Fly-by-Wire the saga continues

[Kim Doherty]

For those that are truly interested in the work Pat and I are doing and can refrain from turning this into a funeral pyre I offer this update on the Fly-by-Wire technology we are developing. I will not be replying to or engaging anyone who goes negative. If you want to do that then please start your own post. I do however welcome honest questions and will attempt to answer them regardless of whom the questioner is. I very much regret the negativism in the first posts (including my own responses) and hope we can all play in the sand box without adult supervision.

Our current model features fully programmable elevator and flaps with expo, end points and sub trim on each function. We now have a handheld programming unit to make it simple to adjust any of the various settings.

I should point out that there is no autonomous or intelligent processing occuring. All control surface movements are simply "mixes" with the elevator movement.

Here is a link to a new video describibg the technology.





Kim.

[PatRobinson]

Hi Kim,
I still like the concept , only more so with this iteration.  Looking at all the snow on the video makes me wonder if you have had any opportunity to fly this neat bird yet.  Best wishes with the project.

                                                                                        Pat Robinson

[Kim Doherty]

Pat,

Pat and I fy every weekend in a gym for four hours with a lot of R/C indoor flyers. We both fly indoor R/C. The reason for the indoor foamy is twofold, it allows us to get flight data we would not otherwise have (snow) and they are cheap and easily repaired. Yes, we have crashed several times. (the ceiling gets suprisingly close the higher the model flies        and the floor comes up faster than normal when you try to avoid the ceiling)


Kim.

[NED-088]

Very interesting and the way to go, no matter what anyone says!

I've been thinking about this ever since I've seen the first microcontrollers.

But you guys really did it. Applause!

[Dennis Adamisin]

Kim:
ANOTHER great effort.  I do not recall - did you have the Expo capability on the first model you posted?

[Kim Doherty]

Bruno,

Thanks, just a couple of dumb Canucks with too much time on our hands 


Dennis,

Thanks, the first model did have Expo but litle else. We have enabled all of the functions i.e. flap, aileron, elevator, rudder and soon VP prop. We have pretty much solved the communication issues between the processor and the handheld programmer. We now have sub trim, endpoint and expo on all surfaces and the ability to mix any surface to another. We can also map the rotation of the bellcrank to the handle movement to achieve virtually unlimitted handle sensitivity. In the next iteration the pilot will climb on the wing, toss his silk scarf with disdain and climb into the cockpit. 


Kim.

Kim.

[Paul Walker]

Hey Kim and Pat....What's all that white stuff on the ground?

I went all winter without seeing one flake, and I go on a silly business trip to Hotlanta, and what does it do while I'm there???  It snows! Unbelievable!

It would be interseting to see a video of it flying. Very impressive.

I also would be interested in what a full size one would feel like without any feedback from the control surfaces. This could make a "too light" plane actually flyable!

Keep it going.

Paul Walker

[Kim Doherty]

Hey Kim and Pat....What's all that white stuff on the ground?

I went all winter without seeing one flake, and I go on a silly business trip to Hotlanta, and what does it do while I'm there???  It snows! Unbelievable!

It would be interseting to see a video of it flying. Very impressive.

I also would be interested in what a full size one would feel like without any feedback from the control surfaces. This could make a "too light" plane actually flyable!

Keep it going.

Paul Walker

Paul,


Thanks for the encouragement!

That was some of the first real snow we've had all winter. I can see most of the golf course behind my condo now and it will go up to about 44F this week.

While there is no "feel" of the surface movement, there is definetly "pull" and this from a six ounce airframe. I am thinking that on a full size it might actually be better without the feedback since you will not have the sense that you are about to rip the wings off when flying in a gale.   Just point the plane where you want it to go and if it is still together when it arives move on to the next manoeuvre.

Flight videos to follow.


kim

[Richard Grogan]

Awesome work guys! Can't wait to see the flight video(s). Thats one sweet looking foamie Kim!

[john e. holliday]

Thinking outside the box or circle, depends on you look at it.  I think it is great.  I like the idea if made small enough to be able to do the pattern in a school gym.  Keep up the great work.