Yes, drones are remote-controlled pilotless aircrafts. They can be remotely piloted (the pilot always on the sticks) or automaticaly flown by autopilot computer. Pause, Fast forward...On to the hobby...


At the hobby level, the aircraft is flown within visual line of site. The pilot will be controlling visually and therefore limited in range by sight. There is also a limit in range imposed by radio capabilities. Piloting an aircraft without being the cockpit takes away situation awareness and therefore is a totally different skill to acquire. Flying aerobatics and advanced maneuvers for sports is equally different. Building them to performance level is another experience totally.

Designed in Nigeria, built/assembled in China or Designed in China, built/assembled in Nigeria... bottom line is, skill, knowledge and experience is required to achieve either. Both design and build/assembly skills compliment each other and are both vital in technology..

For those still not understanding that the words 'build' and 'assemble' are synonymous, these might help:


build (verb) - construct (something, typically something large) by putting parts or material together over a period of time. "the factory was built in 1936"
synonyms: construct, erect, put up, assemble;


assemble (verb) - fit together the separate component parts of (a machine or other object).
"a factory that assembled parts for trucks"
synonyms: construct, build, fabricate, manufacture, erect, set up, put together, piece together, connect, join..

Wallie:

Actually, I'm trying to sell my fixed wing not the quad. The autopilot is an open source based arduino controller. I'll send you an email.

Ok...Standing by.

johnwell: Naijarianz>>>>> these are toy remote controlled jets, i still have more than 50 in my shop now..

When u put to together a jet that size, with a kerosene fueled turbine spinning at over a 100,000 rpm, with exhaust temperature over 300 degrees and airframe blasting past at over 250km/h...and costing five digit usd figures..., dude, that must be one toy having the risk of loss due to piloting error...or component failure!

naptu2:

Drones?

From the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology: Amebo

[img]http://beegeagle.files./2012/10/plateau_state_delegation_visit_to_air_force_institute_of_technology_4_20120706_13653689243.jpg[/img]

[img]http://beegeagle.files./2012/07/amebo-2.jpg[/img]

[img]http://beegeagle.files./2012/09/amebo-iii.jpg?w=640[/img]

[img]http://beegeagle.files./2012/09/amebo-in-flight.jpg[/img]

[img]http://beegeagle.files./2012/09/amebo-iii.jpg?w=640[/img]
[img]http://beegeagle.files./2012/09/amebo-gcs.jpg?w=960[/img]
Features
• Customisable flight control software
• Waypoint navigation
• High speed real time image processing for onboard Geo-location and Target Tracking•
Up to 40 km VHF communications• Modular and mobile GCSApplication Areas of AMEBO
• Pipeline Monitoring•
Border Patrol•
Mapping•
Traffic Monitoring
• Disaster Monitoring•
Maritime Patrol•
Aerial Surveillance• Pest Monitoring and Control


From the Israelis: Aerostar and Seastar

Well researched. The smart ones should be able to connect a few dots together... take a closer look...

This thread is meant to be Technical and informative to the technology savvy nairalanders. Anybody can be interested in technology even if its not Their discipline. we have lawyers cutting balsa wood and building airframes... and guys, It's just a discussion... And in that spirit, If u have something, bring it to the table. If you have nothing, come to the table, listen and learn. We are networking via this thread and not self promoting...

Natasha,,:
Okay when I clicked this topic I was expecting to see a guy with a life size plane you know rich nairalander that just acquired a brand new aircraft posing with it. But all thesame nice work.

Did u miss the phrase 'remote controlled' when you looked at the topic?

maxani: I fly a DJI phanthom quadrocopter. Any one else here?

I do... With a gopro on board.

udefrancis: Hello I am also working on an rc and I don't know where I can get the following in naija
no money for shipping from ebay
4x40Amp.
4x800kv out runner brushless motor

Will share mine when I am don.

Awesome! Are you building a quad? Kindly expand more on your proposed build... I am interested. We sure will need a dedicated section on Nairaland real soon. Admins, please.

tnktosin:
Lol @the African law. I know a friend here in delta state who build his planes from the scratch, but that will be a different thread as i'm trying to upload the video of him flying it on youtube. He's been into the RCs since he was a kid, too bad he never furthered his education.
I got my RC plane on order, wifey self no send, bleep the African law.

Now the connection begins... thumbs up to all the naija scratch builders...

make-9ja-gr8:
I like this hobby,but don't know if it is legal to fly the RC plane in (ja,Lagos to be specific.

I've flown RC a couple of times in Lagos. There are some guys in Lagos doing this. Just be responsible with it, don't fly in crowded or residential areas. Get a large open field if your model is fast.

Wallie: I'm selling my half-built FPV flying wing that is fully autonomous . Just don't have time for it any longer! I also have a quadcopter. I was going to bring it to Nigeria but...

Airframe: Flying wing
Controller: APM
Telemetry: 915 Mhz
Video TX/RX: Wireless Video Receiver
On-Screen Display: MinimOSD
Motor: high efficiency brushless motor
ESC: brushless ESC
Porpeller: foldering props with Spinner
Servos: HITEC HS-225MG
Battery: 5000mAh X 2
Radio:
Ground station Display: 16" Widescreen HD LED
FPV Camera:
Video Recorder: high quality digital video recorder
Camera: Camcorder


@Sidajili

What do you have in yours? Are you flying FPV yet? If so, how far can you go?

One of my buddies flies FPV, but I don't. My buddie (does most of our aerial shots) has the quads, with hd cameras. Has auto hold and a couple of waypoints. Send me pictures of your quad lets take it from there. I would like to know the maker, autopilot software and waypoint capabilities. You can PM me if you would like to sell it off when you come to Naija.

Waoh... I am amazed at the tons of posts... ok, I don't blame anyone for doubts...Thanks for all the comments.

I am here to share what I know, and also meet those willing to share what I don't know. I am sure there creative and smart Nairalanders out there. This thread was meant to kick start RC Modeling and Flying amongts Nairalanders. Any admins out there can help us create a dedicated RC Modeling section. Time permitting, I guarantee you will all be seeing some interesting stuff.

Thanks. I will recommend beginning your RC experience using any of the available simulators in the market. My favorite is Realflight 6.5. After learning to fly, you will start with a very basic trainer aircraft, usually the high wing type. Modeling is equally as interesting as flying the aircraft itself. The models you see in the picture are highly engineered jets that uses turbines for propulsion.

We have a hobby group in Abuja that meets every Sunday afternoon for flying and exchange of ideas. If you are out there and have time to build, model and fly RC aircraft, just know that you are not alone! I will keep posting pictures via this thread.

My aim is to encourage creative minds out there and provide as much technical resource as possible to help anyone start and enjoy this hobby, which can transition to small unmanned AVs for civilian applications. I will post more videos of my flights, builds and models via my you tube page - http://youtube.com/sidajili

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

I am not a seller but how much you spend on this hobby depends on the level you want to get to. There's a guy in Abuja that sells but there is no website yet. models that fly can start from as low as $100. EdF jets are around $170-690. Good 3D electric props can be from $250-600. Petrol powered 3D props can be from $2k. If you are a pro and want a scale model that uses turbine engine powered by kerosene/Jet-A1 can start from $4k upwards. Race cars vary in price based on electric or petrol engines.

Boko·Haram

noun, (rare) boko.haramist, plural boko·harams or boko.haramists, acronym bh., adjective boko.haramism

A person, a group, any group, of any tribe or religion, especially resident in Nigeria and of Nigerian descent, who uses or advocates terrorism or terrorizes or frightens others, especially by the use of force or Improvised Explosive Devices, (IEDs made from canned drinks, cylinders, kegs, etc) or guns, for political reasons or not, for financial gains or not, for or without a cause, senseless or sensible.

bh= reject western what? toss that to d bin folks.

