book

Getting Started with Drones

by Terry Kilby, Belinda Kilby

October 2015

Beginner

203 pages

4h 15m

English

Make: Community

Read now

Unlock full access

The First Book of Its KindThe Book’s GoalConventions Used in This BookSafari® Books OnlineHow to Contact Us
Some DefinitionsWho Is This Book For?The Drone User CommunityBrief History of Autonomous FlightRC Model AirplaneThe Advent of MicrochipsThe Technology of DronesThe Launch of GPSInternetThe SmartphoneSmall Autopilot Flight ControllerPrinciples of FlightWeight/GravityLiftDragThrustFlight Maneuvers: Aircraft Movement with Stick MappingThrottleYaw/RudderPitchRoll
What Is an Airframe?Thrust VectoringAircraft DesignsMaterialsKeeping It BalancedBuilding the Little Dipper AirframeStep-by-Step Build InstructionsStep 1: Install the StandoffsStep 2: Complete the Dirty Frame AssemblyStep 3: Assemble the Clean FrameStep 4: Attach the Two Subframes Together
PropellersDirectionSize and PitchBalancing PropsMotorsSizeskV RatingPairing with the Right PropsTotal LiftElectronic Speed ControllersFlight BatteryStep-by-Step Build InstructionsStep 1: Mount the Power Distribution Board (PDB)Step 2: Solder on the Bullet ConnectorsStep 3: Mount the Speed ControllersStep 4: Solder up the Power SupplyStep 5: Mount Brushless MotorsStep 6: Connect Brushless MotorsStep 7: Clean UpWrapping Up
What Is a Flight Controller?Open Source Versus Closed SourceSensorsFlight CharacteristicsSoftware AssistantStep-by-Step Build InstructionsStep 1: Mount the Flight ControllerStep 2: Wire up the Flight Controller OutputsStep 3: Attach the Two Subframes to Each OtherWrapping Up
GPSFlight ModesCompassBattery MonitorStep-by-Step Build InstructionsStep 1: Mount the GPS PuckStep 2: Connect GPS and Compass to the APMStep 3: Install the Battery MonitorWrapping Up
What Is a Transmitter?Most Common Frequency BandsDifferent Modes Around the WorldPWM Versus PPMStep-by-Step Build InstructionsStep 1: Identify What You NeedStep 2: Mount the ReceiverStep 3: Plug in the Receiver
Software Monitoring and ControlStep-by-Step Build InstructionsStep 1: Mount the Ground Station RadioStep 2: Prep the Aircraft Radio for MountingStep 3: Plug in the RadioStep 4: Mount the Aircraft Radio
Popular Drone CamerasMicro Four Thirds CamerasThe Mobius ActionCamFPV for a Live StreamStep-by-Step Build InstructionsStep 1: Fasten the Camera MountStep 2: Attach the Vibration Isolation PlateStep 3: Place the Camera in the Quick-Release Mount
Step-by-Step Build InstructionsStep 1: Update FirmwareStep 2: Connect and Complete Mandatory SetupStep 3: Optional HardwareLet’s Explore the Rest of Mission PlannerFlight ModesGeo FenceBasic TuningExtended TuningStandard ParamsFlight DataFlight PlanPreparing for Your Maiden Flight

Above All Is SafetyTraining and EducationResourcesImportant LinksKey Flight Safety RulesFirst-Person ViewWhere and When to FlyPreflight Checklist and Flight Log InformationAircraft InspectionFlight and Maintenance LogsLaws and Regulations
Beneficial DronesAerial PhotographyMapping and SurveyingPrecision AgricultureSearch and RescueInfrastructure InspectionConservation
Add a Camera and First-Person ViewCollect More Data with Other SensorsAltering Speed: Ready, Set, Race!Increasing Flight TimesTroubleshooting in the Drone CommunityThank You!

Content preview from Getting Started with Drones

Preface

We are Belinda and Terry Kilby. We are drone enthusiasts, aerial photographers, makers, trainers, and a husband–wife team. By combining lives, we also combined our strengths and passions for technology and art. Since 2010, we have been designing and building small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for artistic and practical aerial photography through our company, Elevated Element. As early adopters, we became the unofficial spokespeople for UAV technology for the media in our region. We keep up with the advancements in hardware, software, and drone news stories, so we can represent drone builders and users in an artistic and innovative light.