Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Gary Mortimer on May 25, 2009 at 2:53am

How will you test fly it without RC gear in??

Heres another that will work http://www.mugi.co.uk

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Permalink Reply by ReD-DaWg-OnE on May 25, 2009 at 10:18am

Why can't you just program the autopilot the test fly it?

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Permalink Reply by Julian on May 25, 2009 at 10:36am

In times of emergency, in order to protect your surroundings and also your equipment on the aircraft, you're gonna want to have RC control capabilities because no autopilot is perfect and cannot account for the unexpected, especially during the first test flight if you want your plane back in one piece.

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Permalink Reply by ReD-DaWg-OnE on May 25, 2009 at 10:41am

Did the person who built the plane in the link above have RC controls?

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Permalink Reply by Joseph Glanville on May 25, 2009 at 11:29am

Defintely.
Jaron seems to be a responsible flyer and I really doubt he would fly without some kind of RC failsafe link.
I don't think it would be legal to fly a UAV anywhere in the world without being able to take manual control.
I strongly advise against attempting to fly an untuned autopilot without a backup link.
Frankly it is far too dangerous for you, people around you and the vehicle itself.

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Permalink Reply by bGatti on May 25, 2009 at 11:54am

There is of course, the field of "free flight" planes, and these are unguided, and uncontrolled. They can include a crude "return to launch" feature (in the form of an airbrake which causes the plane to circle downward after some time.)

Assuming the plane is built consistent with free flight designs (ie slow, light, no forward props etc...) and is flown in a safe place, I think one could claim a great deal of safe precedent for this particular mode of flight.

That said, I would expect someone to point out that servos, and the batteries to run them, generally add weight, and compel a larger, heavier design, and thus a plane moves quickly out of the category for free flight.
(I did fly a small free flight once).
Ben

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Permalink Reply by Joseph Glanville on May 25, 2009 at 12:12pm

Aye of course, but the OP was referring to an autopilot controlled aircraft.
As soon as an autopilot is added it is no longer free flight.

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Permalink Reply by bGatti on May 25, 2009 at 1:37pm

So free flight can include electronic control surfaces - without PIC, but that electronic control surface cannot be intelligent?

I suspect that the greyness of this question is a tribute to an ass-backward FAA.

If someone thinks the FAA is rational - I suggest this project for your next visit to an airport. Ask every pilot you see (on the escalator, in line for food etc) whether or not they believe the operation of a noise-cancelling headset, and/or an ipod mini is going to crash their f&*ing plane?

Here's $20 that says no one can find a single uniformed pilot to go on record as believing that crap.
(provide a name, and carrier, and video of the exchange to win the offer - one only)

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Permalink Reply by ReD-DaWg-OnE on May 25, 2009 at 5:48pm

What are the best RC controles to use for this type of project, and the best place to buy them?

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