Blogs

(see picture above)

Maiden:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5JaiPQnqss

Catapult testing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGtdsM8GUFk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-vR4BNGtYk&NR=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0HCqMdQx84

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_qsmVzjjqQ

I'm here in New York with the Arduino team (for the Open Hardware Summit and Maker Faire NYC), and the team has just announced the long awaited 1.0 version ("Punto Uno") of the Arduino platform. This is actually just the start of a series of hardware and software evolutions that will take Arduino into even more markets, both broader and higher-end. The Arduino phenomena, as big as it already is, is only going to accelerate from here.

The two main hardware differences in the new board are that the venerable FTDI chip that's used as a USB interface has been replaced with and Atmel ATmega8U2 and the Mega's Atmega 1280 has been replaced by a Atmega 2560, with more memory. Here's how the team describes this:

--"We replaced the aging FTDI chipset with a custom made usb-serial converter built with an Atmel ATmega8U2 this provides lower latency and doesn’t require to install any drivers on mac and linux (on windows all you need is a simple .inf file) more advanced users will be able to reprogram the USB chip to make the board show up as a variety of USB devices (Keyboards, Mice, Joysticks, MIDI etc)"

--"An upgrade for the Arduino Mega which will sport the new Atmel USB chip plus an ATMega2560 processor with twice as much flash memory. We’ve been able to obtain some significant savings due improvements in the production process and better pricing from suppliers that we are happy to pass on to customers. This board will have the same graphic design as the UNO.

We in the ArduPilot/Copter project, along with Sparkfun, have been working with the Arduino team closely on these changes, and will be making similar changes to the APM board and IMU shield. It's all backwards compatible, so there should be no code issues or differences in performance with the existing boards, but the new boards with the ATMega8U2 should be a bit cheaper to manufacture, and won't require the FTDI driver, which should make things easier for newcomers.

Concept Quadcopter with retractable landing gear.

I've been working on this idea for the last 2-3 weeks, and if all goes well, I’ll start
the machining the parts soon for the 1^st proto frame.

Features:

* 100% carbon fiber material in all body parts

* Retractable landing gear from Transmitter (maybe if possible with the use of sonar, auto
retractable or deployment if distance from ground > 2m)

* Foldable arms for easy transport in a Heavy Duty Case

* Main Body from molded Carbon Fiber sheet ( not yet implemented in renders )..

* Heavy Lifter (if possible 1 or 1,5 kg )

It well be a real challenge for me because this is my 1^st DIY project .

When I well have the full frame tested, I’ll post all building instructions and Acad files
, if somebody is interested in making this frame for their personal use .

If your in the UK and getting ready for some big UAS purchases for Christmas just remember the CAA are waiting

With the increasing popularity of small, unmanned aircraft (20 kg or less), some of which can now be controlled by Smart Phones, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has today issued advice on using the devices in built-up areas or when in proximity to people, property or vehicles. The CAA said it was important that owners of the aircraft understood the risks they pose, despite their small size, to other airspace users and also to individuals on the ground.

The CAA pointed out that these devices are ‘aircraft’ and are therefore covered by regulations within the Air Navigation Order, which anyone flying them should be aware of. There have been a number of accidents in recent years, some fatal, involving model aircraft, and to avoid similar incidents and risk to third parties, operators of these new generation of unmanned aircraft should take great care when using them. Where such small, unmanned aircraft are fitted with surveillance cameras, they need permission from the CAA to operate within 50 metres of a person, vehicle, vessel or structure (not in control of the person in charge) and when operating over or within 150 metres of any area that is substantially used for residential, industrial, commercial or recreational purposes or open-air assemblies of more than 1,000 people.

Emergency services, and many commercial operators, are already using small, unmanned aircraft mounted with cameras, but are doing so with the full knowledge and authorisation of the CAA. All such flying is done within set distances from the pilot, who must also be able to clearly see the aircraft at all times to ensure safe operation and the avoidance of collisions.

Matt Lee, Head of Regulation Enforcement at the CAA, said: “Anyone thinking of buying a small, unmanned aircraft should be aware that whilst there is a lot of pleasure in flying one, they are not toys and they must be operated legally. In the wrong hands or used irresponsibly in built-up areas, or, too close to other people or property, they represent a very real safety risk. As well as the danger of being physically hit, there is also the chance of other accidents being caused through distraction, for example, if a car driver was to be surprised by something flying towards him. In the past we have seen people seriously injured or even killed by model aircraft and, now that small, unmanned aircraft are becoming more readily available and simpler to fly, we need to avoid any similar incidents.”

The CAA said it had contacted several manufacturers and distributors to explain the rules for using small, unmanned surveillance aircraft in the UK, as set out in the Air Navigation Order, and asked that this information be passed on to potential and existing customers.

So private or commercial no dumb videos on YouTube please. The people at Parrot are almost certainly the people that prompted this response with their very ill conceived advertising campaign

I have already informed my customers in fact we have always told people what the rules were. For those of you that might be customers.....

