RotorDrone Fall 2014
Pilot Your Adventure
CAN DRONES SAVE THE PLANET? / FIRST-PERSON-VIEW MADE EASY / CAMERA GIMBAL SETUP TIPS / BATTERY BASICS
CAN DRONES
SAVE AAVE TTHE HE PLANET? HOW MULTIROTORS HELP US PROTECT WILDLIFE, MONITOR POLLUTION, CONSERVE WATER & MORE!
FIRST-PERSON VIEW MADE EASY
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EXPERT SETUP & FLIGHT TIPS From the editors of
EAGLE EYE
CHOOSING THE RIGHT CAMERA
KEEPING IT LEGAL
ARE THE RULES RELAXING?
AMAZING FLYOVERS MUST-SEE AERIAL VIEWS
FALL 2014 $7.99 US $10.99 CAN
RotorDroneMag.com Display until October 14, 2014
FALL 2014
FEATURES 36 | Surf’s Up!
A day at the beach with an aerial video team By Team RotorDrone
42 |Can Drones Save the Planet?
From Idaho farms to the Greenland ice sheet, multirotors help conservation efforts By Team RotorDrone
50 | Eagle Eye
What to look for in on-board cameras By John Reid
56 | On Set: Shooting The Expendables 3
ZM Interactive takes action cinematography to a new level By Team RotorDrone
60 | A View from Above Your guide to first-person-view flight By Gus Calderon
66 | On Location
The inside look on photographing landmarks By Patrick Sherman
76 | Up, Up & Away!
Multirotors and hot air balloons share the skies! By Patrick Sherman
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EXPERT TECH
72 | Legal View
The latest news on unmanned aircraft and the legal system By Michael D. Curran
80 | Straight Shot
Camera gimbal setup and installation By Gus Calderon
86 | Power Play!
Get the most out of your battery investment By Mike Gantt
90 | Hard Wired
Pro tips for professional soldering By Gerry Yarrish
94 | Don’t Cook Your Speed Control!
Pro advice for multirotor power systems By Greg Gimlick
DEPARTMENTS 8 | Top View 10 | Online Coordinates 15 | Aerial Intel 98 | Over the Horizon
ON THE COVER: Multirotors like this are already at work in a variety of ways, from helping farmers raise crops more efficiently to monitoring pollution levels. Don’t miss our feature story on how these drones may help us to save the planet on page 42! (Photo by Tony Donaldson)
THIS PAGE: Multirotor drones are changing the way we view the world and help free us to go exploring with a new point of view. (Photo by Tony Donaldson)
RotorDrone is one of the Radio Control Action Series (ISSN 1054-2256) published by Air Age Media, 88 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897 USA. Copyright 2014; all rights reserved. Canadian Post Publications Mail Agreement No. 40008153. SUBSCRIPTIONS: To subscribe to any Air Age publication, call (800) 8775169 or go to AirAgeStore.com. Canada and elsewhere call (386) 246-3323. CONTRIBUTIONS: All materials published in RotorDrone become the exclusive property of Air Age Inc., unless prior arrangement is made in writing with the Publisher. Descriptions of products were obtained from manufacturers or their press agencies and do not constitute an endorsement by the Publisher or guarantee their safety. ADVERTISING: Advertising rates are available on request. Please send advertising materials to Advertising Dept., Air Age Inc., 88 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897 USA; (203) 431-9000; fax (203) 592-3010.
AUGUST 2010 5
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Editorial Executive Editor Debra Cleghorn ›› debrac@airage.com Senior Technical Editor Gerry Yarrish ›› gerryy@airage.com Senior Editor John Reid ›› johnr@airage.com Deputy Managing Editor Katherine Pierpont Associate Editor Matt Boyd contributors David Anderson, Jeffrey Antonelli, Chris Barrett, Mike Barrett, Gus Calderon, Michael D. Curran, Marc D’Antonio, Mike Gantt, Greg Gimlick, Rich Hanson, John Kauk, Gail Kesslar, Kyle Matthew, Jim Ryan, Brendan Schulman, Patrick Sherman, Michael York A drone’s-eye view of the Dark Snow Project base camp out on the Greenland ice sheet.
The Adventure Continues
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elcome to our second issue of RotorDrone Magazine! To say we have been busy behind the scenes is a definite understatement. To start, thanks to your enthusiastic response to our first edition, we will be publishing RotorDrone Magazine six times a year! Issues will be available at newsstands everywhere, and you can sign up for a subscription at RotorDroneMag.com. Print subscriptions will include access to the digital edition as well, so you can read RotorDrone Magazine on your tablet anytime, anywhere. Want to stay on top of the latest news and sneak peeks as they happen? Sign up for our free biweekly newsletter (also at RotorDroneMag.com). We will continue to deliver the latest news on the very active world that surrounds multirotor aircraft. When you hear about drones in the news, it is often in a negative light, but the reality is that many of them are being used in very positive and extremely helpful ways. I was lucky enough to hang out with CalUAS on training day, while they showed a new owner how to fly one of their multirotor drones. This super-high-tech bird can be used for surveying and agricultural work. It was very cool to watch the new owner take the drone off for the first time and lock it into a pre-programmed route that he set up using Google Earth. Once in the air, the Monarch multirotor flew a very straight path up and down the street, taking a number of photos from a very exact altitude. It was truly amazing to watch this machine fly autonomously and then land itself on the exact spot from where it took off. The entire survey took less than 5 minutes! This issue is full of stories that demonstrate the diverse usefulness of drones, including our feature “Can Drones Save the Planet?” that discusses the use of multirotors on the Greenland ice sheet to the plains of Africa, where they are helping to save elephants from poachers. Drones also help farmers examine the efficiency of their irrigation systems to cope with the record droughts that are affecting much of the country. Rotordrones can add a new creative perspective to photography and video, and you’ll be awed by the great images in “Up, Up & Away” in which multirotors get up close with hot-air balloons. We also were treated to a very productive photo day with the creative crew from Wild Rabbit Productions on the beach in SoCal. They hung their drone out over the waves to get some great aerial footage of professional surfer Eric Geiselman for “Surf’s Up.” If you are looking to create your own work of art, check out our how-to articles on selecting a camera, First Person View and the ins and outs of camera gimbals. Last but not least, we want RotorDrone to be your magazine, so please send your comments on what you’d like to see more (or less!) of to us at RotorDrone@airage. com. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
ART Creative Director Betty K. Nero Art Director Kevin Monahan digital media Web Producer Holly Hansen Video/Photography Photographer Peter Hall Videographer Adam Lebenstein ADVERTISING Advertising Director Mitch Brian ››203.529.4609 Senior Account Executive Ben Halladay ››203.529.4628 Account Executive Lisa Kittrell ››203.423.8055 Sales Assistant Tracey Terenzi consumer marketing/production The Media Source, a division of TEN, The Enthusiast Network marketing & Events Associate Creative Director Leslie Costa Event Manager Emil DeFrancesco PUBLISHING Group Publishers Louis V. DeFrancesco Jr., Yvonne M. DeFrancesco
how to reach us
editorial Mail 88 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897 USA phone (203) 529-4647; email rotordrone@airage.com subscription CUSTOMER SERVICE (800) 827-0323, +(386) 246-3323 (outside the U.S.) or ModelAirplaneNews.com/cs Ask for rotordrone at your local hobby shop! Hobby Shop distribution by: Kalmbach Publishing Co. (800) 558-1544 ext. 3 National and International distribution by: Kable Distribution Services, (212) 705-4600
John Reid Senior Editor johnr@airage.com RCX.com
Magazine Publishers of America
Printed in the USA
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ROTORDRONEMAG.COM
ONLINE COORDINATES ACTION | ADVENTURE | INTEL
Capturing Action Sports!
Not too long ago, if you wanted to film a motocross bike, you had to use a tripod and a VHS camera. Fast forward a few years and our multirotor drones can now get video that truly captures the action and excitement of a 60mph dirt bike jumping 100 feet into the air! To see our interview with Mike and Chris Barrett about how to get the best motocross action and learn some insider tricks, check out our Dirt ‘n’ Drones article at RotorDroneMag.com/dirtndrones
DETAILED REVIEWS
If you’re in the market for a multirotor, then you’ll want to check out the Review section at RotorDroneMag. com. Each review includes the basic specs on the latest multirotors and rotordrones and we include detailed flight comments on how each performs. This Turnigy SK450 comes complete with a transmitter and all the control board programming is done for you at the factory. Get all the details at RotorDroneMag.com/editorpicks
Heard on Facebook!
HARDWARE PICKS
As the perfect addition to your latest quadcopter or multirotor project, we bring you our picks for the best new products, gear, and accessories. Whether you are into remote viewing with FPV equipment or just want to snap some digital photos or video, RotorDroneMag.com has the latest equipment to make your multirotor mission a success. It’s all at RotorDroneMag.com/gear
Latest Videos
If you really want to get inspired, check out the Video section at RotorDroneMag.com. There we have some of the latest and most exciting footage you’ll find from the fast-paced world of multirotors. Your aerial adventure starts here: RotorDroneMag.com/videos
Have you liked us yet at facebook.com/RotorDrone? If not, it’s time to join in the discussion! We asked your thoughts on multirotor craft that are being tested as lifeguard drones that could drop floatation rings to swimmers in distress. In less than 16 hours, we received over 1,100 likes and more than 50 comments! Here are some of your responses:
We have several people die every summer from getting caught in the riptide. So one life saved and it’s worth it! —Neil Sackman It’s reaction time that counts. If they can get the drones up in time, that would be great, but I wouldn’t rely on it all the time! Awesome idea though! —Gregory Simpson Great idea, would the FAA consider this as a commercial use? I guess as long as they fly it line of sight it would be ok. —John Cook In the ocean, it would be safer than risking a lifeguard’s life. —Fred Weaver
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AERIAL INTEL ROTORDRONE REVIEWS | ACCESSORIES | GEAR | TECHNOLOGY
Zeiss cinemizer OLED Lightweight and compact, the stylish cinemizer OLED video glasses are very comfortable to wear and durable. Included are detachable sliders to adjust the fit of the glasses, interchangeable earbuds, a rechargeable lithium ion battery hub (with AV import and cables), and a sturdy carrying case. Features include an adjustable nosepiece, manual adjustment option for 3D input, volume control, and 3.5mm input for over-the-ear headphones. Also included are adapter cables, an HDMI video input adaptor, instruction booklet, and USB charger cable. As with any video interface, the FPV experience is only as good as the lens attached to your airborne camera. With the included adapters, cables, and earbuds, you can also easily attach the cinemizer to your PC, TV, or any other device with a video output for a personal virtual experience. They cost $789. total3dsolutions.com
Hitec X1 Pro & ePowerBox Serious batteries deserve a serious charging station, and this charger/power supply combo from Hitec delivers 180 watts with an adjustable charge current of from 0.1 to 16 amps. The ePowerBox component is a 17-amp power supply, so you can convert the AC current from your wall plug to DC and easily power the charger as well as other 12V devices. Each device is sold separately, and they’re also available in a combo pack for $179.99. hitecrcd.com
Wireless Copilot Designed by miniature aircraft enthusiasts, the new Wireless Copilot system is a great way to increase the fun and safety of your hobby. Perhaps the number-one reason RC aircraft crash is from low battery voltage during a flight. What about a device you can use (without an expensive programmable radio) to check the condition of your LiPo battery-powered multirotors? Now you either have to land early, which reduces your flight time, or you risk running out of power. The Safe2Fly measures the energy used, and sends this data back to the pilot in real-time. What makes the Safe2Fly unique is that it uses a voice warning to inform the pilot of battery status. There’s no visual display to take your attention away from your aircraft. You simply attach the monitor to the positive lead of your battery pack and hang the Wireless Copilot receiver around your neck. As an added bonus, the Safe2Fly unit also has a built-in altitude monitor with a programmable height ceiling. This is great for preventing your multirotor from flying above any height restrictions. The Safe2Fly can also read out your current altitude with the flick of the switch. Priced at $79.99, Safe2Fly and the Wireless Copilot are a great way to add real-time telemetry for inflight information to any RC aircraft. wireless-copilot.com
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Heli-Max 230Si Advanced performance and features make this quadcopter a winner! by team rotordrone
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he newest addition to the popular Heli-Max Si family of quadcopters is the 230Si. This impressive, futuristic-looking quadcopter is ready to fly (RTF) and it comes with everything you need. The 230Si is available with and without a digital video camera. The camera comes built in and it uses a Micro SD card to record images; the 2.4GHz transmitter has buttons for taking both video and still photos. The 230Si comes complete with the HMX 465 SLT transmitter, a 1200mAh LiPo battery pack, Charger and AC adaptor, a spare set of rotor blades, a small Phillips screwdriver, and four AA batteries for the transmitter. The camera-equipped version has the Micro SD card and a USB card reader also included. The setup of the various features is easy with the multi-color LED Lighting/status system. Equipped with the TAGS-FX Sensor Fusion stability system, the 230Si has impressive features such as Actual Direction Control (ADC), Return to Pilot, Beginner and Expert Flight modes, Altitude Control Management, and a Failsafe feature that places the model into a hover for a few seconds and then slowly lands should the transmitter signal be lost.
Transmitter The included transmitter has precise digital trim adjustments for all four controls (Throttle, Rudder, Aileron, and Elevator channels) and an easy- to-read main display screen. The screen shows the throttle position, the positions of the trims, and an indicator for Beginner and Expert modes. The mode can be changed by pressing the F Mode button. A safety feature included is that the 230Si cannot be activated unless the throttle has first been placed in the down/off position. ADC allows pilots to eliminate control reversal by pushing a button that allows the quadcopter to go in the same direction as the sticks on the transmitter regardless of the direction the quad is facing. When in Limited Altitude Mode or Altitude Hold Mode, the 230Si is designed to maintain power even if the throttle is briefly lowered to zero. This is designed to help smooth out altitude changes. When landing in these modes, remember, it takes several seconds for the motors to slow and stop rotating once you lower the throttle to zero/off-throttle position. In Normal Mode, the throttle works in a linear fashion. The Return to Pilot feature is activated by pressing the ICM button.
Optional Video With the built-in Micro Digital Video Camera the 230Si comes with a 2GB Micro SC Memory Card and a USB Card Reader. There are two buttons on the back of the transmitter and it is easy to turn the camera on and off and switch from video to still images. To avoid damage or corrupting the digital images, always disconnect the power battery before installing or removing the card.
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FEATURES • HMX 465 SLT transmitter • TAGS-FX Sensor Fusion stability system • Altitude Management feature • Return to Pilot feature
SPECIFICATIONS Model: 230Si Quadcopter UAV Type: RTF Quadcopter Distributor: Hobbico (hobbico.com) Manufacturer: Heli-Max (helimax-rc.com) Rotor Diameter: 5.7 in. Diagonal Diameter: 9 in. Weight: 4.4 oz. (without camera) Weight: 4.7 oz. (with camera) Price: $149.97 (without camera); $179.97 (with camera)
BOTTOM LINE
FLIGHT REPORT We test flew the 230Si in both outside and indoor flight areas. Set at both high and low rates in both flight modes, the quadcopter has excellent response and control characteristics. Stability: In both Beginner and Expert modes, the 230Si is easy to control and hold in a hover. If it is a little windy outside, it is better to use high rates. You switch from low and high rates by pressing down the right stick assembly. The icon on the main display shows a half or full circle depending on the setting. Response: Switching from Beginner (Normal) to Expert modes is easy — simply press the F-Mode button. The status LED indicates the modes selected, on for Normal and off for Expert. Also Flight Control Sensitivity can be adjust to adjusted to fine-tune the response (feel) to match your piloting skills.
