This is far from the thread I ever expected to start but I today lost my Z11 somewhere in Somerset.
I was at my normal flying site near Wells in Somerset with my spotter, flying well within the limits of LOS and lost visual on the goggles but the Z11 failed to respond to control inputs.
I switched to the FYDOS RTH expecting her to come back but after a few minutes there was no sign. Eyewitnesses I spoke to stated she appeared to be heading in a westerly direction..
If anyone hears of a large black and yellow plane as shown below can you please PM me..
Cheers.
Ah mate that's sucks!! Was it new?
Do you have a ground recording or any tracking device onboard? How much battery was left & how was your failsafe set?
Do you think it was a midair power failure?
Did you have your phone number or email address with promise of reward on the wing?
Shame I got a full week at work as my mum lives a few miles from you & I could've paid her a visit & help you look for the ZII.
By the time I've got some spare time it'll be into next week.
M6TVP
That's about 25mins from me, If you need a hand i'm off work all Month lol.... Or if you could be more specific where you think it went down?
http://gridreferencefinder.com/ (http://gridreferencefinder.com/)
and post links....
Hi Guys,
Unfortunately there was no tracking device and no ground recording as lost the video.
Also no number and reward on her, as was only flying her localised within LOS and relied on my spotter, she was only a week old but had been tested last weekend, RTH worked so I've no idea what went wrong, one minute she was flying happily, next the video was breaking up and last contact we had was somewhere near Priddy, about 2 miles NW of Wells in Somerset.
We've been out and had a look with the quads, my fear is she's headed off at a good turn of pace with about 20 mins battery life, possibly more so she could have ended up going out of the Bristol Channel.
I've reported the loss to the Police in case of any incidents as a result, I am with BMFA.
I am just hoping word gets around and someone somewhere finds her and knows someone who uses this and/or other forums who can let me have her back.. It's quite a loss to suffer, a quick calculation of cost makes depressing viewing, I thought I had it covered with the FyDOS and GPS which had worked satisfactorily only last weekend.
Bob
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
:-( Does sound like you had a power failure - could it of broken up mid-air?
Ah dude that's not good news :(
As me & Badlands said above it does sound very much like a low voltage situation.
Did you plug both lipos in as this is the prime cause of what you've described, I know personally 2 people who have done just that & have flown with just one lipo powering the plane, one person lost then found their plane & the other just managed to get it into land LOS dead stick.
I'd be very shocked if it was low voltage, it was only up 5 mins before it went rouge and disappeared heading west at apparently high speed according to a couple who saw it...
I am just hoping that it will turn up, there is a glimmer of hope that it might be near Westbury-Sub-Mendip as scanning the horizon we saw something that appeared to be yellow and black but unfortunately at the distance we observed it it could have been a bird as other birds seemed to be tracking whatever it was... It may have been my imagination.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Wow ok, sounds very strange then! No control & no video at the same time is very odd gotta say, plus full throttle escape is even weirder!
It did have a good gps sig right, & you definitely set the home position to where you were? As if gps was wrong it could fire it off in some random direction on rth?
Dont mean to patronise you, just trying to think of causes.
I really hope you find it, are you searching again at first light? I would be up there pretty quick incase some inquisitive dog walker picks it up.
I've really no idea where to start looking, it's a slim chance and a very slim chance it may be where I spotted the bird like something that could have been the Zed.
I'm not sure if the motor was at max chat, it may have been the Failsafes 60% that was set and I only have what some walkers said and with a tail wind they'd have thought it was doing Mach 2.
The RTH was set, green flashing GPS lock etc... I don't really know what's happened and why.
I too am hoping it will reappear, if it does I'll fly a Z11 again but think at this time the loss is too much to consider renewing her just yet, patience is a virtue and all that I am just hoping Lady Luck is on my side...
If you don't find it pm me, I've got a spare one I can sort you out with, it ain't too pretty but with the addition of a motor mount & correx hatches it'll be just fine ;)
Fail save sets throttle at 60%?
Quote from: Brucey on July 28, 2013, 11:22:30 PM
Fail save sets throttle at 60%?
For RTH on a system that doesn't manage throttle me thinks.
I'll always set to 0% tbh or at least 30% on systems like that.
Personally I use eagle tree gear with full automation inc throttle control, which has saved my ZII on RTH in a totally heroic fashion!
