Building a UAV, desperately need your help

[NoobTube]

I'm starting to build a UAV for my senior seminar project and I need your guys' input to help me graduate. I am completely new at this and I am really cramped on time. Yes, I know it won't fly itself, I just need it to be able to fly period.

I've ordered this UAV
http://www.nitroplanes.com/4eluavrqprra.html

With this ESC
http://www.nitroplanes.com/30aelbrescsp.html

Now, I need a motor, tx and rx, servos, and FMA copilot

First up, the website recommends this motor
http://www.nitroplanes.com/a2haoubrmo10.html

But they are out of stock, so I was wondering if this motor will be a good substitute
http://www.nitroplanes.com/al3701brmo1.html

Next I need a tx and rx so I was wondering if this rx
http://www.nitroplanes.com/mksprre.html

would work with this tx
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bi...&I=LXSYK1**&P=0

and if they do, which air frequency would I order? The channels range from 11 to 60

next, the site recommends 9g mirco servos, will these servos work since they don't have 9g servos?
http://www.nitroplanes.com/7gmicrorcservo.html

Thanks for you inputs, it is greatly appreciated.

[DiveBombDave]

Here's a link to a clone A20-20L motor from China: http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=2048&Product_Name=hacker_Style_Brushless_Outrunner_20-20L

Speed control just need to be brushless and 25-30a.

Can't see the radio, your link has "..." in it. It just needs to be a 72mhz, 4 channel or better.

The Futaba rx you listed is a single conversion - it is inexpensive but doesn't have as much overall range as a dual conversion. You can order whatever channel number you wish - typically at a club you would ask around and find one that is free in general. On your own, up to you. 2.4ghz radio's and rx's are the new thing and keep you from ordering channel crystals like 72mhz.

Not sure about your 7g servos - probably will work fine, but you can find a 9g servo at unitedhobbies.com.

The plane you have chosen looks great, but is not the easiest to fly for a beginner. You're on your own recognizance there.

When it's time to fly waypoints, check out www.u-nav.com like Patrick linked you in the AP forum.

Dave

[NoobTube]

Thank you!

Here's the link for the tx again
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXLGF5**&P=0

It turns out that it comes with a rx and crystals with 2 servos. Any opinions on that?

[patrickegan]

You may want to enlist the help of someone close to where you live as there is a little bit of a learning curve... My .02 cents

[NoobTube]

You may want to enlist the help of someone close to where you live as there is a little bit of a learning curve... My .02 cents

I've got someone in mind, I just need to parts for now, thanks for your opinion though, I appreciate it =]

[Clarkst]

Will you get extra points if you have a video camera mounted on board?

[NoobTube]

Will you get extra points if you have a video camera mounted on board?

Yeah, I'm actually going to be mounting one on my UAV later on in my project

[DiveBombDave]

If you search for "predator" in this forum, and the Aerial Photography forum, this plane has been built a couple of times with video downlink tilt/pan etc. Spend as much time as you can stand on the simulator, and you can contact your local AMA field for some guest time on a buddy box arrangement. Planes like the Multiplex Easystar will almost fly themselves, where the Predator is less stable but does have a major cool factor in the air.

I haven't checked your radio link, but you need to decide how many channels (not channels like the crystals) you'll need. A standard 4 channel radio controls ailerons, rudder, elevator, and throttle. Predator is a 4 channel plane, easystar lacks ailerons and uses only 3 channels. If you want a channel to trigger a servo on a camera, add one. Tilt, pan - add 2 more. So the Predator with tilt pan alone needs a 6 channel radio.

The body of the predator is kinda narrow, so if you do plan to make it a UAV with auto navigation like U-Nav Picopilot, you'd want to check the measurements before you buy. PP is a little larger than a full size RX.

Dave

Checked the radio link... hitec flash 4 channel, fine to fly the plane, but consider a hitec receiver instead of the futaba just to keep brand the same... http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXGZT0&P=SM

[NoobTube]

If you search for "predator" in this forum, and the Aerial Photography forum, this plane has been built a couple of times with video downlink tilt/pan etc. Spend as much time as you can stand on the simulator, and you can contact your local AMA field for some guest time on a buddy box arrangement. Planes like the Multiplex Easystar will almost fly themselves, where the Predator is less stable but does have a major cool factor in the air.

