How to build an Autonomous UAV for Long Range FPV & Waypoint Missions - Lightweight UAV

How to build an Autonomous UAV for Long Range FPV & Waypoint Missions - Lightweight UAV
This is the Silver Guardian UAV // Tractor Configuration flying with a 4S 5000mAh LiPo Battery, flying +45km total distance per charge and ~120mAh/km efficiency (matching efficiency numbers of my Peace Hawk LR+ // V-Tail Pusher) - The Lightweight Carbon Boom makes it quite light and aerodynamic improvements of longtitudinal wing-holders and a custom Aero-Nose/Hatch make the aircraft quite aerodynamic. I'm very happy with the result and will follow this video up with information about the iNAV Flight Controller and the Autonomous Capabilities.
Matek F411-WTE Flight Controller: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_m0p...
iRotor 5010/750kV Brushless Motor: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_onn...
Hobbywing 40A ESC: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_okD...
12x6 Propeller: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Eu7...
MG90S Servo's: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oCK...
Beitian BN-180 GPS: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oE6...
5.8Ghz 600mW Video Transmitter: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Eyj...

[@AeroStuffFPV]

*Link to the Electronics* Matek F405-WING V2 (Flight Controller): s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mKr... Eachine TX526 (Video Transmitter): s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oDN... MG90 Metal Geared (Servos): s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_msu... Standard 1800TVL (FPV Camera): s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_EH1... Hobbywing Skywalker (ESC): s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mKd... Gemfan 12x8E (Propeller): s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mNQ... FrSky X8R (Receiver): s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mLR... Beitian BN-280 (GPS): s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oEe... Racerstar BR4108/600kv (Motor Equivalent!): s.cl

[@kgchrome]

your links are broken... the full product ID is truncated, i believe.

[@simonnaughton2272]

Did I miss a link to the strobe light and controller?

[@dagobb]

@@simonnaughton2272 me too!

[@justvibinghere2092]

@@kgchrome click the links in the video description, those work for me

[@FelixRisingOriginal]

The links in the video description all work... just these ones in the comments section are dead.

[@hcpsmansdddeglm]

is no one gonna talk about how cool it looks when the tail of the plane is connected to the body by a single/double rod?

[@dwang085]

Very cool

[@kotnapromke]

При ударе о землю такой хвост легко ломается. У меня это было при жесткой посадке.

[@redskyz483]

No they are not

[@ArabObserver]

Impressive

[@pcka12]

Not a very stiff design with such a narrow tube

[@dominiq4343]

I'm impressed, well made wing mounting and overall design! 10/10.

[@riovonstahl2869]

Niceeee!! im really digging you are getting more innovative! love the carbon tail boom! and love how you are inproving the aedodynamics on your models! :) its getting exciting!

[@lovebirdlab]

Hi Nathan. Thanks for acknowledging me as a donor. This is an impressively simple and efficient drone. I'm sure we'll be building some of these and experimenting with different modifications. The build video is excellent: it covers everything in detail. Your flight performance numbers are great. A DIY custom li-ion battery pack would indeed extend the flight time and range nicely. I like the idea of a rear-mounted video cam that would have a fully unobstructed view of the ground. I'm eager to see the upcoming iNav settings video for this drone: I need to learn how to use iNav. Keep up the great work, Nathan!

[@franciscourena5636]

Can I get 150 km Range distance with a 6s 25,000 mAh battery ( 2.6 Kg) instead of 4s 5000mAh LiPo Battery????

[@ivanpateli524]

you probably could, but you have to check your local laws, bc in most places UAV's that are able to fly over 100km are banned for civilians@@franciscourena5636

[@davidmuirhead5117]

flown a week ago , very stable in flight a joy to fly ,thanks a lot

[@wa389]

Beautiful plane and a very professional video. Keep up the great work. Thanks for sharing.

[@narnasqueneth]

That's actually a really nice build- thanks for sharing!

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Glad you like it!

[@jasonbell5905]

Very nice and clean work! Excellent model , great video!!

[@prathameshkalaskar9250]

Just loved those amazing drone shots!!!

[@user-io7gw2mq3k]

Great video, this is aweome. The plane look so simple. Love it

[@mohannadmalik5373]

very nice build I learned a lot from it, thank you!

