Luke Bell, a YouTuber and drone pilot from Cape Town, South Africa, has achieved an incredible feat by breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous drone flight. His modified drone stayed airborne for an impressive 4 hours, 21 minutes, and 39 seconds without landing, setting a new standard for drone endurance.
Transforming the Drone
To reach this milestone, Bell dedicated months to testing and refining his drone design. This process involved weight reduction, structural reinforcement, and software enhancements to optimize flight performance. Previously, he had flown an earlier version of his drone for 3 hours, 31 minutes, and 6 seconds, but he aimed for a more significant record, ensuring his modifications were fully tested and reliable.
Key Modifications and Innovations
- One of the simplest yet most effective changes was switching from a two-piece clamp design to a solid C-shaped clamp, which reduced the drone's weight by approximately 26 grams.
- Bell redesigned the drone's frame using 1.88-meter-long carbon fiber tubes for each propeller arm, eliminating weak points in the original structure.
- He also added reinforcements to the front arms and created a custom mount to support a battery weighing about 5 kilograms, designed to provide optimal energy density throughout the flight.
- The drone features 3D-printed landing gear made with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) to cushion impacts upon landing.
Software Improvements
Along with physical alterations, Bell enhanced the drone's software. During initial tests, he noticed significant vibrations that interfered with the inertial measurement unit (IMU) used for flight control. To resolve this, he upgraded the flight controller to the Cube Orange Plus, which provides better IMU isolation.
Precision and Accuracy
Further boosting the drone's capabilities, Bell equipped it with an external antenna linked to the Here4 RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) system, enabling positional accuracy down to 1 centimeter. This level of precision is critical for achieving stable and long-duration flights.
Bell's record-setting journey reflects the potential of modified drones and highlights the dedication required to push technological boundaries. His innovations not only set a new world record but also pave the way for advancements in drone technology.
Source: https://tekno.kompas.com/read/2026/07/13/13030017/youtuber-ini-pecahkan-rekor-dunia-modif-drone-hingga-terbang-4-jam-lebih
