Tricopter
Notes on making a tricopter
Posted on March 2, 2013
Making a Quad- or Tri-copter is a project I’ve been tempted by for a long time. Ever since I got an RC heli, which I’ve since abandoned. The Heli was too hard to fly, and there wasn’t much motivation to persevere — having learned, all you can really do is aerobatics, which I’m not very interested in. A quad, on the other hand, is easier to fly and much more flexible: I could add cameras, sensors, telemetry, code it to do interesting things, etc. And lots of people have done this so it’s an easy thing to Google about.
The tricopter seems the most appealing so far – interesting build, nice balance of stability and maneuverability.
Interesting things so far: * Design considerations for beginners * Calculator to check if a given set of components will work together (looks awesome) * Arducopter – if I don’t have success coding an Arduino myself, or it’s too hard, or I want the features without all that work * UK-based Arducopter store
* Useful FAQ on frame design, and some other bits * Video on building a tri from scratch * Complete build guide from the rcexplorer.se dude (v2.5) * And the next version along, v2.6 HV * Newbie FPV guide * Open-source plans for the RCExplorer frame * Discussion on various FC boards * The KK board is also an ATmega – I did not realise this. Lots of resources here. * A lot of tips and links on this RCGroups thread * Massive flight controller feature comparison table (possibly not up to date) * RCExplorer’s tricopter setup guide * Forum for UK-based FPVers * FPV advice/support/campaign group * Credible explanation of the CAA regulations covering model aircraft (with and without FPV) in the UK * Another explanation of frequencies and their legality, also from FPVUK * Good-looking set of videos about FPV theory and builds * Company selling uk-legal FPV gear, and it sounds like they’re helpful too
I’ll
Posted on March 2, 2013
Making a Quad- or Tri-copter is a project I’ve been tempted by for a long time. Ever since I got an RC heli, which I’ve since abandoned. The Heli was too hard to fly, and there wasn’t much motivation to persevere — having learned, all you can really do is aerobatics, which I’m not very interested in. A quad, on the other hand, is easier to fly and much more flexible: I could add cameras, sensors, telemetry, code it to do interesting things, etc. And lots of people have done this so it’s an easy thing to Google about.
The tricopter seems the most appealing so far – interesting build, nice balance of stability and maneuverability.
Interesting things so far: * Design considerations for beginners * Calculator to check if a given set of components will work together (looks awesome) * Arducopter – if I don’t have success coding an Arduino myself, or it’s too hard, or I want the features without all that work * UK-based Arducopter store
* Useful FAQ on frame design, and some other bits * Video on building a tri from scratch * Complete build guide from the rcexplorer.se dude (v2.5) * And the next version along, v2.6 HV * Newbie FPV guide * Open-source plans for the RCExplorer frame * Discussion on various FC boards * The KK board is also an ATmega – I did not realise this. Lots of resources here. * A lot of tips and links on this RCGroups thread * Massive flight controller feature comparison table (possibly not up to date) * RCExplorer’s tricopter setup guide * Forum for UK-based FPVers * FPV advice/support/campaign group * Credible explanation of the CAA regulations covering model aircraft (with and without FPV) in the UK * Another explanation of frequencies and their legality, also from FPVUK * Good-looking set of videos about FPV theory and builds * Company selling uk-legal FPV gear, and it sounds like they’re helpful too
I’ll