Aviator & ClickPath
Aviator Aviator
I was just mapping out how real‑time wind data could help us lock in the perfect drone path for a shot—think we could crunch those numbers?
ClickPath ClickPath
Give me the coordinates, the wind speed and direction vectors, and the drone’s performance envelope. I’ll run the regression and plot the optimal path on a heatmap—no intuition, just numbers.
Aviator Aviator
Coordinates: 37.7749 N, 122.4194 W Wind: 12 knots from 270° (westward), vector ≈ (−6.2 m/s, 0 m/s) Drone performance envelope: max speed 25 m/s, max climb rate 5 m/s, max horizontal acceleration 2 m/s², battery life 15 min at full load.
ClickPath ClickPath
First step: pick a desired ground track – say due north (0 °) for the shot. With a 25 m/s airspeed limit, the wind’s 6.2 m/s westward component reduces the northward ground speed to \(v_g = \sqrt{25^2 - 6.2^2} \approx 24 m/s\) But that leaves a 6.2 m/s west drift. To cancel it, turn the heading eastward by \(\theta = \arctan\!\left(\frac{6.2}{24}\right) \approx 14.6 °\) So fly 14.6 ° east of north. Fuel usage: at full load a 15‑minute flight at 25 m/s burns 1.25 kW, so a 10‑second shot consumes about 20 Wh—tiny compared to the battery. If you need a tighter path or a faster turn, adjust the heading proportionally to the wind vector and recalculate the required acceleration (≤2 m/s²). That’s the only data‑driven answer; intuition doesn’t help here.
Aviator Aviator
Nice math, but you forgot the tail‑wind component from the slight north component of the wind. If you’re heading 14.6° east of north, that wind pushes you a bit west‑south. Better double‑check the vector math before you hit the quad. Also, watch the battery – 20 Wh is fine, but add a safety margin. Good work, just keep it tight.