My ESP plane

How "long range" are you hoping for?

First I will start with a Kilometre and then I start boosting it's range 

I don't have enough specific knowledge to advise you... but I must say it sounds like a very interesting project.... almost like a modern day version of the carrier pigeon.

I have two main doubts: power consumption and vibration resistance of typical modular connectors of Arduino modules when using inside flying model...

The newer ESP32 modules have BLE5.0 built-in, which supports BLE Long Range.

Is there a reason you want a separate NRF BLE radio?

BLE probably won't go much beyond 1 km, even lowering the data rate to 125kb/s.

Have you considered using LoRa? (Which can have much longer range)

Meant to say courier pigeon earlier.

dang74 "Carrier pigeons" would also be correct.  https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2021/august/carrier-carrier-pigeons

For wireless communication between the plane and ground station, we are currently using the NRF24L01+PA+LNA module to achieve reliable long-range telemetry. However, BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) is also considered as an alternative communication source, especially with newer ESP32 modules (such as the ESP32-C3 or ESP32-S3) that support BLE 5.0 Long Range.

While NRF24L01+PA+LNA provides stable packet-based transmission up to ~1 km, BLE 5.0 offers modern features like adaptive frequency hopping, lower power consumption, and mobile device compatibility, which may be suitable for future upgrades or shorter-range applications.

Thank you for raising these important concerns!

Power Consumption:

I’ve taken power management into careful consideration for my flying model. Here’s how I’m handling it:

The main controller is an ESP32 DevKit V1, but I'm open to switching to a more efficient variant like the ESP32-C3 or S3 for reduced power draw.

For wireless communication, I’m using the NRF24L01+PA+LNA module, which can draw over 100 mA during transmission. To stabilize it, I’ve included a dedicated 3.3V regulator with decoupling capacitors.

The NEO-6M GPS module draws about 30 mA, and it's powered separately from the flight controller to avoid voltage dips.

Motors and servos are powered from a separate BEC (Battery Eliminator Circuit), isolating high-current loads from the logic electronics.

This separation ensures stable operation without brownouts or interference.

Vibration Resistance:

Absolutely agree that vibration is a serious issue in flight:

I’ve avoided standard Dupont jumpers and instead plan to use locking connectors like JST or DF13, where possible.

For modules with pins, I either hot-glue or silicone-seal the connectors to prevent them from coming loose mid-flight.

All boards will be mounted on foam tape or rubber standoffs to reduce vibration transmission.

Wires will be routed with enough slack and bundled to reduce strain on connectors.

I appreciate your feedback and would be grateful for any additional tips or recommended materials. I'm also interested to know if Element14 could help supply or sponsor any of these components as part of this educational and innovation-driven project.

Thank you again for your support!

Hello Element14 Team and Community,

Thank you so much for your support and feedback on my flying model project idea!

As I continue development, I’d like to kindly ask if Element14 could help with sourcing or sponsoring the essential components for this build. This is an educational project exploring GPS-based navigation, wireless long-range control, and efficient aerial stability using open hardware.

Here’s the complete and updated list of required parts:

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Core Components (Onboard Aircraft):

1 × ESP32 DevKit V1 (main flight controller)

1 × NEO-6M GPS module

1 × NRF24L01+PA+LNA (long-range RF communication)

1 × AMS1117 3.3V regulator module (with capacitors for NRF24L01)

2 × TowerPro SG90 servo motors (for rudder and elevator control)

1 × A2212 1000KV Brushless Outrunner Motor (commonly used in RC planes)

1 × 30A Brushless ESC (Electronic Speed Controller for A2212)

1 × 3S 11.1V 2200mAh LiPo battery

1 × 1045 Propeller (10x4.5, compatible with A2212 motor)

Anti-vibration foam pads or rubber standoffs

Locking connectors (e.g., JST-XH, DF13)

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Remote Ground Controller (Handheld Transmitter):

1 × Arduino Uno R3 (used as the controller)

1 × NRF24L01 module (standard version)

1 × Thumb joystick module

1 × 9V battery or USB power supply

Optional / Future Expansion:

BLE module (for alternative communication)

Barometric pressure sensor (altimeter)

LoRa module (for ultra-long-range testing)

Lightweight foam or balsa material for the airframe

Kindly let me know:

1. Does Element14 provide or stock these components?

2. Would it be possible to receive any support or sponsorship for this educational and innovative project?

I truly value the Element14 community and hope to bring this flying model to life with your support and guidance.

Warm regards,

[Fg_]