With advanced features and an optional built-in video camera, the 230Si quadcopter from Heli-Max is a great choice for anyone looking for a fun easy-to-fly quadcopter that comes in a complete package. Typical flight times are 13 to 15 minutes. High and Low rates as well as adjustable Beginner and Expert Flight modes make the 230Si ideal for newcomers and old pros alike.
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Blade/Horizon Hobby 200 QX This stable quad is a blast to fly by team rotordrone
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he little brother of the popular Blade 350 QX quadcopter, the new 200 QX is designed with power in mind. It can easily carry a camera payload, and flown in the stock configuration, it can blast off with exciting performance and aerobatics. The 200 QX is a Bind-N-Fly (BNF) model and there’s no assembly required. It comes with four 20mm 3000KV Brushless motors installed and its on-board 4-in-1 mixer/ ESCs/Gyro electronics are ready to go. Also included are a 2S 7.4V 20C 800mAh LiPo battery and a LiPo charger with AC power supply, and a prop nut wrench. You do need to supply a DSM2/DSMX compatible transmitter (I used a Spektrum DX-7S), which has to be programmed to operate with the 200 QX. The instruction manual is easy to follow for the radio setup.
Equipped with SAFE (Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope) technology, the 200 QX uses an innovative combination of multi-axis sensors that allows it to “know” what its position is relative to the horizon. This creates a controlled flight envelope it can use to maintain safe bank and pitch angles as you pilot the aircraft. SAFE offers multiple control modes as well so the pilot can choose the control response he needs with the flip of a switch. The modes include Stable Low-Angle (green indicator light), Stable High-Angle (blue indicator light), and Agility mode (red indicator light). Stable Low gives minimum bank angles while Stable High gives maximum bank angle response. In Agility, the quadcopter is still relatively easy to hover but when you want, you can do flips and rolls by using full stick movements, and the SAFE feature quickly helps bring the quad into a stable hover.
Bolt-on Video A great add-on is the E-flite EFC-721 HD video camera. Priced at $49.99, this self-contained video pod comes with an attachment bracket, an adjustable angle lens, and a control lead that plugs into the quadcopter. The in-flight camera control can operate from any open receiver channel. The camera shoots full-color 720p HD video and 1.3M still images. It uses a micro SD card (not included) to record video and still images and is activated by the transmitter. A charge/interface cable comes with the camera for charging its internal 3.7V 150mAh rechargeable LiPo battery.
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Low Voltage Cutoff Low Voltage Cutoff (LVC) decreases power when the battery voltage gets low. When the motor power decreases and the LEDs blink, it is time to land immediately and charge the flight battery again. LVC does not prevent the battery from overdischarge during storage so remove the battery when you are done.
FEATURES • SAFE technology • Three flight modes • High performance brushless motors • Internal LED illumination for easy orientation and night flying • Optional camera available separately
SPECIFICATIONS Model: 200 QX Type: Bind-N-Fly Quadcopter Distributor: Horizon Hobby (horizonhobby.com) Manufacturer: Blade (bladehelis.com) Length: 5.59 in. Width: 5.59 in. Height: 3.54 in. Weight:6.70 oz. Rotor Diameter: 4.45 in. Price: $229.99
BOTTOM LINE
FLIGHT REPORT Our test flight was done on a warm but slightly windy day and the 200 QX performed nicely. I flew it on both high and low rates in all flight modes, and the little quadcopter remained completely in control at all times. Stability: With the SAFE technology, the 200 QX remains very stable when in hover and can be flown hands-off inside an enclosed area. Outdoors with a little wind, it requires just a nudge of the sticks to keep it under control in a relatively tight hover. I found that with increased wind, the quadcopter was easier to control when set to Stable High-Angle mode. Response: In each of the flight mode settings, the 200 QX has excellent response. For the beginner, the Stable Low-Angle mode (with low rates dialed in) is the best place to start. For more experienced pilots, Stable High Angle gives more response for quicker corrections and faster direction changes.
If you are new to quadcopters and want something easy to master yet has the capability for increased response and advanced flight performance, the Blade 200 QX is a great choice. Typical flight times are 6 to 7 minutes but slightly shorter if you add the optional video camera pod.
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Hobby King Quanum Nova FPV GPS Waypoint Quadcopter Jack of all quads — master of fun! by matt boyd
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n today’s “I want it all and I want it now!” consumer marketplace there is ever-increasing pressure on companies to provide products that are all things to all people. Of course, that’s an impossible standard to live up to, but Hobby King takes a pretty respectable swing at the impossible with its Quanum Nova quadcopter. For experienced quad enthusiasts, the Nova’s list of features and capabilities are impressive. To the casual observer, they sound like science-fiction: autonomous GPS-guided flight with user-programmable waypoints, altitude, speed and endpoints; provisions for hi-def inflight video; sophisticated gyro-stabilization pilot aids and one-touch return-home recalling. Did I mention that you get all that for $319 (plus tax — and the cost of a GoPro or similar camera if you want to do video)? But the radio, electronics, high-capacity LiPo battery and charger are all included. Oh, and the Nova comes essentially pre-built — all the user has to do is attach the landing gear, the propellers, the camera mount (if desired), and charge the battery. I’ll admit, when a company promises that much capability for that little cash I tend to be skeptical. But from its first impression the Nova reassures that HobbyKing puts your money where it counts. The manual is brief, but that reflects the level of assembly and programming completeness. The seven-page booklet does cover the basics, but I would have liked a little more detail and a troubleshooting section just in case. Step 1 is installation of the props, but I suggest putting your battery on charge first — that way it’s juicing up
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camera ready If you own a GoPro Hero3 or similarly sized video camera, the Nova comes with a mount that bolts right up to the bottom of the main body — either directly or with an optional rubber-isolated anti-vibration mount. This part is not technically covered in the manual, but if you can’t figure out how to operate the included hex screws with the included hex-screwdriver ... well, maybe you should take up needlepoint instead! For the serious videophiles out there, HobbyKing offers the optional Quanum Q-2D Brushless motorized GoPro gimbal ($99). There are ports in the belly of the Nova that accept the Q-2D’s power and control leads, and the Aux1 and Aux2 channels on the included radio provide gimbal rotation and pitch adjustment. while you are busy marveling at how little else you have to do. Those props are directional of course, but each has a little embossed directional arrow indicating clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation. And there is a matching embossed arrow on each motor boom arm, so you really don’t have to do more than match the pictures — a toddler could do it (although the legal department insists that I remind you here that quads are not for toddlers!). The prop
FEATURES • MAVLink compatible programmable GPS waypoint mission flying • Four flight modes • One-touch automated Return Home mode • Included 2.4GHz 7-channel transmitter • Included static GoPro mount (optional motorized mount available separately)
SPECIFICATIONS Model: Quanum Nova Type: Ready-To-Fly Quadcopter Distributor: Hobby King (hobbyking.com) Length: 11.81 in. Height: 7.87 in. Weight: 30.8 oz. Rotor Diameter: 8.07 in. Price: $319.99
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nuts are even colorcoded to further aid you — the black prop nuts go with the clockwise-spin props, the silvers go with the counterThe Nova comes with tools and a charger clockwise props. for its included high-capacity LiPo battery. The landing gear attaches with four thumbscrews. Now your Nova is essentially flight-ready. When your battery is charged up, you’re ready to bind the transmitter and initialize the GPS signal. The Nova does most of the work for you; simply plug in the battery pack and let the Nova cycle through its startup routine. When the LEDs on the back of the body slow their flashing, turn on the transmitter and wait for the beep. It is now bound. The GPS will link up automatically and turn the green LED solid. Hold the throttle stick to the bottom right for a couple seconds to unlock the motors and you are ready for takeoff! The Nova offers an impressive lineup of pilot aids. The star of the show is the GPS-guided programmable autopilot (see sidebar) but it also comes with four other preprogrammed flight modes. You always start off in manual control mode, but engaging “Stable mode” and setting the throttle to its midpoint will tell the Nova to hold the altitude and position hands-free—perfect for holding station while taking aerial photography or video. “Return Home” mode is both a safety and convenience feature. When engaged, the Nova will automatically fly back to its launch point at its current altitude or at 15 meters, whichever is higher. “Return Home” engages automatically in the event of radio-signal loss. “Direction Lock” mode makes the Nova react to control inputs as if the heading remains fixed, and “Altitude Sensor” mode will hold whatever altitude the pilot sets while leaving other controls free. These last two are particularly useful for more experienced pilots while taking airborne photos. Expert pilots can further enhance their flight experience with telemetry, as the Nova is easily modified to accept an on-board telemetry module.
Flight Report For our test hops we went to an old abandoned factory complex where, back before WW I, they produced copper wire: a great, out-of-the-way place with lots of paved real estate to test the Nova. The contrast between the modern-looking craft and the old brick facades was striking — as were the Nova’s flight manners from its very first liftoff. Throttle response very comfortable for novices and veterans alike, and there’s plenty of power for lifting a camera payload. Stability: Like a rock! In manual mode the Nova is responsive without being twitchy, and all axes of motion feel equally well balanced. With its GPS-guided “Stable” mode engaged, the Nova was hands-free even with gusts blowing through and around those old buildings. In calm conditions even an operator with zero flight time should be able to take off, hover, and land again with little difficulty. For advanced users, the Nova also offers Flight Direction Lock and Altitude Sensor (Lock) modes, which can come in especially handy for aerial video. Response: Excellent, and there aren’t any jitters at all. Asked to move around, the Nova did what it was told to do and then returned to an easy- to-manage hover where we wanted it. With a slight nudge of the sticks, the quadcopter executes a very straight line of flight. It has excellent response for all sorts of maneuvers from basic to aggressive shenanigans. The on-board stability system has just the right amount of braking action when you ask the craft to stop moving and return to a hover.
GPS-GUIDED PROGRAMMABLE FLIGHT PLAN! The Nova’s capability advantage over its competition comes by virtue of its integrated APM autopilot system designed by 3DRobotics. The unit interfaces with the Nova’s on-board GPS and compass to allow fully autonomous fight missions using GPS waypoints that you program using Mission Planner or other opensource MAVlinkcompatable software, through the mini USB port in the Nova’s belly. In Mission Planner you can input your own custom waypoints and commands to create a full-function flight plan. The software is a free download from 3DRobotics.com, and its quite easy to use once you learn the basic layout of the commands. Its graphic-based just like route-planning functions you find on GoogleMaps (it can even use Google’s Satellite Maps as your starting point!). Then you drop your waypoint, and adjust the command, time, altitude, and other parameters to suit your desired mission. The simple flight plan you see here was mapped out for a park just a mile or two down the street from our editorial offices, and it literally took less time to create than it takes to drive to the flying site! You then simply reassign one of the Nova’s mode functions to implement your flight mission and watch it go! If you need to take control back, simply switch back to manual mode and reassume control from the autopilot. This level of functionality is absolutely unprecedented in a quad of this size, and really puts the Nova in a class by itself.
Bottom Line
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The Nova isn’t merely the proverbial jack of all trades; it is well on its way to mastering most of the essential ones for a quad. Most impressively, it makes its pilot feel like a master as well. Experienced pilots and photo buffs will enjoy the expanded options afforded by the various flight modes, and everyone will enjoy the fantastic GPS-guided autopilot. The Nova package is gratifyingly complete, requires very little assembly, looks cool, feels solid, flies superbly (thanks to flight modes and pilot aids that perform exceptionally well without being intrusive), and can support more options and features than pretty much any other quad in its price/size category. Is that enough to be all things to all people? Maybe not quite, but its more than enough to win me over — the Nova is a winner!
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FireFLY6 BY MICHAEL FOSTER
E The Bridge monitors the pilot’s tilt input and coordinates all of the components and controllers to ensure that the right things are happening at the right times.
John Hampton, pilot and company cofounder, poses with the BirdsEyeView Aerobotics FireFLY6.
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Above left: During forward flight, all four motors are active and the additional two rear motors deactivate. Above right: With all six motors in the same orientation, the aircraft behaves like a multicopter.
mbracing the latest multirotor technology, one New Hampshire-based company has taken a bold step forward and recently introduced a hybrid plane/multirotor that can take off and land vertically but also transition to efficient forward flight. FireFLY6 is a stealthy aircraft that has the advantages of a multicopter in a conventional fixed-wing platform. We got the scoop from John Hampton, BirdsEyeView Aerobotics (birdseyeview.aero) cofounder and pilot, as this agile flyer made its public debut. To transition from hover to forward flight and back, a chain and sprocket system moves the transition axle using a metal-gear servo on the Flight Mode channel. The front four motors/props rotate from a vertical-hover orientation to a horizontal forward-flight orientation. All four motors are active in forward flight and the additional two rear motors deactivate. This is all coordinated by the machine’s custom electronics, the Bridge. The pilot
commands the tilt servo and can provide pitch, roll, and throttle input during transition, but the Bridge monitors the pilot’s tilt input and coordinates all of the components and controllers to ensure that the right things happen at the right times. You can also equip forward-flight control with GPS. At this point, the FireFLY6 becomes a fully autonomous aerobot with the ability to fly waypoints and return home in either flight mode, hover, or forward flight. Offered almost ready to fly, the FireFLY6 is made from durable EPO foam supported by carbon-fiber tube spars and a lasercut wood-center frame. It includes servos, retracts, mechanical transition parts, a power distribution system, and the Bridge. You install the propulsion system of your choice, as well as a hover controller, batteries, and receiver. For multicopter rookies, BirdsEyeView Aerobotics offers the FireFLY6 PowerPACK, which is a turnkey propulsion system. The 60-inch-span aircraft can fly for 15-30 minutes and has a cruise speed of 35mph with burst speeds of 60mph, and a potential mission range of 18 miles! What superhero abilities are needed to fly this amazing aircraft? Surprisingly, the learning curve is similar to most off-the-shelf quads. If you can fly a quad, you should have no problem. When equipped with a forward-flight controller, the FireFLY6 does offer a forward-flight training mode for zealous multicopteronly pilots. If you’re looking for a unique multirotor experience and want to expand your flight envelope to include FPV, hobby UAV flying, aerial photography/ videography, mapping, precision agriculture, or search and rescue, the FireFLY6 by BirdsEyeView Aerobotics may be the ticket.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MICHAEL FOSTER & JOHN HAMPTON
A revolutionary hybrid aerobot
AERIAL
INTEL
Spreading Wings S1000 This new heavy-lift airframe from DJI has the stability and power serious videographers need. Both its frame arms and retractable landing gear are made from carbon fiber, and its arms can be folded down for easier transport. When you’re ready to fly, just lift the arms, lock them in place and you’re ready to capture the action! With a flight controller like the A2, the S1000 will weigh less than 9 pounds but a maximum takeoff weight of over 24 pounds! It starts at $4,300. atlantahobby.com
World Tech Toys Panther
Have a would-be multirotor pilot in your life but not ready to trust them with your expensive gear? This unique aircraft is pure fun in a box! Designed to be super easy to fly both indoors and out, it has features like gyro stabilization and LED lights, and it can even can do loops with the press of a button. (And if you can’t resist flying it around your house for fun when everyone’s asleep, we won’t tell!) The Panther arrives completely assembled and only requires 4 AA batteries for its transmitter. It’s priced at $129.95. hobbytron.com
Mars Aerial Recovery Systems In addition to death and taxes, someone should add “gravity” to life’s certainties. What goes up must come down, and when you’re talking about a multirotor with an expensive camera and other electronics strapped to it, wouldn’t it be nice to have some extra, well, insurance against the unlikely but possible crash landing? Enter the Mars Aerial Recovery Systems. Designed for 4-, 10-, and 25-pound aircraft, each system uses a parachute to reduce the fall speed of your prideand-joy to avoid damage during an unplanned event with terra firma. Equip your craft with peace of mind, starting at just $149. marsparachutes.com
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aerial
intel
Blade/Horizon Hobby 350 QX2 AP Combo RTF The flagship of the Blade line of quadcopters By John Reid
T
he latest release from the Blade line of quadcopters is the new Blade 350 QX2 AP RTF. This is a direct descendent of the Blade 350 QX, but it includes a number of improved features. First and foremost is the two-axis brushless gimbal along with C-Go 1 camera, which delivers 1080P/30 video. This version also supports Wi-Fi video downlink to supporting devices (smartphones) along with a larger 3S 3000mAh flight battery. Best of all, like all the other Blade quads, there is no real assembly, just charging up the batteries. This quad comes with its own transmitter, but it is also compatible with all Spektrum radios. Blade had taken this bird to the next level by fully integrating aerial photography into this easy-to-fly quad. The Blade 350 QX2 incorporates three different flying modes for the beginner to advanced pilot. The Smart Mode (default) will allow the aircraft to always follow the control stick input directions regardless of the direction of the nose of the aircraft. The aircraft will hold its position when the elevator and aileron inputs are neutral (center
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stick). AP Mode will also hold the aircraft’s position along with self-leveling it when the elevator and ailerons are in a neutral position. Stability Mode does much the same as AP mode but it incorporates GPS to hold a given location with the elevator and ailerons are in neutral position. This gives the aircraft a solid locked in 3D space position. The included manual quickly helps you figure out everything needed to get this aircraft in the air quickly.
Creative Expression Included One of the key features found on the Blade QX2 is the camera system that is already included in the box. The CG01 camera body just slides in the gimbal and is ready for shooting photos or videos after charging the battery and adding your own micro SD card. You can also download the app to your smartphone and attach it to the transmitter via the included mount. This app connects you smartphone to the camera through the Wi-Fi connection built into the camera body. This will allow you to see the image from the camera and change it from shooting video to photos and back again. This camera does a fine job for most photo needs, but it does not have the high resolution chip in it.
FEATURES
SPECIFICATIONS
• SAFE technology • Three flight modes • Large flight battery • LED illumination for easy orientation • Preinstalled and programed camera and gimbal
Model: 350 QX2 AP Combo Type: RTF quadcopter Distributor: Horizon Hobby (horizonhobby.com) Manufacturer: Blade (bladehelis.com) Length: 18.3 in. Width: 18.3 in. Height: 7.48 in. Weight: 35.5 oz. Rotor diameter: 8.27 in. Price: $899.99
FLIGHT REPORT
*GoPro mount not included
The test flight was done on a slightly windy day and with the Blade 350 QX2 in the Smart mode. Needless to say, the Blade performed flawlessly and was actually very easy to fly in all modes. The Blade 350 QX2 flies just as good, and in some respects better than the previous model due to the improved GPS accuracy and RF chipset with external antenna. There is a switch that is called the self-land switch and if flipped it allows the quadcopter to come back its takeoff point and land all by itself. During the flight the included camera gimbal did a great job of keeping the camera level and not transferring the vibration from the quad to the camera. A GoPro camera mount is also included if one is looking to upgrade their aerial captures. Overall, this is a very easy and fun way to get into aerial photography. Stability: One of the nice things about the Blade 350 QX2 is the stability of this bird in all modes. In the Smart Mode the orientation of the sticks always remains the same regardless of the direction of the nose, which allows the beginner pilot to stay in control. Adding to that the stabilization of the SAFE technology and using GPS to lock it in 3-dimensional space, which makes this a very easy quad for anyone to fly. Even on our windy first day of flying, this was a very easy aircraft to control.
BOTTOM LINE
Response: The Blade 350 QX2 is very responsive to the control inputs regardless of the mode in which it is flying. The AP mode does allow the Blade to drift a little from the last inputs which sort of feels like you have a little more responsiveness in the controls, but I am sure it is the same amount as you have in the Stability mode. Overall, the Blade feels very responsive to the pilot in all flight modes — you just have to decide which mode you like flying in the best.
The Blade 350 QX2 quad will appeal to the beginner, advanced and expert pilot. It is just an easy-to-fly quadcopter that comes with a good camera gimbal and the camera already incorporated in the system. The larger battery gives a solid seven to ten minute flight, which is plenty of time to get the airborne shot you were after.
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aerial
intel
Foxtech Kraken 130 I’ve done a few aerial photography jobs in the last year using a 550-sized hexacopter and a gimbal-mounted GoPro Hero 3 camera. That worked out well enough for the most part, but I wanted to be able to offer better video and larger, high-resolution photos when needed. To do that I knew I’d need to look into a much larger airframe. As I did the research, one option stood out from the others in terms of construction quality, lift capability, and total cost. Just released at the beginning of this year, the Foxtech Kraken 130 is a large octocopter for heavy-lift operations. Total diameter of the copter with propellers is just over 69 inches and it stands about 24 inches tall. Mine is powered by Foxtech 5010 motors with Foxtech Supreme 1861 propellers and has a DJI A2 flight controller mounted. Designed to fly well with a total weight up to 44 pounds, the Kraken can carry gimbal-mounted cameras like the Canon EOS 5D and Red Epic. I’ve got a DJI Zenmuse Z155D gimbal and a Canon EOS 5D camera on mine. Fully loaded with 32 amp-hours of battery capacity it weighs just under 30 pounds, and easily flies for 19 minutes without taking the batteries too low. I suppose, given the total lift capacity of the Kraken, I could add more batteries for even longer flight times but I’m not sure I want to fly much longer than that. The Kraken 130 is constructed of CNC aluminum, carbon-fiber tube and carbon-fiber plate. Standard features include retractable landing gear and folding motor arms with a CNC machined aluminum locking mechanism. A spring-dampened center plate reduces vibration that could affect the flight control unit and camera. The Kraken is available in a range of combinations that begins with a bare-bones airframe kit for $1,275 and tops out with a DJI A2 controlled, ready to fly version for $4,939, less batteries. — John Kauk foxtechfpv.com The author preparing the Kraken 130 for an unloaded test flight. The process of extending the arms and locking them into flying position, then installing propellers takes less than five minutes.
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The Kraken 130 in flight. In this configuration, lightly loaded with 2 6S 8 amp-hour (AH) lithium polymer batteries, the Kraken will fly for 25 minutes.
Here the Kraken 130 is folded for storage or transport. The propellers have been removed and the well-designed arm clamps released to allow the arms to fold, reducing the overall width of the multirotor from 69 inches to 21 inches.
aerial
intel
Zenmuse Z15-5D Gimbal Professional-quality aerial video and photography demands a stable camera platform. In addition to a well set up multirotor or helicopter, a steady, fast-reacting gimbal is practically a requirement. For several years, DJI has produced an evolving product line of high-quality gimbals, known by the name Zenmuse, for an everexpanding list of cameras. The Zenmuse Z15-5D is specifically designed and balanced for Canon’s EOS 5D cameras — both the Mark II and Mark III — along with one lens, the EF 24mm f2.8 IS. Well constructed of CNC-machined aluminum, the gimbal is designed with internal wiring and slip ring conductors for signal and power connections so wiring doesn’t interfere with the gimbal’s movement. The gimbal mount is nicely insulated from vibrations by groups of three replaceable rubber dampers on each of the four rail mounts. Installation is easy, and setup is facilitated by Assistant software for Windows computers. Features include full 3-axis control, an integral Inertial
Foxtech Quick-detach Prop Looking for a simple way to protect those expensive carbon-fiber propellers from damage in storage or transport? Foxtech’s quick-detatch propeller fittings are sold in pairs for $8, one gold-colored for the clockwise rotation motor and one silvercolored for the counter-clockwise motor. They’re each threaded so the rotation of the motor works to tighten the fitting, keeping the propeller secure in flight yet easily removable. CNC-machined from 7075 aluminum and drilled for the T-motor-style three-hole bolt pattern, each complete fitting weighs only 6 grams. foxtechfpv.com
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Left: On the top of the Z15-5D there’s room to mount the required electronics. On the left side is the iOSD MkII and 5.8G video downlink, on the right the Zenmuse Gimbal Control Unit connected to a receiver. Above: The Z15-5D gimbal with Canon EOS 5D camera mounted. You can see the excellent fit and finish of the CNC aluminum gimbal frame. The slip rings and internally routed wiring, just visible at the rear of the vertical support, allow for unimpeded 360-degree pan movements. Below: On the ground monitor, GPS and flight data are displayed around the perimeter of the live view video feed from the camMeasurement Unit and infrared shutter release, three era on board the copter. Some information, like the square control modes and near plug and play integration with center focus point, comes from DJI’s multirotor and helicopter flight controllers, iOSD MkII the camera. The rest is directly and video downlink gear. from the GPS and flight control The $299 iOSD MkII connects to the gimbal control ler, giving the pilot or camera operator important flight and unit’s video output and the DJI flight controller’s CAN Bus. location data.
It combines GPS and flight data from the controller with the live video feed from the camera and sends it through the 5.8G video downlink to create a neat, informative display for the pilot on the ground monitor. The unit also features data logging, storing flight and GPS data from the flight controller for post-flight analysis. The Z-15-5D gimbal costs $2,999. —John Kauk dji.com
aerial
intel DJI’s A2 mounted in a large multirotor. Left to right: the Power Management Unit, the Inertial Measurement Unit and the motor controller. On the motor controller are eight motor outputs and two CAN Bus ports for connecting the various parts of the system. Opposite those are four programmable outputs, 2.4GHz radio antennae and ports for DSM2 and S-Bus receivers.
DJI A2 Controller Multirotor helicopters flying today depend on sophisticated electronic devices for control: 3-axis gyros, accelerometers, altimeters, GPS receivers and powerful microprocessors are all part of the little box of magic called a flight controller. DJI manufactures a range of flight controllers and their flagship model, the A2, is designed for commercial and industrial aerial photography applications. Features include machined aluminum component cases, a high-gain GPS antenna for more accurate position hold and support for nine different multirotor configurations from quad to octocopter. User-selectable operational options include failsafe and switch-activated Return to Home functions, intelligent landing gear control and the Intelligent Orientation Control modes Home Lock and Course Lock. The A2 also adds a new Point of Interest control mode. In this mode, the pilot sets a waypoint in the flight controller’s GPS memory and the subsequent flight path is in a circular relationship to that point. Aileron stick Right: Assistant app’s display. With the built-in Bluetooth in the A2, it’s fast and easy to make parameter changes — or turn features on and off — during a flying session. Far right: Screen capture of the Mac version of the A2 Assistant software’s main overview screen. Lots of information here, with access to the other sections of the program where changes and adjustments can be made.
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moves the copter around the selected point in a circular path with the nose pointed inward to the center point at all times. Elevator stick moves the copter toward or away from the point along a radius of the circle. There are several options for multirotor setup and parameter adjustments. DJI’s A2 Assistant software is available in both Windows and Mac versions which connect to the A2 controller by USB cable. The Assistant software guides the user through the setup options and allows adjustment of flight parameters. The A2 also has an integral Bluetooth connection, and there’s an iOS Assistant app that’s very handy for making parameter adjustments in the field. The A2 has a built-in 2.4GHz Futaba FASST compatible receiver, and there are ports for two JR or Spektrum DSM2 satellite receivers as well as Futaba’s S-Bus and S-Bus2 receivers. Any other type of receiver can be connected using an accessory adapter available from DJI. For another control method, DJI’s 2.4GHz Bluetooth Datalink and iPad Ground Station are available. The Data Link is an additional 2.4GHz radio system that links the A2 to an iPad on the ground. The Ground Station app on the iPad connects to the Datalink via Bluetooth and allows the pilot to program autonomous flight paths with up to a total of 50 waypoints. The A2 retails for $1,300. —John Kauk K dji.com
SURF’S UP! A day at the beach with an aerial video team
BY TEAM ROTORDRONE PHOTOS JOHN REID AND TONY DONALDSON
In their own words, Wild Rabbit Productions is a “small team working their asses off to make it” in the burgeoning industry of aerial videography. When now-partner Drew Roberts needed some “mindbending” shots for a project he was working on two years ago, he realized that using a multirotor was the only way to pull them off. Having a background in radio control helped him bridge the gap (he raced RC cars when he was younger), and he joined with his friends Patrick Ecclesine and Katee Laine to create Wild Rabbit and pursue aerial cinematography. We were excited to meet up with the Wild Rabbit team as they captured aerial video of pro surfer Eric Geiselman at the San Clemente beach in SoCal and were able to get the scoop on what they do and their tips for successful multirotor footage.
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We built our drones specifically to film surfing and any action sports that require fast speeds Above: At the command station, Drew on the controls of the drone, Katee at the monitor operating the camera, and Parker Davis the intern providing shade so the monitor screen can be seen in the sunlight. Below: A passing surfer wonders about that thing that Drew is working on ‌ Right: The drone in action above Eric as he catches another wave.
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RotorDrone: Capturing surfing video must pose some difficult challenges; how do you deal with them? Wild Rabbit Productions: Surfing is one of the most difficult sports to capture with the drone, not only is the salt water and sand harsh of the equipment; shooting over water can be very nerve racking carrying over $50,000 in camera and gear. In an instant it can be all lost, but the footage usually captured makes it all worth it. Surfing is hypnotizing and beautiful to watch, and usually has only been able to be captured from the shore, in the surf line in the water, or from a boat; all angles which are taken from a low perspective. UAV technology just changed everything on how surfing can be filmed. As challenging as it is, it’s a great experience for us and always a great feeling capturing a shot that has never been done or seen before. We built our drones specifically to film surfing and any action sports that require fast speeds and overall flight times. Although the waves were really flat today, Eric Geiselman still pulled out a few tricks for us. That’s also another reason why we love shooting surfing; its a very humbling culture. Tell us more about your business and what you do. Wild Rabbit specializes in commercial and entertainment productions. This is kind of a tough question seeing that this is such a new technology for this industry. It feels like every job we work on has its new set of challenges that we have to overcome. We see ourselves as collaborators and problem solvers, so every project that comes in we work very closely with our clients to give them exactly what they need and usually more than what they expected. Commercials are usually the most beneficial using our services in aerial cinematography. We are
able to add a very large production value to their projects in a relatively short amount of time. However, as a team, we personally excel working in action sports and automotive commercials. That’s where we’re most passionate, have the most fun, and usually the most creative freedom. Are your flights always completely pre-planned or do you improvise while you’re in the air? We have done both improvised and pre-planned flights, but we do prefer pre-planned flights and camera movements. When we pre-plan a flight path, camera, and subject movement, we are taking full advantage of the amazing capabilities of the aerial cinematography rigs we fly in the space we’re in. There is no better feeling than knowing that we executed a complex shot flawlessly.
