July 16, 2015

U.S. Department of Transportation

Docket Management System

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE 

Washington, DC 20590

RE: Exemption Request under § 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 of the Federal Aviation

Regulations from 14 CFR Part 21; 14 CFR §§ 45.23(b); 61.113 (a) & (b); 61.315(a) & (c); 91.7(a); 91.9(b);

91.103; 91.109(a); 91.119(c); 91.121; 91.151(a); 91.203; 91.405(a); 91.407(a)(1); 91.409(a)(2); 91.417(a) & (b). 

Dear Sir or Madam,

Pursuant to § 333 of the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) Modernization and Reform Act of

2012, Pub. L. No. 112-95 (2012), 126 Stat. 11 (the “Reform Act”), the FAA’s general exemption authority under

49 USC § 44701(f), and 14 CFR Part 11, Mountain Aviation, Inc. (hereinafter, the “Petitioner”), an owner and 

operator of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (“UAS”), hereby petitions for exemptions from 14 CFR Part 21, 

Subpart H (Airworthiness Certificates), 14 CFR §§ 45.23(b), 61.113(a) & (b), 61.315(a) & (c), 91.7(a), 91.9(b)(2),

91.103(b)(1), 91.109(a), 91.119(c), 91.121, 91.151, 91.203(a) & (b), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) & (2), 

and 91.417(a) & (b). The proposed exemptions, if granted, would allow Petitioner to conduct commercial 

operations of small UAS for purposes to include: Aerial Mapping, Aerial Surveying, Industrial Inspections, 

Telecommunications Inspections, Aerial Videography & Photography, Energy Systems Inspections, Asset 

Management, Construction Site Monitoring & Inspections, Wildlife & Forestry Monitoring, UAS Education & 

Training, Pipeline Inspections, Search & Rescue Operations, and Precision Agricultural Services missions under 

the conditions outlined herein and as may be established by the FAA in granting the above requested exemptions.

As described more fully below, based on the small size of Petitioner’s UAS, the qualifications and 

experience of Petitioner’s pilots, and the limited, controlled-access environments within which Petitioner will 

operate, the requested exemptions clearly fall within the safety parameters envisioned by Congress as set forth in

§ 333 of the Reform Act. Additionally, the enhanced safety achieved by replacing significantly larger manned 

aircraft carrying crew and flammable fuel with small UAS weighing less than 55 pounds under the specific 

guidelines and procedures proposed by Petitioner gives the FAA good cause to find that the UAS operations 

enabled by this petition are in the public interest. Thus, the requested exemptions should be granted.

THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF PETITIONER: COUNSEL FOR PETITIONER:

Mountain Aviation, Inc. Nathanial C. Brown

Attn: Gregg Fahrenbruch, COO Carriere & Little, LLP

9656 Metro Airport Ave 8001 S. Interport Blvd, Ste 310

Broomfield, CO 80021 Englewood, CO 80112

303-466-3506 720-961-5386

gfahrenbruch@mountainaviation.com nbrown@carrierelittle.com
BACKGROUND OF PETITIONER

Established in 1993 with a mission to provide air support for the Rocky Mountain region, Petitioner has 

over twenty years of experience in the aviation industry dedicated to providing safe, reliable aviation services to 

mountain communities, Fortune 500 companies, the oil & gas industry, and government contracting requirements. 

As a certificated FAA Part 135 On-demand Air Carrier, Petitioner maintains an industry-leading aviation safety 

and quality assurance program and a strong organizational culture of safety and responsibility. Petitioner’s 

dedication to safety was recently recognized when it was awarded the coveted ARG/US Platinum Rating for 

safety. This prestigious rating covers every facet of Petitioner’s flight operations and is one of the highest ratings 

for “safety and excellence in service” the aviation industry can bestow. With a cadre of roughly 50 fully certified 

Commercial Pilots, Petitioner will bring its dedication to aviation safety and operational excellence to all aspects 

of its UAS Operations conducted pursuant to the proposed exemptions.

Petitioner’s dedication to safety starts in the boardroom, and each of Petitioner’s main officers and 

directors have extensive experience in aviation and the aviation industry. Cam Kenyon, Petitioner’s Executive 

Director, has an extensive aviation background beginning with his time serving in the US Navy as a naval airman 

and as a pilot in the airline industry. Mr. Kenyon served as a Navy P3 pilot and lawyer prior to his airline career, 

and he is the former VP of Operations for Frontier Airlines and the former President of Lynx Air. Mr. Kenyon is 

also an expert in international aviation operations, most recently serving as the VP of Operations for Westjet 

Airlines in Canada.

Likewise, Director Ty Little is an experienced aviator and aviation attorney, most recently serving in the 

Wyoming Air National Guard where he has logged extensive C-130 and C-17 flight time, as well as having served 

as a pilot with Frontier Airlines. Mr. Little’s unique background combining years of safe operational experience 

with practical legal insight will provide Petitioner with a strong foundation for analyzing any potential safety 

issues and providing accurate, timely solutions while keeping within all regulatory boundaries.

Similarly, Chief Operating Officer Gregg Fahrenbruch brings over 15 years of non-standard aviation 

operations experience, and Mr. Fahrenbruch is an expert in aircraft management, aviation operations, and safety 

management systems. Mr. Fahrenbruch is an industry expert in government contracting and remote-area support 

operations, which gives him a unique insight into aviation safety while operating in remote areas under nonconventional conditions.

Petitioner’s exceptional aviation safety record, extant in-house safety management system, and the 

combined experience of the directors and officers as pilots, in the aviation industry, and with safety & regulatory 

compliance provide a level of trust that will ensure the integrity and safety of all UAS operations conducted by 

Petitioner pursuant to the requested exemptions. Petitioner seeks to build on Mr. Kenyon’s, Mr. Little’s, and Mr. 

Fahrenbruch’s years of experience and safe and successful aviation operations to offer a range of UAS services in 

a manner consistent with the parameters set forth in § 333 of the Reform Act. Petitioner seeks the requested 

exemptions to permit Petitioner to offer commercial UAS services for a variety of industries and applications, 

including:

 Aerial Mapping

 Aerial Surveying

 Industrial Inspections

 TelecommunicationsInspections

 Precision Agricultural Services

 Aerial Videography & Photography

 Energy Systems Inspections

 Asset Management

 Construction Site Monitoring & 

Inspections

 Wildlife & Forestry Monitoring

 UAS Education & Training

 Pipeline Inspections

 Search & Rescue Operations
DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS OF PETITIONER’S UAS

Petitioner plans to conduct operations pursuant to the exemptions requested herein using the DJI Inspire

1 rotorcraft small UAS and the 3D Robotics (“3DR”) Aero M fixed wing small UAS. Utilizing a combination of 

rotorcraft and fixed wing UAS will allow Petitioner to provide its clients with the most appropriate UAS platform 

to fit the client’s needs and to operate in the safest possible manner.

DJI Inspire 1

The Inspire 1 is a small (581 mm wheelbase) and ultra-lightweight (maximum takeoff weight of 

approximately 3Kg or approximately 7lbs) rotorcraft UAS made of carbon fiber designed for professional aerial 

applications. The Inspire 1 is a highly reliable and stable aircraft and its integrated GPS and flight control software 

gives the Inspire 1 the ability to make emergency “return-to-home” and emergency automatic landing maneuvers 

that ensure the highest level of operational safety.

Please refer to Appendix A for further information regarding the airframe, control system, and electronics. 

The FAA has previously reviewed these documents and has approved exemptions for commercial use of the DJI 

Inspire 1 in, for example, Exemption Nos. 11547 and 11516, and 11526.

3DR Aero M

The Aero M is a small (188cm wingspan) and ultra-lightweight (maximum takeoff weight of 3.5Kg or 

approximately 8lbs) fixed wing UAS made from high density foam tailored for regular acquisition of highly 

detailed and actionable data for applications, such as precision farming, where a rotorcraft would be inefficient. 

Utilizing state-of-the-art software and control systems, the Aero M is highly safe and user-friendly. Safety features 

equipped on the Aero M ensuring safe operations include a “return-to-home” mode that will command the Aero 

M to automatically return to the point from which it was launched and enter a circle pattern at a predetermined 

altitude, and a “loiter” mode that commands the aircraft to enter into a circle pattern with a radius of 60 meters at 

its current location and altitude.

Please refer to Appendix B for further information regarding the airframe, control system, and electronics. 

The FAA has previously reviewed these documents and has approved exemptions for commercial use of the 3DR 

Aero M in, for example, Exemption No. 11769.

REQUESTED EXEMPTIONS

Petitioner requests relief from the following regulations:

 14 CFR Part 21;

 14 CFR § 45.23(b);

 14 CFR § 61.113(a) & (b);

 14 CFR § 61.315(a) & (c);

 14 CFR § 91.7(a);

 14 CFR § 91.9(b)(2);

 14 CFR § 91.103(b)(1);

 14 CFR § 91.109(a);

 14 CFR § 91.119;
 14 CFR § 91.121;

 14 CFR § 91.151(a);

 14 CFR § 91.203;

 14 CFR § 91.405(a);

 14 CFR § 91.407(a)(1);

 14 CFR § 91.409(a)(2);

 14 CFR § 91.417(a) & (b)

EXTENT OF RELIEF SOUGHT BY PETITIONER AND REASONS FOR SEEKING SUCH RELIEF

14 CFR Part 21, Subpart H: Airworthiness Certificates

This section establishes the procedural requirements for the issuance of airworthiness certificates and 

other airworthiness approvals. Given the size, weight, speed, and limited operating area associated with the UAS 

to be utilized by Petitioner, an exemption from 14 CFR Part 21, Subpart H (Airworthiness Certificates), subject 

to certain conditions and limitations, is warranted, and meets the requirements for an equivalent level of safety 

under 14 CFR Part 11 and § 333 of the Reform Act. 49 USC § 44701(f) and § 333 of the Reform Act both 

authorize the FAA to exempt aircraft, including UAS, from the requirement for an airworthiness certificate upon 

consideration of the size, weight, speed, operational capabilities, proximity to airports and populated areas, and 

operation within visual line of sight. The UAS operated without an airworthiness certificate in the restricted 

environment and under the conditions and limitations proposed by Petitioner will be at least as safe, or safer, than 

a conventional aircraft (fixed wing or rotorcraft) operating with an airworthiness certificate issued under 14 CFR 

Part 21, Subpart H, and not subject to the proposed limitations and conditions.

The UAS to be operated by Petitioner all weigh much less than 55 lbs. fully loaded, will be operated at a 

speed of no more than 50 knots, will carry neither a pilot nor passengers, will carry no explosive or flammable 

materials or fuel, and will be operated exclusively in predetermined, controlled-access environments. Petitioner’s 

UAS will use a radio frequency spectrum for operation and control that complies with Federal Communications 

Commission (“FCC”) requirements, and will be operated only in accordance with the procedures proposed herein 

and as may be established by the FAA.

Petitioner’s UAS will be equipped with redundant safety mechanisms allowing safe operation after 

experiencing certain in-flight failures. If a lost-link event occurs, including loss of ground communications or 

loss of GPS signal, Petitioner’s UAS will have the ability to perform a pre-coordinated, predictable, automated 

flight maneuver and return to a predetermined location within a designated security perimeter for landing.

Unlike operations of other civil aircraft, operations under the requested exemptions will be tightly 

controlled and monitored by both the pilot in command (“PIC”) and a Visual Observer (“VO”) in order to ensure 

the Petitioner’s UAS remain within operational limitations and to ensure the safety of operations. These 

enhancements to current safety practices and regulations provide a greater degree of safety to the public and 

property owners than conventional aircraft operations conducted by aircraft with an airworthiness certificate. 

Lastly, there is no intrinsic credible threat to national security posed by UAS due to the size, speed, restricted 

operational environments, lack of explosive materials and flammable fuels or other liquids, and inability to carry 

passengers or a substantial external load.

14 CFR § 45.23(b): Display of Marks

This section requires that “[w]hen marks include only the Roman capital letter “N” and the registration 

number is displayed on limited, restricted, or light-sport category aircraft or experimental or provisionally 

certificated aircraft, the operator must also display on that aircraft near each entrance to the cabin, cockpit, or pilot
station, in letters not less than 2 inches nor more than 6 inches high, the words “limited,” “restricted,” “lightsport,” “experimental,” or “provisional,” as applicable.”

Even though the Petitioner’s UAS will have no airworthiness certificate, an exemption may be necessary

as the UAS will have no entrance to the cabin, cockpit, or pilot station on which the word “experimental,” etc., 

can be placed. Also, given the size of Petitioner’s UAS, two-inch lettering will be impossible. Petitioner 

understands the need for markings and will mark all of its UAS in the largest possible lettering on the UAS 

fuselages so that anyone observing Petitioner’s UAS will be able to see the markings.

14 CFR § 61.113(a) & (b): Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations: Pilot in Command (PIC) and 14 CFR

§ 61.315(a) & (c): Sport Pilot Privileges and Limitations

These sections limit private pilots and sport pilots to non-commercial operations. Because Petitioner’s 

UAS will not carry a pilot or passengers, the proposed operations can achieve the equivalent level of safety of 

current operations by requiring the PIC operating Petitioner’s UAS to have a private pilot’s or sport pilot’s license 

rather than a commercial pilot’s license to operate Petitioner’s small UAS. Unlike a conventional aircraft that 

carries the pilot and passengers, Petitioner’s UAS are remotely controlled with no persons onboard. The area of 

operation will be controlled and restricted, and all flights will be planned and coordinated in advance. The risks 

associated with the operation of Petitioner’s UAS are so diminished from the level of risk associated with 

commercial operations contemplated by 14 CFR Part 61 when drafted, that allowing operations of Petitioner’s 

UAS as requested with a private pilot or sport pilot as the PIC exceeds the present level of safety achieved by 14

CFR §§ 61.113(a) & (b) and 61.315(a) & (c).

14 CFR § 91.7(a): Civil Aircraft Airworthiness

This section prohibits any person from operating a civil aircraft unless it is in an airworthy condition. As 

there will be no airworthiness certificate issued for Petitioner’s UAS, should this exemption be granted, no FAA 

regulatory standard will exist for determining airworthiness. Given the size of the aircraft and the requirements 

contained in the UAS manufacturer’s manuals

1

and use of safety checklists

2

prior to each flight, an equivalent 

level of safety will be provided. In accordance with the pertinent part of 14 CFR § 91.7(b), the PIC for all of 

Petitioner’s UAS operations shall be responsible for determining whether the aircraft is in a safe condition for 

flight, including the use of pre-flight safety checklists.

3

14 CFR § 91.9(b)(2): Civil Aircraft Flight Manual, Marking, and Placard Requirements

This sections provides in pertinent part that “[n]o person may operate a U.S.-registered civil aircraft ... 

For which an Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual is not required by § 21.5 of this chapter, unless there is 

available in the aircraft a current approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual, approved manual material, 

markings, and placards, or any combination thereof.” Petitioner’s UAS, given their size and configuration, have 

no ability to carry a physical flight manual on the aircraft. The equivalent level of safety will be maintained by 

keeping the flight manual at the ground control point where the PIC operating Petitioner’s UAS will have 

immediate access to it.

1

See Appendix A, and Appendix B

2

See Appendix F and Appendix G

3

Id.
14 CFR § 91.103(b)(1): Preflight Action

This regulation requires each PIC to take certain actions before flight to insure the safety of each flight. 

As FAA approved flight manuals will not be provided for the aircraft, an exemption will be needed. Petitioner 

will comply with the other applicable procedures and requirements stated in § 91.103(a) & (b). Specifically, the 

PIC will take all action including reviewing weather, flight battery requirements, aircraft performance data, and 

landing and takeoff distances before initiating a flight. The PIC will also account for all relevant site-specific 

conditions in their preflight procedures.4 Risks presented by sun glare will be mitigated by the PIC’s and VO’s 

ability to see other air traffic and initiate a return-to-home sequence if needed.

14 CFR § 91.109(a): Flight Instruction

This section provides in pertinent part that “[n]o person may operate a civil aircraft (except a manned free 

balloon) that is being used for flight instruction unless that aircraft has fully functioning dual controls.” UAS, by 

their design, do not have functional dual controls. Flight control is accomplished through the use of a control box 

that communicates with the aircraft via radio communications. Given the size and speed of Petitioner’s UAS, an 

equivalent level of safe training can be achieved without dual controls because no pilot or passengers are aboard 

the UAS and all persons will be a safe distance away in the event that the UAS experiences any difficulties during 

flight instruction. The FAA has approved exemptions for flight training without fully functional dual controls for 

a number of aircraft and for flight instruction in experimental aircraft. See e.g. Exemptions Nos. 5778K and

9862A.

14 CFR § 91.119: Minimum Safe Altitudes

This section establishes minimum safe altitudes for operation of civil aircraft and provides that, over other 

than congested areas, no person may operate an aircraft below an altitude of 500 AGL, except over open water or 

sparely populated areas, and that over sparely populated areas the aircraft cannot be operated closer than 500 feet 

to any person, vessel, or structure. As this exemption requests authority to operate at altitudes no higher than 400 

feet AGL, an exemption may be needed to allow such operations.

As set forth herein, Petitioner’s UAS will never operate at higher than 400 feet AGL, nor beyond visual 

line of sight (“VLOS”) of the PIC and VO, whichever is closer. It will, however, be operated in a restricted area 

with individuals tasked with ensuring public safety, and where buildings and people will not be exposed to 

operations without their pre-obtained consent and training.

The equivalent level of safety will be achieved given the size, weight, and speed of Petitioner’s UAS as 

well as the restricted environments within which they will be operated. No flight will be taken without the 

permission of the property owner. Because of the advance notice to the property owner and the participants in the 

UAS operation, all affected individuals will be aware of the planned flight operations. Compared to flight 

operations with manned aircraft or rotorcraft weighing far more than Petitioner’s UAS and the lack of flammable 

fuels onboard, any risk associated with Petitioner’s operations is far less than that presently presented by 

conventional aircraft operating at or below 500 feet AGL. In addition, the low-altitude operations of Petitioner’s 

UAS will ensure separation between Petitioner’s UAS operations and the operations of conventional aircraft that 

must comply with § 91.119. Furthermore, Petitioner’s UAS will not be operated over congested areas nor over 

any open-air assembly of persons. Petitioner’s UAS will be operated at an altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, 

an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.

