Having learnt from our recent experiences with our remote imagery support service developement phase using our current UAS the microdrone MD4-200, we  have been down selecting options for a future air vehicle. Now we understand the payload capacities for a future air vehicle, today we set out looking at options for FLIR, video and still cameras.

We are looking at optimising weight against image quality. Any solution would need operating remotely from the ground.  Remote control will require the camera to be pointed at a target and if possible for stills, shutter control from the remote position.

The number of solutions available is making the task  of identifying options for cameras more difficult than selecting the airvehicle. Any advice is welcomed. (info@ajs-support.co.uk) We will post our progress here.

Many thanks for the update of the Falcon 8 air vehicle option from Stefan Eichhorn of Ascending Technologies GmbH.

The Falcon 8 details in the options matrix in the previous posting. Here.

FALCON 8

For more information on the Falcon 8 contact:

Ascending Technologies GmbH
Konrad-Zuse-Bogen 4
82152 Krailling, Germany

Tel:     +49 (0)89 – 89 55 60 79-10
Web:     http://www.asctec.de

We have been procrastinating for too long over the updating of our A J S Support Limited website. We have at last employed the services of local professionals to update and host a new website.

From Dec 09 onwards we will be operating a newer more efficient and effective website delivered by Animedia Studios Ltd – http://www.animediastudios.com/

Please feel free to have a look around the site in December 09, all feedback is encouraged.

We are looking to invest in additional equipment to replace or complement our current Remote Imagery Support service system. Support service developement identified some key shortfalls with the current equipment capability for the Survey and Security Support services we aim to provide. With our recent experience, knowledge and lessons learnt from operating the microdrone, we have been looking at a number of types of air vehicles ranging from 2, 4 and 8 rotor solutions.

 QUAD COPTER SOLUTIONS

 THE TRADITIONAL AND THE OCTO COPTER SOLUTIONS

MD4-1000, MD4-200, DRAGANFLY X6

We are planning to select the new equipment by the end of this year, for procurement as soon as possible in the new year. The types of equipments we are considering have reasonable lead times so we need to work fast to have a service up and delivering early in the New Year.

FALCON 8, SR 20, KESTREL 1000ES

For more information and an idea of our thoughts so far, visit our microdrone operators log at  http://microdrones.wordpress.com/

We have been experiencing random closure of the md cockpit application for our MD4-200 drone. Because of this we had been keeping an eye on the microdrones GmbH website and updated our mdCockpit application with the latest version (website current – mdCockpit V2.4.4.6) to see if this would help with a number of issues with the system.

We are posting to let other operators know that we found out on Friday that there is a newer version of mdCockpit available  and were given a copy of mdCockpit V2.5.8.8 dated 24/09/09 by the UK suppliers MW Power Limited.  Operators that have never updated mdCockpit need to be made aware that previous versions have saved flight files in different locations.

We do not know what the new version changes are, but we will post if this has any noticeable effects on the system operation.

Remote Imagery Support Service (RISS) developement.

Whilst we have been awaiting the return of our batteries, we have been preoccupied generating funds to finance additional or replacement equipment. As a parallel activity we have been looking at some options for future equipment. I am writing this entry in hope that interested parties may feel the urge to comment or email in order to correct, agree or discuss the approach and our results so far.

I will emphasise at this stage that this activity is purely as an activity for our decision making process for the procurement of new equipment. The requirements are aligned with AJS Remote Imagery Support service requirements and taking cognisance of the fact that we already have an MD4-200.

During this time we have listed over 100 individual requirements based on lessons learned so far with the MD4-200. These have been decanted down to a small number of Key User requirements with an indication of how well an equipment solution aligns.

There are still a number of NK (Not Knowns). We will attempt to gather the info over the next few weeks for these. Some of them have a NK but we have an idea of the result, and so have colour coded accordingly.

To summarise where we are regarding the 6 equipment solutions:

QUAD COPTER SOLUTIONS

 MD4-200 - Our current equipment

This has poor wind tolerance above 5 m/s. The downlink is inconsistent and the batteries are dangerously erratic and inconsistent. It is worth noting we would have trouble selling this with its limitations and price tag.

We are however considering its continued use for sensitive areas, and procure a large equipment for the more industrial applications and greater flexibility of payload.

MD4-1000 – Option discounted after inital review.

Having had an inital look at the information available, this is not a contenders. It is extremely expensive and with very little concrete information at the time of writing this, we can only go on its predecessor the MD4-200. That was expensive, has undefined warranty and support. Parts are expensive and still no documented commitment or plan for future developement for this model by MW Power Limited or microdrones GmbH.

