Is 'Loiter' flight mode really loitering?

[Darrell Burkey]

Have there been any discussions regarding the terminology used for the flight modes? I can see that when the project started Loiter indeed meant to loiter the copter/plane. But now, loiter is being used to gain more stability and control while the pilot just adds input to adjust the position. Not what I call flying but it's certainly not 'loiter' either. In comparison other projects call this 'GPS Lock' which makes much more sense to me. I know that we want to lead rather than copy and I don't have any suggestions right now but it seems to me that a more accurate terminology should be considered if it hasn't been already.

Cheers.

[Robert Lefebvre]

Yeah, this has been discussed.  And not even very long ago.  It started off talking about what to call the new "Sport" mode, and diverged from there.  I agree, the word "Loiter" doesn't really fit anymore.  But we couldn't reach a consensus, so we are sticking with it for now I guess.

On 8 September 2013 01:31, Darrell Burkey <dar...@tucan.net> wrote:

Have there been any discussions regarding the terminology used for the flight modes? I can see that when the project started Loiter indeed meant to loiter the copter/plane. But now, loiter is being used to gain more stability and control while the pilot just adds input to adjust the position. Not what I call flying but it's certainly not 'loiter' either. In comparison other projects call this 'GPS Lock' which makes much more sense to me. I know that we want to lead rather than copy and I don't have any suggestions right now but it seems to me that a more accurate terminology should be considered if it hasn't been already.

Cheers.

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[Gary McCray]

Hi Darrell and Robert, 

When it comes to naming conventions and other items of small consequence, everybody's got an opinion, and last time thrught there were a lot of opinions.

And Darrell I agree with you for it's original intent (hanging around one point in the sky) Loiter was an appropriate name.

But as you said it is now transitioning into something else entirely and is very likely going to be come the premier normal flight mode.

And for that "Loiter" is neither appropriate nor very expressive of what is becoming our most important normal flight mode.

When Loiter was actually "loitering" I was one of it's main advocates for continuing to call it Loiter.

But now that loiter is becoming fly it around and position it with extreme control it is time for a change.

Maybe we should have a "Name the Mode" contest and get 3DR to provide a prize to the winner, I guess a free external GPS would be appropriate, but I'd settle for a T shirt.

Best Regards,

Gary

[Gareth Owen]

Maybe we should have a "Name the Mode" contest and get 3DR to provide a prize to the winner, I guess a free external GPS would be appropriate, but I'd settle for a T shirt.

I'd settle for a holiday in Hawaii!  We had a discussion a little while about this, and I think the consensus was to leave as is.  I'm not sure that's the right decision, but then I can't think of a better name either so. 

[john...@gmail.com]

There is already an establishes mode name used by many autopilot solutions that fits the behavior, and that is GPS-Hold.

[Darrell Burkey]

On Monday, 9 September 2013 08:42:44 UTC+10, john...@gmail.com wrote:

There is already an establishes mode name used by many autopilot solutions that fits the behavior, and that is GPS-Hold.

That sounds like a better choice. Although 'Loiter' works well for Ardupilot.

Cheers.

[Olivier ADLER]

Loiter is not self explanatory at all at least for non english peoples. My opinion is that this "Loiter" word is perhaps the strangest thing in the APM:Copter world.

GPS-Hold seems a logical choice.


Olivier

[Robert Lefebvre]

But the Hold part doesn't make sense either.  We can move it. 

 GPS-Guided.

[john...@gmail.com]

GPS-Guided works and is very descriptive. But I still like GPS-Hold better since it is already established and fits with other commonly used mode names like Alt-Hold. The hold is refering to having the autopilot hold the position or altitude you select.

[john...@gmail.com]

err. Pressed send to quickly.

GPS-Guided works and is very descriptive. But I still like GPS-Hold better since it is already established and fits with other commonly used mode names like Alt-Hold. The hold is refering to having the autopilot hold the position or altitude you select. Meaning that when you are flying in GPS-Hold you are controlling the GPS position, instead of controlling the copter directly.

[Gary Mortimer]

When I think of loiter it makes me think fly in circles holding..

[Jonathan Challinger]

How about "velocity control"?

Stabilize is "angle control"

Acro is "rate control"

Every other mode name is already pretty descriptive. Auto could do with being "waypoint follow" or "mission"