Hardware v2

FALCON-EDGE — An Open-Source Flying-Wing with an ESP32 Flight Computer

This repository contains hardware designs, documentation, and code for an aircraft project.

New light version 400g instead of 800g

Falcon-Edge is a compact flying-wing airframe with a custom ESP32-based flight computer.
This repo contains the KiCad hardware project and 3D CAD needed to print, assemble, and fly your own Falcon-Edge.

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Highlights

• Airframe

  • 3D-printable center pod with top and bottom service hatches for fast access.
  • Designed for clean airflow over the pod; embedded antenna keep-out zone.
  • Uses off-the-shelf wing cores/foam or your own prints.

• Avionics (KiCad)

  • ESP32-WROOM module as the main controller (Wi-Fi/BLE for ground testing & logs).
  • IMU: MPU-6050 6-axis.
  • Baro: BMP280.
  • GNSS header for a u-blox NEO-style GPS module.
  • Power: AMS1117 regulators (3V3/5V) and dedicated servo power planes/decoupling.
  • Programming: UART header with EN/BOOT auto-reset circuitry.
  • RF/Telemetry: LoRa with edge SMA/U.FL footprint for an external antenna.

See the schematic for exact pin mapping and connector naming.

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📂 Repository Layout

hardware/ # KiCad project (.kicad_pro, .kicad_pcb, .kicad_sch, etc.) cad/ # 3D parts for the center pod, hatches, and mounting (STLs/STEP) images/ # Renders and board views used in this README (optional)

(If you keep everything at the repo root, this README references the images there by filename.)

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🛠️ Getting Started

1) Hardware (KiCad)

• Open with KiCad 8.x or newer.
• Files:
  • hardware.kicad_pro – project
  • hardware.kicad_sch – schematic
  • hardware.kicad_pcb – PCB layout
• Generate Gerbers/BoM as usual and order from your preferred fab.

Board preview

Schematic overview

2) Print & Fit the Pod

• Recommended: PETG or ABS for the pod & hatches (heat-tolerant in the sun).
• Use heat-set M3 inserts for the hatch screws and board standoffs.
• Verify antenna keep-out in the pod before final mounting.

Top hatch opening

Bottom hatch opening

3) Wiring (at a glance)

• Battery in → power/battery header near regulators.
• GPS → dedicated UART header / GPS footprint.
• Programming → UART (EN/BOOT accessible).
• Telemetry/Radio → SMA/U.FL at the board edge.

Exact connector names/positions: see the KiCad schematic & silkscreen.

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📸 Gallery

3D view of the board

Airframe with pod & hatches

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📏 Design Notes & Decisions

• ESP32 was chosen for its strong dev-tooling and built-in wireless (great for bench testing/logging).
• I²C sensor stack (MPU-6050 + BMP280) keeps routing simple and expandable.
• PCA9685 provides plenty of PWM channels beyond the two elevons (landing gear, camera gimbal, accessories).
• Serviceability first: both hatches allow quick access to battery, connectors, and the main board.

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🗺️ Roadmap

• Flight firmware & mixer (stabilization, RTL, waypointing).
• Airspeed/Pitot and magnetometer options.
• On-board logging (SPI flash / SD).
• CAN/Telemetry radio module footprints.
• STL release of wing cores/center pod variants.

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🤝 Contributing

PRs and issues are welcome:

• Hardware changes: update the KiCad files and include board screenshots.
• CAD tweaks: include STEP/STL and a short note on print settings.
• Please attach images when reporting fit or routing problems.

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License Overview

• Hardware (schematics, PCB, CAD, design files): CERN-OHL-S-2.0 (see LICENSE-hardware)
• Documentation, images, drawings, renders: CC BY 4.0 (see LICENSE-docs)
• Software / firmware / scripts: Apache 2.0 (see LICENSE-code)

Attribution Requirement

If you use, modify, or redistribute any part of this project, you must give credit as follows:

Based on FalconEgde by Rmingon (https://github.com/rmingon/Falcon-Edge) — Licensed under the corresponding license.

See NOTICE for full details.

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🙏 Credits

Designed and built by RMINGON.