VTOL Basics Series (3/5): Control and motor testing, VTOL flights modes and maiden/transition plan

[@RubyS.1]

All the little things Ben explains from his experience are priceless especially near the end of the video. You guys looked like tiny kids next to that monster plane.

[@ddegn]

This is fantastic! I'm building a MFE Fighter myself. This is just the sort of information I need. Thank you @Painless360 and Ben.

[@jamesemery1]

looking forward to the flight. stay safe Lee

[@timlyon4231]

Hey Lee! What receiver and transmitter are you using for this project? I was also wondering if this VTOL build could be flown in auto pilot. Thanks, Cheers

[@Painless360]

Ben likes Frsky radios. All ardupilot craft are capable of autonomous flight... Happy flying!

[@ipinsatoru9848]

why when I do a motor test, the position is already disarmed, the motor won't move and we use firmware version 4.4.0 and there is no BRD_SAFETYENABLE parameter

[@EricJanOud]

To all that start to venture into VTOL territory: Stall speed varies with weight; something to consider if you do not want to risk your expensive camera equipment on a maiden flight or initial setup / tuning procedure. Once you add the weight of the equipment / payload, stall speeds will be higher (so you'll stall at a higher speed already) It would be more pure to use the angle of attack as a stall warning system, rather than indicated airspeed. Bu I also understand that that complicetes the setup, especially in a 4+1 situation (where would you put an AOA meter to reiably reflect the actual angle of attack...). So just at least be aware and add some margin for this effect.

[@SJV82]

Why wouldn't you just add the exact weight your camera equipment is going to weigh and tune it like that so the stall speed is in fact exactly right and then put your camera equipment on after it's tuned??

[@jwc4520]

My this iscclear enough for even an Oldman to understand. Well done, although I won't be using their moduals, just a tad beyond my retirement income. They make such wonderful toys. I will try a matek board, if I can find one ...good grief seems they are hard to find right now, could take the board out of the YRF-4E, since it's too fast for my aging reflexes.... nope took to long to set up. I see several references to matek 743, boards ...dang guess I'll be waiting to see what you pick. Take care.

[@MCsCreations]

You know, Lee, hearing to Ben explain the modes, I was thinking... I guess to implement it on iNav they would need 2 separate ways to set the PIDs, one for quad mode and other for airplane mode. You know? The PID loop I don't think so, it just would need to change what PID settings to use in each moment. But I don't really know, I'm just guessing. 😬 Anyway, thanks a lot for the video! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@Painless360]

INAV needs to quite a few things to support VTOL... Arduplane is the best way for now... Happy flying

[@XBKLYN]

What does Ben mean by having laminated the aircraft? Has the foam been covered in plastic or fiberglass?

[@JustGuna.RG1990]

Hi Lee, Great Video as always. I was wondering how easy is it to setup a quadcopter transition to plane with 4 servo ? Can i use pixhawk 2.4.8? I am really new to the transition thing.

[@Painless360]

The transitions are all configured in the Quadplane parameters in Ardupilot. Any flight controller that runs modern ardupilot should work... Best of luck

[@JustGuna.RG1990]

@@Painless360 Legend!

[@capigeorgevirtual]

Hello friend, how do I calibrate the ecs of the vtol. Thank you.

[@Painless360]

Covered in the video. Ben uses a digital servo checker to manually set them. See my ArduCopter series (kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6itf5uhdqxlmKc) for how I've done it in the past too..

[@adibbins]

Lee, have you decided on a platform for your build? I’d like to offer a suggestion of the Atomrc seal . It’s cheap, it has ply strengthening near where the vtol motor spares would mount. I guess the difference with Ben’s big plane, is it isn’t a tractor, but a pusher-ish. Just offering a suggestion!

[@Painless360]

Ice explained the plan to the Patreons and I think that you will like it! Stay turned!

[@olehiv]

Hi, thanks for the fantastic job you have done, much appreciated Is it possible to get your param file for reference?

[@Painless360]

Setup files are model and setup specific so I don't usually share them. However, a new modern VTOL build series is underway.. Stay tuned

[@olehiv]

@Painless360 the thing is I also picked MFE fighter as my first VTOL, and I'm trying to figure out some problems that I got testing it

[@sunlight8844]

great channel

[@dr0n3droid]

Did you see Tridge's VTOL autotune video last week? Looking very stable.

[@Painless360]

I haven't but great to hear of others sharing VTOL goodness. I hope he is sharing his complete setup process... The autotune process and maiden video for this model is in the playlist.. Happy flying!

[@fakhrealam2008]

I have a question regarding how to set value for initial PWM value as u set it to 1000 for motor 1, 2,3 and 4, in my servo setup its showing zero at the left, please advise, thanks.

[@Painless360]

Throttle range can be described in a number of ways 1000-2000, 0-100% etc. Full steps shown in the series..

[@fakhrealam2008]

Thanks let me check, I have another, I have regular i2c airspeed sensor and pixhawk 2.4.1 GPS module, seems like connector used in orange cube will not work, what is the best way to use my pixhawk 2.4 GPS and airspeed i2c sensor with cube, any suggestions, thanks.

[@Painless360]

You need to get hold of the right connectors and modify the wiring. Best of luck!

[@fakhrealam2008]

@@Painless360 that was I was thinking, thanks.

[@tomleonard1533]

Fascinating thanks

[@mikegriffiths7487]

Hi Lee, could you give us a heads up about which airframe you are going to base the build on? Would help for any of us planning to build along.

[@Painless360]

More on that when we get to the next series... Stay tuned!

[@nevillecreativitymentor]

Hi .. which is the part where you tell the size of Motor and PRop for a given weight ?

[@Painless360]

It is the same principle as picking a motor and prop combo for a multirotor. Figure the all up weight of the model and then double that. Divide that number by the number of props/motors you will use and pick a motor and prop that will give you that max thrust.. See my other videos on it. Best of luck!

[@lewismcgarry1349]

thank you :)

[@prathameshkalaskar9250]

My motors aren't spinning what might be the problem?

[@Painless360]

What troubleshooting have you already done? Have you followed all the steps in this VTOL basics series?

[@sunlight8844]

Nice

[@gpopsk]

what is the param for prop assistance i forgot

[@Painless360]

Covered later in the series... Q_ASSIST_SPEED and others. See ardupilot.org/plane/docs/parameters.html - Best of luck

[@AbhishekThakur-te7re]

Great sir which is your country sir ❤️❤️

[@Painless360]

Why do you ask?