Show us your plane!

[typicalaimster]

There are many planes out there to choose from. I know a few of us built our own planes.. Others are using off the shelf models. I figured we could all share our setups to help give everyone an idea of what's out there...

My current production plane was first 'born' back in 2005. The first logged flight was back on Dec 24th 2005. Since then I've logged over 7 hours worth of flying on it. There is probably more flight time on the plane since I forgot to log a hand full of flights.

It has a 54" wingspan and comes in about 2-2.5 lbs. The power plant is a 2100mah cell pushing a AXI-2808/24 and a 9x5.5 prop. On average I fly the system under power for about 10 minutes before coming back down. The longest flights were over the summer @ DC-RC in Maryland. There I was able to thermal up a few times for long duration flights.

A few other fun facts.. The plane has an average cruise of about 20-25mph. Higher speeds are about 30-35mph. Usually I loiter around about 100-500 feet AGL.. However it has been up to about 1200' AGL. The plane is also equipped with an FMA CoPilot allowing a bit of flight stability when needed.

As of 2007 I'm retiring the plane in hopes of building another one. A few good spinoffs came from the design. I was able to build a larger '40' sized version and a quicker more nimble '35' sized version is in the works.

[PeteSchug]

I don't have any pictures of my Easy Star except for some closeups of the T&P, but my Tiger Moth has probably got a couple of years worth of flying on it, spent the night in trees, battered it's prop repeatedly into trees trying to land at difficult sites, been flown indoors and out, in calm and was crashed at our labor day picnic in the dying gasps of Ernesto.

This is my second tiger moth. My first was lost in high winds and my flying buddy gave me his. I had already flown it into all the aforementioned trees, then went and built my own, so this is, in a sense, also my first tiger moth, but I didn't own it then, it was just borrowed.

Very shortly after this video frame the plane landed in Lowell Lake in Vermont and the dinky little 50 mw tx kept transmitting even though it was probably underwater.

The best thing about this plane is that it can be flown anywhere, and it often is! It has never drawn adverse comments from anyone except one tennis player who was annoyed that his father in law was more interested in talking to me than watching his grand kids play tennis!

No head tracking, but I have been thinking about putting a pan servo in. I've also stuck the camera underneath on occasion.

Pete

Edit: I have to add that on both this and the previous pico tiger moth I beefed up the wings with 0.4 mm carbon fiber rods. I used three rods about eight inches long (all deliberately a little different in length) at the center sections at the leading and trailing edges of the bottom wing and the leading edge of the top wing. (a total of nine rods) I have an on-board video of the wings folding prior to doing that mod.

[twinturbostang]

I should have some pictures of my TwinStar II pretty soon. I'm currently building a camera pan/tilt system for it, and it will be ready for some FPV action. It has been upgraded from stock form to now include brushless and lithium polymer power. Two 3 cell 2100 Thunder Power packs in parallel provide the juice, and two 400F brushless motors, two Thunderbird 18 ESC's, and two 6x4 props provide the GO power. :) And GO it does! The performance is phenomenal in comparison to the stock brushed setup. Can we say unlimited vertical?? :D Once I get the video gear onboard, it probably will be too heavy for that. But it still has tons of power. Way more than necessary when flying FPV actually. I may prop it down some just to get longer flight times. Which btw, should be somewhere around 25 to 30 minutes.

[JettPilot]

Here are my 4 FPV planes in order of size.

Evo .46 Sized Hangar 9 Arrow Trainer
Saito .82 Plane - My own design
Zenoah G-26 Powered Plane - My own design
Zenoah G-45 Powered Plane - My own design, currently being rebuilt for a lot more speed :D

[AndrésMtnez]

Hi

We discovered FPV two months ago and fly FPV for one month. Here are our trainers :eek:


The reason is simple, video equipment arrived earlier than the Tiger Moth 400 we are currently building :rolleyes:


Anyway I have had only one FPV accident due to a low flight glitch, but keep in mind I fly rc for 14 years, the two formosas had MANY hours, and we started flying one by one with spotter, and that´s a great help (a MUST)


Our equipment: Mine(red).....Sergio(yellow)

Futaba t9cp........................Futaba ff6

Axi 2217/16.........................Axi 2212/26sl
APC 10x5E (underproped).......APC 10x7E
Prolite 3s2100......................Align 3s 1900 13C
Rx 149dp.............................???? (the one of the ff6 tx)

tx 2,4 200mw.......................tx 2,4 200mw
camera kx-131......................kx-131
no video battery....................no video battery

AUW 700g............................AUW 670g


Andres

[JMSTECH]

Multiplex PICO Twinstar "first generation".
ESC: 2 Hyperion Titan 20A ( aircraft-world.com )
Motor: 2 brushless Hyperion P1919 outrunners ( aircraft-world.com )
Battery: Thunder Power 11.1 volt 2100mAH Lipo (plane)
: 12 volt Ni-MH 700mAh with homebrew V-reg (with help from Mark Harris & "afroman" of Dimension Engineering) for camera, A/V TX.
P/T control modual: TrackR1 from AeroPix.com ( AnthonyRC )
Pan servo: Hitec HS81 (Twinturbostang style!)
Tilt servo : Hitec HS55
Camera: KPC-S226CB 380tvl, with 2.97mm lens ( Kilrah recommends!)
AV TX Range Video 2.4Ghz 500mw
AV RX: 2.4Ghz AeroPix.com (another quality design from AnthonyRC!)
Futaba 9CAP
HMD: Innovatek V-490
Video Recorder: Panasonic DVD RW (DMR-ES15)

I had replaced the styrofoam cockpit top with balsa wood and carbon fiber to hold the camera/servos in place. The paint job was an attempt I made hoping it would stick to the old style Styrofoam. As you can see, it was not as good as I planned. Oh well, I started on it so I will leave it! :)

John

[scrtsqrl]

Started off with a EZ* RTF (fig.1)...w/ MicroWireless VideoPod under the wing...(fig.2). Learned to fly RC with it. Got about 40 min of flight time per charge with 2500 mAH NiMH's.

Video Pod was good enough to fly around the "patern". Also gave me a decent cue to turn around, if I got too far when it started to drop out.

Eventually upgraded (fig.3) w/ 480 motor, 6 X 4 Prop, 1800 mAH LiPo, 30 A Jetti ESC, pan, and new radio...about 35 min flights...bit shorter but a lot more responsive.

Radio set-up: Normal 4 Ch set-up, with Cam pan on Flap Pot.

I separated the Video Pod's cam from the Tx. Cam on the pan servo (fig.4). Tx mounted on the tailboom (fig.5).

I fly using this "geek box" (fig. 6). It's a portable DVD player...Hanging around my neck, it gives me a calculated FOV of around 25 deg...I'm able to "look up" and see my plane.

Involuntarily retired, when I tried to go far. Logged about 8.5 FPV hrs and 32 FPV landings.

Currently upgrading:
Getting a new EZ*. Brushless + LiPos, Bigger Video Tx. 90deg FOV Cam.

