MP displaying ARMED / NOT ARMED status. Copter motor beeps status change

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For safety on ground it is paramount to know whether the motor controls are 
armed or not armed. As per default it is only signalled on the APM board on a 
little, in many installations partly hidden, flashing or steady illuminated 
LED. Not satisfactory.

Why not at least use the splendid MP interface to display the arm / disarmed 
status?

Suggest display a clear text / symbol on the Flight data hud / horizon: 
DISARMED. When status changes to armed, display message changes to ARMED and 
flashes for lets say, 10 seconds. Then disappears from the display, not to 
clutter it.

And while at it, it would not hurt to signal ARMED / DISARMED on the copter, 
using the ESC + motors, to give some characteristic beeps, right?

Original issue reported on code.google.com by tomas.so...@gmail.com on 2 Dec 2011 at 11:00

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I don't think it's possible to make the ESC's beep. 
Can you just push the throttle up a nudge to see if they spin? that's what I do.

I'll check on the MP interface. I think Mavlink sends the armed state.

Original comment by jasonshort on 7 Dec 2011 at 5:51

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Original comment by jasonshort on 13 Dec 2011 at 7:36

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mavlink does not send motor_armed, so i have no way of telling.

Original comment by Meee...@gmail.com on 13 Dec 2011 at 10:11

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Sure I can use the throttle to check if armed or not, thats what I do.
But my point is that it would be much more elegant, and beneficial for safety, 
to have a clear indication of ARMED or NOT ARMED. In the MP and on the copter.
There might be an entire team of people around the copter in a variety of 
situations. Think about a Droidworx SkyJib 8 on a movie location, able to 
output some kW to propeller orchestra... Not a toy. ARMED / DISARMED indication 
is not a luxuary, it´s a should.
But I understand there is a possibility to use APM LED module to indicate ARM, 
and I will try to utilize that.
I understand that the Mavlink does not send the motor_armed today, but surely 
there is a possiblility to add it in a short future? (as some other data, I 
hope, eg sonar, current).
Thanks guys!

Original comment by tomas.so...@gmail.com on 13 Dec 2011 at 10:28

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Original comment by Meee...@gmail.com on 20 Jan 2012 at 10:29

• Changed state: Fixed

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I see ARMED / NOT ARMED now visible in MP Flight Data display.
VERY GOOD! Thanks!

Original comment by tomas.so...@gmail.com on 25 Jan 2012 at 11:44