Jakumo: Holy Toledo, Sadjili. Those are some seriously expensive RC jets. For them to be turbine powered, somebody with incredible RC know-how is clearly involved in getting those beauties airborne, and cost was clearly no object with that project. Correct me if I am wrong, but somebody shelled out the cash for an asphalt RC jet runway over there in Abuja. I smell the aroma of BIG bucks, and I DEMAND that y'all hire me as a fleet chauffeur with special RC flying privileges, right away.


You guys are making history, since you are the very first to send turbine-powered RC birds aloft in Nigerian skies, so it is little wonder that the Nigerian Airforce reached out to you for expertise in their budding UAV program. All the best with that, and do post whatever videos you can of that project as it evolves over the coming months and years.

Hats off to you, my brother. While our paths may never cross due to your location, I definitely share your passion for operating flying machines, with my concurrent RC obsessions at the moment being the low-budget Walkera V450D03 collective-pitch helicopter that I fly slow and steady scale-style, an even cheaper coax heli that videotapes high-resolution panoramas from truly astonishing heights, and finally my hand-launched Bixler2 powered glider for FPV adventures.

@Jakumo

Many thanks my bro... there's quite some interesting things i need to show you... hook up anytime you are in Abuja... you might not want to go back after seeing the various hangers here...

We do have a very organized RC Club in Abuja. You will find virtually any type of aircraft here, gas engines, turbines, electrics, gliders, scale, scratch builds, kit builds and so on... I started this thread to get interested Nairalanders together and enjoy this rewarding hobby....but it was all cut short by unbelief and distraction... If NL creates a dedicated RC Hobby section, I will probably resume again. PM me lets talk more often or discuss RC stuff with me on Flyinggiants, RCUniverse or RCGroups... same handle - sidajili

Henry120:

No P. Please do visit the blog as much as possible, so as to answer our many lingering questions. Infact, a blogger already has a question for you.

Oga Henry, my comments are awaiting moderation...

Henry120:

Please do well to visit this site. http://beegeagle./ we've got lots of questions we would love you to answer. Thanks.

Ok, Just checked now. I see you've posted something already... that should suffice for now. Many thanks, Henry.

Jakumo:

Training for UAV pilots is dirt cheap. A single $200 simulator pakage, which comes with its own dedicated Mode 2 RC hand-held transmitter, can be used to train a dozen pilots without the need to engage in the high cost of sending trainees outside of Nigeria.

The summation of the equipment needed for this method of training would be one desktop computer, and one RC simulator package, both at a total cost of less than 80 thousand naira.

First off, all pilots were trained in country and I am one of the instructor Pilots.

RC Flight simulators help provide the initial muscle memory training and introduction to orientation of the RC aircraft. Past this, the rest is field and hands on. Furthermore, while RC piloting skills are foundational to UAV Piloting, this is only restricted to the External Pilots performing Launch & Recovery and there is a difference to how UAV are flown. Even if you are a good RC pilot, there is still a lot to learn before you can fly UAVs.

In RC Piloting, the pilot flies free style. In UAV Piloting, the pilot flies by numbers, by the rules, within limits and strictly by mission requirements. So its not just buying a cheap N80k RC pilot type sim like RealFlight and spending some hours buzzing some dots on the computer screen and expecting someone to take an expensive payload up in the sky... the UAV is going airborne for one reason - Camera Payload.

The skills of UAV flying are way ahead from RC. The 15 pilots have gone through very rigorous training. Time, efforts, years of experience have been put together to produce these 15 Pioneer pilots who have successfully distinguished themselves and earned their well deserved wings.

Freewilly: That right there is just a freaking RC plane and not a drone, I see more sophisticated RC planes in the park in the summer time. Who ever sold Nigeria that rubbish needs to be prosecuted.

The Airframe and structure was designed by the NAF. The entire aircraft composite was built off the mould in the NAF base. There is a fully functioning composite manufacturing unit in place. There is a wind tunnel which the president & CNC commissioned on same day. No one sold anything structures. Its fully indigenous, by Nigerians on Nigerian soil. Come visit AFIT.

GeneralJ: Why isn't this On front page yet,
btw @ op, DO YOU THINK you can Upload some of the footage collected by the drone, or at least, some video of the relay station

Due to the privacy and sensitivity of the imagery gotten during the fights, I am not at liberty to post that. Another flight will be done on landmarks and free areas and I will post that when authorized.

Ki-Katanga:


There's a GoPro mounted on the horizontal Stabiliser.

On the NAF 611 flight, there are four cameras on board. A Gimbal camera below Fuselage (black) close to the nose wheel, A GoPro 3+ on the Horizontal Stabilizer, a GoPro 3 on the left wing, and a GoPro 2 on the bottom of the fuselage, just behind the Gimbal Camera. Take a closer look at the video.

The Gulma is just the beginning of the Nigerian UAV road map and this release is the first with sensors strictly for surveillance. The Gulma is not for Armament.

The Gulma's role is straight and simple: TAKE A CAMERA UP INTO THE SKY, BE ABLE TO LOCK ON TO A TARGET, TRACK CONTINUOUSLY, AND SEND BACK LIVE IMAGERY. If it can take off, sustain its flight for the designed endurance, operate as far out as the intended range, operate reliably as high up as the design ceiling, fly automatically through way points, and return back and land safely, then it can perform its role of taking the camera payload up high for image analysts to do their job. The Gulma is just like a giant cordless boom taking a camera up high.

The NAF 610 & 611 videos were taken during a low altitude test flights of the Gulma. At the designed loiter altitude, the engine noise is not an issue. At cruise and loiter speeds, the altitude is way to high to easily hear the sound of the engine. The Israeli Aerostar (also in the NAF's inventory) is way noisier at same altitude for sure. Gas engine powered aircrafts are generally noisy at low altitude, and when running at very high rpm.

The Gulma is the first and in no way is meant to compare with other countries UAVs. It is the start and I am personally happy it starts now and not in the future. Anyone out there who has something and is willing to bring it to the table, should come sit on the table and contribute. Great guys out there, please do contact the NAF and help contribute to this project that will move the nation forward... Lets not complain, downcast or compare... For once, lets have some little faith in ourselves and what we can do.

The NAF Air Expo is coming up in April 2014 and am sure the NAF will be working on providing full demonstration of the Gulma in range, ceiling, endurance and sensory capabilities. Plan to attend if you're interested in having some doubts cleared.

chid3x:

Please bro create a new topic for this videos so that it can make frontpage.
Make all the haters eat their vomit!
Please!

Great idea... here we go - https://www.nairaland.com/1561907/nigerian-air-force-gulma-tactical#20332947

Am delighted to share with interested Nairalanders the following NAF Gulma Videos:

1. Gulma Tactical UAV (NAF 610)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX1L_AxHXXw

2. Gulma Tactical UAV (NAF 611) - Showing Mobile Ground Control Station, Tracking Antenna and Team operations


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq_Xqa3Wg-8

The Gulma UAV Launch and recovery is performed by an 'External Pilot' (EP). The EP hands over the UAV to the GCS crew after launching (take-off) and getting to a safe altitude. Operation and mission is handled by the 'Internal Pilots'; commanding the UAV from within the mobile GCS. The Gulma UAV is NOT meant to carry Arms. Its for Surveillance, search and Rescue, Pipeline monitoring, Intelligence gathering and more.

All flights in the posted videos were carried out by members of the NAF Pioneer UAV Pilot team that the President and C-in-C, Goodluck Jonathan 'winged' during the unveiling ceremony in Kaduna NAF base on the 17th December 2013.

Gulma Tactical UAV (NAF 611) - Showing Mobile Ground Control Station, Tracking Antenna and Team operations


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq_Xqa3Wg-8

The Gulma UAV Launch and recovery is performed by an 'External Pilot' (EP). The EP hands over the UAV to the GCS crew after launching (take-off) and getting to a safe altitude. Operation and mission is handled by the 'Internal Pilots'; commanding the UAV from within the mobile GCS. The Gulma UAV is NOT meant to carry Arms. Its for Surveillance, search and Rescue, Pipeline monitoring, Intelligence gathering and more.

Gulma Tactical UAV (NAF 610)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX1L_AxHXXw

more videos coming...

@All,

Am happy to inform that I will upload the flight videos for Gulma UAV # 610 and 611 to Youtube in a couple of hours.

We sure do have a lot of doubting 'thomas's' in Nairaland. As much as this saddens me reading all the negative comments, I am not surprised as i got same reaction from Nairalanders when I started the thread - https://www.nairaland.com/1414595/nairalanders-remote-controlled-aircraft-suavs

OK, i just got back from another test flight of the Gulma. I can tell you that today's flight and the maiden will be released in a couple of days on youtube once I get the authorization do so. My channel is @sidajili for anyone interested in following the development of this area of unmanned aviation. I will notify via this thread when i post the video.

Damipac:

Hello sidajili, am happy I found folks who are into rc's. I fly mostly edf jets, although I have been looking for a decent field in Lagos to fly my planes. Here's my mail damipac@yahoo.com, try and mail let's see how possibly we can hook up. Thanks

Awesome! Contacting you shortly.

Wallie:

Wow!! With EPO foam, one would need reinforcements to get above 110km/h and even then, the wings will flutter like crazy!

True... that's why these high speed models are built out of composite materials.

Wallie:

The pro guy on the stick is nice! What's the (1) endurance, (2) max speed and (3) max payload possible? It seems you guys have unfettered access to an airstrip? Nice! If I have the same access, I'll be going for altitude (optics limited) and endurance.

Yep... he is pro... won a couple of medals in RC Jet competition in the past. Those Jets' turbines are Kero thirsty and 3 liters usually burn out in about in about 10 minutes of flight. The Jets aren't designed for payloads of reasonable interests. They can hit top speeds of 250-300km/h and are just for sports, leisure, airshows and demos. The speeds are just exhilarating and adrenalin pumping.

Pakingzzz: I sent you an email. Please can you check it out?

Received. Don't worry... will treat as requested. Just a little busy at the moment. Talk to me Saturday Morning.

gentlemen,

keep up the good work. I am following this thread with interest. will chip in where necessary.

Sidajili: will soon be posting videos of flights of the Skymaster F-16 and Composite-arf Ultra Lightning once edits are complete...

Ok, here we go... hope you enjoy the videos.
The F-16 flew really scale and nice


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSR6-Zi4tXg

and having a feel of the G's and maneuvers with a GoPro camera on board the Ultra Lightning is just fascinating..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3dJk7P2pd8

will soon be posting videos of flights of the Skymaster F-16 and Composite-arf Ultra Lightning once edits are complete...

andico34: hi sidajili am interested in rc flights. pls email me at andylandinvestments@gmail.com with your phone contacts so that we can meet in abuja. thanks a lot

Sent.

udefrancis: hello sidajili, how can I get those esc and motors? this is my mail, inbox me your phone number I an in kaduna udefrancis22@yahoo.com , thanks

In Kaduna? will send you my number. call me.

Pakingzzz: @Sidajili

Does this Kingtech Turbine uses a motor for startup,or do you use compressed air? Also, do you use an arduino to control the Turbine? (things like startup,low throttle,idle throttle,cruise throttle, EGT,compressor inlet pressure,Turbine pressure,Combustion chamber temp,RPM,Fuel flow etc)? Or does it come with a pre-installed micro processor that does the job of engine control?

@Pakingzzz: Take some time and check these out..

Watch this youtube video: Inside a turbine RC Jet - Jet World Masters 2011

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4LjL9Ga62s

And read this page: How An RC Model Jet Engine (Turbine) Works - RC Airplane World

http://www.rc-airplane-world.com/model-jet-engine.html

Am sure these resources will answer your questions. I would recommend RC Airplane world as a good start (Many others exists) for anyone starting RC.

mikijagga: Sidajili is my friend and I know he has been working onthis tech for a while. Sunny, when you hit PH, pls reach me. All the best and keep up the good work!!

Hi Mikijagga.... Kindly PM me please. Trying to reach you...

megadeath: Bro, 3 of my cosmates in the Airforce were selected as the pioneer students of this project. I know all about this. They are trained in both NAF Base Kaduna and Benin. No nairalander built this. Those planes were bought.

I keep reading my opening post over and over again to see if I was clear enough... AGAIN, AGAIN, AND AGAIN:

"Any Nairalander out there building and flying RC rotary or fixed wing Aircraft models of any scale? Lets discuss and get this thread going".

That's a simple question, followed by a humble request to start a discussion. I checked again... I wrote in English and not my language . Interested Nairalanders who take time to read have responded on point. Like most threads in NL, 4 Pages have been wasted by others derailing the topic.

@megadeath:

This thread is NOT about the NAF. And perhaps, you can just mention my name to the Pioneer Students who are your course mate. They will introduce me better.

I humbly ask anyone bumping in and not interested in Remote Controlled Aircraft Hobby to kindly move on to another topic of interest.

And again, if you are out there scratch building, assembling, designing, researching in anything that flies or related to RC, lets continue discussing. If you develop autopilot software and are into neural networks, I am interested in meeting you. If you are into robotics or use anything with servos, am looking for you. If you are an electronic engineer with good knowledge of RF and satellite communications, you are the One. If you understand composite materials and know about molds, lets talk. If you are familiar with 2 or 4 stroke gas/petrol engines, you are the one. If you are into photography and video editing lets discuss. If you understand aircraft structures and aerodynamics, lets talk.

@Pakingzzz

Turbines made by Kingtech, Taiwan. Uses Kerosene.

You are welcome. Let me know what size servos you need and the exact amps of the ESC required. Please change the motor to a brushless type.

@Pakingzzz:

I like your courage and I would be contributing to your project by donating a full range DSM 2.4GHZ Tx/RX to support you. PM me to make arrangments.

Continue this project and consider the following:

1. Use Lithium Polymer for your power source.
2. Use Brushless Motors and a proper speed controller.
3. forget canopy or beauty for now and first get the aerodynamics right and a sustained flight we all can see.
4. Get your center of gravity right and pay attention to the fly bar.
5. Consider using pre-made composite blades, do not waste time making wood props for the heli.
6. You will need to learn about heli control boards and gyros. No need giving the pilot too much work trying to stabilize the heli with the sticks... believe me too man factors will affect the stabiity. We pilots don't like too much work... its a headache
7. Visit heli forums and expand your views. It will help.
8. Do not be discouraged if it crashes. Its part of the learning process.

naptu2:

It was the colour of the plane on the right of your first picture that made me suspicious, then "Wow! He looks so much darker! What happened?".

The northern sun ain't friendly at all...

@Udefrancis:

You mentioned needing 4x40Amp ESC, 4x800kv out runner BLM.
A little more light on design specs and what you want to achieve will help the discussion. I am assuming 1.5kg max take off weight with your camera payload inclusive. how did you come up with the KV of the motor chosen? The resultant RPM from each rotor is the product of the KV and voltage to the motor (Ideal situation, rpm=kv*v). Due to back emf and prop load, rpm will always be less than the ideal case. Your rpm is determined by battery voltage, motor kv and selected prop; all ultimately determining the torque and thrust generated by each rotor. Your ESC's amps is chosen based on the watts generated (I=P/V, with I overrated to accommodate peaks) by each rotor. You have set your take off weight to 1.5kg, and your ESC, motors, props, batteries and payload must be chosen to fit this. I want to know what quad controller you chose. Also try looking into the open source Arduino autopilot - http://ardupilot.com

Per the parts you want, I might be able to help you as I have some motors and ESCs lying around somewhere.

Also, you can start a dedicated thread for your quad and we will go there to support your work.

@Pakingzzz:

Well done! Will post on your thread.

Kennisdlast: I have some knowledge on remote sensing as a geologist and wish to continue in that field.Do you have an idea on how to get access to Air force, maybe for short term service or get the full training I need?

Pm me.