[hihptsi]

here are some pictures of my E* i had to make some changes to make it ideal for FPV flight,first thing i did was enlarge the rudder,then i extended the wings
wich allows me to carry allot more payload if needed.this plane has MANY MANY fpv flying hours on it and is still going strong :)

have a good one
Walter

[Funtana90]

Hello all,

I was working on this project for 3 month, The Predator is ARF kit from NitroHobby.
The Predator included:
-KX131 KT&C cam
-Lawmate 500mW 2.4Ghz TX
-Hyperion 3007 350W Outrunner
-8X4 APC prop
-PCM 8 ch RX (all 8 in use)
-6 Esky micro servos
-mic for Audio
On the ground I use:
-PLL 8 ch RX for AV
-14 dbi High gain antenna (I first use home made patch)
-7" screen from portable DVD system
-RD8000 Sanwa

Also the cam pan/tilt it controlled from the RD8000 (Mix).
The range is unnoun - I reach 1 Kilometer already, and the sky is the limit...

There are some improvement that I will do when I will have some spare money, like video glasses, telemetry and OSD...

http://www.rangevideo.com/Images/predator2.jpg
http://www.shay-rc.com/Galleries/Itay%20L/rc-photo-1167051486.jpg
http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/8403/img0240ys6.jpg

[JMSTECH]

Funtana90
Nice plane! I loved your set up as soon as I saw it on Range Video's customer's page! Great job!

[JettPilot]

The predator looks really neat ! The placement of the video TX antenna out the front is very bad for video flying. It will result in dead / very weak spots as the plane flys away and towards the pilot.

JettPilot

[twinturbostang]

I suppose it depends on what he plans on doing though. For long distance flying, you're definitely right. It would be better to orient the antenna vertical. However, if he plans on loitering directly overhead at high altitudes, then his current configuration, coupled with a circularly polarized patch antenna pointed straight up, would actually work pretty good.

[Funtana90]

Until now there wasn't any problem, I'm getting clear video at 1 Kilometer
also If needed, I can always direct the antenna from this position up or down

[_helitron_]

Hi together,

started VP-flying only 4 month ago with a MPX TwinStar II, in the meantime I try to build a copy of the Aerosonde (www.aerosonde.com) for VP and RTL-autopilot development. Attached some pictures.

Used stuff for TwinStar II and ground station:

TX-131 cam from BWAV
200 mW 2,4 GHz Tx from BWAV
2x Hitec HS-56 Servos for Pan/Tilt
1000 mAh 2S1P LiPo

2,4 GHz Rx from BWAV
640x480 I-theater goggles
Gyrocontrol from www.rc-tech.ch
Aiptek 6800 Pocket DV recorder
Kokam 1250 mAh 3S1P LiPo
Homemade Bi-Quad-Antenna

Greets, Erwin

[typicalaimster]

That's a pretty cool backfire antenna idea.. Never thought of that!

[_helitron_]

Hi typical,

was not my own idea I've got it from this german website

http://www.vallstedt-networks.de/index.html

very good pictures and construction hints (in german only unfortunately) about different antenna designs are behind the first point "Technikwelt" on top of the left menu and then under "Bauanleitungen" and "Fotogalerien 2".

By the way I'm very impressed of your doubleboom pusher I love such kind of aircrafts. That's the reason why I'll try to build a (nearly) copy of the Aerosonde :) .

Have attached several photos of the collected parts for this project (fuselage, wings, power plant). Power plant is a Hacker A30-10XL with Hacker X-30-Pro ESC and a Kokam 3S2P 4000 mAh LiPo. For wing levelling I've also decided to install a FMA FS8CPI Co-Pilot (have it already tested in the TwinStar II) and for height logging a Z-Log altimeter. For the RTL-autopilot I'm waiting for the WPS II from www.hexpertsystems.com (MX).

Greets, Erwin

[scrtsqrl]

and for height logging a Z-Log altimeter. www.hexpertsystems.com.

Greets, Erwin

Try this...It's got a few more functions for not much more...
Black Box (http://www.act-labs.com/scripts/proddetails.asp?Pid=854)

[_helitron_]

Thanks for the hint scrtsqrl :) ,

nice device, but I bought already all that stuff for data logging, OSD, GPS, wing leveller and so on. Furthermore this Black Box can't handle PAL (I'm in Europe and all my video stuff is for the PAL system).

Greets, Erwin

[Kilrah]

this Black Box can't handle PAL

It can, the OSD will just be a bit offset, but nothing serious :)

[_helitron_]

Hi Kilrah,

ah, really ! Thanks for the hint !

Thought so, cause they have a big fat message there on the website "Warning : NTSC ONLY, not compatible with PAL" :) ! Is it actually possible to configure the OSD display flexible ?

I think I have to look a little bit closer for that Black Box ;) .

By the way, a happy new year to all or "einen guten Rutsch in 2007" (a good slide to 2007) as we say here in Austria :D !

Greets, Erwin

[Kilrah]

Well, actually it was a bit of a poker deal... When I ordered it (right at the beginning, they were saying it was a "beta unit" but they still seem to), there was nothing stated about PAL or NTSC, and I forgot about that when ordering. I thought of it like the day after, but well, that was a bit late. As there was nothing written I assumed it would work with both, I waited until I received it, did a test and found everything was fine apart from the OSD shifted a bit towards the top.

You might want to check this before getting it: http://www.rc-cam.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=1046
I don't know if the issues have been solved. We haven't heard of them again...

That would be a "Bonne année à vous" here! :p

[_helitron_]

Ah, you have had good luck in this case, Kilrah :p !

I studied already the infos about the Black Box but I think I'll still wait a little bit.

I bought already an OSD module from here http://www.dl1ie.de several years ago. Price was/is only € 39,00 for the kit and € 59,00 for the assembled module. It has a serial interface and is totally flexible to configure. Surely, it's not a plug and play module cause one have to input the data via serial I/F from a controller. But for me it's a good solution cause I've my own flightcontroller (ATmega128) on board that's able to handle all this stuff.

And "Bonne année à vous aussi !" (know a little bit french also ;) ).

Greets, Erwin

[malvinass]

Mi FPV
:)

[rich22304]

I haven't seen the Stryker configured for FPV on this site. I have visited this site daily, but for the most part I am a sideline fan. I have watched just about every video (ground based, aerial, and FPV) that is posted on the WWW. No Kidding.....I suppose there are worse videos to be addicted to.

To my point...I would like to see someones FPV setup for the Stryker. I have the Stryker, and the camera is on its way. Anyone?

[aaronredbaron]

the one thing to consider is how much harder it is to fly FPV than normal RC. I can fly a styker upside down doing circuits around the field at less then 3 feet and much more, but FPV flying with a slow stick presents an incredible challenge, just for basic flight! I bet the styker would be fine for FPV, but only when you are really comfortable with flying an easy star or slow stick etc. I woundn't have thought so before i did it myself, but its like going back to square one! you have to learn like a newbie all over again :rolleyes:

[rob10000]

Here's mine, flying since last summer..

