# E384 Operations Manual

See http://event38.wikispaces.com for latest revision

# Table of Contents

....

E384 Specifications and Operating Limitations

Attaching E384 Propeller

Attaching E384 Tail

Att aching E384 Wings

Charging the Batteries

Installing C amera, Batteries and Finding GC

Telemetry Connection

Transmitter Modes (Spekrtum DX5E )

Transmitter Operation (DX5E )

Planning a Mappin g Mission

Auto Takeoff

Auto Land

Adjusting Declination

Pre

- flight Checklist

E384 Flight Procedure

Emergency Procedures

Post

- Flight Checklist

# E384 Specifications and Operating Limitations

Includes

–

- Pixhawk Autopilot with GPS, IMU, Pressure Sensor and Flight Data Log

- Telemetry Radios (3DR or RFD900)

- Spektrum DX5 E and Battery

- 2 Flight Batteries

– 4 Cell, 5 .0 Ah LiPo

Specs and Limits

-

- Cruise Speed: 13 m/s

- Endurance 100 minutes

- Range 44 miles / 70km

- Up to 10 m/s windspeed for autonomous operation

- 14 ,000 Feet MSL Ceiling, Take

- off Tested to 10,000’

- Live Data Telemetry to Ground Station Software on your Laptop ( One km (3DR) , 10km (RFD900) )

- Fly

- by

- Wire mode, Return

- to

- Launch and Autonomous Flight Modes Pre

- Con figured

- 190cm Wingspan, 130cm Length

- Weight

- 5.9 lbs (Fully equipped with a Canon S100)

- Airframe is built usinf flexible EPO foam, with a carbon fiber booml.

# A tt ac h i n g E 38 4 P r op e ll e r

I n t h i s pag e w e w il l s e e ho w t h e p r ope ll e r s e c u r e l y c onne c t s t o t h e m o t o r

.Fi r

s t

, p l a c e t h e p r ope ll e r o n t o t h e bo l t w i t h t h e l e tt e r i n g o n t h e p r ope ll e r f a c i n g t h e m o t o r

.A f

t e r t h e p r ope ll e r i s o n t h e bo l t f a c i n g t h e c o rr e c t d i r e c t i on

, p l a c e t h e w a s he r o n t h e bo l t

. M a k e s u r e t h e s i d e o f t h e w a s he r w i t h

t h e l a r ge r f a c e i s aga i n s t t h e p r ope ll e r

. T hen

, t i gh t e n t h e nu t t o bo l t v e r y t i gh t l y s e c u r i n g t h e p r ope ll e r an d w a s he r

. I f t h i s bo l t i s t o o

l oo s e t h e p r ope ll e r m a y f a l l o f f du r i n g a f li gh t

.W he n a l l o f t he s e s t ep s a r e don e t h e p r ope ll e r w il l b e p r ope r l y s e c u r e d t o t h e m o t o r

.

# Attaching E384 Tail

In this page we will see how the tail goes into the body, as well as elevator attachment.

First we will attach the elevator.

Fit the elevator on top of the tail.

### Now slide the elevator toward the rudder.

### Connect the servo lead on the elevator to the servo extension.

### Take the servo wires from the tail and place them into the body of the E384.

### Now push the carbon rod all the way into the body, the notches on the rod will catch on the orange tube at the furthest

point.

Tighten the three screws on the body to keep the tail tightly in place.

### Fish the elevator and rudder cables through the hole on the top and connect the elevator to output channel 2 and the

rudder to output channel 4. Be sure the top pin receives the white wire.

# A tt ac h i n g E 38 4 W i ng s

I n t h i s pag e w e w il l s e e ho w t o p r ope r l y a tt a c h

t h e w i ng s

. S li d e t h e r o d i n t o on e w i ng

, an d t he n

t h e o t he r

.C onne c t t h e s e r v o w i r e s t o t h e s p li tt e r o r i g i na t i n g f r o m c hanne l on e o n t h e AP M

, e i t he r w i n g c a n g o i n t o e i t he r s i d e o f t h e s p li tt e r

.Fi t t h e w i ng s i n t o t h e bod y

, a v o i d s quee z i n g t h e s e r

v o w i r e s i n be t w ee n t h e w i ng s an d

t h e bod y

. A tt a c h r ubbe r band s a s f o ll o w s

.. .

# C h a r g i n g t h e B a tt e r i e s

W A RN I N G

W he n c ha r g i n g L i P o ba tt e r i e s

, c au t i o n m u s t b e t a k e n t o a v o i d po t en t i a ll y dange r ou s s i t ua t i on s

. A l w a y s c ha r g e ba tt e r i e s a w a y

f r o m o t he r f l a mm ab l e ob j e c t s i n c l ud i n g c a r pe t

. N e v e r c ha r g e a pu ff e d o r da m age d ba tt e r y

. T h e ba tt e r

y s hou l d no t ge t w

a r m

du r i n g c ha r g i ng

.

