Hello Tony,
I'm pleased to read about your success with the Partner.
I was also tickled to see you on TV in program on UAVs in Defense and Research.
What were the particulars on that program?

As I read your and Jason's discussion about redundancy and radio battery eliminators, it struck me that a small (300mAH) 4-cell nicad pack and the BEC can be added together through a pair of high-current schottky diodes. I'll get a proper part number and attach a schematic in a post, soon. The same could be done with 2 BECs on each of the 5S4Ps, but that would require BECs with "floating" outputs. They are not available for E-flyers yet, but I think that such equipment is due, once you pioneers help define the problem. Do you think that a single BEC that runs off the entire 10S pack would be alright? That would be simpler, and it could be way over-designed for reliability. Are we concerned with LiPos failing open circuit?

Regards,
Dean Pappas