Airframe - Multiplex Easystar
Motor - Axi 2208/26
ESC - Phoenix 25
Prop - APC 7x5 trimmed to a 6" diameter
RX - Berg 7P
Camera - KX-131
Video - Black Widow 200mw
Display - 600x480 googles w/integrated headtracker
Recorder - Aiptek PVR
Batteries -3S2000/2S700

http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/9/24414051480.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=3304864)

I installed the ESC and RX in the aft fuselage to help out with the CG.
They are accessible via hatches cut into the bottom of the fuselage.

http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/10/27717542780.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=3590613)

http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/9/24414045030.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=3304862)

My ground station is self-contained in a modified plastic toolbox, and holds a 6Ah 12v battery, video splitter with 4 outputs, video RX, 8db patch antenna, and a secondary 5.6" LCD display.

http://f10.putfile.com/thumb/8/23610124652.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=3261581)

http://f10.putfile.com/thumb/8/23610131149.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=3261582)

http://f10.putfile.com/thumb/8/23610133359.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=3261584)

[PeteSchug]

I haven't seen the Stryker configured for FPV on this site. I have visited this site daily, but for the most part I am a sideline fan. I have watched just about every video (ground based, aerial, and FPV) that is posted on the WWW. No Kidding.....I suppose there are worse videos to be addicted to.

To my point...I would like to see someones FPV setup for the Stryker. I have the Stryker, and the camera is on its way. Anyone?

I think the biggest problem you will have (and I had it on my pico tiger moth) is getting very far away very fast without any feeling of being far away. The view through the goggles is deceptive. You can be very comfortable as you vanish from view!

My first two flights involved a lot of yelling by my safety pilot. First I went behind some trees into someone's back yard. Only took a couple of seconds to get there and only a few more to get back to where my safety pilot could see the plane, but the point is: I was out of sight in seconds and if I was alone and lost it I wouldn't have known where to look.

Second flight I got way downwind in less than a minute. Again, no problem bringing it back but I had no idea that my safety pilot could barely see the plane. There is no feeling that you are far away. YOU can see fine, but if you take off your goggles you might not be able to locate the plane even if it is still about where you think it is.

On my third flight I began by listening to my safety pilots (two this time) right off the bat. I got plenty of stick time (easy star in this case) and I knew where I was all the time, but this was at my club field and I was on my good behavior. I didn't land it though I think I could have. You have to give your safety pilots some stick time too.

A nice slow plane will give you plenty of time, especially if there is any breeze, before your buddies start telling you that you are getting too far away.

I've been flying for over forty years and flying video equipped planes since the winter of '03. My opportunities for video pilotage are sporadic but I take every chance I get, but not risky ones. I often fly in the boonies and I would hate to have a good solid video image and not know which tree my plane was in!

Pete

[rich22304]

Thank you for the experienced advice. From this group, I'll take it as it's meant.

[typicalaimster]

Well Striker can be done. I'm going to be putting my camera on a V-Diamond here in a couple more weeks. I've flown a few FPV missions on a trainer and I'm ready to take it to the next level. I just wouldn't suggest starting out FPV on a striker.

[4mla1fn]

the one thing to consider is how much harder it is to fly FPV than normal RC....I woundn't have thought so before i did it myself, but its like going back to square one! you have to learn like a newbie all over again :rolleyes:
i'm a newbie; been flying for ~two months; hope to transition to fpv by summer. can you describe what was so much harder about flying fpv? i've been training using the aerofly sim. when i first started training, i found that if i switched to the inside-the-cockpit view, i could fly perfectly fine. zero crashes whereas when i switched back to the normal outside-the-plane view, it was ugly. (i'd even played with narrowing the cockpit field of view; no big difference in my flying. navigating, keeping altitude, nice controlled turns, perfect landings.) anyway, from this experience, and to the extent the sim captures the essential challenges of flying, i've expected that a main challenge to fpv would be mainly logistics; the tangle of devices, keeping track of where you are, how to find your way back; etc, but not the actually flying. i must be missing something so y'all please enlighten me.

[PeteSchug]

i'm a newbie; been flying for ~two months; hope to transition to fpv by summer. can you describe what was so much harder about flying fpv? i've been training using the aerofly sim. when i first started training, i found that if i switched to the inside-the-cockpit view, i could fly perfectly fine. zero crashes whereas when i switched back to the normal outside-the-plane view, it was ugly. (i'd even played with narrowing the cockpit field of view; no big difference in my flying. navigating, keeping altitude, nice controlled turns, perfect landings.) anyway, from this experience, and to the extent the sim captures the essential challenges of flying, i've expected that a main challenge to fpv would be mainly logistics; the tangle of devices, keeping track of where you are, how to find your way back; etc, but not the actually flying. i'm must be missing something so y'all please enlighten me.

Just make sure you have a pair of eyes outside of the goggles.

Even if you are in a very familiar area on your first flights you will tend to get pretty far away. My second flight was a field that I know very well, walked the whole thing a few times. Flew at both ends, flew heli's and gliders there and when I flew with the goggles I was very comfortable, but I got far enough away to worry my safety pilot. It didn't feel far, I could see fine and I knew where I was, but my plane was a speck to my spotter and I probably would not have been able to find it right away if I took the goggles off.

I had no problems, but I take my spotter's word for it, I was flying at the limit of his visual range. BTW, this on 50 mw.

In other words. Yeah, maybe I'd have had no problem, but if I did have a problem and I was alone I probably would not have been able to find the plane visually if I got any further. This was not in the boonies. It was a big athletic field in town and the area downwind was industrially zoned with cyclone fences etc. Not a friendly place to go down. Same distance at my club field would have me in the woods, but probably still on the property. Definitely far enough away for our field marshall (everyone draws that job once every season) to give me a warning etc.

The biggest early problem for me is the tendency to not be aware of how far I am. I don't think I am unusual.

BTW. My favorite sim for this sort of practice is Great Planes G2. It is way better, harder to land than the Ikarus one and I really dislike G3 since the planes land themselves. In G2 when you do the In The Cockpit view there is no cockpit. That makes judging height a little harder.

The bad thing about sims is that you are flying in a bounded area. You know when you are at the end of the flyable area and how to turn around etc. Not so in video pilotage.

It's not that it's difficult, it's just not what you expect and the big problem/worry for me is getting out of sight behind something and not knowing where I came down. I do know places I would like to fly that don't have those problems, but I don't get there that often. I once flew off a Vermont ski slope. It would be fantastic for video piloting but it is now overgrown with brush and small trees. I do have a ground based video of the place.

Pete

[4mla1fn]

The biggest early problem for me is the tendency to not be aware of how far I am. I don't think I am unusual.
hi pete. thanks for the detailed explanation. it is really helpful. i can definitely appreciate how easy it would be to wander off or get disoriented. my plan/hope/aspiration is to use an osd-gps on my early flights that will display a heading-to-home and a distance-to-home (along with the usual stuff). i've always enjoyed building and/or coding these kinds of embedded apps, so that part will be fun.

