Where to fly?

[veauger]

I'd love to get my UAV (autonomous only through its use of FMA copilot -- hooked directly into the receiver just like its supposed to be, turned on with a switch from my box -- with the computer only controlling my rudder) into the air -- but it seems that its currently impossible.

There are several AMA clubs in my area, but of course they wouldn't allow a UAV if their life depended on it. I'm sure I could fly somewhere and get away with it, only until someone uptight saw me tracking my plane with a laptop, that is...

And then there is all this talk from the FAA about banning any aircraft that's autonomous from flight unless you obtain express permission. Including, since they didn't EXCLUDE anything, Class G airpsace. :(

So to fly my little .40 sized UAV around in circles below the treeline I need to contact the FAA?? If a Cessna is in THAT airspace, I gotta say, there's bigger problems at work, people. :mad:

Now I don't really care what the FAA says; if I could find somewhere to fly in the way I just described, I know there is absolutely no chance that it would cause any harm (no more chance than anyone else using the FMA Copilot, at least).

The problem is where to fly? I assume you guys fly SOMEWHERE, right? :D

I'm on the central east coast of Florida, and looking at my sectional chart, Class G seems to be in limited supply (what with Orlando Int. eating half the state and all). Is there anyone in Florida, southern Georgia, or southern Alabama that knows of a place I can fly? Any help would be appreciated.


If you have a field that you don't mind me using for this, and you are, well ANYWHERE, please post here or email me at veauger@yahoo.com

Thanks :)

[kd7ost]

Couple of quick things. It's not much help though.

First against you, you live in Florida. You already picked out the problems. You aren't the only one from there with these complaints but I dare say most likely go underground. (Heck, you could get away with more in Florida if you were a violent sex offender huh?) Go figure.

Secondly, (Again no help, Sorry) But I'm very interested in how you're using your computer to control the rudder. That sounds pretty neat. You got an uplink working from your laptop to the plane?

Dan

[veauger]

Thanks for responding Dan. I would try flying under the radar, no pun intended, but if one of these uptight folk I mentioned caught me at their field with this thing, 1) I'd be kicked out, and 2) they'd probably call the AMA and complain.

As to the computer control, well, I plan to just track it on my screen at first (its carrying a gps and a data radio). The rudder control is handled by a small chip onboard with a custom program. What I plan to do eventually is build my own infrared array to allow for some standard rate turns controlled by the chip, with a simple switch available on my RC radio to switch between manual and automatic control, just like the Copilot.
I could even control it with a joystick on my laptop if I wanted. That would be really fun, but I don't dare until I can find someplace where people wont get all bent out of shape about it. :\


Like I said, if there is a field where cooler heads are known to prevail, I'd like to hear about it.

[kd7ost]

I have a friend down there. Talk to Dave at http://www.auav.net/. I don't know where you guys are in proximity to each other, but he could likely provide you with some valuable insight. He's been through all the paces you're getting into now.

Best of luck.

Dan

[veauger]

He's right across from me on the other coast in an equally busy area :D

Thanks Dan.

[Zaviation]

Send me an email at jzaner39 at earthlink.net. I am in Ocala, FL.
John
Zaner Aviation (http://www.zaneraviation.com)

[moon-dawg]

How about flying over the water? You have a lot of open water in that area...an entire gulf. All you need is a rescue boat and pontoons for the UAV.

The Futaba PA-2 does not work at all over water. The FMA co-pilot has some problems finding the horizon but will work under some conditions according to the users manual. It may actually work fine if you calibrate and fly only over the water (The manual does not cover that case).

I fly over a lake using a 60 sized J3 Cub with pontoons. I use MEMS based accelerometers for roll and pitch stability.

[typicalaimster]

Doesn't the signal strength drop when you fly over water? I thought I remembered reading this somewhere.

[moon-dawg]

Page 19 of this document discusses flight over water and land.

https://www.fmadirect.com/support_docs/item_1149.pdf

[Dave Jones]

veauger
Come on over and fly with me at our field any time that you want.
Our club members have no problem with it.
Dave Jones
AUAV.net

[JettPilot]

Do not use that futaba thing for sensing the horizon, it is based on optical sensors and it is junk and only works under perfect conditions :mad: .

The FMA copilot has no problem flying over water, I dont know where someone got the idea that it would... You also do not need to build a custom array to make your UAV turn while the copilot is on. Just put them in series... The copilot will keep it level until it senses a "stick input" from your autopilot - as soon as the UAV is on its correct heading the autopilot will stop feeding in correction and it will fly level. If that does not work , you just put the copilot on the ailerons and the autopilot on the rudder, that way it will do flat skidding turns to follow a route, but it work just fine will always be level.... :)

As far as flying, just keep it away from flying over cities, busy airspace, and use good judgement. I dont know about your club, but people here fly by video (including myself) etc and no one has a problem with it. Again just using good judgement, and dont ask, just do it... If you do to much asking and get to many people involved, then someone will always have an exception. But if you just fly, and dont scare anybody, then you will probably be ok. I would never fly my UAV over water, to much of a chance of a total loss (sinking) if something went wrong :eek: