Flying Monkey UAV (2012)
I had been interested in R/C aviation for a very long time and in 2012, after having been prompted by a post on the RantRadio Forums and having the excuse of studying aerial imagery in school at the time, I decided it was high time to get into the hobby.
I opted for a basic trainer aircraft first. Not only because it was my first airframe ever, but because it was one that had been used extensively by the homegrown UAV crowd for some time. The HobbyKing Bixler was the basis for what would become the Flying Monkey UAV (named in homage to RantMedia and that it’s main purpose was as a vehicle for gathering aerial imagery, I thought it was a fitting name).
After some rough initial flights, I finally became accustomed to flying. After a few more flights I began to mount a small 808 keychain camera to get the aerial footage that I wanted.
Many upgrades were implemented to improve the performance (and survivability) of the airframe. Unfortunately though, the Flying Monkey’s life was coming to an end. I was showing it off to family and brought the plane a bit too close for a flyby. Next thing I knew was the plane had tip-stalled and crashed into the crown of a tree. We cut the tree down. The plane would’ve been fine except for the branches smacking down on top of it when the tree was felled. I was able to rebuild it, but it was a bit heavy in all the wrong places and one of the servos was busted up inside (had a few stripped teeth, but still functional for the most part). Unfortunately on the 18th flight, she finally gave up the ghost.
A damn reliable aircraft to be sure.
I still have the wings and the surviving electronics from the Flying Monkey which I think I’ll try to make a scratchbuilt plane from at a later time.
Flying Monkey 2 UAV (2015 – 2016)
Three years had passed with many relocations, another post-secondary program, marriage and a few other things happening to keep me busy. After much planning, I decided it was time to get back into R/C aircraft. I purchased the HobbyKing Bixler 2 this time around. Pretty much the same setup as the original Bixler airframe, but a little bit of a larger wingspan, stretched fuselage length and some other features which made it a bit better for its planned mission of aerial imaging.
Not much can be said about my flights on this airframe. I only had 2 flights in total but they were good. The first flight ended in me catching a power line on approach and spiraling into the ground. Just some minor damage to the starboard wing which was easily repaired.
Video is currently in Spanish only, sorry. I’ll get around to an English version eventually, and also a video for the second flight too!
The second flight a few weeks later went much better, but the battery was pushed too far towards the front of the plane. I hadn’t checked the CG correctly before flight. It was flying great but had a tendency to gain speed on its own without the throttle engaged. Landing was a bit difficult because of the weight being too far forward. The plane came in hard multiple times and I was afraid that the nose might snap off. Luckily it didn’t.
A few weeks later, I received a job offer for a company in Vancouver and had to move yet again. The plane was sold to one of my wife’s co-workers who wanted to get into aerial imagery and UAV’s too. I gave it to him (with spare parts) and showed him everything from charging the battery and pre-flght checks to how everything was connected and the basics of flying. During his first flight a few weeks after I left, the airframe was destroyed. He didn’t perform his pre-flight checks and as a result he couldn’t control it properly in the air. The plane came in hard during his landing attempt and was turned into quite a few smaller pieces of styrofoam.
Luckily I hadn’t installed the autopilot/flight controller which I had been testing for the plane.
Flying Monkey 3 UAV (2020 – 2021)
Many years have passed, and a new machine has arrived!
Due to the environment I’m currently operating from, it’s a quad. A DJI Mavic Mini to be exact.
Unfortunately, during its 30th flight, it decided to go for a swim while flying over a canal.
Flying Monkey 4 UAV (2021 – Current)
Not to worry though, I did manage to purchase a replacement Mavic Mini airframe a few weeks later.
maltosekincaid.com 