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Apr 30, 2023 Flight Test

Apr 30, 2023 Flight Test

Owned by Hardy Yu, created
Last updated: 2023-04-30 by Anthony Luo
6 min read

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

 Flight Preparation

Requested by:

Required Sub-teams

Mech
Electrical
EFS
CV
Operation
Sys-Int

Requested Date

Jan 25, 2023

Location and Time

WRESTRC From 12:00 pm to 6:00pm

Summary & Goals

Validate the ICRAUS Airframe;

Test Houston autonomy with QR Code integration

Approved?

Yes / Pending / No

 Required Persons During Test

Name

Phone #

Role

Reason

Name

Phone #

Role

Reason

 

 

Flight Test Lead

  • Creating documentation

  • Booking the test flight

  • Creating a thread in #flight-staging

 @Anthony Luo

 

 Pilot in Command

  • Aircraft preparation

  • Filling out documentation

 

 

Safety

  • Making sure everyone is safe

  • Bringing Med kit

@Megan Spee

 

Secondary Pilot

 

 Other Attendees

Name

Role

Name

Role

 

 

 

 

Drivers & Seat Arrangement

Driver

Vehicle Type

Passenger

Driver

Vehicle Type

Passenger

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Success criteria

Tests

Success Criteria

Requirements

Outcome

Tests

Success Criteria

Requirements

Outcome

Quad mode take off

  • The drone is able to take off and obedient to the control

  • correct configuration

Video transfer system

  • we see the the first person view video from ground station and goggles

  • system set up

 

Push Propeller Test

  • the back propeller function correctly and help the drone move more quickly

  • motor test

 

Testing Timeline

Date/Time

Action

Date/Time

Action

Apr 28, 2023

Aircraft Assembly

Apr 28, 2023

Pre-flight Preparation

Apr 30, 2023 10:00 am

Required persons for preflight preparation show up at bay

Flight test lead breifly assign task for preparation work

Apr 30, 2023 11:30 am

Flight brief from flight test lead

Apr 30, 2023 11:45 am

Loading onto the Car

Take your water bottle with you. Go washroom before we leave!

Apr 30, 2023 12:00 pm

Drive to the test ground

Apr 30, 2023 12:30 pm

Flight Testing

Apr 30, 2023 4:00 pm

Debrief

Test#1

Quad Sanity Check

  • Purpose is the validate the software configuration and hardware setup

  • If anything goes wrong, then it needs to be fixed before the next flight test

Test#2

Quad with Push Propeller Aisstant

  • No fully fixed wings

  • instead we fly with in quad mode with push propeller on to assist our drone fly faster

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

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

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

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

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.

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)
Drone batteries & spares
Transmitter batteries
Battery tester/indicator
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
Spare foam
hot glue gun w/ hot glue stick
harnesses
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)
Airframe payload
Spare parts
Props
Airframe components (landing struts, arms, etc)
wings nuts
prop nuts
any detached components such as angle mount
props for other aircrafts such as Houston
Hardware to assemble these components
Electronics
ESCs
Motors
Flight controllers
Receiver
Flight Code Flashed
Ground station Software updated

Pre-Departure Checklist

Take the WREST RC entrance card
Grab Pre-departure Items
Battery charger and associated cables(30tx to 60tx)
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
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

Pre-flight Safety Checklist

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

Post-Flight Checklist

Item

Owner

Item

Owner

Use Flight-Post Mortem to Debrief

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT

Discard of damaged batteries

 

Discharge used batteries for better longevity

 

Flight Test Post Mortem

General list of events

  1. Saturday full throttle tests

  2. Saturday signal integrity checks

  3. Saturday camera equipment not working in 1401. worked in bay later.

  4. Sunday QStabilize WO @ e7

  5. Sunday QAltHold (QHover) WO

  6. Sunday QLoiter WO

  7. moved to innovation park ion station parking lot thing.

  8. qautotune w/wings.

  9. experienced rapid descent nearing completion of autotune D for roll.

    1. had a battery failsafe, aircrfat was configured to take no action.

    2. 3d prints only items broken

    3. rear-right dipped a bit.

 

  • Drone still flyable for comp.

    • no prop-strikes

    • No broken electronics

    • No broken hardware (except landing gear)

  • It Hovers

  • did not get destroyed on crash

  • Position hold is accurate

  • NO SI issues on control surfaces

  • GPS Blending worked

  •  

  • drone is very hard to control. basically a giant cow.

  • Arming checks were turned off

  • One NEOM8 can’t acquire fix.

  • LED Wires in a bag.

  • Pixhawk wires slightly loose.

  • Wing spar location shifted during transport.

    • plugs concentric, wings not. everything shifts a bit.

  •  

  • We did a rapid unplanned descent.

  • No dataflash logs (no SD cards)

  •  

RCA for Red Items

Create a RCA and keep it as a child page.

Action Items

Check rear right motor….. signal integrity
Rebuild landing gear + cabin.
Re-run autotune tomorrow.
Power module callibration (voltage/current).
Pre-arm configurations / checks.
printing spares of parts.
Run through checklists before next flights.

Other Resources

Future timeline:

Packing starts Tuesday → fully packed on vehicles Tuesday Eve.

Run Autotune before then, ideally.

Booking WRESTRC Field

WRESTRC

 

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