T o c ha r g e y ou r ba tt e r i e s

, p l u g i n y ou r ba tt e r y c ha r ge r an d ad d t h e banan a t o X T

- 6 0 c ab l e o n t h e r i gh t s i d e a s s ho w n i n t h e p i c t u r e be l o w

.Plug the flight battery d i r e c t l y i n t o t h e X T 60

- banan a p l u g t ha t i s c onne c t e d t o t h e c ha r ge r

. P l u g t h e ba l an c e r i n t o t h e c o rr e s pond i n g

t e r m i na l

.I f L i P o c ha r g e i s no t s e l e c t e d w he n y o u po w e r o n t h e c ha r ge r p r e s s t h e B a t t T y p e ( t h e l e f

t

- m o s t bu tt on ) un t i l i t s a y s L i P o t he n

p r e s s t h e s t a r

t bu tt o n o n t h e f a r r i gh t

.

A f t e r s e l e c t i n g L i P o p r e ss i n g t h e s t a r t bu tt o n aga i n w il l a ll o w y o u t o c hang e t h e a m p s

. C hang e t h i s a cc o r d i n g t o t h e ba tt e r y y o u a r e

c ha r g i n g b y go i n g l e f

t o r r i gh t u s i n g t h e t w

o bu tt on s i n be t w ee n B a t t T y p e an d S t a r

t

. I f y o u a r e c ha r g i n g t h e 8 000 m A h ba tt e r y

,

c ha r g e i t a t 5 a m p s ( 5000 m A )

.

A f t e r s e l e c t i n g t h e c o rr e c t current

, p r e s s s t a r t aga i n

. T

h i s w il l a ll o w y o u t o c hang e t h e nu m be r o f c e ll s

. T h e 8 000 m A h ba tt e r y

i s l abe l e d a 4 c e l l ba tt e r y

, s o c ha r

g e i t a t 14.8V ( 4 S )

.

A f t e r c hoo s i n g t h e p r ope r a m p s an d c e ll s ho l d t h e s t a r t bu tt on

. T he n a f

t e r t h e ba tt e r

y c he c k p r e s s s t a r

t aga i n t o s t a r

t t h e c ha r ge

.

W he n t h e ba tt e r

y i s f u l l t h e c ha r ge r w il l beep

.

# I n s t a lli n g C a m e r a

, B a tt e r i es

, a n d F i nd i n g G C

H e r e w e w il l s e e ho w t o i n s t a l l t h e c a m e r a an d ba tt e r i e s

. W e w il l t he n s e e t h e po i n t s a t w h i c h w e w il l ba l an c e t h e p l an e t o

en s u r e s t ab l e f li gh t

.

P l a c e t h e ba tt e r i e s i n t o t h e p l ane

, a f t e r c he ck i n g t h e C G y o u m a y nee d t o ad j u s t t h e l o c a t i o n o f t h e ba tt e r i e s

.S t a r

t t h e sc r i p t an d i n s t a l l t h e c a m e r a

.A tt a c h t h e no s e ha t c h

. C he c k t h e C G b y pu tt i n g a f i nge r o n ea c h w i n g a t t h e r ea r o f t h e S t y r o f oa m i n s e r t unde r t h e w i ng s an d

m a k i n g s u r e i t i s l e v

e l o r 5 deg r ee s no s e do w n a t m o s t

. T h e r e d li n e i n t h e f o ll o w i n g p i c t u r e s ho w s t h e p r ope r c en t e r o f g r a v i t y

.

# T e l e m e t r y C onn e c t i o n

I n t h i s pag e w e a r e go i n g t o e x p l a i n ho w t o c onne c t t o M i ss i o n P l anne r w i r e l e ss l y u s i n g t e l e m e t r y

. W e w il l a l s o t a k e a n i n dep t h

l oo k a t a c o mm o n p r ob l e m w i t h c onne c t i n g u s i n g a n F T D I c ab l e ( u s e d w i t h R F D 90 0 an d p r e v i ou s s t y l e 3 D R 433 )

.

T o c onne c t w e w il l f i r

s t po w e r o n t h e t r an s m i tt e r

, f o ll o w e d b y t h e a i r c r a f t

. W e w il l a ll o w t e n s e c ond s o r s o f o r t h e a i r c r a f t t o i n i t i a li z e

.

N o w w e w il l p l u g i n t h e c ab l e f r o m y ou r g r oun d s i d e t e l e m e t r y sys t e m t o t h e c o m pu t e r

. I f y o u a r e u s i n g t h e R F D 90 0 m a k e s u r e p i n

on e r e c e i v

e s t h e b l a c k w i r e f r o m t h e F T D I c ab l e

. I f y o u ha v e t h e o l d s t y l e 43 3 m a k e s u r e t h e b l a c k w i r e goe s t o t h e G N D p i n

. T h e

ne w s t y l e 3 D R t e l e m e t r y sys t e m s s i m p l y c onne c t w i t h a M i c r o U S B c ab l e

.O pe n M i ss i o n P l anne r an d c hoo s e t h e C o m P o r t t ha t c o m e s u p w he n p l ugg i n g i n t h e t e l e m e t r y ( i t m a y t a k e a f e w m i nu t e s f o r t h e

C o m P o r t t o s ho w up )

. S e t bau d r a t e t o 57600

.

N o w p r e s s C onne c t an d y o u s hou l d ha v e y ou r w i r e l e s s c onne c t i on established.