4

Id.
14 CFR § 91.121: Altimeter Settings

In pertinent part, this section requires each person operating an aircraft to maintain cruising altitude by 

reference to an altimeter that is set to “...the elevation of the departure airport or an appropriate altimeter setting 

available before departure.” As Petitioner’s UAS may not have a barometric altimeter, but instead a GPS altitude 

readout, an exemption may be needed. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by the PIC confirming the 

altitude of the launch site shown on the GPS altitude indicator, and prior to each flight, a zero altitude initiation 

point will be established and confirmed for accuracy by the PIC. The PIC will also ensure effective pairing with 

multiple GPS sources to guarantee accurate detection of altitude.

14 CFR § 91.151(a): Fuel Requirementsfor Flight in VFR Conditions

This section prohibits a person from beginning “a flight in an airplane under VFR conditions unless 

(considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing, 

and, assuming normal cruising speed—(1) during the day, to fly after that for at least 30 minutes; or (2) at night, 

to fly after that for at least 45 minutes.”

Given the limited area of operation of Petitioner’s UAS, Petitioner believes that an equivalent level of 

safety is already achieved by the various failsafe procedures built in to Petitioner’s UAS that will perform a RTL 

maneuver or automatically land the aircraft in the case of a low battery while in flight. Operating Petitioner’s 

UAS in a tightly controlled area where only people or property owners or official representatives who have signed 

waivers will be allowed, with less than 30 minutes of reserve power, does not engender the type of dangers that §

91.151(a) was intended to alleviate given the size and speed of Petitioner’s UAS. Petitioner believes that an

equivalent level of safety can be achieved by prohibiting Petitioner’s PIC from beginning any flights unless, 

considering the wind and forecast weather conditions, there is enough available power for Petitioner’s UAS to 

conduct the intended operation and to operate after that for at least five minutes or with the reserve power 

recommended by the manufacturer, whichever is greater. This restriction would be more than adequate to return 

the Petitioner’s UAS to its planned landing zone from anywhere in its limited operating area. FAA has granted 

similar exemptions in, for example, Exemption Nos. 2689F, 5745, 10673, 10808, 11864, and 11769.

14 CFR § 91.203(a) & (b): Civil Aircraft: Certifications Required

This regulation provides in pertinent part that “(a)...no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it has 

within it the following: (1) an appropriate and current airworthiness certificate... (b) No person may operate a 

civil aircraft unless the airworthiness certificate required by paragraph (a) of this section ... is displayed at the 

cabin or cockpit entrance so that it is legible to passengers or crew.”

Petitioner’s UAS fully loaded weigh less than 55 pounds and are operated without a pilot, passengers, or 

crew onboard. As such, there is no is ability or place to carry certification and registration documents or to display 

them on Petitioner’s UAS. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by keeping these documents at the 

ground control station where the PIC will have immediate access to them, to the extent they are applicable to 

Petitioner’s UAS. FAA has issued numerous exemptions to this section; see e.g. Exemption Nos. 9565, 9665,

9789, 9789A, 9797, and 10700.

14 CFR §§ 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) & (2), and 91.417(a) & (b): Maintenance Inspections

These regulations require that an aircraft operator or owner “shall have that aircraft inspected as prescribed 

in subpart E of this part and shall between required inspections, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, 

have discrepancies repaired as prescribed in part 43 of this Chapter...;” and others shall inspect or maintain the 

aircraft in compliance with Part 43.
Given that these sections and Part 43 apply only to aircraft with an airworthiness certificate, these sections 

will not apply to Petitioner. Petitioner will strictly adhere to the safety and maintenance procedures included in 

all applicable UAS manufacturers’ instructions and operating manuals.

5 To the extent such information is not 

included in the guidelines as developed by the manufacturers, Petitioner will undertake to develop and document 

maintenance, overhaul, replacement, and inspection requirements, and procedures to document and maintain 

maintenance records with regards to Petitioner’s UAS.

6 An equivalent level of safety will be achieved because 

Petitioner’s UAS are very limited in size and will carry small payloads and operate only in restricted areas for 

limited periods of time. If mechanical issues arise, Petitioner’s UAS can land immediately and will be operating 

from no higher than 400 AGL. The Petitioner will ensure that its UAS are in working order prior to initiating 

each flight, perform regular maintenance, and keep a log of any maintenance performed. Moreover, Petitioner is 

the person most familiar with the aircraft and is best suited to maintain the aircraft in an airworthy condition in 

order to ensure safe operations.

EQUIVALENT LEVEL OF SAFETY

Petitioner believes that the exemptions requested herein apply to civil aircraft that have the characteristics 

and that operate within the limitations listed herein. Petitioner’s requested exemptions will not adversely affect 

safety, and Petitioner’s proposed operational limits will provide for at least an equivalent or even greater degree 

of safety than for similar operations conducted using conventional, manned aircraft, due to the size, speed, and 

limited operating area of Petitioner’s UAS.

The UAS Petitioner plans to operate are small in size with each weighing much less than 55 pounds 

including their payload. They will operate, under normal conditions, at a speed of no more than 50 knots. 

Operations will be performed by a fully qualified and trained UAS PIC, as outlined below, to ensure that 

Petitioner’s UAS will “not create a hazard to users of the national airspace system or the public.” Given the small 

size of Petitioner’s UAS and the pre-planned, controlled-access environment within which they will operate, 

Petitioner believes that these operations fall squarely within that zone of safety in which Congress envisioned that 

the FAA must, by exemption, allow commercial operations of UAS to commence immediately. Also, operation 

in a secured, pre-defined area will prevent the possibility of a national security issue. The operation of Petitioner’s 

UAS by knowledgeable aviation professionals with experience in the national airspace system (“NAS”) will serve 

to enhance safety, add to the public benefit, and reduce environmental impacts related to current methods of aerial 

operations of the kind proposed by Petitioner.

The limitations and conditions to which Petitioner agrees to be bound when conducting commercial 

operations under this petition include but are not limited to the following, at a minimum:

1. Safety will be the first and foremost consideration for all of Petitioner’s UAS operations.

2. Petitioner will conduct operations using only the DJI Inspire 1 and 3DR Aero M UAS platforms, each of 

which weighs much less than 55 pounds fully loaded.

3. Petitioner’s UAS PIC will be required to be an FAA licensed airman with at least a Sport Pilot certificate

and hold at least an FAA Third Class Medical certificate or valid driver’s license.

4. Petitioner’s UAS PIC will be responsible at all times for the safe operation of each flight conducted 

pursuant to the requested exemptions.

5. All flights will be operated within VLOS of the PIC at all times.

6. All operations will utilize a visual observer (“VO”). The VO will be used to maintain VLOS with the

UAS so long as the PIC also always maintains VLOS capability, and the PIC and VO will at all times

5

See Appendix A and Appendix B

6

See Appendix C, Appendix D, and Appendix E
remain close enough to be able to communicate verbally during flight operations. The PIC will be 

responsible for ensuring that the VO can perform the duties required by the VO.

7. The UAS will operate at no more than 50 knots, and in no case will UAS be operated at airspeeds greater

than the maximum operating airspeed recommended by the UAS manufacturer.

8. This exemption, if granted, and all other documents needed to operate Petitioner’s UAS and conduct 

operations in accordance with the limitations and conditions as set forth herein and as established by the 

FAA will at all times be kept with the PIC at the ground control station and will be immediately available 

upon request.

9. Petitioner’s UAS will utilize GPS navigation,failsafe, return-to-launch, and/or flight abortsafety features.

10. The PIC will be prohibited from beginning a flight unless, considering the wind and forecast weather 

conditions, there is enough available power for Petitioner’s UAS to conduct the intended operation and 

to operate after that for at least five minutes or with the reserve power recommended by the manufacturer, 

whichever is greater.

11. Flights will be operated at an altitude at or below 200 feet above ground level (“AGL”) under normal 

conditions, and will never exceed 400 feet AGL.

12. Petitioner will not allow its PIC to operate unless the PIC demonstrates the ability to safely operate 

Petitioner’s UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated as proposed herein, including 

evasive and emergency maneuvers and maintaining appropriate distances from persons and property, and 

including familiarization with applicable airspace restrictions and the UAS operations manuals.

13. Operations will never be conducted at night. Daytime operations will only be conducted under Visual

Flight Rules (“VFR”) conditions.

14. Petitioner’s UAS will only be operated within a pre-planned, controlled-access flight perimeter sized so 

as to allow the PIC and VO to maintain VLOS with the UAS at all times during flight operations.

15. A briefing will be conducted in regard to each planned UAS operation, and the safety thereof, prior to 

operation at each new location.

16. All persons not directly involved with UAS flight operations will be prohibited from entering the flight 

perimeter unless there exists therein barriers or structures sufficiently robust to protect nonparticipating 

persons from the UAS and/or debris in the event of an accident.

17. All UAS operations will be conducted over private or controlled-access property with permission from 

the property owner or property controller or their respective authorized representative. Permission from 

the property owner or controller or their authorized representative will be obtained prior to each operation.

18. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, they will have the capability to return to a predetermined location within the flight perimeter.

19. The PIC will have the power, and the duty, to abort all flight operations in the event of unpredicted 

obstacles or emergencies.

The Requested Exemptions Promote the Public Interest

The enhanced safety achieved by replacing significantly larger manned aircraft carrying crew, passengers, 

and flammable fuel with small UAS carrying no passengers, crew, or flammable fuel under the specific guidelines 

and procedures proposed by Petitioner gives FAA good cause to find that the UAS operations enabled by this 

petition are in the public interest. Specifically, the potential for damage or harm to the public as a result of a UAS 

accident under the conditions and limitations proposed herein utilizing Petitioner’s small, ultra-lightweight UAS 

carrying no passengers, crew, or flammable fuel or other dangerous materials is far less than the threat posed to 

the public by normal manned aircraft operations.

Moreover, by replacing the manned aircraft traditionally used for the kinds of operations proposed by 

Petitioner with small UAS, Petitioner will be able to provide aerial operations services at a greatly reduced cost, 

making these kinds of services available to a greater range of businesses and consumers, thereby enhancing the
utility of aerial operations and benefitting the economy as a whole. Similarly, the small, battery-powered UAS 

utilized by Petitioner will benefit the public as a whole by greatly reducing the pollution and ecological impact 

associated with traditional aircraft and rotorcraft operations, and utilizing Petitioner’s UAS for precision 

agriculture will allow for a more efficient application of fertilizers and pesticides, which will ultimately reduce 

the negative effects on the environment and consumers associated with these practices, which will benefit the 

public as a whole.

Congress and the FAA, through passage of the Reform Act and in numerous Exemptions (see e.g. 

Exemption No. 11062), have already recognized that UAS provide a greater degree of flexibility and safety than 

traditional manned aircraft when used within certain operational limits and for the kinds of operations proposed 

herein by Petitioner. Granting Petitioner exemption to operate its UAS commercially furthers economic growth 

and public safety while limiting the ecological impacts of aerial operations. Thus, FAA has good cause to grant 

this petition.

Conclusion

For the forgoing reasons, the exemptions requested by Petitioner herein should be granted and Petitioner should 

be permitted to conduct commercial UAS operations in accordance with the limitations and conditions proposed 

herein and as established by the FAA.

Respectfully submitted, 

Carriere & Little, LLP

By:

Nathanial C. Brown 

Counsel for Petitioner 

Mountain Aviation, Inc.
APPENDIX A

DJI Inspire 1 – Operations Documents
INSPIRE 1

User Manual G]J

2015.3
Using this manual

Legends

Warning Important Hints and Tips Reference

Before Flight

The following tutorials and manuals have been produced to ensure you to make full use of your Inspire 1.

1.Disclaimer

2.In the Box

3.Inspire 1 Quick Start Guide

4.Safety Guidelines

5.Inspire 1 User Manual

6.Intelligent Flight Battery Safety Guidelines

Watching all the tutorial videos and reading the Disclaimer before flight is recommended. Afterwards, 

prepare for your first flight by using the Inspire 1 Quick Start Guide. Refer to this manual for more 

comprehensive information.

Watch the video tutorials

Please watch the tutorial video below to learn how to use Inspire 1 correctly and safely:

www.dji.com/product/inspire-1/video 

Download the DJI Pilot app

Download and install the DJI Pilot app before use. Scan the QR code or visit

“http://m.dji.net/djipilot” to download the app.

For the best experience, use mobile device with Andriod V 4.1.2 or above. Requires iOS 8.0 or later.

2 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
Contents

Using this manual

Legends 2

Before Flight 2

Watch the video tutorials 2

Download the DJI Pilot app 2

Product Profile 

Introduction 6

Feature Highlights 6

Assemble the Aircraft 7

Aircraft Diagram 9

Remote Controller Diagram 9

Aircraft

Flight Controller 12

Flight Mode 12

Flight Status Indicator 12

Return to Home (RTH) 13

Dynamic Home Point 15

Vision Positioning System 16

Flight Recorder 17

Attaching and Detaching the Propellers 17

DJI Intelligent Flight Battery 18

Remote Controllers

Remote Controller Profile 24

Remote Controller Operations 24

Dual Remote Controllers Mode 29

Remote Controller Status LED 31

Linking the Remote Controller 32

Remote Controller Compliance Version 33

Gimbal and Camera

Camera Profile 35

Gimbal 36

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 3
DJI Pilot App

Camera 40

Map 43

Academy 43

User Center 43

Flight

Flight Environment Requirements 45

Flight Limits and Flight Restriction Area 45

Preflight Checklist 49

Calibrating the Compass 49

Auto Take-off and Auto Landing 50

Starting/Stopping the Motors 51

Flight Test 51

FAQ

Appendix

Specifications 57

Intelligent Orientation Control (IOC) 60

How to Update Firmware 61

FCC Compliance 62

4 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
Product Profile

This chapter describes the features of 

Inspire 1, instructs you to assemble the 

aircraft and explains the components on 

the aircraft and remote controllers.

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 5
Product Profile

Product Profile

Introduction

The Inspire 1 is brand new quadcopter capable of capturing 4K video and transmitting an HD video 

signal (up to 2km) to multiple devices straight out of the box. Equipped with retractable landing gear, it 

can capture an unobstructed 360 degree view from its camera. The built-in camera has an integrated 

gimbal to maximize stability and weight efficiency while minimizing space. When no GPS signal is 

available, Vision Positioning technology provides hovering precision.

Feature Highlights

Camera and Gimbal: Up to 4K video recording and 12 megapixel photo capture. Reserved mounting 

space for ND filters for better exposure control. New quick-release mount allows you to remove the 

camera with ease.

HD Video Downlink: Low latency, HD downlink powered by an enhanced version of the DJI Lightbridge

system. It also provides dual controllers mode.

Landing gear: Retractable landing gear that enables an unobstructed panoramic view from the camera. 

DJI Intelligent Flight Battery: 4500 mAh DJI Intelligent Flight Battery employs new battery cells and a 

battery management system.

Flight Controller: The next generation flight controller system provides a more reliable flight experience. 

A new flight recorder stores the flight data from each flight, and Vision Positioning enhances hovering 

precision when no GPS is available.

Assemble the Aircraft

Unlocking Travel Mode

The aircraft is in Travel Mode during delivery. Follow these steps to change it to Landing Mode before

your first flight:

1. Insert the Intelligent Flight Battery into the battery compartment.

2. Power on the Remote Controller and the Intelligent Flight Battery.

3. Toggle the Transformation Switch up and down at least four times.

4. Power off the aircraft.

 

Travel Mode Toggle×4 Landing Mode
6 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
Product Profile

INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Battery must be fully charged before using it for the first time. Refer to "Charging the Intelligent

Flight Battery" (P21) for more information .

If you have purchased the dual remote controller version, you must use the Master remote 

controller to deactivate Travel Mode. Refer to "Setting Up Dual Remote Controllers Mode" (P30) 

section for more infromation about Master remote controller.

Be sure to remove the gimbal from the aircraft before switch from Landing Mode to Travel Mode. 

Place the aircraft on the smooth and reflective surface (e.g. table or tile) before switching between 

the travel modes to the landing mode. Do not place the aircraft on the rough and sound-absorbing 

surface (e.g. carpet) before switching between the travel modes and landing mode.

Installing Gimbal and Camera

1. Remove Gimbal Cover.

2. Rotate the Gimbal Lock to the unlocked position (to the right when facing the nose of the aircraft).

3. Insert the gimbal by aligning the white mark on the Gimbal.

4. Rotate the Gimbal Lock back into the locked position.

1

Gimbal Cover

3 Gimbal Lock

Mounting Place

Gimbal Connector

2

Locked

Ensure the Micro-SD card is correctly inserted into the camera.

Attaching Propellers

Attach propellers with the black nut onto motors with the black dot and spin counter-clockwise to secure. 

Attach propellers with gray nut onto motors without a black dot and spin clockwise to secure.

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 7
Product Profile

INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Place all propellers onto the correct motor and tighten by hand to ensure security before flight.

Attaching 1345s Quick-Release Propellers

The 1345s Quick-Release propeller is the upgrade version of the propellers that greatly enhance the 

reliability of the propeller during the flight. Following the steps below to attach the 1345s Quick-Release 

propellers.

1. Install the propellers with a white dot onto the mounting plates that have a white dot, and install the

propellers without a white dot onto the mounting plates that do not have a white dot.

White dot

White dot Without 

white dot

Without white dot

2. Align the hook (A) on the propellers with the securing spring (B), then press down the propeller onto

the mounting plate then rotate the propellers according to the lock direction until it is secured.

Preparing Remote Controller

Tilt the Mobile Device Holder to the desired position then adjust the antenna as shown.

1. Press the button on the side of the Mobile Device Holder to release the clamp, adjust it to fit then attach

your mobile device.

2. Connect your mobile device to the remote controller with a USB cable.

3. Plug one end of the cable into your mobile device, and the other end into the USB port on the back of

the remote controller.

8 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
Product Profile

INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Aircraft Diagram

[1] [1] GPS

[6]

[11]

[7]

[8]

[2] 

[3]

[4]

[5]

[9] 

[10]

[12] 

[13]

[2] 

[3] 

[4] 

[5] 

[6]

[7] 

[8] 

[9] 

[10] 

[11]

[12] 

[13]

Propeller (P17) 

Motor

Front LED (P12) 

Landing gear

Gimbal and Camera (P35)

Intelligent Flight Battery (P18)

Aircraft Micro-USB Port

Rear LED (P12)

Camera Micro-USB Port

Camera Micro-SD Card Slot (P35)

Vision Positioning Sensors (P16) 

Aircraft Status Indicator (P13)

Remote Controller Diagram

[1] 

[2]

[1] Antennas (P29)

Relays aircraft control and video signal.

[2] Mobile Device Holder

Mounting place for your mobile device.

[3] Control Stick

Controls aircraft orientation.