In G2 when you do the In The Cockpit view there is no cockpit. That makes judging height a little harder.
same thing in aerofly--no cockpit--so it at least captures that aspect.

The bad thing about sims is that you are flying in a bounded area. You know when you are at the end of the flyable area and how to turn around etc. Not so in video pilotage.
right! one set of google searches i have on the back burner is seeing if there's a way to fly over satellite images in aerofly or fms. i've also wondered if microsoft flight sim would work with my usb rc controller. there might even be ways to build and import plane models so i could fly my easystar in msfs over good scenery. ;)

edit: i see (http://tinyurl.com/y7pa36) msfs can use the usb rc controller. now, can you make plane models...

[twinturbostang]

i've expected that a main challenge to fpv would be mainly logistics; the tangle of devices, keeping track of where you are, how to find your way back; etc, but not the actually flying.
Yep, you nailed it right there. Assuming you've had even a few minutes on a decent flight simulator like Microsoft Flight Sim. or Aerofly as you mentioned (in cockpit mode), then you will have no problems maintaining flight control of the plane. The big issue is maintaining where exactly you are. When you're flying your plane via normal line-of-sight, actually count or take a stop watch and measure how long in seconds it takes your plane to cover the span of your field. My guess is it's a matter of a few seconds (10-20 probably). So when you're flying FPV, you have to remember, if you don't turn every 10-20 seconds, you are flying outside of visual range. It's difficult to grasp how important this is at first when you first start flying FPV. You get overwhelmed by the feeling of being in the cockpit. And there's a huge sense of just wanting to keep on flying in any direction!

After this sensation has subsided enough for you to remember what you should be doing (turning back towards you!), you run into the other problem. You probably have never seen the field from this new perspective. And it is very easy to get lost! I have mentioned this before that Google Earth (or equivalent program) is an invaluable tool for us. Zoom in on your field and study it in great detail. Learn the location of all landmarks... trees, buildings, roads, etc. And then try to visualize what it might look like from the planes perspective. This will help you greatly.

Oh, there is one other problem. There is no sense of speed hardly (unless very close to land based objects), and altitude is difficult to judge precisely. The speed thing, well, you have to maintain enough airspeed to not stall obviously. So you have to use your judgment as far as what throttle position results in safe flying (based on previous line-of-sight flying). And the altitude... do your best to judge height, based on landmarks around you like trees or buildings. And it's best not to attempt FPV landings until you've done many successful FPV flights. The ground looks far away usually, but then it can very quickly get really close! :)

[PeteSchug]

hi pete. thanks for the detailed explanation. it is really helpful. i can definitely appreciate how easy it would be to wander off or get disoriented. my plan/hope/aspiration is to use an osd-gps on my early flights that will display a heading-to-home and a distance-to-home (along with the usual stuff). i've always enjoyed building and/or coding these kinds of embedded apps, so that part will be fun.

[snip]



When you do it post the info and problems you encountered on the way. I am almost certainly going to add OSD and GPS. Not that I want to go wandering over the countryside. In this part of the country you have both the problem of populated areas and woods etc to get you in trouble. You almost have to fly in a designated corridor. The idea of a heading for home sounds great.

One of the things I've wanted to do for well over thirty years is xmit telemetry data equivalent to needle, ball, airspeed, plus compass heading and altitude and make a cockpit display on a computer to see if I could fly by instruments only using just the most basic stuff.

In those days I envisioned using synch from a local TV station and the same station on the ground with my video replacing the station's video. In that way I thought I could make a vidicon based camera that would be light enough to fly! Can't say I had dull daydreams. I figured I would get some horizontal displacement of the signal when I got far away (camera and rx different distances from synch station) but it would probably have worked.

As you may guess I never quite got around to it.

Pete

[AndrésMtnez]

Hi

I think Pete and Twinturbostang have explained the main problems for a fpv newby perfectly :)


I´d emphasize this:

[...] So when you're flying FPV, you have to remember, if you don't turn every 10-20 seconds, you are flying outside of visual range. It's difficult to grasp how important this is at first when you first start flying FPV. You get overwhelmed by the feeling of being in the cockpit. And there's a huge sense of just wanting to keep on flying in any direction!



Flying FPV is so cool that when you´re starting you WILL forget it sometime. Even if it´s only for some seconds can be enough to get lost.

The "turning every 10-20 seconds" is the best way to keep in visual range.


I´d add that the place where you fly REALLY MATTERS. If your usual field is in the middle of nowhere, look for a better place where you´d have more references. If all around the field is the same, you will have much more oportunities to get disoriented.


Andres

[VRflyer]

I fly since six years using only goggles, now it’s time for something harder to fly…


Planes:
Hyperion Cap232 25e
Motor: Hyperion Z3019-12
Controller: Hyperion TITAN 50A
Battery: Hyperion 3S 2500mAh Lifestorm 20C
Radio: FutabaT9C
Receiver: Futaba PCM R149DP or Berg 7P

Video:
“Ready to fly kit” 500mW from Range video
http://www.rangevideo.com/aerial_video.html
Headset: I-Glasses (very old model) or Future Hobbies FH520
http://www.futurehobbies.com/items_detail.asp?id=16&item=117

[VRflyer]

An aerobatic plane is evidently harder to fly than my Easystar. I will lose near 50% of the front and side view while piloting, so this planes is not for debutant. I check in magazine since many years for good aerobatic planes for video piloting. Before Hyperion introduce their line of product, I never found one that meet my goal, it’s very hard to choose from picture without seeing the real planes.

First, the canopy must be crystal clear, and the one I got in my hands is very close to that. Inside my goggles I can’t notice any imperfection. For me canopy is important, I want to see some reflections, it’s more realistic. Also the Cap232 canopy has a bubble in his shape, so the camera can be install higher compare to others models. Also the wing is lower, so from the cockpit cam, I will better see the ground. The colour of the planes in front of the camera when it looks forward is dark, etc.

The power set that can be buy with the planes is already much more powerful than necessary because this plane is designed for 3D flight, so with the extra power, I can add some weight without worry, I have not intention to fly 3D, hum not at first… but with the extra power, I will do any aerobatic I want. I will try the OSD Vision to read altitude in real time, but I will wait a little bit before adding it.

I will use only one battery to power all the planes electronic and motor, a 3S 2500mAh. The BEC of the ESC is disabled, it cannot drive 6 mini-servos, I made my own 6V linear regulator (7808 and 470uF cap) to power the onboard radio receiver, all servos and telemetry. I use a second 5V regulator for the video tx and camera from http://www.dimensionengineering.com/AnyVoltMini.htm

I made many photos to explain the detail construction so take a look

[VRflyer]

Some steps of the construction

[AndyOne]

VRF,

Someone posted a video a while ago of FPV flight from a model like this which includes aerobatic manouvres, it'll be in the AP forum somewhere.

May be you should consider doing what the full-size boys do to help the restricted vision problem. If you look at any serious full-size aerobat you will see windows in the floor and the sides of the cockpit. If this was my project I would be tempted have the camera so it could tilt downwards and replace some of the covering with clear film.

Andy.

[VRflyer]

VRF,

Someone posted a video a while ago of FPV flight from a model like this which includes aerobatic manouvres, it'll be in the AP forum somewhere.

May be you should consider doing what the full-size boys do to help the restricted vision problem. If you look at any serious full-size aerobat you will see windows in the floor and the sides of the cockpit. If this was my project I would be tempted have the camera so it could tilt downwards and replace some of the covering with clear film.

Andy. Can you show me this video, did it fly the planes using goggles? I already made an aerobatic video using my Funtana, but I don't think it's the same, the camera was not in the cockpit.

Funtana video: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/340015/aerobatic_flight_onboard_funtana_planes/

I have several photos of CAP232, it's a serious planes, I never notice they put windows under the planes, anyway I don't think I will need one, aerobatic is very technical, by watching on the side, I will see the horizon, it's all I need to kept the planes straight.

Perhaps they add a windows in the floor of the edge540, because this planes should have a very poor ground view from the cockpit. The Cap232 is better design.

[PeteSchug]

Very impressive VR,

I was going to try my Funtana for video aerobatics, but I really don't like the plane that much. No matter how I balance it the thing seems to want to either dive a little or come in nose high when landing, as if there is a little angle at which it doesn't like to fly. Also, it uses a geared motor and the gears don't last very long. It is on the shelf right now.

I just finished the 1/7th scale Hobby Lobby Tiger Moth and I want to give that a try for some mild, non-precision aerobatics. I don't know how good the visibility will be, sitting in the rear cockpit, but it should be interesting.

Word on this plane is that you have to keep power on for landing or it falls out of the sky and it also has a reputation for nosing over while taxiing unless you go slow and hold full up elevator. Sounds like good practice for video pilotage even if I don't get off the ground!

There isn't much opportunity for me to fly until spring so all I can do is build and day dream.

I look forward to seeing a video taken from your Cap.

Pete

[VRflyer]

For me also is time for building, the weather is very bad this winter, lot of wind and rain. We are supposed to be under one or two feets of snow, but we still see the green grass, never seen January without snow in Montreal. +10C today, it should be -10C...

[scrtsqrl]

Check out this awesome Build Article (http://www.rcdon.com/html/the_sail-cam_project.html) . He does outstanding work.

[AndyOne]

Can you show me this video, did it fly the planes using goggles? I already made an aerobatic video using my Funtana, but I don't think it's the same, the camera was not in the cockpit.

Funtana video: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/340015/aerobatic_flight_onboard_funtana_planes/
...

That's the one I remember.

Andy.

[typicalaimster]

Adding a sticky to this one. There are some great examples in here. Please continue to share them as your projects develop.

[zaguruinzasky]

Guys, I'm waiting my predator for video piloting but I still haven't decided about my TX Radio and my video equipment. I have a good budget (2000/2500 $). What would you buy if you were me? (I actually have no idea about what to buy.. )

[PeteSchug]

Guys, I'm waiting my predator for video piloting but I still haven't decided about my TX Radio and my video equipment. I have a good budget (2000/2500 $). What would you buy if you were me? (I actually have no idea about what to buy.. )

Check out Range Video, Black Widow AV, and Future Hobbies for starters.

There are several posts of the URL's and I think we need a sticky just to list sources.

I'd say get a KX131, a video tx of 100 to 500 mw, a good receiver and a patch antenna.

Check out RCTech, Or maybe that's RC-Tech for goggles with head tracking. Any old goggles will do if you get separate head tracking. AnthonyRC also sells a head tracker. He is on this forum.

As far as goggles go, bear in mind that whatever you get will probably be obsolete by summer. New stuff comes out every day.

Don't just wait for someone like me to make suggestions. Read everything you can find on this forum. There are a million ideas being exchanged here and no one person can keep track of it all.

Pete

[4mla1fn]

My guess is it's a matter of a few seconds (10-20 probably). So when you're flying FPV, you have to remember, if you don't turn every 10-20 seconds...
until now, i've been flying with 6 or 7 cell nimh packs. i wasn't impressed with the speed. i got my first lipo pack yesterday (tp 3s2070) and flew today--72 degrees in january :confused:. holy cow, what a difference. i can now see how you the plane can fly away from you real quick.

[VRflyer]

until now, i've been flying with 6 or 7 cell nimh packs. i wasn't impressed with the speed. i got my first lipo pack yesterday (tp 3s2070) and flew today--72 degrees in january :confused:. holy cow, what a difference. i can now see how you the plane can fly away from you real quick.

Vermont is located south from Montreal, effectively it was very warm today, we reach +10C here.

About equipement, I will suggest
500mw ready to fly kit from range video
http://www.rangevideo.com/aerial_video.html

Goggle: Future Hobbies FH510
http://www.futurehobbies.com/items_detail.asp?item=82

Head Tracker: TrackR1
http://www.aeropix.ch/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=6&zenid=095d752d57df40b9e6dcfe04f832eaf5

You will need a second battery for the video stuff. 4 nimh are not expensive, choose light, or use 2S lipo with 5V regulator

Don't buy 14dbi high gain patch antenna, if you can find 8 dbi patch it would be perfect, but you can start with the antenna that you will receive in the video kit.

I think you already have an Easystar, so don't buy the predator now, wait, it look very good, but with more experience, you will perhaps choose another one. Easystar is the best pane to learn FPV. It's harder than it's look...

edit: Oups! I just saw you already ordered the predator, do you have intention to start FPV with this one?

[4mla1fn]

an easystar knockoff (http://tinyurl.com/y8aw5s)? after i finished flying today, i ran into a new flyer that picked this up at harbor freight. it's amazingly similar. i tried putting their wing into my fuse and it looks liked a perfect fit.

[4mla1fn]

...I still haven't decided about my TX Radio...
if by "TX radio" you perchance mean "rc TX", then the trackR1 gyro presently only works with high-end futaba TXs and graupner.

[jfassino]

VRflyer,

Any update, flight reports or vedeo with the new Hyperion Cap232 25e? Looks like a nice set up. I am looking forward to hearing how it works for you.

I have enjoyed watching your videos and learning from your posts. Thanks,

Jim

[VRflyer]

I need a new BEC, so it will take 2-3 week before take-off

[Luis Gabriel]

I need help,

After two weaks flying with 7" DVD, now it is time to change to googles, but i am very confused.
I have same googles to choose from:

Z800
I-vision 922
fh510
Cyberman 922.000 pixel (the link are below)

http://www.pearl.de/pearl.jsp?redir=yes&screenX=1280&screenY=800

i suposed that fh510 and cyberman are the same thing.

PLEASE same one help me with my decision because i really want to by some googles.

[VRflyer]

I need help,

After two weaks flying with 7" DVD, now it is time to change to googles, but i am very confused.
I have same googles to choose from:

Z800
I-vision 922
fh510
Cyberman 922.000 pixel (the link are below)

http://www.pearl.de/pearl.jsp?redir=yes&screenX=1280&screenY=800

i suposed that fh510 and cyberman are the same thing.