The team! Drew Roberts (lead pilot), Eric Geiselman (pro surfer), Nathan Labruzza (drone technician, pilot) and Katee Laine (producer and camera operator).
What equipment do you use? Over the past two years we have flown many of the popular multirotor platforms but recently we began working with a local engineer and drone manufacturer to design and build our new heavy-lift X8 multirotor. Our main focus for this new drone was portability and
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The Wild Rabbit team travels to the job in this custom-made van, loaded with everything they need for the shoot.
minimizing points of failure, which we can proudly say we have achieved both and could not be happier. The brains behind our new heavy-lifter is the trusted DJI Wookong Flight controller and we are also running the Hercules II XL 8in1 speed control, KDE Direct motors, 18-inch T-Motor Carbon Fiber Props, and two 10,000mAh 6S LiPos. With this setup we are able to lift RED and Sony cameras with prime lens on a Freefly Systems MoVi M10 gimbal for over 12 minutes. Switching over to the coaxial (X8) design of this new rig was a challenge for us, but has been one that has paid off immensely in the end. We are now pushing shots further creatively and technically with the confidence of a trusted rock solid rig.
always check your systems before and after flights and designate a takeoff and landing zone so everyone on set is aware and out of harm’s way We also have a purpose-built hexacopter designed for shooting action sports and anything that requires a little more speed in a rougher environment. This rig is FAST and has been giving us over 20 minutes of flight time carrying a small Micro Four Thirds camera such as the Panasonic GH4 on the Freefly Movi M5 gimbal. All of which of course, couldn’t be possible without the Paralinx Tomahawk and Array Antenna for the long range HD video downlink to serve the camera operator and director during the shoot or live broadcast, like we did for the Cincinnati Reds opening game. How long are your flying times when shooting on location? While we have flight times anywhere between 12-20 minutes depending on the payload, we try to limit our flight times on set to 3 minutes or less when shooting
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for films or commercials. Precision and repeatability are crucial when on set so we like to execute a take, land the drone, run playback and discuss what can be done differently to improve the shot. That being said, we rarely have the luxury to land after every take to preview the shot and make adjustments, this is where pilot/camera-operator communications become most crucial. While returning the drone to its starting position, our camera operator (Katee) will let me know what adjustments need to be made including velocity, altitude and flight path. What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on? All projects are pretty exciting to us, any time we get to work with new clients and create new collaborative shots with the multirotor is awesome. On the other hand, a few that come to mind would definitely be shooting for Nike. They closed off the 4th Street bridge in downtown Los Angeles to promote their #riskeverything campaign. They brought out all the tricks for this shoot, projecting a live animated and interactive soccer field onto the middle of the bridge while local and professional players matched each other. Another was filming for FOX Sports in Cincinnati for the opening day Reds game. That was epic: the first time in history to broadcast the event and game live from our multirotor straight to the viewers at home. We worked around the clock for that job, prepared and overprepared, couldn’t have been more rewarding accomplishing a large production such as that. Any tips you can share with future multirotor pilots? Communicate, communicate, and communicate! Can’t stress the importance of that; always discuss the safety with the entire cast and crew before filming and flying. If applicable, always check your systems before and after flights and designate a takeoff and landing zone so everyone on set is aware and out of harm’s way. Always have direct communication with the director or whoever is calling the shots, have the shots and a flight path already predetermined and planned with your camera operator so everyone is in complete synchronization before flying. Lastly, have fun and go with your gut, it’s always great to push the boundaries to get the epic never before seen shot and you’ll meet people who will push you to do so but ultimately you are in control and judge whether a shot can be deemed unsafe or reckless, and endangering someone’s life is not worth the shot or consequences. K
CAN DRONES
SAVE THE
It’s perfectly clear — rotordrones and multirotor craft are here to stay. Turn on
the TV and in no time you’ll see news mentions discussing the pros and cons of this stillevolving technology. Rotordrones and various other multirotor designs are a curiosity for most folks and too often are shown in a negative light. In the business of selling newspapers and improving TV ratings, good news just doesn’t sell as well as bad news. In reality,
there’s lots of good stuff to talk about where drones are concerned.
PLANET?
From Idaho farms to the Greenland ice sheet, multirotors help conservation efforts BY TEAM ROTORDRONE
Dr. Jason Box launches his 3DR Isis off the Greenland ice sheet. The white card is to reset the on-board camera’s white balance for accurate spectrographic photos.
COMBATING GLOBAL WARMING
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lobal climate change is in the news a lot these days, and while it’s clear that polar ice is melting and sea levels are rising, what’s less clear is exactly how quickly, what is causing it, and by extension what we can do about it. Glaciologist Dr. Jason Box and his team from the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland’s Dark Snow Project are using rotordrones to help answer some of those questions. Dr. Box and his team rely on a pair of drones — Isis quadcopters from 3D Robotics (as well as a conventional winged RC drone)— equipped with digital cameras fitted with special filters to photograph and video the reflectivity of the ice sheet in Greenland. The images are then run through spectrographic analysis to determine what substances are collecting on the ice surface. By using the drones, they are bridging the gap between satellite data and boots-on-the-ground sample gathering, saving valuable time and financial resources. Dr. Box is quickly becoming an experienced pilot and is very enthusiastic about how the drones have advanced the data collection process for Dark Snow. It has been so successful that he and his team hope to raise funds to expand their fleet to include a larger, 1m+ diameter drone that can carry an on-board spectrometer and other instruments. They are also exploring the feasibility of gas power, and he even imagines a drone capable of landing and collecting physical samples from locations inaccessible by foot! TO READ MORE ABOUT DR. BOX AND THE DARK SNOW PROJECT OR DONATE TO THEIR CROWDFUNDING EFFORT TO HELP THEM AFFORD A LARGER, MORE ADVANCED DRONE, GO TO DARKSNOW.ORG.
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Operating in Dead Zones
W
ith the ongoing studies and test flight of multirotor craft, there are two basic ways these quick-todeploy aerial workers can help fight forest fires. Since the direction of burns can quickly change, drones can provide a real-time observation of the conditions. This information (video imagery) can be relayed to firefighters on the ground by the drone operator. The other way drones can help is by improving communications. Firefighters often use laptops, tablets, and iPhones to get updates about changing conditions. Oftentimes, in remote areas these personal devices can’t operate properly in cellular dead zones where Internet service is weak or unavailable. These harsh conditions are common as wildfires are often in difficult terrain and wooded areas where firefighters lose signal. Firefighters often have to travel away from their firefighting duties to reach higher ground to establish proper Internet connections. Rotordrones are ideally suited for use in these areas and could hover at a high altitude over dead zones, to capture and relay otherwise sketchy Internet signals. With the provided cellular coverage, critical information can then be quickly sent to other firefighters and other first responders so they can compute risk assessments for fire travel rates and coverage and whether the need is present for areas to be evacuated.
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HORTON HEARS A ROTORDRONE? PHOTO COURTESY OF AFRICAN-PARKS.ORG
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outh African elephants may not appreciate the sound of a multirotor buzzing overhead, but that’s the point: by moving away from the annoying aircraft they are also moving away from the poachers who would slaughter them for their ivory or human conflict where they could get caught in the crossfire. Conservation group Seiya Limited’s Marc Goss says, “I’m assuming that they think it’s a swarm of bees,” which he uses to full advantage to deter the pachyderms from high-risk zones. The manager of Seiya’s Mara Elephant Project, Goss would like to expand his fleet of drones and add a release mechanism to disperse capsaicin, the active ingredient in chili powder, as an added deterrent.
FOR MORE NEWS ON SEIYA LTD. AND THEIR CONSERVATION EFFORTS, FOLLOW THEM AT FACEBOOK.COM/SEIYALIMITED. FOR MORE ON AFRICAN PARKS, GO TO AFRICAN-PARKS.ORG
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IMPROVING OUR ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT
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he use of rotordrones is not just confined to hazardous duty. The agriculture industry too can benefit. With various infrared camera equipment, the condition of crops spread over large parcels of land can Donna Delparte, PhD., Assistant Professor, be evaluated by rotordrones. In areas at Idaho State University’s Department of where the use of water resources Geosciences, and graduate student Mike Griffel, kneel next to one of the flying drones are critical, the hovering drones can they will use for potato crop surveys at farms measure the heat of the ground and in southeast and northern Idaho. (Photo plants to give the crop owners an eye courtesy of idahostatejournal.com) on how well their irrigation systems are working, and whether various crop areas need more or less water. The same process can also help minimize the amount of chemical fertilizer being used and helps crop farmers to be more efficient in bringing their crops to market. From corn and wheat fields, and small community gardening plots to grapes in hillside vineyards, rotordrones can make a huge difference in improving our ecological footprints everywhere. Idaho State University’s Department of Geosciences is leading an experimental project to use rotordrones to aid in the early detection of potato crop threats. Donna Delparte, an assistant professor, is directing a project which is funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant, which will use multirotor craft to do potato crop surveys at farms in southeast and northern Idaho. Advanced GPS sensors allow precise mapping of the crops to form photo mosaics using a multispectral camera. Delparte commented, “The multispectral camera allows us to understand the health of the crop by viewing it beyond what we can see in the visible part of the spectrum by using infrared.” By using their multi-copter to collect weekly multispectral data from potato crops, they can then compare that data with scans they collect from greenhouse plants that have been exposed to pathogens and pests commonly seen in the fields. If a sick plant in the greenhouse is known to show a spectral scan that indicates some disease or virus, its spectral scan can be compared with the field data. If there is a match, a sample from the field potatoes can be taken to see if they have the same sickness or problem as the plant in the greenhouse. Deploying such a precise survey technique in a much larger scale would be of great benefit.
The CalUSA Monarch multirotor is designed to perform various surveys from the air. The camera (located in the crash protection camber on the bottom) can be changed to perform different jobs. This one has an infrared camera mounted on it for crop surveying. The data acquired from one aerial pass will give the farmer a variety of information that he or she can use to determine the wellness of his or her plants.
More incentives In pursuit of further development in the multirotor field, Timothy Reuter founded the “Drone User Group Network” (DUGN). With over 5,000 members in North America, Australia, Asia and Europe, the DUGN promotes the use of civilian drone technology for the benefit of humanity. The organization main goal is to change the negative views of commercial and civilian rotordrones and they’ve put their money where their mouth is in the form of the Drone Social Innovation Award. This award is a $10,000 prize for the most socially beneficial, documented use of a drone platform costing less than $3,000. Through this prize, the organization hopes to spur innovation, investment, and attention to the positive role this drone technology can play in society. For more information on the Drone Social Innovation Award, go to dugn.org/prizes.html
Final thoughts
Without a doubt, there is a tremendous amount of good that multirotor craft and rotordrones can contribute to society. There are universities and organizations across the country and around the world that are funding projects to develop the skills needed to drive this new technology forward. New tasks and missions are being investigated and implemented that are ideally suited for rotordrones. Much of this groundwork and development is being based on individual use. It’s the regular folks, those who enjoy the freedom and unique bird’s-eye view of the world provided by multirotor craft, that are guiding the positive image of rotordrones. With some help and educated views, they can help make the world a better place. K
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eagle eye What to look for in on-board cameras by john reid
Now that you have your drone and have mastered flying it, what’s next? Logically, the next step for most people is to mount a camera on their drone. While this seems like it would be an easy thing to do, you will soon find there are several choices out there for camera equipment. Of course, your camera requirements will be different from those of your other multirotor pilot friends. But you still have to decide what type of photography you want to do. Do you want to also do video? What is the best equipment to accomplish that? Do you have the skills to control all the features on the camera or do you want a point and shoot?
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While it seems like we have created a number of questions that need to be answered, we will explain the different types of cameras that are available and discuss the advantages and possible disadvantages of each. There are many different camera types that can work for your particular needs, but perhaps one of the biggest factors to consider is your budget. The bigger question than budget is how much money are you willing to put up in the air, and put at risk. The smaller multirotor aircraft will only allow smaller size cameras. Obviously, the larger the multirotor, the larger the payload can be. This allows for better-quality equipment that can be put up in the air. All of this adds up to more cost, which can be justified by how you plan on using the photos/videos. If all you want are photos and videos to put up on YouTube or Facebook, the smaller quadcopters and cameras will work just fine. However, if you are looking to put together a high-quality film, then you will need higher-quality equipment in the air to match your shooting style. Of course, these are questions that only you can answer, but we can give you some guidance on the equipment that is out there and what may fit your needs.
The bigger question than budget is how much money are you willing to put up in the air, and put at risk
Video and photography The first thing to look at is do you need photography or video or in some cases, both. If all you want to do is to take photos from an aerial perspective, then there is no need to look at cameras that include both video and photographic capabilities. Keep in mind that once you make the decision to either shoot all video or all photos, you’re stuck with that, and the only way to change this is by purchasing another camera. Fortunately, there are a number of small and larger body cameras that can shoot both video and photo, and they do them equally well. Some of the more common smaller body cameras that fit this bill include the GoPro (gopro.com), Ghost(driftinnovation.com), and Replay (replayxd.com) action cameras. These cameras are very compact, can take a lot of abuse, and deliver HD video and high-quality photography, but they do have their limitations. Higher-end camera bodies such as Canon and Nikon will require a larger drone to get them in the air but they will give high-quality photographs and outstanding video. However, these cameras do cost a bit more and are not as durable as the action cameras. But they do have the advantage of allowing you to shoot with different types of lenses and control all the creative features such as shutter speed and aperture.
Lens selection One of the beauties of DSLRs is that you can use different types of lenses and these lenses produce different views on the world. Many of the personal action cameras come with a wide-angle lens on the front, which gives a wide view of the world. This is great if you are only shooting landscape types of images. Some of the personal action cameras do offer less of a wide-angle view, which is great for air-to-air or close-up type shots of your ground subject. Cameras like the Drift Ghost offer fields of view that goes from 160° down to 90°. Aftermarket products are sold for the GoPro camera that also reduce the field of view down from the wide-angle lens that comes with the camera. To really take advantage of lens selection, you have to step up to camera such as Nikon, Canon, Sony (sony.com) , Panasonic (panasonic.com), or Blackmagic (blackmagicdesign.com) that have removable lenses. With these cameras you can change out for wide-angle to telephotos or even install a zoom lens that will allow you to move in and out while you’re shooting. Cameras like these offer great versatility while in the air and shooting.
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Wi-Fi
This is a feature that is nice to have because it will allow you to control the camera and see what the camera is shooting. Most systems will connect to your smartphone and allow you to use it as a mini monitor and control. However, many systems, at least right now, do have some lag time in getting the image to your smartphone or monitor. Of course, this will be improved with each new camera release. For photography, this slight lag in time would be just fine, but for video you may still want to rely on the first-person-view systems. For now, Wi-Fi is a great addition to any camera; if yours incorporates such a feature, take advantage of it and use it to your best advantage.