DRAGANFLY X6 – Option discounted after inital review.

Due to its similarity, cost and specialist parts to our current MD4-200, this has limited appeal. The wind tolerance is better than our current equipment but is another £20+ K

THE TRADITIONAL AND THE OCTO COPTER SOLUTIONS

ASM SR20 – Option discounted after inital review.

This equipment is large and would certainly cover a wide spectrum of support services with the MD4-200 but its airvehicle alone without an imagery payload takes it to the 7KG limit. For this reason it is discounted.

KESTREL 1000ES – Remains a contender

Having seen a demo in Hull, if this equipment was a few £K cheaper I would have bought one by now. It would certainly cater for the industrial end of the market but it does however not come with a ground station. Also some work would be required to enhance the water resistance.

A concern over the availability of the airvehicle parts and the single supplier for the stab and nav systems is also making us think carefully.

FALCON 8 – Remains a contender

A lightweight safe to operate in sensitive areas. If we had not already bought the MD4-200 this would be the purchase. Since we have an MD4-200, a proportion of the purchase of this solution would be duplication of what the MD would be able to achieve.

We have a concern over the availability of the airvehicle parts and the single supplier not in UK. We have not seen a live demo of the equipment, although fellow MD4-200 operators agree it is a great vehicle. I would be interested in its handling, water resistance and maintainability.

This is as far as we have managed to progress so far.

 This is intended as a summary log for AJS development of its Remote Imagery Support service. If anyone wishes to discuss or and a point of view please do so.

As previously explained, current equipment limitations have driven us to look at equipments to enhance or replace our current system (MD4-200). This log entry is AJS notes of information found so far, aligned to its own support service requirements.

If any interested party reads this and knows of any changes or can fill in the Not Known fields (NK), we would be gratefull if you could let us know. info@ajs-support.co.uk.

The bullet points below are AJS initial assessment and viewpoint of the listed equipments as viewed in support to its developing support services.

Today for a fee, our MD4-200 microdrone has had a firmware upgrade to the latest version. This includes the Dynamic Position Hold functionality. We at AJS are looking forward to carrying out our own airtests this weekend. It is hope that this will improve control in windy conditions.

It is however a pity that we will be using the same flakey batteries that recently returned from the supplier. We have taken advice and we are continuing to persevere with these for a few more flights whilst strictly following the guidance by the UK distributor MW Power Limited.

Previously, the MD4-200 pilot would have to compensate for wind influence when manually directing the drone away from GPS Hold function. Once an operator had input a manual control movement, the GPS Hold function would disengage completely. 

We are looking forward to the microdrone GmbH Dynamic Position Hold (DPH) upgrade to the AJS Remote Imagery Support service microdrone . Its is expected that the GPS Hold will then control the drone during the manually directing. Another positive aspect is expected to be the increased wind stability up to 6 m/s and a longer flight duration.

We will post results of our first flight after the upgrade.

Today I took to the skies around Westbury in order to rebuild my confidence with the operation of our microdrone. It has been many weeks since I last flew it. We have been suffering with erratic battery performance then we could not fly at all while the batteries were recalled by the supplier.

I am guessing that the new stickers that have appeared on the batteries are supposed to inform me of something.

If anyone understands this please let me know. The UK distributor MW Power Systems Limited has said that microdrones GmbH will contact me, but I have heard nothing as usual.

Anyway, the batteries are back and armed with even more battery top tips from a fellow microdrone operator I prepared to venture out. On his advice I recharged the batteries just prior to setting out. I also kept the batteries in my pockets. I also aimed to cover all eventualities by sporting my lucky underpants when I set out. (Not his advice)

With a great deal of trepidation over being so long away from the controls, and with the Wiltshire wind building up and the sky becoming depressingly overcast ; I fitted battery No1 having removed it from my pocket and set to the skies around Westbury once more. I managed 11 mins with the first battery- yeh haaaaaaaaaa !!! In order to end on a positive note I called it a day at that especially with the rain clouds gathering. We will continue to flying over the next few weeks weather permitting.

I intend to persevere with this equipment it provides us with experience and many lessons to learn from its limitations of failing software, wind tolerance, image quality and downlink inconsistency. We have asked for the supplier to buy back the equipment at a drastically reduced price but even they wont entertain it, that itself speaks volumes.

