Magpie AP - Success!

[maxalentix]

I finished assembling my Magpie Slowflyer wing on the weekend along with the MM camera mount and I decided to give it a try. I attached the camera mount to the fuselage using fiberglass tape and velcro. I stuck the velcro to the plastic straps that line the fuselage for strength. After seating my Sony DSC-U40 into the mount, I threw the Magpie into the wind. At first the AXI 2208/34 struggled a bit with the extra 5 oz of weight, but the Magpie did manage to climb..and climb and climb and climb! this plane really floats! It must have gone up almost 1000 feet and I was able to just float around at less that 1/2 throttle. I stayed up there barely moving for 30 minutes, before my neck began to really get sore. A large black bird came over to check out the red and yellow plane. I estimate that at the throttle setting I was using, the motor was drawing less than 2 amps. I never thought this plane would soar that well with a camera on it! The Magpie came in very predictably and slowly for a soft touchdown in the grass. Another reason I tried this setup is that landing in grass is stress-free: no aborted landings due to wind or people in the way. Oh, there was a steady 5 mph wind blowing too.

I used my home-made camera switch.

--Gary

[maxalentix]

One last Picture

[Dampy]

Nice pics, great altitude! Did you have to dial in a little trim adjustment with the cam on the side?
Also what battery & prop are you using?
Neil

[maxalentix]

Thanks Neil,

I did dial in 1 click of trim to compensate, but I didn't really notice the camera at all once it was in the air. I also used a 50-cent solution: I taped 2 quarters to the opposite wingtip

My power setup is OK - no vertical climbing here:

Prop: APC 10x5
Motor: AXI 2208/24 brushless
ESC: Castle Creations 10-amp
Battery: Thunderpower 2S 2100mah lipo. (I bet it would be a lot better with a 3S)

How is your inline-camera Mapgpie coming?

--Gary

[lvspark]

Sounds like a good one!

I really want to get mine in the air...

[RCFEVER]

That motor is rated for about 17oz of thrust. Seems a bit underpowered.

What is your AUW?

I bet an AXI 2808/34 or PJS 800E would be perfect. Throw a co-pilot on there, rocket the plane up to desired altitude, kill the power and let it float up there with the co-pilot keeping her level, then snap away!!!

BTW your magpie pie looks good, nice pics.

Matt

[maxalentix]

It climbs fast enough with this setup, just not what I am used to flying it with the SP wing and no camera. AUW is 23 (camera setup). A 2808 ! Wouldn't that would rip the motor mount right off ?

BTW, I have a 2808/20 in my parts box, and I am waiting for the Top Creations aluminum mount. I think I'll save it for a larger plane though

--Gary

[RCFEVER]

Lol,I should have mentioned that a different motor mount would probably be needed. But this motor weighs the same as the PJS 800 and will allow you to carry more gear.

Matt

[Gwelan]

Maxalentix, do you think the Magpie is the next big thing in AP ? I mean, is the Slowstick about to be be replaced as the standard AP platform ?

[maxalentix]

Gwelan,

I can't really speak for others, but I prefer the way that the Magpie flies over the Slowstick. It doesn't get thrown around in the wind, and mine will still float around with a 5 oz camera+mount sticking out of its side. Maybe the SS can handle higher payloads, and the stick configuration may be more flexible, but I vote for the Magpie. I also have an EZ-400 plane for AP, but that one needs a "runway" to land. I went out at lunch today and flew the Magpie some more --> http://rcgroups.com/gallery/showphot...cat=500&page=1

After the flight, I just plopped it in front of me on the grass... easy!

--Gary

[rhenningsen]

The Magpie sounds great. But a forward facing camera is a must for good aerial video.

Has anyone explored ideas for a mount that allows a forward-facing camera?

[TStokes]

A forward-facing camera is necessary for a certian "type" of video - but I have been taking videos from the side - and I consider them "good".

If you want to simulate the feeling of flying the plane, I guess you would want forward-facing (although you can't see the ground from the forward glass of most planes other than ultralights). But for circling, say, a golf course to get an idea of the layout, side mounted is better.

Almost all of the aerial video I have seen were taken from the side of a plane or helicopter - even in situations like 'Cops'. Exceptions are sweeping videos over a cliff or "gunsight" videos from warfare.

If you are trying to "fly by video" with a live link, then I would thinkthat forward-facing is a must.

Tom

[Boydz]

Looks really nice Gary,

I am thinking I too will be building a magpie over the winter

Could you tell us more about the homeade switch for the Sony cams ?
Could this work on any newer sony ?
I have a dscV1 that I am using now with a servo and would love to rig something like a remote setup.

Thanx in advance

Ryan

[maxalentix]

Boydz,

You won't need the whole winter to build the Magpie it should only take week at most if you work on it a few hours every day.

Here is more info on the switch --> http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=271573

It is based on an Atmel microcontroller and and AQW210 switch. I programmed it to time the signal from the receiver and then trigger the switch based on where the stick on the transmitter is. I soldered 3 wires onto the Sony's shutter switch. Soldering those wires was very hard to do because the solder pads are TINY. Not recommended if you don't have rock-steady hands. I made my own because I have some experience programming microcontrollers. I browsed RC CAM Man's site before building my switch. He has ready-made units here --> http://www.rc-cam.com/project1.htm

The AQW210 chip is a solid-state switch and it works with my Kodak CX-7300 as well. I think it would probably work with most cameras, but I can't confirm it.

--Gary

[Sparky Paul]

Your first aerial shot looks more like Engiland than the land of fruits and nuts.
All that green!
Resembles the area around Widebottom on Walmsley...