Ultimate Guide: Building an Autonomous Long Range UAV

Table of Contents

Introduction

• Overview of the UAV
• Purpose of the UAV

Design and Features

• Lightweight and Compact Build
• Aerodynamic Design
• Tractor Design for FPV Missions
• Remote Control Test Flights
• Bird's Eye View Camera Experience

Acknowledgments

• Special Thanks to Supporters
• Support the Build

Overview of Electronics

• Customize Your Own Electronics
• Recommended Components

Building the Carbon Boom

• Materials Needed
• Joining Two Pieces of Carbon Boom
• Mounting the FPV Camera

Constructing the Wing

• Using a 1.6 Meter Collapsible Wing
• Wing Construction Process
• Dimensions and Materials

Building the Fuselage

• Foam Board Fuselage Construction
• Cutting and Shaping Foam Board
• Gluing and Reinforcing Plastic Cards

Assembling the Tail Section

• Building the Conventional Tail
• Cutting and Taping Foam Board
• Applying Plastic Cards for Strength

Attaching the Boom and Tail

• Gluing the Tail Section to the Boom
• Adding Plastic Cards for Reinforcement

Gluing the Electronics

• Stack and Secure the Fly Controller
• Mounting the Battery
• Routing Wires Through the Booms

Wing and Rubber Bands

• Using Carbon Booms as Wing Tie Downs
• Connecting the Wing Servo Extensions

Customizing Electronics

• Installing Your Own Electronics
• Customizing Flight Controller and Motor

Finalizing the Aircraft

• Testing and Adjusting the Airframe
• Ready for Maiden Flight

Follow-up Video

• iNav Settings and Flight Modes
• Future Videos and Channel Support

My Tractor-Type UAV Build: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

In this article, I will be presenting the build video of a new lightweight UAV that I have designed in a motor glider form. This UAV boasts a flight time of over an hour per charge, with an average efficiency of 120 milliamp hours per kilometer. Whether You are interested in FPV missions or autonomous flights, this UAV has the capabilities to fulfill your needs.

Design and Features

The design of this UAV was focused on achieving maximum compactness and low drag. The curved nose design allows for optimal use of space inside the aircraft while providing excellent aerodynamics. The tractor design of this UAV is perfect for FPV missions such as observation and scanning. This feature makes it an ideal choice for military applications that require affordable UAVs for reconnaissance missions. Additionally, the UAV offers a 50-kilometer range per charge, making it suitable for medium to long-range flights.

One unique feature of this design is the rear-mounted FPV camera. Inspired by RC test flights of the solar plane V3, I decided to enhance the bird's eye view by mounting a panning servo. This provides the observer with a full observing experience, making it ideal for various applications.

Acknowledgments

I would like to express my gratitude to all the individuals who have supported my work and contributed to the build of this UAV. Special thanks to Jim Carlin, Killian Charles G Hobson, Just A Stranger, Emilkar Andrade, Someone Sir, Hey Yatsukovic, and Alex Telsma for their contributions. Your support is greatly appreciated. If you would like to support my work as well, you can click on the yellow icon on my YouTube page and donate any amount to keep me fueled and motivated to complete the design of the next easy-to-build UAV.

Overview of Electronics

While you are free to use your own electronics and customize them according to your preferences, I will provide an overview of the electronics I used in my build. In the comments section and description, you will find links to the components I recommend. These include the fly controller, motor, and batteries. Feel free to explore different options and choose the ones that best suit your needs.

Building the Carbon Boom

The carbon boom is a crucial component of the UAV that provides structural integrity and support for the wings. In my build, I used two pieces of carbon boom from HobbyKing, joined together for a total length of 77 centimeters. The boom has a diameter of 12 millimeters and features a pass-through for three servo wires- elevator, rudder, and FPV camera.

Constructing the Wing

For the wings, I opted for a 1.6-meter collapsible wing made from depron. This wing design allows for easy transportation and storage. In a previous video, I demonstrated the construction process, which involves cutting out the wing Shape and adding a foam board for reinforcement. The dimensions and materials used are provided to ensure accurate replication.

Building the Fuselage

The fuselage of the UAV is constructed using 5-millimeter thick foam board. The building method employed here follows experimental airlines techniques. The process involves shaping the foam board, temporarily taping the edges to hold the shape, and then gluing in the strip. Once the glue has hardened, the tape can be removed, and any excess foam can be trimmed away. This results in a clean and sturdy fuselage.

Assembling the Tail Section

The tail section of the UAV consists of the horizontal and vertical stabilizers. These are also made from 5-millimeter thick foam board. The dimensions include a 6-inch root cord and a 4-inch tip cord for both stabilizers. The stabilizers are taped and painted to match the desired color scheme. Control surfaces are cut out and trimmed to ensure proper movement. Plastic cards are used for reinforcement and to maintain the vertical position of the vertical stabilizer.

Attaching the Boom and Tail

To ensure a secure attachment between the boom and tail section, plastic cards are glued between the vertical and horizontal stabilizers. This adds strength to the tail section and keeps the vertical stabilizer properly aligned. The boom is inserted into the fuselage, and additional plastic cards are used to secure its position. This method provides a solid connection and prevents any movement.

Gluing the Electronics

Once the airframe is complete, the electronics can be installed. In my build, I created a stack for the fly controller and used foam board to eliminate vibrations. The battery is securely mounted to prevent any movement during flight. The wires are carefully routed through the booms, ensuring a clean and organized setup.

Wing and Rubber Bands

To hold the wings in place, carbon booms are used as wing tie downs. These longitudinal axis booms are perfect for attaching rubber bands that secure the wings to the fuselage. The servo extensions for the wings are connected to the main wires inside the fuselage, resulting in a tidy and functional setup.

Customizing Electronics

With the airframe complete, you have the freedom to customize the electronics according to your preferences. You can choose different flight controllers, motors, and batteries Based on your needs and desired performance. This allows you to tailor the UAV to your specific requirements and achieve optimal performance.

Finalizing the Aircraft

Before your UAV is ready for flight, it is essential to thoroughly test and adjust the airframe. This includes ensuring proper alignment, structural integrity, and correct control surface movement. Once these checks are complete, your UAV is ready for its maiden flight.

Follow-up Video

In the next video, I will showcase the iNav settings and flight modes that I have configured for this UAV. This will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to set up your own UAV for stable and precise flight. I look forward to sharing more videos in the future and appreciate your support.

Highlights

• Lightweight and compact design for extended flight time
• Tractor-Type UAV for FPV missions and reconnaissance
• Aerodynamic features for optimal efficiency
• Rear-mounted FPV camera for enhanced observing experience
• Customizable electronics for personalized performance
• Sturdy airframe construction with foam board and carbon boom
• Easy-to-follow instructions with detailed measurements and materials

FAQ

Q: Can I use different electronics for my UAV? A: Absolutely! You can customize the electronics according to your preferences and desired performance. Just make sure they are compatible with the airframe design.

Q: How long does it take to build the UAV? A: The construction process may take approximately two and a half to three days, depending on your experience and familiarity with the techniques involved.

Q: Can I modify the wing design for better stability? A: While the provided wing design is optimized for lightweight and collapsibility, you can experiment with modifications that suit your needs. Just ensure that the changes do not compromise the overall performance of the UAV.