Peregrine

The Peregrine aircraft was designed and built by the 

Ohio State University for long endurance agricultural 

imaging missions. The aircraft uses an electrical 

propulsion system powered by onboard lithium-ion 

batteries and a brushless motor system in the nose 

of the aircraft. The guidance system is housed in the 

fuselage behind the wing. This system is responsible 

for autonomously guiding the aircraft around a 

prescribed waypoint grid. The aircraft has a range of 

6 miles with the onboard communication systems. 

This can be extended with higher power 

communication gear.

The camera bay is housed in the fuselage directly 

beneath the wing of the aircraft. The bay measures 

8”x4”x3”. Modifications to the bottom of the 

fuselage can be performed to fit a variety of payload 

configurations. External pods can be mounted to the 

wings for additional payloads. The Peregrine has a 

maximum payload capacity of 7 lbs. However, for 

maximum endurance, the payload is limited to 4 lbs. 

The aircraft is a hollow carbon fiber monocoque and 

features removable wings for transportation and 

storage. The tail design reduces the risk of ground 

impact and allows for safe landing on rough ground. 

This aircraft has successfully operated in a variety of 

agricultural fields and proven capable of handling 

unimproved landing sites. The performance 

specifications are provided in Table 1.

Table 1: Aircraft performance specifications

Empty weight 5 lbs

Maximum gross 

weight

12 lbs

Power system Electric brushless 

motor and Li-ion 

battery

Endurance 

(maximum)

1.5 hrs

Maximum altitude 4000 ft

Top speed 65 mph

Minimum speed 20 mph

Range 6 miles

Table 2: Aircraft dimensions

Wingspan 80 in

Length 54 in

Height 10.6 In

Cargo bay

(l x w x h)

8 x 4 x 3 in
Figure 1: Peregrine dimensions in inches

Preflight Mission Flight

Systems: Flight Briefing: Pre-Takeoff

Verify battery voltages (R) Route Ensure throttle set to minimum

 a. Flight battery (A) Alternates Power on flight battery

 b. Flight computer battery (D) Developing weather

Check control surface movement 

and direction

 c. RC transmitter battery (A) Airspace Arm system

 d. Computer (R) Runway direction Throttle response

(W) Weight Wind direction and align takeoff

Wing: (A) ATC Set flaps half

Wing seam line for separation (R) Fuel / battery

Servo mechanical connections (P) Plan Takeoff:

Servo electrical connections Airworthiness available Check flaps

Pitot lines and probe Registration available Full power

Launch level into wind

Fuselage: Ground Station:

Tail servo mechanical connections Start QGC Mission:

Servo electrical connections Cache maps for flight area Climb to mission altitude

RC receiver attached and antennas clear Connect to X-Bee Engage autopilot

Flight computer secured and cables clear Connect to aircraft

GPS antenna free and clear a. Ensure aircraft is stationary Landing:

Telemetry radio firmly fixed b. Ensure GPS satellite fix Establish wind direction

Flight computer cables connected c. Calibrate INS Disengage autopilot

Telemetry antenna fixed and upright d. Verify all sensors Cut throttle 

Flight battery firmly fixed Verify PFD altitude Full flaps

Flight computer battery firmly fixed

ESC clear Post flight:

Motor for free rotation and rigid 

mounting Mission Planning: Disconnect flight battery

Waypoints Disarm flight controller

Aircraft construction a. Set altitude for first waypoint SD save shutdown

Pressure sensor electrical contacts b. Do not exceed 121 m AGL

Disconnect flight controller 

battery

Wing servo connector c. Add remaining waypoints Power down RC transmitter

Wing installation d. Send to aircraft Disconnect ground control station

Wing cover plate e. Refresh from aircraft Save log file from ground station

CG check

 f. Check PFD and waypoint 

altitudes Shutdown computer

Power on flight computer battery Start SD save

 a. Red/blue LED for INS functionality Storage:

 b. Red/green LED for RC transmitter Remove wing cover and wing

 c. Check SD card Remove pressure sensor electrical 
connections

Power on RC transmitter Remove wing servo connections