PLEASE same one help me with my decision because i really want to by some googles.

FH510 (Future hobbies) is the best one for a beginner, you can install TrackR1 gyro on the side
and the price is good versus quality.
FH520 (I-Vision922) is better, but you will to find where to install gyro, and made your own sunshade (I still not have news about sunshade for I-Vision)
Z800 expensive and harder to use, but it`s the best one

[Hunter850]

This is the plane I am starting a build on for the winter. It is a proven plane for ap and I think it would make a good platform for FPV flying. Lots of room for equipment.

Of course it must be scratch built.

http://www.windandwavemodels.com/Eyespy.html

Kevin

[zaguruinzasky]

edit: Oups! I just saw you already ordered the predator, do you have intention to start FPV with this one?

I ordered but I'll start with the Easystar until I fell confortable with it. Thanx for the tip !!

[zaguruinzasky]

if by "TX radio" you perchance mean "rc TX", then the trackR1 gyro presently only works with high-end futaba TXs and graupner.
I mean the radio to control the aircraft. Yesterday I ordered a Futaba T9CP SUPER FF9.

[zaguruinzasky]

This is the plane I am starting a build on for the winter. It is a proven plane for ap and I think it would make a good platform for FPV flying. Lots of room for equipment.

Of course it must be scratch built.

http://www.windandwavemodels.com/Eyespy.html

Kevin
ah nice one! I'll try one when I'll have crashed my easystar eheh

[zaguruinzasky]

Goggle: Future Hobbies FH510
http://www.futurehobbies.com/items_detail.asp?item=82


The RC-Tech.ch goggle also has rubber sun shaders, do u think the FH510 is better ??

Thanx!

EDIT: ooops the FH510 are Backordered until approx. 01/05/2007 ( I guess MAY 1st.. or is it Jan 5th??).. I'll ask them and in case I'll go for rc-tech then... or any other suggestion?

[JettPilot]

Have attached several photos of the collected parts for this project (fuselage, wings, power plant).

Greets, Erwin

Ewrin,

I really like the looks of that plane, is that your own design ? Where did you get the wings and fuse from ???

JettPilot

[_helitron_]

Hi Jett,

nice to hear from you, I really like also all your self-made planes and specially your exciting videos ! Unfortunately we don't have such a wide areas without buildings and streets here in Austria as in your neighborhood. So it is a bit difficult to fly around with goggles :) .

According to my project, as I mentioned before in my posts I just try to build a semiscale copy of the well known UAV Aerosonde (www.aerosonde.com), see attached photo also. Aerosonde was the first UAV that flew over the atlantic ocean in 1998. As I'm a fan of double boom pushers I decided to build such a plane as an successor for my good old TwinStar II. Currently I'm collecting all the necessary stuff for the project.

The wings are from a full glass fibre sailplane that was lying around in my cellar since over ten years. The wingspan is 2,5 m (8' approx.), original Aerosonde is 2,9 m, and was manufactured in the Czech Republik as I remember.

The foam fuse on the picture is from a Partenavia/Funliner kit of a german manufacturer (http://www.freescale.de/html/funliner.html) but in the meantime I found a guy in germany with a self-made plane with a glass fibre fuse similar to Aerosonde much better suitable for my project as the Partenavia fuse (see attached photo). He promised me to build a second fuse for me :D .

Erwin

[AndrésMtnez]

Really nice, that deserves his own buiding thread :)

[_helitron_]

Maybe Andrés :D !

A thread in german is already running here:

http://www.rclineforum.de/forum/thread.php?threadid=139288&sid=&threadview=0&hilight=&hilightuser=&page=1

Greets, Erwin

[8kasl]

HiAll,I'm new to this form of flying and will be learning as much as I can this winter so by Spring I'll be prepared and try to avoid any suprises.I have been working on aerial video useing my scratch built "WBS Kadet".It's from Sig Kadet Senior plans and bashed to death :eek: The following changes were made in order to accomodate my ancient Sony Hi8(2lb. video camera):
wing span increased from 78" to 86"
stab&rudder control surfaces increased in size by 10% and aero-ballanced
Fus width increased from3.5" to 6.75"
Fus height from 4' to 7"
tail-dragger instead of trike (custom main gear from 6061 T6)
Ailerons and flaps/polyhedral wing/plug-in tip panels and bolt-on
Pull-Pull rudder
AXI 4130/20,CC 80A ESC,5s3p 6700 LIPO,20x13 APC-e blade
Camera:Aiptek 5100M pocket camcorder/512 meg SD card
I originally re-designed the Kadet to cary 3-4# of payload and replaced the 2# Sony Hi8 with the Aiptek cam :D Anyway,here's a few pics of the camera ship.I'm just now finishing my smaller dedicated camera ship and will post pics of it if there's any interest.Here's the specs on the new one:
Span----52"/740 sq.in.
Length over-all-50"
AXI 2826/10
AUW with Aiptek Pocket X-3#12oz.
Rich K "Zooming-arount @ 8000' ASL in the Colorado Rockies" :D

[spinbotz]

would it be possible, with the lightest gear available to put a pan up/down/side to side camera *smallest one available with sound if possible* on a motorized paragliding figure? I'm building a back pack paraglider model with a 12 inch tall figure and using carbon fiber hollow tubes for the back pack frame to strap the figure in. The camera will be one of the smaller variety *color and sound if possible* I'm trying to keep weight down as the whole thing needs to come in at just under 2 lbs. I'm using a brushless 400 park motor from Eflite and a gearbox swinging a 8 inch three blade gws prop.

[spinbotz]

Additional info: Parawing is a 6 ft stunt kite converted to paragliding capability. *thunderfoil series* pack will run off a 3 cell lipo pack either behind or below the seat of the figure's motor pack. protective prop ring around prop to prevent lines from snarling in prop.

[PeteSchug]

I don't have exact weights in front of me, but assuming you build your own tilt and pan out of 3/32 birch ply, using something like Hitec 55's you can probably get away for less than three ounces in video gear including the tilt and pan. Dunno about the mic. One came with my 200 mw tx, but not with my 50 mw. I've done fine with a 50 mw tx and it would probably keep your total weight closer to two ounces.

I got my 50 mw from BWAV. He no longer sells the cased ones and I suspect that when the uncased ones are gone that will be it for 50 mw.

As for range, I have been using a dual patch with a diversity rx on the ground and I get a strong signal as far away as I am comfortable flying my pico Tiger Moth by visual contact. I haven't been out of range with goggles, but that's because my spotter/safety pilot yells at me when he starts to have trouble seeing the plane. Never had a problem then either, on just 50 mw, and I was using a plain rx and 8 dBi patch then.

Hope this gets you off the ground.

Pete

[spinbotz]

Thanks Pete, and it sounds like you've got a nice setup. I'll have to figure out the rest myself. I have a design idea I'll draw out tonight and share with everyone here *might've already been done* but using the smallest servos available, I can make a very compact tilt/pan system that will sit just in front of the figure in his lap.

[twinturbostang]

This is my current FPV bird.

