantom wing flew for 62 mins last weekend. Total distance travelled was 32 km cruising at 43 kph on 6S2200mAh, with 40% left in the packs. The Phantom is much draggier (technical term?) than your Raptor. Perhaps when your USA Trip is done, you can push for ultimate distance. (looped if you don't have the airspace or telemetry range some do)
Good luck with the 140c.
Hi Trent,
Checkout more efficient motors like hacker it make all the difference. I improved my flight time on my easy-star by 30% by switching to hacker motor. Price may be steep but its absolutely totally worth it !
I'm crossing my fingers for your 100km flight, but it's looking good!
Gary: Very true. Will do.
Carl: Agreed! Next week's 100km flight will take this into account. I watch the wind very carefully, every day for the last 4 years. Very important, especially with these longer flights.
Hey Trent Great Job! in flight planning we always considered the wind .It might be hard to find a route that parallels the wind but if you flew down wind you would pick up ground speed and range Good Luck!
Ok well it sounds like you are on the case with reflex. As you are trying a lower speed motor bigger prop I would not change anything until that is trialed. You seem to have it dialled in and I am sure you are right endurance will increase.
Try practicing without landing, power up and go around everytime and get used to the picture you see when the aircraft is set up for the right spot. You will find you do it automatically once the picture is in your head. Also fly circuits and get used pitch and power changes.
All good landings start with a good approach.
Gary: Not negative! That is great feedback... between 6 and 8 amps, is that at 11.1v? And is that getting 90-100kph? I can get the amps lower, but of course the plane cruises at lower airspeed. I'm thinking that the 140c's bigger & higher pitch prop, slower kv motor and higher voltage will add a good amount of efficiency, possibly 15%+
The reflex for the 140b is almost at zero. I've moved the CG back further than it is now and it is totally tail heavy, barely maneuverable and flutters like crazy in the wind (I'll have to share that video some time!) So the CG is at its most balanced location. Actually may be slightly tail heavy, it doesn't like the wind when it has the extra 5Ah battery.
S turns! I totally am doing that more and more, getting practice, it just a little scary, the 140b is 2.2kg on a 1.4m wing, pretty heavy and with it so CG balanced it will tip stall at 30-35 kph, although I've not tried to tip stall recently. So S-curve at slow and low is a little scary.. I should just be brave and do it : ) The 140c is going to be getting some kind of braking system, possible airbrakes or a parachute for emergencies. At that weight and low drag the thing glides for 100m+ from even 50m in altitude.
The whole launching process will be much easier with two people, which I will have on the USA trip... I'm afraid to rely on a stake as I might not be able to use one everywhere I land and take off.
Fun stuff! Thank you for the comments.
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