Just in case that was aimed at me, I've designed, built and flown model aircraft since I was 12 years old while I was in India. But coming back to the landing and takeoff discussion on Nishant, radio control of a model is a counter intuitive process and the first few tries are almost always disasters. This is why nowadays they strongly recommend a computer based RC simulator linked to an actual RC console so you don't break your hard work. It's completely different from a computer based flight simulator which is more like actually flying a plane. Some passable simulators are available for Android, just enter "RC simulator". In RC, left, right, up and down controls will produce entirely different results depending on the model's position, flight path and attitude relative to the flyer which is constantly changing. The number of channels and actuators adds to the confusion at first. It's like learning to ride a bike--if you explain the process to someone, they'll think you're nuts but once you get it, it becomes 2nd nature. At the local RC field, there are kids flying models as well and sometimes better (must be the video game practice) than the old guys.NRao wrote:I very much doubt these guys who post about model air crafts Being that easy, have even touched one.
Now the UAV--controlling it on the ground (taxi), takeoff and landing by a ground controller are almost 100% identical to an RC model plane. It's when the UAV is handed over to the technically trained remote pilot, maybe miles away, that the difference begins. The remote pilot 'sees' through the UAV's 'eyes' and its GPS or other guidance and flight system. He can then take pictures, designate a target, release a weapon etc. With larger advanced RPVs like Predator or Global Hawk, there is only one pilot with no need for the ground controller. In this case, the controller can, depending on mission, even be a trained pilot who has specialized in the craft, taking off and landing remotely in Iraq while sitting in Virginia. He may have a weapons guy sitting next to him. Nishant (or Searcher or Heron) doesn't have this capability if the report I quoted is accurate, though we hope that Rustom will. Nobody is claiming that a RC model is the same thing as a UAV. The question I had was why is controlling it during takeoff and landing such a big deal as the report claims because by my understanding it shouldn't be. There may very well be a valid reason for this, who knows. It was a question.