PICOPILOT - what airframe to use?

[martin_hrcg]

I have a NAV-A and ALT-T version and have been attempting to fly in a SIG Kadet EP.


http://www.nesail.com/pictures/kadetsig.jpg
Wingspan - 42 in.
Wingarea - 330 in²
Weight - 26 oz.
Battery - 3 cell 2000-3000 Li


Proving to be some trouble as the Kadet is not as stable an airframe as I'd hoped.

I intend to mount wireless video, GPS downlink, and 1 or 2 other sensors.

Suggestions?

[d_wheel]

I have a NAV-A and ALT-T version and have been attempting to fly in a SIG Kadet EP.

Proving to be some trouble as the Kadet is not as stable an airframe as I'd hoped.

I intend to mount wireless video, GPS downlink, and 1 or 2 other sensors.

Suggestions?

I would think the Kadet would be a good choice. I have used the system (except mine is alt-e) on a Big Stik 40 and it worked fine. The Kadet shoule be at least as stable as the Stik.

Later;

D.W.

[workshop]

Icebear has had much success with airframes of this size/type.

UNAV has a firmware upgrade for smaller planes that allows a tighter turning radius (10 degrees per second). Look up some of Icebear's threads to see what he's done. I have found that rudder mixing works well on the Alt-A PicoPilot variant.

Jeff

[icebear]

Hi Martin!

Like Jeff said I have a similar airframe - the Wattage Super Impress and it works nicely with the Picopilot. It took some trimming to get the right setup, but now it works fine.

Make sure to setup the plane so that it is as well trimmed as possible and reduce the mechanical throw to 'tame it'. The airframe looks as if it should be fairly stable. Here's a picture of my Super Impress (42", 30 oz) - they look alike! The only thing is that you may find it hard to fit all you want to. I went with the slightly bigger Super Miss (54") this year to carry more load.

However, with the Impress I did a 9000 meter, 32 WP runs last Sunday on a single 1200 mAh NiMH pack - a record for that setup...


/Bjorn

[martin_hrcg]

Yep! Looks allot like mine.

U-NAV recommended that we migrate to a more stable, rudder-only, electric motor glider. We trimmed the Kadet to hold altitude tested some rudder only steering and it did a decent job of holding altitude.

We were about to attempt to connect the ALT-A to the rudder servo, and U-NAV said, "we do not recommend connecting the NAV controller to the rudder servo if the plane has ailerons!" and 'get a motor-glider.'

After looking for alternatives today, I think we will stick with the Kadet.

Are you utilizing ailerons or rudder to turn?

Also, see wiring diagram.

Thanks,
-Marty

[workshop]

I had great results mixing 20% Ailerons into Rudder. I used the PicoPilot Alt-A and a Vee-Tail mixer detailed in the "Senior Telemaster + PicoPilot" thread.

Jeff

[icebear]

Hi again,

Nice to see your setup! My airframe seems to have more dihedral and maybe it is therefore better suitable to rudder only turns (I am using the rudder for control).

I guess you could go on experimenting to see if you can go with rudder steering and the Alt-A. Jeff's had very good results with his mixing Rudder/Ailerons in a similar airframe, although bigger, so that might be an even better way to go!

/Bjorn