# T r a n s m i tt e r M od e s ( Spektrum DX5E )

I f y o u o r de r an y t r an s m i tt e r f r o m E v en t 3 8 i t w il l a rr i v

e s e t u p w i t h three i ndependen t l y s e l e c t ab l e m ode s o n C hanne l 8

. The

three position switch labeled “Gear” is used to select FBWA, RTL and Auto

.

The modes will be selected using the CH 5 three position switch.The posit ion pushed furthest away from the operator (0) is FBWA mode.The middle position (1) is RTL.T he position pulled closest to the operator (2) is Auto.

Verify your modes;

Power on your transmitter. Remove propeller. Power on your E384. Connect to Mission Planner. Cycle through the modes. In

Flight Plan, the bottom right corner of the heads up display will show which mode is currently engaged.

# T r a n s m i tt e r O p e r a t i o n ( Spektrum DX5E )

We will look at the Spekrtum DX5e pictured here.

There are two sticks that can be moved in all all directions. We will refer to the stick on the left side of the transmitter as the left st ick, and the stick on the

right side of the transmitter as the right stick

We will go through the movements in FBW

- A mode first. In the "Transmitter Modes" link you will f ind the steps to get into FBW

- A mode. This is the only

mode where the stick movement will have an effect on the E384.

In FBW

- A , the autopilot limits the amount of pitch and bank possible while also a utomatically stabilizing the aircraft.

In FBW

- A, holding the right stick all the way to the right will cause a sharp right turn. By contrast, do ing the same in manual mode would result in a

continuous barrel roll.

Left Stick:

Moving the left stick up a nd down will turn your motor on. When the stick is at the very bottom there should be no movement. As you move the left stick

upward it will increase the speed of the motor.

Moving the left stick to the right will cause the rudder to move to its right, so that the plane will turn right. Moving the left stick to the left will move the rudder

to the left.

Right Stick:

Moving the right stick up and down controls the movement of the elevator. To increase altitude you will move it in the downwa rd direction, while descending

will require you to move the stick upwards.

Moving the right stick to the left will cause the ailerons on the wings and the rudder to move into position to turn the plan e to the left while moving the right

stick to the right will perform a right turn.

# Planning a Mapping Mission

On this page we are going to see how a mission can be easily designed. In this scenario we will be using a simple and effecti ve method. This is the

"Survey (Grid)" method. We will outline the area we intend to survey. We will tell Mission Planner what type of camera we are using and the overlap

that we desire. We will also specify flight direction, keeping the wind in mind. Lets get started.

Go to the Flight Plan tab and find the area you intend to survey.

Nex t we are going to "Add Polygon". This polygon that you create will be the outline for the way points we will be generating. W hen in "Add Polygon"

mode simply left click to add as many points as you desire. If you left click and hold a polygon point you can drag it (likewise with way points). If you need

to delete a polygon point you can simply right click on the point and click on "Delete WP" (likewise with way points).After selecting the area we desire, and moving the polygon points as necessary, we a re ready to generate way pointsWe have generated some way points, but we are not finished yet. For this example I anticipate a wind moving from west to east. So I will need to alter

my flight path so that I am primarily traveling North and South, while traveling against the wind on the small instances that I am traveling Ea st to West.

So we will change the angle to 180. Also note that in the "Simple Options" we have selected the Canon SX260 (if that is not a pplicable, find your camera

and select it).

Next we will go to the "Grid Options" tab and change the sidelap to 60%. This will add or reduce the amount of way points generated to reach the

60% sidelap with the Canon SX260.Move back to the "Simple" tab and click Accept.

As you can see, often times the way points are not automatically placed in the optimum positions. If you click on the green " Waypoints" bar toward the

bottom of the screen you will see the way points pop up. From there the "UP" and "DOWN" arrows will allow you to change the assigned number of any

way point. You may also drag way points.r

After arranging our way points we will have a more desirable flight plan.

Before finalizing the plan and sending the plane out, we are going to look at the elevation graph. We must make sure that the plane is no going to crash

into any buildings or hills.The graph will show the altitude the plane is projected to maintain, and it will show the google earth estimated elevation of the terrain.

If everything looks good, connect to your APM, write the WP's.

This is a good opportunity to do some calcuations, and alter camera settings as necessary.

While in the Flight Plan screen it is a good idea to look at the "Distance" in the upper left of the screen. Using this dista nce we can estimate how many

pictures we need to take to cover the area. Using our distance of 5.945km or 5945m , we will assume speed of the plane to be 12 m/s an d the default

time in between each picture is three seconds. Dividing distance by speed will give us our estimated time in the mis sion (about 500 seconds). 500

seconds divided by the 3 second shot interval gives us 167 shots. We are going to give an extra 10% to compensate for any err or and to make sure we

have the images we want. So we will set "Total Shots" on the camera to 184. Mu ltiplying "Total Shots" by the three second "Shot Interval" gives 552

seconds. Adding that to the "Delay Time" of 240 seconds and you get 792 seconds. Keep a stop watch nearby. When you start the script, start the

stopwatch. When the stopwatch reaches 792 seconds the lens will be closed and it is safe to land. For more details on everything camera related, check

out our walkthrough.

