UAV - A new project

For the last 6 months or so, I have been following several forums/blogs on how to make your own amateur UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle). Basically this is a consumer, or self built, remote control plane with a micro-controller, GPS, wing leveling IR, and a pressure sensors for airspeed, assessing it's current position and making control adjustments to rendezvous with pre-programmed 3D way points. Without the intervention of a human.
I have completed my first purchase, (the air frame) and I'm hoping to get this built this weekend. I picked up the Multiplex EasyStar (at the local hobby store D's Hobbies) as recommended by http://www.diydrones.com This is a great frame for a quick build and very stable for flight. It's a simple 3 channel plane, and has both a dihedral, and polyhedral in the wing form for added stability. It's made in Germany, so it has to be good. They state a 2 hour build time, but I would guess that it will take longer (mostly because I have to dismantle my slowstick and use its electronics.)
I will upload some images and keep a progress log here on the blog, that will contain the total number of hours into the project, and total cost.
Cost = $65.99
Hours = 0

TCost = $65.99
THours = 0 (other than countless hours of research, hope that pays off)

San Diego Temple

Once again another trip for work, but this time I had the opportunity to take some images. This is the Mormon Temple in San Diego, California. Very awesome and inspiring building. I has some of the most glass work I have ever seen in a Temple.

Whistler, BC

Just had the opportunity to travel to CANADA. Whistler, BC to be exact. I was able to spend some time at the athletes village that is under construction for the 2010 Winter Olympics. I have to say this is some of the most beautiful country I have seen. It resides in some of the most rugged landscape, with snow capped mountains I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. I unfortunately did not have the opportunity to snap any images so you out of luck.

It's been a long Winter

6 months of Winter (it seems like.) And It still seems to be hanging in here. I have not had much time to work with any of the heli projects or plane projects since the start of the cold weather.

I have worked on a KIOSK idea and was able to get that completed. This is a coffee table replacement system that is currently being used as a library book index and mapping/stitching station. Its built with a 42" monitor and a great trackball for the mouse. There are also 5 authentic arcade buttons for input. (could be good for head to head PACMAN)

I'm now working on a multi touch interface for a taller table like system. I'm still working on getting parts in to complete the project. This will be similar to the Microsoft Surface system.

Black Thursday UPDATE!!

It's been 10 months since the first round of terminations, and the start of this BLOG. Unfortunately there have been 3 more rounds of terminations, and a few lost because of personal choices. This now leaves our group at 9. A far cry from the original numbers of 46+. The guys I use to manage have moved on and I fell they are doing well in their new respective situations. A lot has happened over the last 10 Months, our group no longer has many of the responsibilities from the past and a new direction has been laid out before us.