Sneak preview: Remotely piloted eight-engined ‘Octocopter’ imaging platform to make Farnborough first at International Airshow 2010 press day.
The Falcon 8 sUAS (small unmanned aerial system), a compact remotely-piloted eight-motored ‘octocopter’, will be demonstrated at the Farnborough International Airshow 2010 in July.
It will also be the focus of attention when it is demonstrated indoors by pilot Mike Smith at the Airshow launch press event being held at Farnborough on Wednesday 12 May 2010.
The Falcon 8 is a small electrically powered, eight-rotored aerial platform (an ‘octocopter’) that relies on precise computer control of each motor to allow it to actually fly. When combined with GPS and inertial measurement unit the craft can hold position in winds of up to 20mph.
For the pilot this is like ‘pinning’ the aircraft to a point in the sky, reducing workload and allows the pilot more time to concentrate on the mission.
The aircraft is equipped with a gyro-stabilised high definition camera and can capture video and still images. It is typically used for bridge and building inspections, enabling clients to reach and record high points of structures during initial conditional surveys without the use of a rope access company.
During flight a telemetry link relays what the camera sees to a small screen on the ground so that the operator can frame images optimally. The ground system also sounds out altitude and displays battery voltage and heading.
At the main event in July and flying outdoors, YellowPlane will be unveiling the 1.5m wingspan carbon fibre Boomerang. The flying wing is equipped with an AttoPilot autopilot and is capable of 2 hour flight times, cruising at 85 kmh.
About YellowPlane and Flying Scotscam
Flying Scotscam and Yellowplane joined forces in 2007 to create a full-service fixed wing and rotary sUAS operation.
YellowPlane is the European and African agent for AttoPilot autopilots systems providing fixed wing survey solutions that provide greater endurance over wider areas and at higher altitudes.
Yellowplane’s autonomous flying wing platforms are currently involved in coastal research and mapping in the USA and UK, environmental monitoring tasks in South Africa and agricultural mapping in Australia.
The Falcon 8 complements other multi-rotor platforms operated by Flying Scotscam, the imaging and earth sensing arm of UK-based consultancy and sUAS hire company YellowPlane.
YellowPlane is also the European and African agent for AttoPilot autopilots.
Contact
Gary Mortimer, Managing Director at YellowPlane
Email: gary@yellowplane.co.uk
Tel: 0778 6404129
Web: http://www.yellowplane.co.uk
Mike Smith, Director of Operations at Flyingscotscam.
Email flyingscotscam@me.com
Tel 0792 3388631
Web: http://www.flying-scots-cam.com