In summary, as soon as a camera is put on a model it becomes a UAS, its the law here don't whine, it was in the pipeline for at least 5 years before it happened.

Privately

Aircraft weight up to 20KG carry on, just don't do anything silly

Commercially

Aircraft 0-7 kg BMFA A cert and form SRG 1320 submission

7-20kg BMFA B cert and form SRG 1320

I think its 107 pounds for the permission.

This pilot certification route will change as the CPL(U) is defined and comes into existence. If you do not have prior aviation knowledge the CAA may ask you to train using Euro USC.

The guys at the CAA are actually very cool and only want to see things develop correctly and the industry to lead the world here. Its interesting to see Bill P having problems flying at a small AMA event and yet we could fly at Farnborough airshow this year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnJ0Gu0gVf4 ;

The CAA have made their position clear, its the head of prosecutions talking in that press release. Thankfully in all my flying I have been lucky and they have not come after me, honest. But I know people that have been pulled up for the odd moment of youthful exuberance and its not funny.

Canadian University team fly human powered aircraft.

http://green.yahoo.com/blog/guest_bloggers/70/student-flies-like-a-bird-powered-only-by-himself.html

Source: Center for Biologically Inspired Robotics Research

Self-launching by walking off roof top - impressive.

YouTube video here

Additional info at Case Western Reserve University Biologically Inspired Robotics Laboratory

NASA Global Hawk eying Tropical Storm Frank off the coast of Baja California... nice view.

http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/pages/news_releases.html?d=202098

This TX is FlySky - TH9X same as Turnigy 9X 9Ch and many more brands ( they use almost same body )

So if you like to change from one mode to another,

you need to move two parts from one stick to another

1. Metal plate thats holds Throttle stick in position (not going back to middle)

2. Plastic arm and spring ( to get the stick go back to the middle)

Here some closeups on the parts, its easy just open the back panel, move the sticks and you'll what moves what :)

I'll try to do a video some day ...

Here is what you get

including :

EPP wings and tail , carbon fiber tail boom , CF wing spars , CF joiner , CF tail spars , CNC cut aircraft grade plywood , polycarbonate front and rear lids , 1/4 turn fastener for front lid , acrylic camera dome , ABS molded engine cowl , all push rods , control horns , balsa sheeting and stock , all needed screws and assorted hardware .

Not included but recommended running gear

motor : E-flight power 10 brushless in runner

ESC : castle creation thunderbird-54

Batteries : thunderpower pro light v2 3S 2600 mah x2 wired parallel

servos : 2x hitec HS-81 (elevator,rudder) 2x hitec HS-55(2x ailerons) 2x HS-5055mg (pan,tilt)

TX & RX Spectrum DX-7

Prop : APC E11x7

camera : CCD Killer Camera Micro NTSC Camera

as of this posting there are only 4 left from this run . the material for 20 more is on the way . will be available in approximately 2 weeks

for the latest news check http://evuas.com

I came across this on sparkfun.com and think this is a great way to get your kids started in micro controllers.

I realize this might not be the best suited for the needs of a UAV but LEGO Logo was where I got my start in something that I could call programming and as long as the price is right I think this would be a great tool to get the local kids into micro controllers.

Home page

http://www.modk.it/

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNqDoniUD9I

Funding

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/modkit/modkit-electronics-arduino-for-everyone

As most of you know, we've been in semi-public alpha with the ArduPilotMega code for the past two 2-3 months, and there has been the usual torrent of bug fixes, feature additions and architecture changes during that period as both the fixed wing and quad/heli teams test fly the board. By the time we release 1.0, this will be the most tested hardware/software configuration in DIY Drones history, which I'm really proud of.

Here are the latest updates:

1) The official public beta (as a zip file) is targeted to be released on September 30th. It will be announced here. It will have full autopilot capability and should be ready for unlimited flight testing. The new GCS may be out at the same time; if not, there is a mode by which APM can use the old GCS, which has all but the in-flight mission upload capability.

2) The APM board is now available at Sparkfun (another 233 are in stock--more than 500 have already been sold).

3) The DIY Drones factory moved to a larger industrial space yesterday with our big new Manncorp 7722-FV pick-and-place machine (our second!). This is to ramp of production of the new APM IMU Rev-H boards, which are much easier for us to produce, and anticipates the huge demand we're seeing for ArduCopter and for fixed wing once the code is out. Limited quantities of the board are available now, and stock should be replenished on a daily basis going forward.

4) Speaking of ArduCopter, Jani says he may start taking pre-orders in two weeks, and shipping full kits within the month.

5) Finally, if you've one of the brave early adopters who has been using the Alpha APM code out of the SVN, you should be aware that there have been some significant architecture and config file changes. We VERY MUCH RECOMMEND that most users wait for the public beta next week--the alpha code in the SVN is changing fast and often unstable, and we will not be able to answer questions on it from non dev-team members. But if you're an SVN expert or already knee-deep in the alpha code, you can download the latest code from the SVN and follow these instructions from code guru Michael Smith: