Octo build for gaining certificate

[felixflyer]

Hi

I would like to build an Octocopter with the aim of using it to practise flying and then to get my commercial certificate.

I would like to go down the DIY route so I know it inside out and can adjust it to suit or build other similar. To start with I am going to build a 600 size quad to learn the basics of flying and building.

What flight controller would people recommend? I would like to use one system and get to know it inside out so I can buy others and swap add-ons etc. I don';t want to be changing and rebuying/relearning things as I have chosen an unsuitable system.

Regards

[JeremyE]

Hi Felix

I think its important to take into consideration what camera and gimbal you are wanting to use as well when selecting a flight controller.

If you want easy plug and play stuff and don';t mind the cost, I would recommend DJI flight controller and gimbals. They are easy to set up and just work.

If you are a tinkerer like me, then go for a Pixhawk. It will open up waypoints, follow me and other features that DJI cant do but comes with the price that its harder to initially set up. It also opens up other interesting options with different gimbal controllers, but the tuning of these gimbals is more complex.

[felixflyer]

Thanks for the reply,

Ideally I would like something that is suited to multiple uses and completely expandable. Pixhawk sounds like what I am looking for, I would prefer something I could tnker with and learn inside out.

Can Pixhawk be used commercially in the licence agreement?

[JeremyE]

Can Pixhawk be used commercially in the licence agreement?

As far as I know it can be. A quick call to one of the licence guys would confirm that.

[Desmoboy]

I have recently done the ground school and am preparing flight reference cards. I can state that resource group have no issue with Pixhawk. They also told me that the CAA have no issues with them either.

As to Octocopters, i am preparing a Carboncore cortex with a Pixhawk, it folds to less than your 600mm, is agnostic to which Gimbal you use and powerful enough to lift them.

[teslahed]

Don';t build a large expensive complicated octocopter for practicing on. Build something smaller and cheaper and simpler to practice on then get the octocopter after you';ve done the basic learning and crashed a few times.

[felixflyer]

Hi

Thats my plan I would rather stick with one FC system thoughout.

[JeremyE]

Don';t build a large expensive complicated octocopter for practicing on. Build something smaller and cheaper and simpler to practice on then get the octocopter after you';ve done the basic learning and crashed a few times.

I agree with Tesla here. I have a simple 450 quad with a 3axis mobius gimbal (actually 2 axis at the moment as I haven';t fitted the 3rd). Cheap and cheerful if it goes down while practicing my camera and flying skills.

[teslahed]

Hi

Thats my plan I would rather stick with one FC system thoughout.

You can easily use the same FC for both a smaller quadcopter and a larger octocopter.

[poseiden]

Wookong!!!!