[9]

[8]

[7]

 [3] 

[4] 

[5]

[6]

[4] Return Home (RTH) Button (P13)

Press and hold the button to initiate Return to

Home (RTH).

[5] Transformation Switch (P27)

Toggle the switch up or down to raise or lower 

the landing gear.

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 9
Product Profile

INSPIRE 1 User Manual

[6] Battery Level LEDs

Displays the current battery level.

[7] Status LED

Displays the power status.

[8] Power Button

Used to power on or power off the remote controller.

[9] RTH LED

Circular LED around the RTH button displays RTH status.

[10] Camera Settings Dial

Turn the dial to adjust camera settings. 

Only functions when the remote controller is 

connected to a mobile device running the DJI 

Pilot app.

[11] Playback Button

Playback the captured images or videos.

[12] Shutter Button

Press to take a photo. If in burst mode, the 

set number of photos will be taken with one 

press.

[13] Flight Mode Switch

Used to switch between P, A and F mode.

[14] Video Recording Button

Press to start recording video. Press again to 

stop recording.

[15] 

[14]

[13]

[16] [17] [18] [19]

[10] 

[11]

[12]

[15] Gimbal Dial

Use this dial to control the tilt of the gimbal.

[16] Mini-HDMI Port

Connect an HD compatible monitor to this 

port to get a live HD video preview of what the 

camera sees.

[17] Micro-USB Port

For connecting the remote controller to your 

computer.

[20]

[18] CAN Bus Port

Reserved for future use.

[19] USB Port

Connect to mobile device to access all of the

DJI Pilot app controls and features.

[20] GPS Module

Used to pinpoint the location of the remote 

controller.

[21] Back Left Button

[23]

[22]

[21] Customizable button in DJI Pilot app.

[22] Power Port

Connect to a power source to charge the 

remote controller’s internal battery.

[23] Back Right Button

Customizable button in DJI Pilot app.

10 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
Aircraft

This chapter describes the features of 

the Flight Controller, Vision Positioning

System and the Intelligent Flight Battery.

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 11
Aircraft

Aircraft

Flight Controller

The Inspire 1’s flight controller is based on DJI flight controller with several enhancements such as new 

flight mode and new safe mode. Three safe modes are available: Failsafe, Return Home and Dynamic 

Home Point. These features ensure the safe return of your aircraft if the control signal is lost. A flight 

recorder stores crucial flight data for each flight.

Flight Mode

Three flight modes are available. The details of each flight mode are found in the section below:

P mode (Positioning) : P mode works best when GPS signal is strong. There are three different states of P 

mode, which will be automatically selected by the Inspire 1 depending on GPS signal strength and Vision 

Positioning sensors:

P-GPS: GPS and Vision Positioning both are available, and the aircraft is using GPS for positioning.

P-OPTI: Vision Positioning is available but the GPS signal is not. Aircraft is using only Vision

Positioning for hovering

P-ATTI: Neither GPS or Vision Positioning available, aircraft is using only its barometer for positioning,

so only altitude is controlled.

A mode (Attitude): The GPS and Vision Positioning System is not used for holding position. The aircraft 

only uses its barometer to maintain altitude. If it is still receiving a GPS signal, the aircraft can automatically 

return home if the Remote Controller signal is lost and if the Home Point has been recorded successfully.

F mode (Function): Intelligent Orientation Control (IOC) is activated in this mode. For more information 

about IOC, refer to the IOC in Appendix.

Use the Flight Controller mode switch to change the flight mode of the aircraft, refer to the “Flight

Mode Switch” on P27 for more information.

Flight Status Indicator

The INSPIRE 1 comes with the Front LED, Rear LED and Aircraft Status Indicator. The positions of these

LEDs are shown in the figure below:

Front LED Rear LED

Aircraft Status Indicator

The Front and Rear LED show the orientation of the aircraft. The Front LED displays solid red and the

Rear LED displays solid green.

Aircraft Status Indicator shows the system status of the flight controller. Refer to the table below for more

information about the Aircraft Status Indicator:

12 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
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INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Aircraft Status Indicator Description

Normal

Alternatively

Red, Green and Yellow Flash

Power on and self-check

Green and Yellow Flash Alternatively Aircraft warming up

Green Flashes Slowly Safe to Fly (P mode with GPS and Vision Positioning)

X2 Green Flashes Twice Safe to Fly (P mode with Vision Positioning but without GPS)

Warning

Yellow Flashes Slowly Safe to Fly (A mode but No GPS and Vision Positioning)

Fast Yellow Flashing Remote Controller Signal Lost

Slow Red Flashing Low Battery Warning

Fast Red Flashing Critical Low Battery Warning

Red Flashing Alternatively IMU Error

—Solid Red Critical Error

Red and Yellow Flash Alternatively Compass Calibration Required

Return to Home (RTH)

The Return to Home (RTH) brings the aircraft back to the last recorded Home Point. There are three cases

that will trigger RTH procedure; they are Smart RTH, Low Battery RTH and Failsafe RTH.

GPS Description

Home Point

The Home Point is the location at which your aircraft takes off when the 

GPS signal is strong. You can view the GPS signal strength through 

the GPS icon ( ). If you are using the Dynamic Home Point 

setting, the Home Point will be updated to your current position as you 

move around and when the Aircraft Status Indicator blinks green.

Smart RTH

Using the RTH button on the remote controller (refer to “RTH button” on P28 for more information) or the 

RTH button in the DJI Pilot app when GPS is available to enables smart RTH. The aircraft return to the 

latest recorded Home Point, you may control the aircraft's orientation to avoid collision during the Smart 

RTH. Press the Smart RTH button once to start the process, press the Smart RTH button again to exit 

Smart RTH and regain the control.

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 13
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INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Low Battery RTH

The low battery level failsafe is triggered when the DJI Intelligent Flight Battery is depleted to a point that 

may affect the safe return of the aircraft. Users are advised to return home or land the aircraft immediately 

when these warnings are shown. DJI Pilot app will advise user to return the aircraft to the Home Point 

when low battery warning is triggered. Aircraft will automatically return to the Home Point if no action is 

taken after 10 seconds countdown. User can cancel the RTH by pressing once on the RTH button. The 

thresholds for these warnings are automatically determined based on the current aircraft altitude and its 

distance from the Home Point.

Aircraft will land automatically if the current battery level can only support the aircraft to land to the ground 

from the current altitude. User can use the remote controller to control the aircraft’s orientation during the 

landing process.

The Battery Level Indicator is displayed in the DJI Pilot app, and is described below

Critical Low battery level 

warning(Red)

Low battery 

level warning

Sufficient battery

level(Green)

Remaining flight time

Power requires

to return home

Battery level indicator

Battery Level

Warning Remark Aircraft StatusIndicator DJI Pilot app Flight Instructions

Low battery 

level warning

The battery 

power is low. 

Please land the 

aircraft.

Aircraft status 

indicator blinks 

RED slowly.

Tap “Go-home” to have the

aircraft return to the Home

point and land automatically,

or “Cancel” to resume

normal flight. If no action is

taken, the aircraft will

automatically go home and

land after 10 seconds. 

Remote controller will sound 

an alarm.

Fly the aircraft 

back and land 

it as soon as 

possible, then

stop the motors 

and replace the 

battery.

Critical Low 

battery level 

warning

The aircraft 

must land 

immediately.

Aircraft status 

indicator blinks 

RED quickly.

The DJI Pilot app screen will 

flash red and aircraft starts to 

descend. Remote controller 

will sound an alarm.

The aircraft will

begin to descend

and land 

automatically.

Estimated 

remaining 

flight time

Estimated 

remaining flight 

based on current 

battery level.

N/A N/A N/A

14 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
2 Confirm Home Point

Blinking Green

Aircraft

INSPIRE 1 User Manual

When the critical battery level warning activates and the aircraft is descending to land 

automatically, you may push the throttle upward to hover the aircraft and navigate it to a more 

appropriate location for landing.

Color zones and markers on the battery level indicator reflect estimated remaining flight time 

and are adjusted automatically, according to the aircraft’s current status.

Failsafe RTH

Failsafe RTH is activated automatically if remote controller signal (including video relay signal) is lost for 

more than 3 seconds provided that Home Point has been successfully recorded and compass is working 

normally. Return home process may be interrupted and the operator can regain control over the aircraft if 

a remote controller signal is resumed.

Failsafe Illustration

1 Record Home Point (HP)

Blinking Green

3 Remote Controller Signal Lost

Fast Blinking Yellow

4 Signal Lost Lasts 3secs. 5 Go Home(20m can be set) 6 Landing after Hovering 15secs

20m

Height over HP>20m

Elevate to 20m

Fast Blinking Yellow

Height over HP<=20m

Fast Blinking Yellow Fast Blinking Yellow

Aircraft automatically descends and lands if RTH is triggered when the aircraft flies within a 20

meter (65 feet) radius of the Home Point.

Aircraft cannot avoid obstruction during the Failsafe RTH, therefore it is important to set an 

reasonable Failsafe altitude before each flight. Launch the DJI Pilot app and enter “Camera” 

view and select “MODE” to set the Failsafe altitude.

Aircraft will stop ascending and immediately return to the Home Point if you move the throttle 

stick if the aircraft reaches 20 m altitudes or beyond during Failsafe.

Dynamic Home Point

Dynamic home point is useful in situations when you are in 

motion and require a Home Point that is different from the 

takeoff point. GPS module is located at the position shown in 

the figure below:

Ensure the space above the GPS module is not

obstructed when using Dynamic Home Point. GPS

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 15
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INSPIRE 1 User Manual

There are two options for Dynamic Home Point.

1. Set the aircraft current coordinate as the new Home Point.

2. Set the remote controller’s coordinate as the new Home Point.

Setting Up Dynamic Home Point

Follow the steps below to setup Dynamic Home Point:

1. Connect to the mobile device and launch the DJI Pilot app and go to the “Camera” page.

2. Tap“ ”and select“ ”, to reset the remote controller’s coordinates as the new Home Point.

3. Tap“ ”and select“ ”, to reset the aircraft’s coordinates as the new Home Point.

4. The aircraft status indicator blinks green to show Home Point is set successfully.

Vision Positioning System

DJI Vision Positioning is a positioning system that uses ultrasonic and image data to help the aircraft 

identify its current position. With the help of Vision Positioning, your Inspire 1 can hover in place more 

precisely and fly indoors or in other environments where there is no GPS signal available. The main 

components of DJI Vision Positioning are located on the bottom of your Inspire 1, including [1]two sonar 

sensors and[2]one monocular camera.

[2]

[1]

Using Vision Positioning

Vision Positioning is activated automatically when the Inspire 1 is powered on. No manual action is 

required. Vision Positioning is typically used in the indoor environment where no GPS is available. By 

using the sensors on the Vision Positioning system, Inspire 1 can perform precision hovering even when 

no GPS is available.

16 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
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INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Follow the steps below to use Vision Positioning:

1. Toggle the switch to “P” as shown the figure to the right:

2. Place the Inspire 1 on a flat surface. Notice that the Vision Positioning system

cannot work properly on surfaces without pattern variations.

3. Power on the Inspire 1. The aircraft status indicator will flash twice in green light, 

which indicates the Vision Positioning system is ready. Gently push the throttle up 

to lift off, and the Inspire 1 will hover in place.

The performance of your Inspire 1’s Vision Positioning System is subject to the surface you are 

flying over. The ultrasonic waves may not be able to accurately measure the distance over sound 

absorbing materials, and the camera may not function correctly in suboptimal environments. The 

aircraft will switch from “P” mode to “A” mode automatically if both GPS and Vision Positioning 

System are not available. So operate the aircraft cautiously when in any of the following situations: 

Flying over monochrome surfaces (e.g. pure black, pure white, pure red, pure green).

Flying over a highly reflective surfaces.

Flying at high speeds(over 8m/s at 2 meters or over 4m/s at 1 meter).

Flying over water or transparent surfaces. 

Flying over moving surfaces or objects.

Flying in an area where the lighting changes frequently or drastically.

Flying over extremely dark (lux < 10) or bright (lux > 10,000) surfaces. 

Flying over surfaces that can absorb sound waves (e.g. thick carpet). 

Flying over surfaces without clear patterns or texture.

Flying over surfaces with identical repeating patterns or textures (e.g. tiles with same design).

Flying over inclined surfaces that will deflect sound waves away from the aircraft.

In the event of loss of remote controller’s signal, the aircraft will hover for 8 seconds and then

auto-land if it is in “P” mode.

Keep the sensors clean at all times. Dirt or other debris may adversely affect the effectiveness

of the sensors.

The effective hovering altitudes of the aircraft is from 0 to 2.5 meters.

Vision Positioning system may not function properly when the aircraft is flying over water.

Vision Positioning system may not be able to recognize pattern on the ground in low light 

conditions (less than 100lux).

Do not use other ultrasonic devices with frequency of 40 KHz when Vision Positioning system is

in operation.

Vision Positioning system may not be able to stabilize the aircraft when flying close to the 

ground (below 0.5 meters) in fast speed.

Keep the animals away from the aircraft when Vision Positioning system is activated. The sonar 

sensor emits high frequency sound that is only audible to some animals.

Flight Recorder

Flight data is automatically stored in the internal storage device of the aircraft. User can gain access to 

these data through the DJI Pilot app. This includes flight duration, orientation, distance, aircraft status 

information, speed, and other parameters.

Attaching and Detaching the Propellers

Use only DJI approved propellers with your Inspire 1. The grey or black nut on the propeller indicates

the rotation direction of the propeller and where it should be attached. To attach the propellers properly,

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 17
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INSPIRE 1 User Manual

match the nut with the dots on the motors of your Inspire 1:

Propellers Grey cap(1345) Black cap(1345R)

Figure

Attach On Motors without a black dot Motors with a black dot

Legends

Lock : Turn the propellers in the indicated direction to mount and tighten

Unlock : Turn the propellers in the indicated direction to loosen and remove

Attaching the Propellers

1. Attach the propellers with a grey nut onto a motor without a black dot and spin the propellers clockwise 

to secure them in place. Attach the propellers with a black nut onto a motor with a black dot and spin 

the propellers counter clockwise to secure its position. Be sure to completely tighten each propeller by 

hand before flight.

Ensure propellers are attached to its corresponding motors, otherwise the aircraft cannot take off.

Handling the propellers with care.

Manually tighten each of the propellers on the corresponding motors to ensure it is attached firmly.

Detaching the Propellers

Hold the motor still. Then spin the propeller in the unlock direction indicated on the propeller itself.

Detaching 1345s Quick-Release Propellers

Press the 1345s Quick-Release propellers downward firmly then rotate the propeller in the unlock 

direction to unlock the propellers.

Check that the propellers and motors are installed correctly and firmly before every flight. Ensure

that all propellers are in good condition before each flight. DO NOT use old, chipped, or

broken propellers.

To avoid injury, STAND CLEAR of and DO NOT touch propellers or motors when they are spinning. 

ONLY use original DJI propellers for a better and safer flight experience.

DJI Intelligent Flight Battery

The DJI Intelligent Flight Battery has a capacity of 4500mAh, voltage of 22.2V, and smart chargedischarge functionality. It can only be charged with an appropriate DJI approved charger.

Intelligent Flight Battery Charger

18 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
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INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Battery must be fully charged before using it for the first time. Refer to "Charging the Intelligent

Flight Battery" P21 for more information .

DJI Intelligent Flight Battery Functions

1. Battery Level Display: LEDs display the current battery level.

2. Battery Life Display: LEDs display the current battery power cycle.

3. Auto-discharging Function: The battery automatically discharges to below 65% of total power when it 

is idle (press the power button to check battery level will cause battery to exit idle state) for more than

10 days to prevent swelling. It takes around 2 days to discharge the battery to 65%.It is normal to feel 

moderate heat emitting from the battery during the discharge process. Discharge thresholds can be 

set in the DJI Pilot app.

4. Balanced Charging: Automatically balances the voltage of each battery cell when charging.

5. Over charge Protection: Charging automatically stops when the battery is fully charged.

6. Temperature Detection: The battery will only charge when the temperature is between 0 °C(32°F) and

40°C (104°F).

7. Over Current Protection: Battery stops charging when high amperage (more than 10A) is detected.

8. Over Discharge Protection: Discharging automatically stops when the battery voltage reaches 18V to

prevent over-discharge damage

9. Short Circuit Protection: Automatically cuts the power supply when a short circuit is detected.

10. Battery Cell Damages Protection: DJI Pilot app shows warning message when damaged battery cell 

is detected.

11. Battery Information History: Show the last 32 entries of battery information records that include warning 

messages and so on.

12. Sleep Mode: Sleep mode is entered after 10 minutes of inactivity to save power.

13. Communication: Battery voltage, capacity, current, and other relevant information is provided to the

aircraft’s to the main controller.

Refer to Disclaimer and Intelligent Flight Battery Safety Guidelins before use. Users take full 

responsibility for all operations and usage.

Using the Battery

LED4

LED2

LED3

LED1

Power Button

(Built-in LED)

Powering ON/OFF

Powering On: Press the Power Button once, then press again and hold for 2 seconds to power on. The

Power LED will turn red and the Battery Level Indicators will display the current battery level.

Powering Off: Press the Power Button once, then press again and hold for 2 seconds to power off.

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 19
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INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Low Temperature Notice:

1. The performance of the intelligent Flight Battery is significantly reduced when flying in a low 

temperature environments (those with air temperatures below 5°C). Ensure that the battery is fully 

charged and the cell voltage is at 4.43 V before each flight.

2. Using the Intelligent Flight Battery in extremely low temperature environments (those with air 

temperatures below -10°C) is not recommended. When flying in environments with temperatures 

between 5°C and -10°C, the Intelligent Flight Battery should be able to achieve the appropriate voltage 

levels (above 4.2 V), but it is recommended that you apply the included insulation sticker to the battery 

in order to prevent a rapid drop in temperatures.

3. If the DJI Pilot app displays the “Critical Low Battery Level Warning” when flying in low temperature 

environments, stop flying and land the aircraft immediately. You will still be able to control the aircraft’s 

movement when this warning is triggered.

4. Store the Intelligent Flight Battery in a room temperature environment and ensure that its temperature

exceeds 5°C before using it in the low temperature environment.

5. When using the Inspire 1 in a low temperature environment, begin by allowing the aircraft to hover at a 

low altitude, for approximately one minute, to heat the battery.

6. To ensure optimum performance, keep the Intelligent Flight Battery’s core temperature above 20°C

when in use.

In cold environments, insert the battery into the battery compartment and allow the aircraft to

warm up for approximately 1-2 minutes before taking off.