Having lost a Z2 myself I feel your pain and I was lucky I didn't loose my Venturi too as I'm the second case Flynn referred to having only plugged one battery pack in!! Luckily I was close in at the time when the video faded and I quickly lifted my goggles and managed to LOS her back in without damage.
I really hope somebody finds her and reports it to the police. This once again is a lesson to us all to put your number on the side of the plane. I got a phone call five months later when somebody found mine on the side of a Scottish mountain!
Unless it was stabilized, you'd probably find that it came down very quickly. You take your hands off the controls next time you're flying a wing (you will have another in time) and see how inherently unstable they are.
Keeping my fingers crossed for you. Good luck.
Quote from: Flyn on July 28, 2013, 11:19:43 PM
If you don't find it pm me, I've got a spare one I can sort you out with, it ain't too pretty but with the addition of a motor mount & correx hatches it'll be just fine ;)
Flynn that's most generous of you and thank you. I do hope that it won't come to that though and in time it will turn up...
I am just hoping it will be localish and someone does report it to the Police, I need to put a similar notice on the Police website as don't think a call to the Police control room will get it on the records and yes, lesson learnt.....
Before committing any future aircraft to the air my numbers going on her and my BMFA Membership number.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Quote from: M6TPV on July 29, 2013, 06:56:29 AM
Quote from: Flyn on July 28, 2013, 11:19:43 PM
If you don't find it pm me, I've got a spare one I can sort you out with, it ain't too pretty but with the addition of a motor mount & correx hatches it'll be just fine ;)
Flynn that's most generous of you and thank you. I do hope that it won't come to that though and in time it will turn up...
I am just hoping it will be localish and someone does report it to the Police, I need to put a similar notice on the Police website as don't think a call to the Police control room will get it on the records and yes, lesson learnt.....
Before committing any future aircraft to the air my numbers going on her and my BMFA Membership number.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Hope you won't need it too bud but its there if you do.
Fingers crossed some kind sole will help you get it back ok.
Quote from: Flyn on July 29, 2013, 06:16:26 PM
Quote from: M6TPV on July 29, 2013, 06:56:29 AM
Quote from: Flyn on July 28, 2013, 11:19:43 PM
If you don't find it pm me, I've got a spare one I can sort you out with, it ain't too pretty but with the addition of a motor mount & correx hatches it'll be just fine ;)
Flynn that's most generous of you and thank you. I do hope that it won't come to that though and in time it will turn up...
I am just hoping it will be localish and someone does report it to the Police, I need to put a similar notice on the Police website as don't think a call to the Police control room will get it on the records and yes, lesson learnt.....
Before committing any future aircraft to the air my numbers going on her and my BMFA Membership number.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Hope you won't need it too bud but its there if you do.
Fingers crossed some kind sole will help you get it back ok.
I hope so too... Was out this morning at OMG o'clock and again this evening with the quad for some high level scanning of the area... Nothing. I've got a list of farmers addresses in the local area I am going to go see too as well as some notices. I may even think about putting a ditty in the local paper and see if that turns up anything..
Fingers crossed
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Quote from: Flyn on July 28, 2013, 10:20:36 PM
Did you plug both lipos in as this is the prime cause of what you've described, I know personally 2 people who have done just that & have flown with just one lipo powering the plane, one person lost then found their plane & the other just managed to get it into land LOS dead stick.
(?) (?) (?)
I've done that twice now too... But after nearly losing my plane because I used some batteries that weren't fully charged I now watch my voltage (not just my consumed current) like a hawk! If it dips under 11v early I know there is a problem.
Still no news then? :(
Hi, sorry to hear about your lost aircraft, I hope you do get it back soon.
Do you think it could have been a UBEC failure?
Some ESC's shut down on loss of PPM signal some don't.
Quote from: Robotnik on August 02, 2013, 11:19:12 AM
Hi, sorry to hear about your lost aircraft, I hope you do get it back soon.
Do you think it could have been a UBEC failure?
Some ESC's shut down on loss of PPM signal some don't.
Still no news and unfortunately can't explain what happened as no means to investigate it other than to speculate. It wouldn't have been PPM as was flying on 35Megs and therefore PCM 1024.
I've been up on the area overflying potential crash sites with my Quad and to date nothing's come close for further investigation. It's the big waiting game which may be in vain. I've not lost the passion for the hobby which is the main thing.
