I'm going to be building up a Talon for a new FPV/Mapping build. This will be similar in function to my Skyhunter, and really just an experiment to see which I like better. I really like the way the Skyhunter flies, in fact, it's my favorite FPV plane so far with large capacity, high efficiency, long range, and stable flight. I'm hoping the Talon can improve on those features with some of its' own:

• V-Tail: Yaw control (Skyhunter has only AIL/ELE)
• A more open fuselage
• Slower landing capability due to wider wing chord
• Flaperons???
• Smaller transport size
• Less setup time
• Long enough fuselage to hold both Video Tx and R/C Rx

It's a tall order, but from the numerous builds and pictures I've seen, I think it should deliver on most if not all of the above. All parts are ordered, or I have them already. For comparison purposes, I'm using the same power plant as my Skyhunter. Cobra motor, 12x6E prop, running on 4S. The AUW will be similar, and others who've had success with the Talon have used that same motor with good results. I may eventually opt for a 12x8 or 13x6 prop, but for the first few flights I want to do as close to an "apples to apples" comparison as possible between the two air frames.

Planned configuration:
Aileron servos: HS-82MG
Tail servos: Corona 939MG
Motor: Cobra 3520/12 820kv
Prop: 11x8, 12x8, 12x6, 13x6 (will test with different payloads and cruise speeds)
ESC: Turnigy Plush 60A
Battery: 2 x 4S 6600mah Multistar (also have many 5000mah 4S and one 8000mah 4S)
Flight controller: Pixhawk
BEC: Castle 5v 10A - powers the servo rail of the Pixhawk, and also serves as it's backup power should the 3DR power module fail
OSD: MinimOSD
Camera: Sony Effio-V 800TVL 12v
Video Tx: RMRC 800mw 1.3ghz w/ RHCP antenna
Video Rx: RMRC 1.3ghz w/ IBCrazy Crosshair
Radio Rx: DragonLink v2 (PPM/RSSI output to Pixhawk)

I decided to make the switch to UHF/1.3ghz for longer range and better penetration around hills and trees. This is a shameless copy of the setup of MelSailsNorth runs. Dual 1.3ghz receivers connected to an EagleEyes diversity controller. I also wanted to gain the ability to "roam" with my goggles on and be completely wireless. I'll be using a blown 600mw 5.8ghz video Tx to relay the video output to my goggles. I also have a 10" monitor on a tripod that will connect to another video output. And in the future, I'll be adding a small DVR as well.

I currently use the FrSky system on my Turnigy 9XR, for my quad and a couple other planes. Since I still want the ability to use the FrSky without having to swap out the module for the DragonLink transmitter, I decided to build a relay box. Below is a list of components I used to each relay station:

1.3ghz/5.8ghz Relay Station

• RMRC 1.3ghz Receiver w/ SAW filter
• IBCrazy Crosshair antenna
• RMRC 900mhz-1.3ghz Receiver
• BlueBeam Ultra Mad Mushroom antenna
• EagleEyes Diversity Controller
• ImmersionRC 5.8ghz Tx (old blown one from a crash, low output power)
• Wiring harness (XT60 -> 4-way splitter)
• 3S 2800mah battery

Each of the 4 units (Rx(2), Diversity, 5.8ghz Tx) runs on 12v, so I wired up a straight connection to my 3S battery. I may opt for a 12v power filter or a PowerBox distribution unit, but for now everything works great. We'll see how it performs in the field, and make adjustments as needed. I made my own...Continue Reading

I've been looking into aerial mapping, surveying, and vegetation analysis, and the Skyhunter looked like the perfect ship for this application. Add to that the super stable camera footage I've seen, sporty performance, and a cavernous fuselage, and it looks like a great FPV survey platform.

