Cable duct

The new wing has a continuous cable duct. It is 40mm wide and 15mm deep. With the new version, it is easy to fit all the cables inside the wings. Cutting is now no longer necessary. There is enough room for external sensors or lighting systems.

Internal wing spar

Compared to the old version, wing spars cannot be seen from outside. They are now rotated 45 degrees, thus rhombic assembled inside the wing. This improves the stability of the wing and is noticeable during the assembly. The main disadvantage is that the spars are not easy to change like in the old version. However, the Maja is a tough plane and it takes a lot of force to bend the spars.

Wing fastening

Eariler in the MAJA test, we criticized the insecure wing locks.
The manufacturer has made a big improvement. The locking system is now the same as the fuselage; using Duro/Coroplast material. This method has proven reliable in many conditions thus there is no concern about loosing the wings in the air.

New wing profile

The Maja has a new wing profile. It’s a modified NACA 2412, which should improve the slow flight characteristics. The difference between the old and new wing profile can be only seen if you look very closely.
To feel the difference, we did a few test flights with the old and the new wings. Flying weight was brought up to exactly 3kg. We analyzed the flight characteristics of both sets of wings at a constant throttle of about ¾.
The resulting flight time was ~18 minutes with the old set and ~15 minutes with the new wings, neither times include gliding time. The lowest flight speed before stall was 25km/h for the old and 17km/h for the new version. Under 30km/h the old version was harder to control compared to 22-25km/h for the new wing design. We compared each wing on a second flight to confirm the results.
The tests showed a noticeable improvement in slow flying characteristics, which results in a slight decrease in flight time. This decrease in time will be barely noticeable under normal conditions.  Our tests were done under extreme conditions.
The results can vary with different power.

Our setup was the same as in the first part of this test:

Motor: Himax 3516- 1130
ESC: Simprop Magic Speed 42
Lipo: 2x 3s – 2450mAh parallel
Prop.: 10×6 Aeronaut Cam Carbon

Gliding and overall performance

The gliding performance of the Maja has improved with the new wings. The model does not loose height as fast as before. The landing approach is now a little easier. In sum the increase of gliding performance is the result of the better slow flying characteristics.

Conclusion

The new are an improvement and sport new features. The minimal decrease in flight time is only barely noticeable during normal flying.  This is because of the increase in gliding performance. The new wing has better stability and the new wing locks perform well even in rough conditions.
The company Bormatec continuously improves their models and upgrades as it goes.

Scoring

Pro

++ improved slow flying characteristics
++ improved stability of the wings
+++ new wing fastening
+++ continuous cable duct

Contra

– small decrease in flight time
– change of aluminium spars is more difficult

Result: good

Further information about this product

• Bormatec MAJA review – English
• Bormatec MAJA new wing review – German
  
• Bormatec MAJA review – German
• Bormatec MAJA discussion thread – English
  
• Bormatec MAJA discussion thread – German

We received the following parts for review:

• 1x Simple OSD XL
• 1x GPS 10Hz
• 1x Current sensor 50A
• 1x USB program adapter
• 1x small parts like connectors,…

Technical Data of the main components (manufacture data)

Simple OSD XL

• weight only 2.99g
• 27×35mm stamp size
• monitoring 2 batteries voltage and capacity and current(with optional current sensor)
• Plug and Play interface for easy usage
• Internal Audio Telemetry Modem for transferring values to the ground
• PC Based Audio Telemetry Modem software for receiving values
• PC Based Configuration Tool for Custom screen designs
• Alarm options for distance, battery and altitude
• Audible Variometer
• Record system for Max Speed, Altitude, Distance values
• 32kb code space for complex applications and useful screen
• IR port for Infra-red Dogfight and menu control with TV remote
• Optional 10hz GPS module with -163dB high sensitive active antenna
• Second battery monitor
• RSSI input pin for signal level monitoring
• Optional analogue pin for different sensors and Sensor design system
• EXT port for remote controls, digital outputs or IR gun for dogfight
• Firmware update system over internet
• SimpleOSD XL Web Manual

