The following video shows two short test flights. In both cases take-off was in
flight mode LOITER and the landing in flight mode RTL (Return to Launch).
There were several problems: Once again the UHF link between the UAV and the
ground station computer running APMPlanner failed. There was no reliable link
and so APMPlanner and the computer were shutdown and the flight went ahead using
the 2.4GHz RC transmitter. Also due to a poor connection between the servo cable
and the NAVIO2 motor number 4 failed to start. Normal operation was restored by
moving the connectors. The flight controller was showing a flashing blue light and
then a steady blue light when armed. This indicates a problem with the GPS. The
led should be flashing green when ready and a steady green light when armed.
However, in flight mode LOITER the UAV was very stable. On the second flight
I used the 'yaw' control to rotate the UAV through 360 degrees. The rotation was quite
fast and it is slowed down in the video. I also tilted the GoPro down towards
the ground, but a little too far. The first landing was very gentle but on the
second landing the UAV came down on uneven ground and fell forwards onto the
propellors.
As a rough estimate the UAV used 30% of the available battery power for these two
flights. Due to the failure of APMPlanner and the UHF radio link I have not been unable
to access any log files from the UAV.