My new UAV - Miss2 + Picopilot

[icebear]

Today I made the first testflight of my new UAV airfram - the Scorpio Miss 2.

I wanted a slightly bigger airframe, but still a simple electric, so the 54" Miss2 with light wingloading seemed a good candidate.

I equipped the plane with at MEGA 16/25/4 brushless and while awating LiPO's it's running on 8xCP1300 Nicads.

AUW incl. the Picopilot NAV2 is 2.2 lb's and with LiPO's I would easily be able to carry my Pentax Optio cameras.

The first tesflight was just to tryout the airframe and test the "return home" function when enabling the Picopilot. The Miss2 flies beautifully and is really stable. It didn't seem to notice the extra 2 oz. or so of GPS/Piconav.
I hadn't adjusted the gain of the NAV2 unit since it had a home in my Kyosho Ferias, but it seemed about right when I enabled the autopilot and the plane started returning home. A little wing rocking was present but this could have been because of the gusty winds.

I will do some more testing soon to see if shall use the aileron wing from Supermiss and PDC-10/Garmin Geko 201 setup or the Picopilot. The goal is to make some longer routes and take photos. More testing to follow!

/Icebear

[kd7ost]

Very nice Icebear.

I've been wondering what you've been up to. I have a new platform under construction but have a new job so progress is much slower than I would like. Anyhow, good to see you posting a new plane.

Dan

[icebear]

Thanks Dan!

I've been busy mainly with other things in the winter, but I recently plugged in the PDC-10 and it worked perfectly!
Looking forward to seeing news about your new platform here..

Bjorn

[workshop]

My son and I both learned on that plane...

What's your control preference on that style airframe (high wing trainer with ailerons)? Aileron or Rudder?

Jeff

[LukeZ]

icebear, I'll be looking forward to seeing your progress with the "Missus." I enjoyed your thread on the Ferias.

What kind of flight time do you currently get, and what do you expect with LiPos? I too have looked at the Miss2 as a potential testbed for some of my avionics. I'd like something electric and relatively big, but that can stay aloft for about an hour without breaking the bank. The Miss2 looks light enough that it could be possible with a suitable LiPo pack...


Luke

[icebear]

Jeff,
First I would say ailerons, but the poyhedral wing that came with the Miss2 makes the airframe very stable and I really like flying with it. I will do some more testflying before deciding on ail/rudder setup. I really would like to use my Garmin to be able to log miles, routes etc so I might go for the Garmin/PDC-10/Co-pilot setup.

Luke,
I currently get about 10 mins out of the CP1300 pack, but that's with some agressive flying. I plan to test a 2000 mAh or 3000 mAh LiPO pack and my goal is to have more tha 30 mins flight time, which seems definitely doable.
You might even be able to fly for an hour using a 4000 mAh pack...

/Icebear

[icebear]

After testing the PDC-10 in my Super Miss/Miss2 (depending on ailerons/rudder only) I am now back with the Picopilot in the airframe to do some more testing.

My goal is to have a new small and simple AP ship that can be used for autonomous flight as well. I have stripped the CSL camcorder so t can be belly-mounted and only adding 1.2 oz - not bad for 20 minutes of video!

I managed to get the FMA FS-8 to work with the Picpilot once it was established that the FS-8 has low logical level outputs and needed some servo boosters. I really like this receiver with failsafe so I'm glad it worked.

I've also finally ventured into the land of LiPO's and added a 2000 mAh Kokam 3S pack for flight-times up to 15-20 minutes.

Test flight of the current installation as soon as the weather permits...

These are the specs so far;

Airframe: 54” wingspan, 396 sq.in wing area
Motor: MEGA 16/25/4 with APC-e 8x6 prop
Acc: KOKAM 3S-2000 mAh, 11,1 volts
Power: Approx 260 watts (24A static), equals 110 W/lb (with equipment)
Receiver: FMS FS-8 receiver with failsafe
Servo buffer/booster: Two servo buffers from ServoCity
(since the FS-8 has low logical levels of 3-3.3volts a booster is needed)
Servos: 2 x Hitech HS-81
Autopilot: Picopilot NAV2A, ALT3T and GPS-Pico-SS
ESC: JETI 3P-30Amp, with BEC 5v used for GPS, PRISM trigger and videocamera
Separate UBEC – 6 volts for Rx/servos/Picopilot.

More details to follow...

/Icebear

[workshop]

Nice going Icebear!

