RC Aircraft

NightWing

Completed Model

Using the same wing as the Mini Chiroptera and the Lightwing, I wanted to do a version I could fly first-person in the dead of night. The current cameras I've been using for FPV have all been very good for night time flying, however, there still needs to be at least streetlights around in order to see well. I wanted something that could perform in very low light. In my search I ran across a video reviewing the AxisFlying Owl Pro Low Light Camera, and this looked like a very good and inexpensive low-light camera.

Fuselage and electronics

I did the same as with the Lightwing, cut open the fuselage area to make it easier to fit all the electronics. I moved the video transmitter towards the rear, as well as left it uncovered so it could get as much cooling as possible. I added some super-bright SMD LEDs with black 32 gauge wire (not shown in the fuselage picture since it was taken before the lights were added).

Lights on

Maiden Flight

  • Maiden Flight
  • Maiden FPV
  • Night Field View
  • Night FPV
  • Darker Flight Field View
  • Darker Flight FPV
Maiden flight from third-person.
Maiden FPV flight in the evening about an hour after the sun went down.
View of the first night FPV flight field from the phone. Tried to make the exposure settings look as close to what I was seeing, which was barely able to see snow patches around.
First night FPV flight. Takeoff was a little hairy since when I pulled my goggles down, it pushed down the cuff of my hat over my eyes, so I could only half-see out of one eye while flying. Really impressed how well this works in low light, capturing stars with ease.
View of a darker flight area from a phone camera, close to what it looked like with the naked eye.
Darker flight area, which is the same one I used for the MicroBat, however it was later so the parking lot lights were off. As well, I was flying in the dark area that I couldn't see at all with he MicroBat.

Parts List