10Hz GPS module v2

• MediaTek Single Chip
• 16×16x6mm
• Patch Antenna: 15×15x4mm
• L1 Frequency, C/A code, 66 channels
• Embedded LNA and SAW filter
• With Active patch antenna
• High Sensitivity Up to -163 dBm tracking, superior urban performances
• Position Accuracy < 3m CEP (50%) without SA (horizontal)
• Cold Start is Under 35 seconds (Typical)
• Warm Start is Under 34 seconds (Typical)
• Hot Start is Under 1 second (Typical)
• Low Power Consumption 48mA @ acquisition, 37mA @ tracking
• Low shut-down current consumption 15uA, typical
• DGPS(WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS) support (optional by firmware)
• Max. Update Rate: up to 10Hz
• UART Interface
• Support AGPS function (Offline mode : EPO valid up to 14 days)
• 1 week backup time with Super Capacitor

The technical data is from the new GPS version 2. The difference is easy noticeable because of the backup battery. In the test I will use the old version 1 GPS.

50A Current sensor

• High quality 50 Ampere current sensor for SimpleOSD

USB program adapter

• Silab’s CP2102 based high quality USB to RS232 converter with 120cm long cable
• Full compatible with SimpleOSD Firmware loader software

This part is coming free with a new SimpleOSD XL(or Ultralight).

Installation

Contrary to its name, the Simple OSD is not a Plug & Play system. You have to study the web manual located at the manufacture’s website. A printed manual is not shipped with the unit. Special attention is needed for the power supply setup. Failure here can result in the destruction of your FPV equipment really fast. Even the wiring diagram in the web manual is difficult to follow for this.

The OSD needs a voltage from 7 to 24V. Normally its supplied by the current sensor. The current sensor directs the voltage of the connected battery (mostly the main flying pack) directly to the OSD. But this exact voltage is also directed to the connections for TX and cam (also to the connection of the receivers input). The wiring diagram shows, a 4s lipo, connected to a 12V TX and a 12V cam.  Not a good idea if you value your gear. Because of the direct connection of the voltage from the flight pack, you should use a filter to suppress noise.  So you can save the extra battery for the video equipment. If you want to use 5V equipment, a special 5V voltage regulator is necessary.

The OSD itself does not need any noise filtering. Even with the running motor, the display values do not flicker nor are there any other similar problems. The biggest difference between the Simple OSD and all the other OSDs out there, is the video and audio lines are not guided through the OSD, rather they are connected in parallel to the OSD. This is a big advantage, because in the event of OSD failure, there is still video and audio transmitted to the ground.

There are 2 ways to built up the OSD:

1) soldering plug connectors to make everything pluggable

• flexible construction
• GPS can be mounted on a different place for better reception

2) direct soldering the cables and the GPS module onto the main board

• compact construction
• less possibility of failures due to loose connections

Since version of the OSD already had soldered plug connectors (normal delivery with unsoldered pins), I decided to try the flexible construction. This type of construction needs much more space and the connections were to insecure. I suggest using a drop of hot glue or somthing similar to secure them.

Because of the planned use of the OSD in my FPV-Pod, I built it up once again. This time I soldered the GPS and the cables directly to the main board.  The small board leaves little room for big connections.

You have to solder your own battery connectors onto your current sensor. Soldering the XT60 directly onto the board was difficult. I didn’t want to risk a loose connection with so many plugs, so I decided to use cables. Unfortunately you can see the disadvantage of this solution in the picture. It’s big. Generally I wished the current sensor were smaller, because as it is,  the advantages of a small OSD are negated. There are current sensors available from the same manufacturer which are much smaller.

After finishing all the soldering and testing it, the main installation was finished.

Firmware

Principally everything should work smoothly here, like the “Simple” name indicates. Connect the USB adapter to the computer and install the drivers – start the software update – enter firmware code – update. Unfortunately there is when the “Simple” ran out.

The updated software displayed a finished update, but the OSD did not know that. Even disconnecting during the update, does not effect the updating process of the software. The problem in this case is the kind of update. The firmware will be written into the OSD without error check or verification after update. This often results in a corrupt firmware. So the OSD wont start any more. After many tries, different computers with different operating systems, I ended up having to use an older firmware in the OSD. After that was installed, I could upgrade to the newest one. The manufacturer has already promised to solve this problem with a future firmware update.

PC configuration

After updating to the newest firmware, its time to configure the OSD with the PC software. Connect USB adapter – power up the OSD – change your settings. The user interface is self-explanatory so you can quickly customize the settings. Nevertheless a better manual would have been great. But the configuration possibilities are limited, to stay with the “Simple” theme. There is only one line to change in the upper border of the display, therefore there are 5 different pages to set. You can use the switch on the board or the external receiver input.

You will need a continuous slider or pot. on the transmitter to switch through all 5 pages. With a 3 way switch only pages 1,3 and 5 useable. Additionally you can configure the standard alarms for voltage and distance, etc. The calibration of the current sensor is also very important. A first test showed a tolerance up to 30%. The best time to do the calibration is immediately after everything is put together. I managed to calibrate the voltage but failed to do the same with the current. Changing the calibration values does not have much effect.

Important features

The Simple OSD XL offers additional useful features.

1. RSSI: some RC-receivers provide a RSSI signal, which we could connect to the OSD. So the OSD can display the signal strength of the receiver, which is very useful. For example, we can turn back home before loosing control. The RSSI signal should be direct connected with a 10kOhm resistor in series to the OSD. I recommend to use a RSSI Buffer to prevent possible interference back to the receiver.
2. second current sensor: The OSD has a second current sensor input. So we used it to monitor a additional video battery. It’s possible to show the consumed mAh even on the second sensor input.
3. Infra-red port: This port should be used for IR dogfights or for configuration by a remote control. At the moment there is no use for it, so we’ll have to wait for future updates.
4. Internal Audio Telemetry Modem: The OSD has an inbuilt audio telemetry modem, to send data to the ground via the audio channel; values from the GPS or voltage for example, etc. On the ground the audio output of the video receiver is connected to the line in the computer. The software analyzes the audio stream and displays the data.  Live tracking with Google Earth is possible. In the future this data could be used for an antenna tracker on the ground.

Flight test

I assembled the Simple OSD XL onto an FPV-Pod. This helped make a fast change between two different planes.

The OSD starts very fast, after the battery is plugged into the current sensor. Because of the black back ground, the data is easy to read. The GPS acquires signal very fast, but you have to set the homepoint yourself. You have to wait until the GPS altitude stays at the same level and then press the button on the OSD, this resets all values to zero and sets the homepoint. Unfortunately this was not described in the manual and so took more time to figure out.

Here is the flying video with my Freescale X-Free 3D flyer:

Conclusion

The OSD does what it promises, but there were some difficulties. The name “Simple” is a little misleading because this is definitely not a Plug and Play system. Flytron has tried to keep everything “Simple”, but based on the variety of features this was not possible. There need to be some changes in the firmware and software to for this to be a “SimpleOSD”. The value for money is still good, but has competition from the new CEOSD. The SimpleOSD still enjoys market dominance.  It is the ideal OSD for people who want specific data displayed without distracting from the view. Indeed there are other OSDs, like the Eagle Tree OSD, which also configure to a simple display, but they are a lot more expensive.

