Ohohia - The Pacific-Crossing Attempt

With all the ruckus about RoboMagellan competitions, and the increased availability of ever smaller and lighter - and improved - navigation components, I find it hard to resist the challenge of making this autonomous aircraft happen once and for all.

It is churning in the back of my mind again.

I have added a few resources to my list on the left, just to make sure I don't lose them. I have made brief contact with a group who is putting together a small UAV (or has) and one guy seemed to know his stuff about power systems, so I hope to connect with him again in the near future when I have some specs to provide to him. My objective is to get a power supply together that is driven by the on-board generator (or by standby batteries when the generator is low or not running) that will provide steady power to all my on-board systems.

A guy from the Home Brew Robotics Club reported he had much RFI/EMI problems in regard to his IMU and GPS on his mobile robot, but this other guy from the UAV group said it is no problem to filter that out. I am anxious to hear from this guy in the robotics club when he gets his 3-axis IMU done that he is developing. He is making the communications interface to it, dead simple. It should simplify things, greatly, when it comes to developing the firmware/software to make everything work.

Now all I need is a job. And a place to fly.

After reviewing the AMA rules earlier in the year, I discovered they added a clause saying that no model airplane may be equipped with a system to allow for autonomous flight.

I'll refrain from pointing out how ridiculous that restriction is, but it doesn't mean I can't do it. I just means AMA insurance won't cover me if I do. It also means I can't break any existing autonomous flight records under AMA rules.

But just because someone or some text somewhere leads me to believe that the practice of building an autonomous model aircraft is somehow not allowed, doesn't mean I don't want to do it. In fact, it gives me motivation to forge ahead. The more someone tries to restrict it, the harder it makes me want to push to preserve that freedom. I mean, come on - think it through! It's ludicrous! Next thing you know, someone will pass a law saying it is too dangerous to tie your own shoes! Get a grip!

The Ohohia project just may happen one day, afterall...

It has been a while since I made an entry to my blog. I have decided I have had enough of technology. I am pursuing other interests. The Ohohia project will likely never happen. Turn the page.

I have returned to my current home in Northern California - a place I would like to leave someday for good.

I flew my Eagle II while in Bakersfield and once again there were problems. This airplane has had problems from day 1. If I could find my flight log, I would list some of the problems discovered on its maiden flight (which, by the way, took place at night!).

This time, the generator problem that I hoped was fixed was not fixed. Something about the generator itself is interfering with the radio signal. We suspect improper filtering. I may one day add some capacitors to see if the problem goes away, but what I did instead as an immediate solution was I mounted the O.S. 26 4-stroke diesel (with generator) on the Eagle. I have a 2-stroke O.S. 25 that I will put on the plane that the 26 came off of, since the bolt pattern is the same (though I think the throttle linkage is on the other side).

There was also a problem in the wiring to the wing lights. They frayed and shorted out. We fixed that on site (at least temporarily) as best as we could. Also, since the generator was problematic, we decided to disconnect it and fly it on battery, alone. So, I got one good night flight in. Hopefully, now, the plane is ready to go up without any problems (for the first time!) with the replacement engine and generator.

Now I just need to get the BasicX-24 module to talk to RC4 and I can run a test flight to record and play back a simple maneuver (most likely a simple turn). I want to eventually get something onboard with a flash memory device that will collect information about R/C signals for the duration of a flight, complete with SMPTE time code that I could synchronize with a video recording of the flight. That will enable me to analyze the flight data to correlate control movements with respect to aircraft behavior. At least enough to give me an idea of what goes on during a flight. I could conceivably convert the data into an input stream to drive a flight simulator (like FMS) so I can tweak a simulated model of my Eagle to behave very closely like the real thing so I can do some initial development work within a simulated environment.

There are great benefits to using a simulator before testing something in an actual airplane, and I need to take advantage of that as much as possible, since I have such a limited budget.

My old employer called on me, so I might be working again for a while. Blah! At least that will bring in some money (at the expense of time). Time IS money, as I have come to fully appreciate in my middle age years. I still don't know if this project will ever be completed (especially now that progress has been significantly reduced).

I got a note from someone who is writing a book about model airplanes and wants to include some of my night flying information. I will probably write to him today. I don't know if it would be an appropriate avenue, but I am going to look into the possibility of contributing something to the book about this Ohohia project in an effort to drum up support (at least round up the expertise I need to make this happen).

We'll see.

I arrived in Tucson last night after a long drive from California. I just missed a big storm, apparently - lots of downed power lines, flooding, etc. I was so looking forward to a good thunderstorm, and I missed it! Oh, well, there will be others.

I just got back from visiting the Aerial Robotics Club at the University of Arizona, where I checked out what they were doing. They have an autonomous Eagle 2 and a couple of helicopters that they are preparing for flight on Saturday. Unfortunately, I may not get to see them fly on Saturday, as I have already made other plans for that day. I wish I could see them fly! I think it is so cool what they are doing. It makes me want to move back to Tucson and go to the U of A so I can participate in it.

However, following my visit, I had thoughts of abandoning this project. Mostly for personal reasons. If I were younger and going to school and plugged into an institution or other reputable team or whatever, I would feel much more able and motivated to pursue this project. As it is, it is becoming more of a burden than a joy. And seeing as it originally emerged as something I wanted to do for fun and how the level of enjoyment decreases as I delve into this further (especially alone!), I can't help but consider putting this project to rest.

I still intend on exploring the technology, etc., but just at a much lower priority and intensity. Who knows, that might be the trick to actually making it happen. But for now, I feel that my focus is turning away from "THIS PROJECT" and toward more joyful pursuits. Like actually flying my airplanes! Over the years, I will add little bits of additional technology (and perhaps by then, more off-the-shelf, affordable auto-pilot products will become available). But as of now, I think I am returning to the relaxing aspects of the hobby. And I hope to do some night flying while I am in Tucson. Woo hoo!

I've been thinking a bit about what I need on this project, and would like to assemble a team, since I need help with some of it. Here are the areas of knowledge that will be needed for this project:

• Meteorology (esp. regarding the Pacific Ocean wind currents)


• Telemetry systems


• Embedded systems design/integration


• Internal combustion engine technology (that would be Dave)


• Electronic circuits & systems (esp. custom circuit design for controlling peripheral power & integrating sensors)


• Composites - custom lightweight strong materiels for airframe


• UAV technologies - specifically in regard to auto-pilot control

I will be seeking help in various segments of these knowledge areas, preferrably from people who live in the San Francisco bay area near where I live. If you think you have something you can contribute to the project, please go to my RC Night Flying site and look for my contact information to send me an e-mail message.

Thanks!

I went to a party tonight and met some nice people - a number of whom expressed interest in seeing my airplane succeed. Time will tell. At least nobody flat out said, "you're crazy!" Then again, perhaps that goes without saying.