Always check with your camera manufacturer to make sure that the body and lens you select a chance withstand the vibration that is produced by the multi-rotor Action or professional cameras As to be expected, both sharpness and quality tend to go up as you pay more for the camera body. This is mainly due to the size of the digital chip or CMOS chip that takes in the light, creates the image, and transfers it to the storage drive. With that being said, you can expect to get some pretty goodquality video/photos from relatively inexpensive smaller cameras. Most of the GoPro/action cameras do produce HD video and very good-quality photographic images. Again, the question comes up, “How are you going to use the videos/photos you are producing from your multirotor aircraft?� If you are producing personal things you want to show to friends and family, all you will ever need is a smaller multirotor and just about any type of compact camera. I have never heard of anyone complaining about the quality of images that they get from a GoPro type of camera. Now, if you want to step up and produce gallery-type photographic images and blockbuster films, you have to move up to a much-larger professional multi-rotor aircraft. Along with that, your camera body will have to get much larger, have removable lenses, and produce a higher-quality and sharper image.
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With a two-man crew, the pilot can concentrate on flying the multirotor. The cameraman controls the camera gimbal while watching real -time images on the monitor.
Camera operator If you are operating a smaller multirotor and working with a smaller action camera, you will most likely be doing the piloting and photography yourself. In many cases, the video will be continuously running or automatically taking photos every few seconds while you are flying. Most of your job will be setting up the multirotor in the direction you want to photograph and trying to estimate where your lens is pointing. This is one advantage of having wide-angle lenses on the smaller action cameras. But if you really want to concentrate on the shot you will need a larger multirotor, more sophisticated camera, and a camera operator. With a two-man crew, one person is designated as the pilot of the multirotor, and the other operates the camera gimbal and controls the camera separately from the aircraft. Generally, the camera operator will use some form of first-person view (FPV) that is either linked or runs parallel to the camera lens. This allows the camera operator to see in real time exactly what the lens is photographing. The camera operator will control the camera through his own transmitter, which has the capability of moving the camera to any position and allow the operator to control basic camera functions such as focus, shutter speed, aperture, and the shutter button.
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Lightweight Weight will always be a concern when dealing with multirotors, they can lift heavier objects, but you will need a much larger multirotor to do it. This means there is a much larger investment in equipment and the flight time will be shorter. For this reason, the smaller action cameras are rather popular from most midsize multirotors. If you’re looking to improve your image quality, there are a number of lightweight camera bodies out there produced by Canon, Sony and Panasonic. The EOS Rebel SL1 is a very lightweight camera body that produces outstanding photographs and full HD video. This body coupled with a lightweight lens can easily be attached to a midsize 500 to 600mm multirotor.
If your camera is equipped with manual focus, use it. Set it to just under the infinity mark on the lens. That should keep most things sharp in the image from the air Camera controls
The two main camera functions that are nice to have remote control on are the shutter for photography and start/stop button for video. Most upper-end camera bodies and some action cameras have a mini USB port that allows connection to control these functions. This enables the operator remote control of shutter and other functions. These would be almost a requirement if you were working with a rig that allows for a separate cameraperson. If you want to just operate the multirotor as the pilot, you can set the camera to take photographs every 2 to 5 seconds. For videos, just turn it on before take off and let it run. Then, depending on the length of times for the shutter release, just hang the drone in the air for that duration of time pointing at your subject. I like to let at least two to three shots happen before moving to the next location. For photography, it’s better to have a large DataCard and let the camera trigger every 1 to 2 seconds.
Final thoughts
Getting a camera up on the multirotor can be as easy or as complicated as you want to make it However, it really doesn’t matter if you have a cameraman and a heavyduty rig with all the bells and whistles or just a simple quadcopter with the camera bolted on that’s continuously shooting. The key thing is to get that camera in the air and discover your new view on the world from a bird’s-eye perspective. K 54 RotorDroneMag.com
On Set
Shooting
The Expendables 3 ZM Interactive takes action cinematography to a new level! By team rotordrone Photos courtesy of ZM Interactive
When Sylvester Stallone’s movie The Expendables 3 opens this summer, audiences will be wowed by an opening sequence that includes a speeding train, a helicopter and explosions, all shot from a bird’s-eye view that will make viewers feel like they’re a part of the action, courtesy of Ziv Marom’s multirotor. “We flew right next to a train and helicopter,” says Marom. “We shot everything from chasing tanks to explosions to flying over buildings and motorcycle jumps. We can also do shots that a real helicopter can’t do. We can do lower altitudes.” Another bonus: before the advent of multirotors, movie studios had to use man-carrying planes and helicopters to get the same footage, often putting the pilot and camera person in danger. Using a small multirotor greatly reduces those risks, as
well as brings production costs down. Their compact size is more versatile, too; for one shot in The Expendables 3, a multirotor with a camera flew outside a building’s window to catch the action, then flew back inside. We had a chance to talk to Marom, owner/ operator of ZM Interactive, about his work around the world using different cameras and products for applications that range from aerial cinematography to security to rescue missions.
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Left: Ziv Marom with Dolph Lundgren between shooting on the set of The Expendables 3
RotorDrone: How did you get involved in multirotors?
Ziv Marom: I was always into robotic technology, even when I was back in Israel and at the Israel Defense Forces and as a hobbyist when I was a kid. Working in motion graphics, editing, and animation, I was looking for lowbudget solutions to get low-altitude shots that you can’t get with real helicopters or heavy crane equipment. I built my first multirotor for filming about six and a half years ago. I had to translate German documents to learn the electronics and programing; there were no tutorials or any documentation in English. That was a challenging experience.
Are your flights completely pre-planned or improvised while you’re in the air?
It depends on the application. The shot is discussed, so we know what we’re looking for and we have a flight path in mind. For film I always fly manual to have a better feel and control of the SUAV. Flying for film is very different and most of the time harder than any other application. The motion must to be super steady and smooth, especially with high-res film cameras. Keeping the speed and altitude in turns and when climbing or decanting is crucial. Most of the time, flying for film is a collaboration between the two or even three operators: the pilot, the camera operator and sometime a third person to pull focus. When flying for film, I sometimes change the [aircraft] setup, depending on the camera and lens, weather, and the scene, also different propeller sizes, motors, and different frame configurations. For other applications like rescue and especially security, most of the work is pre-programmed auto-pilot,
Flying the high- end Red Epic camera at BurningMan over the Man before the evening fire.
flying a path and monitoring the flight with the option to go manual or change the path in flight.
What equipment do you use?
We have different platforms for different payloads, flight time, weather and missions. For film, we use hexa, octo, X8, X12 or even X16, depending on the camera and flight situation. The largest payload for film will probably be two Red Epic/Dragons or real film cameras equipped with heavy lenses, filters, follow-focus and more. The cameras will change depending on the scene or shot. Most of the time we fly cinema cameras like Red Epic/Dragon or similar size. For that, we will use the X8, flat octocopter
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Ziv tests another new drone platform. For more information on the drone platforms, check out flyingPOV.com
or single rotor for faster flights. We’ve never had to fly longer than 10 minutes for a scene, so the setup is built for a heavy payload with short flight times where the focus is on the smoothness of the flight and camera gimbal. Security platforms will be a lot smaller most of the time, smaller cameras, day or night vision, with longer flight time. For rescue missions, we have about 20 different platforms, sometime flying together with different sensors for finding survivors or delivery of different payloads. These platforms can fly up to two hours, depending on payload, weather and flight.
Was shooting The Expendables 3 a challenge? My main passion is film, so shooting this movie was my most exciting and challenging project so far. Our team, which includes myself, Christopher Marino, Johnny Beavers and Andy Peacock, spent two months in Bulgaria, flying in different locations, over the ocean, mountains, rivers, inside buildings, achieving challenging scenes. I was flying heavy film cameras over firing tanks, motorcycles jumping, flying through smoke and fire and more. It was amazing! For more info about ZM Interactive, go to Zminteractive.com K
These are some of the screen shots of the aerials my team did from the original The Expendables 3 trailer.
A
One of the most thrilling experiences in flying RC aircraft may be the ability to see the world from a bird’s-eye view. First Person View (FPV) is a method used to operate a remote-control aircraft using an on-board camera and a video-downlink system, with the video signal transmitted through goggles or a video monitor. Goggles offer a more immersive experience, especially with sophisticated setups that control pan-and-tilt camera gimbals with gyroscopic sensors. In this article we’ll take a closer look at the basic equipment you’ll need for FPV, and I’ll offer some advice for getting started in this exciting aspect of multirotor flight.
a View From
Above Your Guide to First-Person-View Flight By Gus Calderon Photos by Tony Donaldson
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A VIEW FROM
ABOVE CONTROLLING YOUR DRONE AND GETTING TO SEE THE WORLD FROM THE PILOT’S VIEW IS NOTHING SHORT OF AWESOME
ANTENNAS Antennas are a critical part of the video system. Most FPV transmitters are equipped with a di-pole antenna that may suffice for beginners and short-range operations. A Cloverleaf Circular Polarized antenna is now the preferred standard for multirotor FPV on 5.8GHz. Using circular polarization on both ends results in cleaner video and better range of transmission. Other benefits include a better video signal when banking the aircraft.
Video Receivers and Diversity The video receiver processes the video signal and sends it to the operator’s visual display. The frequency of a good-quality receiver is matched to that of the video transmitter. Since this component is ground-based, its weight is not critical. Some operators use receivers that are integrated into either the video monitor or goggles to reduce the number of cables and connections. “Diversity” is a term for receivers with two antennas and sometimes two receivers that automatically choose the best signal.
VIDEO DISPLAY MONITORS Although video monitors do not offer the same feeling of immersion as video goggles, they are great, affordable tools for learning FPV. Monitors with integrated video receivers and internal batteries can be attached to the operator’s transmitter. Another advantage of a monitor is that others can view the FPV image while the aircraft is flying.
Selecting a Frequency The most common frequencies used for FPV video transmission are: 910MHz and 1.2, 2.4, and 5.8GHz. Because most radiocontrol transmitters operate on 2.4GHz, multirotor operators generally use 5.8GHz for video downlink. Although 5.8GHz is the weakest frequency band as far as range and penetration are concerned, it uses the smallest antennas and has the greatest number of available channels, thereby causing less interference with other equipment. Make sure that all of your FPV equipment is compatible and on the same frequency!
TRANSMITTER It is critically important that the frequency for the FPV system is different from that of the transmitter. When learning to fly FPV, it is recommended to use a transmitter with a buddy-box system or “training cable” which links to the observer’s transmitter.
Goggles Video Goggles Video goggles give a “fully immersive” feeling of being on board the aircraft. Some goggles now offer the option of diopters, thereby allowing operators who wear prescription glasses to go without their specs. Various configurations are built specifically for FPV and many have the receiver built into the unit. Some goggles include “Head Tracking,” a feature that pans and tilts the camera on the aircraft. “Head Tracking” allows the FPV operator to control the camera with head movements.
VIDEO TRANSMITTERS Video transmitters with mid-range power output (400 to 600mW) are used for multirotors that are being flown within visual line of sight. Video transmitters can get hot and require cooling from airflow, heatsink or a fan. A wireless video transmitter should never be powered without its antenna, as doing so may cause damage and reduce the operational range.
These goggles have a built-in video receiver as well as video output for an external monitor or recorder. They have been upgraded with a circular polarizing antenna. Power is supplied with an external battery such as a 3S LiPo.
Cameras and power supply
Drone
The most important part of an FPV system is the camera. High quality, small and lightweight cameras have interchangeable lenses. Cameras designed for FPV flying need a power supply of 5 volts or 12 volts. Using the same voltage for all wireless video equipment is highly recommended. Many operators use a separate 3S LiPo battery to power their 12 volt systems.
High-definition video cameras have an output that can be connected to the video downlink transmitter. If the HD camera is mounted on a gimbal, a separate camera is needed for flying FPV. It is possible to switch between cameras for flying and filming.
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7 Safety Flight Rules All FPV pilots must fly with a spotter who will watch the aircraft throughout its flight as well as let the FPV pilot know of any incoming aircraft or other issues.
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THE ABILITY TO SEE THE WORLD FROM A BIRD’S-EYE VIEW IS ONE OF THE MOST THRILLING EXPERIENCES IN FLYING MULTIROTOR AIRCRAFT.
If an FPV pilot experiences a safety issue that’s more than a brief glitch, they must abandon FPV and fly visual line of sight.
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Before flying any aircraft for the first time with FPV or after any changes or repairs, it must perform a safety flight via visual line of sight.
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FPV model aircraft must use frequencies approved by the FCC for both the radio-control system and the wireless video system.
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FPV pilots must be capable of flying their model aircraft via visual line of sight before they try FPV flight.
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While wearing video goggles, the operation of a multirotor by FPV is a fully immersive experience. Flying FPV is the next best thing to actually being on board an aircraft and maneuvering around the sky.
To be excluded from FAA regulations, model aircraft must be flown within visual line of sight of the operator at all times and at or below a 400-foot altitude.
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FPV model aircraft are limited to a total ready-to-fly weight of 15 pounds and a speed of 70mph.
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Additional safety The ability of FPV aircraft to fly beyond the visual range of the operator and at high altitudes has raised some safety concerns regarding the risks of collisions with manned aircraft and danger to persons and property on the ground. FPV operators should take additional safety measures such as avoiding flying above populated areas or at high altitudes where manned aircraft are likely to be present. FPV flights should only be conducted with the assistance of an observer or spotter who is trained to assume control of the aircraft if the operator becomes disoriented or loses the video signal. For added safety, the use of flight controllers with “return to home” capability in the event of a signal loss is highly recommended. Such precautions ensure that FPV flights can be undertaken safely and minimize the risk of losing the aircraft or damaging property. K
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This list of FPV rules is based on a document from the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), the world’s largest model aviation organization and the official national body for model aviation in the U.S. AMA leaders work with the Federal Aviation Administration as well as state and local governments to promote the interests of RC pilots. To view the entire AMA Document #550 on “Utilizing “First Person View” Systems,” go to modelaircraft.org/files/550.pdf.
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ON LOCATION An inside look on photographing landmarks BY PATRICK SHERMAN
FIRST-PERSON VIEW (FPV) FLYING IS FUN, but flying over a unique location can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, documented with high-definition video that you can share with the world on YouTube and other social media sites. It’s also an amazing rush, and an experience I’ve been fortunate to have on several occasions as part of the Roswell Flight Test Crew. However, should you be thinking of documenting locations and landmarks, be aware there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it. The wrong way is easy: just follow the example of a self-styled “aerial anarchist” who has gained a fair measure of notoriety on the Internet — roll up on site, unpack your gear, and put a bird in the air. I’m sure that’s a lot of fun, but it also has the potential to get you into some serious trouble and, it is ultimately very destructive to our entire hobby: all of us lose when flight restrictions are put in place because of the poor judgment of a few rogue operators. 66 RotorDroneMag.com
Above: Behind the Grand Coulee Dam lie the placid waters of Franklin Delano Roosevelt Lake, named to honor the longest-serving American president, who gave his support to the project as a part of his New Deal program during the Great Depression. Right: From a perch below the Grand Coulee Dam on the east bank of the Columbia River, the Roswell Flight Test Crew launches FPV multirotors to gain an aerial perspective on the massive concrete edifice, built over nine years starting in 1933.
