Arduino RC Airplane | 100% DIY

Summary

In this tutorial, the creator walks through building an Arduino-based RC airplane, detailing everything from design to flight tests. The plane is constructed with styrofoam and controlled using an Arduino system for throttle, ailerons, rudder, and trim adjustments. Despite multiple crashes and challenges, the project successfully demonstrates the concept of an entirely Arduino-controlled RC plane. The video also covers key adjustments, like modifying control responsiveness and managing propeller failures. This project offers a great learning experience for beginners and those interested in DIY RC airplanes, with a suggestion to explore further resources like the Flight Test YouTube channel.

Takeaways

• 😀 The project involves building an Arduino-based RC airplane and controlling it with a custom Arduino RC transmitter.
• 😀 The airplane is made entirely from styrofoam, cut using a DIY Arduino CNC foam cutting machine.
• 😀 The design of the airplane follows standard RC airplane guidelines, such as wingspan and airfoil shape (Clark Y airfoil).
• 😀 The RC transmitter is custom-built using Arduino and features joysticks and potentiometers to control various parts of the airplane.
• 😀 The airplane's control surfaces include ailerons, rudder, and elevator, all of which are adjustable for responsiveness and trim.
• 😀 The fuselage is made from two 10mm thick styrofoam sides and a hollow core for the electronics, with some sections reinforced with BBQ sticks.
• 😀 After several unsuccessful flights due to issues with weight, motor power, and propeller durability, the project was still considered a success for the concept of an Arduino-controlled RC plane.
• 😀 The transmitter sends data via an NRF24L01 module to the receiver, controlling the servos and brushless motor of the airplane.
• 😀 Flight tests revealed that the joysticks on the transmitter had limited range and response, so adjustments were made to improve control sensitivity.
• 😀 The final Arduino code for the transmitter involves using joystick and potentiometer values to control throttle, elevator, ailerons, rudder, and a battery voltage indicator LED.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the project described in the video?

The project aims to create an Arduino-based system for controlling an RC airplane, with a focus on DIY electronics and custom-built components for transmitter and receiver modules.

What challenges were faced during the flight tests of the RC airplane?

The main challenges included propeller failure, issues with control sensitivity, crashes due to weak foam, and underpowered motors. Additionally, the responsiveness of the transmitter controls was too harsh, which was later adjusted.

How was the airplane designed and constructed?

The airplane was designed using Fusion 360 for CAD modeling. The fuselage and wings were cut using a DIY CNC foam cutting machine, and the airplane was assembled using hot glue and aluminum profiles for reinforcement.

What type of transmitter and receiver were used in the project?

The transmitter and receiver were based on Arduino Pro Mini boards. The communication between them was facilitated through nRF24L01 wireless modules.

What modifications were made to improve control responsiveness?

To improve control responsiveness, the code was updated to allow control adjustments using a right potentiometer on the transmitter to limit control travel, making the movements smoother. Additionally, the left potentiometer was used to trim the rudder.

How were the flight controls adjusted to prevent harsh movements?

The joystick movements were mapped to control the elevator, ailerons, and rudder, with travel adjust variables linked to the potentiometer settings. This allowed the user to adjust the responsiveness of the controls to make them less harsh.

What did the video creator suggest for beginners interested in RC airplanes?

The video creator recommended checking out the 'Flight Test' YouTube channel, which is a great resource for beginners wanting to learn more about RC airplanes and flying techniques.

What was the role of the potentiometers in the transmitter design?

The potentiometers on the transmitter were used to adjust various parameters such as the control limits for the rudder and the responsiveness of the flight controls. The left potentiometer specifically was used for trimming the rudder.

What was the solution when the propellers kept breaking during flight?

The creator resorted to gluing broken propellers together to make a functioning one. Despite the propeller tearing apart during flight, the airplane was able to take off after multiple attempts.

How did the airplane's performance change after modifications?

After making adjustments, including modifying the transmitter code and trimming the rudder, the airplane was able to fly more smoothly. The flight performance was still not perfect, but it proved the concept of using Arduino for controlling RC airplanes.