So the uBlox manual says it retains Ephemeris data for 4 hours after shutdown. Theoretically if U have 11 satellites it should instantly regain all 11 satellites when power cycled. In reality, power cycles start over at some small number of satellites & either grind away for 20 minutes or have to fly to altitude before getting 11. It was the same for the EM-406. The coin cells have never given us instant 11 satellite coverage.

To get the most out of your ride, U need an uninterruptable main battery. Meet the 9V battery. Leave your airframe always plugged into AC in your dumpy apartment. Plug in the 9V & unplug the AC for transport to the airfield. Plug in the Lipo & remove the 9V for flight. Instant 11 satellite coverage!

What's it like to fly a system that instantly boots into 11 satellite coverage? It's freakish. Got 9 & 11 satellites right after the 2 battery changes. Did not do automated takeoffs since these batteries were focused on trimming. Autopilot seemed more stable than usual. V feedback required less gain. Altitude was more stable. A lot of this was also the umbillical rerouting & the presence of satellites directly overhead.

Handling was the same as the quad rotor. Yaw was just as stable.

Oh & 1 other thing. Flight times were 10% LONGER!!!!!!

Crummy 11.1V 4Ah: 8m22s
Good 11.1V 4Ah: 10m30s

Holy freaks of nature. Torque compensation on the quad rotor wasn't as efficient as we thought. Quad rotors seem to be out of business. Commumericans have already passed a quad rotor bailout package.

Get some high rez photos from

http://diydrones.com/photo/tri_flight02l-1?context=user
http://diydrones.com/photo/tri_flight11l-1?context=user
http://diydrones.com/photo/autonomou...r?context=user

Welcome to the tricopter club.

Keep the weight low, mine is 690gr. I'm getting 14 mins. from a 3S 1500mah pack, needless to say, I gave up on timing the 2700mah pack flight.

This $11 motor will drive a 12" prop and deliver 1kg+ thrust with a reasonable amp draw: http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...idproduct=6247

And grab some of these while you're at it: http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...idCategory=212 better efficiency than SF props, my favorite benefit of tri's is the freedom to use any props I like, not being restricted to sets of CW and CCW's.

My yaw mech:

Tricopter yaw (0 min 25 sec)

Sebastian.