Apr 09, 2023 Flight Test

Owned by Hardy Yu, created
Last updated: 2023-11-26 by Daniel Puratich
6 min read

Make sure to update the Title following the format “Jan 01, 2020 Flight Test”

 Flight Preparation

Requested by:

@Hardy Yu

Required Sub-teams

Mech
Electrical
EFS
CV
Operation
Sys-Int

Requested Date

Jan 25, 2023

Location and Time

WREST RC Traning Ground 12 - 6 pm

Summary & Goals

Cornflake fixed-wing transition / ICARUS frame validation

Approved?

Yes / Pending / No

 Required Persons During Test

Name

Role

Name

Role

 @Daniel Puratich

Flight Test Lead

 @Anthony Luo

 Pilot in Command

@Ayoung Eun

Safety

@Megan Spee

Secondary Pilot

 Other Attendees

Name

Role

Name

Role

@R D

Driver Only

@Hardy Yu

Flight Test Coordinator

@Yuchen Lin

EFS

@Sohee Yoon

Mech

@Hamza Ali

SysInt

 

 

 

 

Drivers & Seat Arrangement

Driver

Vehicle Type

Passenger

Driver

Vehicle Type

Passenger

@R D

SDC Dodge Caraven

 Cornflakes @Daniel Puratich

@Anthony Luo

SDC Dodge Pickup

  @Ayoung Eun @Yuchen Lin

@Megan Spee

Personal vehicle

 @Hamza Ali @Hardy Yu

 

 Success criteria

Tests

Success Criteria

Requirements

Outcome

Tests

Success Criteria

Requirements

Outcome

Fixed Wing Transition

Aircraft is able to successfully perform the transition from quad to fixed wing flight, and back.

The mechanical design of the aircraft need to allow the it to reach minimum transition speed.

 

Fixed Wing Flight

Aircraft is able to fly in a fixed-wing configuration without issue

Cornflakes should be ready to fly, as outlined by all pre-flight checks

 

Landing via Ardupilot

The Return to Land function successfully bring the aircraft to the designated landing spot and land

The fixed wing should be validate first before this test

 

 

Testing Timeline

Date/Time

Action

Date/Time

Action

Apr 6, 2023

Aircraft Assembly

Apr 7, 2023

Pre-flight Preparation

Apr 8, 2023 9:30 am

Required persons for preflight preparation show up at bay

Flight test lead breifly assign task for preparation work

Apr 8, 2023 11:15 am

Flight brief from flight test lead

Apr 8, 2023 11:30 am

Loading onto the Car

Apr 8, 2023 11:45 am

Drive to the test ground

Apr 8, 2023 12:00

Flight Testing

Apr 8, 2023 3:30 pm

Debrief

Aircraft Incident 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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Week-Before To-Do List

Drone Registration

Drone Registration Number:

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.)

Day-Before To-Do List

SDC Vehicle key collected (if required)
Batteries Planned for (DON'T LEAVE CHARGING OVERNIGHT)
On-site kit together
Airfame assembled
ESCs/flight controller wired
Radio equipment tested
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)
Airframe payload
Spare parts
Flight Code Flashed
Ground station Software updated

Pre-Departure Checklist

Pre-flight Safety Checklist

Post-Flight Checklist

Item

Owner

Item

Owner

All Members to be Present

 

 

Flight Test Post Mortem - Apr 08

Flight Test Post Mortem - Apr 09

RCA for Red Items

Create a RCA and keep it as a child page.

Action Items - Apr 08

 

Action Items - Apr 09

Other Resources

Booking WRESTRC Field

WRESTRC