Gotta keep smiling :-)
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Nice attitude mate I'm sorry you haven't gotten it back :(
So sorry to hear about this, i have just fitted a fydoss to my faithful old EZ so i really hope its nothing to do with this system :(
I do hope you get lucky and find her soon.
dizzy
Quote from: Dizzy on August 03, 2013, 01:44:30 AM
So sorry to hear about this, i have just fitted a fydoss to my faithful old EZ so i really hope its nothing to do with this system :(
I do hope you get lucky and find her soon.
dizzy
Good luck and no, dont panic, I've heard really very many good things about the fyDos... Just make sure you read the fail safe section properly to make it default to RTH. You'll be fine...
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Quote from: Steve W on August 02, 2013, 11:35:57 PM
Nice attitude mate I'm sorry you haven't gotten it back :(
"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return." -- Leonardo da Vinci
I think that this quote is very apt...it's definitely how I feel. Fortunately I've got the Quad to help keep me returning to the skies to eyeball the world beneath!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Hi Guys, many thanks for all the offers of help to find my Zed but I think it's in vain... I've scoured the lands around and have come up nought! The issue being knowing where to look. She could be anywhere and is as likely on the moon as in the next field on.
I have resigned myself to her complete loss and will start making up the kit to replace her.
The bug is still there fortunately.
:-)
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
When you loose 3 or 4 it gets a bit easier to bear
And remember: The first thing on your list should be a ground recorder!!!
Quote from: DaveyLC on August 06, 2013, 01:13:36 PM
And remember: The first thing on your list should be a ground recorder!!!
Purchased.... Got an Archos!!
next up is a GoPro replacement... mmmmm what to do what to do... Was considering the tried and tested GoPro3 Black but then saw this....
http://www.amazon.co.uk/ISAW-A3-Extreme-Screen-Waterproof/dp/B00E7NOVM4/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1F3YZULU7PTTG&coliid=INNF3YOBJ9SMG
Going to start a new thread to discuss, see if anyone's got one out there but looks interesting, wifi and built in LCD as standard.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
QuoteAnd remember: The first thing on your list should be a ground recorder!!!
and putting your name and contact details on it - and if you really don't want to loose it, a tracker!
Still gutted that this isn't a success story :-[
The archos recorders work well, I picked up a 504 of fleabay for a song. Having a built in screen is a bonus too.
Chris
Quote from: M6TPV on August 06, 2013, 11:23:57 PM
Quote from: DaveyLC on August 06, 2013, 01:13:36 PM
And remember: The first thing on your list should be a ground recorder!!!
Purchased.... Got an Archos!!
next up is a GoPro replacement... mmmmm what to do what to do... Was considering the tried and tested GoPro3 Black but then saw this....
http://www.amazon.co.uk/ISAW-A3-Extreme-Screen-Waterproof/dp/B00E7NOVM4/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1F3YZULU7PTTG&coliid=INNF3YOBJ9SMG (http://www.amazon.co.uk/ISAW-A3-Extreme-Screen-Waterproof/dp/B00E7NOVM4/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1F3YZULU7PTTG&coliid=INNF3YOBJ9SMG)
Going to start a new thread to discuss, see if anyone's got one out there but looks interesting, wifi and built in LCD as standard.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Good lad :D
As for the camera, the GoPro black can be found for under 280 :)
Quote from: DaveyLC on August 07, 2013, 09:26:50 AM
Quote from: M6TPV on August 06, 2013, 11:23:57 PM
Quote from: DaveyLC on August 06, 2013, 01:13:36 PM
And remember: The first thing on your list should be a ground recorder!!!
Purchased.... Got an Archos!!
next up is a GoPro replacement... mmmmm what to do what to do... Was considering the tried and tested GoPro3 Black but then saw this....
http://www.amazon.co.uk/ISAW-A3-Extreme-Screen-Waterproof/dp/B00E7NOVM4/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1F3YZULU7PTTG&coliid=INNF3YOBJ9SMG (http://www.amazon.co.uk/ISAW-A3-Extreme-Screen-Waterproof/dp/B00E7NOVM4/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1F3YZULU7PTTG&coliid=INNF3YOBJ9SMG)
Going to start a new thread to discuss, see if anyone's got one out there but looks interesting, wifi and built in LCD as standard.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Good lad :D
As for the camera, the GoPro black can be found for under 280 :)
I am going to go with the GoPro2 as got all the nik-naks such as layer lenses etc and being of known provenance and giving video which I am comfortable with I think it's the better option, well for me at least and I can use the £100 I'd have to spend on the GP3 Black for a new OSD...
Bob
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD