Basic UAV Airframe

[keeprighton]

Hi there,

I have a couple of questions that touch a number of areas and not just UAV so apologies in advance:

I am looking to dabble with UAV flight and I'm looking at using the Zagi airframe as it is robust and forgiving. I would like to experiment with using miniature CCD video cameras and similar payloads.

1) I have narrowed my choice to either the Zagi Tazz or Zagi XT Twin Motor kits. Does anyone recommend one above the other for my needs (ie. maximum flight time, low speed cruise, payload - autopilot gear/mini-cameras)? Would having the two motors kit eat up the battery with little or no benefit?

2) Where is it best to mount mini-cameras on this airframe? I would like one forward and centreline if possible, and maybe one pointing vertically down. Any recommendations on the cameras to use?

I have a lot more questions but answers to the above would help me purchase, and get familar with flying the model 'by hand'.

Thanks :) ,

Mark
Central England

[kd7ost]

Hi Mark,

You would probably have better luck with this question on the AP thread. Lots of electric users there and guys using wings.

Best of luck

Dan

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=128

[keeprighton]

Thanks Dan,

Will do.

Mark

[poynting]

Also, the user reedchristansen has some experience with this. He helped develop the Kestrel autopilot used by BYU, and most of their planes are wings.

See http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=435724

[reedchristiansen]

Mark,

I have done allot of work with the Zagi as an autopilot platform. We used to offer a zagi RTF with autopilot. The Zagi works ok, but I have found that the Unicorn is much better suited for a couple reasons:

1. Does not have the *nasty* tip stall -> spin of death of the zagi. If you plan on using the zagi, pay carefull attention to your airspeed loop - if the airspeed drops below about 12 m/s on the zagi, it will spin, and the rate of spin will probably exceed the maximum angular rate of your rate gyros. On the plus side, the relativly low rate of descent of the spin makes the impact surviveable. If you move the CG about inch infront of what Trick RC recomends, the chance of spin goes down. The unicorn does not have this problem. If you slow it down, it will much around - and chances are good that your autopilot will be able to recover, or it will simply be unable to hold altitude at low speed.

2. Unicorn handles more weight better then zagi. We have flown 8000 mah worth of 3 cell lipos (endurance around 1.5 hrs)

3. Unicorn just seems to fly better - I think it is a bit more stable due to higher sweep - I am an electrical engineer , but some of the aero guys on this forum might be able to add something here.


Good luck,
Reed

[keeprighton]

Thank you both.

I hadn't noticed the Unicorn mentioned on the Procerus website.

I'm off to get some specs on the Unicorn! :)

I really appreciate you taking the time to point me in the right direction.

Cheers.