# A u t o T a k e o f f

I n t h i s pag e w e w il l t a k e a l oo k a t t h e A u t o T a k eo f f W a y P o i n t

. W e w il l s e e ho w t o s e t t h e w a y po i n t

, an d w he r e t o g o

f r o m t he r e

. E n t e r t h e Fli gh t P l a n sc r ee n o f M i ss i o n P l anne r

. Le f t c li c k an y w he r e o n t h e sc r ee n a s i f y o u w e r e en t e r i n g a

no r m a l w a y po i n t

.

N o w c hang e t h e C o mm an d c o l u m n s o i t r ead s T a k eo ff

.C hang e t h e P i t c h A ng l e t o 3 5 f o r a c l ea n t a k eo ff

. C hang e t h e A l t t o e i t he r t h e R T L a l t i t ud e o r t h e a l t i t ud e o f t h e

ne x t W P

. N o t i c e t ha t W P 1 d i s appea r s

. D o no t b e a l a r m ed

, i t i s no r m a l

.

N o w t ha t y o u ha v

e y ou r t a k eo f

f W P

, w r i t e t h e W P t o y ou r E 384

, t he n r ea d t h e W P t o v e r i f y i t ha s bee n w r i tt e n p r ope r l y

. P u t t h e

p l an e i n t o A u t o

. W he n t h e p l an e r ead s a s m o v

i n g 2 m / s i t w il l t u r n t h e p r ope ll e r o n an d s t a r t c li m b i ng

. N e v

e r pu t bod y pa r

t s nea r t h e

p r ope ll e r w he n t h e ba tt e r y i s p l ugge d i n !

S o

, y o u ha v

e y ou r t a k e W P w r i tt e n an d y o u s e t y ou r p l an e i n t o A u t o

. D o no t m a k e s udde n m o v e m en t s a t t h i s po i n t t o a v o i d t h e p l an e

w an t i n g t o t a k e o ff

. T

h r o w t h e p l an e f i r m l y a t a 1 5 deg r e e ang l e

. T h e m o t o r w il l k i c k o n an d t h e p l an e w il l beg i n t o c li m b

. I t m a y d r i f t

s li gh t l y l e f

t o r r i gh t

, s o b e s u r e t o g i v e i t s o m e d i s t an c e a w

a y f r o m ob s t a c l e s

. T

h e p l an e w il l c on t i nu e t o c li m b un t i l i t r ea c he s i t s

a l t i t ud e f o r t h e T

a k eo f f W P

. I f y o u ha v

e s e t u p add i t i ona l W P s i t w il l t r a v e l t o t h e s e c on d W P a s s oo n a s i t r ea c he s t h e t a k eo f f

a l t i t ude

. I f y o u ha v

e n o add i t i ona l W P s i t w il l g o i n t o R T L

.

# A u t o L a n d

I n t h i s pag e w e w il l s e e A u t ono m ou s f li gh t f r o m s t a r t t o f i n i s h

. B r i e f m en t i on s w il l b e m ad e o f A u t o T a k eo f f an d M app i n g a

M i ss i on

. C he c k ou t t ho s e page s t o f il l i n t h e de t a il s

.

T h e m i ss i o n ha s bee n p l anne d b y f i r s t s e tt i n g t h e A u t o W P

, t he n add i n g a po l y go n an d u s i n g t h e au t o W P f un c t i on

. B e c au s e t h e T a k eo f f

W P d i s appea r

s w e s e e t ha t t h e f i r

s t v i s i b l e W P i s W P 2

.

N o w t w o W P w il l b e adde d t o ge t u s o n t h e p r ope r l and i n g pa t h

. W e s e e t ha t t h e s e c on d W P w il l b e a r edu c e d a l t i t ud e bu t s t il l h i g h

enoug h t o c l ea r ob s t a c l e s b y a s a f e d i s t an c e

.A f

t e r c l ea r i n g ob s t a c l e s w e w il l s ub s t an t i a ll y de c r ea s e a l t i t ude

. I t i s i m po r t an t t o no t e t ha t t h e a l t i t ud e c a n b e o f f b y 5 m e t e r

s

, s o t o

b e s a f e w e g o t o 1 0 m e t e r s f i r s t

. A l s o G oog l e M ap s c a n b e o f f 1 0 m e t e r

s ho r i z on t a ll y

, s o b e a w a r e i f y o u ha v

e a t i gh t s pa c e t o f l y

be t w een

. B e r ead y t o s w i t c h t o F B W A an d m anua ll y a v o i d dange r

.

T h e l a s t W P i s a t 0 m e t e r s

. W e ha v

e c hange d i t t o L

A N D an d g i v

e n p l en t y o f d i s t an c e t o s l o w do w n be f o r e t ou c h do w n

.

A f t e r w r i t i n g t h e W P

, an d r ead i n g t he m ba c k f o r v e r i f i c a t i o n w e a r e r ead y f o r a n au t o m a t i c f li gh t f r o m s t a r t t o f i n i s h

.

