Newbie question(s)

[Paul (UK)]

Hi all,

just acquired a Typhoon H second hand but unused.This is my first proper drone, other than a Dobby; having flown RC helis & fixed wing for many years, the flying side I find a doddle, it's all the new technology on these drones that I'm struggling to comprehend so I will have numerous questions to ask.
First one concerns height figure on the ST16 as mine sometimes shows a minus figure on lift off into low hover? Does the drone get the height figure from GPS? And is the height above ground level or sea level?
Thanks for help.

 

[PatR]

Above the take off point. The ground it’s resting on is supposed to be the zero reference, with in flight elevation the approximate number of feet above the zero reference point. Bear in mind measurement accuracy is not precise. Accuracy can be off by 20’ or 30’.

 

[FlushVision]

Hi all,

just acquired a Typhoon H second hand but unused.This is my first proper drone, other than a Dobby; having flown RC helis & fixed wing for many years, the flying side I find a doddle, it's all the new technology on these drones that I'm struggling to comprehend so I will have numerous questions to ask.
First one concerns height figure on the ST16 as mine sometimes shows a minus figure on lift off into low hover? Does the drone get the height figure from GPS? And is the height above ground level or sea level?
Thanks for help.

The height figure is determined by a barometer on the H and not GPS, so the height shown is influenced not only by the pressure but also heat. It is common, then, for the shown figure to be out by several feet depending on local conditions, though the height should be set to zero on firing up the aircraft. The height shown is not accurate so allowances should be made when programming a Curved Cable Cam operation, say.

The height is set to the ground level at the place that the H is sitting...not based on sea level, such that if you fly uo to a shown height of 400', then the height will be 400' up from the take off level at the place the aircraft took off from.

 

[Paul (UK)]

Thank you both for the prompt replies, I was sometimes worried when landing with the altimeter showing a minus figure I was afraid it might think it had landed and shut down the motors.

Next question (last one for now) mine doesn't have Realsense fitted but has the 2 forward facing (sonar?) sensors, how effective are these, and what happens if it detects an object? (I have read the manual thoroughly, but the info is sparse and often confusing)

 

[rdonson]

The forward facing sensors on the H are sonar. They work if you turn on OA. It stops the H rather than slam into the obstacle. It is then the pilot's responsibility to actually fly away from the obstacle.

The manual from Yuneec for the H is just a touch better than pitiful.

Try this manual from Charles Ogren - its light years better
Typhoon H manual - cleaned Up and updated (70pgs)

 

[Paul (UK)]

Big thank you for link to manual, looks much more comprehensive.
Am now printing it all out.

 

[rdonson]

You're welcome.

Charles (@ogrench) and those who worked with him deserve a big THANK YOU! from all H pilots.

 

[Eagle's Eye Video]

The manual from Yuneec for the H is just a touch better than pitiful.

And a touch less than pathetic...

 

[FlushVision]

Thank you both for the prompt replies, I was sometimes worried when landing with the altimeter showing a minus figure I was afraid it might think it had landed and shut down the motors.

Next question (last one for now) mine doesn't have Realsense fitted but has the 2 forward facing (sonar?) sensors, how effective are these, and what happens if it detects an object? (I have read the manual thoroughly, but the info is sparse and often confusing)

The H480 has no problems flying at heights below the pilot's position or the height that it took of from. Taking off from the top of a cliff, say, and flying down towards the bottom is quite do-able with the H.

I live in a very hilly part of the world and often find myself flying my aircraft below the height that i'm standing.

The two forward facing sonar sensors, when switched on (I've never switched mine on) will stop the aircraft from flying into an object when facing that object directly or almost directly. They may have problems in detecting an object if the aircraft is approaching the object at a shallower angle, or the object is small...like a small branch or cables. IMHO the sonar on the H480 should not be relied upon to stop the aircraft flying into an object: The pilot's eyes should be his obstacle avoidance system, but if the pilot does take his eyes off the ball those sensors can give a level of safety better than not having them at all.

 

[PatR]

Remember that OA, those forward sensors, only work when the aircraft is more than a couple meters above the ground. Below that they are disabled.

 

[Paul (UK)]

Many thanks for the info.
I've been doing test flying from my back garden to familiarize myself, flying in angle mode, however on 2 occasions when descending for landing, the Typhoon seemed to suddenly become unstable and I've had to manually fly it onto the ground. The last time this happened a compass warning came up on the screen saying something like:

"Do not fly near sources of magnetic radiation OR try re-calibrating the compass"

I have previously done all calibrations; however thinking about this compass warning I've overlooked the fact that on the street where I live, the mains power cables to the houses are run along the exterior walls at the rear of the properties, so I'm flying in the back garden approximately 20' away from these power lines, is that close enough to cause problems with the compass?

 

[FlushVision]

Many thanks for the info.
I've been doing test flying from my back garden to familiarize myself, flying in angle mode, however on 2 occasions when descending for landing, the Typhoon seemed to suddenly become unstable and I've had to manually fly it onto the ground. The last time this happened a compass warning came up on the screen saying something like:

"Do not fly near sources of magnetic radiation OR try re-calibrating the compass"

I have previously done all calibrations; however thinking about this compass warning I've overlooked the fact that on the street where I live, the mains power cables to the houses are run along the exterior walls at the rear of the properties, so I'm flying in the back garden approximately 20' away from these power lines, is that close enough to cause problems with the compass?

