Steps to build a DIY low-cost fixed-wing drone for biodiversity conservation

perform similar functions to the model developed is around $15797 and, for equivalent DIY drone models where cost information is available, this figure is around $1440 (S1 Table). The manual and pre-programmed flight tests allowed us to adjust manoeuvrability, payload capacity, flight duration and range so that we could confirm they were suitable for being used for biodiversity studies in large areas. We accomplished pre-programmed flights with a maxi- mum flight time of 65 minutes, including take-off and autonomous landing. With simple tran- sect pre-programmed flights as made in other conservation studies [9, 17], the model was able to fly for 50 minutes, covering a total distance of 42.4 km round trip, at a speed of 15 m/s, at a Fig 4. Asa-Branca-I model and main components. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0255559.g004 Table 2. Asa-Branca-I costs (USD) based on prices available on the internet in November 2019. Specifications model UAS “Asa-Branca-I” Component Model/Brand Quantity Cost ($) Airframe Volantex Ranger 2000 (PNP version) 1 135 Motor Motor 2215 1400 Kv 1 � Servos Servos 9 g 6 � Propeller 8 x 4 1 � Electronic Speed Control ESC 30 A 2-4S XT60 Volantex 1 � Battery Turnigy 5000 mAh 4S 14.8 V 1 25 Charger SkyRC IMAX B6 Digital 1 36 Autopilot Pixhawk PX4 2.4.6 1 130 GNSS Ublox NEO-M8N GPS Module 1 16 Telemetry 900 RFD 915 MHz 1 176 Sensor Pitot Tube Airspeedomoter 1 38 RC Flysky FS-i6X 2.4 GHz 10CH RC Transmitter 1 51 Camera Sony DSC-HX50 1 310 Camera trigger Seagull #MAP2 + cable Sony 1 38

Accessories Connectors and cables - 50 TOTAL 995 Ground station laptop cost not included. � Included in the airframe cost. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0255559.t002 PLOS ONE Building a DIY low-cost fixed-wing drone for biodiversity conservation PLOS ONE | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0255559 August 13, 2021 10 / 17