Ensure Incident Procedures, driver lists, etc. are completed
Ensure all items in Week-Before and Day-Before checklist are complete
Pre-Flight Systems Review:
Review all systems, and complete checklists to ensure systems are functioning as expected
9:00am
Pre-Departure Preparation:
Complete all pre-departure checklist items
1110:15am45am
Flight brief from flight test lead
Outline what is being tested, responsibilities of all participants, incident procedures, and general coordination.
11:30am
Loading onto the Car
Take your water bottle with you. Go washroom before we leave!
11:45pm
Drive to the test ground
12:00-3:00pm
Flight Testing
3:30pm
Debrief
🧯 Aircraft Incident Procedures
Test #1
Quad mode takeoff/landing w/ flat mounts
assert that system is stable & both pilots are comfortable with the controls.
Test #2
Quad mode YAW control w/flat mounts
Test to see how much yaw control we have, which is basically the drone correctly responds to our left/right instruction
Success if drone give correct respond and appropiate yaw throttle
The test is first done without wings then with wings
Test #3
Quad mode takeoff/landing w/angled mounts
similar test with angled mounts, this should give more throttle on yaw
Test #4
Quad mode yaw control w/angled mounts
first done without wings then with wings
Test #5
Buddy box
control handover in all altitude
both pilot have the control to the rc link
After one pilot delivers the control, the other pilot should has the control of the drone
Test #6
Battery VS Flight time measurement. Recharge batteries if needed
Measure the amount of the time the batteries were used in the previous tests and come out with an estimation of batteries life
we probably need to go back to bay in this process to recharge batteires for an hour since we don’t have spare ones🫠
Houston Test
While batteries are under charging, the group of ppl on wrest rc can conduct the test for Houston
Test #7
Transition & Fixed Wing Flight (brief, 1 circle)
Trasition will take place in a straight line
After the trasition is done, the drone should fly in fixed wing for one circle, the return to quad mode
during this process, making sure the drone maintain altitude and flight forward while avoid other people
TODO: the flight path needs to be determined
Test #8
Transition & Fixed Wing Flight second pilot
repeat everything with second pilot
Test #9
Fixed wing “waypoint” navigation
Setup a destination on mission planner and run the drone in autopilot
Wait is the fixed wing or quad? I suppose this should be quad.
drone maintain altitude all the time
TODO: the waypoint needs to be determined
Test #10
Quad Mode RTL
Quad mode to RTL. Start close and then move further away.
to see if it autoland
Test #11
Fix wing in a whole circle
Once again, we are looking for checking the drone responds correctly to our control in fix wing. Fly in a whole circle under fix wings will be tested
Test #12
Transition to fix wing then RTL
Fly the drone away-> transition to fix wings-> RTL
we expect the drone transition to quad and autoland
but this is risky and we don’t know what’s gonna happen. Also the batteries may not support us to do this test, so this might move to 18th flight test
3:30pm
Debrief
🔧 Week-Before To-Do List
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Week Before Checklist
Drone Registration
Flight test location booked
Pilot scheduled
Test Plan (What we are testing)
This should also include the flight path where applicable
Subteam action items (for flight readiness)
Transportation logistics finalized
Booking SDC vehicles
Assigning drivers
Renting any needed equipment (trailer? generator? etc.)
...
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Day Before Checklist
SDC Vehicle key collected (if required)
Batteries Planned for (DON”T LEAVE CHARGING OVERNIGHT)
Drone batteries & spares
Transmitter batteries
On-site kit together
First Aid Kit
Ground station / Laptop
Antenna / Receivers
Transmitter
Extra Water
Power cords / Extension cables
Wrenches
Allen keys
Knives
Tape
Rope/string
Zip/Velcro ties
Radios
Safety goggles
Fire extinguisher
Airfame assembled
ESCs/flight controller wired
Radio equipment tested
Channel mappings
Flight modes
Motors tested
Wiring secured (Harnessing)
End to end test (neglecting props)
Check the center of gravity
All components not on the airframe that are required should be in the flight box (e.g. props & prop nuts)
Airfame payload
Spare parts
Props
Airframe components (landing struts, arms, etc)
Hardware to assemble these components
Electronics
ESCs
Motors
Flight controllers
Receiver
Flight Code Flashed
Ground station Software updated
...