About dam time
Doing it the right way entails considerably more time and effort, but it has one key advantage: you won’t get that hollow feeling in your chest when people with badges walk up to your ground station. As an example, let’s take a closer look of an excursion to the Grand Coulee Dam in eastern Washington State. Constructed between 1933 and 1942 as part of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s “New Deal,” the Grand Coulee provided electricity to smelt aluminum during WW II. With the addition of a third powerhouse back in 1974, Grand Coulee became the most powerful electric-generating plant in the U.S., with a peak output of more than 6,800 megawatts. It’s an amazing place: awe-inspiring scale, a rich history – heck, Woody Guthrie even wrote a song about it! With all that going for it, who wouldn’t want to fly over the Grand Coulee Dam? Of course, before you even contemplate flying over such a major landmark, your FPV operations need to be air-tight: razor-sharp piloting skills, a proven aircraft with many hundreds of successful flights, reliable video and telemetry links, a seasoned spotter who is at least as skilled as you are on the sticks and, a ham radio license tucked inside your wallet. Flying over a billion dollars of critical infrastructure is not an appropriate moment to test a new aircraft or try out a different video transmitter, much less to disregard fundamental safety procedures, like having a qualified spotter at your side.
Do your homework
A successful flight over a landmark begins weeks or even months before you actually arrive at the site. You will need to make contact with whomever is responsible for the location or the facility and ask for their permission — and this can be a time-consuming process. Often, such sites are governed by large bureaucracies, and it can take them a long time to process a novel request. Calling the day before you head out to go flying is almost certain to get you a negative response. I usually start by reaching out to the person or department responsible for communicating with the public – typically the Public Information Officer or a Public Affairs Officer. For a private organization, look for the media contact or someone in the Marketing department. This person will not be the one who ultimately decides whether or not you will be allowed to fly, but he or she can be a powerful ally if you can persuade him or her that you are a safe and responsible operator. It’s tempting to make first contact via email, but by itself, this is unlikely to get you a good outcome. Think about it: you are the secretary who gets all of the emails addressed to “contact@landmark.gov” and there are two messages waiting for you when you get back from lunch. The first one is from “teacher@localschool. edu,” inquiring about arranging a tour for a group of third graders, the other one is from “lucidity@ roswellflighttestcrew.com” and prattles on endlessly about homemade drones and YouTube videos. Which one would you respond to first? Which one would you promptly forget about? I have occasionally made successful first contact via email, but have never flown a noteworthy location without actually talking to someone on the telephone, so expect that is going to be part of the process.
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You may very well be the first FPV rotordrone pilot who has ever made contact with this particular location or facility. Be patient and professional.
Always take “No” for an answer
Above: From a rocky outcropping at Crown Point State Park, the Roswell Flight Test Crew takes in a panoramic view of the Grand Coulee Dam and the desolate landscape that surrounds it. Below: Patrick Sherman and Brian Zvaigzne explore the potential beneficial applications of rotordrone technology, give public demonstrations, and share their adventures online.
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You need to be polite, but persistent, to get permission to fly over a significant landmark. Most people outside the hobby have never conceived of FPV flying, and even after you’ve educated them, they will likely regard it as a risky proposition without any tangible benefits. Which newspaper headline do you think the person responsible for the safe operation of a facility, like the Grand Coulee Dam, imagines after hearing your pitch? “Enlightened Dam Manager Allows Local Drone Pilots to Fly; No Incidents Reported ” or “Hobby Drone Crashes into Dam, Blacks Out West Coast; Dam Manager Who Approved Flight Resigns in Disgrace.” Looking at it from that perspective, it becomes a pretty simple decision – doesn’t it? One technique I’ve employed with some success is showing previous examples of our Roswell Flight Test Crew work. I’ll send along some links to YouTube videos demonstrating how safely and successfully the flights were accomplished in the past. Of course, this does mean taking baby steps along the way to your ultimate goal – and that probably isn’t a bad thing, because it will give you the depth of knowledge and experience you’ll need to be successful when you do get those big opportunities in the future.
approve
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PERMISSIONS REQUEST CHECKLIST ❑ Find the right contact person to help you get permission. ❑ Start a dialogue well before your desired flight date. ❑ Use e-mail to begin a conversation, but be prepared to make contact via telephone. ❑ Persuade them that you are a safe and responsible operator. ❑ Be polite but persistent. ❑ Show examples of your work. ❑ Be patient and professional, even if declined. ❑ Build positive relationships for future opportunities.
With a crane visible in the background, a Roswell Flight Test Crew quadcopter maneuvers over the Grand Coulee Dam.
Finally, be prepared to get bad news. I have heard “No” more often than I’ve heard “Yes.” Sometimes it only takes 30 seconds to get to “No,” and other times it can take months. Either way, it hurts – bear it with grace. Whining only makes you, and the rest of us, look bad.
Temper your expectations
This map, assembled by the Roswell Flight Test Crew using imagery from Google Earth, was submitted to the Public Affairs Office at the Grand Coulee Dam, to illustrate potential launch points for its FPV multirotors during their visit. Only two of these locations were actually approved, and the crew had a strict time window to fly from each location.
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No matter how reliable you make your machine, or how much experience you accumulate, know that there will always be certain locations that will be out of reach. For example: the United States Capitol building. I tried. Trust me, it’s a no-go! Still, you’ll never know unless you try, so go ahead and ask. Realize however, that you may very well be the first FPV rotordrone pilot who has ever made contact with this particular location or facility. Be patient and professional, even if the answer is “No.” Do your best to leave on good terms. You never know: someone might get in touch six months later and give you the nod, because of the positive attitude and trust that you previously built. This is a delicate moment in the advent of unmanned civil aviation, and it is incumbent on each of us to be good stewards of this new technology and the enormous potential that it has to benefit our society. K
LEGAL VIEW L
The latest news on unmanned aircraft and the legal system BY MICHAEL D. CURRAN
et’s start this legal update by being clear about just exactly what we should call these amazing and technologically advanced flying devices/ contrivances, because whether or not they are just model aircraft or actual regulated “aircraft” legally matters and is the primary subject of national debate and Federal lawsuits.
Michael D. Curran, Esq., ATP Michael D. Curran is both a practicing civil litigation/trial and aviation attorney as well as an Airline Transport rated professional pilot/flight instructor. He provides legal/aviation consulting and expertise to clients/attorneys on FAA/NTSB matters and can be reached at mdc@curranlawoffices.com.
These aircraft have been called multicopters, multirotors, quadcopters, hexacopters, and octocopters. What they share in common is that they are model aircraft as opposed to actual regulated “aircraft.” In the past several years, there has been an intense boil up of Federal legal controversies, debates, and legal cases between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and various operators concerning the “commercial/business” use of model aircraft. There have also been a few state and local legal concerns over recreational operators using their models carelessly. Very briefly, here is how the legal controversies and current legal cases have originated and evolved. The FAA’s history of issuing cease and desist calls and letters has been without any actual regulatory authority. What the FAA seemingly does not want model aircraft and small unmanned vehicle (SUAV) operators who want to be a part of this exciting, rapidly growing and potentially multi-billion dollar industry to know is this: In the history of the FAA, and currently, there is no actual Federal rule or case precedent prohibiting the recreational or commercial use of model aircraft. The absence of any enforceable regulation concerning model aircraft/SUAV operation is confirmed by the complete absence of FAA enforcement action/ precedential decisions in the historically very rare documented instances where their operation has caused property damage or injury. In fact, there has never been a single Federal Aviation Regulation issued that even
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mentions model aircraft/SUAVs of any kind. Of course, model aircraft operators should always fly carefully and conservatively around people and avoid airspace used by actual aircraft; typically altitudes above 500 feet above ground level and around airports where real aircraft are taking off and landing.
Current legal cases
In the first case in aviation history where the FAA has actually sought enforcement of its relatively new and legally unenforceable internal policies, the FAA issued an “Administrator’s Order of Assessment” in Administrator v. Raphael Pirker on July 18, 2013. The FAA is pursuing a $10,000 civil assessment (fine) against Pirker, also known as in the industry as “Trappy” of Team Blacksheep, alleging violation of the FAA “ban” on using model aircraft for commercial purposes. This FAA enforcement action and proposed $10,000 fine was issued against Pirker, the ground operator of a popular 4.5-pound Ritewing Zephyr- powered glider. The FAA asserts that Pirker’s flights were “commercial flights,” as he was being paid to take photographs of a college campus by a PR firm. The FAA claimed such use violated the alleged FAA’s 2007 alleged “ban” on commercial drone flights and further claimed that Pirker operated the “drone in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another.” Pirker filed a Motion to Dismiss to the National Transportation Safety Board on the grounds that there
A NONPROFIT SEARCH-AND-RESCUE ORGANIZATION HAS USED UNMANNED AIRCRAFT TO HELP SEARCH FOR MISSING PEOPLE SINCE 2006. THEY HAVE ASKED THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS TO SET ASIDE THE FAA’S ORDER TO HALT THEIR USE OF CAMERA-EQUIPPED MODEL AIRCRAFT FOR SEARCH MISSIONS
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legal view
was no actual Federal aviation or other regulations that applied to model aircraft, and NTSB Judge Patrick Garaghty agreed and ruled essentially that the Zephyr glider was not an “Aircraft” and that his operation of such was not subject to FAA regulation. The FAA has appealed to the full panel of judges of the NTSB and, curiously, has also claimed that during the appeal their alleged ban on commercial operations is “stayed” and remains in place pending the decision by the full NTSB panel. This is an unsupported legal position as essentially, the FAA is telling the country is that despite its lack of actual regulatory authority, its made-up “ban” should remain in effect pending the appeal. This position is not supported by actual regulatory law. Given the gravity and economics of the issues involved the NTSB is expected to make this case of national significance a priority on their docket. Meanwhile, as stated, there is no actual Federal law or aviation regulation that prohibits commercial operation of model aircraft.
Search and rescue
A related case involves EquuSearch, a Texas volunteer and nonprofit search-and-rescue organization that has used unmanned aircraft to help search for missing people since 2006. They have asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to set aside the FAA’s order to halt their use of camera-equipped model aircraft for search missions. Consistent with arguments made in the Pirker case, Texas EquuSearch argued in April 2014 that the FAA’s order has no legal basis and their attempt to prohibit the use of unmanned aircraft “is unlawful, arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion and not otherwise in accordance with law.” Both parties have briefed the case and Texas EquuSearch’s request for is currently pending.
Film industry
Most recently, these two pending cases and lack of legal certainty regarding the use and regulation of model aircraft are prompting companies to seek creative ways to get businesses flying. In June, seven Los Angeles aerial photo and video production companies asked the Secretary of Transportation for exemptions that would permit them to use their model aircraft in the film and television industry. In their petitions, the aerial filming companies request exemptions from the FAA’s airworthiness certification requirements. They also ask that the FAA grant them exemptions from regulations addressing flight rules and instructions, aircraft markings, flight altitudes, fuel requirements, maintenance inspections, commercial pilot license requirements and flight manuals.
The Secretary of Transportation must consider whether certain model aircraft can operate safely in the national airspace system before completing the rule-making. To make this determination, the Secretary decides which types of aircraft will not create a hazard to existing national airspace users or the public after considering the “size, weight, speed, and operational capacity of the UAS; its proximity to airports and populated areas; and operation of the UAS within the visual line of sight of the operator.” The film companies’ requests emphasize that they will use aircraft that weigh less than 55 pounds and are operated by a licensed pilot within a secured perimeter at no more than 400 feet altitude. They argue that approving exemptions to allow commercial operations of such aircraft in the film industry will enhance safety by reducing risk. Conventional film operations use 4,000-pound jet or pistonpowered aircraft that operate at low altitudes only feet from the subject filmed and in close proximity to both people and structures. Alternatively, film companies suggest they will continue to use model aircraft in an currently entirely unregulated (and perhaps unsafe) manner and at risk of being subject to civil penalties by the FAA. Providing the exemptions would mitigate the risks associated with both of these practices.
Ripple effect
It is expected companies from other industries like aerial photography, search and rescue, agriculture, power line/pipeline inspection, etc. will file similar exemption requests. These requests represent another tool in industry’s battle with the FAA over its alleged “ban” on commercial use of UAVs. If the Secretary approves these exemption requests, it may be indicative of change on the part of the FAA. A commercial operator who can demonstrate that its use of model SUAV will be safe, secure, and in the public interest, should consider joining these film companies in similar requests for regulatory exemptions. In an environment where our legal opinions are based on the lack of actual regulatory law concerning model aircraft/UAVs, we expect the NTSB is going to rule that no current regulations exist that effect the recreational or commercial use of model aircraft. For the time being, it may still be a path commercial operators may wish to try. We also realize asking for “exemption” from regulations that do not presently exist may seem hypocritical, but it is the path the FAA seems at press time to be most receptive to, whether it be for safety, political or public relations. Hopefully it will result in a safer model aircraft and SUAV commercial operations. Fly safe. K
Up, Up & Away!
Multirotors and hot air balloons share the skies! By Patrick Sherman
Rotordrones have upended the world of model aviation and show enormous potential in professional fields that are as diverse as film and television production to scientific research — but can they safely share the sky with full-size pilots and aircraft? In many ways, hot air balloons and rotordrones are polar opposites: one being the oldest type of manned aircraft, and the other having just come into their own over the past few years as unmanned aerial platforms.
Opposite page: Before beginning the process of inflating the balloon’s envelope, pilots test their burners in the open air to verify that the system is working properly. Here, the Roswell Flight Test Crew’s flagship hexacopter — RQCX-3 “Raven” — hovers in the foreground while a tongue of fire juts into the cold morning air. This page: Viewed from the unique aerial perspective that only a rotordrone can provide, two balloons simultaneous ignite their burners during the night glow at the Tigard Festival of Balloons on Saturday evening.
The first manned balloon flight occurred more than two centuries ago, in Annonay, France, on October 15, 1783. Among the first aeronauts, as balloonists are called, was a scientist named Pilatre de Rozier — from whose name our modern word “pilot” is derived.
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While capable of controlling the vertical by means of its propane burners and vents, this balloon named Outer Limits must rely on the wind to control the horizontal. Cook Park, the site of the annual Tigard Festival of Balloons, is visible below with two additional balloons preparing for takeoff.
Above: Having followed RQCX-3 “Raven” back to the Roswell Flight Test Crew’s launch site, Scott Boyce captures a quick photograph of the hexacopter with his cell phone. Still largely unfamiliar to the public, FPV multirotor crews should anticipate a great deal of interest and questions when participating in community events. Below: Boldly going where no rotordrone has ever gone before, the Roswell Flight Test Crew’s RQCX-3 “Raven” hovers inside the envelope of a standing hot air balloon, while its propane burners inject a fiery blast of hot gas from below. To see the drone’s point of view, be sure to check out the video on RotorDroneMag.com. The black balloon used for this demonstration is a flying billboard for the Broadway show Wicked, a musical prequel to The Wizard of Oz.