The Miss 2 was the plane my son and used to learn RC flying. Great job keeping everything light and small. 110W/lb. :eek: :D

Nice block diagram too...

I have avoided switching power supplies and regulators for redundant batteries and linear regulators (got a big ass RF enclosure too). Have you ever had R.F.I problems? With Video transmission?

Jeff

[icebear]

Thanks Jeff!

I haven't had any range issues at all with my previous setup in the Super Impress, but on the other hand I only used the BEC (5v) from the speed control and so far I haven't tried video transmission (I have a BW system waiting to be tested).

Do you think the UBEC could create RF noise? I looked at your setup with the nice copper enclosure, but I guess that might be too heavy for my setup :(

Anyway, if the weather permits the Miss2 will be airborne tonight..

/Bjorn

[workshop]

I can tell by your photos that you like flying in the late evening... ;)

I'm somewhat of an RFI expert; I run multi-million volt RF machines for movies, TV, etc.. Any type of switch mode regulator or power supply emits RFI. The amount and spectrum varies greatly from device to device. Cool Systems UBECS seem to work well in my other planes and I know that some are using switch mode regulators in their AP planes but I don't want to risk any failure mode that I can possibly avoid by design. E.G the foil box.

I used copper foil and PCB boards. I needed the PCB boards for structural integrity but you could use foil without much penalty... But why if you don't have too...? I'm guessing that a 1W 2.4GHz transmitter is going to be the monkey in the works (for my setup) and that's why I'm asking about RFI.

Good luck tonight... Please post a sunset photo if you get the chance...

Jeff

[icebear]

Your right Jeff - living by the coast forces me to wait until dawn whenl the winds calm down sometimes..

Bad weather today, though :( - I'll have to wait until the weekend...

I saw your company's website and I must say that's some really impressive stuff! Now I see why you made that copper-box... :)

Thanks for the info about RFI - I'll simply test without shielding now (since I don't use a downlink yet) - the FS-8 receiver has a 'bad frame counter' so that can hopefully also give me an idea about any possible trouble. With the 200mW BW system I'll definitely look into some kind of shielding.

Updates and sunset photos to come!

/Bjorn

[Hovertime]

I am looking around for something with more lift capability that Slow Stick and noticed this! Great thread:)
Is this the same as what you have? http://www.hobby-lobby.com/miss-stik.htm

[kd7ost]

You might have a look at this one Hovertime. http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=522349
It's bigger and provides more lifting capacity. Just an idea. It's a solid plane.

Dan

[Hovertime]

I was thinking about that one too, all day long:) Found the Telemaster UAV thread also, great stuff.
Now do i want to go small or very big thats the question... How about some Piper Cub instead for better looks??

[kd7ost]

I was thinking about that one too, all day long:) Found the Telemaster UAV thread also, great stuff.
Now do i want to go small or very big thats the question... How about some Piper Cub instead for better looks??

That would be very cool.

Bjorn used about 600.00 worth of off the shelf Pico Pilot systems. It's good and small stuff. Ready to integrate and play with. If you go the multiple part route like we're trying to get going here, RCAP, handheld GPS unit, WPS, etc, there would be a need for a little more space and lifting capacity at this time.

Dan

[icebear]

Hi Hovertime (and Dan!),

The Miss Stik is not exactly the same as the Miss 2/Super Miss. These are ARF's with a slightly wider body (and a bit heavier). I found the bigger space useful when putting in all the gear!
I like the smaller sizes for convenience, but of course they are somewaht limited when it comes to carry loads. I can carry about 1/2 pound in mine and that is what I was looking for (camera etc).
A Cub would be nice too of course - I haven't found a 50" Cub that is light enough yet though..

Let us know what you decide on!

/Bjorn

[icebear]

I have made some tests with the Miss 2/Supermiss and I found that even though very similar, the Supermiss is more suitable for my project. This is because the tailplane is larger and the rudder has more authority and this proved to be easiser when setting up the controls.

At the moment I am using the Miss 2 polyhedral wing but it would be interesting to use a mixer and use the original wing with ailerons as workshop did with his Telemaster Sr.

The Picopilot performs well and today I made a few "return home" fairly high altitude tests (1250 ft) over my wheat field.

The aim is to have onboard video/camera for shorter autonomous routes. More testing to follow but so far the airframe seems good and stable. I 'downgraded' to a smaller motor (Mega 16/15/7 with 9x6 prop) since I don't need that much power and I'd rather have longer runtime. A FMA 2100 mAh pack would give me at least 20 minutes of airtime but at the moment I am flying with Intellect 8x1200 mAh NiMH - great cells!