Checking the battery level

The Battery Level Indicators display how much remaining power the battery has. When the battery is 

powered off, press the Power Button once. The Battery Level Indicators will light up to display the current 

battery level. See below for details.

The Battery Level Indicators will also show the current battery level during charging and

discharging. The indicators are defined below.

: LED is on. : LED is flashing.

: LED is off.

Battery Level

LED1 LED2 LED3 LED4 Battery Level

87.5%~100%

75%~87.5%

62.5%~75%

50%~62.5%

37.5%~50%

25%~37.5%

12.5%~25%

0%~12.5%

=0%

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INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Battery life

The battery life indicates how many more times the battery can be discharged and recharged before it

must be replaced. When the battery is powered off, press and hold the Power Button for 5 seconds to

check the battery life. The Battery Level Indicators will light up and/or blink as described below for 2 

seconds:

Battery Life

LED1 LED2 LED3 LED4 Battery Life

90%~100%

80%~90%

70%~80%

60%~70%

50%~60%

40%~50%

30%~40%

20%~30%

below 20%

When battery life reaches 0%, it can no longer be used.

For more information about the battery, launch DJI Pilot app and check the information under the

battery tab.

Charging the Intelligent Flight Battery

1. Connect Battery Charger to a power source (100-240V 50/60Hz).

2. Open the Protection Cap and connect the Intelligent Flight Battery to the Battery Charger. If the battery 

level is above 95%, turn on the battery before charging.

3. The Battery Level Indicator will display the current battery level during charging.

4. The Intelligent Flight Battery is fully charged when Battery Level Indicators are all off.

5. Air cool the Intelligent Flight Battery after each flight. Allow its temperature to drop to room temperature

before storing it for an extended period.

Do not charge the Intelligent Flight Battery and remote controller with standard charger (model:

A14-100P1A) at the same time, otherwise the charger may overheat.

Always turn off the battery before inserting it or removing it from the Inspire 1. Never insert or 

remove a battery when it is powered on.

Power Outlet

Intelligent Flight Battery Charger

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 21
Aircraft

INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Battery Level Indicators while Charging

LED1 LED2 LED3 LED4 Battery Level

0%~25%

25%~50%

50%~75%

75%~100%

Fully Charged

Charging Protection LED Display

The table below shows battery protection mechanisms and corresponding LED patterns.

Battery Level Indicators while Charging

LED1 LED2 LED3 LED4 Blinking Pattern Battery Protection Item

LED2 blinks twice per second Over current detected

LED2 blinks three times per second Short circuit detected

LED3 blinks twice per second Over charge detected

LED3 blinks three times per second Over-voltage charger detected

LED4 blinks twice per second Charging temperature is too low

(<0°C)

LED4 blinks three times per second

Charging temperature is too high

(>40°C)

After any of the above mentioned protection issues are resolved, press the button to turn off the Battery 

Level Indicator. Unplug the Intelligent Flight Battery from the charger and plug it back in to resume 

charging. Note that you do not need to unplug and plug the charger in the event of a room temperature 

error, the charger will resume charging when the temperature falls within the normal range.

DJI does not take any responsibility for damage caused by third-party chargers.

How to discharge your Intelligent Flight Battery:

To effectively calibrate the battery capacity, it is recommended to charge and discharge the 

battery thoroughly for every 10 charge-and-discharge cycle. User should install the battery onto 

the aircraft and then power on the aircraft to initiate the discharge process, discharge the battery 

until the aircraft is powered off automatically. User should then fully charge the battery to ensure 

the battery is working at its optimal.

Slow: Place the Intelligent Flight Battery into the Inspire 1’s Battery Compartment and power it 

on. Leave it on until there is less than 5% of power left, or until the battery can no longer 

be turned on. Launch the DJI Pilot app to check battery level.

Rapid: Fly the Inspire 1 outdoors until there is less than 5% of power left, or until the battery can

no longer be turned on.

22 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
Remote Controllers

This chapter describes the features 

of the remote controller that includes 

aircraft and remote controller operations 

and dual remote controller mode.

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 23
Remote Controllers

Remote Controller

Remote Controller Profile

The Inspire 1 Remote Controller is a multi-function wireless communication device that integrates the 

video downlink ground system and aircraft Remote Controller system. The video downlink and aircraft 

Remote Controller system operate at 2.4 GHz with maximum transmission distance of 2km. The remote 

controller features a number of camera functions, such as taking and previewing photos and video, and 

controlling gimbal motions. The remote controller is powered by a 2S rechargeable battery. The current 

battery level is displayed by LEDs on the front panel of the remote control.

Compliance Version: The Remote Controller is compliant with both CE and FCC regulations.

Operating Mode: Control can be set to Mode 1 , Mode 2.

Mode 1: The right stick serves as the throttle.

Mode 2: The left stick serves as the throttle.

Do not operate more than 3 aircrafts within in the same area (size equivalent to a soccer field) to

prevent transmission interference.

Remote Controller Operations

Powering OnAnd Off The Remote Controller

The Inspire 1 remote controller is powered by a 2S rechargeable battery with a capacity of 6000mAh. The 

battery level is indicated by the Battery Level LEDs on the front panel. Follow the steps below to power on 

your remote controller:

1. When powered off, press the Power Button once and the Battery Level LEDs will display the current

battery level.

2. Then, press and hold the Power Button to power on the remote controller.

3. The Remote Controller will beep when it powers on. The Status LED will blink green (slave remote 

controller blinks solid purple) rapidly, indicating that the remote controller is linking to the aircraft. The 

Status LED will show a solid green light when linking is completed.

4. Repeat step 2 to power off the remote controller after finish using it.

Charging Remote Controller

Charge the remote controller via supplied charger.

24 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
Remote Controllers

INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Power Outlet

Charger

Power Button

Controlling Camera

Shoot videos or images and adjust camera settings via the Shutter Button, Camera Settings Dial, Playback

Button and Video Recording Button on the remote control.

[4]

[1] 

[2]

[3]

[1] Camera Settings Dial

Turn the dial to quickly adjust camera settings such as ISO and shutter speed without letting go of the

remote controller. Move the dial button to left or right to view the pictures or videos in playback mode.

[2] Playback Button

Press to view images or videos that have already been captured.

[3] Shutter Button

Press to take a photo. If burst mode is activated, multiple photos will be taken with a single press.

[4] Recoding Button

Press once to start recording video, then press again to stop recording.

Controlling Aircraft

This section explains how to use the various features of the remote controller. The Remote Controller is set 

to Mode 2 by default.

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 25
Remote Controllers

INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Stick Neutral/ mid point: Control sticks of the Remote Controller are placed at the central position. 

Move the Stick: The control stick is pushed away from the central position.

Remote 

Controller 

(Mode 2)

Aircraft

( indicates nose direction) Remarks

Moving the left stick up and down changes the 

aircraft’s elevation.

Push the stick up to ascend and down to descend. 

Push the throttle stick up to takeoff.

When both sticks are centered, the Inspire 1 will

hover in place.

The more the stick is pushed away from the

center position, the faster the Inspire 1 will change 

elevation. Always push the stick gently to prevent 

sudden and unexpected elevation changes.

Moving the left stick to the left or right controls the 

rudder and rotation of the aircraft.

Push the sick left to rotate the aircraft counter 

clock-wise, and push the stick right to rotate the 

aircraft clockwise. If the stick is centered, the

Inspire 1 will stay facing its current direction.

The more the stick is pushed away from the center

position, the faster the Inspire 1 will rotate.

Moving the right stick up and down changes the 

aircraft’s forward and backward pitch.

Push the stick up to fly forward and down to fly

backward. The Inspire 1 will hover in place if the stick 

is centered.

Push the stick further away from the center position for

a larger pitch angle (maximum 35 ̊) and faster flight.

Moving the right stick control left and right changes 

the aircraft’s left and right pitch.

Push left to fly left and right to fly right. The Inspire 1

will hover in place if the stick is centered.

Push the stick further away from the center position for

a larger pitch angle (maximum 35 ̊) and faster flight.

Gimbal Dial: Turn the dial to the right, and the

camera will shift to point upwards. Turn the

dial to the left, and the camera will shift to point 

downwards. The camera will remain in its current 

position when dial is static.

26 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
Remote Controllers

Flight Mode Switch

Toggle the switch to select the desired flight mode.

You may choose between; P mode, F mode and A

mode. F

INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Figure Flight Mode

F F mode

A 

A A mode

P P mode

P

P mode (Positioning) : P mode works best when GPS signal is strong. There are three different states of P 

mode, which will be automatically selected by the Inspire 1 depending on GPS signal strength and Vision 

Positioning sensors:

P-GPS: GPS and Vision Positioning both are available, and the aircraft is using GPS for positioning.

P-OPTI: Vision Positioning is available but the GPS signal is not. Aircraft is using only Vision

Positioning for hovering

P-ATTI: Neither GPS or Vision Positioning available, aircraft is using only its barometer for positioning,

so only altitude is controlled.

A mode (Attitude): The GPS and Vision Positioning System is not used for holding position. The aircraft 

only uses its barometer to maintain altitude. If it is still receiving a GPS signal, the aircraft can automatically 

return home if the Remote Controller signal is lost and if the Home Point has been recorded successfully.

F mode (Function): Intelligent Orientation Control (IOC) is activated in this mode. For more information 

about IOC, refer to the IOC in Appendix.

The Flight Mode Switch is locked in P mode by default. To unlock the switch, launch the DJI Pilot app, 

enter the "Camera" page, tap "MODE", and then activate "Multiple Flight Mode" .

Transformation Switch / RTH Button

The Transformation Switch / RTH Button combination serves two functions. Toggle the switch up or down

to raise or lower the landing gear. Or, press the button to activate the Return to Home (RTH) procedure.

Transformation Switch

This switch has two positions. The effect of toggling the switch to any of these positions is defined below:

Lower Raise

1. Raise: Raise the landing gear to its upper most position.

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 27
Remote Controllers

INSPIRE 1 User Manual

2. Lower: The landing gear will lower to its lowest position for landing.

Do not raise the landing gear when the aircraft is on the ground. Ensure the landing gear is 

lowered before landing.

RTH button

Press and hold this button to start the Return to Home (RTH) procedure. The LED around the RTH Button 

will blink white to indicate the aircraft is entering RTH mode. The aircraft will then return to the last recorded 

Home Point. Press this button again to cancel the RTH procedure and regain the control of the aircraft.

Connecting Mobile Device

Tilt the Mobile Device Holder to the desired position. Press the button on the side of the Mobile Device Holder 

to release the clamp, and then place your mobile device into the clamp. Adjust the clamp to secure your 

mobile device. Then connect your mobile device to the remote controller with a USB cable. Plug one end of 

the cable into your mobile device, and the other end into the USB port on the back of the remote controller.

28 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
Remote Controllers

INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Optimal Transmission Range

The signal transmission between aircraft and remote controller perform best within the range that 

displayed in the picture shown below:

 Optimal Transmission Range

Strong Weak

Ensure the aircraft is flying within the optimal transmission range. Adjust the distance and position 

between the operator and the aircraft to achieve optimal transmission performance.

Dual Remote Controllers Mode

More than one remote controller can connect to the same aircraft in Dual Remote Controller mode. In 

Dual Controllers mode, the “Master” remote controller operator controls the orientation of the aircraft, while 

the “Slave” remote controller controls the movement of the gimbal and camera operation. When multiple 

“slave” remote controllers (max of 6) are connect to the aircraft, only the first connected “slave” remote 

controller is able to control the gimbal, the remaining “slave” remote controller can view the live feed video 

from the aircraft and set the camera parameters, but they cannot control the gimbal.

Master Remote

Controller

Slave Remote

Controller

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 29
Remote Controllers

INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Use the gimbal dial on the remote controller to control the pitch movement of the camera in the

single remote controller mode, however, you cannot control the pan movement of the camera.

Setting Up Dual Remote Controllers Mode

Dual Remote Controllers mode is disabled by default. Users must enable this feature on the “Master”

remote controller by through the DJI Pilot app. Followthe steps below for setup:

“Master” Remote Controller:

1. Connect the remote controller to your mobile device and launch the DJI Pilot app.

2. Go to the Camera page, and tap to enter the remote controller settings window.

3. Tap “Set RC Status” to enable Master-and-Slave mode.

4. Select “Master” in the “Set RC Status” section to set the remote controller as “Master” remote controller.

RC Settings

RC Control Settings

Master and Slave

Set RC Status OFF Master Slave

RC Name T12254 Connection Password 1234

Slave RC List

5. Enter the connection password for the “Slave” remote controller.

“Slave” Remote Controller:

1. Tap “Search for Master Controller” to search the “Master” remote controller.

RC Settings

RC Control Setting

Master and Slave

Set RC Status

RC Name S88642

OFF Master Slave

Request Control

Search for Master Controller

Master RC List

30 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
Remote Controllers

INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Remote controller cannot link to the aircraft if the remote controller is set as “Slave”. Meanwhile, 

the “Slave” remote controller cannot control the orientation of the aircraft. Reset the remote 

controller to “Master” in DJI Pilot app if you wish to link the remote controller to the aircraft.

2. Search the “Master” remote controller in the surrounding area in the “Request Control” section.

RC Settings

RC Control Settings

Master and Slave

Set RC Status

RC Name S88642

OFF Master Slave

Request Control

Search for Master Controller

Master RC List

T12254

3. Select the “Master” remote controller from the “Master RC List” and input the connection password to 

connect to the desired “Master” remote controller.

T12254 Connection Password 1234

Master RC List

Remote Controller Status LED

The Status LED reflects connection status between Remote Controller and aircraft. The RTH LED shows

the Return to Home status of the aircraft. The table below contains details on these indicators.

RTH LED

Status LED

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 31
Remote Controllers

INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Status LED Alarm Remote Controller Status

The remote controller set as "Master" but it is not —Solid Red chime

—Solid Green chime

—Solid Purple D-D-

—Solid Blue D-D- chime

connected with the aircraft.

The remote controller set as "Master" and it is connected

with the aircraft.

The remote controller set as "Slave" but it is not

connected with the aircraft.

The remote controller set as "Slave" and it is connected

with the aircraft.

Slow Blinking Red D-D-D...... Remote controller error.

/

Red and Green/ Red and

Yellow Alternate Blinks

None HD Downlink is disrupted.

RTH LED Sound Remote Controller Status.

—Solid White chime Aircraft is returning home.

Blinking White D . . . Sending Return to Home command to the aircraft. 

Blinking White DD .. .. .. Aircraft Return to Home in progress.

The Remote Status Indicator will blink red, sound an alert, when the battery level is critically low.

Linking the Remote Controller

The remote controller is linked to your aircraft before delivery. Linking is only required when using a new 

remote controller for the first time. Follow these steps to link a new remote controller:

1. Power on the remote controller and connect to the mobile device. Launch DJI Pilot app.

2. Power on the Intelligent Flight Battery.

3. Enter “Camera” view and tap on and then tap “Linking Remote Controller” button as shown below.

RC Control Setting

Remote Control Calibration

Stick Mode

Default stick mode is Mode 2, changing stick modes alters the way the aircraft is controlled. 

Do not change unless familiar with your new mode.

C1 Gimbal Pitch/Yaw C2 Reset gimbal yaw

You can customize the C1 and C2 buttons on the back 

of the remote controller.

Linking Remote Controller

32 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
Remote Controllers

INSPIRE 1 User Manual

4. The remote controller is ready to link. The Remote Controller Status Indicator blinks blue and "beep"

sound is emitted.

RC Control Setting

Remote Control Calibration

Stick Mode

Searching for aircraft frequency,

Default stick mode is Mode 2, changingtismtiecokumt oind5e4s saeltceorsndthse way the aircraft is controlled. 

Do not change unless familiar with your new mode.

Press the linking button on the aircraft

to link this remote controller

C1 Gimbal Pitch/Yaw C2 Reset gimbal yaw

Cancel C2

You can customize the C1 and C2 buttons on the back 

of the remote controller.

Linking Remote Controller

5. Locate the Linking button on the front of the aircraft, as shown in the figure shown below. Press the 

Linking button to start linking. The Remote Controller Status Indicator will display solid green if Link is 

succeed.

Remote controller cannot link to the aircraft if the remote controller is set as “Slave”. Meanwhile, 

the “Slave” remote controller cannot control the orientation of the aircraft. Reset the remote 

controller to “Master” in DJI Pilot app if you wish to link the remote controller to the aircraft. 

Remote controller will disconnect from the linked aircraft if a new remote controller is linked to 

the same aircraft.

Remote Controller Compliance Version

The remote controller is compliant with both CE and FCC requirements.

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 33
Gimbal and Camera

This chapter provides the technical 

specifications of the camera and explains 

the working mode of the gimbal.

34 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
Gimbal and Camera

Camera and Gimbal

Camera Profile

The on-board camera supports 4K video capture up to 4096x2160p24 and 12M pixel photos capture by 

using the 1/2.3 inch CMOS sensor. You may export the video in either MOV or MP4 format for editing. 

Available picture shooting modes include burst, continuous, and timer mode. A live preview of what the 

camera is seeing before you shoot videos and pictures is supported through the DJI Pilot App.

Camera Micro-SD Card Slot

To store your photos and videos, plug in the micro-SD card into the slot shown below before powering on 

the Inspire 1. The Inspire 1 comes with a 16GB micro-SD card and supports up to a 64GB micro-SD card. 

A UHS-1 type micro-SD card is recommended, because the fast read and write capability of these cards 

enables you to store high-resolution video data.

Do not remove micro-SD card from the Inspire 1 when it is powered on.

Camera Data Port

Power on the Inspire 1 and then connect a USB cable to the Camera Data Port to download photos or 

videos from the camera to your computer.

Power on the aircraft before attempting to download the files.

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 35
Gimbal and Camera

INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Camera Operation

Use the Shutter and Record button on the remote controller to shoot the images or the videos through the

DJI Pilot app. For more information about how to use these buttons, refer to “Controlling Camera” P25.

ND Filter

Attach an ND filter to the front of the camera to reduce over-exposure and “jello” effect.

Gimbal

Gimbal Profile

The 3-axis Gimbal provides a steady platform for the attached camera, allowing you to capture stabilized

images and video. The Gimbal can tilt the camera up to 120 degrees and rotate 360 degrees.

+30°

0°

-90° +330°

-330°

Use the gimbal dial on the remote controller to control pitch movement of the camera by default. Note that 

you cannot control the pan motion of the camera by default. Enable the “Master-and-Slave” mode and 

set the remote controller to “Slave” state if you wish to control both the pan and pitch movement of the 

camera.

