A helicopter is a rotor device which can take off and land vertically, which can be an advantage for performing tasks in extreme environment and carry sensors and payload safely where a fixed wing aircraft can not. We are trying to use this advantage to perform various tasks at lower cost comparing to the use of human power and fixed wing aircraft.

Our goal for the project is to engineer a remote controlled helicopter with auto piloting to perform functions such as search and rescue, data collection and analysis. Learn and examine the control system of a helicopter, which is different from a normal fixed wing aircraft. Design and program the helicopter for a self regulating autonomous flight.
1. how helicopter works to make itself fly & stabilize,
2. upgrading our helicopter to have multiple functions such as automatically stabilization, on board camera, on board light and GPS,
3. calculating the power consumption for fuel engine and electric engine for helicopter and the time it can last if flying with some weight of payload.
4. To have a long flight time because of our purpose to perform autonomous search.
5. Build a small scale electric powered helicopter to test our control system design before installing it on the prototype.

-Remote controlled helicopter with auto piloting.
-Learn and design a control system for self regulating flight.
-Carry sensors and payload safely with long flight time.

As science advances, humanity starts to explore the unknown, which can be both eye opening and dangerous. Perform search and data collection automatically in environments where unsuitable for human activity is becoming more favorable. Moreover, having human power for search and rescue or even news reporting can be costly. With the autonomous helicopter, the task can be performed with less restriction and more accuracy.

Milestones:
1. Assemble the helicopter. (Done)
2. Calibrate the helicopter and set up for RC test flight. ( The aim is to finish this at week six of winter quarter.)
3. While some of us are setting up the helicopter, the others will examine the pixhawk, for auto piloting and control. ( Ongoing since week 4)
4. End of winter quarter : Have an understanding on helicopter control systems and start the programming.
5. Beginning of Spring : Install the pixhawk onto a small scale helicopter to perform basic functions.