[@khidaral-mukhtaar7327]

Fantastic performance!✅

[@LoudandclearRC]

Sweet looking plane! Just started watching and had to comment.

[@chickwithstick7695]

Great looking plane...thanks for sharing 👍

[@mikewofford2198]

Thank you so much for the tip on the plastic card

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Cheers!😎

[@user-lx8px2uv3w]

This is an impressively Keep up the great work. Thanks for sharing.💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@jojo-._.]

you built a darn Impressive plane there sir!

[@scottiniowa1]

Love it! Going to have to build one of these too after how well your other plane I built flies!

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Cheers!😎 Good luck

[@Jimminy-Crickets]

ayo, i love the way you use plastic cards to add strength to the plane, a lot better than using barbecue skewers lol

[@redfirekla]

this looks so much like the bf4 drone as part of the sniper kit very cool

[@iangraham6730]

Great job! Love the ariel footage!

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Cheers😎

[@AsgardStudios]

Excellent design and video. Thanks for sharing!

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Thank you! Cheers!😎

[@nickvledder]

I am impressed!

[@MasboyRC]

Great video, this is aweome. The plane look so simple. Love it 👌

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Cheers!😎

[@MasboyRC]

@@AeroStuffFPV cheers.. 🍻 and greetings from indonesia 🇮🇩

[@technicalsupport6983]

Wow 😮 nice 👍.....I will make this prototype very soon

[@edobeirne]

Way to go brother!

[@Jay-zc7iq]

Very nice work sir , I’m currently putting together a long range ranger 2400 but I think I’ll do some test runs with this plane , I like it , think I’ll substitute brackets holding things with my 3d printer for boom and stuff but all in all a great build and look forward to giving this a try 👍👍🙏

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Cheers😎 Good luck!

[@tariqbaloch3926]

@@AeroStuffFPV I am from Pakistan how I buy this material plz help me I want make a fpv

[@strackx86]

Love it, congrats. Gonna build one when you upload the video about the inav settings.

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Awesome. Stay tuned

[@Yelnats101]

outstanding!! thanks for doing this vid, it exactly what i was looking for

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Thanks! Good luck if building one.

[@Yelnats101]

@@AeroStuffFPV I already got the airframe marked and cut out mostly. The electronics is what I was questioning. Wanted to go cheapish I will probably add flexible lightweight solar panel cells to the wings and a charge controller. See if we can’t push those flight times

[@amilcarandrade396]

Thanks!

[@MyTube4Utoo]

Very cool! Thanks for the video.

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Cheers!😎

[@rverm1000]

not enough videos like this on youtube

[@adrianlee30]

Good stuff, loving it!!!

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Cheers!

[@davidmuirhead5117]

built one maiden flight today , brilliant video build Nathan😀

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Thanks very much! Do you have any pictures or videos you can share? (Instagram: aerostuff.fpv) would love to see it

[@RelentlessHomesteading]

Clever wing attachment mechanism.

[@sreejiths2702]

Good job 👍

[@TERRYB0688]

Hi interesting build, you might check out an old light weight air craft we used to build, it was called a Ben Buckle, generally a large wings man a deep wing cord, they when the next step on from a powered glider

[@dronepilot260rc]

I love this design 🎉

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Thanks!

[@SerheiYatskevich]

Дизайн как всегда на высоте! Верхнее положение хвостовой балки позволило безопасно разместить камеру внизу, а двигатель, обдувающий переднюю кромку крыла, облегчает взлет самолета. Отличная идея!

[@Andrey_Gysev]

Интересно, насколько возможно покрыть крылья плёнкой солнечных элементов, сейчас, вроде, выпускают такое, чтобы увеличить длительность полёта? С установкой вместо FPV камеры обычной камеры что снимки делает - такой планер можно было бы отлично использовать в геодезических и геологических изысканиях. У нас студенты разрабатывают что-то похожее и даже прототипы используются в степях Астрахани.

[@SerheiYatskevich]

@@Andrey_Gysev Пленки солнечных элементов? Хотелось бы узнать об этом поподробнее. Если можете, дайте ссылку, чтобы изучить их характеристики. Для увеличения продолжительности полета можно запрограммировать автопилот на отключение мотора, когда планер входит в восходящие потоки (термики). В сочетании с солнечными элементами это может дать хороший эффект.

