Pixhawk for Paraglider/Parafoil

PX4 Autopilot
1

Hello,
I am currently working on a project where I am aiming at having an autonomous flight with a RC paraglider.
Controls of a paraglider are really simple, pull on a string (Servo 1) to go right, pull on another to go left (Servo 2). No need for stabilization since a paraglider is inherently stable. So the only commands I need are “Turn left/right”.

I don’t have much experience with the Pixhawk and coding so please forgive me if I am missing something obvious.
I couldn’t find an airframe or firmware for what I need, so I tried to understand and change the code for it to work but without sucess.
I guess I need a steering output like in the Rover Firmware.

My problem is :

  • I haven’t found a way to translate the turn command to a servo, (not roll, pitch, yaw). I have looked at mixing files but haven’t understood them enough to make successful changes.
  • The stabilization can be turned off since it will only create parasite movements, but I don’t know how.

Any help would be really really nice ! :slight_smile:
I have been stuck for a few weeks now.

A simple drawing of the setup:

Vue%20de%20derriere
Vue%20de%20derriere1011×648 5.14 KB

1 Like
2

I would try to use a fixedwing configuration but then adapt the mixer to work with your case.

3

Thank you for your answer Julian.
How would you suggest I change the mixing files ?
Because in mixing files I cannot find a way to set a servo output to turn. I only see Pitch Roll Yaw…

4

Also I found if you can set MAV_TYPE to 28 which is Parafoil.
But can someone explain what MAV_TYPE does ?

(https://mavlink.io/en/messages/common.html#MAV_TYPE_PARAFOIL)

5

https://dev.px4.io/master/en/concept/mixing.html

6

Did you have success?

7

Sort of relevant thread, in case it’s helpful: Autonomous paramotor (Opale Hybrid 5.2) - RC Groups

8

:point_up: FYI, I just completed the first successful autonomous flight with a PX4 paramotor! Read more here: