Suitable Test Airframe for PicoPilot

[air]

Hi all.
I should have a picopilot on its way to me in the next few days and I was wondering what type of airframe you would recommend for testing it out.
U-Nav use motor gliders mainly for demos so I'm thinking alon the lines of a Multiplex Easy Glider initially, although these dont have much payload capacity for when I add a camera, video tx etc.
I just want something simple that's easily available here in Europe.

Also is anyone using the pico tilt unit yet?
I'd be interested in seeing your hardware setups.
Best Regards,
Fionn.

[icebear]

Hi Fionn,
I used both Kyosho Ferias and Wattage Super Impress as you probably have seen, both with good results with Picopilot and NAV2A units. They are limited in terms of payload capacity however, I would think that a slightly larger airframe would do better in that respect.
The Multiplex Easy Star has been used by a fellow in the UK ('Gray'?) and he has added a Nikon 7900 (6.5oz) and is still below the standard weight thanks to LiPOs and a brushless. I would assume this airframe would be suitable for the Pico NAV-A as well since it's a 3 channel R/E/T setup.
Did you get the NAV-A or -R and ALT- T or -E?
I'm testing a Hobbico Superstar (48") but initial impressions are that it's a little heavier than I wished... Less payload, but it will at least take my Pentax Optio with no problems...
Let us know how things develop - good luck!
/Icebear

[air]

Hi Icebear, I've ordered the "NAV2A,ALT2E,THR,PICOGPS-SS,CD".
I told them I wanted to navigate with rudder and have an aileron wing leveller and this is what they are giving me.
I wont use the throttle control initially.
Ideally I'd like to have a nice airframe onto which I could mount a gimballed camera mount for use with the picotilt unit.

[icebear]

Hi Fionn,
The setup you are getting would work fine in the Easystar - I have the NAV-A and ALT-T units. The NAV-A will control rudder if you have an rudder-only plane.

Do you think the Easystar would be too small for your puroses? I would very much like to hear recommendations on airframes myself since I'm looking for something now that could handle 1/2 lb or so of extra equipment..

/icebear

[air]

Hi again, Yeah I have an easystar already with an Astro O5.
I once flew it with an 8cell HRSC2600 Pack (about 1lb in weight) for fun & It flew but was a bit too fast!
I think the wing area of the easy glider is ideal for our needs and it's a rudder/aileron/elevator ship aswell.
However its main drawback as I see it is that it's not really designed for mounting equipment on it and as such it doesnt appear to have much room for cargo even though it could easily lif t it.

I had a look through your Ferias thread (hadnt realised there was so much good info on the picopilot already on the forum!).
I think I understand how the Nav-A does levelling by moderating the rudder input but I was a bit disappointed by this.
I though that the option they were selling me combined rudder navigation with an aileron levelling unit.
Regardless, I'll carry on ;)

I think that the ideal platform for a UAV would be a craft of motor glider proportions with a stick type fuselage with a range of clamps available for mounting equipment.
Some sort of detachable tubular fuse could conceiveably be clipped on around it if necessary.
I have some 750mm long 15mm diameter carbon tubes at home that would make ideal fuses but they are a bit short & I dont think I'd be able to fabricate any mounts for them.

[icebear]

Hi,

OK you have the Easystar already - I didnt know that - I've just seen it and considered it for my next setup.

The NAV-A could be setup either for an aileron OR rudder control, you'd have stabilization either way, it's all depending on the airframe.

Setting it up with ailerons just requires that you dont have too much adverse yaw 'built in'. The functionality is the same, it's just that you don't need to to have stabilsation via the ailerons and steering via rudder, so I don't think you need to be disappointed.

I use an external FMA copilot with my Wattage setup, but it really isn't needed since the NAV unit controls both wingleveling and navigation.

I'll keep searching for a suitable airframe and post it here when I find what I want.
I would like to have a regular built up structure to protect my gear and make it more permanent.

I would like to suggest you try out the Picopilot on any suitable airframe (like the easystar) to get familiar with the setup first - it's a lot of fun, and it's quick and easy to move it to your final airframe later.

Good luck!