[@Andrey_Gysev]

@@SerheiYatskevich Помню в Литве производство налаживали, но сейчас не могу найти конечных продуктов. Одни новости про разработки, разработки. Надо поискать.

[@terrylembke8100]

Beautiful , bird . Good job

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Thanks!

[@hxl6162]

Bro Your Channel Rules, no "secrets" congratulations, best regards from Brazil

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Cheers!😎

[@AerialWaviator]

Great design and build video. The minimalist design is good looking and the specs seem to offer exceptional capability. I like your longtitudinal wing-holders design. Am however a bit worried for your camera seeing it hanging under the tail. (might be abused by terrain when landing?) Thinking a pan on top of the vertical fin, might make for a nice perspective.

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Thanks Waviator! My camera is protected by a plastic-card fin that protects the camera and the rest of the tail.

[@allansmits9621]

Looking forward to your video on iNAV set-up on this plane…I followed your video and have the plane about 90% complete. Getting close to installing the FC and receiver. Thanks!!!

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Awesome man, please send videos or photos if you have any to my IG, I love to see it (IG: aerostuff.fpv) I’m currently on holiday and will be back in about 1.5 weeks, then I’ll edit & upload the iNAV and flight video!

[@allansmits9621]

Will do, thanks! Hope you're enjoying your holiday!!! @@AeroStuffFPV

[@amitkumar6784]

Very stable 😍

[@nevo1311]

great as always kepp going

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Always!

[@RCDUDEFPV]

Well done and Thumbs up

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Cheers!😎

[@pranaykumar8305]

Very cool!

[@koroshjashnani]

great bring.

[@frankdearr2772]

hello, great video , thanks for sharing :) 👍

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Cheers!😎

[@dayyanhanif8493]

build soaring autonomus long range-durability UAV man thats cool

[@cicADA001]

very nice

[@andreyl2705]

wow project, as always)

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Cheers!😎

[@sumonsinha9722]

great, very useful

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Glad to hear that!

[@Rothammel1]

awesome my friend

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Cheers!

[@maxwildgeese]

Good👌✌️👏ottimo lavoro molto e dettagliato il miglior video di sempre grazie 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Cheers😎

[@peter360adventures9]

Awesome.

[@he_soy_am]

After that video moscow never sleeps

[@GhostRyderFPV]

Sir, I love seeing another build up from 'ya, the production quality belies the economical roots of the build, and always a _chill good time._ I wonder, though, if maybe incorporating a carbon wing spar would be a wise (minor) investment? RDQ is a great source. I've laminated foam FT-style wing spars (3:45) in the past with good results, also. There's a bit of wobble at the root, and a good amount of work and TLC I worry for ~¿ô

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Much appreciated!

[@TheCoryReport]

Love the work you are doing, I am very inspired to make similar planes. So firstly thank you for posting this stuff because it is so helpful. I want to ask, what is your reason for not designing any kind of landing gear? The main thing I wonder is how bad it hurts aerodynamic efficiency for even really light non-retractable gear? Not that this plane needs gear obviously! You and many others clearly do great without it but I am just very curious what your thoughts are since you have so much experience. Thanks again!

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Thanks man! Weird I see this awesome comment 6 months later. The main reason of not using landing gear is additional drag & weight. Since my planes are under 2kg and have an ESC with 'brake' settings (preventing spinning propeller at touchdown) they are designed as 'belly landers' meaning, hand-launch/fuselage-landing. If I design a plane with greater weights than 3kg, then I'm def. using landing gear

[@amandeepdroid]

Watting for next update

[@Glenn.J]

Great video Nathan. Can you please make launch videos of the maiden, and in general launch videos of these planes?

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Stay tuned for the coming flight video

[@katosembatya8353]

Amazing work here! I am interested in how you came up with the vehicle dimensions ? Thank you

[@carlosperez7015]

Awesome!!! Congratulations! I have almost everything to build except the strobe lights. Any link i can follow?

