An alternative to the MultiWiiConf software
Until Multiwii’s penultimate version, the mission planner was not implemented, and in order to fill this gap, the related community made an alternative software available for Windows operating systems, which is named MW-WinGUI: in addition to more captivating graphics, the program implements different additional functions as regards the mission planner. The reference website for the MW-WinGUI.
The version for Multiwii 2.4 is not yet available, it is however possible to use the MultiWii 2.3 navi b7 version, by setting the previous version in the Multiwii.h file; this is done by editing the file and by writing the following instruction: #define VERSION 230.
Before the flight
Well, given that the topic of the software has been exhausted and that the construction of the quadcopter has been defined, we will cover now the real purpose of this article: to have a RC model to fly. Therefore, let’s get ready for the maiden flight.
We will give for granted that the motors/propellers groups are balanced and that they run correctly; please verify that the radio channels are centered at 1,500 ms and we will have a range such as to significantly exceed the MINTHROTTLE and MAXTHROTTLE values. The battery must be securely fixed on the frame’s lowest part, and perfectly aligned with the barycentre; please make sure it does not move. Please raise the quadcopter by picking it up from the fulcrums of two motors taken on a diagonal, so to verify that the weight is perfectly balanced: if it leans from a side, please move the battery until you sense that it is balanced.
Please place the quadcopter in a perfectly levelled zone, and calibrate all the sensors, then move in the flight area: grass lawn would be better, as it may soften a possible fall. Please make sure that all around you there are no persons or animals, and place yourself in a position of the maximum security; also, please pay attention to the flight rules imposed by Local Authorities. Please remember that each aircraft flies with respect to the air and not to the ground, therefore in the presence of wind the quadcopter will tend to follow the direction of the latter, and even small gusts may seriously influence his stability; we advice, therefore, to carry out the first flights in the absence of wind.
