Does anyone have experience with autopilots

[joflight]

Hi all

I would like to know if anyone has any experience with programmable "autopilots'
such as ArduPilot or Paparazzi, KK2, etc?

I want to build a model and install and program these units (esentially programmable microcontrollers with sensors attached), but I am new to
this and I am not sure which one to get. (I know how to program microcontrollers, but am a 'newbie' ay rc model flyers)

I would appreciate any suggestions or thoughts from someone who
may have used one, or several, of these 'open-source" units: are they good?;
is there one that is easier to program than another., etc.

Thank you

joseph

[Andrew Fernie]

I am using Arducopter on a quad and a hex, and setting it up now on a Trex 500. Also flying Arduplane on a Skywalker.

They were a bit of a struggle at the beginning, but have matured significantly since last winter. I now regularly download waypoints to my quad and hex, enable the aruducopter and monitor the flight until it touches down and shuts off a couple of feet from where it started.

If you just want plug-and-play the NAZA unit seems to be great, but you aren't going to get all of the Arducopter waypoint features.

I am not sure that I would advise starting with the autopilot. It is going to give trouble at some point, and you need to be able to fly without the fancy modes. In my opinion start with basic operation then add in the autopilot later. This is absolutely required for helicopters and airplanes. Maybe a bit debatable for multicopters as you need some form of a flight controller anyway, but the principle should be to worry about learning how to fly first.

Andrew

[joflight]

First, thanks for replying.

I will take the steps you suggest.

1) Have paid my MAAC fees and will do the same for WIMAC shortly.

2) Will get a "cheap" plane, at first, to learn to fly (so if it crashes won't
break the bank). How can I get some lessons from the instructors?

3) Will build a quadcopter myself with a kit.

4) I would like however, as soon as am ready to start using an autopilot.
I am taken some engineering courses - and I want to program these things
as part of a project I want to do. Either I buy one of these, or I build it from
scratch. (I should be planning my retirement instead i went back to school :()

Would it be possible to see your model in action please, to 'get a feel" so to speak of what is involved. I would be very grateful.

thanks

joseph