[@user-di8il8ks5i]

Thanks for sharing. Ideas to economise further, diy boom rods e.g. any type woven fabric, canvas, cotton; coat with pva glue or epoxy resin (poor-mans fibreglass) e.g. wrap fabric around the chosen mould, coat with glue or epoxy resin. Other ideas; make tubes, box sections from printer paper or re-purposed cardboard tube, plastic PVC pipe form ( might require mould release) - coating methods; dip it /brush on/ foam roll/spray. Use similar method to bond all connections and structural reinforcements.

[@user-di8il8ks5i]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b56kqYambMyGjtE

[@basemandog]

Excellent video Question: where can i get the carbon tubes? And what sizes for the boom and wings spars?

[@allansmits9621]

Very cool…keep the videos coming. I plan to build one of your plane designs, BUT where can one buy the Depron you use for the super light wings? If you’ve published that somewhere, I apologize for asking.

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Thanks man! I got it from an EU site I can't remember - You can search for XPS Foamboard as well for a lightweight wing

[@allansmits9621]

@@AeroStuffFPV Thank You! I’ll check out XPS online and report back.

[@luisamarchetti9059]

At least someone with the right brain. A simple, efficent, pragmatic and inexpensive airframe, no stupid flying wings, canards and so on.

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Cheers!😎

[@jamalcrick1500]

How far from the back of the fuse did you start the opening to hold the wing?

[@Johnny-tc6tz]

Great video Nathan I just subscribed to your channel , Question do you prefer the Matek F411 over the Matek 405 ?. I am going to get my feet wet into longrange flying and will be starting off with a simple plane that I currently have . alierons ,rudder & elevator . I will attempt to build one of your planes down the road. I enjoy building foam board planes .

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Thanks very much! I appreciate your comment🎖️ I’m (personally) more into the 405 series, because they got more UART ports & slightly better FC components (hardware, sensors, etc…)

[@zakiabdinasiromar5434]

Cool stuff Nathan 😎, do you have a background in Aerospace Engineering?

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Thanks man! Not yet. I'm getting there

[@NCCorruption]

That was very interesting thanks🙂🙂🙂

[@realmadrid5239]

how about uploading a video about explaining the design calculation involved in it .would be a great content.

[@wezob4569]

Bro excellent build but i was wondering if in a future video you can touch on the soldering that has to be done in order to prepare your flight controller for installation. Because that's the only thing that is keeping me back from investing in my first programmable flight controller. Much appreciated.

[@simonnaughton2272]

Wait, so you’re flying all direct control from the receiver today?

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Thanks! There are plenty of videos about that on the internet (How to solder a flight controller) - If you want a flight controller that you don't have to solder - I'd recommend getting the ZOHD Kopilot Lite. I've been using it since approx. 3 years and it's still solid these days!

[@wezob4569]

​@@AeroStuffFPVi do have a zohd Kopilot and I'm contemplating moving on to a programmable flight controller for fpv. So i just wanted some insight on what is required in order to make one fully operational namely what needs to be soldered etc. Your builds are what i use as my reference hence the reason I'm asking you.

[@medamine1035]

hi i like the design , can you please give us a tutorial how to design an aircraft ? i want to build one from my imagination :D

[@THEMADFLYER]

How long you been in the hobby my friend? good work😮

[@Mathew_22]

make one with solar, and a re-vab core so that you can pull up a screen at anytime and see the uav's view and so that it can fly forever

[@ogurchik006]

how do you land it without damaging the propeller? And can I use dji o3 air unit with this build?

[@sebastiangiray3614]

im a beginner at UAV. do you have tutorials in how to create the system and the things that needs to be program?, because in the video it shows only how to create the aircraft but not how does the system is built. i hope you can help me as i am passionate to be part of this hobby. THANK YOU!!!!

[@Rubydude]

Hey, amazing video. Im looking to build a long range rc plane. I was wondering what range you get with the receiver and transmitter linked in the description. Thanks

[@AeroStuffFPV]

My build get’s beyond 7km

[@Graybear78]

Could you share where you get your depron foam? We have been unable to find it. Thank you.

[@thegoosefpv201]

Great plane. Have you though about making it a twin tractor? Maybe I’ll try it

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Would be too nose heavy - Making it a twin pusher (motors behind wing) is a better solution

[@goku445]

Brilliant! What is your range on the X8R? I had all kinds of issues with those before I switched to more modern radio systems.

[@AeroStuffFPV]

6.2km so far - Still unknown what my maximum distance could be.