Here are some pictures from todays testing!

/Icebear

[sodman12]

icebear is there a way to program a flight that may be out of reach of your controls and program you camera to take picture at a certin gps way point and have it fly home with the picture taking part out of range of your flight controls?(im not saying this is a good idea but is it possible?)
thanks

[icebear]

I haven't set it up that way, even if I believe you could.
My receiver has failsafe so that if I should get out of range it enables the autopilot and since the last waypoint is always the start-up point the plane should return (after completing whatever mission waypoints entered).

There is a feature on the Picopilot that could be used to trigger a camera. On of the
outputs gives a logical high when in proximity of a waypoint, so you could use this signal to trigger a camera.

My plan is to go for video recording of a pre-programmed route and also use it for aerial photography, but within the Tx range.

Hope that answered your questions!

/Icebear

[sodman12]

yes is does.

i was also wondering about the fail safe which is a very nice feature.
about the video recording. do you have any idea if it were possible to fit a reg video recorder in an rc airplane so it would have much better resolution?

also one more question. what kind of range is possible with your tx or video. i am just entering this field and am trying to learn more about how far is to far!

thanks for being so helpful

[icebear]

Great sodman!

The failsafe is simply the feature of the FMA FS-8 receiver. I had to install servo boosters though, since this Rx has low logical outputs which the Picopilot doesn't like. It was easy to fix however - just ordered the from Cermark.

I'm note sure about your question about video - I use my Pentax Optio S5 digital camera for video recording. It has a fairly good resolution of 640x480.
I also use a small CVS camcorder but the video is OK but not more.
Did you mean a bigger video recorder? I know some people have used bigger ones but my plane couldnt carry one of those...

My Tx range is yet to be tested but I would guess about 1/2 mile or a bit more.. The range is limited by how far away I can see the plane rather than the Tx range :)!
I haven't tested to send video to the ground yet - I just record and playback when I land!

Good luck!

/Icebear

[sodman12]

i hope to test a cheap plane by driving it takeoff,fly,land. by just looking at video. of course i can jsut look up and be able to see it but i have seen some videos and would most likley need a better resolution than what i have seen.
do you know the size a plane would have to be to carry a bigger camcorder (2 engines ect )

thanks

[icebear]

I think you could get away with a bigger single electric motor glider.
I know that TStokes in the AP forum managed to carry a fullsize videocam in his
homebuilt AP plane. Do a serach there on his posts and you can see an example of what would work!

/Icebear

[workshop]

Way cool Ice!

I've been away for a while but I'm surveying corn fields with my UAV. Gyros hate hot weather...

Nice to see that you're making progress.

Jeff

[DACeller]

The aim is to have onboard video/camera for shorter autonomous routes. More testing to follow but so far the airframe seems good and stable. I 'downgraded' to a smaller motor (Mega 16/15/7 with 9x6 prop) since I don't need that much power and I'd rather have longer runtime. A FMA 2100 mAh pack would give me at least 20 minutes of airtime but at the moment I am flying with Intellect 8x1200 mAh NiMH - great cells!

Will the plane take off from a ground run, or do you have to air-launch it? I inherited a plane that I just identified as the Miss 2 and surprisingly 'fixed it' to fly with a cheap 7.2V w/2.5:1GB Brushed Speed 400. It flys alright, but it won't take off. I suspect it would be just peachy for UAV operation. I guessed at the motor combo and really it is a bit weak for sure for normal fllying... I've been eyeing a brushless setup so I'm interested in the performance of your Mega motor DD. The mounting (as I see in your picture) is obviously different and it doesn't look like you have/use an engine cowl.

Also, which of the PicoPilot setups are you using?

Thankx

[icebear]

Thanks Jeff! Good to hear that you are putting your UAV to work after all that development! I remember you used a mixer to mix rudder and ailerons - so far I am only using rudder but I will try the aileron setup with a mixer, since I belienve I could get smoother turns..


DACeller - The brushless setup I am using with 8xNiMH's gives plenty of power for take-off from short grass. I believe 5 m's or so and a good climb-out. I have about 120 watts of input power. The cowl is just left off for convenience when testing - it's painted and ready to go when I am happy with everything..

The motor is mounted with an aluminium bracket but works equally well mounted with two screws to the firewall (the 16/25/4 was mounted that way).

Finally - I have the Picopilot Nav-A, Alt-T

/Icebear