Plane:
Multiplex TwinStarII
Two 400F brushless motors (rc-dymond.com, justgofly.com, etc)
Two APC 6x4E props
Two CC Thunderbird 18 ESC's
Two ThunderPower 3S 2100 Lipos in parallel (3S2P 4200)
FMA FS8 Rx (will soon be testing with a Berg 7P)
Dimension Engineering ParkBEC

Video:
BlackWidowAV 600mW Tx/Rx
Standard whip antenna or GP Patch for Rx (depending on flight parameters)
KPC-S226 (aka KX-131) camera
Dimension Engineering 5V switch reg.
Custom pan/tilt mount w/ modified 180 degree HS81 pan servo
I-Glasses video goggles
RC-Tech Gyrocontrol head tracker
Canon Elura 2MC miniDV camcorder for recording video

[_helitron_]

Hi Twin,

really nice plane :) , I love these foamies from MPX very much ! Just convert my FPV TwinStar II also to brushless and add a FS8 Co-Pilot for wing levelling.

Cheers, Erwin

[GUYZER1111]

I think FPV is the way of the future to come in rc flying. I've spent most of the winter reading about this. This is something that I'm will to spend and try. :cool:

[Paul_BB]

Hi everybody, I'm new in the business. :)

I've just bought a X11 kit at RC-Tech and I'm gonna try my plane this week end.

Plane is my design. Has already flown and should be slow enough for a beginner in FPV !

[VRflyer]

Bonjour Paul
Bienvenue

It`s glow engine or electric?

[Paul_BB]

Hi VRflyer, :)

Like everybody else, I congratulate you for the fantastic work you've done
in the FPV field of knowledge !

My plane is electric.
Motor: Hyperion 2213/24
ESC: Titan
Wingspan: 1 meter
Weight: 768 gr

It may look mean but it has a high lift NACA 2414 airfoil so it can fly
with a reasonable speed.

I've equipped it with RC-Tech hardware because of the french legislation concerning radio transmission power: 10mw maximum for 2,4 Ghz...

I'll try the plane this week end if the weather is OK. I hope I will have the time to put on and off the goggles without loosing my plane out of sight.
This is the hard point I think... I'm a little bit nervous :)

[VRflyer]

Hi VRflyer, :)


I'll try the plane this week end if the weather is OK. I hope I will have the time to put on and off the goggles without loosing my plane out of sight.
This is the hard point I think... I'm a little bit nervous :)

The best way to be sure you stay inside visual range is to record the flight while flying without goggle. You watch video several times until you know your feild. You wil see where your planes will turn so you will do the same when you will fly whit your goggle.
Landing is a hard under goggle the first time

[JMSTECH]

Hey VRFlyer,

I guess you remember those days when your knees were shaking and your head sweating on your first fly by goggle days. Judging from your videos, you seem to be connected as one with the plane!

1) Have you started working on a new replacement for the Easystar yet?

2) Remember that project you were working on regarding the A/V 2.4gHz RX pointing up to catch the video signal from the plane and then a 2.4gHz TX pointing down to retransmit the video to you? How about the "retransmit" TX and RX-(which is attached to you) are in 900mHz, then would that avoid frequencies issues? If I'm correct, 900mHz is more flexible with bouncing signals so you can move easily and freely. ( even dance around a tree or a park bench and no signal loss? ) Just a question I was meaning to ask when the topic was still hot. :D

[Paul_BB]

The best way to be sure you stay inside visual range is to record the flight while flying without goggle. You watch video several times until you know your feild. You wil see where your planes will turn so you will do the same when you will fly whit your goggle.
Landing is a hard under goggle the first time

I did not buy any recording device yet. I wait a little bit before spending this money.
I thought of asking a fellow (spotter) to look into the goggles while I will fly around at a reasonable range so as to detect any blind flight configuration.

If everything is OK I will wear the goggles on the next flight.

I don't intend landing the plane with the goggles the first time. I don't know if I will ever land my plane with the goggles because its not made out of Elapor or any sort of indestructible material like the Multiplex Easy Glider... And when I look at FPV videos I wonder how the pilot can evaluate the right time to flare in...

Last w.e. the weather was stormy over France, so I wait for the next one...

[twinturbostang]

I don't intend landing the plane with the goggles the first time. I don't know if I will ever land my plane with the goggles because its not made out of Elapor or any sort of indestructible material like the Multiplex Easy Glider... And when I look at FPV videos I wonder how the pilot can evaluate the right time to flare in...
This definitely takes a lot of practice, and should not be attempted on your first FPV flights. Depth perception, spatial awareness, and perception of speed are challenging when flying this way. But after a while, you will get a feel for your plane and camera FOV. FPV landings are typically a bit rougher though. As you said, where exactly to flare is still very difficult. It's hard to perceive whether you are 2 feet off the ground, or 1/2 foot off the ground. And that makes a difference in a smooth landing or not. :)

[typicalaimster]

The best bet is to find _known_ objects in the area and judge your height based off of those objects. For example we have a plastic fence that is about 3 feet off the ground. When I see my plane is level with the top of the fence I know it's time to start my flare. Eh kinda off topic but it's good info to know.

[Paul_BB]

Thank you everybody for your advices.
"Le" big day is next sunday, so as they used to say ALEA JACTA EST :eek: !

[rob10000]

When I can distinguish individual blades of grass, I know it's time to flare!

[scrtsqrl]

Or you do it Navy-style: forget about flaring and just carefully "crash" the airplane back to earth...

Pick out the horrizon. Keep the nose attitude relative to horrizon (that allows you a relatively small rate of descent) constant...wait until you make contact with the ground. No need to flare to stall when you can fly it all the way to the ground.

[AndrésMtnez]

For me the key is to look far away and near at the same time. When different points at different distances begin to be aligned you are really near to the ground. This is the best way I´ve found to evaluate small altitudes when landing.


But Rob´s method seems good too :D

[Fred Van_H]

Hi,
Very interrsting forum.
My current FPV plane:
http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/8638/ausol2qh3.th.jpg (http://img126.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ausol2qh3.jpg)

And a little video with it:
http://video.google.fr/videoplay?docid=319561674596260450&hl=fr

Fred

[JMSTECH]

Hey Fred!!!!
Nice to see you here too! :) I guess VRFlyer led you here and you'll find great people and info here, but RC-Cam is best known for the more advanced technical stuff. From what I've seen of your abilities, you're very advanced!

[Fred Van_H]

Thank you, John,
What I expect in forums is exchange ideas.
I don't know if really I'm advanced, but it's interresting to know what are doing some other people.
... and perfect my english. It really need it!

Fred

[AndrésMtnez]

Yes, it´s a nice way to practice english (same case here) :D

Fred, I´ve read your messages in Rc-Cam and had a quick look to your web, and I´m completely amazed with your mechanical head tracking and your control desk :eek: :eek:


I really admire people with the creativity and initiative you have :)



Andres

[twinturbostang]

Hi Fred. I must say your Canari video was one of the first videos that got me into First Person flying. It was truly inspiring to watch.

