What we are building: autonomous long-range quadrotor
AOS UL8 V5 — basis van deze build
UL8 V5 render
We are building a self-flying 8″ long-range quadrotor on ArduPilot — not a cinema drone, but a learning and mission platform. This post is the entry point to the Xenobyte build log.
Goal
We want a reliable aircraft that can:
- Fly missions — waypoints, loiter, later richer tasking.
- Teach us how control, sensors, and ArduPilot work together.
- Stay reproducible: every choice has its own post with why and how.
The airframe is an AOS UL8 V5. Brains: Pixhawk 6X Mini with PM02D. Propulsion: T-Motor F100 1100KV + Pacer 60A V2 + HQProp LR8×4.2×3.
How we work
Eight process steps — from mechanics to autonomy. Each step is a blog post with what we do, manuals, and links to parts:
- Frame & mechanics
- Flight controller & power
- Position & heading
- Radio & telemetry
- Low-speed sensing
- Obstacle awareness
- Config & first flights
- Expanding autonomy
Deeper explainers: power & capacitors, ports & wiring. Firmware: firmware page. Deferred items: later backlog.
What this is not
Not a BMPCC/cinema stack, not a sealed kit. It is documented choices, alternatives, and a searchable build log.
Next read
Start with Step 1 — Frame & mechanics or browse everything from the drone-build hub.
ArduPilot wiki (implementation)
Official wiki pages for configuring / testing this part in ArduPilot:
Photos