DPRG mailing list archives: [DPRG] autonomous flight

Tue Apr 3 10:33:57 CDT 2007

David,

Try using an RC aircraft simulator. I have the Great Planes G3 simulator
which I used to learn to fly RC aircraft before actually doing it. (It's
a lot cheaper to crash the computer planes.) There is also a free
simulator you can download and practice with.

Here's the link:
http://n.ethz.ch/student/mmoeller/fms/index_e.html

Rick

-----Original Message-----
From: dprglist-bounces at dprg.org [mailto:dprglist-bounces at dprg.org] On
Behalf Of dpa
Sent: Sunday, April 01, 2007 3:25 PM
To: dprglist at dprg.org
Subject: [DPRG] autonomous flight

Howdy

>  4/1/07, David M Wilson <davidmw at tx.rr.com> wrote:
> 
> >  But I was told the battery life was quite short and that the model 
> > doesn't have much lift capacity for an upgraded battery.  Maybe 
> > cycling multiple battery packs or removing the body shell for more 
> > lift capacity would provide more development flight time.
> 
> I've removed the body shell from mine, but it doesn't weigh much.  I 
> did it mostly for improved cooling of the motors (which are right next

> to the temperature-sensitive gyro).
> 
> The unmodified motors on the Blade CX get quite hot - I don't know if 
> it's recommended swap battery packs and fly again before they cool 
> down.
> 
> Best,
>  Jeff

I bought an optional heatsink that clips onto the two motors and seems
to help the cooling quite a bit.  

I haven't seen the shaking that Jeff mentioned, but I'll watch for it.

I'm currently still flying with the "training wheels" arrangement, which
adds a few grams and still seems to fly fine.  When I get brave enough
to take them off I'll run some tests and see how much payload it can
lift.
WE need cpu, IMU, and power.  That's more than a "few grams" ...

Main problem at this time is battery capacity.  The batteries last about
10 minutes and take 2.5 hours to charge.  I've got a pair, so I can fly
and practice for about 20 minutes evey 3 hours or so.  I'm not sure how
anyone can really learn a skill in that short amount of time.  Guess I
need some more batteries...

best,
dpa

_______________________________________________
DPRGlist mailing list
DPRGlist at dprg.org
http://list.dprg.org/mailman/listinfo/dprglist