Use the gimbal dial on the remote controller to control the pitch movement of the camera in the

single remote controller mode, however, you cannot control the pan movement of the camera.

Pan Control

Follow the instructions below to use the gimbal dial to control the pan movement of the gimbal:

1. Power on the aircraft and remote control, launch DJI Pilot app and enter “Camera” page.

2. Tap “RC Control Settings” icon and select either C1 or C2 customizable button as the gimbal pitch/

yaw switching button.

3. Select “Gimbal Pitch/Yaw” from the dropdown list.

36 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
Gimbal and Camera

INSPIRE 1 User Manual

RC Control Setting

Remote Control Calibration

Stick Mode

Default stick mode is Mode 2, changing stick modes alters the way the aircraft is controlled. 

Do not change unless familiar with your new mode.

C1 Gimbal Pitch/Yaw C2 Reset gimbal yaw

You can customize the C1 and C2 buttons on the back 

of the remote controller.

Linking Remote Controller

Press C1 or C2 button to switch from pitch mode to yaw mode. You may use the gimbal dial to pan the

gimbal under yaw mode. Press C1 or C2 again to exit yaw mode.

Using DJI Pilot App to Control Gimbal

Follow the steps below to use DJI Pilot app to control the gimbal orientation:

1. Launch DJI Pilot app, enter “Camera” page.

2. Tap and press on the screen until a blue circle is shown.

3. Slide to control the gimbal orientation within the “Camera” page as shown below.

MODE P-GPS CL Safe to Fly (GPS)

ISO 100 1/320 EV 0 4821 JPEG

H: 39M D: 1039M V.S: 8.3M/S H.S: 24.2M/S 1.2M

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 37
Gimbal and Camera

INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Gimbal Operation Modes

Three Gimbal operation modes are available. Switch between the different operation modes on the 

Camera page of the DJI Pilot App. Note that your mobile device must be connected to the remote 

controller for changes to take effect. Refer to the table below for details:

Pitch Pan

The angle between Gimbal’s orientation and aircraft’s nose remains

constant at all times. One user alone can control the pitch motion of the Follow Mode Gimbal, but a second user is required to control the pan motion using a

second remote controller.

The Gimbal will lock to the movements of the aircraft to provide a FirstFPV Mode

Person-View flying experience.

The Gimbal’s motion is independent of the aircraft’s orientation. One user

Free Mode alone can control the pitch motion of the Gimbal, but a second user is 

required to control the pan motion using a second remote controller.

Tap to force the Gimbal orientation to re-align with aircraft’s orientation

Re-alignment by panning from gimbal’s current orientation. Pitch angle will remain 

unchanged during the re-alignment.

Gimbal motor error may occur in these situations: (1) Gimbal is placed on uneven ground. (2) 

Gimbal has received an excessive external force, e.g. a collision. Please take off from flat, open 

ground and protect the gimbal after powering up.

Flying in heavy fog or cloud may make the gimbal wet, leading to a temporary failure. The

gimbal will recover when it dries out.

38 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
DJI Pilot App

This chapter describes the four main

GUI of the DJI Pilot app.

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 39
DJI Pilot App

DJI Pilot App

The DJI Pilot app is a new mobile app designed specifically for the Inspire 1. Use this app to control the 

gimbal, camera and other features of your flight system. The app also comes with Map, Store a User Center, 

for configuring your aircraft and sharing your content with friends. It is recommended that you use a tablet 

for the best experience.

United States

Mountain View

CAMERA DIRECTOR STORE DISCOVERY

Camera

The Camera page contains a live HD video feed from the Inspire 1’s camera. You can also configure

various camera parameters from the Camera page.

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

[19]

[18]

MODE P-GPS CL Safe to Fly (GPS)

ISO 100 1/320 EV 0 4821 JPEG

[9]

[17]

[16] 

[15] 

[14]

[13]

H: 39M D: 1039M V.S: 8.3M/S H.S:24.2M/S 1.2M

[10]

40 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.

[12] [11]
DJI Pilot App

INSPIRE 1 User Manual

[1] Flight Mode

: The text next to this icon indicates the current flight mode.

Tap to configure the MC (Main Controller) Settings. These settings allow you to modify flight limits and

set the gain values.

[2] GPS Signal Strength

: This icon shows the current strength of GPS signals. Green bars indicate adequate GPS

strength.

[3] IOC Settings

CL : This icon displays the IOC setting when the aircraft has entered F-mode. Tap to view the IOC

settings menu and select the desired IOC setting.

[4] System Status

: This icon indicates the current aircraft system status and GPS signal strength.

[5] Battery Level Indicator

: The battery level indicator provides a dynamic display of the battery level. The colored 

zones on the battery level indicator represent the power levels needed to carry out different functions.

[6] Remote Controller Signal

: This icon shows the strength of remote controller’s signal.

[7] HD Video Link Signal Strength

: This icon shows the strength of the HD video downlink connection between the aircraft and 

the remote controller.

[8] Battery Level

: This icon shows the current battery level.

Tap to view the battery information menu, set the various battery warning thresholds, and view the

battery warning history.

[9] General Settings

: Tap this icon to view the General Settings page. From this page, you can set flight parameters, 

reset the camera, enable the quick view feature, adjust the gimbal roll value, and toggle the flight 

route display.

[10] Camera Operation Bar

Shutter and Recording Settings

: Tap to enter various camera value settings, including color space for the recording, resolution 

of the videos, image size and so on.

Shutter

: Tap this button to take a single photo. Press and hold this button to select single shot, triple shot

or time-lapsed shooting modes.

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 41
DJI Pilot App

INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Record

: Tap once to start recording video, then tap again to stop recording. You can also press the

Video Recording Button on the remote controller, which has the same functionality.

Playback

: Tap to enter the playback page. You can preview photos and videos as soon as they are

captured.

Camera Settings

 : Tap to set ISO, shutter and auto exposure values of the camera.

[11] Vision Positioning

: This icon shows the distance between the surface and the Vision Positioning System’s sensors.

[12] Flight Telemetry

H: 39M D: 1039M V.S: 8.3M/S H.S:24.2M/S 1.2M

The Vision Positioning Status icon is highlighted when the Vision Positioning is in operation.

Flight attitude is indicated by the flight attitude icon.

(1) The red arrow shows which direction the aircraft is facing. 

(2) Light blue and dark blue areas indicate pitch.

(3) The angle of the boundary between the light blue and dark blue areas indicates the roll angle.

[13] Map

Display the flight path of the current flight. Tap to switch from the Camera GUI to the Map GUI.

[14] Home Point Settings

: Tap this button to reset the current home point. You may choose to set the aircraft take-off 

location, the remote controller’s current position, or the aircraft’s current position as the Home Point.

[15] Return to Home (RTH)

: Initiate RTH home procedure. Tap to have the aircraft return to the latest home point.

[16] Gimbal Operation Mode

Refer to "Gimbal Operation Mode" P38 for more information.

42 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
DJI Pilot App

INSPIRE 1 User Manual

[17] Auto Takeoff/Landing

/ : Tap to initiate auto takeoff or landing.

[18] Livestream

: Livestream icon indicates the current video feed is broadcasting live on YouTube. Be sure the

mobile data service is available on the mobile device.

[19] Back

: Tap to return to the main GUI.

Director

Director is an automatic video editor built into the DJI Pilot app. After recording several video clips, simply 

tap “Director” from the app’s home screen. You can then select a template and a specified number of

clips, which are automatically combined to create a short film that can be shared immediately.

Store

Tap “Store” to visit the official DJI Online Store to see the latest information about DJI products and easily

buy new products.

Discovery

Sync pictures and videos to your mobile device, view flight logs, and check your DJI account status in

"Discovery". Use your registered DJI account to login to "Discovery".

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 43
Flight

This chapter describes the flight safety

and flight restrictions.

44 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
Flight

Flight

Once pre-flight preparation is complete, it is recommended to use the flight simulator to learn how to fly 

safely. Ensure that all flights are carried out in a suitable location.

Flight Environment Requirements

1. Do not use the aircraft in severe weather conditions. These include wind speed exceeding 10m/s , 

snow, rain and smog.

2. Only fly in open areas. Tall buildings and steel structures may affect the accuracy of the on-board

compass and GPS signal.

3. Avoid from obstacles, crowds, high voltage power lines, trees or bodies of water.

4. Minimize electromagnetic interference by not flying in area with high levels of electromagnetism,

including mobile phone base stations or radio transmission towers.

5. Aircraft and battery performance is subject to environment factor such as air density and temperature. 

Be very careful when flying 14700 feet (4500 meters) or more above sea level as battery and aircraft 

performance may be reduced.

6. The Inspire 1 cannot operate within the polar areas in “P” mode.

Flight Limits and Flight Restriction Area

Flight limits on height and distance can be set. The details of these flight limits are described in the following

section.

All unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operators should abide by all regulations from such organizations as 

the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization), FAA and their own national airspace regulations. For 

safety reasons, the flight limits function is enabled by default to help users use this product safely and 

legally. The flight limits function includes height limits, distance limits and No Fly Zones.

When operating in P Mode, height, distance limits and No Fly Zones work together to manage flight. In A

mode only height limits work and flights cannot go higher than 120 meters.

Max Height & Radius Limits

Max Height & Radius limit flying height and distance, and the user may change these settings in the 

DJI Pilot App. Once complete, your Inspire 1 will fly in a restricted cylinder that is determined by these 

settings. The tables below show the details of these limits.

Max Height Max Radius

Home Point

Height of aircraft 

when powered on

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 45
Flight

INSPIRE 1 User Manual

GPS Signal Strong Blinking Green

Flight Limits DJI Pilot App Aircraft Status Indicator

Max Height Flight altitude must be under 

the set height.

Warning: Height 

limit reached. None.

Max Radius Flight distance must be within 

the max radius.

Warning: Distance 

limit reached.

Rapid red flashing

when close to the 

max radius limit.

GPS Signal Weak Blinking Yellow

Flight Limits DJI Pilot App Aircraft Status Indicator

Max Height Flight height restricted to

120m and under.

Warning: Height limit 

reached. None.

Max Radius No limits

If you fly out of the limit, you can still control the Inspire 1, but cannot fly it further.

If the Inspire 1 flies out of the max radius in Ready to Fly (non-GPS) mode, it will fly back within

range automatically.

No-Fly Zones

All No-Fly Zones are listed on the DJI official website at http://flysafe.dji.com/no-fly. No-Fly Zones are 

divided into Airports and Restricted Areas. Airports include major airports and flying fields where manned 

aircraft operate at low altitudes. Restricted Areas include borders between countries or sensitive sites. 

The details of the No-Fly Zones are explained below:

Airport:

(1) Airport No-Fly Zones are comprised of Takeoff Restricted Zones and Restricted-Altitude Zones. Each

zone features circles of various size.

(2) R1 depends on the size and shape of the airport, and is an area around the airport that is a Takeoff

Restricted Zone, inside of which take-off and flight is prevented.

(3) From R1 to R1+1 mile around the airport, the flight altitude is limited on a 15 degree incline, starting at

65 feet (20 meters) from the edge of airport and radiating outward. The flight altitude is limited to 1640

feet (500 meters) at R1+1 mile.

(4) When the aircraft is within 320 feet (100 meters) of the No-Fly Zones, a warning message will appear

in the DJI Pilot app.

46 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
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INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Airports

1640 

feet

66 feet

1 mile R1

320 feet R2

Restricted Areas:

(1) Restricted Areas do not have a flight altitude restriction.

(2) R around the designated Restricted Area is a Take-off Restricted area. Aircraft cannot takeoff within

this zone. The value of R varies depending on the definition of the Restricted Area.

(3) A “warning zone” has been set around each Restricted Area. When the aircraft is within 0.6 miles (1

km) of this zone, a warning message will appear in the DJI Pilot app.

Restricted Areas

100m R

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 47
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INSPIRE 1 User Manual

GPS Signal Strong Blinking Green

Zone Restriction DJI Pilot App Prompt

Aircraft 

Status 

Indicator

No-fly Zone

Motors will not start.

Warning: You are in a No-fly

zone. Take off prohibited.

Red flashing

If the aircraft enters the 

restricted area in A mode but 

P mode activates the aircraft 

will automatically descend to 

land then stop its motors after 

landing.

Warning: You are in a No-fly 

zone, automatic landing has 

begun. (If you are within 1.5 mile 

radius)

Restrictedaltitude flight 

zone

If the aircraft enters the 

restricted area in A mode but P 

mode activates, it will descend 

to a safe altitude and hover 15 

feet below the safe altitude.

Warning: You are in a restricted 

zone. Descending to safe 

altitude. (If you are between the 

range of 1.5 mile and 5 mile 

radius)

Warning: You are in a restricted

zone. Max flight height restricted

to between 10.5m and 120m. Fly 

Cautiously.

Warning zone No flight restriction applies, but

there will be warning message.

Warning: You are approaching a 

restricted zone, Fly Cautiously.

Free zone

No restrictions. None. None.

Semi-automatic descent: All stick commands are available except the throttle stick command 

during the descent and landing process. Motors will stop automatically after landing.

When flying in the safety zone, aircraft status indicator will blink red quickly and continue for 3 

seconds, then switch to indicate current flying status and continue for 5 seconds at which point 

it will switch back to red blinking.

For safety reasons, please do not fly close to airports, highways, railway stations, railway lines,

city centers and other special areas. Try to ensure the aircraft is visible.

48 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
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INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Preflight Checklist

1. Remote controller, aircraft battery, and mobile device are fully charged.

2. Propellers are mounted correctly and firmly.

3. Micro-SD card has been inserted if necessary.

4. Gimbal is functioning as normal.

5. Motors can start and are functioning as normal.

6. DJI Pilot app connected to the aircraft.

Calibrating the Compass

IMPORTANT: Make sure to calibrate the compass in every new flight location. The compass is very 

sensitive to electromagnetic interference, which can cause abnormal compass data leading to poor flight 

performance or even failure. Regular calibration is required for optimum performance.

DO NOT calibrate your compass where there is a chance of strong magnetic interference, such 

as magnetite, parking structures, and steel reinforcements underground.

DO NOT carry ferromagnetic materials with you during calibration such as keys or cellular

phones.

DO NOT calibrate beside massive metal objects.

Calibration Procedures

Choose an open space to carry out the following procedures.

1. Ensure that the compass is calibrated. If you did not calibrate the compass as part of your pre-flight 

preparations, or if you have moved to a new location since the last calibration, tap Aircraft Status 

Indicator bar in the app and select “Calibrate”, then follow the on-screen instructions.

2. Hold and rotate the aircraft horizontally 360 degrees, and the Aircraft Status Indicator will display a

solid green light.

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 49
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INSPIRE 1 User Manual

3. Hold the aircraft vertically with nose pointing downward, and rotate it 360 degrees around the center

axis. Recalibrate the compass if the Aircraft Status Indicator show solid red.

If the Aircraft Status Indicator blinks red and yellow after the calibration, move your aircraft to a

different location to carry out compass calibration.

Calibrate the compass before each flight. Launch DJI Pilot App, follow the on-screen instruction

to calibrate the compass.

When to Recalibrate

1. When compass data is abnormal, and the Aircraft Status Indicator is blinking red and yellow.

2. When flying in a new location, or a location that is different from your last flight.

3. When the mechanical structure of the Inspire 1 has changed, i.e. changed mounting position of the

compass.

4. When severe drifting occurs in flight, i.e. the Inspire 1 does not fly in straight lines.

Auto Take-off and Auto Landing

Auto Take-off

Use auto take-off to take off your aircraft automatically if the Aircraft Status Indicator displays blinking 

green. Followthe steps below to use auto take-off:

1. Launch DJI Pilot app, enter “Camera” page.

2. Ensure the aircraft is in “P” mode.

3. Go through the pre-flight checklist.

4. Tap“ ”, and confirm flight condition. Slide to confirm and take-off.

5. Aircraft takes off and hovers at 1.5 meters above ground.

50 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
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INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Auto-Landing

Use auto-landing to land your aircraft automatically if the Aircraft Status Indicator displays blinking green. 

Follow the steps below to use auto-landing:

1. Ensure the aircraft is in “P” mode.

2. Check the landing area condition before tapping “ ”, to perform landing.

3. Aircraft lowers the landing gear and proceed to land automatically.

Landing gear will automatically raise when the aircraft reaches an altitude of 1.2m for the first 

time, and automatically lower every time it descends to 0.8m. Users can turn this feature ON/OFF 

in the Pilot app.

Starting/Stopping the Motors

Starting Motors

The Combination Stick Command (CSC) listed below are used to start the motors instead of simply pushing the stick up. Ensure that you perform the CSC in one motion.

OR

Stopping Motors

There are two methods to stop the motors.

Method 1: When the Inspire 1 has landed, push the throttle down , then conduct CSC . Motors will stop 

immediately. Release both sticks once motors stop.

Method 2: When the aircraft has landed, push the throttle down and hold. The motors will stop after 3

seconds.

OR

Do not perform CSC when aircraft is in midair, otherwise the motors will be stopped.

Flight Test

Take off/Landing Procedures

1. Place the aircraft on open, flat ground with battery indicators facing towards you.

2. Power on the remote controller and your mobile device, then the Intelligent Flight Battery.

3. Launch the DJI Pilot App and enter the Camera page.

4. Wait until the Aircraft Indicator blinks green. This means the Home Point is recorded and it is safe to fly 

now. If it flashes yellow, it means Home Point is not recorded, and you should not take off.

5. Push the throttle up slowly to take off or using Auto Take-off to take off.

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 51
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INSPIRE 1 User Manual

6. Shoot photos and videos using the DJI Pilot app.

7. To land, hover over a level surface and gently pull down on the throttle slowly to descend.

8. After landing, execute the CSC command or hold the throttle at its lowest position for 3 seconds or

more until the motors stop.

9. Turn off the Intelligent Flight Battery first, followed by the Remote Controller.

When the Aircraft Status Indicator blinks yellow rapidly during flight, the aircraft has entered Failsafe

mode.

A low battery level warning is indicated by the Aircraft Status Indicator blinking red slowly or

rapidly during flight.

Watch video tutorials about flight for more flight information.

Video Suggestions and Tips

1. Work through the checklist before each flight.

2. Select desired gimbal working mode in the DJI Pilot app.

3. Aim to shoot when flying in P mode only.

4. Always fly in good weather, such as sunny or windless days.

5. Change camera settings to suit you. These include photo format and exposure compensation.

6. Perform flight tests to establish flight routes and scenes.

7. Push the sticks gently to make aircraft movements stable and smooth.

52 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
FAQ

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 53
FAQ

Troubleshooting (FAQ)

1. How can I put a GoPro camera on the Inspire 1?

The Inspire 1 does not currently support GoPro attachments. The gimbal is designed to hold DJI

cameras only.

