Stanford Testbed of Autonomous Rotorcraft for Multi-Agent Control (STARMAC)
blog.wired.com/defense/2008/07/v … anned.html
I want one! 8)
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*This is the Draganflyer V Ti Helicopter.
The Thermal Intelligence Ti Gyro and Infrared-Stabilized helicopter, makes it the most high-tech aerial platform in the world!
The Draganflyer V Ti R/C Helicopter is small and agile at just 30 inches in diameter. This compact flying-masterpiece lifts off effortlessly with its ultra-lightweight carbon-fiber body and stylish lines. Unlike gas-powered or other electric radio-controlled helicopters that are complicated and difficult to fly, ours has been designed for beginners. Our RC helicopter uses a heading-lock yaw gyro which helps simplify flight in all conditions. The Draganflyer V Ti gives you complete control over yaw, pitch, and roll - full aerial maneuverability - using a patented control board that is so elegant it uses 95% fewer parts than conventional helicopters. The Draganflyer V Ti comes as a complete package requiring a simple, quick, and straightforward assembly of only 30 minutes.*
THE BEST BIT IS, MINE ARRIVES TOMORROW BY UPS!!!
rctoys.com/rc-products-catal … MAod3RHuZA
(sorry Guys i know this has no connection to LM but this is why i havent updated my STALKER project for a while)
OMG I’m jealous! Post up some pics when you get it flying!
It’s arrived!
annoyed UPS charged me for delivery of £51! i paid £75 for shipping… Boo.
here it is out of the box!
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ill now spend a few hours charging the batts. i may get a video up tonight but i cant fly it outside its raining!
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Very cool!
UPDATED:
iv added some LED wire hookups i had lying about. now ready for night flights.
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Wow! How do you know where the “front” is when maneuvering? If it were me, I would loose track of the orientation and put it in the dirt. I assume the red LED is the front but when this thing is moving all over in the bright sky it will be hard to tell.
Correct the red LED is to show were the front is. but obviously it will only become effective at night! i havent got the Ballox to fly it at night yet!
iv only ever taken it up about 4ft to get used to hovering!
i have some training software that came with the kit that i have been using to learn how it maneuvers. very tricky. whats more my right stick on the transmitter is a bit buggered so i will be sending the transmitter back.
already broken a small part of the risers that act as landing gear on the bottom but its only minor and all part of the learning!
there are different color rotors you can by so indicating the front.
Sounds cool!
I had an RC copter several years back and it was a ton of fun. For me hovering was the easy part, it was the flying around that had me sweating bullets.
About the color rotors, it’s a good idea but a colored ribbon hanging off one of the booms might be just as good and a lot cheaper.
Yeah I find that hovering can be easy but it can be quite hard if inexperienced, and don’t understand about downwash and or how to trim it right.
Hovering just becomes easier the higher off the ground you are, as the downward air generated by the rotors (downwash) isn’t compromised by contact with the ground.
I find that basic forward flight is ok but I’m still learning to fly nose-in, figure 8’s, and pirouettes.
a cheap solution to finding the forward facing direction.
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just add colored tape.
also i have added frame bracing to make it more ridged and stable.
So does it still fly as well with the tape on the rotor and the additional weight?
the tape its self is very light and doesn’t effect the flight. i became more worried about the tape coming off and obstructing the rotors.
if the heli is trimmed right then any weight added will be compensated for.
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd355/innerbreed/20080901_162210.jpg
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd355/innerbreed/20080901_162246.jpg
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd355/innerbreed/20080901_162314.jpg
sorry no vid yet! will upload one soon.
more on the SES quadrotor heli. (this is a too much time on my hands project)
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd355/innerbreed/20081002_194154.jpg
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd355/innerbreed/20081002_182538.jpg
iv used parts from my SES spares i have and i have modified a Hex nylon standoff by cutting it down to inline the rotor gears!
if i start getting serious about this as a project ill open up a new thread!
hope you like the pictures and of caurse the IDEA!
i have added these training rods to help protect the motors against hard landings.
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd355/innerbreed/20081009_160309.jpg
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd355/innerbreed/20081009_160325.jpg
Here you can see how its fitted. also you can see the 9v hookup for the LED nav lights.
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd355/innerbreed/20081009_160421.jpg
**i finally got someone to video my Draganflyer in fight!
here is the link:**
youtube.com/watch?v=U10J3B2khzg
*
it had been snowing and all morning i was trying to get the Thermal Intelligence (ti)â„¢ to work but it was too cold, but the sun came out and then so did i! 
shame the snow melted. would have set a nice view!*