Max flying time heli

[Allstar]

I'm relatively new to rc heli, and wanting to find a heli that is suitable for my work as a farmer.
I Want a
Large heli (so is stable in more conditions, and can carry FPV gear and possibly a bigger fuel tank)

Long flying time 1/2 hour so I can check stock and waters on my property, amongst other things)

Range of 8 Kim's (size of property) for radio gear and FPV gear.

Any help with any of this would be great.

At the moment I competently fly a mcpx bl with a dx6

[jolyboy]

For that type of range and time, you are better off getting a plane. Start with a bixler, then upgrade to a zeph ii when you are ready

[SENTRY 62]

You need a Skywalker. No point in starting with a Bix and upgrading later.

Ignore the flying wing for this kind of work.

[StraightUp]

I'm getting about 25 minutes with a trex600 clone on 12s with 600mm spinblades and a align 600mx 12s motor, two sets of 5000 MAH 12s packs, I bet you could get two sets of 5800MAH packs and be real close to 30 minutes flight time.

But I think it woudl be easier to learn FPV on a plane then a heli. BUT if you want a heli I think it can be done

[zeeflyboy]

depending on how much you are willing to spend, a T-rex 700 or 800 with semi symmetrical blades and a well geared motor should be capable of 25+ mins

the DJI Ace One would make it easy to get the heli to fly (with optional "extras" there is even waypoint navigation and auto landing/takeoff etc.)

I'd imagine you'd be talking $5-7k for that setup though at least (in large part thanks to the Ace One).

The biggest problem you have is that going from an mCP X with a DX6i to what you are asking is not an easy process and the knowledge levels required are quite high...

[skyhigh]

I have flown FPV helicopters for over three years now. My flagship of my heli FPV fleet would be my 12s Logo 600 helicopter. Its fitted with head tracking and optical zoom that can fly for about 10 minutes at around 50mph (depending on winds). I'll have the full autopilot with RTH (return-to-home) features some time this year.

If you want to do this land survey work, I think need to have head tracking to look around (especially downwards) and optical zoom. It would greatly aid in spotting trouble and doing counts and what not. Otherwise, you could review the HD video or high res photo afterwards, take note of the coordinates and drive out later to check it out perhaps. Also look into a full autopilot system like the upcoming Align APS Lite which has position hold and RTH. The position hold will be a god send for me when I'm viewing through the zoom view. RTH will save your ass at long range and/or low altitude and lose either video or RC radio link.

I wish I had farmland like you though! I think we're at opposite ends of the problem. :-) I mean, I would do this work for free for any farmer in my area if they give me rights to fly their property. I could supply photos and HD video for free just to have a nice open place to fly FPV for miles!

[salience]

Originally Posted by StraightUp

I'm getting about 25 minutes with a trex600 clone on 12s with 600mm spinblades and a align 600mx 12s motor, two sets of 5000 MAH 12s packs, I bet you could get two sets of 5800MAH packs and be real close to 30 minutes flight time.

Pleas let us know what headspeed you are using with this setup, governed I presume? and if possible, your total flying weight with those batteries. Tx!

[SENTRY 62]

Jarod is up to 32 mins with a 450 if you're still set on using a heli --> http://fpvlab.com/forums/showthread....n-flight-times!

[R_Lefebvre]

For the flight controller, you can use Arducopter instead of DJI Ace One waypoint and save yourself $11,100.

[StraightUp]

Had to go back to my notes and check:
Trex 600 with asymetrical Spin blades, 600 MX, ESC160 dlux,( 8hz, medium, 12S)
Countup timer count below:
At 22:30 first beeps (I use two 6s battery displays one on each 12s pack)
At 24:30 aprox constant beeps
at 25:28 stopped with constant beeps
flightmode 1 (N,1,2) at 70% throttle curve 0-40-70-70-80
pitch curve 0,35,58,85,95
Two Zippy 30c 5000mah 6S Batts
Batt 1: 22.49/50 3.73 to 3.76 per cell
Batt 2: 22.49 3.74 to 3.76 per cell
Two Zippy compact 25c 5000mah 6S Batts aprox 50 charges each
Batt 2: 22.42 3.73 to 3.74 per cell
Batt 1: 22.24 3.69 to 3.72 per cell

Batteries are wired : 1 Zippy 30C and 1 Zippy compact 25C in series to make one 12 S pack

My 25c compacts have over twice as many flights as my 30c Zippys

pictures https://www.helifreak.com/album.php?albumid=10444 it's kinda ugly (wires everywhere) but untill I get it to how I want it that's how it will look.

I don't have the weight right now but I will throw everyting on the scale and check.
Cheers!

[skyhigh]

Originally Posted by StraightUp

Had to go back to my notes and check:
Trex 600 with asymetrical Spin blades, 600 MX, ESC160 dlux,( 8hz, medium, 12S)
Countup timer count below:
At 22:30 first beeps (I use two 6s battery displays one on each 12s pack)
At 24:30 aprox constant beeps
at 25:28 stopped with constant beeps
flightmode 1 (N,1,2) at 70% throttle curve 0-40-70-70-80
pitch curve 0,35,58,85,95
Two Zippy 30c 5000mah 6S Batts
Batt 1: 22.49/50 3.73 to 3.76 per cell
Batt 2: 22.49 3.74 to 3.76 per cell
Two Zippy compact 25c 5000mah 6S Batts aprox 50 charges each
Batt 2: 22.42 3.73 to 3.74 per cell
Batt 1: 22.24 3.69 to 3.72 per cell

Batteries are wired : 1 Zippy 30C and 1 Zippy compact 25C in series to make one 12 S pack

My 25c compacts have over twice as many flights as my 30c Zippys

pictures https://www.helifreak.com/album.php?albumid=10444 it's kinda ugly (wires everywhere) but untill I get it to how I want it that's how it will look.

I don't have the weight right now but I will throw everyting on the scale and check.
Cheers!

Nice. I haven't seen a heli loaded up with so many batteries before. Based on your photos, you have all four 6s5000 packs on board at once? Two batteries in series and then the two pairs in parallel for the equivalent of a 12s10000 pack?

[salience]

Lotta' batteries, to be sure! When you get a chance, no hurry, flying weight and headspeed, and perhaps actual liftoff/hover pitch would be helpful stats. I'm just starting a TREX600 for AP, SpinBlades, etc., but I will be running on 8S for the lower HS suitable to assymetrical blades. 2x 5800 4S in series for main, and a 4000 4S for tail motor (a conversion, getting rid of torque tubes in all my helis, too much noise and vibration for AP!). Just starting first tests of a similarly equipped 500 TR. Ill post back with some stats on performance when I get a complete picture. So far I've seen a noticeable decrease in peak Watts at hover pitch for lower headspeeds, with the SpinBlades assymmetrics.