# A d j u s t i n g D e c li n a t i o n

T h e E a r t h ' s m agne t i c f i e l d v

a r i e s s i gn i f i c an t l y depend i n g o n y ou r l o c a t i o n r e l a t i v e t o t h e po l e s

. T

o ad j u s t f o r t h e o ff

s e t i n y ou r

l o c a t i on

, w e ' l l c hang e t h e m agne t i c de c li na t i o n pa r a m e t e r un t i l t h e head i n g s ho w n o n M i ss i o n P l anne r m a t c he s t h e head i n g o f y ou r

p l ane

. T o s t a r t

, po w e r o n t h e R

/ C t r an s m i tt e r

, t he n po w e r o n t h e E 38 4

- w e ' l l w an t t o d o t h i s w i t h t h e ba tt e r y i n s t a ll e d a s i t w

ou l d b e

f o r f li gh t an d w i t h t h e w i ng s p l ugge d i n an d i n s t a ll ed

. B e s u r e no t t o s e t i t nea r an y l a r g e m e t a lli c ob j e c t s a s t h e c o m pa s s i s v e r y

s en s i t i v e an d c a n b e a ff e c t e d b y l o c a l m agne t i c d i s t u r ban c e s

. O n c e i t ha s i n i t i a li z ed

, s e t i t o n t h e g r oun d a t a k no w n head i ng

. . i t

c a n b e an y d i r e c t i o n a s l on g a s i t ' s k no w n

. I f n o d i r e c t i on s a r e k no w n f o r c e r t a i n

, y o u c a n u s e v

i s ua l c ue s t ha t w

ou l d b e v i s i b l e o n

G oog l e E a r

t h

. F o r e x a m p l e

, y o u c a n po i n t t h e no s e t o b e pe r pend i c u l a r t o y ou r s t r ee t o r pa r a ll e l w i t h t h e edg e o f y ou r hou s e

. O n c e

t ha t ' s de c i ded

, c onne c t t o t h e E 38 4 b y t e l e m e t r y i n M i ss i o n P l anne r

.

O n c e c onne c t ed

, y ou ' l l s e e a n a i r p l an e i c o n a t r ough l y y ou r c u rr en t l o c a t i on

. I f y ou ' r e i n s i de

, y o u m a y nee d t o g o nea r a w i ndo w o r

pu t t h e E 38 4 ou t s i d e i n o r de r t o ge t a G P S f i x

. T he r e w il l b e a r e d li n e e m e r g i n g s t r a i gh t f o r w a r d f r o m t h e i c on

, t ha t i s t h e d i r e c t i o n

t h e au t op il o t t h i n k s i t ' s f a c i ng

. K no w i n g t h e r ea l d i r e c t i on

, w e c a n no w ad j u s t an d i t e r a t e t h e m agne t i c de c li na t i o n un t i l t h e r e d li n e i s

po i n t i n g i n t h e s a m e d i r e c t i o n w e k no w t h e E 38 4 t o b e po i n t i ng

. T o s t a r t

, t a k e a m en t a l no t e o f app r o x i m a t e l y ho w m an y deg r ee s o f f

t h e t r u e d i r e c t i o n t h e r e d li n e i s po i n t i ng

. N o w c li c k o n I n i t i a l S e t u p

- > M anda t o r y H a r d w a r e

- > C o m pa ss

. I f t h e r e d li n e w a s

c oun t e r c l o ck w i s e o f t h e t r u e d i r e c t i on

, ad d t h e app r o x i m a t e nu m be r o f deg r ee s y o u no t e d be f o r e t o t h e c u rr en t v

a l ue

, t y p e t ha t i n

an d t he n s w i t c h ba c k t o Fli gh t D a t a

. W a i t a t l ea s t 3 0 s e c ond s be t w ee n i t e r a t i on s

, i t t a k e s s o m e t i m e f o r t h e d i r e c t i o n t o upda t e

. I f

t h e r e d li n e w

a s s pu n c l o ck w i s e r

e l a t i v e t o t h e t r u e d i r e c t i on

, s ub t r a c t

. N ega t i v e v a l ue s a r e o k bu t t he y s hou l d no t e xc ee d 18 0

deg r ee s i n e i t he r d i r e c t i on

.

I n i t i a l s e tt i ng

, I ' v

e s e t t h e E 38 4 do w n li n i n g u p w i t h t h e edg e o f m y bu il d i ng

.

N o w a f t e r add i n g 4 5 deg r ee s t o t h e de c li na t i o n v a l ue

, i t ' s v

e r y c l o s e t o pa r a ll e l w i t h t h e edge

. I ' l l m a k e on e m o r e ad j u s t m en t f o r

ano t he r 2

- 3 deg r ee s bu t t h i s i s c l o s e enoug h a l r ead y

. A i m t o b e w i t h i n 5 deg r ee s o f t h e t r u e head i ng

.O n c e t h e head i n g i n M i ss i o n P l anne r li ne s u p w i t h t h e E 384 ' s t r u e head i ng

, y o u c a n m o v e o n t o t h e ne x t s t ep

.

# Preflight Checklist

Before leaving for flight location



###  Prefetch base map imagery in Mission Planner (Flight Planner tab, right

- click Map Tool >Prefetch). Note that this may take up to a few hours depending

on area prefetched and internet access speed



### o Leave enough time to complete this step.



###  Optional

– create flight plan (waypoint list) based on desired imaging ground resolution (altitude), using Mission Planner camera tool ( Flight Planner tab,

right

- click Map Tool >Camera) to estimate flight line spacing and camera timing interval to achieve desired image overlap. Use dumm y Home point

– it

will get reset in the field when GPS lock is achieved.

