GPSBoomerang UAV Glider

[dracul]

http://www.gpsboomerang.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/

I have contacted Syncho Reynders for more information:

The currect DataBird airframe is launched from weather balloon at altitudes up to 115k ft / 35km.

It can carry a payload of 300g, but a 1kg payload version is in the works (DataBird-1000).

Under nominal conditions the UAV will land within a 100 metre radius from target (does not have to be launch site).

The flight computer is an Atmega128.

The cource code is not available for modification under any kind of licence.

Parameters are set on the flight computer via a terminal program.

When I asked if flight data could be tapped to transmit telemetry:
'An auxiliary connector is available which outputs it coordinates as
morse code. This can be used to modulate a transmitting beacon.'

More info on the site.....

Kudos

[kd7ost]

Cool link Dracul,

Thanks. Nice and light and small. That would easily fly in the US under FAR101 exemption.

Dan

[Vindication]

kd7,

What is the FAR101 exemption? Under this exemption you don't have see and avoid capabilities??

-Vind

[kd7ost]

I only partially covered it. FAR101 covers the use of balloons, free rising and moored, rockets, and kites in US airspace. The reference I made has to do with lofting cargo up to the kinds of altitudes they are talking about. 100,000 feet etc. If your cargo, capsule, what have you weighs less than 6 pounds per capsule and less than 12 pounds per balloon lift, you can fly it without having to get FAA approval, waivers etc.

The little glider is so light weight, you can loft it under a balloon right through commercial airspace provided it's all under the requirements of FAR101.

The other part of course is flying back. Thats not covered under any current FAR's.

It would be in Subpart D - Unmanned Free Balloons
http://www.risingup.com/fars/info/101-index.shtml

Dan

Edited to include, actually you'll find that if you stay under the section 101.1 (4) numbers for an unmanned balloon you'll be exempt from doing all the other things specified.

[treehog]

They have photo of launch where they say that suit is to protect from hydrogen fire flash

I think dont smoke and pass near to barbecues or open fire sources
like your local new Zealand volcano
and you probably wont need the bomb disposal gear

FUNNY how it protects identity of the launcher also

I smell a a KIWI wind up
I remain very skeptical

Ralf

[JettPilot]

I think dont smoke and pass near to barbecues or open fire sources
like your local new Zealand volcano
and you probably wont need the bomb disposal gear


Ralf

I dont understand a word of that :confused:

[kd7ost]

Downloaded the hi res picture from their gallery. Zoomed in and the dude wearing the fire proof suit is also wearing sandals with bare feet in them. :D

Dan

[trashmanf]

this website does look a little fishy, but I like the idea of it! lets hope they keep working at it...

[kd7ost]

Hey Trashman,

I grew up in Maple Valley. My family is still out there.

I'm getting ready to make my own version of that. Not for commercial sales. Just for fun. A few guys have done it out there and it just seems like a blast. I belong to a amatuer radio group out here in the high desert. We've been launching and tracking weather balloons for several years. http://www.tvnsp.org/modules.php?name=gallery
I was going to do this last year but put it off due to business efforts. I'm getting a chance to take a break though and finally build my glider. I'm not sure if I'll be able to loft it to 100,000 feet but I'll try. It's hard to hit that altitude with anything that weighs a couple pounds. But I should make 90 to 95K I'm thinking. I'll have to start a build thread someplace.

Dan

[kbosak]

The currect DataBird airframe is launched from weather balloon at altitudes up to 115k ft / 35km.

yes, but this only in half-duplex mode ;)

[kbosak]

also look here
http://members.shaw.ca/sonde/index.htm