[balloon-makers] Rate of climb/descent

[David Barker]

I produced an autopilot rather more than 20 years ago, which worked. You
might get some ideas for your own auto from the section on my web site which
describes the theory etc.

Power consumption of the auto is negligible, the big(ish) battery is
needed to power the electric valves.  Size including the control panel but
excluding the required vario and battery and box is about 4" x 2" x 2" and
weight is about 3 oz.  (The control knobs alone probably take up half the
final weight!) It can be programmed for level flight or any rate of climb or
descent up to 600 fpm.

Best regards

David Barker
On the road in Canada

http://dbarker.club.fr



On Thursday, August 31, 2006 9:54 AM ,
Mark Caviezel wrote:


Robert:
this is just a 'for fun' project, maybe for use during
a long jump flight.
I've seen pics of Comstock's autopilot, about as large
as a shoebox, power consumption unknown.   My
autopilot will be much smaller, lighter, probably
lower power consumption, and eventually with
programmable ascent/descent rates.

I am open to suggestions for suitable electric
blastvalves.

- Mark Caviezel





--- Robert Kerr <private e-mail address> wrote:


Mark,

What is the intended project?

Bruce Comstock already has built an autopilot unit
for Hot Air Balloon use,
so you might check with him.


Robert Kerr


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