How to build an Autonomous UAV for Long Range FPV & Autonomous Missions

Summary

Key Points

• The Silver Shadow UAV is introduced as an easy-to-build, stable twin-boom platform capable of over an hour of flight time with a standard battery, designed for FPV observation and waypoint missions like surveying. 0:06
• The aircraft features a 1.6m wingspan, weighs 1.5kg, and can be customized with additions like beacon lights for night flights, making it suitable for digital FPV flyers. 1:01
• The creator acknowledges and thanks supporters whose donations enable the purchase of FPV gear and development of new aircraft, also explaining how others can contribute. 2:23
• The build begins with an overview of electronics and primary materials, including foam board, Depron, plastic cards, and 10mm carbon tubes, with links provided for specific hardware. 3:01
• The central pod is constructed using Experimental Airlines fuselage building techniques, involving taping, precise cuts, widening folds, and internal strip reinforcement. 4:38
• The central wing is built as a modified Armin wing, incorporating Depron strips for the airfoil and a unique method of cutting and layering a third strip to create a more efficient airfoil design. 5:41
• The horizontal stabilizer is created with a folded section for structural integrity, reinforced with carbon tubes and plastic parts to support the upcoming vertical stabilizers. 6:31
• The middle wing is glued to the central pod 23cm from the nose, and the booms are carefully aligned and secured to the underside of the middle wings, further reinforced with plastic cards. 9:18
• The outer wings are constructed using a similar procedure to the middle wing but with Depron, followed by the installation of servos, control linkages, and the flight controller (iNav). 11:00
• The video concludes by demonstrating the rapid assembly time, with the aircraft ready for its maiden flight in as little as two days, emphasizing its inherent stability that requires no PID or PIFF tuning. 12:32