UAV Airframe

[Albatross]

My first attempt for a UAV airframe, using a trainer wing (.40 size) with 0 dihedral.

Engine is JEN .56, in pusher configuration, payload will be about 2 kg. Using my own electronics for flight control and guidance I hope to achieve autonomous flight within 2 month, provided my GPS mathematics is be correct.

A recovery parachute is folded under the instrument compartment, just in case.

[ElectroLawndart]

Using my own electronics for flight control and guidance I hope to achieve autonomous flight within 2 month, provided my GPS mathematics is be correct.

Two months!?!
Man, I hate this forum. It shows me exactly the snail's pace I'm going at. :D

Maybe I should just throw my GPS module and microcontroller in an airframe as ballast and fly it just so I can post some pictures. :rolleyes:

Duh-art

[LukeZ]

"Duh-art", I know exactly what you mean... if I was to post a pic now, it would only be of a tangle of wires on my desk. I don't even have an idea for the airframe at this point, that seems like such a long way off.

Albatross, it looks good. I think the chute is a good thing to have, if not necessary. Have you tested the chute yet? Keep us updated.

In two months I expect to see some results, dang it! :D

[Albatross]

Does 'results' also include vertical impact with the deck? If so I already had many 'results'.

The chute was tested on a Hacker Arrow 40, the location of the canopy and the wing joining tube are ideal for storing the chute and for harnessing of the shock cord.

The chute in this airframe will be deployed on loosing GPS signal, uncorrectable attitude, engine failure and general mismatch of sensor inputs.

[ElectroLawndart]

Albatross,
Great looking airframe. I like the idea of the chute. I hate the feeling of helplesness watching one of planes spin into the ground. And that was with me at the controls. I can only imagine pounding on the laptop as my UAV decides to play a cruel joke on me.
How do you deploy the parachute and not have it tangle in the prop?

Dart (Feel a little less "Duh") :D

[Albatross]

Thanks for your kind words.

I plan to avoid the prop by using an alloy arm shaped like an A-Frame, hinged at the bulkhead, the arm is longer than half the prop, and is limited to the vertical.

The fail-safe will shut down the engine, if it was running in the first place, then there is a short delay for the prop to stop spinning. The arm is spring loaded and will eject the lid and the parachute. A banjee cord will act as a shock cord.

The plane will hit the ground tail first to protect the electronics.

[Lost In OC]

cool idea, my work in progress may get another feature......one of about a million confusing others!