UAV Electric Platform

[Crash Pilot]

Hello
Can anyone suggest an electric plane suited for a UAV. I have a Soarstar but require something with a higher payload. My payload will be about 500grams.
I have looked at the Twin star 2 but there dosn't seem to be as much space inside as the older one.

I am looking for a large electric foamy if possible with plenty of room for my RCAP and GPS etc.

Anyone know if the original twinstar is still available.

Any help would be appreciated.

Crash Pilot

[Airboatflyingshp]

its just an idea but have you thought of building your own design using foam and or Correx .......it would make for a quick build and if you used a Simple Cessna Skymaster layout with a stretched span constant chord wing it could make a suitable eye in the sky platform.
It depends on whats available in your area and your climate type...if you want ideas I can put up a few links :) to SPADs free plans or pictures for ideas let me know.

[Crash Pilot]

Airboatflyingshp

Thanks for the reply. I was looking more for something already built so that I could use it as a test platform. I have a DraganFly Predator but have not finished it yet. Also I would rather use something cheaper until I get the courage to fly it. I would like to built my own plane later when I get more experienced and know exactly what I want.


Thanks again.

[Airboatflyingshp]

~No problem....take a look at a few of the SPAD sites for reference..you'l see that the utility types are very easy to build using correx or cardboard and cheap you can build a complete wing in an hour. If correx is not available try Cardboard......there are some very scale looking models built out there using this humblist of materials.........that or prototype an idea for correx use.

Spads are Q cheap.....read scrap/scavenged stuff if your lucky and V tough .......the only thing thats more bouncy is EPP.and theres no reason why you cannot use that aswell if you can find some.....Swimming floats, packing material etc....the best bit all the plans are free on the web usually - seek out Chunkies site as one of the main repositories of free plans in Zip form. Look up Mugi in the UK as well.

The other option is use your old foamy bits and make a fuse to fit say like a Short Skyvan shape or BN Islander boxy fuse ;) :D
PM me if you decied you like an idea at any time

[Myron]

Crash,

Why not a wing? We have a small 48" unit that carries 1lb no problem.. Get this, it will fly for 45 minutes with that payload at 25 mph on a 3200Mah pack..It only pulls 13.7 amps at WOT.. It also carries a complete telemetry set with a GPS and an FS8 co-pilot system for stability... We DO HAVE the ability to fully autonomous if we wish. The aircraft weighs 2.4 lbs AUW without the 1lb payload so 3.4 RTF with your gear...

Myron
www.rpflightsystems.com

[rclinks2002]

Myron,
How much does the slipstream 2 run? Thanks
Ben M

[Myron]

Hey Ben,

Send me an email to "myron50@hotmail.com" and we can discuss what all you need in an airframe and electronics..

Myron

[Crash Pilot]

Myron

Thanks for your reply. A fllying wing would be good if it could work with the RCAP autopilot. Your planes look really cool but at the moment I am looking at something at the bottom of the price range. Doesn't cost as much if I crash it. When I get things working and learn how to fly properly then I will either get my Draganfly Predator in the air or buy or build a twin boom platform .

Airboatflyingshp

Thanks for the link. I sent you a PM
Crash Pilot

[icebear]

Crash Pilot!

I just ordered the Scorpio Super Miss and Miss 2 ARF's for use in Aerial Photography and my next UAV project. Almost 400 sq.in. wing area and generally low weight - AUW about 28 oz.

Lots of room in the fuselage for electronics. The Super Miss has ailerons and the Miss2 has polyhedral wing w/o ailerons. They are discontinued but you can still get them in Europe at least for about 100 $'s each.

/Icebear

[Crazyrcer]

How about the Little Floyd (http://www.pinkfoamplanes.com/Pages/littlefloyd.html). It's a pretty big plane (96"), and should easily be able to lift 1lb.+ payloads.

[d_wheel]

"A fllying wing would be good if it could work with the RCAP autopilot."

The wing will have to be able to lift around 1.5 pounds to work with RCAP. First, you will need a wing leveler system such as the FMA co-pilot. Then you will need the RCAP circuit board plus its 6volt battery pack. Then you will need a GPS with programmable waypoints plus its batteries. By the time you get all of this together we are talking about 1.5 pounds plus a fairly large bulk.

Not to mention that a wing is not exactly what I perceive as a trainer type aircraft. I have taught people to fly with wings, but it wasn't exactly the easiest flight instruction I have given. By installing the co-pilot, you MIGHT be able to learn a little more quickly, as long as you have someone set it up correctly before the first flight.

