52km/32mi Autonomous Cross Country Flight

Mission accomplished!

The objective was to fly 43km cross country (take off in one location and land in another) and prove that this kind of long range endurance / autonomous flight / chase car was possible.

The first take off was pretty rough, the cold reduced the bungee's pulling power and impaired my ability to feel the bungee's tension. It skidded on the ground and nearly destroyed the prop.

After reattaching the prop, I took it off and tested it manual mode. It passed my stress test, so I set it on it's mission.

It flew perfectly the entire trip, and covered 52km. We landed it in a remote field a few miles south of Joplin, Missouri.

Flight Stats:
Ground Covered: 52.2km/32.4mi
Duration: 37.5 min
Watt Hours: 89.4 (8.1Ah at 11.1v)
Avg Amp Draw: 12.9A
Avg Ground Speed: 83.6kph/52.0mph
Efficiency: 584m/Wh or 6.5km/Ah or 154mah/Km
Max altitude AGL: 122m
Max ground speed: 61mph
Max distance from ground station: 311m/0.2mi

See you next week!

-Trent

Safety note: I maintained line of sight during this flight, and had my controller close by to take manual control as needed. The altitude read over 120m, but elevation increased during flight. True AGL for the flight is 100-120m. I avoided all airports and populated areas.

Raptor 140b Stats:
Weight: 1780g
Max Flight Time: 50min
Max Range: 50km
Stall Speed: 30kph
Cruise Speed: 100kph
Max Speed: 135kph
Radio Range: 1.5km
Energy Carried: 111wh (10,000mAh at 11.1v)
Drive Power: 850w

The equipment used---
Raptor 140 airplane: http://store.mygeekshow.com/product-p/raptor-140-kit.htm

Radio Tx: ParkeFlyer Turnigy 9x Tx: http://parkeflyer.com/
Telemtry: 915mhz 100mW 3DR http://store.3drobotics.com/products/3dr-radio-telemetry-kit-915-mhz
Laptop: Compaq Presario CG57
GPS Dongle: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000PKX2KA/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?redirect=true&ref_=oh_details_o02_s00_i00

Flight Controller: APM2.6 https://store.3drobotics.com/products/apm-2-6-kit-1
Reciever: 6ch FlySky http://www.hobbypartz.com/79p-r6b-receiver.html
Telemtry: 915mhz 100mW 3DR http://store.3drobotics.com/products/3dr-radio-telemetry-kit-915-mhz
Battery: (2) 5.0Ah 20C Turnigy Lipo: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__9184__turnigy_5000mah_3s_20c_lipo_pack.html
ESC: 60A Brushless http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__32820__TURNIGY_Plush_60amp_Speed_Controller_USA_Warehouse_.html
Motor: 3542 1450kv brushless http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=38700
Prop: 10x7 Carbon Fiber Folding http://www.hobby-lobby.com/10x7_carbon_fiber_cam_blade_798_prd1.htm
Servos: 11g digital http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=42620
Onboard camera: http://www.ebay.com/itm/16-V2-Lens-D-808-Key-Chain-Video-Camera-/380627482427?#ht_5755wt_1149

Learn More:
Raptor Details: http://www.mygeekshow.com/theairplanes/Raptor140.html
USA Trip Details: http://www.mygeekshow.com/usatrip/

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Filmed, Edited, Produced and Published by Trent in Arkansas, USA