2. When will ground station functionality be available?

The Inspire 1 does not currently support ground station. Ground station will be available with future

firmware updates.

3. Is the camera’s exposure automatic?

The exposure can be set to Auto, for automatic changes, or Manual, if you wish to use a specific setting.

4. Can I see the size of images through the app?

Yes, you can preview image or video sizes through the DJI Pilot app.

5. How much weight can the Inspire 1 carry without its included camera?

We do not recommend flying with any payload other than the included DJI gimbal and camera.

6. Do you have an LCD monitor available for the Inspire 1?

No, DJI does not sell LCD or HD monitors for the Inspire 1. However, you can output the live streaming

video to a compatible monitor or mobile device of your own.

7. How long does it take to charge the battery? Does it comes with a charger?

Yes, all Inspire 1 units come with standard TB47 charger.

With the standard TB47 100W charger, it takes 85min to fully charge a 4500mAh battery.

8. Are the two remote controllers the same? Should I setup the remote controllers in the app or 

somewhere else to control the camera and aircraft separately?

The two remote controllers are physically identical. You can set the remote controllers to either "Master"

or "Slave" through the DJI Pilot app if you wish to use dual controller mode.

9. Where can I find info on the simulation application that plugs into the trainer port? Can you suggest a

simulation program?

There is no trainer port on the remote controller for the Inspire 1.

10. Can the mobile device holder be used on the Phantom 2 series remote controller?

No, it cannot. The mobile device holder can only be used with the Inspire 1 remote.

11. Does the Inspire 1 have a SD card included?

The Inspire 1 comes with a 16GB micro-SD card. It supports SD cards up to 64GB.

12. Can I upgrade and buy a second remote controller if I only buy a single remote controller now?

Yes.

13. How big is the Inspire 1?

Its length x height x width dimensions without the propellers attached are 44 x 30 x 45cm (17.3 x 11.8 x 17.7in).

54 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
FAQ

INSPIRE 1 User Manual

14. What flight controller does the Inspire 1 use?

The Inspire 1 uses its own new flight controller.

15. Which motors and propellers does the Inspire 1 come with?

The Inspire 1 uses 3510 motors and 1345 propellers.

16. Aircraft frame arm joints appear loosen, is that normal?

The space of the joins shown in the below figure is normal and it will not affect the performance of 

aircraft, do not adjust the position of the screws on your own.

17. Failed to complete self-check?

Place the aircraft on the flat surface before powering on. Do not move the aircraft during the selfcheck.

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 55
Appendix

56 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
Appendix

Appendix

Specifications

Aircraft

Model T600

Weight (Battery Included) 2935 g

Vertical: 0.5 m

Hovering Accuracy (P Mode)

Max Angular Velocity

Horizontal: 2.5 m

Pitch: 300°/s

Yaw: 150°/s

Max Tilt Angle 35° 

Max Ascent Speed 5 m/s 

Max Descent Speed 4 m/s

Max Speed 22 m/s (ATTI mode, no wind)

Max Flight Altitude 4500 m

Max Wind Speed Resistance 10 m/s

Max Flight Time Approximately 18 minutes

Motor Model DJI 3510

Propeller Model DJI 1345

Indoor Hovering Enabled by default 

Operating Temperature Range -10° to 40° C 

Diagonal Distance 559 to 581 mm 

Dimensions 438x451x301 mm

Gimbal

Model ZENMUSE X3

Output Power (With Camera) Static: 9 W; In Motion: 11 W 

Operating Current Station: 750 mA; Motion: 900 mA 

Angular Vibration Range ±0.03°

Mounting Detachable

Pitch: -90° to +30°

Controllable Range

Mechanical Range

Max Controllable Speed

Pan: ±320°

Pitch: -125° to +45° 

Pan: ±330°

Pitch: 120°/s

Pan: 180°/s

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 57
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INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Camera

Name X3

Model FC350

Total Pixels 12.76M 

Effective Pixels 12.4M 

Image Max Size 4000x3000

ISO Range 100-3200 (video) 100-1600 (photo)

Electronic Shutter Speed 8 s to 1/8000 s

FOV (Field Of View) 94°

CMOS Sony EXMOR 1/2.3”

20mm (35mm format equivalent) f/2.8 focus at )

Lens

Still Photography Modes

Video Recording Modes

9 Elements in 9 groups

Anti-distortion

Single shoot

Burst shooting: 3/5/7 frames

Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB): 3/5 bracketed frames at

0.7EV Bias

Time-lapse

UHD (4K): 4096x2160p24/25, 3840x2160p24/25/30

FHD: 1920x1080p24/25/30/48/50/60

HD: 1280x720p24/25/30/48/50/60

Max Bitrate Of Video Storage 60 Mbps

FAT32/exFAT

Supported File Formats

Supported SD Card Types

Photo: JPEG, DNG

Video: MP4/MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264)

Micro SD

Max capacity: 64 GB. Class 10 or UHS-1 rating required.

Operating Temperature Range 0° to 40° C 

Remote Controller

Name C1

922.7MHz~927.7 MHz (Japan Only)

Operating Frequency 5.725~5.825 GHz;2.400~2.483 GHz

Transmitting Distance 2 km (Outdoor And Unobstructed)

EIRP 10dBm@900m, 13dBm@5.8G, 20dBm@2.4G 

Video Output Port USB, Mini-HDMI

Power Supply Built-in battery

Charging DJI charger

Dual User Capability Host-and-Slave connection

58 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
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INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Mobile Device Holder Tablet or Smart Phone

Output Power 9 W

Operating Temperature Range -10° to 40° C

Less than 3 months: -20° to 45° C

Storage Temperature Range More than 3 months: 22° to 28° C

Charging Temperature Range 0-40° C

Battery 6000 mAh LiPo 2S

Charger

Model A14-100P1A 

Voltage 26.3 V

Rated Power 100 W

Battery (Standard)

Name Intelligent Flight Battery

Model TB47

Capacity 4500 mAh

Voltage 22.2 V

Battery Type LiPo 6S High voltage battery

Energy 99.9 Wh Net 

Weight 570 g 

Operating Temperature Range -10° to 40° C

Less than 3 months: -20° to 45° C

Storage Temperature Range More than 3 months: 22° C to 28° C

Charging Temperature Range 0° to 40° C 

Max Charging Power 180 W 

Battery (Optional)

Name Intelligent Flight Battery

Model TB48

Capacity 5700 mAh 

Voltage 22.8 V 

Battery Type LiPo 6S 

Energy 129.96 Wh 

Net Weight 670 g 

Operating Temperature Range -10 to 40° C

Less than 3 months: -20 to 45° C

Storage Temperature Range More than 3 months: 22° to 28° C

Charging Temperature Range 0° to 40° C

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 59
Appendix

INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Max Charging Power 180 W

Vision Positioning

Velocity Range Below 8 m/s (2 m above ground)

Altitude Range 5-500 cm

Operating Environment Brightly lit (lux > 15) patterned surfaces

Operating Range 0-250 cm

DJI Pilot App

Mobile Device System Requirements iOS version 7.1 or later; Android version 4.1.2 or later

* iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 5S, iPad Air 2, iPad Mini

3, iPad Air, iPad Mini 2, iPad 4;* Samsung Note 3, Samsung

Supported Mobile Devices S5, Sony Z3 EXPERIA;* Note: It is recommended that you

use a tablet for the best experience

Intelligent Orientation Control (IOC)

IOC allows users to lock the orientation of aircraft in different fashions. There are three working modes for 

IOC and you may select the desired IOC modes from the DJI Pilot app. IOC only works under F mode, 

and user must toggle the flight mode switch to “F” mode to activate IOC. Refer to the table below:

Course Lock (CL) 

Home Lock (HL)*

Point of Interest (POI)*

Its forward direction is pointing to the nose direction when recording, which is 

fixed until you re-record it or exit from CL.

Record a Home Point (HP), and push Pitch stick to control the aircraft far from

or near to the HP.

Point of Interest. Record a point of interest (POI), the aircraft can circle around 

the POI, and the nose always points to the POI.

*Home Lock and Point of Interest feature are coming soon.

Prerequisites of IOC

Use the IOC feature under the following condition:

Modes IOC GPS enabled GPS Flight Distance Limits

Course Lock No None None

Home Lock Yes Aircraft ≥10m Home Point

POI Yes Aircraft 5m~500m Point of Interest

Using IOC

Enable the IOC feature by tapping “Enable IOC” in the setting page of the DJI Pilot app. Toggle the Flight

Mode Switch to “F” mode and follow the on-screen instruction to use IOC feature.

60 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
Appendix

INSPIRE 1 User Manual

How to Update Firmware

Follow the process described below to upgrade the aircraft, remote controller and battery.

Updating theAircraft Firmware

Step 1- Check Battery and SD Card Capacity

Ensure the Intelligent Flight Battery has at least 50% power and there is at least 100MB of free space on 

the SD card.

Step 2- Prepare the Firmware Update Package

1. Download the firmware update package from the official DJI website (http://www.dji.com/product/

inspire-1).

2. Insert the SD into your PC. Extract the all downloaded files into the root directory of the SD card.

Remove the SD card from your PC. Ensure the Inspire 1 is powered off then insert the SD card into the

SD card slot on the Inspire 1 camera.

Step 3- Update the Aircraft

1. Ensure the remote controller is powered off and then power on the aircraft. Upgrade will begin 

automatically after aircraft is powered on.

2. It will take approximately 25 minutes to complete the firmware update. The camera will sound a short

pulse of "D-D-D-D" beeping sound to indicate the upgrade is in progress and sound a “D---DD”

beeping sound to indicate the update is complete with success.

3. Check the upgrade status by opening the “.txt” file that is automatically generated after the update. 

The update is successful if the text “result: successful” is in the document. Try upgrading the firmware 

again if the text “result: failed” is found or the gimbal sound a long beep sound.

Updating the Remote Controller Firmware

Step 1- Check Battery and SD Card Capacity

Remote controller firmware is included in the aircraft firmware update package. Use the same update 

package file that is downloaded from the DJI official website. Ensure the remote controller battery level is 

above 50%.

Step 2- Prepare the Firmware Update Package

1. Extract all downloaded files into the root directory of an SD card or USB thumb drive.

2. Insert the SD card into a SD card reader or the USB disk onto the remote controller USB port when 

remote controller powered off. If you do not have a SD card reader, you may insert the SD card into 

the gimbal and connect the gimbal with remote controller to upgrade the remote controller.

Step 3- Update the Remote Controller

1. Power on the remote controller and wait 60 seconds until the upgrade begins. Do not power off the 

remote controller during the update.

2. It will take approximately 10 minutes to complete the firmware update. The camera will sound a 

beeping sound and the Status LED on the remote controller shows solid blue to indicate the update is 

in progress. The Status LED on remote controller shows solid green and beeping sound will stop if the 

upgrade is completed with success. The Status LED on remote controller shows solid red if upgrade is

failed. Try upgrade again.

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 61
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INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Updating Intelligent Flight Battery Firmware

The Intelligent Flight Battery is upgraded during the aircraft firmware upgrade process. It is recommended 

to keep the upgrade package files in your SD card. The upgrade will start automatically after power 

cycling the aircraft.

Do not perform firmware update while the aircraft is still flying in the air. Only carry out firmware

update when the aircraft is landed.

Be sure to update the remote controller’s firmware to the latest version after you upgrade the aircraft’s 

firmware.

The remote controller may become unlinked from the aircraft after updating. Re-link the remote 

controller and aircraft.

Confirm the update results according to the gimbal sounds. It is normal for the aircraft to sound or the

LED to blink during the update process.

Ensure there is only one firmware package file stored on your SD card.

Only storage devices that are formatted for FAT32 and exFAT file systems are supported for aircraft 

and remote controller firmware updates.

Delete any automatically generated txt files (xxx_GS.TXT) in the SD card when updating multiple

remote controllers.

FCC Compliance

FCC Compliance

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 

(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and

(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired

operation.

Changes or modifications not expressly roved by the party responsible for compliance could void the 

user's authority to operate the equipment.

Compliance Information

FCC Warning Message

Any Changes or modifications not expressly roved by the party responsible for compliance could void the 

user’s authority to operate the equipment.

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 

(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference 

received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

FCC Radiation Exposure Statement:

This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. 

This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance 20cm between the radiator& 

your body. This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or 

transmitter.

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, 

pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against 

harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio

62 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
Appendix

INSPIRE 1 User Manual

frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful 

interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a

particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, 

which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct 

the interference by one or more of the following measures:

—Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

—Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

—Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

—Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

IC RSS warning

This device complies with Industry Canada licence-exempt RSS standard (s). Operation is subject to the 

following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any 

interference,including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

Le présent areil est conforme aux CNR d'Industrie Canada licables aux areils radio exempts de licence.

L'exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes: 

(1) l'areil ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et

(2) l'utilisateur de l'areil doit accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique subi, même si le brouillage est 

susceptible d'en compromettre le fonctionnement.

IC Radiation Exposure Statement:

This equipment complies with IC RF radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. 

This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter. 

This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance 20cm between the radiator& 

your body.

Any Changes or modifications not expressly roved by the party responsible for compliance could void the 

user’s authority to operate the equipment.

KCC Warning Message

“해당무선설비는 운용 중 전파혼신 가능성이 있으므로 인명안전과 관련된 서비스는 할 수 없습니다 .” 

“해당 무선설비는 운용 중 전파혼신 가능성이 있음”

NCC Warning Message 低功率電波輻射性電機管理辦法

第十二條經型式認證合格之低功率射頻電機,非經許可,公司、商號或使用者均不得擅自變更頻率、加

大功率或變更原設計之特性及功能。

第十四條低功率射頻電機之使用不得影響飛航安全及干擾合法通信;經發現有干擾現象時,應改善至無

干擾時方得繼續使用。前項合法通信,指依電信法規定作業之無線電通信。低功率射頻電機須忍受合法

通信或工業、科學及醫療用電波輻射性電機設備之干擾。

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 63
The content is subject to change. 

Download the latest version from 

www.dji.com/support

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
INSPIRE 1

Quick Start Guide

V1.2
INSPIRE 1

The Inspire 1 is a professional aerial filmmaking and photography platform that is ready to fly right out of the box. Featuring 

an onboard camera equipped with a 20mm lens and 3-axis stabilized gimbal, it shoots sharp 12mp stills and stable video at 

up to 4K. Its retractable landing gear pulls up out of view, giving the camera an unobstructed 360 degree view of the world 

below.

An advanced flight controller makes the Inspire 1 stable, safe and easy to fly indoors or out. The brand new Vision 

Positioning System gives it the power to hover in position at low altitudes even without GPS. Like all DJI flight controllers, it

is also able to return home if remote controller signal is lost or if the low battery warning is triggered.

The Inspire 1 boasts a maximum flight speed 22m/s* and a maximum flight time of 18 minutes* using one fully charged

4500mAh Intelligent Flight Battery.

7

7 6

5

6

8

7

6

5

4 9

10

11

15

12

1 3

13

2

14

Travel Mode

Flight Mode

Landing Gear Up Landing Gear Down

Landing Mode

1. Gimbal and Camera

2. Camera Micro-SD Card Slot

3. Vision Positioning System

4. Transformation Mechanism

5. Front LEDs

6. Motors

7. Propellers

8. Rear LEDs

9. Intelligent Flight Battery

10. Power Button

11. Battery Level Indicators

12. Aircraft Status Indicator

13. Aircraft Micro-USB Port

14. Camera Micro-USB Port

15. Gimbal Lock

* Please note that maximum flight speed and maximum run time were tested in a lab environment. These statistics are for reference only, as 

conditions in your area may vary.
2

Remote Controller

The maximum transmission distance of the Inspire 1 remote controller is 2km*. The remote controller also allows you to 

control the landing gear or activate Return to Home with a tap. Other buttons allow instant photo capture, video recording, 

picture review and gimbal control.

A DJI Lightbridge-based HD video downlink is built-in, letting you see what your camera sees on your mobile device in 

real time HD. The app also allows you to change camera settings and activate Master/Slave mode so that one person can 

fly while other controls the gimbal independently. The master and slave controllers communicate using a 5.8Ghz wireless 

signal, and have a communication range with each other of up to 50 meters.The controller’s LiPo battery has a maximum 

run time of approximately four hours and can be charged by plugging directly into the controller.

1. Power Button

2. Transformation Switch

3. Return to Home (RTH) Button

4. Control Sticks

5. Status LED

6. Battery Level LEDs

7. Power Port

8. Mobile Device Holder

9. Antennas

10. Handle Bar

8

Folded 9

9

4

1

4

11. Gimbal Dial

12. Camera Settings Dial

13. Video Recording Button

14. Flight Mode Switch

15. Shutter Button

16. Playback Button

17. Mini-HDMI Port

18. Micro-USB Port

19. CAN-Bus Port

20. USB Port

21. Back Buttons (Reserved)

10

5

3

6

7

21 21

17 18 19 20

11 12

13 14 15 16

Connect to the 

mobile device

* Please note that the max transmission distance were tested in a lab environment. This statistic is for reference only, as conditions in your 

area may vary.
Fly Safe

● Calibrating the Compass:

Make sure to calibrate the compass in every new flight location. The compass is very sensitive to electromagnetic interference, 

which can cause abnormal compass data leading to poor flight performance or even failure. Regular calibration is required for 

optimum performance. Recalibrate the compass when: a) The Aircraft Status Indicator is blinking red and yellow. b) Flying in a 

new location.

● DO NOT calibrate your compass where there is a chance of strong magnetic interference, such as magnetite, parking 

structures, and steel reinforcements underground.

● DO NOT carry ferromagnetic materials with you during calibration such as keys or cellular phones.

● DO NOT calibrate beside massive metal objects.

● If the Flight Status LED is showing solid red, then try to calibrate again. If it is blinking red and yellow alternately after placing 

the aircraft on the ground, the compass has detected magnetic interference. Change your location.

● P Mode:

Safe to fly. In this mode, the Inspire 1 has a strong GPS signal and 

can use the Vision Positioning System allowing it to hover accurately 

in position indoors and out. If outdoors, this mode also means that a 

Home Point has been locked so that it can Return to Home if the 

control signal is lost.

GPS Positioning

If you are not in this mode, toggle the Flight

Mode Switch to P position to enable it.

The Flight Mode Switch is locked in P mode by default. 

Refer to the User Manual on how to unlock the switch.

There are three states in P mode.