Watch the video on RotorDroneMag.com
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In the beginning
Three years ago, my partner, Brian Zvaigzne and I got our start as “the Roswell Flight Test Crew” flying with hot air balloons. My bird was an overloaded Gaui 330x-s upgraded with a MultiWii flight control system, which used parts scavenged from a Nintendo Wii Nunchuck Plus, to add auto leveling capability to the flight control system. With a first-generation GoPro strapped on board, I overcame the limitations of the primitive technology available at the time with a deep reserve of unwarranted self confidence. I managed to get through that first-ever balloon festival without damaging anything— and it was clear that we had discovered something amazing. For me, the standout moment while flying using a live FPV (First Person View) downlink, was when I approached the basket of a distant balloon and watched a passenger look toward my quadcopter. His eyes were drawn toward the buzzing sound of the propellers. Startled, he gestured toward my airborne camera and the second guy immediately lifted a binoculars to his eyes as the basket slipped out of my camera’s field of view. That image has always stayed with me. Even as I sat in the middle of a soccer field wearing a head-mounted display, I had interacted with people more than a thousand feet away and hundreds of feet in the air. I was, in a very real sense, flying. You can see my video on our YouTube channel. It’s the very first video the Roswell Flight Test Crew posted. This all took place at the 2011 Festival of Balloons in Tigard, OR, where we again returned earlier this summer. But this time we had much improved equipment and a lot of valuable experience. We’ve flown at many different balloon festivals, which has given me some understanding of the balloonists’ world. Though their bright colors and fantastical shapes can make hot air balloons seem like whimsical creations that forever float above the cares of the world, they are indeed lighter-than-air aircraft with tail numbers registered by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) requiring certified pilots at the controls.
It’s an aeronaut’s life for me
If you want to become an aeronaut, or at least fly your rotordrone alongside hot air balloons, the first requirement is that you wake up early — really early! Balloons fly best in the cold, still air just before sunrise. Also, you need to have a high tolerance for uncertainty. Light rain or winds can be a show-stopper for balloonists. Inflating hot air balloons is a two-step process, which begins by blowing cold air into the envelope with a large fan — a procedure known as cold packing. Next, it’s time to give it some gas. At this point in the process, the propane burners are pointing horizontally into the mouth of the envelope. The pilot uses the burners to blast hot gasses into the envelope until it lifts off the ground and pulls the basket upright. This is referred to as “standing up” the balloon. To lift off, the pilot just keeps hitting the burners until the buoyancy generated by the hot gas inside the envelope overcomes gravity. Then, you go where the wind takes you. At the end of the flight, you find an open field to safely set down. At the end of the day, it’s tradition at balloon festivals to hold a “night glow.” Instead of flying however, everyone uses their burners to illuminate their envelopes creating a beautiful, flickering glow that I’ve often heard described as looking like giant holiday lights. The 2014 Tigard Festival of Balloons had all of this and the event fell on the summer solstice — the longest day and, therefore, the shortest night of the year. It was a schedule that tested my ability to cope with sleep deprivation, but as a rotordrone pilot, it provided me
with some amazing opportunities. Today, with more experience, and much better equipment, I am able to safely fly up to the balloons and rock my craft from side to side — always provoking a smile and a wave. Thanks to newer, better cameras, I also capture cleaner still images and video during the night glows.
RQCX-3 “Raven” hovers in front of a hot air balloon that has begun the inflation process. Before the propane burners are used to “stand up” the balloon, gaspowered fans are used to blow air into the envelope — a process called “cold packing.”
Pushing the envelope
As we’ve proven ourselves to the aeronauts with years of safe flight operations, they came up with a few ideas of their own. The crew of the Wicked balloon, which travels the country as a “flying billboard” for the hit Broadway musical, suggested that we fly our multirotor inside the envelope of their standing balloon! We’ve had flown inside the envelope of a balloon once before, but that was after the crew had finished cold packing, while it was still lying on the ground. This would be an entirely different challenge. I put my radio in the hands of my good friend Brian, who is definitely a better pilot than me —but I still had a critical role to play. I had to climb up on top of the basket carrying our rotordrone and then lift it up between the
with more experience, and much better equipment, I am able to safely fly up to the balloons and rock my craft from side to side — always provoking a smile and a wave shroud lines. Brian then spun up the motors and lifted it out of my hand. This experiment was dicey to say the least, especially when the pilot hit the burner and the hot gasses lifted our bird perilously close to the lines and cables that stretch back and forth across the inside of the envelope. However, Brian pulled it off, completing what I’m sure is a worldwide first. At the end of the internal flight, he brought it back down and put it gently in my hand. A once-in-a-lifetime experience? It definitely was a thrill, and it really showed what amazing opportunities for adventure are possible for the rotordrone pilot.
But, wait! There’s more!
As a special treat for RotorDrone magazine readers, the Roswell Flight Test Crew has produced a video providing a behind-the-scenes look at their adventures at the 2014 Tigard Festival of Balloons. It includes footage captured by their “RQCX-3 Raven” while flying inside the envelope of the Wicked balloon, as well as other exciting footage. Watch for it on RotorDroneMag.com! K Fall 2014 79
straight
shot camera gimbal setup and installation By Gus Calderon Photos by Tony Donaldson
Multirotors are becoming essential tools for videographers; what better way is there to shoot action from above or in an inaccessible spot? However, some operators find themselves struggling to acquire perfectly stabilized video, only to face another hurdle in post-processing to correct for vibrations incurred during flight. For cinematographers who value professional, smooth footage, the use of a camera gimbal is essential to compensate for the in-flight movements of the multirotor as well as to maintain a level horizon.
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straight shot Camera stabilization on a multirotor is achieved by using a combination of small sensors that detect movement, a control board, electric motors, and a gimbal frame. Since almost all multirotors produce vibration, it is essential to isolate the camera gimbal from the airframe so the video is not adversely affected during the flight. The most important step in setting up a multirotor is selecting a gimbal that is specifically designed for your camera. At this point, there are far more cameras on the market than quality gimbals, so you may have to acquire a new camera that fits your gimbal. Also, the weight of both the camera and the gimbal must be calculated and determined to be within the payload capacity of your multirotor.
Fine-tuning Tips
Stop the Shakes
Most controllers will be able to connect to a computer with a cable via USB interface to access the firmware graphical user interface. There are many parameters to choose from while tuning the camera gimbal for smooth operation. Settings to control the RC inputs for gimbal roll, pitch, and yaw if applicable can be selected and set in the firmware. Some firmware has a display of real-time sensor data monitoring, a feature that is very helpful for fine-tuning the gimbal performance. A great feature on some of interfaces is the display of each axis movement. Once the camera is balanced and the controller is powered and connected to your computer, displace the camera on each axis with your hand and monitor its return to the reference position. The goal is to use the smoothest curve and fastest possible return to the starting position. Keep in mind that the settings for each axis will be different. Also, heavier cameras will have much different parameters than light cameras. Large cameras have much more inertia due to their weight, which can cause oscillation because of the limited power in the motors.
Visible shaking of the gimbal may be caused by electromagnetic interference. To minimize this interference, fit a ferrite ring around the motors outputs wires near the controller. When updating the firmware for the controller or using it for the first time, press “Use Defaults” to reset all parameters. Also, calibrate the sensor while carefully following the procedure in the operating manual. If all the above steps have been taken and the gimbal vibrates or buzzes when powered up, the cause is most likely incorrect PID controller settings. In most cases, the D setting and the power setting are too high. To determine the source of the problem, lower each of these parameters until the vibration or buzzing stops. Remember, you don’t need to have ultra-fast “return to neutral” when forcing the gimbal to move. A smooth and linear “return to neutral” motion with slower reaction time is preferable to ultra-fast and sharp return to neutral as that could cause more problems during flight.
precise balancing of the camera on all axes is critical to the proper performance of the gimbal ... If the camera is not balanced precisely, the motors may not have enough power to stabilize it
Belt-drive gimbals may also reduce vibration and they are more precise than direct-drive gimbals.
Balance and Vibration This camera has been precisely balanced on the tilt-axis. It also has a full 90 degrees range of movement by manual control.
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First and foremost, precise balancing of the camera on all axes is critical to the proper performance of the gimbal. The more precisely the camera is balanced, the lower the current draw to the motors, which produce very little torque. If the camera is not balanced precisely, the motors may not have enough power to stabilize it. Excessive airframe vibration may cause self-excitation of the closed-loop controller and prevent the proper operation of the camera gimbal. It is preferable to reduce the source of the vibration as much as possible by balancing the propellers. Vibration-dampening plates are sometimes used to isolate the gimbal from the multirotor airframe. Since vibration dampening and isolation are such a critical part of the setup and installation, you should consider the best materials available. There are many different materials used to isolate the camera gimbal from the airframe, including silicone and sorbothane.
ANATOMY OF A GIMBAL
A camera gimbal is a sophisticated piece of equipment that consists of many important parts. It’s important to understand how each piece works within the whole gimbal and how they function together to support your video camera.
FRAME. Most gimbal frames are manufactured from aluminum, carbon fiber, or other rigid materials. It is essential to have strong support for the camera to obtain optimum results. It is also critical that the moving components in the frame have minimal friction so that less power from the motors is needed to stabilize the camera. Camera gimbals are available in kit form or fully assembled and ready for attachment to a multirotor.
BRUSHLESS MOTORS. The discovery that the rewinding of brushless DC motors to reduce their rotational speed has led to the development of today’s direct-drive camera gimbals. As the current in the windings is varied, the magnetic field of the stator is varied and moves the rotor to the correct position for stabilization. There is a wide variety of brushless motors available on the market that can stabilize cameras of different sizes and weights.
PID CONTROLLER. A PID controller is a control loop feedback mechanism widely used in industrial control systems. It calculates an error value as the difference between a measured process variable and a desired setpoint. Its algorithm involves three separate constant parameters: the Proportional, the Integral, and Derivative values. The “P” is the amount of correction, “I” adjusts how fast the correction occurs, and “D” adjusts how much change is allowed to occur based on past changes. The weighted sum of these three actions is used to adjust the process via a control element, such as the position of the camera.
SENSOR BOARD. Many controllers have an external sensor board containing an Inertial Measurement Unit that detects motion and acceleration. It is comprised of small electro-mechanical accelerometers and gyroscopes. The sensor board must be securely attached to the camera gimbal and its orientation must be configured in the controller’s firmware.
straight shot “Power” Parameters The “power” value is the power feed to the motor all time, whether it is stationary or rotating. It must be adjusted so that the motor temperature stays under 60° Celsius (140° F) and that the gimbal does not vibrate. You will also notice that when the value is too high, the motor will have reduced torque and will just generate heat. A power value that is too low will not provide enough torque for the motor to move the camera and stabilize the gimbal. You must find the right value depending on your motor. General values are between 80 and 100. Setting The “P” The “P” parameter is the torque setting that will rotate the motor to go to a defined position or to come back to a reference position. The higher the “P” gain, the more torque the motor has with which to move. If the P setting is too high, the gimbal will begin to oscillate. If you see this, raise the “D” value by 1 or 2 until the gimbal is stabilized.
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Setting The “I” The “I” parameter is the speed of rotation of the motor. The higher it is, the faster the motor will rotate. But a fast reaction means a fast stop is needed. As there is lot of inertia during the rotation of the camera, this parameter should be increased slowly and not set any faster than needed. The movement to come back to neutral after an external disturbance will let the roll come back to neutral much slower than the pitch on many gimbals. You should normally set up the pitch not to be too fast, but to come back to the neutral position very smoothly and then stop after just one slight “bounce” on the realtime display.
Setting the “D” The “D” parameter controls the “bounce” when motor arrives at the reference point and goes a bit farther than needed. (This is why D should be as close as zero as possible.) But you will experience not so normal values on some motors and different windings. Small, light cameras will have a very low D setting but heavier cameras will need a higher value. Setting the D parameter too high will cause a buzzing or vibration when the gimbal is touched or sometimes randomly in flight.
High-quality Results
Using a camera gimbal is essential to getting the smooth, professional video that we all want, so it’s worthwhile to invest in a high-quality setup, and spend time programming it and getting it to work properly. These tips should get you started, but always read the instruction manuals that come with your equipment. Investing your time and dollars up front will be worth the result: vibration-free, highquality footage. K
3/27/14 10:54 AM
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POWER PLAY! GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR BATTERY INVESTMENT
BY MIKE GANTT PHOTOS BY JOHN REID
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S
ome may consider the brushless motors and electronic speed controls as the “heart” of a multirotor’s power setup, however, this is only partially true. Powering those motors is the job of the very necessary flight pack. Multirotors rely on lithium-polymer (LiPo) batteries, which are lightweight and put out a lot of current. The motors and speed controls are typically “set it and forget it” teams; they’ll do their job with little if any adjustments. Batteries, on the other hand, need more attention: our LiPos are constantly being charged, discharged, installed, removed, transported and stored. To get the most out of these expensive units, we need to be conscious of these activities and follow a few guidelines.
Charging
A myriad of charging systems are available today, the newer of which have more bells and whistles to aid in charging a battery better and extending that battery’s life. First, let’s talk about the charger: It needs to support lithium battery types for safety reasons, and it will either be plugged into an outlet or into a 12-volt power supply to produce a charge current. When a LiPo battery is connected to a LiPo charger, you need to select a charge rate, which is how much current is to be directed to that pack. Typically, a rate of 1C should be used. This is one times the capacity of the battery and is the optimum rate of charge. For example, a 3-cell 2100mAh pack should be charged (on a 3-cell setting) at a rate of 2.1 amps until the battery is fully charged; this usually takes about an hour. Attempting to fast-charge a battery may seem fine, especially if you are in a hurry to get in the air, but I avoid doing so. I have plenty of batteries, so the extra time to charge isn’t a big deal. I will add that if you want to charge at a rate higher than 1C, make sure you are using high-quality batteries that are designed to be fast-charged and that you are using a high-quality balancing charger. When you fast-charge, it’s very important to balance the cells as they’re being charged or the pack could be damaged. It should go without saying that you should never leave your packs unattended when you’re charging them; always monitor this process and stay nearby.
A proper charging station includes a safety container and balance port, not just the charger.
Balancing
Above: Balancing bridges like this one allow for a variety of cell counts to be managed and maintained while on charge.
Keeping the individual cell voltages in a pack balanced is imperative to extending the pack’s life. As individual cells become unbalanced, the pack starts to lose its longevity and will not deliver its electrons quite as well. The stronger cells will deliver more current and eventually run down the low cell until it affects the entire pack. New-generation packs deliver much higher currents than cells from just a few years ago, but they can still drift out of balance while being used. This is especially true when you place high demands on your flight pack. Furthermore, the individual cells in less expensive battery packs can be a bit less consistent and can vary more in capacity. If you don’t use a balancing charger, either situation can and will cause individual cells to be pushed to a too high voltage when the pack is charged. The bottom line: being balanced brings out the best in a battery.
AS INDIVIDUAL CELLS BECOME UNBALANCED, THE PACK STARTS TO LOSE ITS LONGEVITY ... BEING BALANCED BRINGS OUT THE BEST IN A BATTERY Storing batteries
Storing your LiPos when they will not be used for an extended period of time is best done when you employ a “storage charge.” I charge my packs to about 3.85 volts per cell; this storage charge keeps the batteries in the pack in balance for a longer time. Studies have shown that when battery packs are stored at full charge, the cells tend to drift out of balance more quickly than battery packs that are stored at a lower (storage) charge. Another cool tip: keep batteries stored in a cool area. An unused or extra bar refrigerator is ideal, and a new or used one can even be purchased fairly inexpensively. Just keep your packs and your snacks separate. Storing your packs in an ammo can is another great way to keep them safe and sound when they’re not in “rotation.”
