Winter Maxi Swift FPV flight with ArduPilot Mega 2.5 with arduplane firmware v. 2.68 and MinimOSD v0.1 with firmware version r458 during the day light and reorganized layout. Test of ArduPilot Stabilization, RTL, LOITER, FBWA modes.
Stabilization:
Tried to descend, climb, turn left and right and the wing returned the to neutral flight.
RTL:
With 75 % throttle wing turned direction to the launch point and started to climb to 100 m altitude. When wing was 75 near the launch point it started to circle around lanuch point with 50 % throttle.
FBWA:
The wing is controlled similarly like a car. You had to hold the control in the direction you want to flight eg. in angle if you want to turn left or right, or in angle if you want to climb or descent. Otherwise it returns to the stabilized point.
When you change different type of flight modes, it is always fun to return to Manual mode. There is a lot of fun there to flight. Each mode flight is unique. I like it.
flight summary:
distance flew: 13 km
max distance from home: 610 m
flight time: 18:46
max ground speed: 62 km/h
max airspeed: 65 km/h
max height: 262 m
max wind speed: 13 km/h
ArduPilot Mega 2.5 with arduplane firmware v. 2.68
MinimOSD v. 0.1 with firmware version r458
FatShark Predator 5.8 GHz.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=20672&aff=388598
VTX ImmersionRC 600 mW 5.8 GHz.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=17507&aff=388598
Sony Super HAD CCD 600TVL, Lens 2.8 mm.
Clover Leaf & SkewPlannar 5.8 GHz Antennas.
Turnigy 9X 9Ch Transmitter w/ Module & 8ch Receiver (Mode 2), ER9x Firmware.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=8992&aff=388598
Pan & Tilt.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=12875&aff=388598
There is big APM 2.5 community.
See here:
http://code.google.com/p/ardupilot-mega/
http://code.google.com/p/arducopter/
http://code.google.com/p/minimosd-extra/
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1752761
http://diydrones.com/forum/topics/adding-extra-functions-to-minimosd