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Pre-Departure Checklist
Take WREST RC entrance card
Check battery status
Charge if required, otherwise place into flight box
Systems test
Check flight controller orientation
Check motor spin & rotation direction
Check transmitter mappings
Verify communication links (VTX/RX, Controller, Groundstation)
Verify the mission planner is logging data
Airframe shake testing
Only attach props directly before flight (keep off at all other times)
Get snacks
Mission Briefing
Read the flight plan to the team (that was made a week ago)
Purpose of flight
Plan of action
Success criteria
Delegate and brief on flight line roles
Safety Briefing
Key flight characteristics to observe
Key system characteristics to observe
Measurements to be made
...
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Pre-Flight Inspection
Air Frame
Check all antennas, ensuring they are secure and in good condition
Check the battery emplacement and secure attachment and ensure there are no cracks
Check that all lights are operating normally
Check that all sensors are secured and clear of any obstructions
Check that the GPS is receiving satellites and providing a navigation solution
For fixed wing aircraft, Check:
Wings, ensuring they are securely attached to fuselage
Wing leading edge surfaces
Top and bottom of wing surfaces
Wing tip surfaces
Read of wing and all flight control surfaces for freedom of movement, security and any skin damage
For rotary aircraft:
Inspect top and bottom of air frame arms for cracks, loose parts, or signs of damage
Check fluid levels and ensure no leaks if applicable
Control Surfaces
Ensure Elevator moves correctly
Ensure Ailerons move correctly
Ensure Rudder moves correctly
Landing Gear
Check landing gear is secure
Inspect skids or wheels, especially attachment points
Power plant
Cowling or motor casing
Security of engine mounts
Presence of any cracks
All wiring and connectors, ensure no cracks, loose connectors, or chaffing
Propellers / Rotors
Ensure propeller is secured
Check for nicks, chips or cracks
Ensure prop direction is correct
Batteries
Inspect to ensure there is no signs of swelling, external leaking or other defects
Battery wiring and connectors from the battery are connected securely
Batteries (and spares) are adequately charged
Wires are not pinched
Control Station / Receivers / Transmitter
The battery and spare batteries if required are adequately charged
Control Station device and cables are properly connected and functioning
All flight interfaces are functioning normally
Safety
Good visibility and safe wind speed
Surrounding is free of obstacles
Crew far from drone
General Site Survey
Are there other people on the property
Ground Recording / drone footage on
Autopilot
Control surfaces respond to autopilot in the correct manner
Transitions between flight modes have expected effect
Return-to-home systems, if present, have been configured
🧯 Aircraft Incident Procedures
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ICARUS Emergency Procedures
Emergency Procedures:
Imminent Emergency: 911
Privacy offence: Local police
Fly away or loss of control - Local Aviation Authority (Refer to CFS)
This applies to both vertical and horizontal fly aways
Warning
Control Station Failure
In the event of a control station failure, the following steps should be taken:
Attempt to restart the transmitter
Use spare transmitter to communicate to drone
If unable to establish communication with the drone, follow lost link procedures
Warning
Equipment Failure
Battery
Do not fly if the battery appears dead or a problem is suspected. Puffy batteries should be ignored
Transmitter should be verified before flight
Props
Ensure in flight worthy condition (ex: no dings, etc)
Control Surfaces
Smooth, verify servo control, pushrod integrity
Warning
RPA Failure
In the event of an RPA failure, the drone should be disarmed - this will stop all motors. The following steps should be followed:
Secure the area where the RPA will land
Do NOT fly the drone over an area where the RPA can unexpectedly land for this reason. Thus, flying over people is NOT permitted in this drone
Secure the drone and disconnect the battery
Do NOT fly the drone until inspected
Warning
Lost Link
In the event of loss of transmitter link, the pixhawk will activate return to home mode. If the RTH mode does not engage, initiate fly away procedures
Warning
Fly Away
In the event a fly-away occurs (both vertical and horizontal), the following procedures should be taken:
Attempt to regain communication by following lost link procedures
If unsuccessful, record last heading, speed, and altitude
Additionally, know the last battery level to estimate flight time
Alert local aviation authorities about new flight path and potential conflicts
Warning
Flight Termination
The flight may be terminated by disarming the drone - this will stop all motors. This should be used with caution as the aircraft will be rendered inoperable and unable to glide under control.