Score

Pro

+++ very small OSD

+++ simple presentment of the information

+++ parallel connected to the video and audio cables

++ many functions

+ future enhancements (antenna tracker, IR-dogfight,…)

Con

— no Plug & Play system

— problems with the firmware update

— problems with current sensor configuration (30% difference)

– incomplete manual

- not everything is that „Simple“

Result: good up to satisfactorily

Further information about this product

• SimpleOSD XL review – German
  
• SimpleOSD discussion thread – English
• SimpleOSD discussion thread – German
  
• Web-Manual SimpleOSD XL Edition

Technical data (manufacture data)

Type: basic version FY-20A gyro 3- axes stabilization

Input voltage: 4.0 to 6.0V
Current draw: 5 mA (5V)
Size: 55× 33 x 20mm
Weight: 20g
Temperature range: -25°C – +70°C
Maximum rate of rotation: < 1200 °/s

Application: normal plane with or without aileron, with v-tail or standard rudders, and planes with delta mix

Compatible remote control systems: Robbe-Futaba PPM / PCM 1024 / PCM G3 Mode Graupner JR PPM 8, PPM 12, SPCM Mode Multiplex PPM 8, PPM 12 with UNI Mode 1,5ms

Packaging and content

The package arrived well packed in an air cushion bag delivered by DHL. The accessories were extensive. The module itself is in a light blue transparent housing. Its size is 55mm x 33mm x 20mm and weighing only 19g. Contrary to many similar products this module is not covered with simple heat shrink. The housing is robust and can be unscrewed.
If you want to save weight, you can take out the circuit board; it’s only 9,5g.
In addition the unit comes with four JR- servo connectors with 18,5cm length cord, one plastic shock mount, two Velcro tapes and an illustrated English manual.

Functional principle and installation

The FY-20A offers stabilization on three axes (elevator, rudder, aileron). It’s even possible to control models with v-tail or delta mix. The model type is selected via plug contact. The stabilization is provided by three gyro sensors and processor controlled electronics.

Schematic picture of the function:

Unfortunately the system needs a y-cable for the second aileron. So it’s not possible to set an aileron differential via the transmitter. If the servos are running in the same direction, it’s possible to buy an electrical y-cable with switch able inverting. In the test we tried to misuse the rudder axes for the second aileron, but failed.

The installation is done in a few steps. You should install it in a position with good airflow, to have a constant temperature. Otherwise the gyros will drift too much. The manufacturer suggests resetting the module before the flight, if the temperature fluctuates more than 30 °C. The same should be done after a longer break. Possible problems with the gyro drift are explained in the flight test chapter.

The FY-20A calibrates itself after powering up. Once adjusted, there are no additional steps necessary before flying.
The module is mounted with Velcro tape onto the shock mount. The printed arrow on the module must point in the flight direction.
The FY-20A must be connected with the following channels from the receiver: aileron, elevator, rudder and a free switch channel. Here we use the four servo cables provided. The switch channel is a user defined switch of the transmitter, like a three position switch. It’s used to toggle the three different modes:

• Mode 1: Deactivated – normal RC control – no stabilization
• Mode 2: 3D-Mode – stabilization with automatically recognizing the latest position of the aircraft – control deflection is unlimited
• Mode 3: Auto balance mode – aircraft will enter horizontal level flight, when the transmitter’s control sticks are centred. Deflections are limited and the FY20-A will not allow any acrobatic flights.

The modes can be switched in flight if desired. You will need a 3 position switch on your transmitter. If you have only a 2 position switch, you can only choose between mode 1 and 2 or between mode 1 and 3.

The ailerons are connected through a y-cable to the unit. Rudder and elevator are also directly connected to the module. We had no problems with the connections during our test. All plug connections were stable and the connections were secure.
During the first start-up you have to check for the correct rotation directions of the servos and the rudder effect in the stabilization mode. With the help of the three rotation potentiometers you can set the maximum deflections and the correct rotating direction. We suggest using as little deflection as possible to get the right feeling during flying. Too much deflection can cause a crash, if you are not fast enough to deactivate the stabilization during the flight.
Ultimate Attention is required and the maxim “Less is more” is valid here.

