Technology

Pre-Flight Checks, For All Categories Drones

Abul Kalam Khanby

 

The inspections carried out as per the maintenance schedule before the flight is named as pre-flight checks. Before operation, any type of unmanned aerial vehicle require internal and external fast checkup for safe operation. These checkups do not include either dismantling of panels or removal of components for checking purpose. It is also called pre-arm safety checks, which is done within 5-10 min before flights.

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Heavy Weight U.A.Vs:

  • All radio equipment is secured in the model and protected against engine vibration.
  • Push rods, ball links clevises and other fittings are secure.
  • All controls are effective, check especially for binding links or slowing of servos.
  • Engine is mounted securely and propeller has no cracks or damage.
  • Wings are firmly mounted and any bracing wires secure.
  • There are no loose or missing nuts and bolts.
  • All hinged flying surfaces secure.
  • CG is in right position.
  • Critical structure is of adequate strength with no cracks or significant warps.
  • The radio and switch free of fuel and oil.
  • Check the cloud cap camera rotation and lenses.

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Electrically Powered Micro & Mini U.A.V:

  • Assemble air frame (wings, propeller, etc.).
  • Start computer and open G.C.S software.
  • If using telemetry, connect ground station modem to computer’s USB port.
  • Turn on RC transmitter, set mode channel(s) to Manual, and SET THROTTLE POSITION TO IDLE.
  • Make sure UAV is level and motionless.
  • Install battery in UAV and connect, taking care not to disturb UAV or unlevel it.
  • In G.C.S software, select correct port ID and baud rate for telemetry modem, and hit “Connect” button. Wait for APM to switch from Disarmed to Armed.
  • Check M.A.V Link connectivity.
  • Check for 3D Fix on GPS (map display should show current location)
  • Check that battery voltage, compass heading, packet percentage, and GPS time-of-day are correct in G.C.S software.
  • Current altitude display in screen should change to zero.
  • In G.C.S software, load or create flight plan. Check that all altitude values are nonzero and sufficiently high to clear any terrain or obstacles in flight path. Press “Write WPs” to transfer flight plan to UAV.
  • In G.C.S software, check that battery mAh value is correct.
  • In G.C.S software, Advanced Parameters section, check that ALT_HOLD_RTL value is nonzero and sufficiently high to clear ground-based obstacles over flight path. NOTE THAT THIS PARAMETER VALUE IS IN CENTIMETERS
  • Check that all flight controls surfaces have appropriate neutrals, and that they move in correct direction when RC transmitter sticks are moved, first in Manual mode, then in FBW
  • Lift UAV from ground or holder and check that Center of Gravity is OK.
  • Set mode to FBW. Move UAV in both pitch and roll axes, and check that ailerons, rudder, and elevator move in appropriate direction to return UAV to level flight.
  • Install propeller if not already installed, and check that motor turns in correct direction when throttle is applied
  • Disconnect and re-connect G.C.S software to flight controller to reset flight log (eliminates long initial period of inactivity when later reviewing flight logs). Check that all parameters return to appropriate levels. Press “Set Home Alt” button again if necessary.
  • If images from camera are to be geo-tagged from the flight log, take a photo of the G.C.S software (at least the HUD portion) such that the GPS time can be clearly read in the image. This will allow the offset between the camera’s clock and the GPS clock to be determined easily.
  • Set script parameters in camera and install camera into UAV.

Published by Abul Kalam Khan

He is an Author, Inventor, UAS Engineer, Blogger//Speaker and Entrepreneur. He has completed Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME). After the completion of the course, He shifted to Manila Aviation, Philippines to obtain the experience of Bell 407 Helicopter and Super King Air B200 aircraft. Also, accomplished accreditations in Human Factors, Aircraft Systems, Jet Engines, and Airframe, identified with wide-body aircraft, such as A320, A340, and B737. Later on, He joined a privately held UAV Company as a UAV Technical Engineer, where, during the exploration of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, He transmuted his ‘Manned Aircraft’ knowledge into ‘Unmanned Aircraft’ and designed ‘India’s first Drone crash course study material’. Aside from Technical work, coordinated numerous workshops and training sessions to train the Engineering students regarding the Unmanned Aviation field as well as participated in the HALE/MALE sorts UAVs venture. Presently, He is working as a Director in a private UAV Manufacturing company (VAU Technovations LTD.). His recently formed UAV include VTOL UAV with Virtual Pilot and inventions comprise ‘Blended wing body flapless VTOL UAV, controlling with bleed air motion control system’ and more. As well as he authored a book, which comprises a detailed description related to all elements of the Unmanned Aircraft System. “Since, beginning He was very much interested in to produce something new, which never been done before to change the reality. The way, which drives this sort of deduction falls under the enterprising space, where somebody controls the entire Universal laws to reimage it by his own specific manner to make outlandishly conceivable.” By keeping an innovator mindset, after the completion of the course, He joined India based Start-Up company in the Drone sector. Where he got the undertaking to design ‘UAV Courses’ and the ‘Fledged Unmanned Device’ without any assistance. It becomes very hard to work, out of your prepared space. ‘Reimagination factor’ empowered him to plan ‘Practical UAV Courses’ as well as ‘Fledged Unmanned Device’ identified with numerous applications. During the working session, organized many training sessions and Signed MOUs with different colleges to train the engineering students in his own defined way. After that joined a couple of Start-Up companies (INDIA/South Africa) in a similar area as a Pioneer to deliver them ‘Initial Stage Boosting Strategies’ to cause them to survive in the market with limited resources. Parallelly, continues to contribute his own opportunity to tackle the genuine issues, which addressed by customers. Presently, working on, to be a Global competitor in the DRONE sector by manufacturing a completely indigenous Advanced Unmanned Aircraft System with Uniquely planned calculations. Awarded by many Engineering colleges for his work in DRONE Training Domain. In 2017, ‘Entrepreneur Magazine’ printed about his Business effort in DRONE Sector. In 2018, Nominated for ‘Visakhapatnam Manufacturing Leadership Award’. His invention sheaf comprises, ‘Blended Wing Body Flapless VTOL UAV, controlling with Bleed Air Motion Control System’, to solve out the Endurance related problem with the capability of carrying both Low-speed and High-speed operations at maximum stealth mode. ‘Unmanned Aircraft System for Under Bridge Bearings Inspection’ to solve out the inspection related problem of ‘Under Bridge Bearings’, The problem was addressed by one of the construction company. An extendable robotic arm with a camera is attached with the HUB of the air vehicle, which eases the ‘Bearings’ related inspections inside the ‘confined spaces’. ‘AI DRONE with Virtual Pilot’, Virtual pilot concept makes the controlling and troubleshooting of the air-vehicle easy. The purpose for to concoct the ‘Virtual Pilot’ is to ease the controlling and troubleshooting of the air-vehicle for the Non-Engineer operator. And the invention related to the defense sector comprises, ‘Lightning Strike System’, A MALE/HALE UAV payload system that channelizes the ionized plasma through MV channels to neutralize the targets. Additionally, Related to the Agriculture sector, the commercially launched ‘AGRORECK’ series ‘Pesticide spraying’ and ‘Multi-spectral imaging DRONES’ to solve the AGRO-related problems.

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