Pre

- flight Operations at Flight Location

1. Ass emble airframe (wings, tail, etc.).

2. Start computer and open Mission Planner software.

3. Load or create flight plan as described above. If not using telemetry, use USB cable to connect computer to APM to load fligh t plan. Disconnect USB

cable when finished.

4. I f using telemetry, connect ground station modem to computer’s USB port.

5. Turn on RC transmitter, set mode channel(s) to Manual, and SET THROTTLE POSITION TO IDLE.

6. Make sure UAV is motionless.

7. Install battery in UAV and connect, taking care not to disturb UA V.

8. In Mission Planner software, select correct port ID and baud rate (default is 57600) for telemetry modem, and hit “Connect” b utton. Wait for APM to

switch from Disarmed to Armed.

9. Check for 3D Fix on GPS (map display should show current location).

10. Check that battery voltage and compass heading are correct in Mission Planner HUD.

11. In lower left corner of Mission Planner, select Actions tab and press “Set Home Alt” button. Current altitude display in HUD should change to zero.

12. In Mission Planner Flight Plann er tab, load or create flight plan. Check that all altitude values are nonzero and sufficiently high to clear any terrain or

obstacles in flight path. Press “Write WPs” to transfer flight plan to UAV.

13. Check that all flight controls surfaces have appropriat e neutrals, and that they move in correct direction when RC transmitter sticks are moved, first in

Manual mode, then in FBW mode.

14. Lift UAV from ground or holder and check that Center of Gravity is OK.

15. Set mode to FBW. Move UAV in both pitch and roll axes, and check that ailerons, rudder, and elevator move in appropriate direction to return UAV to

level flight.

16. Install propeller if not already installed. (Install propeller while the plane is powered off)

17. Set script parameters in camera and install camera into UAV. Close hatch cover.

Launch and Flight

1. Set mode channel on RC transmitter to Manual or FBW

- A.

2. Grasp UAV near camera hole in one hand, and RC transmitter in other hand.

3. Apply take

- off throttle (60%) and hand

- launch UAV straight away with good auth ority into the wind. UAV needs to be flying when it leaves your launch

hand.

4. Manually pilot UAV in a straight upwind climb until all ground

- based obstacles are cleared by at least 30m. At that point continue climbing upwind, climb

circling, or point UAV to ward location of first waypoint. Avoid switching to Auto or RTL mode with the UAV pointed directly away from its first target

.5. Switch to Auto mode and observe that UAV seeks location and altitude of first waypoint. Maintain visual contact with UAV at a ll t imes and be prepared to

take over manual control if UAV exhibits odd behavior, or if another aircraft of any type enters the UAV’s airspace.

Mission Completion and Landing

1. If flight plan included a landing sequence, observe landing and be prepared to tak e over manual control of UAV to avoid crash or hard landing.

2. If flight plan did not include landing sequence, when mission is complete (or if mission is aborted) switch flight mode to RT L using either RC transmitter

or GCS. Observe that UAV returns to home position and orbits. When desired, take over manual control and land UAV straight into any wind.

3. Disconnect Mission Planner from APM upon landing, and physically disconnect or power down UAV upon retrieval.

# E 38 4 F li gh t P r o c e du r e

I n t h i s s e c t i o n w

e w il l d i sc u s s t h e p r o c edu r e u s e d t o c o ll e c t i m age r y

, beg i nn i n g w i t h p r epa r a t i on s f o r f li gh t

. B e f

o r e head i n g ou t t o

t h e f i e l d t o c o ll e c t i m age r y w e m u s t c a c h e t h e G oog l e M ap s i m age r y o f ou r a r e a o f

i n t e r e s t i n M i ss i o n P l anne r

. D o w n l oa d M i ss i o n P l anne r

. M i ss i o n P l anne r w il l a ll o w y o u t o p l an

, m on i t o r

, an d r ep l a y y ou r f li gh t s

.

F i n d y ou r a r e a o f i n t e r e s t u s i n g t h e G oog l e M ap s i n t e r f a c e w i t h i n M i ss i o n P l anne r

. T h i s s t e p r equ i r e s i n t e r ne t c onne c t i on

. C a c h e

an y a r e a y o u m a y f l y o v e r t o g i v e y ou r s e l f a r e f e r en c e du r i n g f li gh t

, an d t o he l p w i t h m i ss i o n p l ann i ng

. S i m p l y f i n d t h e a r e a y o u w an t

t o s e e du r i n g f li gh t an d i t w il l b e c a c hed

.

T h e f i r s t t i m e y o u w i s h t o c onne c t a c o m pu t e r t o y ou r E 38 4 y o u w il l nee d t o do w n l oa d t h e d r i v e r s f o r t h e t e l e m e t r

y m ode m

. T

h i s

s t e p r equ i r e s i n t e r ne t c onne c t i on

. A f t e r M i ss i o n P l anne r ha s bee n do w n l oaded

, p l u g y ou r t e l e m e t r y r ad i o i n t o t h e c o m pu t e r

. I t w il l

au t o m a t i c a ll y do w n l oa d t h e d r i v e r s y o u nee d an d s hou l d b e c o m p l e t e w i t h i n a m i nu t e o r t w o

.