I decided to build this up with a friend after seeing lots of videos, build logs, and even another local FPV'er fly his. I will be loading this up with the new Pixhawk flight controller, with a couple of extras: airspeed sensor and wireless telemetry link. The OSD overlay will be served by the MinimOSD unit, which connects directly to the Pixhawk. Specific details on the build components are listed below:

Airframe: Skyhunter 1800
Motor: Cobra 3520/12 820kv (216g!)
ESC: Turnigy Trust 60A
Battery: Zippy Flightmax 20C 8000mah 4S
Propeller: APC 11x8 or 12x6
Servos: Corona Metal Gear 939
R/C Receiver: FrSky D8R-XP II

Flight Controller: 3DR Pixhawk
OSD: Minim OSD
Telemetry Link: 3DR 915Mhz Telemetry (laptop link)
Digital Airspeed Sensor: 3DR Airspeed Sensor

FPV Camera: Fatshark 600TVL w/ pan and tilt
Video Tx: ImmersionRC 600mw 5.8ghz
Antenna: Circular Wireless SPW

In the process now of moving to 1.3ghz for video and will be testing out this setup:
Video Rx 1: ReadyMadeRC w/ SAW filter
Video Rx 2: ReadyMade RC (no SAW filter)
Eagle Eyes diversity
Video Tx: 1000mw from RMRC
Tx Antenna: Cloverleaf
Filter: IBCrazy 1.3/2.4 Notch Filter
Rx 1 Antenna: Crosshair
Rx 2 Antenna: SPW

Mapping Camera: Canon SX-260HS w/ GPS
Camera Software: CHDK
Camera Trigger: Sent from Pixhawk based on the Mission Planner Survey Tool
(PWM servo output from Pixhawk will be run through a 3.3v to 5v step up, then wired into the USB connection for the camera)

Ground Station: ImmersionRC Duo w/ CL & Helical antennas
Goggles: Fatshark Attitude V2
Monitor: 10" LCD
Wireless Telemetry display: Samsung S4 w/ DroidPlanner app

My first FPV plane was the great Skywalker 1680. It was a great plane which was destroyed after a malfunctioning elevator servo caused a pretty bad crash. I decided to get out of FPV and just fly RC planes for a while.

But a couple months ago I got back into FPV with some Fatshark goggles and 5.8ghz equipment on my Bixler v1.1. It's a great FPV platform, but lacked the space I wanted for adding OSD, stabilization, and larger batteries for more range.

For my latest FPV plane, I've gone with the Skywalker 1900mm, picked up on the RCG classifieds. As with the shorter wingspan version, it's a great plane for FPV. Very stable and tons of room inside for electronics. The larger wings and higher lift design make it an amazing glider and slow flier. With some help of thermals, I've flown for over 70 minutes and still had 10% left on my 5000mah battery!


Here's the build specs, along with some pictures and some videos I've made over the past few weeks.

2012 Skywalker 1900mm
550 watt 1000kv motor w/ Master Airscrew 9x5 (draws 25A in the air)
4S 5000mah flight battery, 3S 2200mah video/OSD/servo battery
40A Turnigy Plush ESC
10A Castle BEC
FrSky D8R-XP Rx
Dragon OSD+ v2
FY-DOS stabilizer
Mobius for recording
Fatshark 600TVL for FPV
ImmersionRC 600mw 5.8ghz Tx w/ IBCrazy Cloverleaf



ImmersionRC Duo w/ IBCrazy SPW and 5-turn helical
Fatshark Attitude SD goggles

I picked the Skywalker for my first FPV plane based on it's reported stability, ridiculous payload capacity, and airfoil design to support that payload. I've had a great time learning about FPV, radio frequencies, radiation patterns, electronics, wiring, and all the other fun stuff that goes along with a DIY FPV build. Attached are some links to what I used in my build, pictures of the Skywalker evolution, and flight videos.

-- Crappy photo of what she looks like as of the last flight --


-- VIDEOS --
Maiden voyage. No FPV gear added yet, just the stock Skywalker.

Skywalker Maiden Flights (3 min 53 sec)

3rd FPV maiden, but the first worthy of capturing and editing. The others were short and in really windy conditions. 20 minute flight, a mile out and 2300 feet up!

Skywalker FPV (5 min 13 sec)

...Continue Reading