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POWER PLAY
MORE EXPERT ADVICE NEXT-GENERATION STORAGE. Whenever possible, don’t store latest generation (circa 2009+) LiPo batteries fully charged for more than a few hours. Although some previous generation cells/batteries could be stored at or near full charge with little to no discernible loss in power, or cycle-life delivery, the latest generation of cells/batteries can swell when stored at or near full charge (resulting in loss of performance and cycle life). But because these cells/ batteries are typically capable of fast-charge rates, it takes less time to charge them when needed. It’s typically better to leave them discharged until the next flying session as it not only helps to prevent swelling and extend battery life but also ensures the battery has less potential energy stored for even safer storage. And if you’ll be storing them for more than a few weeks, be sure to charge them to 50-percent capacity (3.85V per cell).
Low-voltage cutoff and timers
It is easy to tell when a flight is coming to an end without waiting for your speed control’s low-voltage cutoff setting to shut down the power system. If you fly a battery to the point at which your speed control shuts down, it’s more than likely you are using too much of its capacity. I try to leave 25 percent of a battery’s power in a pack after a flight. I know pilots who live by this, and they are the guys who have hundreds of flights on their packs. The signs of a battery pack losing its “oomph” are usually obvious: a dropoff in climb, or when a higher throttle setting is needed to keep your multirotor in the air. I advocate using a timer to monitor your flights and save battery life. Waiting until your speed control goes to its low-voltage cutoff is not the best way to keep your packs at their peak performance.
Safety first — always charge and store your flight packs in a LiPo sack or similar; they are cheap insurance.
WATCH THE HEAT. For the longest possible battery life and to prevent swelling, don’t store LiPo batteries in areas where the temperatures exceed 77 degrees F. In fact, storing at temps as low as 40 degrees F, in addition
Temperature
Handy little tools like this monitor your battery’s cell voltages keeping you informed of your packs performance.
Finally, keeping your battery supply cool will ultimately help them maintain a longer life, and LiPo packs will perform better at cooler temperatures. Of course, your flight will likely raise the battery’s temperature. The goal is to avoid overheating the pack, which can lead to swelling, a sign of chemical changes that inevitably will decrease the life of a LiPo. You know the feeling of a hot battery; guys are always asking you to feel their packs after flights as if to say, “Look! It runs so cool!” or “Holy cow! This thing is hot!” I know for me, I like to show off my “cool” packs. Airflow is imperative; there needs to be sufficient air moving over the battery pack to help cool it down in flight. Likewise, stressing a pack to its limits will heat it up quickly, so try to use a battery that has 25 percent more delivery capacity than your maximum power draw. If you use 50 amps at peak, have a battery that is rated at 70-80 amps discharge. This also will help to avoid unnecessary heat buildup.
to storing at 50-percent charged, can help to further extend battery life. Storing in temps above 77 degrees F can result in swelling and/or loss of performance, and while it’s often typical to leave batteries stored in a vehicle or when you’re flying, this is one of the most common ways batteries are damaged. When the sun is out, even on a relatively cool day, temps inside the vehicle/trailer can exceed 90 to 100 degrees F, and even just an hour or two of sitting in these temperatures can result in permanent swelling and/ or damage. HANDLE WITH CARE. Protect and handle batteries with care during storage, transport and use. Even a small dent in the side of a LiPo cell, a slightly crushed corner, or other seemingly minor damage can cause micro shorts and/or plating within the cells that result in loss of power and cycle-life delivery. Even writing on a battery with a ballpoint pen can result in permanent damage if it makes an impression in the foil pouch of a cell (use a felt-tip marker and light pressure, or write on a section of tape separately and apply it to the battery after to prevent this issue). –Jason Merkle
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C ratings tell us how much power delivery a pack has available. The 65C Pro Power pack will put out more burst energy than the 45C battery and pilots will feel this difference in flight.
So, there you have it. Follow these simple guidelines for charging, storage, balancing and temperature and your battery packs will last for literally hundreds of flights! K
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HARD WIRED Pro tips for perfect solder tips BY GERRY YARRISH
Soldering is one of those tasks that people either love or
really hate! Like anything else, joining electronic components is much easier if you understand the basics. For basic drone wiring, where you need to power four or more motor controllers, it is more efficient to use a printed circuit board called a “power distribution board.� This eliminates several standalone wire connectors while it lowers overall resistance in the power system.
Tools of the Trade
The basics: soldering station/iron, rosin-core solder, a holding fixture soldering flux and some fine sandpaper.
Here are the tools and supplies required for any soldering project you may have. n 40/60 rosin-core solder n 25 to 40W soldering iron n Moist sponge for cleaning the soldering tip
tech tip
n Basic holding fixture n Tube of soldering flux for
soldering and tinning metal parts
Heat is our friend
More heat is always better than not enough. If your solder takes more than a couple of seconds to start flowing, you’re not using enough heat. Always keep your soldering iron’s tip clean. A damp sponge is usually included with a soldering stand and you should always wipe off the tip between each use. It is also important to use the correct solder. For most electronics, be sure to use rosin-core solder or thin solid core solder with a dab of flux paste. You should also keep your work area neat and clean. This helps the task go more quickly without anything getting in the way. Holding fixtures known as “Third Hands” are also a great accessory to have. With the solder in one hand and the soldering iron in the other, a holding fixture comes in real handy to steady your parts.
A good solder joint will be shiny and smooth. Allow the joint to cool and don’t move or budge until it has fully solidified. If the parts move while the solder is still hot and fluid, you’ll form a weak “cold joint” that’s dull and rough in appearance. It can fail easily due to vibration.
Good joints
Start by gathering all the parts you want to solder together and if the power leads on your speed controller isn’t already tinned, strip the insulation off the ends of the wires using a wire stripping tool, or a sharp hobby knife. Be sure to cut only the plastic insulation, not into the wire strands. Remove about 1/8- to 3/16-inch from the end to expose the wire. If the wire is old and worn, cut away the end and then strip back the covering to expose fresh, clean wire. Tinning the ends of the wires prepares them so the solder flows more quickly into the joint. Secure the wire in your holder and apply a very small dab of flux to the wire. Apply heat to one side of the wire and touch the solder to the opposite side. When the wire is hot enough, the solder easily flows into the strands. As soon this happens, remove the heat and solder and let the wire cool without touching it. Now repeat the process for all the other leads. The distribution board has thin brass sections called “races” that form the power circuit. For this board, there are two main races with several solder pads and holes drilled in each race. The races end at two points where the battery leads are soldered. When the battery is plugged in, power is supplied simultaneously to all the controllers. One race is positive and the red controller wires are soldered to it, and the other race is negative and the black wires will be soldered to it. Use a fine marker to help identify the races. Note that this board has enough solder attachment points for up to eight controllers. We’ll be using four controllers for this quadcopter setup.
Here’s a new distribution board (available from hobbyking.com) with the races marked for positive and negative wiring.
Before tinning the wire, add a little bit of flux paste with a toothpick. This helps the wire accept the solder and makes it flow into the strands easier.
To tin the wire, simply apply heat from below and add the solder from above. When the wire is hot enough, the solder will flow into the wire strands.
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hard wired
Cleaning the board with fine sandpaper removes corrosion from the solder pads and helps make a clean strong solder joint.
If your tinned wire does not fit into the holes in the board, you may need to use a hand drill to enlarge the holes.
Before placing the board in the holding fixture, insert the wire from the back side of the board.
Hands free! The board is secured with the holding fixture and the wire is held by the metal clip.
Get a grip
Before soldering, use some fine sandpaper to clean off the surface of the board’s solder pads. Apply a small dab of flux to each point then insert the end of the wire lead into the appropriate hole and secure the wire with the clip. The wires are inserted from the back of the board so only the end is exposed at the pad. If needed, you can enlarge the holes so the wires fit through. To solder the controllers to the board, you have to hold the board steady. I place my fixture base in a wood clamp so the board can be positioned horizontally. The alligator clip secures the wire leads which fit into the pre-drilled holes in the board. Once the lead is in position, place the soldering iron on one side of the pad and when it is hot, apply solder to the opposite side until it flows around the wire and pad. It doesn’t take much. Remove the solder and the heat and let the joint cool completely before soldering the next lead. Repeat the process until all four controllers (eight wires in all) have been soldered to the power distribution board.
Soldering Station
After applying a small dab of soldering flux, heat the wire and the pad. Apply the solder from the opposite side from the iron. When its all hot enough, the solder will easily flow into the joint.
The TrakPower TK950 Soldering Station is a wellmade, powerful 60-watt design that delivers a lot of heat quickly. It has a temperature select dial with a heat range of 392° to 896° F and has a precise setting hold of within 1.8° F while idle. It comes with a slender and comfortable insulated handle and the power cord is long enough to easily move it around your worktable. The TK950, available from towerhobby.com, comes with the soldering iron, support stand, a cleaning sponge, a temperature control unit, plus a chisel point and, fine pencil tips. Priced under $80, it is a great value ideal for all rotordrone soldering jobs.
Here’s the completed job. All four controllers (eight wire leads) have been soldered to the distribution board as well as the two leads for the battery connector. The joints are all smooth and shiny.
That’s it! Not all that difficult, right? Of course, it will take practice to improve your skills. The more you solder, the better you’ll get and soon you’ll be a soldering pro. K
92 RotorDroneMag.com
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don’t cook your speed control! Pro advice for multirotor power systems
by greg gimlick
I
O.S. uses a digital speed ESC programmer.
t doesn’t matter whether you fly micro multis or giant-scale pro machines, speed controls are at the heart of your power system. These sophisticated, expensive units regulate the power of your motors, so it’s important to install them correctly and to use their programming options to get the most power and efficiency out of your rotordrone. Let’s take a closer look. Speed controls should be secured and in a position to keep wires short.
Programming methods
The basics
Here are some basic guidelines to remember when you’re setting up speed controls in your multirotor. We’ll discuss these in more detail later. ➜ All of the speed controls must be matched. In other words, get the same exact speed control for each motor. ➜ Keep all the wires as short as possible. ➜ If one set of wires needs to be extended, always extend the power leads, not the leads for the motor. ➜ Speed controls can get hot, so secure them adequately in locations that get maximum cooling air. ➜ If you’re using a BEC (battery eliminator circuit) in your speed control, disable all them in all but one speed control. Never use more than one BEC! ➜ Always use “fixed endpoints” for throttle settings. (Never use “auto-calibrate.”) ➜ Calibrate each speed control individually with the transmitter or together using an appropriate adapter.
And here are some tips to keep in mind when you’re programming your speed controls.
Keep your speed control happy
➜ Disable the low voltage cutoff. ➜ Disable the brake. ➜ Disable all but one BEC if using the speed control BEC function. ➜ Your speed controls must be compatible with your flight controller. ➜ Know if your speed control has been “flashed” with a third party firmware for multi-rotor use. This can change the functions of the speed control and void warranties.
n Buy a high-quality unit
Speed control manufacturers have all provided a method to change the default settings. If you bought a “quad pack” or similar group of speed controls designed for a multirotor aircraft, you may not need to make any changes, but check to be sure the units will be happy with your flight controller. The easiest way to program speed controls is to use a USB interface card or adapter. These plug into the speed controls and your computer to use specific software to make all the changes. This puts all the information up on one screen and also allows you to see the default settings. Go through each segment that is programmable and ensure it meets the requirements of your flight controller. Be sure to set each speed control exactly the same! Once the changes have been made, save them to the speed control, and double-check that your programming worked. Some speed controls come with a standalone program card that doesn’t require a computer. You just plug in your speed control, turn it on, and lights indicate the current settings. Changing the settings is a matter of pushing some buttons and the settings are saved automatically. The remaining method is one of last resort for most people. This involves a combination of transmitter stick positions to force the speed controls into program mode. Each change is accomplished by moving a transmitter stick and then confirm with a series of tones. This can be a confusing process, and I suggest you keep a set of instructions nearby. It does provide a method of programming, however, if the other methods aren’t available.
n Buy units that are large enough to handle the load n Don’t exceed the BEC limits n Provide the most possible cooling/airflow n Keep wires as short as possible n Use appropriate connectors n Allow your system to cool between flights
Scorpion ESCs can use their new IR programmer.
Fall 2014 95
don’t cook your speed control
Throttle calibration
This is one of the most important programming tasks. All motors must respond identically or you will experience uncontrollable results. Always set your speed control’s throttle type to “fixed endpoints” or “manual calibration,” whichever term your speed control uses. Doing so forces each speed controls to sense the physical extents of the throttle signal. The speed control needs to know full throttle and zero throttle positions. Some manufacturers offer adapters to connect all of the speed controls to the throttle channel and calibrate them together. It doesn’t really matter whether you set them up that way or individually, but it matters that you do it for each speed control being used.
Here’s the general method of setting throttle endpoints: ➜ Remove the prop if installed on airframe. ➜ Connect speed controls to receiver. ➜ Move the throttle stick to full on position, then turn on transmitter. ➜ Apply power to speed controls/receiver. ➜ Series of tones will indicate high-throttle position. ➜ Reduce throttle to lowest position. A series of tones will indicate low throttle position and final calibration complete ➜ This sequence may vary depending on the brand of speed control, so always, always read the instructions. Some flight controllers have a “throttle calibration mode,” so check to see if that is a feature you can use and follow its instructions carefully. The speed control throttle can be calibrated on the bench without a motor attached, but the motor is what provides the tones so you won’t get confirmation of changes.
Powering it all
If you are using a quad pack designed for multirotor applications, chances are all but one of the speed controls will have their BEC disabled or not have it at all. If you’re putting together your own system, be sure to disable all but one of the BECs to prevent damage to the flight controller or speed controls. Some flight controllers have a power management unit that takes the place of the BEC function of the speed control and provides power from the flight battery to each component. If your flight controller has a power management unit, do not use a BEC as well! The nice thing about using the power management unit is that it can be programmed to provide warning by way of LEDs and pulses when your battery reaches a pre-selected voltage level. Similar to a speed control’s low voltage cutoff, this multirotor feature ensures you won’t run out of battery power and crash. Again, be sure to disable your speed control’s low-voltage cutoff if you’re using this feature.
Every other motor will have to run in the opposite direction of the ones next to it. This can be programmed in the ESC or accomplished by just reversing any two of the three wires leading to the motor.
Conclusion
There is nothing really exotic about programming a speed control to be used in a multirotor craft, and the steps are all logical and easily to understand. The bottom line is that you need to read the instructions for each component of your aircraft and follow them. And first and foremost, remove the props! K
96 RotorDroneMag.com
Common Speed Control Mistakes n Exceeding BEC limits n Bad solder joints n Long wires n No cooling n Poorly made adapters n Undersize for the job n Improper mounting n Not calibrating each speed control throttle n Not removing the props while programming
“Refresh Rate” confusion
This term is bandied about on forums like it’s the Holy Grail. While it is advantageous to have higher refresh rates for multirotor speed controls, it isn’t the cryptic mystery some would have you believe. A faster rate will allow the motor to respond to the speed control/ flight controller that much faster. Most units sold for multirotor applications have a 400 to 500Hz range, and it’s possible that many speed controls can have their firmware updated to increase to these levels if they aren’t already set to this rate; this will depend on the manufacturer. The popular SimonK firmware can be flashed to many brands of speed controls to increase the rate and add some other capabilities, but remember doing so will void your warranty. Check with your flight controller for any specific requirements regarding refresh rate. Some operate at rates below 200Hz and do fine.
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98 RotorDroneMag.com