Flight tests

For the maiden flight we chose the Bormatec MAJA. We did a test flight with and without the shock absorber during low wind conditions. We flew the MAJA without stabilization to a secure flying level and switched to mode 3. At this point the FY-20A fully controlled the plane. We were amazed how stable the MAJA was, even with its weight of around 3kg. Even stronger gusts of wind had no negative effects. This is one of the main advantages of this system. We couldn’t control the MAJA as well as the FY-20A in those wind conditions. There was no flight path deviation noticeable. The MAJA flew stable and smooth.
Controlling while on mode 3 took some getting used to. It is like having 100% expo on all channels, we adjusted quickly. The model was responded very well and the flight felt very secure.  You should watch the flying speed during an autonomous gliding flight, especially with non self stable models, because of the risk of stalling.
In mode 2 (3D-mode) the control effects are neutral and you can fly as normal. The FY-20A in mode 2 worked like a head holding controller. The FY-20A tried to maintain the plane’s position every time we released the control sticks. Our aircraft and settings were certainly not the set up for 3D flight. To do this would require fine-tuning of the deflection values. Basically the 3D-mode works as it should and is perfectly suited to the ambitious 3D flyer.

The FY-20A does not like vibrations. That’s why the shock absorber is very important. We made several test flights without this absorber and the FY-20A reacts irraticly. For this reason the FY-20A would not work well in a gas driven aircraft, though due to missing models we were unable to confirm this.  During tests was the weather quite hot, and we noticed a little drift because of the temperature fluctuation. We could fix that really fast and easy with a manual calibration.

For better exemplification we show you a flight video:

Conclusion

Compared to its competitors, the FY-20A is a small and lightweight device with well thought out engineering. The price of about 110 Dollar makes it affordable and attractive. The only thing missing was the second aileron connection. The stabilization system works very well and does make flying safer. The shaking so common in video and photographs is reduced and approaches for landing are easier. Flying in higher wind and even complicated 3D flying figures is easy, even for the untrained pilot. The system is not suited for the absolute beginner. An experienced pilot should help during assembling and configuration to avoid crashes.

Scoring

Pro
+++ reliable operation
+++ very lightweight
+++ small size
+++ uncomplicated and easy assembling
+++ modes switch able during flight
++ extensive accessories inclusive

Con
- – - no second aileron connection
- - little gyro drift in the case of intense temperature fluctuation
- manual only in English and sometimes mistakable

Result: good

Further information about this product

• FY20A discussion thread – English
  
• FY20A discussion thread – German
  
• FY20A Review – German
  
• FY20A manual (last updated 29th July 2010)

We will test the flight characteristics with this new wing.
The experiences with the new wing will be added to the current MAJA review.

Here it is, the long awaited, much-desired aircraft which offers enough space for all your equipment and even can take some extra weight. You are free to choose how you lay the cables – without any spaghetti syndrome.

The “Maja” is developed by the German Borjet aeromodels company and is a real workhorse for FPV with a high loading capacity, high-quality flight characteristics and enough room for all your equipment.

We, the FPV-Community, had the honor of testing this aircraft exclusively. On the following pages you are going to find all the results.

Have fun!

Markus Schumacher (Mashu)

Product description

“Maja“, probably called after “Maya the Bee”, is an aircraft made of black-yellow EPP. This material combines flexible rigidity and a high compressive strength in comparison to elapor, arcel, etc. Maja has a wingspan of 1.8 meters and is 1.2 meters long. The dimensions of its usable interior are:

• in the middle: 15.8 x 3,2 x 3,2 inch

• in the front: 15.8 x 2 x 2 inch

The model has been designed for a total weight of 3 kg. With the RC components recommended by the manufacturer it is ready for take off weight of 1.5 kg. This means an additional loading capacity of 1.5 kg. Equipped with two Li-Po accumulators (both 3700mAh) connected in parallel, according to the manufacturer, it can fly up to 1.2 hours.

The wings in three parts are pluggable and lockable. The Maja is used in the fields of aerial photography, measurement and air surveillance.

Packing and Dispatch

I was quite amazed when I had received the package. It was an unexpected big box having the dimensions of 47.2 x 12.6 x 12.6 inch. Compared with former deliveries, it seemed like the manufacturer had improved a lot the quality of its packing.

All parts were protected from damage: each component was wrapped in foil and closed by a tacker.

