Hello,

I am working on a project of fabricating an RC airplane, and I wish to install an autopilot on it for stable level flight and data acquisition of various parameters like pressure, velocity, altitude, et al. using sensors. Could anyone suggest any such autopilot system which is available in the market?

Thank you so very much.

Regards.
Tejas
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An autopilot as in with waypoint navigation and stuff or just a flight stabilization system like the FMA co-pilot?

With a way-point navigation system and everything (sensors et al.). I need it for a research project.

And I am working on a fixed wing UAV of span of about 90 cm. (Just in case the information is of any help)

I don't know much about proper autopilot systems.. Maybe something like this? http://diydrones.com/notes/ArduPilot

Tejas

you need to clearly know your requirements.

(a) is it a test platform for a autopilot?
(b) There is a lot of difference between autopilot and an autostabiliser, auto pilot as the name suggests, pilots, therefore you will need a real gyroscope with 3 axis accelerometers (Even RLG would do) in them and of course a ADC (Air Data Computer) a gig like it cost a bomb.
(d) If you are looking to stabilise only, then piezo electric so called gyro (they are actually accelerometers) would do. one like it is available at (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=8471), with this you can make an unstable aircraft and given enough gain authority you can fly an unstable platform see (http://www.rcpowers.com/davexplanes/x-36.htm)
(e) Air Data computing using accelerometers is possible, however it could be way out in reading as they are not GSO certified, they are strap on and cheap so you cannot expect more. one like this is sold by Mr Sai (http://cgi.ebay.in/Dual-Mode-MicroSensorsTM-/150524319402?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_203&hash=item230bf2d6aa)
(f) if it is an unstable platform you are going to work on, get to know all about Control Throw, Control Power , Control Harmony and Control Gain and Gain adjustment.

I hope i have answered your question. do let me know for more

For the hobby grade stuff, the ArduPilotMega system (the one consisting of two boards) will do it the stabilization, way point stuff etc (the stuff mentioned in Reply #4 above).

http://diydrones.com/notes/ArduPilot

Any special purpose sensors will of course be extra.

Everyone, thank you very much for your replies.

I checked out ArduPilot systems on their website, but the whole thing is costing me over  20,000, which I am sure I can bring it down to around 10,000 if I go in for an indigenous product. Any suggestions for the same?

Thanks again. Appreciate it.

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Tejas

only 3 axis system i know that work on planes is gyrobot9000

probably pretty pricy but i think it works good

Quote from: tejasmehrotra on February 17, 2011, 10:52:49 PM
Everyone, thank you very much for your replies.

I checked out ArduPilot systems on their website, but the whole thing is costing me over  20,000, which I am sure I can bring it down to around 10,000 if I go in for an indigenous product. Any suggestions for the same?

Hi Tejasmehrotra,
                         I am not aware of economy, but Autopilot, Arduinos and other electronic stuff can be bought from a Bangalore based online Electronics system seller. As I had bought Arduino from them. And there are few other also how sell hobby electronics.

All the Best
Akshay

There is a member here called vulture.  He seems to be in this line of business.  But beware that 3 axis gyros are only start of the story.  You still need GPS (probably augmented with magnetometers) etc to get the thing to work reliably.  The quality and availability of software is another crucial factor.

Do your home work, otherwise you will throw away a lot of money.

The DIYDrones stuff is tried and tested by hundreds of people.

Hi,

I have used FMA CPD 4 successfully.

As we are talking about autopilot with waypoint navigation, I will point you to FY 21 AP 2 which is modular & can be upgraded to full featured autopilot with inflight adjustment of waypoints.

Ashok P