That video was from some time ago. I'm curious to know what your current setup is now. What kind of video gear are you using? And are you still using the mechanical head tracking system you developed. Or are you now using an electronic device?

Great to see you here!

Brian

[Fred Van_H]

Hi Andrés what is the weather like, in Spain?
Lot of wind since a long time, here! :(

My head tracker is not that amazing. It's quiet simple, in fact ;)
I could have flown with it 10years ago, if I would have the idea.
In this time, I had my first glasses, ( with one screen only and pixels as big as tennis balls :eek: ) and my first 2.4 "Video Sender". With a double control TX and a co-pilot, it would have be possible! :rolleyes:

Twinturbostang, my current glasses are enervating me :mad: , so I decided to use a good old TV. The picture's quality is quiet better and I'm no more scared of failure. Of course, it's a bit bulky.
Later, I'll buy better glasses.
No glasses=no head traker.
I drive the camera with a joy stick on the left and, ( throttle on the top ) and the plane's controls with the right hand with a joy stick I picked up from a PC device and adapted on a radio TX.
It's easy to use, because I like to play with "Il2 Forgotten Battles".
With this game, the wiew is drived by the mouse ( is it the appropriate word in english? It is the french one ) so I am very used in driving the wiew with the left and ;) .

Thank you all for encouragements :p , and sorry for my very bad english :(

Fred

[AndrésMtnez]

Hi Andrés what is the weather like, in Spain?
Lot of wind since a long time, here! :(


Same here :(



My head tracker is not that amazing. It's quiet simple, in fact ;)
I could have flown with it 10years ago, if I would have the idea.

Maybe, but that´s the merit. I wouldn´t have had that fantastic idea (and much less develop it) don´t even in the next 10 years ;)

[VRflyer]

I think about something similar but less bulky and never had the courage to do it. You have merit to done it at low cost. It's the ancestor of the Gyrocontrol.

[Fred Van_H]

It's the ancestor of the Gyrocontrol.
When I first flown with it in automn 2004, I didn't know anyone who use a head tracker. Mechanical or else. And Moving cameras were rare.
But it seemed to me so simple to built, I can't beleive that nobody did it before!
When I'll buy my new glasses ( later, it's not urgent ) i'll buy an electronical head tracker too, it'll be lighter! :D

Fred

[twinturbostang]

The advantage to your mechanical system is it has no drift. The electronic head trackers available today are based on a gyro sensor, which inherently has positional drift since it's a relative motion sensor.

So your design definitely has advantages. I would say it's probably a bit more to set up at the field though. :)

[Fred Van_H]

The advantage to your mechanical system is it has no drift.
I Thought it had been solved. Is it still a problem at the present time?
My design has a disadvantage: you have to pilot seated.
I like to pilot seated, but most of us prefer to pilot standing.
One last point. I admit myself that it is bulky, but when the throttle control is pushed forward, you forgett it immediatly! :D

Fred

[twinturbostang]

I Thought it had been solved. Is it still a problem at the present time?
Well, it can be minimized with better and better sensors. However, it will still exist to some extent, due to the nature of the sensors being used. The gyro's being used sense relative motions. Therefore there will be some amount of long term drift when they are integrated for positional data. Using something like a 3 axis magnetometer would eliminate the drift issue, since it is sensing absolute heading. However, at this time, I don't think there are any cost effective solutions out there.

[twinturbostang]

I've had a couple of questions lately regarding the brushless upgrade to my TwinStar. So I thought I would post a couple of pictures here and a description.

The first picture below shows the location of one of the two ESC's relative to one of the motors. Both ESC's are mounted out in the wing panels. This is good for several reasons...
1) They get adequate cooling out there.
2) The motor wires do not need to be extended.
3) Clears up some clutter inside the plane.
A thin channel was cut in the wing just deep enough to lay the ESC flush with the surface of the wing. Then a small hole was cut from there to the existing channel in the nacelle. The three motor wires go through this. The channel that leads to the fuselage was widened for the ESC power leads and the RC servo lead.

Second picture shows more detail around the motor and motor mount. First thing you need to do with the brushless upgrade is to upgrade the motor mount in order to cope with the added power. On first full throttle powerup, one of them immediately ripped right out of the nacelle. Very bad!! To strengthen the motor mount, I did two things...
1) Add an aluminum reinforcing plate to the front. The plastic mount is thin and flexes under stress. Pull it off, and use it to trace a cutout of sheet aluminum. You can then glue them together, or just bolt them up to the motor. Much stronger!
2) The attachment of the mount itself to the nacelle needs to be strengthened also. The mount is super glued directly to the nacelle. But this doesn't always hold. Make sure they are glued in really well. Don't be afraid. Get a good amount of super glue between the mount and nacelle. Then, take a hot glue gun and put a nice generous bead of hot glue all the ways around the mount. Make sure it gets down into the gaps between the mount and the foam. This adds a lot of strength to the bond, and also stiffens up the nacelle some too.

If additional strength is needed, I also had the idea of gluing carbon tubes to the mount and stabbing them through the foam in the nacelle/wing. This could be done with hot glue also. I haven't done that yet on my plane. It's holding together so far. So I haven't had the need to do any more to it. The motors do go into a resonance mode above 1/2 throttle though. It's a bit scary at first. Just use good sense and caution when testing it out.

[PeteSchug]

Thanks for posting this twinturbo.

I just got a twin star and an easy glider to try aerotow as shown in one of the magazines as well as to try to do aerotow under the hood. I am a full scale glider pilot, so that will be really interesting to try and should make a good video as well assuming no disaster in the learning process.

I picked up some fairly powerful Aon motors at the WRAM show, so I may try glassing the nacelles inside and out. The guy who sold them to me said that one of them could take the Twin Star vertical. As long as the throttle goes down to zero RPM I should have no trouble. (I hope)

I will follow your lead and stick the ESC's out on the wing.

Heading for the Hobby Shop now to buy a ton of servos for this, the easy glider and a monster electric glider I also bought at the show.

Pete

[twinturbostang]

I've had a couple of questions lately about the motors and battery setup, so I thought I'd post some more info here.

Motors are 400F 2250KV outrunners from here: http://www.rc-dymond.com/index.php?productID=280 The specs on that page are wrong I think (it says 2000KV). You can also find the same motor here: http://www.justgofly.com/tech400F_DD.htm

As for the batteries, they are two Thunder Power 3S 2100 packs in parallel for a total of 4200mAh. See pics below for my custom Y connector I made. Take two Male Deans connectors and one Female, solder the leads together, and then fill the void with epoxy, Gorilla Glue, etc. I suppose you could even use heat shrink, but I didn't have any large enough. Weight with epoxy fill is about 8 grams. Could be lighter, but it's not terribly heavy, and definitely not a problem for the TwinStar. The nice thing about using this connector, instead of hard wiring the two packs together in parallel, is that I can still use them individually for other planes that only use one pack.

[JustGoFly]

Sorry - that is not a JustGoFly motor - Dymond sells something else with the same name. The specs may be right. Our 400F is faster.

Vinnie