Components and Construction kit

The construction kit includes the following components (see photo):

• 1 fuselage with motor mount and firewall
• 1 elevator
• 1 rudder
• 4 canopy closures made of thermoset
• 3 wings with aluminum reinforcing profile (see also following part of report)
• 2 winglets for wings
• 1 EPP universal element for fuselage (for additional installations)
• 2 elements forming the nose
• 1 wooden motor mount
• 1 assortment of small parts (linkage, fixations, etc.)
• 1 construction manual in English/German
• Some remains of EPP (very useful)

The fuselage

The fuselage of Maja has a lot of refinements worth mentioning. The canopy, for example, is opened in two stages: first the forward half of the fuselage which is planned as the battery carrier, and then the posterior half of the fuselage, made for technical installations. For more stability the fuselage has some sheets of thermoset (plastic panels) pasted into the top and the bottom. So, the aircraft can even land on uneven ground without damaging the EPP. The canopy hinges are made of this robust material, too. At the beginning, I was skeptical if it could withstand any stresses, but the manufacturer guaranteed there will be no problem. I will see how it will handle the stresses. Another highlight are the wings, which can be adjusted. In case of additional installations this can be useful to adjust the center of gravity. On the picture below you can see the red cable gland for servo cables. The cables are lead directly into the fuselage interior. In the motor mount at the rear will be the firewall, the motor, the controller and two servo cables, one for the elevator, one for the rudder.

A special characteristic of the motor mount is that it can be removed for maintenance work. It is locked by plug-in pins. Unfortunately, it is necessary to remove the control linkages of the elevator servo when removing the motor. Furthermore, the cable gland for the motor mount and its RC cabling are already fixed. It is conspicuous here that the model has a high level of prefabrication.

The Canopy latch

This well-reasoned construction combines the upper with the lower half of the fuselage. When assembling the model, two closures are stuck on each side of the fuselage. These closures consist of plastic panels, too. So, after that the supplied plastic sticks are passed through to close the fuselage.

For a short moment I feared that I lose the sticks during the flight. In contrary to all of my worries, I noticed that it is fixed tightly when I first passed through a stick. A fabulous construction.

The Wings

As I have already mentioned, the wings are divided into three parts. The middle part is fixed permanently with screws on the fuselage. The outer parts of the wings can be plugged in and locked comfortably. So, the locking mechanism consists of an inflexible steel wire plugged into a pre-drilled perforation.

Building and Construction manual

The Construction manual

The construction manual is very short but meaningful and contains a lot of illustrations. At second glance, however, I saw some inaccuracies in the illustrations. Nevertheless, they are not engraving. I already contacted the manufacturer to point these flaws out to him and he assured a fast correction.

Moreover, I noticed that there is a lack of information about the rudder angle or the note to put some expo on the elevator during the first flight.

This tip I got from the manufacturer via e-mail (see also paragraph “Flight tests”).

The Building

Anyone who has some building skills will be able to build the MAJA without major problems. Before starting, make sure that you have all equipment and adhesives available. In contrast to elapor or arcel, we do not need any super glue when using EPP, but 5min Epoxy and a glue gun. Don’t worry about using hot glue on the joints, my reaction was similar. However, my experience with Epoxy and glue gun are very durable. Once these two materials were glued together, I could not separate them without damaging the parts.

With the exception of the motor mount and the rudder, I glued all the parts of the Maja with hot glue. For the other parts and the elevator I used 5min Epoxy.

I was surprised about the good overall bond strength. Nevertheless, I found some negative aspects:

1. EPP is known as a material whose strength fades by and by when stressed permanently. The manufacturer knows about this problem and added aluminum braces to the stressed parts. This is a good solution for the wings. Unfortunately, the manufacturer forgot to add braces to the elevator which is wobbly. Even if it does not break, it influences the control linkages of the elevator and thus the flight characteristics. The manufacturer should improve this, for example by pasting in a 3mm carbon/CFK rod.
2. As I have already mentioned, the motor mount is locked by 3 plug-in plastic pins and thus is also wobbly. The manufacturer could add some extra plug-in pins. In this way, the user can plug in as many pins as needed.

