Tiny SDG&E Quadcopter w/mode C
xanadu
Posts: 3,347
My flight instructor currently does the pipeline inspection for San Diego in a Robinson 22 helicopter. The word is that their UAV ops are increasing daily. As the article says, the "Drones" are to be used in areas that are harder to reach by helicopter or ground vehicle.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/gregorymcneal/2014/07/12/faa-approves-limited-use-of-drones-for-san-diego-utility-company/
The FAA gave them a Special Airworthiness Certificate http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=500VD which is very interesting considering the size of the UAV. So basically I take back a lot of what I said about what it would take to get the certificate. It looks like smaller line of sight stuff will get approval for smaller line of sight operations. That means that all the photographers may have something to look forward to soon!
I would like to see more universities get the certificates, at least for line of sight ops.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/gregorymcneal/2014/07/12/faa-approves-limited-use-of-drones-for-san-diego-utility-company/
The FAA gave them a Special Airworthiness Certificate http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=500VD which is very interesting considering the size of the UAV. So basically I take back a lot of what I said about what it would take to get the certificate. It looks like smaller line of sight stuff will get approval for smaller line of sight operations. That means that all the photographers may have something to look forward to soon!
I would like to see more universities get the certificates, at least for line of sight ops.
Comments
Wow I am really behind the times on UAV transponders. I'm working on my commercial license which is already enough.
There's a Mode S this size for years -
XPST-9509-01-1 is a full featured Mode-S Transponder certified for use in the US and Europe.
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif]Sagetech
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I just found out that I will find out! Forget capturing it's ADS-D data, I'll get to see (and if allowed) I will post some pics of the required equipment to get the special cert.
When I flip the breaker on the Garmin GTX transponder I can see how much power it uses on the glass panel systems. Mode S/ES it uses quite a bit of power because it is really busy, about a half amp continuous at ~28v. The essentials bus kills the transponder to increase the reserve battery time in case of alternator failure. It's a quick way to reduce power load, and includes the transponder. I can pickup ADS-B aircraft 100 miles away using a 3" tall antenna on my desk. So I know they use a lot of juice.
You may be able to pull .5A@~28v continuous from a lipo, but I don't see an antenna big enough to accommodate the output on the little SDG&E drone. Since ADS-B only works if an ADS-B out equipped transponder is within range it makes me wonder why they even bother. That means two things;
The drone would need to transmit with enough power to reach the ADS-B station in order for it to be effective. ADS-B in will not only need to be received, but then relayed back to the pilot. The pilots ground station wouldn't be able to slap and ADS-B antenna up and expect to get coverage where the drone is.
Why the rant? I never thought something this small would ever cut it. That's really the main issue we face with the FAA. If you can get a special use airworthiness certificate for your UAV this is what is going to make it possible!
$5800, not cheap...