Armed robbers have been using dynamites to break into banks and homes even before now. people, bh can be anywhere in naija. ijaw, ibo or yoruba. Anyone! Anywhere!

Terrorism is now real in Nigeriaa and our security folks should fight this from a national perspective. BH is just one type of the numerous terrorist group or type of terrorism that has evolved in Nigeria. God help us!

@iukpe @EuroMeko its exciting to know there is someone close by that loves RC. Am just a couple of months old in Nairaland and just saw this post. I am surprised that since 2008, this topic is only 1 page long.

Ok, I love RC. All around me is RC. My living room, my bedroom, i have airplane hanging on th wall. I have more than 30 airplane models in my hanger. My Airplanes are both electric and gas engine. I own jets F-22, Russian MIG-29 VT, F117 stealth, E-Flite Habu 32, the F-18, the Su-34, Eurofighter  and more. I am also currently assembling my first kero start turbine jet. Its powered by kingtech 14kg thrust turbine that will use kerosene mixed with a little oil.

I also have 3D Aerobatics like the E-Flite Carbon-z Yak54, Aeroworks 55cc Extra, Aeroworks Yak 54. The aerowork extra is huge and uses petrol mixed with oil.
I fly 3D Aerobatics most of the time and can do a lot of 3D Maneuvers. I am not much into Helis but I own a T-REX 450 running 3S and Kasama Size 700+ running 12s. These are serious 3D Helis with Gyros and I fly around pretty comfortably but still learning 3D.

I am also interested in RC cars and boats. I have 2 E-Revo RC electric buggy and 1 Baja5B 29cc Petrol engine buggy. I also have a Genesis catamaran RC Boat that I sail once in a while in Jabi Lake Abuja. I have lots of video but too busy to edit and upload to youtube. I have just a few - http://www.youtube.com/user/sidajili

If you are out there and interested in RC hobby, lets hook up and share ideas. These are serious stuff and NOT toys for kids. Lets meet and fly.

Several compounding issues happening at same time will make the strike ineffective. It will soon be a case of divide and conquer unless Nigerians forget the BH, Insecurity, Religious issues and unite to OccupyNigeria. Day 1 of the strike and Northerners were attacked in Benin in retaliation. Day 2, probably Kano, Kaduna etc will retaliate again. How can you fight the govt over fuel subsidy with multiple issues like this? It will soon be a case of every Nigerian looking at his/her back suspecting harm from the next neighbor and not from the govt. The insecurity problem is a big issue, unfortunately.

BlackPikiN:

Now watch ladies.

[flash=400,400]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuHfsegp5qs[/flash]


In today's society, we really get awarded for f0rked up behaviour!
I pity the girl sha but she's so silly!

What did she spend 9 mins saying? Heard the F words so many times like a tape on loop, Record breaking highest number of times i've heard the F word used in 9 mins! Anybody counting? Nice video to audition in the up coming 'curse word' reality show. She's in!

@all4naija People were killed while trying to serve and worship the God they believe in. You show no sympathy but rather challenge the existing of their God and their belief? The question is not about the supremacy or ability of their God to fight. Am surprised at your post! Please, what exactly is your cause? What are you driving at? Who are you, really? I need to ask cause you sound pro BH, completely anti-religion and probably worships no God, No offense meant. And Yes, you should apologize for derailing the topic!

all4naija:

@yiladogo

Your God needs to fight for you because you are helpless and he's not doing that because he doesn't exist. Perhaps he exist only in your hallucinating mind!

No one can compel his Creator,  Vengeance is His. Trust me, when the Living God chooses to fight for His people, He is indeed terrifying. He is merciful and only patiently waiting for repentance from the evil killing of innocent souls. God, where ever He exists, whether in heaven or in a hallucinating mind is definitely watching. When the window closes, darkness surely cannot comprehend light.

Jet Li = Too much effects, tricks humanly impossible stunts.
Jackie Chan = More real, daring, humanly possible stunts.
I prefer Jackie!