P-GPS: GPS works best when outdoors in a wide open area, and 

your Inspire 1 uses GPS to hover in place when the GPS signal is 

strong. P-OPTI: If GPS is not available, the aircraft can use the 

Vision Positioning System to hover accurately. P-ATTI: Neither 

GPS or Vision Positioning System available, aircraft is using only 

its barometer for positioning, so only altitude is controlled.

Note that the Vision Positioning System may not work properly when 

the Inspire 1 is flying over water, over surfaces without a clear pattern, 

or in a low light environment.

Vision Positioning

Altitude 2.5 m

Return to home

● Return to Home:

When the GPS signal is strong, the aircraft will be able to record a 

Home Point and return to the Home Point when needed. The GPS 

location is recorded when the GPS signal icon in the DJI Pilot app is 

either yellow or green.

The aircraft will return to the Home Point automatically in the following 

cases (all require a strong GPS signal).

Smart RTH: When you press the RTH button on the remote controller 

or in the App. Low Battery RTH: The DJI Pilot app notifies users to take 

action when the battery level falls to a specified threshold.

Failsafe RTH: When the remote controller signal is lost.

● While returning home, its altitude can be adjusted by the user to avoid obstructions. Tall buildings may affect the remote controller signal. The

Failsafe Return to Home procedure will be triggered if the signal is lost. Be sure fly higherthan any nearby buildings to avoid crashing.

● Flight Limits:

The Inspire 1 is not permitted to fly within no-fly zones as specified 

by local laws and regulations. Please visit here: 

http://flysafe.dji.com/no-fly for more information.

● Environmental Considerations:

1. Do not fly in severe weather conditions. This includes high wind, snow, rain and smog.

2. Only fly in open areas. Tall buildings and steel structures may affect the accuracy of the onboard compass and GPS signal.

3. Avoid from obstacles, crowds, high voltage power lines, trees or bodies of water.

4. Minimize electromagnetic interference by not flying in areas with high levels of electromagnetism, including mobile 

phone base stations or radio transmission towers.

5. Aircraft and battery performance is subject to environmental factors such as air density and temperature. Be very careful when 

flying 14700 feet (4500 meters) or more above sea level as battery and aircraft performance may be reduced.

6. The Inspire 1 cannot operate in P mode or use GPS at polar latitudes. It only can fly in ATTI mode and use the Vision Positioning System.
301 mm

Appendix

● Aircraft (Model: T600)

Weight (Battery Included) 2935 g 

Maximum Weight of Payload 3400 g 

Max Tilt Angle 35° 

Max Ascent Speed 5 m/s 

Max Descent Speed 4 m/s

Max Speed 22 m/s (ATTI mode, no wind) 

Max Flight Altitude 4500 m

Max Flight Time Approximately 18 minutes

Operating Temperature Range -10°C to 40°C

● Gimbal (Model: ZENMUSE X3)

Angular Vibration Range ±0.03°

Controllable Range Pitch: -90°to +30°Pan: ±320° 

Max Controllable Speed Pitch: 120°/s Pan: 180°/s

● Vision Positioning

Velocity Range <8 m/s (Altitude 2 m) 

Altitude Range 5 cm-500 cm

Operating Environment Surface with clear pattern and adequate lighting (Lux > 15) 

Operating Range 0-250 cm

● Camera (Name/Model: X3/FC350)

Sensor Sony EXMOR 1/2.3”Effective pixels:12.4M (total pixels: 12.76M) 

Lens FOV (Field Of View) 94° 20 mm (35 mm format equivalent) f/2.8

ISO Range 100-3200 (video) 100-1600 (photo) 

Electronic Shutter Speed 8 s-1/8000 s

Image Max Size 4000x3000

Still Photography Modes Single shoot; Burst shooting: 3/5/7 frames

Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB): 3/5 bracketed frames at 0.7EV Bias; Time-lapse

Video Recording Modes UHD (4K): 4096x2160p 24/25, 3840x2160p 24/25/30

FHD: 1920x1080p 24/25/30/48/50/60 HD: 1280x720p 24/25/30/48/50/60

Max Bitrate Of Video Storage 60 Mbps

Supported File Formats FAT32/exFAT Photo: JPEG, DNG Video: MP4/MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264) 

Supported SD Card Types Micro SD, Max capacity: 64GB. Class 10 or UHS-1 rating required

Operating Temperature Range 0°C to 40°C

● Remote Controller (Name: C1)

Operating Frequency 922.7 MHz-927.7 MHz (Japan only) 5.725 GHz-5.825 GHz 2.400 GHz-2.483 GHz

Transmitting Distance 2 km (outdoor and unobstructed) 

Video Output Port USB, Mini-HDMI

Operating Temperature Range -10°C to 40°C 

Battery 6000 mAh LiPo 2S

● Charger (Model: A14-100P1A)

Voltage 26.3 V 

Rated Power 100 W

● Intelligent Flight Battery (Model: TB47, Standard) 

Capacity 4500 mAh 

Voltage 22.2 V

Battery Type LiPo 6S High voltage battery

Energy 99.9 Wh Net

Weight 570 g 

Operating Temge -10°C to 40°C 

Max Charging Power 180 W

● Intelligent Flight Battery (Model: TB48, Optional)

105 mm

Capacity 5700 mAh

Voltage 22.8 V

Battery Type LiPo 6S High voltage battery

Energy 129.6 Wh Net

Weight 670 g 

Operating Temge -10°C to 40°C 

Max Charging Power 180 W

※ This Quick Start Guide is subject to change without prior notice.

71 mm

FCC ID: SS3-WM6101410 FCC ID: SS3-GL6581502

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. 

Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and

(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference 

that may cause undesired operation.

YC.BZ.S00101.02
Using INSPIRE 1

Watch the video tutorials on the official DJI website and read the following documents before using your Inspire 1 for the first time:

Inspire 1 Quick Start Guide, Disclaimer, Intelligent Flight Battery Safety Guidelines, Inspire 1 Safety Guidelines, In the Box, 

Inspire 1 User Manual.

1. Download the DJI Pilot App

Visit http://m.dji.net/djipilot or scan this QR code to 

download the DJI Pilot app through your mobile device.

DJI Pilot app

2. Watch the Tutorial Videos

Watch the tutorial videos at www.dji.com or in 

the DJI Pilot app.

The tutorial videos

● For the best user experience, please use mobile devices with iOS 8.0 (or higher) and Android 4.1.2 (or higher).

● Read the Inspire 1 User Manual in the DJI Pilot app or official DJI website for more details.

3. Check Battery Levels

Press the Power Button once on both the Intelligent Flight Battery and remote controller to check battery levels. The 

Intelligent Flight Battery must be fully charged before using it for the first time. Make sure both batteries are adequately 

charged before each flight.

Press the power button once then press again and hold for 2 seconds to power on the remote controller. Repeat to power off. 

Press the power button once, then press again and hold for 2 seconds to power on the Intelligent Flight Battery. Repeat to 

power off.

High

Battery Level

Low

Battery Level

Low High

4. Charging

● Only use the official DJI Inspire 1 charger for your Intelligent Flight Battery and remote controller.

● To charge the Inspire 1 Intelligent Flight Battery or the remote controller, connect it to power through the port to a 

suitable power source (100-240V 50/60Hz).

● It is recommended to turn off the batteries before charging.

● Use the included charger to charge the Intelligent Flight Battery and the remote controller battery. When fully charged, the 

battery LEDs on the Intelligent Flight Battery and remote controller will turn off.

A

B

A B
5. Preparing the Remote Controller

Tilt the Mobile Device Holder to the desired position then adjust 

the antennas as shown. The strength of the remote controller 

signal is different when the antenna position is different.

Strong Weak

The transmission signal between the aircraft and remote 

controller will perform best when within the optimal 

transmission range. If the signal is weak, fly the aircraft 

closerto you to achieve optimal signal performance.

1 Press the button on the side of the Mobile 2 Device Holder to release the clamp.

Place your device onto the clamp and adjust 

the clamp to hold it securely.

1 Connect your mobile device to the remote 

controller with a USB cable. Plug one end of 

the cable into your mobile device, and the 

other end into the USB port on the back of 

the remote controller.

3

If you have purchased an Inspire 1 with dual remote controllers, the Master remote controller will connect to the aircraft 

automatically when powered on. Master/Slave mode is disabled by default. Activate it and set it up through the DJIPilot 

app. The Master remote controller’sStatus LED will show solid green when it connected to the aircraft. The Slave remote

controller’sStatus LED will show solid blue when it is connected to the Master controller.

Connecting the Master remote controller to the Slave remote controller:

On the Master remote controller, launch the DJIPilot app and go to the Camera page. Then tap on the top of your 

screen to enter the remote controller settings window. Tap “Activate Master/Slave Mode”and select “Master”. Then

enter your desired connection password for the “Slave” remote controller.

On the Slave remote controller, select “Slave “ and tap “Search” to find the Master remote controller. Select the “Master”

remote controller from the “Master RC List” and input the connection password.

● Do not use other 2.4GHz devices at the same time to avoid signal interference.

6. Preparing the Aircraft

The aircraft is in Travel Mode during delivery. Follow these steps to change it 

to Landing Mode before your first flight:

1 Insert the Intelligent Flight Battery into the battery compartment. 

Power on the remote controller and the Intelligent Flight Battery.

Toggle the Transformation Switch up and down at least four times. Repeat 

to change aircraft to Travel Mode.

Power off the aircraft before mounting the gimbal and camera.

Travel Mode

1 2 3

Landing Mode

● If you have purchased the dual remote controller version, you must use the Master remote controller to deactivate Travel Mode.
w

o k

w

o k

7. Mounting the Gimbal and Camera

1 Remove the Gimbal Cover.

Rotate the Gimbal Lock to the unlocked position (to the right when 

facing the nose of the aircraft). Insert the gimbal by aligning the 

white mark on the gimbal with white mark on the Gimbal Lock. 

Rotate the gimbal lock back into the locked position (to the left 

when facing the nose of the aircraft).

1

Gimbal Cover

3 Gimbal Lock

Mounting Place

Gimbal Connector

2

Locked

8. Preparing for Flight 2

Place the aircraft on a flat surface, in an open space, with the back facing you. 1

1 Move the Flight Mode Switch to the right to select P mode. ( P mode is Positioning mode, A mode

is ATTI mode, and the F mode is Function mode. )

Power on the remote controller.

Power on the aircraft and wait for the self-check to complete. Do not move the aircraft during the

self-check. 3 4

Ensure the remote controller is linked to the aircraft before flight. Re-link the remote controller to the 

aircraft if it fails to connect. Refer to the INSPIRE 1 User Manual on how to link.

5 Ensure the remote controller and your mobile device are connected with a USB cable. Launch the

DJI Pilot app when connecting to the aircraft for the first time, and follow the instructions within the app.

6 Launch the DJI Pilot app and tap “Camera”. Ensure the aircraft is functioning normally by 

completing the Checklist.Beginner Mode is enabled by default when you launch the DJI Pilot app

for the first time. The aircraft’s altitude and flight distance is restricted when flying in Beginner Mode. 

We recommend you fly in Beginner Mode when using the aircraft for the first time. You may disable 

Beginner Mode in the settings page of the DJI Pilot app.

7 Calibrate the compass by tapping the Aircraft Status Bar in the app and selecting “Calibrate”. Then 

follow the on-screen instructions.

8 For 1345s Propeller, install the propellers with a white dot onto the mounting plates that have a white dot, 

and install the propellers without a white dot onto the mounting plates that do not have a white dot. Press

5 6

DJI Pilot

App

the propeller down onto the mounting plate and rotate in the lock direction until secure. 7 8

For 1345 Propeller, attach propellers with the black nut onto motors with the black dot and spin

counter-clockwise to secure. Attach propellers with gray nut onto motors without a black dot and spin 

clockwise to secure. Place all propellers onto the correct motor and tighten by hand to ensure security 

before flight.

● When not in P mode, the Inspire 1 will only maintain altitude, not position, and will drift with 

wind or user inputs. Return to Home is not available in F mode.

9. Remote ControllerOperation

The remote controller is by default set to Mode 2 ( throttle controlled by the left-hand stick ). 

Adjust the tilt angle of camera by using the Gimbal Dial.

Left Stick Right Stick

● You can set the remote controllerto different modes using the DJI Pilot app.

Gimbal Dial
10. Flight

Safe to Fly (GPS)

Before taking off, make sure the aircraft 

status bar in the DJI Pilot app shows “Safe 

to Fly (GPS)”. Otherwise, the aircraft cannot 

hover in place and record the Home Point.

● Auto Taking - Off & Landing:

( In the Camera screen of the DJI Pilot app )

Tap and confirm your selection. The aircraft will automatically take off, retract 

itslanding gear, and hover at 1.5 meters after you tap and confirm Auto Take-off.

Tap and confirm your selection. The landing gear will lower and the aircraft 

will automatically land.

● Manual Take - off & Landing:

Start the motors by pulling both control sticks to the bottom inside (or outside) 

corners. Release the sticks once the motors start. Slowly push the left (throttle) 

stick up to take off. Once in the air, toggle the Transformation Switch up to 

raise the landing gear.

● Return to Home

Start / Stop the motors

Toggle the

Transformation

Switch up RTH Button The App’s

RTH Button

OR

Left stick / Up (Slowly)

1. Press and hold the return home 

button until the LED surrounding the

button is blinking white, and the 

return home procedure isin 

process. Press once to stop the 

procedure.

Gently pull the left (throttle) stick down to lower the aircraft

until it touches the ground. Pull both sticks to the bottom 

inside corners to stop the motors.

After flight, change the aircraft back into Travel Mode. Do not 

attempt this at the beach, over grass, or over monochromatic 

carpet. Then place the aircraft on a flat surface and remove 

the gimbal and camera for transport.

Left stick / Down (Slowly) 2. The DJI Pilot app notifiesusers to 

take action when the battery level 

falls to a specified threshold. This 

warning threshold can be set within

the DJI Pilot app. The aircraft will

land immediately when it reaches

Critical Low Battery Level Warning.

● It is highly recommended that you only take off when the Aircraft Status bar is green.

● The aircraft cannot take off if the Critical Low Battery Warning is active.

● The Intelligent Flight Battery must warm-up if the outside temperature is low. A

warning will display in the DJI Pilot app.

● Rotating propellers can be dangerous. Do not start the motors when there are people 

nearby and alwaysfly in a wide open area.

● Never stop the motors during flight. Power off the aircraft prior to switching off the 

remote controller after landing.

3. Failsafe: The Inspire 1 will enter 

RTH mode if remote controller 

signal islost.

● While returning home, its 

altitude can be adjusted by the 

userto avoid obstructions.

Appendix

Aircraft

Status Indicator Description

Slowly: Safe to fly,GPS working

X2 Double: Vision Positioning

System working, no GPS

Remote Controller

Status LED

Remote controlleris functioning normally 

but is not connected to the aircraft.

Remote controlleris functioning normally 

and is connected to the aircraft.

Remote controller is in Slave Mode 

and not connected to the aircraft.

Remote controller is in Slave Mode

Using the Camera

● Adjust the camera parameters using the 

Camera Settings Dial on the remote 

controller or through the DJI Pilot app. 

Press the Shutter Button/Video Record 

Button to capture photos or record 

videos.

● Adjust the tilt of the gimbal using the

Gimbal Dial.

Slowly: P-ATTI or ATTI

Quickly: Not connected 

to remote controller

Slowly: Low battery level warning 

Quickly: Critical low battery level warning 

Solid: Critical error

Blinking Alternately:

Compass calibration required

and is connected to the aircraft.

B-B-B... Aircraft low battery warning 

or remote controller error.

B—B—...Remote controller has been 

idle for 5 minutes.

Learn more information from:

www.dji.com/product/inspire-1

● Download photos and video from the SD

card to your mobile device through the 

DJI Pilot app. You mayalso use a SD 

card reader to export files to your PC.

©2014 DJI. All Rights Reserved

Designed by DJI. Printed in China.
INSPIRE 1

Creativity Unleashed

www.dji.com
INSPIRE 1

Safety Guidelines

安全使用指南

V1.0 2014.12
Reading Inspire 1 Manuals

The following tutorials and manuals have been produced to help you make full use of your DJI Inspire 1:

1. In The Box

2. Disclaimer and Warning

3. Intelligent Flight Battery Safety Guidelines

4. INSPIRE 1 Safety Guidelines

5. INSPIRE 1 Quick Start Guide

6. INSPIRE 1 User Manual

Check all of the included parts listed in the In The Box document. Read the Disclaimer and Warning, 

Intelligent Flight Battery Safety Guidelines, and INSPIRE 1 Safety Guidelines before flight. Then prepare for 

your first flight by using the INSPIRE 1 Quick Start Guide and watching all of the tutorial videos. If you have 

questions, refer to the INSPIRE 1 User Manual for more comprehensive information. Experienced users, 

particularly those who have previously used DJI products, may choose to skip to the Inspire 1 Quick Start 

Guide to begin preparing for flight.

EN

Individual Parts

Remote Controller

1. Linking is required if you wish to replace your remote controller or receiver, or add a new remote controller.

Refer to the user manual for more information about how to link the aircraft.

2. If the remote controller is powered on and has not been used for 5 minutes, it will sound an alert. After 10 

minutes it will automatically power off. Move the sticks or perform some other action to cancel the alert.

3. A Slave remote controller cannot be linked with the aircraft and cannot control the aircraft’s flight. You may 

change it to a Master remote controller via the DJI Pilot app, and then link it to the aircraft to control flight.

4. Ensure the Mobile Device Holder is firmly in place and does not slip.

5. For the GPS in the remote controller to function properly, and the Dynamic Home Point to be accurate, 

ensure the DJI logo is facing the sky and keep the remote controller away from any metal objects.

6. Repair or replace the remote controller if damaged. A damaged remote controller antenna will greatly 

decrease performance.

7. When on the go, you may charge the remote controller from the aircraft’s Intelligent Flight Battery.

Camera

1. Photos or videos cannot be transmitted or copied from the camera if the Intelligent Flight Battery is powered off.

2. Be sure to power off the Intelligent Flight Battery correctly, otherwise your camera parameters will not be saved 

and any recorded videos may be damaged.

3. Test the camera by shooting a few test images to check that it is operating correctly before shooting important 

pictures.

4. Respect the privacy of others when using the camera. Make sure you comply with local privacy laws, regulations 

and moral standards.

5. Check camera settings before use to make sure you can adjust them to fit your needs.

Gimbal

1. The gimbal and gimbal connector are very delicate. Handle with care and do not touch the gimbal 

connector, as any damage will cause it to function abnormally.

