Another recent accomplishment with the Helicopter version of Arducopter was this full auto speed run which achieved a top speed of 30 m/s or 108 km/h. This was done using 3.2 which features improvements to the helicopter flight dynamics code, as well as Spline Waypoints which is a general Arducopter feature. I find the Spline nav really helps helicopter flight as it avoid jerking the helicopter which is very important at high speeds.
108 km/h in auto mode is a good accomplishment given that the absolute maximum speed this helicopter is capable of is 140 km/h, based on Retreating Blade Stall. This performance wasn't a fluke either, as not only do I do 2 back-to-back runs in the video, I did in fact run this mission 10 times while preparing to shoot the video.
For reference this is a relatively small helicopter, a Trex 500, which weighs only 2100g and is 90cm long.
Comments
Amazing!
Yep, that's exactly where I put it.
No major difference with rc10. But I'm not using anywhere near stock PIDs. I'll try to get you the file.
Rob, I just started a two week vacation. Come October 6 or so I will be flying again. I will be happy to load 3.2 rc9 then and give it a try. Good work again!!
Regards,
David R. Boulanger
I'll try to put up some pictures of the helicopter for those who have asked. It is a surprisingly easy build on this one. The Pixhawk is simply stuck to the side of the frame using the 3DR foam mounting pads. I was surprised at how well it performs. But, reducing vibration at the source is pretty important with such a simple mount.
Gary, I've tossed around the idea of making an electric X3...
David: I'm using standard 3.2 rc9 dispatched right from Mission Planner. I would like to open it up to others for testing at this point. I've flown quite a lot of flights on it and am pretty confident in it. I am using the EKF. I'm even using it on the Gasser, that wasn't quite standard rc9, but I just had to add some code to control the throttle servo, that's it. The throttle servo control won't be in 3.2, but 3.3.
Hi Rob,
I'm impressed and it just so happens I have a spare Trex500 and a brand new Pixhawk just waiting to be used. Would you mind sharing your exact Pixhawk and copter configuration so that I might try to get mine to do some of the same things. It has been grounded for a while waiting for this opportunity actually.
Great work
Rick
Rob, Good job again. Is 3.2 ready for Traditional Helicopters or are you using your own custom version of it?
Regards,
David R. Boulanger
Best buy some BERP blades Rob. I remember this 216 knot heli flight. The X3 has gone faster but its a different kettle of ball games.
I love it, well done. Makes me want to put an APM on my Trex 450.
hi Rob, congrats for being a pioneer of using APM on helis. i remember that in 2012 you had been working hard to install APM 2.0 version on a 600 size heli. helis would always be a part of drone community and someone needs to work on them. i did manage to hover a align 450 in 2011 using APM1.0 but after some failure took over to quadcopters. i can again try my align 450 with pixhawk since i have a spare one. but 'someone' need to give me tuned params for align450. crashing of heli is a very costly affair.
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