Copyright
Table of Contents
Preface
The First Book of Its Kind
The Bookโs Goal
Conventions Used in This Book
Safariยฎ Books Online
How to Contact Us
Chapter 1. Introduction
Some Definitions
Who Is This Book For?
The Drone User Community
Brief History of Autonomous Flight
RC Model Airplane
The Advent of Microchips
The Technology of Drones
The Launch of GPS
Internet
The Smartphone
Small Autopilot Flight Controller
Principles of Flight
Weight/Gravity
Lift
Drag
Thrust
Flight Maneuvers: Aircraft Movement with Stick Mapping
Throttle
Yaw/Rudder
Pitch
Roll
Chapter 2. Airframes
What Is an Airframe?
Thrust Vectoring
Aircraft Designs
Materials
Keeping It Balanced
Building the Little Dipper Airframe
Step-by-Step Build Instructions
Step 1: Install the Standoffs
Step 2: Complete the Dirty Frame Assembly
Step 3: Assemble the Clean Frame
Step 4: Attach the Two Subframes Together
Chapter 3. Power Train
Propellers
Direction
Size and Pitch
Balancing Props
Motors
Sizes
kV Rating
Pairing with the Right Props
Total Lift
Electronic Speed Controllers
Flight Battery
Step-by-Step Build Instructions
Step 1: Mount the Power Distribution Board (PDB)
Step 2: Solder on the Bullet Connectors
Step 3: Mount the Speed Controllers
Step 4: Solder up the Power Supply
Step 5: Mount Brushless Motors
Step 6: Connect Brushless Motors
Step 7: Clean Up
Wrapping Up
Chapter 4. Flight Controller
What Is a Flight Controller?
Open Source Versus Closed Source
Sensors
Flight Characteristics
Software Assistant
Step-by-Step Build Instructions
Step 1: Mount the Flight Controller
Step 2: Wire up the Flight Controller Outputs
Step 3: Attach the Two Subframes to Each Other
Wrapping Up
Chapter 5. GPS, Compass, and Battery Monitor
GPS
Flight Modes
Compass
Battery Monitor
Step-by-Step Build Instructions
Step 1: Mount the GPS Puck
Step 2: Connect GPS and Compass to the APM
Step 3: Install the Battery Monitor
Wrapping Up
Chapter 6. Transmitter
What Is a Transmitter?
Most Common Frequency Bands
Different Modes Around the World
PWM Versus PPM
Step-by-Step Build Instructions
Step 1: Identify What You Need
Step 2: Mount the Receiver
Step 3: Plug in the Receiver
Chapter 7. Telemetry Radios
Software Monitoring and Control
Step-by-Step Build Instructions
Step 1: Mount the Ground Station Radio
Step 2: Prep the Aircraft Radio for Mounting
Step 3: Plug in the Radio
Step 4: Mount the Aircraft Radio
Chapter 8. Camera and FPV Equipment
Popular Drone Cameras
Micro Four Thirds Cameras
The Mobius ActionCam
FPV for a Live Stream
Step-by-Step Build Instructions
Step 1: Fasten the Camera Mount
Step 2: Attach the Vibration Isolation Plate
Step 3: Place the Camera in the Quick-Release Mount
Chapter 9. ArduPilot Mega (APM) Setup
Step-by-Step Build Instructions
Step 1: Update Firmware
Step 2: Connect and Complete Mandatory Setup
Step 3: Optional Hardware
Letโs Explore the Rest of Mission Planner
Flight Modes
Geo Fence
Basic Tuning
Extended Tuning
Standard Params
Flight Data
Flight Plan
Preparing for Your Maiden Flight
Chapter 10. Safe and Responsible Flight
Above All Is Safety
Training and Education
Resources
Important Links
Key Flight Safety Rules
First-Person View
Where and When to Fly
Preflight Checklist and Flight Log Information
Aircraft Inspection
Flight and Maintenance Logs
Laws and Regulations
Chapter 11. Real-World Applications
Beneficial Drones
Aerial Photography
Mapping and Surveying
Precision Agriculture
Search and Rescue
Infrastructure Inspection
Conservation
Chapter 12. Expanding Your Droneโs Abilities
Add a Camera and First-Person View
Collect More Data with Other Sensors
Altering Speed: Ready, Set, Race!
Increasing Flight Times
Troubleshooting in the Drone Community
Thank You!
Index