As I have mentioned in earlier blogs we are staying positive with the Remote Imagery Support service developement and are sure this will be successful, but not with the current equipment in its current form. We are actively looking to find other more reliable and cost-effective UAS options with a target of the end of the year.

On 22 Oct 2009 – some current and interested future microdrone operators gathered for a demonstration of the Ascending Technologies Falcon 8 unmanned air vehicle in the Midlands. Unfortunately, although we made initial contact with the company to set up and attend, we had to later cancel.

As our Remote Imagery Service development has been thwarted by challenges with the current equipment and its support, we are looking around with our lessons learnt over the past 5 months to invest in complementary or alternative equipment. The AscTec Falcon 8 and 12 are among a number of equipment options we are currently considering.

The feedback from those microdrone operators that attended the Falcon 8 demonstration was encouraging. The key areas which appear to impress them are the platforms wind tolerance and the imagery quality. In particular, the camera stabilisation mounts which provided smooth video and clear stills in 10 to 15 mph wind.

Today we became members of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems Association http://www.uavs.org/

“The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems Association represents the UAV industry in UK in the interface with Government and is a conduit for information on what is happening within the industry and the regulatory framework especially within the UK.”

Our intention is to be as actively involved as possible in this group. Whilst supporting the group we are looking to utilise its combined information, knowledge and experience which should in turn improve our support services for equipment support consultancy and remote imagery service.

Our batteries have returned after 3 weeks of travelling from Wiltshire to the Midlands then on to Germany.

MW Power Systems Ltd had tested the batteries prior to sending them to microdrones GmbH and agreed that they were not performing consistently. microdrones GmbH have now returned the original batteries without a final explanation from either. So I will go flying and manage 3 mins flying on each battery if I am lucky. Not enough to be fit for purpose.

Customer focused as usual !!! I can feel a chat with Trading Standards coming on!!

Unfortunately, instead of demonstrating progress of a developing support service whilst logging interesting places and experiences flying our drone, I can only log that we still do not have batteries and therefore cannot fly. A fresh batch of tumble weed is blowing around the microdrone equipment in our store.

The UK distributer for the microdrone (MW Power Systems Ltd) has stumbled across this blog and has this week contacted us.

Their update was, that having tested the batteries themselves before returning them to Germany, they are now saying that the manufacturers assessment is that the batteries are ok!!!

Meanwhile another week will pass and we continue to wait for the UK supplier to provide us with equipment that is fit for purpose.

We have watched another Remote Imagery Support service week pass without primary batteries for our UAV; and not a word from the supplier. No doubt we as their customer will have to chase them and go cap in hand.  We are consoled by the fact that this is not the only service we provide. In fact, we have yet to complete service developement with this equipment, mainly due to a number of previous challenges. The batteries are of course special to type, so fitting any battery will not work. 

As an expensive gadget, this is fantastic technology. As a commercial service provision equipment supported by the current support company, it is as much use as ……… I can think of so many !!!

Frustrating since we pay £23K for the equipment and support but when it fails we pay to return it and have no temp cover (eg temp batteries from the company) to enable us to make money to recuperate our capital expenditure.

We will persevere with the challenging support company, who in my humble opinion continue to prove to be completely unprofessional ever since we handed over the money. My guess is that they will have batteries, but their approach will probably mean we wait longer ….. this is how they do business I am afraid …. welcome to the school yard … bless !!

The suppliers of our microdrone UAV MW Power Systems Ltd have suggested that the batteries are returned for repair or replacement. We are now without power for the drone.

It is good that we get the batteries sorted, but its the fact that we are without the equipment. Also, I cant help wondering when we receive the new batteries, how long before they do the same?

We will wait to see the results of the suppliers analysis. Mean while we have a £22K MD4-200 ornament !

With the Wiltshire wind conditions not favourable for our MD4-200 microdrone UAV, we had it sat on the ground for a couple of weeks. Today though, it was bright and warm, so I set out to a local spot for a refresher flight with the drone.

Oldfield Park

Unfortunatley with the temperature being 22 -23 Deg C I had not thought to put the hand warmer in with the batteries. Battery 1 and 2 worked ok then on the 3rd and 4th flights the duration was only 3 mins.

I need to understand this issue now. They appear to need to be pampered more than the wife !! Warmed for use and cooled for charging. All of this makes commercial operation costly inefficient and less effectivne.

Today we set out early in the morning with the aim of using the microdrone UAV to take some Wiltshire White Horse aerial photos. We arrived in location surrounded by thick mist. Not a problem for us, we had a flask of coffee and our mobile office so we could continue to work while waiting for the mist to burn off.