Possibly yes.

Indeed, it's possible that the structure of the houses could be affecting it. After all, houses are full of electrical equipment and cabling...not to mention wi-fi.

But any number of things can upset the compass and not just the things you can see. Are you sure there is nothing that can upset it under the ground that you are flying from? Something that you are unaware of?

 

[Paul (UK)]

Yes, there is an undergound, sheathed, cable running along the side of the garden supplying power to my shed/workshop.
So could be a combination of factors; I wanted to familiarize myself in privacy of garden before venturing out to avoid inquisitive people asking me questions I couldn't answer.

 

[PatR]

You might consider calling an electrician to have him inspect that cable and connections. I’m not sure I would be trusting the security of an underground 220 DC cable that might be generation EMI.

 

[FlushVision]

Yes, there is an undergound, sheathed, cable running along the side of the garden supplying power to my shed/workshop.
So could be a combination of factors; I wanted to familiarize myself in privacy of garden before venturing out to avoid inquisitive people asking me questions I couldn't answer.

That could very well be it, particularly if there is an iffy connection in it's length. Bite the bullet and take your aircraft out to a nice and secluded area and do your practices there,even if it means a fair drive away.

I'm fortunate in that where I live I have wide open Pennine moorland not a mile away from where I'm currently sitting, and also a nice and secluded meadow only about a quarter of a mile away...well within walking distance and it is in that meadow that I take my aircraft for testing and stuff. I've no idea where you live in respect to urban areas but in my mind, initial testing and first flights should be undertaken away from congested areas and people (legally as a hobby flyer you should be at least 150m away from a congested area anyway).

Regarding about people asking you questions you can't answer: Just give them any old bumf that sounds like sense. If they they think you are talking rubbish then who cares? Most likely you will never see them again anyway.

 

[Paul (UK)]

The electrics to my workshop were installed by qualified electrician, all been tested & certified to UK regs, the underground cable is the correct spec for outdoor use being armoured too.
I live in a relatively quiet village, there are a couple of fields nearby I can use but guessing I will have to do the calibration again, wonder what locals will think when they see a grown man manically spinning a drone around in his hands when doing compass calibration...

 

[FlushVision]

The electrics to my workshop were installed by qualified electrician, all been tested & certified to UK regs, the underground cable is the correct spec for outdoor use being armoured too.
I live in a relatively quiet village, there are a couple of fields nearby I can use but guessing I will have to do the calibration again, wonder what locals will think when they see a grown man manically spinning a drone around in his hands when doing compass calibration...

Ahh. In a quiet village every one knows everyone else.

If flying from the same location, and indeed locations tens of miles away you should only need calibrate the compass once...only calibrating thereafter if (a) the system tells you to; (b) the aircraft is flying strangely; (c) you have moved location by some considerable miles particularly in East/West directions. Bugger what your neighbors think. Calibrate. I don't care if someone sees me doing the TH dance.

Regarding the cable in your back yard. The fact that it is there may be enough to upset your aircraft, no matter how well it has been installed. Note, though, that I'm not saying it is that cable...just that it is a candidate for the cause of your issue.

 

[Paul (UK)]

Could be a combination of the underground cable plus mains cables running along outside of houses that caused my problem with compass, and seeing how I did the compass calibration in my garden, that may be incorrect too, so will re-do it in local field.
No harm in saying that I live in Newstead Village (as in Newstead Abbey -> Lord Byron) so am surrounded by country side giving me a lot of scope for aerial photography.
I've also decided to fit the Realsense module, will give me a little more confidence knowing that I won't fly Typhoon into an obstacle at some point..
Found a shop in Germany that sells the module at a good price, it's on it's way to me as we speak.
Coming from an RC plane/heli background, it's a steep learning curve, despite 40+ years of experience, very pleased with support on here.

 

[Paul (UK)]

Having had a couple of days to read the updated manual, I now understand a lot more than I did a few days ago, still a bit intimidating though.
Coming from an RC heli/fixed wing background, I'm used to being in control 100% of the time, sending the Typhoon off in task mode autonomously makes me feel uncomfortable not being in control; what I can't find is a sort of "emergency stop" function.
For example if I were to send the Typhoon off on a task then discover I've made a mistake in setting it up (quite possible) and see it heading rapidly towards an obstacle, how do I stop it quickly?
I know I can hit the "Exit" button on the pad, but that would take precious seconds to look down at the screen to find it, what I would like is a switch or button I can locate instantly that would stop the Typhoon dead in the air, allow me time to change my underwear, then take control manually.
RTH flight mode is the only option I can see, though as I understand it depending on altitude the aircraft may start ascending or descending, perhaps flicking to RTH & then to Angle mode would have the desired result?
(I see in another thread that someone was in a similar position whereby they had to stand and watch helplessly as their Typhoon flew off out of control & crashed).

 

[Eagle's Eye Video]

I live in a relatively quiet village, there are a couple of fields nearby I can use but guessing I will have to do the calibration again, wonder what locals will think when they see a grown man manically spinning a drone around in his hands when doing compass calibration...

Tell them is is an update of "The Safety Dance", by Men Without Hats