Kirk,

Lets not throw the baby out with the bath water!  If a terrorist wants
to buy a UAV he can do so for less than $20K.  So why would he waste his
time trying to develop something which may or may not work?  For
terrorists, money is not an issue, time is.  For the hobbyist time is
not an issue, money is.

Michael



> -----Original Message-----
> From: pic microcontroller discussion list
> [mailto:PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU] On Behalf Of WASSON, KIRK D
> Sent: Monday, 17 June 2002 11:49 PM
> To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> Subject: Re: [EE]: Airplane cruise control
>
>
> There a lot of real smart folks on this board. I have
> received great PIC information. We should not be responding
> to requests for information on Cruise Controls. Folks
> interested in cruise controls can get a response from:
> http://www.fbi.gov/ Keep America safe, Kirk
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tony Nixon [mailto:Tony.Nixon@ENG.MONASH.EDU.AU]
> Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2002 6:39 PM
> To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> Subject: Re: [EE]: Airplane cruise control
>
>
> Jinx wrote:
> >
> > I've been asked to look at a cruise control for a single- engined
> > light plane. I got the request via an intermediary, who
> doesn't know a
> > lot of details except that
> >
> > (1) the micro should maintain the sensor input at 200Hz by
> >
> > (2) sending a DC pulse to a pitch-control servo on the propellor
> >
> > It seems "simple" enough, under ideal conditons anyway, but
> if any of
> > the licenced pilots on the list have any comments I'd be
> glad to hear
> > them. There will be real life factors to take into
> consideration, eg
> > buffeting, plane loading, time needed to change pitch etc
>
> I just passed my private pilots licence on Friday :-)))
>
> I'd be cautious about doing anything "automated" to an
> aircrafts engine. If an accident occurred and your device was
> the suspect.... the mind could only boggle at the legal
> implications that would follow.
>
> Imagine the 'box' taking control of the engine speed on short
> final, or worse, just after leaving the ground, due to some
> weird software bug, or some wiring fault - in the end, who's
> to say. Was it caused by you, the installer (owner), or both.
>
> Personally, I'd pass on the project, especially as there are
> a lot of unknowns, and leave it to a company with mega bucks
> available for possible law suits.
>
> My limited experience with "real world" projects is that they
> take a lot of time to debug and fine tune. Aircraft time is
> "expensive".
>
> --
> Best regards
>
> Tony
>
> mICros
> http://www.bubblesoftonline.com mailto:sales@bubblesoftonline.com
>
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