Note: all regulations are subject to change at any time.
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FAA SITE
FAA SITE
Monday, April 6, 2015
Sunday, April 5, 2015
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BUY A DRONE
What will be the effect on others? What will the neighborhood think? Your friends? Your significant other? Give this some thought. Are you going to fly in your back yard? If so, expect the drone to "go over the fence". It happens. What about the neighbors dog? Do you have a HOA covenant? Better check it out :)
Is there somewhere else you can fly it? A park,
or other open area? What's the ground there like? You'll need grass or soft
sand for the inevitable crashes that will occur. Children will ask you to let
them fly it. You WILL say NO! In fact, you won't even fly when they are near. Think
of all the things the COULD go wrong.
You'll need some spare cash. You will need a small drone. $60.00 will get you a very good one. Comes with one battery - last about 5-7 minutes then you go home and charge the battery for about an hour. Gets old the first time you do it. You know this because you did your homework. So you buy more batteries.
You'll need some spare cash. You will need a small drone. $60.00 will get you a very good one. Comes with one battery - last about 5-7 minutes then you go home and charge the battery for about an hour. Gets old the first time you do it. You know this because you did your homework. So you buy more batteries.
I fly my UDI U818A quad 6
minutes per battery and then land and change batteries. The batteries will last
longer. I carry 10 batteries. That's about $50.00 more from Amazon.com.
You bought spare rotors (props) right? That's another $5.00. Carrying all that stuff in a gunny sack? No, not for you. A carrying case for UDI U818A if only $25.00 - so you get one. Oh, and some AA batteries for the transmitter - $5.00. Lets add that up. $145.00 plus S&H.
Know the law. Easy enough except it's changing almost daily. Stay 5 miles from any airport and fly under 400 feet above ground level (AGL) and not over private property and you should be ok. Do you need license? Generally speaking, no. Unless your are flying for profit (hire) as a "commercial operator".
You bought spare rotors (props) right? That's another $5.00. Carrying all that stuff in a gunny sack? No, not for you. A carrying case for UDI U818A if only $25.00 - so you get one. Oh, and some AA batteries for the transmitter - $5.00. Lets add that up. $145.00 plus S&H.
Know the law. Easy enough except it's changing almost daily. Stay 5 miles from any airport and fly under 400 feet above ground level (AGL) and not over private property and you should be ok. Do you need license? Generally speaking, no. Unless your are flying for profit (hire) as a "commercial operator".
If so, the FAA
will demand that you either have a pilots license and/or a waiver or both. FAA
controls ALL airspace over the USA used for commercial purposes. Charging Uncle
Harry $10 to take video of his house which for sale, means you now NEED a
license and/or permission. The FAA is where you'll get it.
Get in line. Hundreds are waiting for commercial approval as you read this. Police may stop you at the local park. They quote you "their" local law. Do you know what to say? You better. Check the park regulations. You'll find it on a sign on the edge of the park. No sign? Call the city. Ask them. Ask for something in writing or online. Print it out and keep it with you when you fly.
If the sign isn't there how are you going to explain the law as it currently stands in your area to the police? They won't know what the current law is. The MIGHT put a call in to the "Sarge" and ask him. He won't know. Don't believe me? Call your local police department. Tell them you have a question about drone flying. I'm willing to bet they'll refer you to the FAA. Get you ducks in a row, now!
A drone is NOT a toy except it looks like a toy and it's made from China where they make all the affordable cheap toys selling for less than $50.00. All that's true except the drone can be a toy and a dangerous flying object at the same time. And you have no training :( If you crash your "not-a-toy" drone into somebody's face and they sue you, are you insured.
"Well", you say. "I certainly am NOT going to crash it in somebody's face. No way that could ever happen!" Wanna bet? It can and somebody will. It's only a matter of time. Lawsuits can wipe you out financially. Don't let it be you! Get the rest of your ducks in a row. Call your insurance agent and see if your covered for something like this.
Practice-Practice-Practice. Do you tend to get all excited about things like: the latest iPhone, laptops, X-Box, tablets, and blue tooth gadget that everybody stuffs in their ear? You know - technical toys? Can you follow through on the training? Guess who the teacher will be? That's right - YOU!
Learning to fly a drone semi-proficiently will take you about 10 to 25 flying hours and many more study hours to become a proficient small drone pilot. Well, now you know what to expect. Can you do it? Yes, I think you can. So what are you waiting for? Go for it :)
Get in line. Hundreds are waiting for commercial approval as you read this. Police may stop you at the local park. They quote you "their" local law. Do you know what to say? You better. Check the park regulations. You'll find it on a sign on the edge of the park. No sign? Call the city. Ask them. Ask for something in writing or online. Print it out and keep it with you when you fly.
If the sign isn't there how are you going to explain the law as it currently stands in your area to the police? They won't know what the current law is. The MIGHT put a call in to the "Sarge" and ask him. He won't know. Don't believe me? Call your local police department. Tell them you have a question about drone flying. I'm willing to bet they'll refer you to the FAA. Get you ducks in a row, now!
A drone is NOT a toy except it looks like a toy and it's made from China where they make all the affordable cheap toys selling for less than $50.00. All that's true except the drone can be a toy and a dangerous flying object at the same time. And you have no training :( If you crash your "not-a-toy" drone into somebody's face and they sue you, are you insured.
"Well", you say. "I certainly am NOT going to crash it in somebody's face. No way that could ever happen!" Wanna bet? It can and somebody will. It's only a matter of time. Lawsuits can wipe you out financially. Don't let it be you! Get the rest of your ducks in a row. Call your insurance agent and see if your covered for something like this.
Practice-Practice-Practice. Do you tend to get all excited about things like: the latest iPhone, laptops, X-Box, tablets, and blue tooth gadget that everybody stuffs in their ear? You know - technical toys? Can you follow through on the training? Guess who the teacher will be? That's right - YOU!
Learning to fly a drone semi-proficiently will take you about 10 to 25 flying hours and many more study hours to become a proficient small drone pilot. Well, now you know what to expect. Can you do it? Yes, I think you can. So what are you waiting for? Go for it :)
Keep on Flying!
Saturday, April 4, 2015
QUADCOPTER TECHNICAL TERMS
Some
of the terms used to described quadcopter characteristics are
"borrowed" from the flight characteristics definitions of airplanes
and helicopters. Where there is a difference or similarity, I will point that
out to you.
THRUST
THRUST
The vectored force of the quadcopter's (4) rotors which
forces the quadcopter in a specific direction.
DRAG
The resistance of the free air working against forward frontal surface(s) of the quadcopter and is in opposition to thrust.
DRAG
The resistance of the free air working against forward frontal surface(s) of the quadcopter and is in opposition to thrust.
LIFT
The rotation of the quadcopters rotors supplies a downward thrust which in turn pushes the quadcopter upwards. More information here:
GRAVITY
Gravity
is the effect of 1) the earth's movement as it moves through space, 2) its
rotational speed relative to its axis, and 3) the effects up other objects
(planets) mass upon the earth.
More
simply put, an object's mass will tend to be accelerated toward the center of
the earth at a constant rate of 32 feet per/second/second (not a typo). This is
referred to sometimes as the "pull of gravity". More on gravity here:
CENTER
OF GRAVITY
Not
to be confused with gravity. From Wikipedia:
"The
center
of gravity (CG) of any aircraft is the point over which the aircraft
would balance. Its position is calculated after supporting the aircraft on at
least two sets of weighing scales or load cells
and noting the weight shown on each set of scales or load cells.
The
center of gravity affects the stability of the aircraft. To ensure
the aircraft is safe to fly, the center of gravity must fall within specified
limits established by the aircraft manufacturer."
The
CG of a quadcopter can be slightly off, and still fly well because it has a
joystick trim function to effectively counteract any slight CG imbalance.
TORQUE
Torque
is the action of external forces to move an object about an axis. In the case
of quad, this axis passes vertically through the CG. Quadcopters counteract
this rotational effect of torque, by using (2) matching pairs of adjacent
rotors.
YAW
The
quadcopter's flight computer can modify the speed of any of the rotors
individually to effectively rotate the quadcopter on its vertical axis located
at or very near the quadcopters CG. This is called Yaw.
Quadcopters
have trim controls to allow for this although somewhat limited. However they can
give relatively good hovering characteristics in very light wind.
By
controlling torque, the quadcopter can adjust its direction or heading.
Quadcopters have multiple pre-programmed flight movement vectors that work
in combination to control the quadcopter using joysticks.
PITCH
Pitch
is the upward or downward tilt of the quadcopter's nose. Quadcopters can pitch
nose up, or pitch nose down. The nose is marked (paint, lights, decals and
other markings) and is used by the flight computer as a central reference
point.
All
joystick controls on the transmitter are referenced to the nose position.
Example: A quadcopter is taking off nose forward and your are behind it. If you
push the RT stick forward the quadcopter's nose will pitch down. If you pull
back the RT stick, the quadcopter nose will pitch up or tail will pitch down.
ROLL
Roll
is a fixed wing (airplane) technical term for 1) the aircraft lowering a wing
or 2) the aircraft rotating around its longitudinal axis (an imaginary front to
back down the center of the aircraft). The airplane uses an aileron to create
drag or lift by deflecting airflow and the lowering or raising the lift on that
wing.
One
wing will move downward, the other wing will move upward and the aircraft will
roll around the longitudinal axis of the airplane. The quadcopter accomplish
much the same maneuver, although somewhat limited, by decreasing the RPM (Revolutions
Per Minute) of the 2 rotors on the side to be lowered.
BANK
A
bank can be a combination of a pitch and roll to an airplane. Combined with the
rudder or yaw control, the aircraft can "bank a turn". This banking
is done on an airplane with a moveable part of the wing called an
"aileron" for the roll portion and the rudder for the yaw. Both used
in a coordinated fashion.
There
are no ailerons on a quadcopter. The term aileron as used for a quadcopter is
actually an airplane term for movement called a "slip". When talking
quads, bank means move either left or right of the flight path, usually by
lowering one side of the quadcopter.You
can add yaw in the same direction of the bank get a better and/or quicker turn. Not
required, though.
VECTORED
THRUST
The
thrust of any given rotor is combined with all the others and is controlled by
the quadcopters flight computer. The flight computer changes each individual
rotors speed to maneuver the aircraft up or down, left of right, forward or
backwards and in any combination the pilot dictates using a two, 4-way flight
controls called joysticks. The
two flights controls are:
1)
The left joystick (manages: motor & yaw). This control acts as throttle
(rotor RPM) when pushed forward or pulled backwards and controls the rotors
speed (RPM). More RPM will make the quadcopter ascend, less RPM will make the
quadcopter descend.
Pushing
left on the left stick will yaw the quadcopter counter-clockwise. Pushing right
on the left joystick will yaw the clockwise. Left joystick movement will snap
back to center position when released and the quad will sty at approximately
the same heading.
2)
The right joystick (manages: pitch & roll) when pushed forward will tilt
the nose down causing the quadcopter to move forward, when pulled back it will
raise the nose causing the quadcopter to move backwards.
Pushing
the right stick to the left will cause the quadcopter to roll (slip) to the
left, pushing the stick to the right will cause the quadcopter to roll (slip)
to the right. The right joystick will center itself when released.
ANGLE
OF ATTACK
The
angle in context of quadcopters refers to the angle the rotor (also called a blade or propeller or prop) slicing through the air horizontally. It is generally referred to as "pitch". Pitch is the number of inches a rotor blades
advances per turn expressed in inches.
The
rotor angle of attack (pitch) is fixed in all quadcopter rotors. The pitch, diameter
of the rotor and speed of the motor powering the rotor determines how much lift
(downward thrust) is created. Generally, the bigger the motor turning the
rotor, and/or the larger the rotor, the more thrust is generated.
Friday, April 3, 2015
TOP 10 REASONS YOUR DRONE CRASHED
10) A bird crashed in to it -
honest!
9) The was a
water feature - you found it.
8) Chinese
designers don't know how to make
drone fly properly.
drone fly properly.
7) Hardware
failure other than battery: motor,
ESC, wiring, etc.
ESC, wiring, etc.
6) You were short
on flight experience and long on
foolhardiness.
foolhardiness.
5) It go up
really high and then you lost sight of it -
Then it flew away.
Then it flew away.
4) You panicked,
chopped the throttle and failed to
recover in time.
recover in time.
3) Battery went
dead. You weren't paying attention.
2) You let
somebody without flying experience fly
your drone.
your drone.
1) Your flew in
windy conditions.
BONUS!
11) You crashed "on
purpose". "I meant to do that!"
12) "I didn't look at his/her b**t". Honest!"
13) You were hot-dogging for
your: GF, BFF, other
friends, spectators, or local dogs.
friends, spectators, or local dogs.
14) Shot by a
hunter. "We thought it was a duck!"
15) Insert excuse
here ___________________.
This might help:
REWARD!
555-555-1212
Print your phone number on this on paper at about
a font size of 10. Trim. Cello tape it to the bottom (or top or both) of the drone.
Hint:
Make sure your phone number is correct!
Reward amount is up to you.
$5 is better than a lost $50 drone. If it's a DJI Inspire, better off with a
$50 or $100.00 finders fee.
Your call :)
Your call :)
FIRST FLYING MANEUVERS Part 5
CRASHES
3) If the drone moves forward or backwards or sideways, trim
the drone. See manual for your drone. If there's no trim function, push right stick
forward or backward as necessary to keep it in approximately in the same
position.
If you panic, or if the drone seems to have a mind of it's own, pull the left stick all the way back and let the drone crash. 10 foot crash usually results in the drone bouncing slightly with no damage to drone.
If you panic, or if the drone seems to have a mind of it's own, pull the left stick all the way back and let the drone crash. 10 foot crash usually results in the drone bouncing slightly with no damage to drone.
I dropped many small drones from over 25 feet many, many
times with no problems other than a slight embarrassment that my reactions are
so slow. I did trash a motor, but hey, I
think it was faulty? No excuses.
The grass is there as your safety net. Use it. 25 to 50 hovers should give you more confidence to go on to more complicate maneuvers. You will have had some more panic crashes. The drone should still be in good shape.
The grass is there as your safety net. Use it. 25 to 50 hovers should give you more confidence to go on to more complicate maneuvers. You will have had some more panic crashes. The drone should still be in good shape.
Crashes are always an embarrassment. One thing to remember
is if its going to crash and you can't stop it from crashing, PULL OFF THE
THROTTLE. If it crashed throttle on, it can damage the drones ESCs or Electronic Speed Control(s).
Wikipedia:
An electronic speed control or ESC is an electronic circuit with
the purpose to vary an electric motor's speed, its direction and
possibly also to act as a dynamic brake. ESCs are often used
on electrically powered radiocontrolled models, with the variety
most often usedfor brushless motors essentially providing an
electronically generated three-phase electric power low voltage
source of energy for the motor.
the purpose to vary an electric motor's speed, its direction and
possibly also to act as a dynamic brake. ESCs are often used
on electrically powered radiocontrolled models, with the variety
most often usedfor brushless motors essentially providing an
electronically generated three-phase electric power low voltage
source of energy for the motor.
An ESC can be a stand-alone unit which plugs into the
receiver's
throttle control channel or incorporated into the receiver itself,
as is the case in most toy-grade R/C vehicles. Some R/C
manufacturers that install proprietary hobby-grade electronics
in their entry-level vehicles, vessels or aircraft use onboard
electronics that combine the two on a single circuit board.
throttle control channel or incorporated into the receiver itself,
as is the case in most toy-grade R/C vehicles. Some R/C
manufacturers that install proprietary hobby-grade electronics
in their entry-level vehicles, vessels or aircraft use onboard
electronics that combine the two on a single circuit board.
CONCLUSION
Try to fly everyday. If not possible - whenever you can. Keep
a log book. Where you fly, what aircraft (drone), how long, windy? etc, and of
course the total time spent flying for the session, and a description of what
you did or learned.
Charge the batteries as soon as you can after flying. NEVER overcharge
the batteries. Do not depened on the charger that came with the drone. If you don't have a voltmeter, go on Amazon.com and buy a cheap
one or go to Wal-Mart, Harbor-freight or Home Depot.
Best $10-15 you'll ever spend. Monitor the batteries after 30 minutes of charge. Write down start and stop time and voltages.
Best $10-15 you'll ever spend. Monitor the batteries after 30 minutes of charge. Write down start and stop time and voltages.
After a while you know how long to charge but not overcharge
a battery. If your serious, get a microprocessor controlled charger. About $25
from Amazon.com.
It will charge any NIMH or LIPO battery correctly and not damage batteries by overcharging as the included chargers for the inexpensive drones tend to do.
It will charge any NIMH or LIPO battery correctly and not damage batteries by overcharging as the included chargers for the inexpensive drones tend to do.
Keep On Flying!
FIRST FLYING MANEUVERS Part 4
THE HOVER
The next maneuver to learn is the "hover". Small drones
require more practice to become proficient. They either want to go up or down
or off to one side or the other. Seemingly it's like they have mind of their
own. They don't. And being mindless, they usually fly off in the direction you don't
want them to go.
HERE'S HOW TO HOVER
1) Make a takeoff. Push the left stick (throttle) full forward
to get it up in the air and then back off to about half and adjust as necessary
so the drone stays at about 10-15 foot altitude, slightly ahead of you. Meanwhile
the drone will want to drift. Use the trim tabs on the transmitter.
The trim
tab button on the left side of the Right Stick controls forward and backward movement.
The bottom trim tab controls the side-to-side movement. See you drone's manual.
Move the trim button in the direction you want to drone to
go. If it's moving away from you, press or push the trim button to the right of
the Right Stick toward the bottom on the transmitter.
It will stop moving and several clicks. If it were drifting to left, you would push the bottom trimmer button to the right.
It will stop moving and several clicks. If it were drifting to left, you would push the bottom trimmer button to the right.
If you don't want to trim, you can always move the stick slightly
in the direction you want the drone to fly and keep you thumbs on the stick in
that same position. Yes, this also requires practice
Remember: Push the bottom trimmer button to the left to make
the drone go to the left. This is trim in the normal, "you are behind the
drone" position.
If you are anywhere else relative to the nose of the drone, the trim will NOT act normal. You may not be oriented such that left trim results in leftward movement of the drone.
Typically this happens when you have lost orientation of the drones nose. You think its flying away from you when in fact its flying towards you and the trim function is reversed.
If you are anywhere else relative to the nose of the drone, the trim will NOT act normal. You may not be oriented such that left trim results in leftward movement of the drone.
Typically this happens when you have lost orientation of the drones nose. You think its flying away from you when in fact its flying towards you and the trim function is reversed.
2) DO NOT GO HIGHER! If the drone starts to go up, pull the
left stick (throttle) back slightly. If it goes down, push throttle forward
slightly.
As the battery gets weaker, the controls may beginning to act sluggish - you might find yourself pushing the stick farther, and/or faster forward than usual. Stop flying! Change the battery. I usually fly with 10 batteries. Here's what I use in my UDI U818A:
As the battery gets weaker, the controls may beginning to act sluggish - you might find yourself pushing the stick farther, and/or faster forward than usual. Stop flying! Change the battery. I usually fly with 10 batteries. Here's what I use in my UDI U818A:
Be sure batteries fit your specific drone.
At 5-7 (at 80%) minutes per battery, I can get in about 50-70 minutes of flying time. That's a LOT. My batteries for the UDI U818A are 600 mAh LIPO (lithium Polymer), cost is about $25 per set of 5 batteries on Amazon.com.
At 5-7 (at 80%) minutes per battery, I can get in about 50-70 minutes of flying time. That's a LOT. My batteries for the UDI U818A are 600 mAh LIPO (lithium Polymer), cost is about $25 per set of 5 batteries on Amazon.com.
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