Later — deferred parts backlog
Status: backlog (not required for first flights)
Purpose: track what we are not building yet, but want after a stable maiden stack.
This is not a cinema drone. Phase 1 = flying + autonomy. Phase 2 = visibility, compliance, and payload.
Phase 1 (now) vs later
| Now (build log) | Later (this page) |
|---|---|
| Frame, FC, power, GPS/RTK, ELRS, H-Flow, LD-06, props | Camera / FPV, Remote ID, survey payload, companion |
| Maiden must-haves: battery, TPU, wiring → BOM | Buy only once phase 1 flies reliably |
Priority (proposal)
| Prio | Item | Why later | ≈ price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Remote ID (OpenDroneID) | EU remote identification; useful before wider ops / C-class path | ≈ €25–40 |
| A | FPV / camera (O3/O4 or Walksnail) | Visual feedback on test flights; UL8 has a camera cage | ≈ €150–300 (+ goggles) |
| B | Spare battery | Longer sessions | ≈ €110–160 |
| B | RTK base / corrections | Centimetre path when missions truly need it | variable |
| C | Survey / mapping camera | Image-based tasks — not cinema | €200+ |
| C | Companion computer (ETH on 6X Mini) | Offboard missions, CV, logging | €50–200+ |
Remote ID
Broadcasts e.g. operator ID + position over Bluetooth/Wi‑Fi (OpenDroneID).
| Candidate | Holybro Remote ID (CAN or serial, ArduRemoteID) |
| Docs | Holybro setup · ArduPilot Remote ID |
| Alternative | BlueMark DroneBeacon etc. |
| Operator | Registration already stored (see project registration notes) |
| EU context | C1–C3: Remote ID required; C0/legacy differ. Privately built aircraft: check current RDW/EU rules before claiming compliance. |
Port: prefer CAN (hub already present) or a free UART — not TELEM1 (LD-06) or TELEM2 (ELRS).
Camera / FPV
For test flights and situational awareness, not film production.
| Option | When | Note |
|---|---|---|
| DJI O4 / O3 Air Unit | Soft-mount in UL8 camera cage | Needs goggles; check weight/power |
| Walksnail Avatar HD | Digital FPV alternative | Own VRX |
| Analog FPV | Budget / light | Less range/clarity |
Frame resources: AOS UL8 V5 (O3/O4 soft mount, 19–20 mm cage).
Do not order until Stabilize/AltHold/Loiter are solid without depending on video.
Other later ideas
- Landing pad / LED / buzzer upgrades — field work
- Parachute / recovery — only if mass/rules demand it
- Gimbal + action cam — out of scope for the core mission
- LTE / satcom telemetry — ops beyond ELRS
- Yaapu / better OSD — mostly software (cheap; fine to do early)
Not on this backlog
- Analog PM, wrong RX types, UL8 Cine/Pocket 6K stack — see BOM “Do not buy”.
- Maiden-open items (battery, TPU, wiring) belong in remaining-must-have, not here.
Next action
- Finish the maiden stack (steps 1–7).
- Then choose: Remote ID first (compliance) or FPV first (visibility).
- For each choice, add a part post + decision report like the rest.