B e f o r e m a k i n g y ou r w

a y t o t h e f i e l d

, c ha r g e y ou r ba tt e r i e s

, m a k e s u r e y o u ha v e a

P h illi p s sc r e w

d r i v e r an d a w r en c h t o a tt a c h t h e p r ope ll e r

.

W he n y o u a rr i v

e a t t h e f i e l d

, t a k e a no t e o f t h e w i n d d i r e c t i o n an d s peed

. A v o i d f l y i n g i n w i nd s abo v

e 2 5 m ph

. W he n w

e p l a n a

m i ss i o n w

e w an t t o f l y c r o ss w i nd s an d m a k e a l l ou r t u r n s i n t o t h e w i nd

. A t t h i s t i m e p l a n y ou r m i ss i o n

.

N o w w e w il l t u r n ou r a tt en t i o n t o t h e a ss e m b l y o f t h e E 384

.

A tt a c h t h e p r ope ll e r

. A tt a c h t h e t a i l. A tt a c h t h e w i ng s. P l a c e t h e ba tt e r i e s ( bu t d o no t p l u g t he m i n ) an d c a m e r a i n t o t h e E 38 4

an d c he c k t h e ba l an c e.

T u r n y ou r t r an s m i tt e r o n i n m anua l m od e

. M a k e s u r e t o c l ea r an y a l e r t s t ha t m a y b e s ho w n o n t h e t r an s m i tt e r

. A t t h i s po i n t

f o r w a r d

, k ee p a l l bod y pa r

t s a w a y f r o m t h e p r ope ll e r

. O n e ba tt e r y a t a t i m e

, p l u g t he m i n t o t h e Y

- S p li tt e r i n t h e E 384

. H o l d t h e

E 38 4 s t il l un t i l y o u s e e s m a l l m o v e m en t s o n t h e e l e v

a t o r

, s i gna li n g t h e E 38 4 ha s bee n i n i t i a li z ed

. T h i s u s ua ll y t a k e s 5

- 1 5 s e c ond s

a f t e r po w e r ha s bee n p l ugge d i n

.

C he c k t ha t a l l t h e s u r

f a c e s r e s pon d i n m anua l m od e

. M o v e t h e r i gh t s t i c k t o t h e r i gh t an d l e f t t o s e e t h e a il e r on s m o v e

. M o v e t h e

r i gh t s t i c k u p an d do w n t o m o v e t h e e l e v

a t o r

. M o v e t h e l e f t s t i c k l e f

t an d r i gh t f

o r t h e r udde r

. M o v

i n g t h e l e f

t s t i c k u p w il l s t a r

t t h e

m o t o r

.

C he c k t ha t a l l s u r

f a c e s r e s pon d i n F B W

- A

. M o v i n g t h e r i gh t s t i c k t o t h e r i gh t an d l e f t w il l no t on l y m o v

e t h e a il e r on s

, bu t a l s o t h e

r udde r

. M o v

e t h e E 38 4 s o t ha t i t i s l e v e l

. C he c k t ha t t h e a il e r on s a r e f l u s h w i t h t h e w i ng s

. N o w

, m o v e t h e E 38 4 t o a ban k l e f t an d

r i gh t t o m a k e s u r e t h e a il e r on s an d r udde r a r e m o v i n g i n r e s pon s e

. P i t c h u p an d do w n s hou l d s e e t h e e l e v a t o r r e s pond

.

P l u g y ou r t e l e m e t r

y m ode m i n t o y ou r c o m pu t e r

. C onne c t t o y ou r E 38 4 i n M i ss i o n P l anne r

. C he c k t o s e e t ha t y o u ha v e a 3 D F i x an d a t l ea s t 5

s a t e lli t e s

, s e e i m ag e be l o w ( G P S c i r c l e d i n b l ue

, nu m be r o f s a t e lli t e s c i r c l e d i n g r een )

.hdo p s hou l d b e be l o w 5 ( c i r c l e d i n w h i t e )

.

Y ou r t e l e m e t r

y s t r eng t h s hou l d b e abo v e 95 % w he n nea r t o t h e E 38 4 ( c i r c l e d i n r e d abo v e )

.

A f u l l ba tt e r

y pa c k w il l s ho w y ou r v o l t ag e nea r 16

. 8 ( c i r c l e d i n o r ange )

. A l w a y s k ee p ba tt e r

y v o l t ag e i n m i nd

. I f t h e ba tt e r y

v o l t ag e f a ll s be l o w 14 V t h e E 38 4 w il l n o l onge r b e ab l e t o c li m b

.

A l t i t ud e s hou l d b e be l o w 1 0 ( c i r c l e d i n y e ll o w )

.

A d j u s t D e c li na t i o n a s neede d

.

W he n e v e r y t h i n g c he ck s ou t p r ope r l y g o t o t h e F i gh t P l a n sc r ee n an d p r e s s W r i t e W P

. A f t e r t h e W P ha

v e bee n w r i tt e n t o t h e

E 38 4 p r e s s R ea d W P

. T h i s w il l r ea d w ha t e v

e r W P t h e E 38 4 ha s s t o r ed

. V e r i f y a l l t h e W P a r e c o rr e c t

.

