This looks like a good deal from Nitro Planes: a EasyStar-style camera plane with APM already installed, ready to go for $469, or with RC for $519.
The AeroSky RoboSurfer is designed for pilots who are looking for all the benefits of a large wing spanned aircraft that is inherently more stable and can stay in the air longer. It is also an excellent platform for FPV pilots due to the abundance of FPV specific features.
The RoboSurfer is designed for supreme gliding and provides an excellent FPV platform. It has a wing that stretches 78inches. A large clear dome takes place on the nose of the plane for camera mounting. The clear dome has impressive clarity and low distortion . The power system consists of a an efficient 1200kv brushless out-runner motor juiced by a 30amp ESC and 11.1v lithium power system.The RoboSurfer is a unique machine. It comes equipped with an APM 2.5 flight controller that delivers flight enhancing systems such as gps, auto pilot function, return home function, loiter, air speed sensor, altitude sensor with altitude hold, and self stabilization mode. All these features come installed and ready to go once the user has completed initial calibration.
The RoboSurfer will never get lost with its GPS and auto pilot system. With the assistance of GPS, the RoboSurfer is fully capable of returning to its starting point on auto pilot. To activate the GPS home function all you need to do is hit a switch on the transmitter.The self stabilization mode acts like a gyro and allows the plane to fly extremely smooth and stable. Tired of flying the plane and just want to focus on your mounted FPV system? Utilize the loiter function and allow the aircraft to patrol a specific area on its own, have a large property and need aerial surveillance, the Robosurfer is the platform. The on board system will utilize airspeed, altitude and GPS positioning to achieve this feat.
As the old saying goes, the bigger they are, the better they fly and with a large wing span, the RoboSurfer provides a high lift and stable aerial FPV platform thanks to its generous wing area and effective pre-installed flaps. The powerful brushless out-runner and 8 inch prop combo offer an excellent climb rate while the effectively control surfaces provide precise control at varying speeds. This incredible model delivers an excellent FPV/Camera platform in a simple to build format that is totally affordable and perfect for pilots of all skill levels.
Features:
Tough EPO construction
APM Flight Controller
Airspeed Module
Power Module
GPS Device
Easy to build configuration
Large wingspan ideal for flight in varying conditions
Clear and distortion free nose mounted dome
Pre-installed electronics
Pre-installed flaps
Large magnetic canopy
Powerful and efficient brushless out-runner motor
Large payload capacitySpecifications:
Material: Durable EPO
Wing span: 2000mm(78.7in)
Length:1350 mm(43.3in)
Weight:1350 g(47.6 oz.)
Height:285mm(11.2in)
Total surface area: approx. 46.3 dm2
Prop Size: 8*7 2 Blade
Battery:11.1v 2200mAh(20C) (Li-polymer battery Maximum 11.1v(3s) 8000mAh battery)
Servo:6*17g,1.8kg/cm,0.18s/60
Motor:3536-KV1200 Powerful Out runner Brushless Motor
ESC: 30A Brushless ESC
Comments
I have flown this stock plane with posted CG about 20 times. It flies perfect. I have installed an APM 2.6 Through a door I made in the fuse under the wing. The dual-band GPS/mag is mounted in the removable canopy. I also made a front foam dome the same shape as the clear one with a slot for my Mobius cam. Using Minim OSD.
The only problem is that I am having trouble tuning the APM parameters. Does anyone have a link to good Mission Planner parameters for this plane?
Concept is great. ;-)
But not that cheap.
- APM 2.5.... Compass issues ?
- No telemetry ;
- which GPS ?
- "The RoboSurfer will never get lost with its GPS and auto pilot system" LOL
- 8" prop. Come on, 2 meters span, 3S... Needs 10"x6
- Front acrylic window will get smashed after only a couple of flights. Ask the Talon owners.
There is still room for a better quality package.
I wonder where they'll put on autopilot. Not much free space in the fuselage..
Soren: This one actually does have a 8" prop.
It's quite some larger (198 cm) than an Easy Star and looks okay. The small pusher props are neither very powerful nor efficient though. I once cut the whole tail off my ES and glued a thin balsa tailboom under the fuselage to make space for an 8 inch prop. That tripled the endurance...
HK's Skyeye. Great plane, smart choice!
Amazing we used to think sub $1000 would be amazing, now its sub $500!
Cut a hole in the wing for a Canon camera and that will do just about anything a really really expensive platform can do.
I have the slightly bigger version (2.4) and its a lovely thing.
Interestingly enough I am just building a HK sky eye APM plane, which is the same airframe as this. I wonder if they have a tuned parameter file kicking around? I'd love one.