GoPro HD Hero mounted on a Phase 3 Squall RC plane

First off, this was my 9th flight after 15 years of no RC flying. Was very active back then both building and flying. When I saw the Squall on YT a few months back I really couldn't resist the concept. Love it so far, superb handling and stability. Unless of course you mess up the CG but if you manage to accomplish that you deserve a Darwin award, really. Helping me launch for this flight is one of the older gentlemen in Vallentuna Modellflygklubb.

This is my first flight with the camera mounted and was just getting a feel for the plane with the extra weight, added drag and worsened handling. A short test run with a empty camera housing assured me that the model was flyable and aerodynamically stable. Landed and threw in the camera to continue on the same battery with about 3½ minutes running time remaining.

Did some vertical climbs and yo-yos. The plane lose 20-25% of top speed (a guesstimate) with the camera mounted and the thrust to weight ratio takes a noticeable hit. It's not capable of vertical accelerated climbs with the cam mounted and lateral stability is also impacted negatively but not severely so. The thrust vectoring system is really handy as loss of control is never a serious risk. Unless something else in the control system fail of course haha. These RC systems are never 100% reliable and God knows we humans aren't either. So who knows really. :)

This flight ends with controlled flight into terrain, and very intentionally hehe. Was going for the high grass because it softens the impact somewhat. On short grass the model bounces too much and while it's built for the impact I did not want to strain the airframe too much. I have strengthened the leading edges of the wings with clear plastic tape to make them more durable for repeated high-grass landings. The plane is fine, no damage whatsoever. These models are built to take this kind of abuse.

More to follow. Hopefully will get some film on flatspins and inverted flying in later flights. Will try mounting the cam viewing backwards as well. The rear view should provide some interesting footage of control surfaces and a good ground view during vertical climbs.

Fly safe out there wherever you are whatever you fly, blue skies and happiness! :)



Plane specifications:
Phase 3 - Squall
4 cell LiPo 2500 mAh
Engine, engine controller & fan is stock from the kit
Weight, don't know yet. With the camera it'd be nice to have some more power. Power at launch is critical.
Custom paint, will show in a later film.
The air intake visible just left below the canopy is for air cooling the battery and engine controller.

Transmitter
Multiplex Royal Pro 9
RX7 Dual Reciever 2.4 GHz
servos 3 x Power HD-1900A 9 gram ea, 1.5 kg/cm


Camera:
GoPro HD Hero, Helmet kit
32 GB SD card
Film recorded in 1280x720 resolution with a file size of 281 MB the compression rate is pretty good in MP4 format. View angle at this resolution is 170 degrees.

This film was recorded at Vallentuna Modellflygklubb (Gullbrofältet) in Vallentuna. Just next to the RC field there is a private grass strip and you can see a parked C47 in the film.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• VMFK
• GoPro
• Phase 3 Squall
• Squall!
• Squall
• Vectored Thrust
• onboard camera
• GoPro HD Hero
• RC plane
• Electric Ducted Fan
• EDF
• onboard RC camera
• RC flying
• Multiplex Royal Pro 9

[johnw5734]

Wow! The HD is nice. I love my regular GoPro but this camera great!

[Allexxx96Reloaded]

what is the wing loading on this plane?

[starlite2991]

4.35 crash landing

[BlackTwister999]

aaaaaaah that sounds hurt, it reminds me with the dentist :X :S

[Mavrk6]

very cool. Loved the landing!

anyway nice flying!

tell the JG11 guys Mav said "HI"