I haven't checked your radio link, but you need to decide how many channels (not channels like the crystals) you'll need. A standard 4 channel radio controls ailerons, rudder, elevator, and throttle. Predator is a 4 channel plane, easystar lacks ailerons and uses only 3 channels. If you want a channel to trigger a servo on a camera, add one. Tilt, pan - add 2 more. So the Predator with tilt pan alone needs a 6 channel radio.

The body of the predator is kinda narrow, so if you do plan to make it a UAV with auto navigation like U-Nav Picopilot, you'd want to check the measurements before you buy. PP is a little larger than a full size RX.

Dave

Checked the radio link... hitec flash 4 channel, fine to fly the plane, but consider a hitec receiver instead of the futaba just to keep brand the same... http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXGZT0&P=SM

Thank you very much Dave, I'll be order the Hitec package tonight then. Meanwhile, will that reciever work with the FMA copilot system?

[atmk]

do you have a battery, they are sort of necessary :D have you dicitde of your going to use a lipo or nimh do you have a compatible charger

[NoobTube]

do you have a battery, they are sort of necessary :D have you dicitde of your going to use a lipo or nimh do you have a compatible charger

I am still debating a battery, it has to be 11.1v lipo 1500mah

this battery is my first choice
http://www.nitroplanes.com/111515cercfu.html

this charger is my first choice
http://www.nitroplanes.com/eschforliba.html

EDIT: As for the motor, the shipping from asia is absolute murder

Will this motor do the trick?
http://www.nitroplanes.com/40rcbrmoforr1.html

any opinions before I put in the order for them?

[DiveBombDave]

Here's a good USA based motor dealer - http://www.lightflightrc.com/

His ARC inrunners are nice (I have one in a 100mph funjet) but $50. Check out his lower cost Suppo outrunners. I'm thinking the 2217-7 or 2217-6 might be a good choice on that battery with an apc 8x4E or 8x6E. With a 7x5E prop, go with the hotter 2217-6. There's a max prop size with that plane to keep it clear on takeoff and landing, I think it's 8 inch. Before I ordered a motor I'd find specs on the other ones on here and what they chose, just for reference.

I buy a lot of packs from this site: http://home.comcast.net/~truerc/ready_pack/ready_packs.htm .
You have to make sure that the continuous-max current rating will be enough to supply the motor, which will be drawing 15-18 amps with the right prop hopefully. Picking a motor, prop, battery for a given airframe, there are tons of options. He's got chargers too, make sure you get some sort of balancer also (a must for safe lipo operation).

You can get a copilot from FMA that works with any receiver (CPD4?) or you can get their RX/copilot package. Can't find their FS8 flight system with RX on their site - but they are having a 10% off sale with code if you look under Specials.


Dave

[zozie]

I think you'll get more help if you list what features you want your UAV to have. the possibilities are endless...

[macboffin]

Don't want to seem picky, but if the project is to build and demonstrate a UAV, seems to me that just assembling an RTF and hanging a Flycamone on it only demonstrates that you can read and follow instructions, and have good enough depth perception and reflexes to fly a model airplane. If I am wrong please inform me.

[NoobTube]

I will also be researching the aerodynamics of the plane, such as the lift power psi of the wing compared to how much I'm loading the plane down with, next, I have to show the physics of F=MA of the plane along with the physics of the V-tail and how the COG of the plane alters when I load it down with stuff. Can anyone link me to good reading sources on aerodynamics?

Meanwhile, I've ordered the tx, rx, and servos. Motor is next up on the order list. Batteries are a lower proirity for me.

Features I would like: Auto stabilization (FMA copilot), arialphotography capable and video capable. Possibly autpilot with attopilot if it comes out soon enough

[2jers]

Can anyone link me to good reading sources on aerodynamics?


http://adamone.rchomepage.com/index2.htm
Good morning, the site except that it will find enough things to read, will also find an interesting Online calculator, to find the CG, AC, NP airplane, and many other.Also you find : http://adamone.rchomepage.com/calc_motor.htm (To estimate the results of a given Motor & Prop combination)

I hope you find it useful.
:)

[NoobTube]

http://adamone.rchomepage.com/index2.htm
Good morning, the site except that it will find enough things to read, will also find an interesting Online calculator, to find the CG, AC, NP airplane, and many other.Also you find : http://adamone.rchomepage.com/calc_motor.htm (To estimate the results of a given Motor & Prop combination)

I hope you find it useful.
:)

Thank you, this will be very helpful in the future. Much appreciated.