FIXED WING UAV TRAINING MODULE
EXPERIMENT 3
Practice and Flight
The video shows the user taking off and landing the plane on the runway. Although the plane that would be used would be thrown by the user, the concept is the same. Using PhoenixRC, practicing taking off, looping around and landing the plane over and over, the students of this module would be able to fully grasp the controls and mechanics on how to properly fly the fixed wing drone.
Preflight Checks
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Preflight checks are important to ensure that the fixed-wing drone is the right condition to fly and that everything works as how they should be. Preflight checks may vary depending on the model of the plane but there are fundamental checks that concerns to all. Failure to go through the preflight checks thoroughly may cause crashes and unwanted plane behavior. Crashes may happen seconds after takeoff or even in midair. Fixed-wing drones are expensive and crashing one is not an operators desire.
This list is not in any particular order but must each one must be checked thoroughly:
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Servos are secure, linkages to servo and control surfaces are secure.
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Servo horns and control horns are secure. They should not be loose.
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Connections of all servos to the receiver, ESC and battery are secure and correct.
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Receiver and battery should be firmly in place and should not move during flight.
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Receiver antenna is securely mounted and not damaged.
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Propeller nut is tight, and spinner is secure.
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Wing and tail should be secure (Use proper materials to secure them in place; rubber bands)
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Control surfaces move in the correct orientation (ailerons, rudder and elevator)
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Control surface hinges are secure (Use hinge tape if necessary)
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Motor is calibrated and works properly
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Radio failsafe is set and properly working
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Range check
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Weather check (Too windy or not raining)
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Battery voltage
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Visual check of obstacles (e.g. trees, poles, buildings etc.)
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Always perform preflight checks and make sure to make it a habit to do so. Minutes of preflight checks will save you a regret of a crashed plane.
Flight Proper (Practice and Turning)
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First flights will always be filled with fear and nervousness, that is why make sure to stay calm, relaxed and focused on the job in hand. Another way of reducing the tension on the first flight is practicing through an RC flight simulator. It is a recommended way to gain a feel of flying a plane and practicing how to maneuver midair. A trained instructor present on the first flight will also help especially if the instructor can takeoff for you and take over the control of the plane midair in case something happens. However, in other cases that you are flying alone, make sure to take things slow and remember the following instructions.
Proceed to a safe flight location and perform the preflight checks. Once done, prepare for the flight proper. Remember to take things slow, after the plane have taken off, climb out to a safe altitude that is not too low and not too high. Do not fly in max throttle. To make a turn during the ascend, smoothly apply rudder or ailerons to the direction desired. Slightly reduce the power to about three-fourths while making the turn to slow down the plane. Remember to just make small adjustments to the throttle, ailerons, rudder and elevator because this prevents altitude loss during the turn. After climbing out, remember to not fly too high, a clear view of the plane should be kept at all times. After the turn, straighten the plane by leveling the wing through the ailerons and try turning opposite the direction of the first one. Practice turning and straightening the plane and slowly get used to the feel and response of the stick movements.
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