The ESC and motor can be installed in a universal way. The kit includes a laser wooden motor mount with a pre-drilled hole on the motor mount. With the help of threaded rods the motor is mounted firmly, the down thrust is adjustable.

The ESC is placed under the motor mount. So, it is cooled during the flight and the cables which lead to the motor are short enough. A perfect motor for the Maja is a brushless motor with at least 350 watts. The ESC should provide about 60 amps. The manufacturer also sells a motor system which is available on his web page.

The manufacturer added a nice feature to the Maja. The construction kit includes a nose which can be removed, fixed with Velcro or adapted to personal needs, for example when installing a camera or sensors in the front of the fuselage (see also “Usability for aerial photography, measurement and FPV”).

The manufacturer recommends four 20g mini servos. In my opinion, they have enough power to drive the model, even when loaded. For the wings, however, I recommend using digital servos. The manufacturer also recommends gluing the servos in the wing. I would say it is better to use installation frames for servos with covers.

Flight tests

After programming the rc transmitter, finally, the day came to fly. It was windy and gusty.

Pointing the Maja into the wind and a light throw, it glided quietly through the air with very little trim. It withstood the gusty winds and its flight characteristics were similar to a high wing airplane. Gliding with motor off was good but it lost height quickly. Using one quarter power of the motor it floats smoothly on a constant altitude with low power consumption. Equipped with two Li-Po´s (11.1V 3s 2400mAh) connected in parallel I got 20 minutes flying time. When I landed there were still 950mAh remaining in the Li-Po´s. For more information about the first flight, see also the video below.

Usability for aerial photography and FPV

The Maja has a lot of room for all your equipment. For comparison, you see a photo of an installed GF OSC-Cam 480TVL, EZ OSD and a current sensor:

The OSC Cam fits well into the nose – making it resistant to vibrations. The headtracker could be installed on the top of the fuselage. It can handle some extra weight without any problems.

(Videosender -> Video-TX, Kameraposition -> camera position, od. Messsensorik -> or sensors)

Video transmitter

Even with high frequency video transmitter on 5.8 GHz, I got high ranges with the antenna position shown in the picture. The shadowing effect caused by the fuselage and the wings was impressively small. This is another further strength of the Maja.

The weather conditions were not good for long-term testing. In spring I will carry out further testing.

Scoring and conclusion

To summarize:

Pro

+ Material EPP, high compressive strength and flexible rigidity

+ Long flight time

+ High-quality flight characteristics when loaded

+ High level of prefabrication

+ Wings divided in three parts and lockable

++ Well-reasoned locking system

++ Wing spars made of aluminum

++ Extra EPP material for individual installations

++ Bottom side of the fuselage protected during landing

+++ Center of gravity adjustable by wings

+++ Generous amount of space available

Con

- Construction manual partially inaccurate

- Motor mount is wobbly

- High initial purchase costs

– Elevator is wobbly – no spar

Test results: Very good

The Maja is a well-reasoned product which offers a lot of space for own design and installations. It is a good aircraft which will withstand the requirements of our community and other pilots for a long time.

For beginning users of FPV it is only suitable to a limited extent because of the high initial purchase costs. For advanced users of FPV, however, it is highly recommendable.

We had a hack in the WP system and thus decided to remove the Wordpress directory as a whole.  The downtime was not related to this although we first thought so.

I’ve made a backup of the database and merged it into this new installation so far. Some smaller stuff including the old theme will follow soon.

Some days ago the brand new Flytron SimpleOSD XL arrived. Flytron has provided their new SimpleOSD XL as a review product for FPV-Community!

We´ve received:

• SimpleOSD XL Main Board
• SimpleOSD GPS Module 10Hz
• 50A Current Sensor
• USB Firmware Update Interface

The first pictures can be found in our forum by following the link: SimpleOSD XL