We plan to do the launch on April 1st 2013, Thats also my birthday, Its a tenative date because there are alot of variables to be calculated. If were ready before then then we will wait till that day.

Let me know the date of Camp P. We will definately be there and hopefully more prepared.

Johnny, remember 29 Palms has a active marine base there, that fly a lot of helos. Hopefully your planning away from that.

I know you probably already know this.

Originally Posted by Bill0

Johnny, remember 29 Palms has a active marine base there, that fly a lot of helos. Hopefully your planning away from that.

I know you probably already know this.

Yes I understand the airbase there at 29 palms. We will be roughly 45miles east of the base, and the winds/jets stream move in west to east. We will be monitoring surface wind as well as atmospheric currents. Hopefully that day is nice and calm.

Let me know if it's going to be a go, I'll bring my fpv slow stick and give it a chase.

LOL

Before you launch the plane, you should just launch the balloon with the equipment - kind of a test launch.

Have you seen this video:

A Toy Train in Space (2 min 28 sec)

One of the best to-space videos I have ever seen.

Today Johnny and I had a meeting with Elon Musk at SpaceX to assist with the hardware of our project.

Just kidding. However, we are trying to get a tour of their facility, but need to have a contact of someone that works there. If anyone knows someone that works for SpaceX at their headquarters location in Hawthorne, CA, please let Johnny or myself know.

As for the near space project, I look forward to working with Johnny and the rest of the team for what needs to be done. I saw a post earlier, someone said that we should do a test run of just the balloon and camera/gps payload - without the rc plane. I think that is a great idea. I will bring it up tomorrow at the first meeting.

I think that was me :-)

Originally Posted by flyandi

I think that was me :-)

Thanks flyandi!

Andy that was also one of my favorite videos

The above line is from a movie and while the movie was a farce the fact is that what goes up must come down.

The point I'm trying to make is not to discourage, but to applaud the steps you are taking to do your project successfully. While you see a few videos with lamps, toy trains, and other things attached to balloons, most of the time you don't see the countless ones that have failed, (lamp one excluded).

Just one of the problems is the jet stream and high altitude winds. We all saw what happened to the lamp and then the package as they got blown around by the wind and then torn off. only the light weight of the payload and it's non- aerodynamic shape saved that one. This is about the most dangerous part of a ballon flight in both directions, passing through the high wind areas.

Having a aerodynamic plane helps to some degree but only to a degree.

Lets think about a hypothetical situation. As the balloon enters the jet stream the plane actually starts to fly, how are you going to prevent it flying into the balloon. Having LRRC and FPV equipment on board will be a grest assets but will your plane survive being buffeted by 100 to 300 mph winds at -70C. Believe it or not, the answer is in most cases yes. If you have done you homework and designed the system correctly. The big question is on the way down can you regain stability and unless you plane is natualy stable the answer depends on the amount of effort you have put into the project to make it that way.

My group was started in 2003 and started launching balloons in 2007. We have worked on this project weekly for 5 years and never been above 35,000 feet with a plane and 80,000 with a dumb payload. Gaben experienced the same problem that we came up against in his last flight and that was regaining control once the plane is away. While he stayed with the FPV method (much cheaper) we went with an autopilot with IMU. This has taken a long time to develop and even a longer time to prove. The right plane design with the right control system
is the key.

We also experienced the above mentioned problem, the plane flying in high winds, and we were not into the jet stream yet. For planes hanging and dropping from balloons, this is a very important area of concern.

Another note of concern, while it is not illegal as far as I know, launching any rocket over a certain power and above certain altitudes requires a licence and /or a waiver in the USA. Be very careful about what and why you are doing something.

I have by fortune and good luck not been bothered by regulations and government interference in our project because we researched as to what could and could not be done, and then advised and worked with the appropriate authorities. In the past we have launched as many as 3 balloon's a month with little to no interference because we follow the rules and do not push the limits. Take you plane to the stratosphere but be very careful about launching anything from it, it then becomes a completely different project.

With a HAM on the team you will now be able to use high power video to see what's going on but you run into FAA regulations about FPV. That's one for you to figure out as I, being Canadian don't have to worry about the FAA. And yes, I do follow the Canadian regulations which are simular but with one important difference. I do mine under the watchful eye and in comunication with the local ATC. Therefore, not only I know where the balloon and plane are at all times I know what other air traffic is in the vicinity and the ATC knows where my plane/payloads and balloons are. This is the only way that I could get past the following regulations.

Canadian Air Regulations

Large Unoccupied Free Balloons

602.42 No person shall release an unoccupied free balloon having a gas-carrying capacity of more than 115 cubic feet (3.256 m3) except in accordance with an authorization issued by the Minister pursuant to section 602.44.

Rockets

602.43 No person shall launch a rocket, other than a model rocket or a rocket of a type used in a fireworks display, except in accordance with an authorization issued by the Minister pursuant to section 602.44.

Authorization by the Minister

602.44 The Minister may issue an authorization referred to in section 602.42 or 602.43 where the release of the balloon or the launch of the rocket is in the public interest and is not likely to affect aviation safety.

Model Aircraft, Kites and Model Rockets

602.45 No person shall fly a model aircraft or a kite or launch a model rocket or a rocket of a type used in a fireworks display into cloud or in a manner that is or is likely to be hazardous to aviation safety.

It's the last line in 602.45 is the catch all. It's no problem to launch the balloon. but how do you fly a model airplane that you can't see and prove that it's not a hazard to avation safety. Get real cozzy with the local ATC. It don't matter if you are 45 miles away ATC still needs to know what's going on at a minimum and perferably should be actively involved.

Keep up the positive attitude and progress, and I'm around if ya need help/advice.

Robert

Thank you Robert, I know your knowledge is going to be very valuble to this mission and I appreciate your commitment.

I have been blessed with such a good response from vendors in the RC, Fpv community, There are three new sponsors going up on our list this week. They
have offered to help me out with of differnt aspects of this build.

One of our vendors, is developing something that I feel will be a VERY BIG breakthroug in the RC world and the FPV Community. We will be working very closely to impliment his device into our build, He has also offered to design a custom osd with our specification.

As far as the aircraft goes, I chose the www.crashtesthobbies.com aircraft becuase of its durability and resiliant design. We did decide to Ditch the motor as it will cut down on wieght and addition parts. We are going to Keep it Simple

I will be directly communicating with the nearest ATC office. I have already contacted them from now.

I set the launch date so far back to give us the ability to take our time and thoroughyl test things before the launch. but with our new "secret weapon" I think it could be sooner. Even then I will maintain the launch date. (its my birthday so id like to have something to celebrate).

Again thanks for being around Robert to help us out.

This should have been brought up earlier but I missed it. Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS B) are small devices usually used by operators for tracking of specific opjects. your balloon and plane is the perfect example. They do not send out or reflect radar and are not a substitute foe a small radar reflector.

With an ADS - B attached to the balloon you should have constant undated GPS location via the internet

{Added the address: http://www.juniorflyer.com/plane-finder-ads-b-tracking/}

Robert.

Or you can track ADBS equipped aircrafts using a simple USB stick for your computer:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GNS-5890-ADS...item231ba3275e

Wow that is amazing, Andy youll have to help us out in this department, that would be pretty handy to have on the plane.

That device is a receiver. How is that useful on the model if you want others to know where your model is? You need a transponder.

http://www.sagetechcorp.com/unmanned.../#.UI6yIIZdB_M

Greg