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nRF24 RC Air Boat Hero Image
Electronics + Product Development
A remote-controlled air boat developed around wireless nRF24 communication, custom electronics, hull design, computational fluid dynamics, and additive manufacturing.
Type
Remote-Controlled Air Boat
Period
High School
Controllers
Arduino Nano + Pro Micro
Communication
nRF24 / 2.4 GHz
Development
Electronics + PCB
CAD + CFD + 3D Printing
Project Context
Completed during high school as part of the Advanced Computer Engineering School program at Royal St. George's College. The project combined wireless communication, control electronics, custom PCB development, hull design, fluid dynamics, and fabrication into a functional RC air boat.
References
01
The nRF24 RC Air Boat brought together wireless control, custom electronics, PCB development, hull design, CFD, and large-scale 3D printing within a single project.
Communication between the handheld transmitter and boat was handled using nRF24 modules operating at 2.4 GHz. The transmitter used an Arduino Nano while the receiver used an Arduino Pro Micro and a custom PCB.
The boat hull went through three major revisions. Autodesk CFD was used during development to test the design under different conditions and evaluate weight distribution.
02
nRF24 modules provided wireless communication between the transmitter and receiver, with a tested maximum transmission distance of 80 metres in open water.
Frequency
2.4 GHz
Both nRF24 modules operate on the 2.4 GHz frequency.
Baud Rate
250 kbps – 2 Mbps
The modules communicate using baud rates ranging from 250 kbps to 2 Mbps.
Tested Range
80 m
Maximum transmission distance achieved during testing in open water.
One nRF24 long-range module was used for the receiver while one nRF24 short-range module was used for the transmitter. The modules can use up to 125 different channels.
Each unit can communicate with six different units at the same time, providing the wireless connection between the transmitter and receiver.
03
A handheld transmitter converts joystick input into wireless control commands for the boat.
The transmitter consists of an Arduino Nano, nRF24 breakout board, nRF24 short-range module, joystick, and Half Perma Proto board. The components were soldered together to create the input side of the control system.
The X-axis of the joystick controls the rudder and balancing servo while the Y-axis controls the throttle. These inputs are transmitted wirelessly using the nRF24 module.
Transmitter Assembly
Arduino Nano, joystick, and nRF24 transmitter
Transmitter Components
Qty.
Arduino Nano
1
nRF24 Breakout
1
nRF24 Short Range Module
1
Joystick
1
Half Perma Proto
1
Wires
Assorted
04
The receiver combined an Arduino Pro Micro, voltage regulator, nRF24 long-range module, and custom PCB into the boat's wireless control electronics.
PCB V1
The first version of the PCB was ordered through JLC PCB. Two traces on the back of the board were accidentally connected together, making the board and circuit unusable.
PCB V2
A second PCB revision was ordered from PCBWay and was functional, completing the receiver electronics.
Receiver + Custom PCB
Arduino Pro Micro, long-range nRF24 module, and PCB
Receiver Components
Qty.
Arduino Pro Micro
1
LM3904 Voltage Regulator
1
nRF24 Long Range Module
1
Custom PCB
1
Pin Headers
Assorted
Wires
Assorted
05
The main boat hull was designed in Fusion 360 and developed through three revisions as the hull geometry, internal structure, wiring, and steering system evolved.
Structure
Paths and a starting base sketch were created before the hull shape was extruded along the paths. Wall thickness was set to 4 mm and internal support walls were added to increase linear strength.
Electronics Access
An electronics access opening and accompanying lid were added to the hull to provide access while blocking water from entering.
Version 1
The first hull used a shallow-V bottom that was flat at the rear, with the hull paths converging toward a single point at the front.
Versions 2 + 3
Version 2 changed to a flat bottom to allow the boat to plane at top speed. Version 3 added an opening for internal wire routing and modified the rudder shape and cutout.
Hull Development — Version 1 / Version 2 / Version 3
Three iterations of the air boat hull
Fusion 360
06
Autodesk CFD was used to test the boat under different conditions and parameters during hull development.
Computational Fluid Dynamics simulation was incorporated into the design process to evaluate the boat under different conditions.
The simulations were used during development to evaluate the boat under different conditions and inform weight distribution.
Autodesk CFD Simulation
Fluid dynamics and weight distribution
Autodesk CFD
07
Version 3 required 175 hours and 21 minutes of total print time, producing a 520 g hull and a final assembled weight of 1052 g.
LW-PLA
Lightweight PLA was used for the main printed structure. The material uses active foaming technology and begins foaming at approximately 230°C, increasing its volume by three times.
PETG
PETG was used for the rudder and motor mounts. It was selected for its strength-to-weight ratio and higher temperature resistance around components that could heat past 60°C.
Hull Assembly
The two halves of the printed hull were epoxied together. Body filler was used to fill cracks in the porous printed material before the hull was sanded to create a smooth finish.
Finish
Polyurethane black matte paint was applied to finish the outside of the boat and add a waterproof layer.
Version 3 Print Time
175 h 21 min
Hull Weight
520 g
Final Weight
1052 g
Hull Printing + Assembly
LW-PLA hull fabrication and assembly
Rudder + Motor Mounts
PETG components integrated into the final assembly
08
The final air boat combined the Version 3 hull, wireless nRF24 control system, custom receiver PCB, transmitter, and fabricated steering components into a complete RC platform.
The wireless system achieved a tested transmission distance of 80 metres in open water, with joystick input controlling the rudder, balancing servo, and throttle.
The project developed through multiple iterations across both the electronics and physical design, including two receiver PCB versions and three major hull revisions.
Final nRF24 RC Air Boat
Completed wireless RC air boat
nRF24 RC Air Boat