Maiden Swift AP rig flight

[staplegun]

I just completed the maiden flight of my Swift AP rig. No Photos, used a dummy weight in the camera mount.

Needs a slight bit of tweaking/trimming.

First impressions:

The Swift is a very quiet bird.
Is very stable in the hover.
Not twitchy feeling.
Tail fin could be a bit longer to help prevent tail blade strikes during power up and power down.
Landing gear needs to be replaced with something a bit more stout and with a wider foot print.

This is the bird as it flys right now.

Swift-16 Helicopter
Century 600 motor
Castle Creations Phoenix HV-45 Brushless Controller
Helimax 530 Carbon Blades
ASKMAN PRO Carbon Camera mount (Front Mount with Pan and Tilt)
Futaba 401 gyro with 9254 servo
Canon A540 camera - (need to get a slightly larger mounting frame for the camera, the one I have is a hair too tight.)
Hyperion 11.1v 3S 4200 lipos, 2 mounted in series

I will be adding an AP 2000I to the rig and possibly a video downlink.

I bought the bird used (from a fellow 'freak) and have spent the past couple of weeks re-building/modifying the bird (mostly to make it my own) and waiting on weather to cooperate.

I plan on using the bird for Civil Engineering and Surveying purposes and see it as a powerful tool.

[askman]

for LG, add some pool noodle. that will help raise it up and give better stability.

[staplegun]

Thanks for the suggestion

[staplegun]

Flight #2 - This time the camera was aboard

http://worleybird.com/fly/pic1.jpg


http://worleybird.com/fly/pic2.jpg


I need to mess with the camera settings, and will prob. replace it with a 640.

[askman]

I believe the gimbal that is on it is too tight for a640. I can replace it though with one designed for 640.

[LoopBaCK]

Wow... great shots! The quiet flight was what impressed me. It's small, stable and very quiet.

[staplegun]

Flight #3 Today - Gusty Winds 5g15

The AP 2000i is most definitly on the list. I have determined I need more altitude for some of the photography I want to do. About 150' is what I can do by myself without getting "ugly".

I also need to "re-map" my throttle hold switch to a different switch on the radio. I came very close to hitting throttle hold while "snapping" a pic (finger was on the switch). Shutter is currently servo triggered.

Put 2200 mahr back into the pack with 6:38 on the timer, figure 6:00 in air. Looks like I can get 9:00 min flight time on the 4200 packs.

I am still debating about moving up to a 640, and will prob do so if I get the put in the expected time on one of my projects.

ok, now pics... I have edited them to a degree to make them a bit more web friendly

http://worleybird.com/fly/east.JPG
You can see the office I use to work at... Yes walking distance to work.

http://worleybird.com/fly/west.JPG


http://worleybird.com/fly/north.JPG

[staplegun]

I also need to "re-map" my throttle hold switch to a different switch on the radio. I came very close to hitting throttle hold while "snapping" a pic (finger was on the switch). Shutter is currently servo triggered.


I managed to force myself to do an auto today, it was from about 5 feet and landed with no problems. I really need to re-map the throttle hold.