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Thanks for visiting our page.  We will be adding more information as the project progresses, but currently due to time constraints you will just have to bear with us.
== CSU - Long Endurance Flight Team ==


[[Image:CSUFCUAV.jpg]]


== Summary ==


To date (March 26, 2009), we have had 7 Auto 2 flights over two different flight plansA third flight plan has been developed to take data for flight efficiency via changing the IR_PITCH_NEUTRAL variable in flight.
The long endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has significant value as a low-cost, autonomous reconnaissance and remote sensing platform for research, commercial and military missionsFuel cell powerplants are of interest in this application because of the potential to construct powerplants of high specific energy, low noise, low thermal signature, and improved environmental compatibility.


== Flight Day 1 ==
Because of these performance advantages, fuel cells have recently found their first aviation applications as powerplants for small-scale long-endurance and long-range UAVs.


Our current platform is a Senior TelemasterThis plane is used as our autopilot and sensor mule.  The first flight was performed February 28th.  This flight was our trim flight and we turned radio trims into mechanical.
The increasing interest in practical fuel cell powered UAVs motivated research into design methods for fuel cell powered aircraftThe purposes of the design studies are 1) to characterize the design tradeoffs and optimal configurations of aviation-specific fuel cell powerplants, 2) to compare the performance of fuel cell aircraft to conventional aircraft, and 3) to function as a preliminary design tool in a development process for a fuel cell UAV.


[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSKq7RW4u0M Flight 1]


Our second flight was the first time we switched into Auto 1 and Auto 2.  We had some problems with the throttle cutting out when we switched into Auto 2, but found not clicking Takeoff in the flight plan to blame.  The plane started circling as expected.


[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DRsjjN2jhI Flight 2]
== Hobby Lobby Senior Telemaster ARF Autopilot/Sensor Mule==


The third flight went as expected.  We were able to switch into and out of Auto 2 easily.
[[Image:CSUTelemaster.JPG]]


[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byjTX09vLNI Flight 3]
This aircraft was our first to be integrated with the Paparazzi Autopilot. It is now used as a test platform for new flight plans, equipment, and sensors.  Recently we were able to repeatedly runway land this aircraft under autopilot control.  Soon we will test autonomous take off.  Current work includes the development of a direct IR replacement IMU to be used in other aircraft.


== Flight Day 2 ==
'''Specs:'''


The second day we flew with a new flight plan.  This flight included ovals.  We were plagued by high winds all day.  Our down wind legs we were losing altitude and our upwind legs we weren't gaining enough back.  This didn't slow us down, however, as we made 5 flights.  Our last flight was more of a touch and go from our previous flight than it was an entirely standalone flight.
Airframe: Hobby Lobyy Senior Telemaster ARF


Images and videos of these flights will be posted soon.
RX: Futaba R6014FS to PPZUAV PPM Encoder


== The Future ==
Autopilot: Tiny 2.11 LEA-5H from PPZUAV


We are currently building a Blue Airlines Explorer to be outfitted with a Fuel CellIt is our intention to fly for 24 consecutive hoursKeep your eyes peeled!
Link: XBee Pro 2.4 GHz
 
IR: PPZUAV IRV and IRH Sensors
 
Extras: Spartan DS760 AVCS Gyro
 
 
'''Associated Files:'''
 
Airframe: [[CSU_Telemaster]]
 
Heading Hold Gyro: [[CSU_SpartanDS760]]
 
 
'''Media:'''
 
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSKq7RW4u0M Flight 1 Video]
 
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DRsjjN2jhI Flight 2 Video]
 
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byjTX09vLNI Flight 3 Video]
 
== Long Endurance Hand Launchable Man Packable UAV ==
 
[[Image:CSU_MPUAV.jpg]]
 
 
This aircraft was designed with the help of a Powertrain Design and Optimization Tool developed by Colorado State University to provide enough thrust for hand launchability and high efficiency cruise.  Initial flight and hardware in the loop simulation suggest the aircraft is capable of greater than three hours endurance.
 
Current work on this aircraft includes building a better, stronger wing to handle the overspeed conditions experienced in test flights as well as a final long endurance flight.
 
