Throw multi from airplane

ArduCopter
,
1

I’m wondering if there are any limitations in the current state of Arducopter that would prevent a multi-copter from arming on board an aircraft being thrown out of the aircraft in ‘throw’ mode, switched to auto and flying to a point?

I know most of this is fine, but the arming while onboard an aircraft seems problematic. But now that arming from a boat is possible, would this work from an airplane?

I work with CASARA in Northern Canada when ELT’s go off or there are missing persons and it would be great to use a ‘disposable’ drone to check out a possible sighting while the aircraft is circling overhead. It seems the capabilites are mostly there, but I’m wondering if there are any technological barriers that I’m unaware of.

2

I can’t think of any major showstoppers to this.
Especially if you boot it on ground and just let it ride along while on ground power (ironic to say that in the plane)

3

I’m wondering if there are any limitations in the current state of
Arducopter that would prevent a multi-copter from arming on board an
aircraft being thrown out of the aircraft in ‘throw’ mode, switched to auto
and flying to a point?

You really need “drop mode” here - throw mode needs a particular
acceleration profile to activate. I believe that’s supposed to work,
however - just configuration.

Suggest the easiest way to find this out is to get a cheap platform
(SkyViper?) and try it! :slight_smile: Just make sure to get video…

4

Thought of the SkyViper, but the wifi would be out of range before you could switch modes. Maybe from a helicopter flying slowly.

5

Thought of the SkyViper, but the wifi would be out of range before you
could switch modes. Maybe from a helicopter flying slowly.

Ah. I pre-supposed some knowledge.

ArduPilot has a “throw mode”.

You throw it up into the air, it detects the peak of the throw and then
starts the motor, stabilizes the vehicle then its position, then
proceeds to a “next” mode - which can be loiter, auto, or even RTL (for
“boomerang mode”).

Here’s a video of us testing “throw-to-auto” with a SkyViper:

That’s all hands-off - as soon as the throw is done the vehicle flies and
lands itself.

I believe you can configure it for ‘drop mode’ instead… where it
doesn’t pre-suppose you’ve tossed it up into the air.

Peter

6

Thanks! That’s great. I’ll look into the specifics some more.