We did it! With your help over the last few years, I finally completed a cross country flight (take off and land at different locations). Executed the mission flawlessly, all that preparation paid off.
I have to take a moment and thank you. Without your support over the last two years, I'd never have gotten this far. DIYD, in my opinion, is the most supportive and helpful community in our field. Thank you.
Next up: Bigger, faster, longer.
-Trent
Learn More:
Raptor Details: http://www.mygeekshow.com/theairplanes/Raptor.html
USA Trip Details: http://www.mygeekshow.com/usatrip/
Equipment Used:
Autopilot: APM2 (no longer sold, visit http://store.3drobotics.com/products/apm-2-5-kit)
FPV/Onboard Camera: http://www.foxtechfpv.com/horyzonhd-full-hd-1080p-fpv-camera-v3-p-877.html
Radio Tx: ParkeFlyer Turnigy 9x Tx: http://parkeflyer.com/
Reciever: 6ch FlySky http://www.hobbypartz.com/79p-r6b-receiver.html
Telemtry: 915mhz 3DR http://store.3drobotics.com/products/3dr-radio-telemetry-kit-915-mhz
Battery: 2.2Ah 30C Sky Lipo: http://www.hobbypartz.com/77p-2200mah-3s1p-111-30c.html
ESC: 30A Brushless http://www.hobbypartz.com/07e04-proton-30a.html
Motor: 2220 1800kv brushless http://www.hobbypartz.com/75m55-optima450-2220-1800kv-2.html
Prop: 8x4 APC Style http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__23610__APC_style_propeller_8x4_E_USA_Warehouse_.html
Servos: 9g http://www.hobbypartz.com/topromisesg9.html
UBEC (for FPV camera): 3A http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=4319
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
Comments
Maybe it would be more appropriate for a separate thread so this one doesn't get hijacked, but I have long dreamt of doing this sort of cross country UAV flying. I know in years past the RC guys have made manually flown long distance flights piloting from a car or the back of a truck or something ... that seemed to have been ok at the time with both the FAA and the AMA. But these days, how or could you explain what you are up to if your friendly state patrol officer notices you and becomes curious, or people on the ground start phoning 'drone reports' into 9-1-1. If it could be done safely and without causing issues with local authorities along the way, it sure would be a great way to spend a couple weeks during the summer.
Sorry I see this has already been recommended by Andrew in this posting
Maybe Trent you could install the RF Group 900 Mhz radio modems for longer range telemetry
Enjoying your videos
Hi Trent,
Congratulations!
A couple of small things. I think that when you are expecting to go outside of transmitter range that you should switch off the transmitter. Having the receiver come in and out of range is more likely to cause a problem then just having it off.
I also think you should consider fitting an airspeed sensor. The adjustments you were making to throttle should not have been needed, and would have been done automatically done to maintain a constant airspeed if an airspeed sensor is fitted. That would also result in more efficient flight and you could plot airspeed against current used by the motor to calculate the airspeed that your airframe needs for maximum distance.
Your flight also demonstrated one of the issues with a flight where you take off and land at a different point, which is ensuring the chase car can keep up. Perhaps you should think a bit about ways to make this easier and safer? For example, would it be better if the plane loitered at some intermediate safe landing zone until the car caught up? (the ground station could transmit a chase car position to the plane to enable this).
The next big challenge is working out the safety and regulatory issues with doing a really long distance flight (or series of flights). I know you're already thinking about that, and it really is a big challenge!
Cheers, Tridge
Awesome! Great work! Can't wait for the 2014 milestone!
Thank you all! It was so much fun to see it working as planned.
Rob, I'll attach my current config file next chance I get. Meanwhile, what trouble is it giving you? I'm no master, but I'm getting better...
Awesome Trent, nice and smooth flight, any chance of the config file, as i am struggling like hell with my APM 2.5 and my flying wing.
Rob :-)
Awesome Trent! :)
-Mike
Well done Trent!!!
Regards,
TCIII Admin
Thank you Gary! Your compliment means a lot, I really respect your opinion.
-
1
-
2
-
3
of 3 Next