New UAV build?

[VA174]

Hi all
First off a short intro. Im an avid RC modeler since 1988. I have flown mostly glow and got into the recent electric craze since now th battery and engines have improved so much since the days of the Cox "flyboy"

I am a pilot with the NYC Police department, a CFI-H AGI, AGII,ATP all in helicopter category as well as a commercial rated airplane pilot SEL.
I sometimes fly my planes on the flight line of Floyd Bennet Field during down time on weekends, and recently added a camera (Flycamone) to my Ultrastick. A few "higher ups" got wind of it and I thought I would be in the dog house but instead got asked, "could you make one of those things fly over to the fuel farms on the NY /NJ border and get video feeds? "

So my answer was -SURE!

But I did advise the requesting party that it would take some research and time to see what platform, camera(one with IR if available), system GPS system that can be couled up to an autopilot ( if it exists).

Im not circuit board, tech saavy guy but do have a working knowledge of above components. Something that is commercially available, that is plug and play possibly. Maybe something that can be programmed to fly to a spot on its own, orbit on station, and come home when prompted.

If not autonomously, then with direction with a FPV on a gimble camera, with possibly a secondary observer camera.

This is the infancy of my research and not even sure what platform should be used as far as aircraft. Im leaning towards airplane , I prfer gas/nitro but the quiet run of electric may be in order.

Thoughts suggestions, links?


In conclusion, If I could demonstrate a "proof of concept" vehicle, I am sure I could allocate the funds for a unit availble from a company commercially.
The city has a way of not being so willing to buy from vendors "pitching" their products but do like innovative demonstrations that can loosen purse strings down the line. By no means I am NOT looking to take myself or other pilots out of a job, I want to eliminate the risk of life in a potentially dangerous situation where an eye in the sky rather than a human being is far more expendable.

[rob10000]

you might want to google "skyseer" and "FAA" and "LA county sheriff" to see how they ran afoul of the FAA while trying to do what you propose...
http://origin.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,200567,00.html

[tekrunner]

You'll need a COA. The FAA bit off more then they can chew and are starting to give them out more easily.

[VA174]

COA is not a problem. We are considered public use so the FAA has conditions for just that category.

[airmcn_3]

COA is not a problem. We are considered public use so the FAA has conditions for just that category.


Good Man!

I would start with something like a flying wing, easy to build and cost a bit less.

A good platform to start with would be something like a wind rider "Bee" and a bit of ingenuity for a fuselage to house all your components. A great motor for that bird is something like the 970kV 2025 microdan and a 10x7 prop. The airframe is good for up to 4lbs AUW if you add sufficient wing spars.

If you’re trying to keep cost down and want good accuracy I would go for the V1.8 AttoPilot thermopile based autopilot. Cost on that is $800 USD.

Telemetry if needed you could go with the long range 900 MHz XBee modem package.

Video you have two options. Live real time feed or on board recording. If real time I would go either 2.4GHz video at least 500mw or a 5.8GHz system which is 250mw. You can get good range out of either if you use diversity, although I maxed out at 4km on the 5.8GHz.

Anyhow that would get you a very good start.

Good luck!

Chris

[CenTexFlyer]

Well, it appears Chris is giving away all our secrets, but........

We have been flying a wing for several years now, and have had an aprroved COA as well. Our renewal has been hung up in ATO since February, so contrary to what Tekrunner says, they are NOT easier to get. As a matter of fact, they are under more scrutiny than ever. When you consider that we have been a previous COA holder and they thought our ops were OK "then", what happened now?

Don't build a big biz plan around this, because a diligent investor will poke holes in it easily based upon FAA and GAO publications.

Just a 7 year "heads up".......

Gene

[airmcn_3]

Well, it appears Chris is giving away all our secrets, but........

We have been flying a wing for several years now, and have had an aprroved COA as well. Our renewal has been hung up in ATO since February, so contrary to what Tekrunner says, they are NOT easier to get. As a matter of fact, they are under more scrutiny than ever. When you consider that we have been a previous COA holder and they thought our ops were OK "then", what happened now?

Don't build a big biz plan around this, because a diligent investor will poke holes in it easily based upon FAA and GAO publications.

Just a 7 year "heads up".......

Gene


LOL, sorry Gene...... I figured with what we have gone through to make it work and do in elegantly he would find out the hard way ;)

Chris

[mhpilot]

I am working on something similar you can check it out "prototype 1"

I am building it to meet the Transport Canada requirements (many to comply with) it will end up with two cameras one pan/tilt forward viewing and one cam facing down for photos, autopilot and modem link and base station.