[Gizmoman]

I recently had an opportunity to fly several miniature helicopters that are used for gathering data to produce high resolution maps. Miniature helicopter is an appropriate description because these are hardly models.
The helicopter's rotor span is 85 inches. The engine is a 80cc twin cylinder Zenoah with tuned pipes. The gear box is a sealed lubricated unit. The tail rotor is belt driven. Twin fuel tanks with a total capacity of about 8 litres is sufficient for two hours of flying time. Total weight with payload is 71 pounds.

The starter uses a geared motor powered by a 12v 5Ah battery. The starter wand plugs into a socket on the engine crankshaft. Two people are needed to start the helicopter; one for the starter and the other firmly holds the rotorhead.



Multiple lipo packs are used to power the electronic systems. The small white object is one of two GPS antennas.


Positioned up front below the second GPS antenna is a steel plate that replaces the payload during flight testing.
The high stance landing gear is needed for operation in rugged terrain.


G

[Wayne_K]

Cool.

Are all the mechanics custom-built or do they use some from the major (large) heli manufacturers, like Vario/Benzin?

Where are the blades sourced from?

Is it flown like a traditional R/C or using FPV gear or both?

Thanks for showing this.

W

[Gizmoman]

Hi Wayne;
The mechanics are from a company that manufactures industrial helicopters.
Other than the rotor blades, I didn't see any parts that might be from our model helicopter sources. The tail blades are VARIO and the main blades are SAB.
I flew initially in the traditional R/C mode only to become familiar with its flight characteristics should I need to take control from the autopilot.
During the first test phase I had direct control of the collective pitch/ yaw and the autopilot managed the cyclic. The transmitter cyclic stick commands the flight computer to move the GPS point that the helicopter tracks and the autopilot does the rest. It was unsettling to be disconnected from direct control of the helicopter. It was quite windy and gusty, yet the autopilot did an amazing job at holding position.
The next phase was to evaluate the flight behaviour under full control of the autopilot. The autopilot was commanded to fly a low level pattern between two waypoints. It flew from my hovering position to the first way point, pirouetted to the on-course track and then flew to the second point. Back and forth for 15 minutes. The helicopter slowed as it approached each waypoint and hovered briefly before turning. Speed, altitude, heading and track are all controlled by the autopilot.
When doing surveys the helicopter is controlled entirely through the computer terminal in real time communication with the autopilot.
No FPV.
G

[Daren71]

Thanks for sharing this Peter. Very cool.

Daren

[Max]

WOW!!!

This is incredibly cool!
Please tell us/show us more about this machine when opportunities allow and things develop. Would love to get some idea of what the "payload" looks like. Hi res cameras for topographical mapping?

[Gizmoman]

Hi Max;
Here's a link to the manufacturer of one of the measurement systems used for aerial surveys.
http://www.riegl.com/products/uasuav...iegl-vux-1UAV/

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[bensidus197217]

That is a monster! Looks like it can have the flight characteristics of a drone or quad with GPS.

[Max]

Originally Posted by Gizmoman

Hi Max;
Here's a link to the manufacturer of one of the measurement systems used for aerial surveys.
http://www.riegl.com/products/uasuav...iegl-vux-1UAV/

G

FANTASTIC. I love how I can continue to learn new things on these forums. I was unaware of this tech and can really see how you can apply it on a helicopter of the caliber you have shown us. Great stuff!!!