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Heroic Playmonaut wowed by LOHAN's bulging package

LOHAN team wraps Vulture 2 spaceplane avionics install

Taming the Pixhawk

So, onwards towards the spaceplane's nose. Next up on the list was how to tame the Pixhawk and its GPS/compass unit...

Close-up of the Pixhawk and untamed wiring

...which first required the placing of a new Futaba S.BUS R/C receiver. Unlike the previous ArduPilot Mega (APM) 2.6, with its eight separate inputs, the Pixhawk has a single S.BUS in, hence the new kit. Note the Pixhawk's I2C extender to the left:

Our Futaba receiver mounted in the Vulture 2

A block of wood on either side of the receiver, with some bolts and rubber washers provided support...

The wooden mounting blocks for the Pixhawk around the R/C receiver

...for the removable autopilot platform:

The Pixhawk mounted, with a rubber band retention system

The autopilot is separated from the platform by self-adhesive foam mounts, and more securely held using rubber bands. Behind it, we lovingly crafted a platform for the GPS/compass...

The wooden board for the GPS to sit on, with Velcro pads

...and with that last component Velcroed down, it was pretty much a wrap:

The GPS mounted, seen with the Pixhawk

Next page: Pi-stuffed crust

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