Icebear

[air]

I've ordered an easyglider electric anyway as well as a 400F lightweight brushless motor.
I think I might try using the Nav-A on the ailerons initially and see how it goes.
This would make the rudder redundant of course.

[kd7ost]

Don’t forget during aircraft setup to set up your ailerons with differential throw when using the Nav A. The MEMS sensor that controls roll is sensitive to yaw. Ailerons moving equally up and down induce yaw as well as roll. The servo arms need to be set up so that you get healthy up aileron on one side with very little down if any at all on the opposite side. That will help the Nav A unit work to its optimum. Wing rocking may occur if this is an issue.

Dan

[icebear]

Good luck air!
Let us know if you have any more questions on the setup... I'm waiting for calm weather to 'catch some more waypionts' with mine in the weekend...
/Icebear

[air]

Thanks guys, I spent a small fortune on airframes & equipment etc in the last few days so I'll hopefully be able to get started on testing within 2 to 3 weeks. My picopilot has shipped and I'll be putting through my order for some maxstream radio modems on Monday hopefully.

[typicalaimster]

I'll be putting through my order for some maxstream radio modems on Monday hopefully.

Are you ordering your Maxstreams from the OEM?

[air]

That was the plan, U-Nav can't export products developed by another US country due to some bizarre export regulations.

[typicalaimster]

There was a post in I think the AP forum awhile back. You might want to see if Maxstream will honor some sort of discount for RCGroups. I get their occational newsletter with prices. Unfortunatly I don't have it on hand.

[air]

Yeah, I missed out on the Rcgroups offer but they did say that they would give me a $100 discount anyway.
However that was some months ago & I'm only now going to purchase so I'd be surprised if I still get a discount.

[typicalaimster]

Per Maxstreams Newsletter...

XBee Development Kit - $299MaxStream is now offering free UPS ground shipping on XBee Development Kits.

The $299 development kit includes (2) XBee-PRO OEM RF modules, (3) XBee OEM RF modules, an RS-232 and USB interface board, and all the necessary cables, antennas and software for instant communication and testing.

The XBee development kit has been one of the most popular products of 2005. Take advantage of the free ground shipping and get your wireless projects on the fast track to full deployment.

For more details visit www.maxstream.net/web-special, or call MaxStream toll-free 866-765-9885.

[air]

Thanks for that typicalaimster, I was going to go with the 24xstream though as it has longer range.
Those xbee modules are listed as max 1200m although mabye this can be increased with suitable antennas.
They certainly appear smaller / lighter etc.
The mesh networking capabilities of the xbee units would make them ideal for the kind of swarms that the paparazzi guys have implemented in the past.
I'll have to do more research.

[air]

Actually on futher consideration of the data sheets the XBee Pro appears to have superior output power to the 24XStream (60mW vs 50mW) while its receive sensitivity is only slightly less (100dB vs 102dB).
Combined with the much lighter weight of the ZigBee Pro I think that this is the way to go.

[powerblimp]

HI does it works well the u-nav picopilot you ordered?
simple to set up?
good quality?

best regards

phil
I should have a picopilot on its way to me in the next few days and I was wondering what type of airframe you would recommend for testing it out.
U-Nav use motor gliders mainly for demos so I'm thinking alon the lines of a Multiplex Easy Glider initially, although these dont have much payload capacity for when I add a camera, video tx etc.
I just want something simple that's easily available here in Europe.

Also is anyone using the pico tilt unit yet?
I'd be interested in seeing your hardware setups.
Best Regards,
Fionn.[/QUOTE]

[air]

I've got the easy glider built and the picopilot installed but I havent had a chance to test it out yet. Hoping to get it done in the next 2 weeks or so. I spent a long time on the EG build, put the servos in the tail with CF tow where the pushrods should be and I have the GPS receiver installed rear of the cockpit within a cavity in the fuse also.

[AntonK]

just a couple notes. Be careful using a 2.4 radio modem if your using 2.4 video, the xbee is sensitive and will interfere with the video and visaversa. Also I guess I dotn understand why you need a radio modem, as I didnt know the pico pilot had support for it? good luck

[defy]

Does anyone have any comments on the 24XStream or other maxstream products? do their real life ranges live up to what the website says?