10/25 Data collection is now working reliably. The accelerometer-based tilt sensor
is still picking up vibration, but the other tilt sensor is working fine. We probably have
enough data at this point to implement straight-and-level flight.
10/19 Gave up on getting the hard drive to work, for now. Haven't been able to
mount it so that the engine vibration won't make it freak out.
10/13 Problems with voltage regulator solved (switched to a switching regulator).
Still not getting any data, probably due to vibration.
10/11The voltage regulator keeps overheating.
10/2 Two flights today with the new engine. Second flight carried 5 lbs payload and
still took off in less space than the electric with 1.5lb. Estimate payload-duration with
new configuration at 10lbs-30min.
9/8 That's it! No mas! We have decided to convert Avigator to glow-power. Stay
tuned!
8/31 Another %^&^* motor failure!
8/27 We got useful data! Two flights today. For unknown reasons no data was
recorded on the second flight.
8/20 We got data! Today we had one flight with the computers running and taking
data from the tilt sensor. There is some interference to the radio system from the
computers, so the servo wiring will be replaced with shielded cable. But the interference
wasn't great enought to cause any mishaps (phew!).
8/13 Two flights today carrying the Stage One payload. Looks like we should get
8-10 minutes aloft with that (1.5lb) payload.
8/11 The new Robbe gearbox works great - two flights today with no component
failures! (it's about time) The new gearbox is also quieter than the old one. Both flights
(one per battery pack) were a little over 10 min.
8/5 Back in business. Sorta. We got two flights today before another gearbox snafu.
We have a new Robbe gearbox we're going to switch to. The two flights totaled about 10 min
on one battery pack.
6/30 HC11 Software for Stage One data collection is complete.
6/18 Continued motor problems. The motor controller shut down after a one minute
flight. Sent back for more repairs...
6/2 Electronics integration is complete, at least for the electronics we have now.
Now it's just a software problem...
5/18 It flies! Successful test flight today! A gearbox problem cut the flight short
at about 4 minutes, but based on that flight the target of 5 minutes at altitude with a
3.5 lb payload seems possible.
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Revised 10/27/99