Make an Open Source Drone

A fun project in which you learn about drones by making one. Use the Pixhawk or Multiwii AIO flight controllers

Created by: Dr. Peter Dalmaris
Educator and Author of "Maker Education Revolution".

What Will I Learn?

• Understand the different types of multi-rotor drones.
• Understand flight terminology.
• Understand the principles of drone flight.
• Understand the roles of propellers, motors, flight controller, ESC in drone flight.
• Understand the use of LiPo batteries and their use.
• Understand the use of GPS in drone flight.
• Understand how to bind a radio receiver and transmitter.
• Understand the necessary drone pre-flight checks.
• Understand the basic safety and legal requirements involved in recreational drone flight.
• Assemble a quadcopter from parts available in the market.
• Upload the MultiPirateNG firmware to the Crius V2 flight controller.
• Use the open source Mission Planner software to configure a drone.
• Practice flying their quadcopter and fun while becoming better pilots!
• Learn how to use the Pixhawk flight controller.

Requirements

• Windows computer
• Basic electronics tools (please see free list of tools in section 1)
• Be comfortable working with electronic components
• Willingness to persevere despite set-downs (like broken propellers resulting from a drone rough landing)

Target audience

• Intermediate-level maker looking for a fun outdoors activity
• Anyone interested in drones for recreational use