 
'''Specs:'''
 
Status: Rebuild
 
Airframe: CSU MPUAV
 
RX: Modified Futaba R617FS
 
Autopilot: Tiny 2.11 LEA-5H from PPZUAV
 
Link: XBee Pro 2.4 GHz
 
IR: FMA IRV and IRH Sensors
 
 
'''Associated Files:'''
 
Airframe: [[CSU_Telemaster]]
 
 
'''Media:'''
 
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJHMrWltcy4 First Hand Launch Attempt]
 
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjzURBxRLws Second Hand Launch Attempt]
 
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxJ1bWzmUkA Second Hand Launch Attempt Crash Feed]
 
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2yUffSuJ60 Crash Aftermath]
 
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mbEqAVP2-E Maiden Flight]
 
== Vertical Take-Off and Landing UAV ==
 
After going to the RC field a few times we decided one project we would like to attempt is use an IMU to provide sensor input for a hovering fixed wing aircraft to accomplish vertical take-off and landing.  Currently, the ARF has been assembled and testedThe next step is the development of the IMU for IR sensor replacement and a landing tripod attached to the aircraftOnce flight testing has been completed with the landing tripod, a Paparazzi autopilot will be installed.
 
 
Status: Build
 
Airframe: [http://www.hangar-9.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=HAN4210 Hangar 9 Twist 60]
 
RX: Futaba R6014FS to PPZUAV PPM Encoder
 
== Contact Information ==
 
Dr. Thomas H. Bradley
 
Mechanical Engineering
 
Colorado State University
 
E: [mailto:thomas.bradley@colostate.edu thomas.bradley@colostate.edu]

Latest revision as of 08:45, 3 August 2010

CSU - Long Endurance Flight Team

CSUFCUAV.jpg


The long endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has significant value as a low-cost, autonomous reconnaissance and remote sensing platform for research, commercial and military missions. Fuel cell powerplants are of interest in this application because of the potential to construct powerplants of high specific energy, low noise, low thermal signature, and improved environmental compatibility.

Because of these performance advantages, fuel cells have recently found their first aviation applications as powerplants for small-scale long-endurance and long-range UAVs.

The increasing interest in practical fuel cell powered UAVs motivated research into design methods for fuel cell powered aircraft. The purposes of the design studies are 1) to characterize the design tradeoffs and optimal configurations of aviation-specific fuel cell powerplants, 2) to compare the performance of fuel cell aircraft to conventional aircraft, and 3) to function as a preliminary design tool in a development process for a fuel cell UAV.


Hobby Lobby Senior Telemaster ARF Autopilot/Sensor Mule

CSUTelemaster.JPG

This aircraft was our first to be integrated with the Paparazzi Autopilot. It is now used as a test platform for new flight plans, equipment, and sensors. Recently we were able to repeatedly runway land this aircraft under autopilot control. Soon we will test autonomous take off. Current work includes the development of a direct IR replacement IMU to be used in other aircraft.

Specs:

Airframe: Hobby Lobyy Senior Telemaster ARF

RX: Futaba R6014FS to PPZUAV PPM Encoder

Autopilot: Tiny 2.11 LEA-5H from PPZUAV

Link: XBee Pro 2.4 GHz

IR: PPZUAV IRV and IRH Sensors

Extras: Spartan DS760 AVCS Gyro


Associated Files:

Airframe: CSU_Telemaster

Heading Hold Gyro: CSU_SpartanDS760


Media:

Flight 1 Video

Flight 2 Video

Flight 3 Video

Long Endurance Hand Launchable Man Packable UAV

CSU MPUAV.jpg


This aircraft was designed with the help of a Powertrain Design and Optimization Tool developed by Colorado State University to provide enough thrust for hand launchability and high efficiency cruise. Initial flight and hardware in the loop simulation suggest the aircraft is capable of greater than three hours endurance.

Current work on this aircraft includes building a better, stronger wing to handle the overspeed conditions experienced in test flights as well as a final long endurance flight.


Specs:

Status: Rebuild

Airframe: CSU MPUAV

RX: Modified Futaba R617FS

Autopilot: Tiny 2.11 LEA-5H from PPZUAV

Link: XBee Pro 2.4 GHz

IR: FMA IRV and IRH Sensors


Associated Files:

Airframe: CSU_Telemaster


Media:

First Hand Launch Attempt

Second Hand Launch Attempt

Second Hand Launch Attempt Crash Feed

Crash Aftermath

Maiden Flight

Vertical Take-Off and Landing UAV

After going to the RC field a few times we decided one project we would like to attempt is use an IMU to provide sensor input for a hovering fixed wing aircraft to accomplish vertical take-off and landing. Currently, the ARF has been assembled and tested. The next step is the development of the IMU for IR sensor replacement and a landing tripod attached to the aircraft. Once flight testing has been completed with the landing tripod, a Paparazzi autopilot will be installed.


Status: Build

Airframe: Hangar 9 Twist 60

RX: Futaba R6014FS to PPZUAV PPM Encoder

Contact Information

Dr. Thomas H. Bradley

Mechanical Engineering

Colorado State University

E: thomas.bradley@colostate.edu