C u s t o m i z e t h e c a m e r a s e tt i ng s t o y ou r m i ss i o n ( S X 26 0 an d S 10 0 C a m e r a W a l k t h r ough )

. S t a r t t h e sc r i p t an d p l a c e t h e c a m e r a

ba c k i n t o t h e p l ane

. A tt a c h t h e t o p o f t h e no s e

.

I n F B W

- A ho l d t h e E 38 4 u p w i t h t w o hand s

, k eep i n g t h e p r ope ll e r a s f a r a w a y a s po ss i b l e

. A t t h i s t i m e t h e p il o t s hou l d ha v e t h e

t r an s m i tt e r i n hand

. T

h r o tt l e u p t o 60 %

. T

h r o w t h e E 38 4 f i r m l y an d l e v e l w i t h t h e w i n d a t t h e no s e o f t h e p l ane

. A f t e r t h e r e l ea s e

,

i n c r ea s e t h r o tt l e an d pu l l u p o n t h e e l e v a t o r t o c li m b

. C li m b t oabou t 100 m

. W he n y o u a r e i n F B W

- A w i t h A U X

. 3 a t t h e bo tt o m po s i t i o n f li p t h e T H R CU T s w i t c h an d t h e

E 38 4 w il l g o i n t o R T L

.

W a t c h t h e E 38 4 c i r

c l e a t l ea s t t w i c e t o m a k e s u r e t ha t i t i s f l y i n g p r ope r l y

. W a i t f o r t h e de l a y t i m e t o b e u p o n t h e c a m e r a be f o r e

y o u s t a r t t h e m i ss i on

. N o w g o t o y ou r c o m pu t e r an d p r e s s A u t o

. T h i s w il l s t a r

t t h e m i ss i on

.

D u r i n g t h e m i ss i o n k ee p a n e y e o n t h e ba tt e r y v o l t age

. I f i t d r op s be l o w 14

. 5 V i t i s t i m e t o b r i n g i t i n f o r a l and i ng

. D u r i n g t h e

m i ss i o n pa y a tt en t i o n t o t h e f li gh t pa t h an d t h e a l t i t ud e a s w e ll

.

W he n t h e E 38 4 ha s r ea c he d t h e l a s t W P i t w il l g o i n t o R T L

. W he n t h e E 38 4 i s c i r c li n g w a i t f o r t h e c a m e r a t o r ea c h t o t a l s ho t s

, i f i t

ha s no t a l r ead y

. W he n i t ha s t h e c a m e r a l en s w il l b e s hu t an d r ead y f o r l and i ng

.

F li p t h e T H R CU T ba c k t o ga i n c on t r o l i n F B W A

. D u r i n g de sc en t k ee p t h r o tt l e v e r y l o w

, an d n o t h r o tt l e a t a l l i f s pee d i s

m a i n t a i ned

. A l w

a y s l an d w i t h t h e w i n d a t t h e no s e o f t h e E 38 4 t o s l o w i t do w n

. B r i n g t h e E 38 4 do w n an d l an d o n i t s be ll y

. G o t o

t h e E 38 4 an d unp l u g bo t h ba tt e r i e s

. W he n y o u a r e s u r e t he r e a r e n o ba tt e r i e s p l ugge d i n y o u m a y d i s a ss e m b l e

.

# Emergency Procedures

The Spektrum DX5E transmitter and AR610 receiver can communicate up to 1km. If co mmunication is lost with the transmitter the E384 will switch to

Return

- to

- Launch and fly safely above the home point at 100m.

The 3DR telemetry radio is rated at 1km range. The RFD900 telemetry range is 10km. If the E384 loses telemetry communication with the ground

station for an extended period ( 30 seconds ) the plane will switch to Return

- to

- Launch.

If the battery on the E384 reaches 14.3V the E38 will switch to Return

- to

- Launch. If the battery is below 14V the E384 will no longer be able to inc rease

altitude.

During flight it is imperative to have both a Spektrum DX5E communicating with the E384 as well as the telemetry connection. If the Spektrum DX5E

becomes unusable during flight ( usually due to a low battery ) communicate using the tele metry connection and set up a land way point to bring the

E384 in safely. During flight if there are connectivity issues with the telemetry radios manually la nd the E384 with the Spektrum DX5E and resolve the

telemetry connection issues.

If there is a GPS failure when the E384 is an automatic mode the E384 will proceed by setting the thro ttle to cruise, 42%, and enter a bank right at a 15

degree angle. If this occurs the Pilot will take control in FBWA with the Spektrum DX5E transmitter and land the E384.

# Post

- Flight Checklist

Immediately following landing check that all servos are working properly.

Verify the motor is still working properly.

Disconnect both batteries from the E384.

It is now safe to power off the transmitter and ground station laptop.

Check the fuselage and wings for damage.

If there is small amounts of damage (small cracks) take care to reinforce the cracks with CA glue.

If the fuselage or wings have major damage, replace them.

Store LiPo batteries at room temperature.

Refer to the Maintenance Manual for the regular replacement schedule.