2 1/2 hours later, with he mist gone, we set up the drone and lifted for our first flight of the day. Having only flown 50 m away towards the target, we were given low battery power warnings. I flew the drone back and changed the battery. This happened for all 4 batteries!

Speaking to a fellow operator, he said it might be battery temperature, so I recharged all batteries and used a hand warmer in the battery box.The outside air temperature was not what I would call cold (22 Deg C) but warming them appeared to work.

White Horse

We have now added the hand warmers to the growing additional equipment we carry in support of the drone flying.

We have continued to experience wind speeds above the MD4-200 microdrone UAV take off limit. We have however managed snatch a couple short flights but in winds up to 6 m/s.

The good news is that for these very short sessions we have not have MDCockpit or battery issues. We are hoping to atempt to get some better pictures of the Wiltshire White Horse when the wind drops. That will be a longer more representative session to confirm resolution to issues.

I am gradually realising that investing in an equipment that has a wind tolerence of 6 m/s is not one of my better ideas when we operate in the South West of England with an average wind speed between 5 and 7 m/s !!

We took the microdrone UAV to a local farmers field to see if we have finally put the minimising MD Cockpit issue to bed. It was blowing up to 6m/s but the field was open.

Open Fields

The first two flights were short (3 mins) due to battery power warnings. The battery level appeared to be ok at hover check but soon dropped off after a couple of mins. This happened on the first two batteries, the third battery worked normally.

During a drone battery change with drone over 5 m away from base station -  on powering up the drone and camera, the MDCockpit application minimised to an audio warning of ‘Disconnected’. ARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHH

Set off home in dispair!

Is it Sods Law? There is a much quoted law that says when you need to demonstrate a fault it wont occur! Yes it happened.

I drove all the way up north with the microdrone UAV to the suppliers MW Power Systems Ltd and we could not replicate the fault. They said that it was too windy for flying so we set the kit up in the office.

I mentioned that we had adjusted firewall etc and they suggested that those adjustyments must have fixed it. System tested no fault found was the mantra of the day !!

So I returned with the kit !!!

I had time for a quick check flight post yesterdays adjustments. Although we didnt fly for long, we did actually manage to get in the air without any MDCockpit issues.

I am still going to go to the microdrone UAV suppliers to see if they can spot anything. Chances are that it will work perfectly.

I have been out flying the microdrone UAV on the edge of Salisbury Plains to confirm that the MDCockpit issue is resolved or to isolate it further.

During flight phase the video camera bracket detached from camera front face. Luckily the flight was in open fields without population.

During drone a battery change between 1st and 2nd flights of the day and with drone over 5 m away from base station -  on powering up the drone and camera, the MDCockpit application minimised to an audio warning of ‘Disconnected’. I restarted the laptop with the drone power off, but the laptop powered up in exactly the same layout. MDCockpit running and minimised to system tray.

Switching the base unit power off and disconnecting and reconnecting the downlink USB connection brought the MDCockpit application back up.

Without the MDCockpit application I cannot see the onboard image and more importantly I have no battery power indications.

MD Cockpit

I need to devote more time to understanding the symptoms and isolating the fault. I have contacted the supplier MW Power Systems Ltd who have requested that the system be returned to them for analysis. To be honest I cannot afford to have them fit it in when they can, I need the kit to be flying. I have volunteered to take it up to them.

Out of despiration we have subsequently altered firewall settings and USB setting to remove them from the equasion. We will hopefully fly again tomorrow.

We took the microdrone out after suggestions from the supplier that the power settings might need adjustments on the laptop and this might be causing the MDCockpit collapse.

We took the kit out to see if the adjustment made any impact to the issue. The video camera was again found detached from the mount in the case. I will contact the supplier again.

Due to 6 m/s wind speeds we did not fly for long and the MDCockpit issue did not occur. I need to try again tomorrow if the wind speed is lower.

Just returned from microdrone UAV flying out on Salisbury Plains – Clear. Wind 3.2 m/s – Basic flight control with video on board. A good flying session to develop support services. Video used to develop experience with video editing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mwk88lgpXLs

First Video Test

On return to the office I experienced problems getting the microdrone batteries to recharge. During supplier training the base station was not used for charging batteries, therefore I am unsure if this is normal.  On connection of a battery for charging and selecting ‘on’ on the base station, all lights come on at the same time.  Switching on and off does not work.  Disconnecting the battery and leaving for a few minutes before reconnection often allows charging.