My advice is to get a good conventional trainer first and install the co-pilot system, (you will need it anyway to get the RCAP to work). After learning how to make consistently good landings, install the autopilot system of your choice and learn how to use it. Then think about converting it to a camera platform (or whatever you plan to use the UAV for), or get one of the aircraft Byron sells and have a blast! Trying to do it all in one step smells of disaster to me!

Later;

D.W.

[Crash Pilot]

Thanks guys for your advice.

D wheel
I have all the gear already. I come from flying heli's and got involved in planes when I bought my Soarstar and gave up try to make a UAV out of my Raptor 50. I can fly the soarstar all right but I don't really consider this a hard plane to fly. I have put it down pretty hard on occasions in hard winds which would have destroyed a balsa plane. My aim is to spend more time mastering how to fly a larger plane before I put all my gear into it. I have a Predator as previously mentioned in a above post but I will not attemp to fly it till I'm comfortable flying something bigger than the Soarstar. The predator is too way over priced to destroy it on the first flight especially after having to pay customs fees and freight charges to have it sent to Australia.

Thanks again to every for their replys and I will be investigating your suggestions

Crash Pilot

[PFTrvlr]

I am working on a nesail Virus ASP. 57 in 600 sq in wing is big enough for me. And it is on sale now.

[wiz310]

Hey Crashpilot, have you thought about a biglift?. Multiplex do them and there should be a few still about from the past. very good payload and as easy as a trainer to fly.
where abouts in oz are ya?

[Crash Pilot]

wiz310

Thanks for the reply. I had a look at the biglift but i am after something that is electric. I'm from south west Sydney

[wiz310]

wouldnt take alot to put an electric set up in it. just dont put the big gas motor in and should free up some weight for extra batteries, payload.

[Airboatflyingshp]

Saw this and thought of you couldnt be simpler.....release the DUCKS :D :D :D :D
http://www.mudduckaviation.com/

[Medve]

you might want to consider a Magpie AP from http://www.mountainmodels.com/
they are real easy to build, durable, and you can have a ton of fun with them.
Built to lift plenty too.

[Crash Pilot]

Airboatflyingshp

I was after something that could lift a bit of weight not a small car. The ducks are huge and look pretty cool.

Medve

The magpieap looks like what I'm after . I will probably order one.

Thanks

Crash Pilot

[Airboatflyingshp]

You dont have to build them full size>>>>>>>>>>>>> but it helps??????????

[Crash Pilot]

Medve

Order the Magpieap 2 days ago. Do you know what the shipping turn around time is. I have not hear anything yet. Can't wait to get it.

Crash Pilot

[Crash Pilot]

Just received a email from Mountainmodels and my plane is on its way.
If they are as good as everyone says I might just have to order another one for a spare.


Crash Pilot

[Medve]

Crash,
let us know how the Magpie works out for you. Pictures will be required of course :)

[Crash Pilot]

Medve

I will post pictures when I have it all together. It may be a couple of weeks because I am in the middle of finishing off my ground station and building my automatic tracking antenna.


Crash Pilot

[lvspark]

Easystar worked good for my tests.. I had to upgrade to a brushless to get a good climb. Now it will lift a decent load, and fly for 20-30 minutes on a 3 cell 2100.
Having the prop up, out of harms way was an unexpected plus for the unplanned landings :p Another great thing was the type of foam it is made from, I could use CA to repair the unplanned landings :p

The stock aircraft design provided good roll stability, and lended itself well to having the elevator fixed, and use of the throttle for altitude adjustments.

http://www.rsnw.com/handlaunch.wmv
http://www.rsnw.com/return.wmv
http://www.rsnw.com/towpt.wmv
http://www.rsnw.com/track.jpg

[twinturbostang]

Mike, I'd love to see a complete video of a full UAV flight. Got any of those videos laying around? :) BTW, you're not using the RCAP are you? Home brew?

[ElectroLawndart]

Very cool UAV, lvspark!!!

Checked out your website. I love the video of flying above the morning fog with Mt. St. Helens in the background.

Any info on your UAV? Inquiring mind want to know. :)

Dart

[lvspark]

I don't have any full videos.. Getting everything going, monitoring progress, crossing my fingers, and getting footage all at the same time has been difficult. I have to be focused on monitoring the performance of the aircraft so if something goes wrong I can take control before :eek: El Smasho'. :D

Plus, I have to put waypoints out a little ways and you can't see the plane that far away with my digi camera in video mode...

The easystar is just test plane.. Nothing special, a bunch of CA and duct tape.. :)