[@goku445]

@@AeroStuffFPV Wow.

[@javierlaragarcia3637]

Hello, I find this video quite fascinating. Your drones look amazing and incredible. I intend to make one like the one in this video, but I want to make it smaller, around 80 to 100cm from wingtip to wingtip instead of the 160cm you used. Now, for the distance of the carbon fiber tube, should I use the same measurement? Also, with the rear stabilizers, can I use the same measurements, or should I shorten them by a few centimeters? If so, how much would you recommend shortening the distance of the carbon tube (distance between the wings and the rear stabilizers), and how much would you recommend the rear stabilizers measure? Haha, I hope you can answer me.

[@AeroStuffFPV]

I appreciate your comment! If you downscale the wingspan, downscale everything with it (stabilizer, fuselage, carbon tailboom) The downscale percentage for your build (assuming 100cm wingspan) is 62.5% - With that percentage, downscale the fuselage length & stabilizer dimensions as well. - Good luck!

[@javierlaragarcia3637]

@@AeroStuffFPV Thank you very much! One last question, do you think that with a A2212 motor and 1045 propellers (10x4.5") I can achieve pushing a UAV with the same dimensions as the one you use in this video? Thanks!

[@bertrandgb2010]

Hi, I am impressed by your design! congratulations 👍👍👍. I have a question regarding the center of gravity (CG) : did you manage it to get it under the wing ? thks, Bertrand

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Thanks! The UAV isn’t flyable if the CG isn’t under the wing! It’s 25-33% from the leading edge.

[@bertrandgb2010]

Thanks

[@sherwoodp2738]

Where did you get the beacon/strobe light? Would you provide a link? Also, would it be possible to get a copy of your config file too? Thanks!

[@AeroStuffFPV]

All on AliExpress (Links are shared)

[@rahadyanmuhammad271]

Hi Is it neccesary for us to use ELRS receiver and radio for Long Range Autonomous?

[@raphajeb2181]

Hey. What about a camera setup with zoom on this uav ?😁

[@davidlee50]

Do you have full size patterns of the airfoils? .

[@user-pl8gu9qq5x]

How do you rule, but a sail and a tail that has a rotation that has not appeared

[@DinghyadventuresPl]

How does it perform compared to Silver Cloud?

[@StockiRC]

Hello, I'm from Brazil I appreciate your videos, could you teach me or just tell me which batteries you use to make your lithium packs, I saw someone videos saying that most have bay discharge and that attracts, Thanks a lot for the videos.

[@AeroStuffFPV]

I’m flying LiPo, not Li-Ions yet

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Cheers!😎

[@carlosperez7015]

Does the carbon fiber go thru the whole wing? End to end?

[@carlosperez7015]

What should the total length of the fuselage be from motor to tail?

[@morifpv6441]

It looks like great plane. Would you be so kind to share your Inav 6.1 settings?

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Cheers!😎 It’s in the next video. Stay tuned!

[@antonkolupaev42]

What software/laptops/ systems do you use to control the UAV? Thats the only thing ive seemed to miss. Is it a free program and should i buy a controller?

[@AeroStuffFPV]

All in the next video. Stay tuned!

[@allansmits9621]

Can you link me to a video of your that shows how to join the two wing halves? Also, do you have any alternative ways to attach the wings to the fuselage?

[@AeroStuffFPV]

See: Armin wing build video - or Peace Hawk Part 3 for wing attachment

[@Nabatram]

How much will the total cost be to make this plan?

[@mitseraffej5812]

Reliance on GPS navigation is a weakness for military applications. A mix of inertial and terrain mapping and recognition is required. The sensors for the terrain mapping also need to be both radar and optical. Match this with A.I. target recognition and selection and you have a winner.

[@AeroStuffFPV]

Indeed! This design is solely for FPV - But can be optimized for other applications (military, coastal observations, etc..)

[@DoctorMangler]

What a really great DIY project. You've done such a nice job all the way through. I like your use of carbon combined with foamy. I'm mostly from a 250 quad obstacle course background, and I've been exploring options to relay both video and signal from a mostly autonomous relay drone in a pattern. Thanks for the great video, the scenes you filmed of your bird in flight were really great, must have been a hell of a lot of fun rewarding work.