2. A gimbal motor error may occur if: (1) The aircraft is placed on uneven ground or other objects obstruct 

the gimbal’s full range of motion, or (2) The gimbal has undergone an excessive impact, e.g. a collision. 

Please only takeoff from flat, open areas and protect the gimbal after powering up.

3. Hold the gimbal firmly when detaching or reattaching it, so it does not drop.

4. Do not add any payloads to the gimbal, as this may cause the gimbal to function abnormally, or even

2 © 2014 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
lead to motor damage.

5. Precision elements in the gimbal may be damaged by a collision or impact, which will cause the gimbal 

to function abnormally.

Compass

1. Ensure the compass is calibrated before every flight. Failure to calibrate may lead to a poor flight 

performance or even failure.

2. DO NOT calibrate your compass where there is a chance of strong magnetic interference. This includes areas 

where there are massive metal objects, parking structures, steel reinforcements underground, or under bridges.

3. DO NOT carry ferromagnetic materials with you during calibration, such as keys or mobile phones.

4. The compass should always be recalibrated when moving from indoor spaces to outdoor spaces.

5. If the rear LED shows a solid red light, compass calibration has failed. Please recalibrate.

6. After successful calibration, the compass may become abnormal when you put the aircraft on the 

ground. This is because of magnetic interference that may be underground. Move the aircraft to another

location and try again. EN

Parameter Settings

The Inspire 1 features a built-in flight control system to make operation as safe as possible. However, it is 

good practice to remove all propellers before switching it on for calibration or changing other parameter 

settings.

Battery

Refer to the Intelligent Flight Battery Safety Guidelines and battery sticker for usage and maintenance information.

Storage and Transportation

1. Store the Intelligent Flight Battery and remote controller in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, 

to ensure the built-in LiPo battery does not overheat. Recommended storage temperature: between

22°C and 28°C for storage periods of more than three months. Never store in environments outside the 

temperature range of -20°C to 45°C.

2. Do not allow the camera to come into contact with, or become immersed in, water or other liquids. If it 

gets wet, wipe dry with a soft, absorbent cloth. Turning on an aircraft that has fallen into water may cause 

permanent component damage. Do not use substance containing alcohol, benzene, thinners or other 

flammable substances to clean or maintain the camera. Do not store the camera in humid or dusty areas.

3. Always keep all parts out of the reach of children, as the cables, straps or small parts may be dangerous 

if swallowed. If swallowed, go to the hospital immediately.

4. Detach the gimbal from the Inspire 1 when storing for a long period of time or transporting over long 

distances. Also replace the Gimbal Cover when storing.

Maintenance and Upkeep

1. Check every part of the aircraft if it is violently impacted. If you have any problems or questions, please 

contact a DJI authorized dealer.

2. Old, chipped, or broken propellers or motors should never be used.

3. Regularly check the Battery Level Indicators to see the current battery level and overall battery life. When 

the battery life reaches 0%, it can no longer be used.

4. After every 50 hours of flight time, DJI recommends you perform a thorough inspection of your Inspire 1

and all of its parts and components to ensure the safe operation of your aircraft.

© 2014 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 3
Flight Environment Requirements

1. Do not use the aircraft in severe weather conditions. These include wind speed exceeding 10m/s, snow, 

rain, smog, heavy wind, hail, lightning, tornado or hurricane.

2. Do not use the aircraft in dust or sandstorms.

3. Fly in open areas, as tall buildings or steel structures may affect the accuracy of the onboard compass 

and block the GPS signal.

4. Keep the aircraft away from obstacles, people, animals, high voltage power lines, trees, and bodies of

water when in flight.

5. Avoid interference between the remote controller and other wireless equipment. Make sure to turn off the

Wi-Fi on your mobile device.

6. Do not fly near areas with magnetic or radio interference. These include but are not limited to: high 

voltage lines, large scale power transmission stations, mobile base stations and broadcasting towers. 

Failing to do so may compromise the transmission quality of this product, cause remote controller and 

video transmission errors may affect flight orientation and location accuracy. The aircraft may behave

EN abnormally or fall out of control in areas with too much interference.

7. P mode is unavailable in polar zones. Users can use ATTI mode instead.

8. Do not fly the aircraft within no-fly zones specified by local laws and regulations.

Flight Warnings

Failsafe and Return to Home

1. Return to Home will not work if the GPS signal is insufficient or GPS is not active.

2. Press the RTH Button on the remote controller to bring the aircraft back to the Home Point instead of 

turning off the remote controller.

3. Tall buildings may adversely affect the Failsafe function. Please adjust the aircraft location, altitude and 

speed while returning home to avoid obstacles.

4. Make sure to always fly the aircraft within the transmission range of the remote controller.

5. When updating the Home Point, do not block the GPS signal of the remote controller and ensure the new

Home Point is correct on the live map.

6. Do not update the Home Point near tall buildings, as the GPS may be blocked and lead to an incorrect 

location being stored.

7. Only use the Failsafe and Return to Home functions in case of emergency, as they may be affected by

the weather, the environment, or any nearby magnetic fields.

Low Battery

1. When the Critical Battery Level Warning activates and the aircraft is descending automatically, you may 

push the throttle upward to hover the aircraft and navigate it to a more appropriate location for landing.

2. When battery warnings are triggered, please bring the aircraft back to the Home Point or land to avoid

losing power during flight.

Vision Positioning System

1. The Vision Positioning System cannot work properly over surfaces that do not have pattern variations.

The effective altitude for Vision Positioning System to function correctly is less than 2.5 meters.

2. Vision Positioning System may not function properly when the aircraft is flying over water.

3. Vision Positioning System may not be able to recognize patterns on the ground in low light conditions (less 

than 100 lux).

4. Keep your pets away from the aircraft when Vision Positioning System is activated, as the sonar sensors 

emit high frequency sound that is only audible to some pets.

5. Note that Visual Positioning System may not function properly when the aircraft is flying too fast or too low.

4 © 2014 DJI. All Rights Reserved.
Transformation Function

1. Ensure the landing gear is lowered before landing.

2. Stay away from the aircraft when it is transforming to prevent injury.

3. DO NOT attempt to catch the aircraft, as the landing gear will lower if the Visual Positioning system 

detects an object and may cause injury.

4. Keep the aircraft arms clean, otherwise transformation may be affected.

5. Never apply lubricants to aircraft arms.

Others

1. If you are using a phone as your mobile display device, be sure to continue flying safely if you receive an

incoming call.

2. Land as soon as possible if there is an alert shown on the DJI Pilot app.

3. Upon landing, power off the aircraft first, then switch off the remote controller.

EN

Preflight Checklist

1. Check that all parts are in good condition. Do not fly with aging or damaged parts.

2. Remote controller, Intelligent Flight Battery and mobile device are all fully charged.

3. Propellers are mounted correctly and securely.

4. Lens is clear.

5. Micro-SD card has been inserted, if necessary.

6. Gimbal is functioning as normal.

7. Gimbal is correctly attached to the aircraft.

8. Motors can start and are functioning as normal.

9. The DJI Pilot app can connect to the camera and all firmware has been updated to the latest version.

© 2014 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 5
INTELLIGENT FLIGHT BATTERY

Safety Guidelines

智能飞行电池

安全使用指 引

V1.0 2014.12
English 

Battery Use

Never use non-DJI batteries. Go to www.DJI.

com to purchase new batteries. DJI takes no 

responsibility for any accidents caused by nonDJI batteries.

Never use or charge a swollen, leaky or damaged 

battery. If so, contact DJI or its designated dealers 

for further assistance.

Never install or remove the battery from the aircraft 

when it is turned on. Do not insert or remove 

batteries if the plastic cover had been torn or 

compromised in any way.

The battery should be used in temperatures from

-10°C to 40°C. Use of the battery above 50°C 

can lead to a fire or explosion. Use of battery 

below -10°C can lead to permanent damage.

Do not use the battery in strong electrostatic 

or electromagnetic environments. Otherwise, 

the battery control board may malfunction 

and a serious accident may happen during 

flight.

Never disassemble or pierce the battery in any 

way, or the battery may catch fire or explode. 

Electrolytes in the battery are highly corrosive. 

If any electrolytes splash onto your skin or eyes, 

immediately wash the affected area with fresh 

running water for at least 15 minutes then see a 

doctor immediately.

Check the condition of the battery if it falls out 

of the aircraft. Make sure the battery is NOT 

damaged or leaking before putting it back to the 

aircraft.

Land the aircraft immediately when the low battery 

level warning activates in the DJI Pilot app.

Do not allow the batteries to come into contact 

with any kind of liquid. Do not leave batteries 

out in the rain or near a source of moisture. 

Do not drop the battery into water. If the inside 

of the battery comes into contact with water, 

chemical decomposition may occur, potentially

resulting the battery catching on fire, and may

even lead to an explosion. If the battery falls into 

water with the aircraft during flight, take it out 

immediately and put it in a safe and open area. 

Maintain a far distance from the battery until it 

is completely dry. Never use the battery again, 

and dispose of the battery properly as described 

in Battery Disposal below.

Do not heat batteries. Put out any battery fire 

using sand or a dry powder fire extinguisher. 

Never use water to put out a battery fire.

1 EN

Do not charge the Intelligent Flight Battery and 

remote controller at the same time, otherwise 

the charger may overheat.

Do not leave batteries in a microwave oven or in 

a pressurized container.

Do not place loose battery cells on any conductive 

surface, such as metal-toppled table.

Do not put the loose cells in pocket, bag or 

drawer where they may short-circuit against 

other items or where battery terminals could be 

pressed against each other.

Do not drop or strike batteries. Do not place 

heavy objects on batteries or charger. Avoid 

dropping batteries.

Clean battery terminals with a dry and clean 

cloth.

Charging the Battery

Do not attach the batteries to the wall or car 

charger sockets directly, always use a DJI 

approved adapter. DJI takes no responsibility if 

the battery is charged using a non-DJI charger. 

Never leave the battery unattended during 

charging. Do not charge the battery near

flammable materials or on flammable surfaces

such as carpet or wood. Do not charge battery 

immediately after flight, because the battery 

temperature may be too high. Do not charge 

the battery until it cools down to near room 

temperature. Charging battery outside of the 

temperature range of 0°C-40°C may lead to 

leakage, overheating, or battery damage. Charge

and discharge the battery completely once 

every 20 charge/discharge cycles. 

Discharge the battery until there is 0% of 

power or until it can no longer be turned on, 

then recharge it to the maximum capacity. 

This power cycling procedure will optimize the 

battery life.

DJI intelligent battery is designed to stop 

charging when it is full. However it is good 

practice to monitor charging progress and 

disconnect the batteries when fully charged. 

Disconnect charger when not in use. Examine 

charger regularly for damage to the cord, 

plug, enclosure or other parts. Do not clean 

the charger with denatured alcohol or other 

flammable solvents. Never use a damaged 

charger.

Battery Storage

Keep batteries out of the reach of children and 

pets.
Do not leave the battery near heat sources such 

as a furnace or heater. Do not leave the batteries 

inside of the vehicle on hot days. The ideal 

storage temperature is 22°C-28°C.

Keep the battery dry. Never drop the battery into 

water.

Do not drop, strike, impale, or manually shortcircuit the battery.

Keep the battery away from metal objects such 

as necklaces and hairpins.

Discharge the battery to 30%-50% of the battery

level if it will not be used for 7 days or more. This 

can greatly extend the battery life.

Battery discharges automatically to below 65%

when it is idle for more than 10 days to prevent 

the battery from swelling. It takes around 2 days 

to discharge the battery to 65%, It is normal 

that you may feel moderate heat emits from the 

battery during the discharge process. Set the 

discharging thresholds in the DJI Pilot app.

The battery will enter hibernation mode if 

depleted and stored for a long period. When 

in hibernation mode, if you try to power on the 

battery, the battery power LED will show a solid 

red light and the battery level LEDs will all be 

off. You cannot manually turn off the battery 

power LED in this state. Leave the battery 

unattended for 5 minutes, and then it will power 

off. Recharge the battery to bring it out of 

hibernation.

Remove batteries from the aircraft when stored 

for an extended period.

Battery Disposal

Dispose of the battery into specific recycling 

boxes only after a complete discharge. Do 

not place the battery into regular rubbish bins. 

Strictly follow your local disposal and recycling 

regulations of batteries.

If the power on/off button of the Intelligent Flight 

Battery is disabled and the battery cannot be 

fully discharged, please contact a professional 

battery disposal/recycling agent for further 

assistance.

Notice

Before carrying the Intelligent Flight Battery on a

airline flight, it must first be fully discharged. This 

can be done by using it in your Inspire 1 or by 

connecting your remote controller to the battery 

using the Remote Controller Charging Cable. 

Only discharge the battery in a fireproof location.

Store Intelligent Flight Batteries in a ventilated 

location.

Should you require to carry the battery onto the 

plane, it is recommend to discharge the battery 

to the range between 10% and 20% in order to 

ensure the safety of the battery.

中 文 

使 用

严禁使用非 DJI 官方提供的电池。如需更换,

请到 DJI 官网查询。因使用非 DJI 官方提供的

电池而引发的电池事故、飞行故障,DJI 概不

负责。

在将电池安装或者拔出于飞行器之前,请保持

电池的电源关闭。请勿在电池电源打开的状态

下,拔插电池,否则可能损坏电源接口。

电池应在环境温度为 -10°C至 40°C之间使用。

温度过高,会引起电池着火,甚至爆炸。温度

过低,电池寿命会受到严重损害。

禁止在强静电或者磁场环境中使用电池。否则,

电池保护板会失灵,导致飞行器发生严重故障。

禁止以任何方式拆解或用尖利物体刺破电池。

否则,会引起电池着火甚至爆炸。

电池内部液体有强腐蚀性。如有泄露,请远离。

如有溅射到人体皮肤或者眼睛里,请立即用清

水冲洗至少 15 分钟,并立即就医。

若电池从飞行器中摔落,再次使用前,务必确

保电池外观无损,无破损、无漏液、无变形等

问题。

若飞行器进入低电量报警模式,应尽快降落并

停止飞行,更换新电池或者对电池进行充电。

请勿将电池浸入水中或将其弄湿。电池内部接

触到水后可能会发生分解反应,引发电池自燃,

甚至可能引发爆炸。如果电池在飞行器飞行过

程中或其它情况下意外坠入水中,请立即拔出

电池并将其置于安全的开阔区域,这时应远离

电池直至电池完全晾干。晾干的电池不得再次

使用,应该按照本文的废弃方法妥善处理。

若电池发生起火,应立即采用“窒息灭火法”,

如使用沙子或固体或干粉灭火器进行灭火。

严禁用水来灭火。

电池若出现膨胀、破损等情况,请勿继续使用,

否则会有起火、爆炸等危险。如果出现此情

况应做废弃处理。

请勿将电池直接连接到墙上插座或车载点烟式

插座上。

禁止将电池投入火中或放在高温环境下。

禁止用导线或其它金属物体致使电池正负极

短路。

如果电池发出异味、发热、变形、变色或出现

其它任何异常现象,不得使用;如果电池正在

使用或充电,应立即从用电器或充电器上取出

并做废弃处理。

如果电池的端子变脏,使用前用干布擦干净。

否则电池会接触不良,从而引起能量损耗或无

法充电。

2 EN CH
INSPIRE 1

Maintenance Manual

V1.0 2015.2

To ensure that your aircraft continues to offer optimal performance and to ensure flight safety, 

it is recommended that comprehensive maintenance be performed after every 200 flights or 50 

flight hours. This manual is intend to help users maintain their aircraft and maximize its continued 

reliability.

I. Checking the Battery

1. Check the battery for damage and deformities. If 

there are any signs of damage to the battery, stop 

using it and discharge the battery to 10% or below 

for disposal. Do not disassemble the battery for any 

reason.

2. Check the battery pins and rub them clean with an 

eraser if any residue is observed. This will help to 

ensure a more reliable connection.

3. Check the metal battery power connectors for

damage. If the connectors appear burnt, try to clear 

them. This can be done by inserting a piece of 

sandpaper (1mm thick) into the connectors to polish 

the metal.

4. Check the contact pins in the battery compartment to 

ensure that the pins are clear. They should be able 

to establish easy contact with the battery connectors 

and should not be bent.

5. Check the electrodes on the battery. If they appear 

burnt, polish them with sandpaper. If there is serious 

erosion, send the battery in for repairs.

6. Check the plastic components of the battery bracket 

to see it is in good condition and that all screws are 

secure. This prevents the battery from becoming 

loose during flight.

7. Check the power cables between the arms and the 

center plate, if the cables are worn, contact DJI to 

arrange repairs.

8. For long term storage, please refer to the “Intelligent 

Flight Battery Safety Guidelines” and check the 

battery once a month to prevent the battery cell from 

being damaged.

9. Run the DJI Pilot App to confirm that all battery cells 

are at similar voltage levels and stay at the same level 

when the battery is fully charged. If all cells maintain 

voltage levels above 3.7V but any cell is 0.2V higher 

or lower than the others, contact DJI for analysis. You 

can also check the battery cell warning history. If any 

warning are reported, contact DJI.

II. Checking the Transformation System

1. Check the servomotor cables for wear. Also confirm

that the connection points are still in good condition.

2. Check the lead screws and contact DJI Support 

to arrange repairs if any bending or damage is 

discovered. Clean the lead screws with WD-40 spray 

if they show signs of rust.

3. Listen to the servomotors during the transformation, 

if there is abnormal noise, it may indicate that the 

servomotors worn.

4. After the landing gear rises, check the lead screws 

and bearings. If any dirt or dust is found, clean and 

grease the bearings.

5. Check the lead screws. If there is any scratches, 

dents, or plastic particles underneath them, contact 

DJI Support to arrange repairs.

III. Checking the Aircraft

1. Confirm that all the screws are still adequately 

tightened.

2. Check the aircraft for breaks or damage. If there is 

any reason to believe that detectable damage might 

affect flight safety, consult with DJI Support.

3. Check the carbon tubes of the arms for damage.

4. Check the dampers on the landing gears. If they are 

loose, secure them with 502 glue.

5. Ensure that there are no obstacles on or around the 

GPS module or around the antennas on the landing 

gear. Remove any obstacles (such as tapes with 

conductive material) that might affect or block the 

signal.

6. Check that the right and left landing gear rest at the 

same tilt angle.

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 1
IV. Checking the Motors

1. Check the rotors to confirm that they have not 

become loose.

2. Detach the propellers and start the motors. Listen 

carefully. If there is any abnormal noise, please 

replace the motors. This may be a sign that the 

bearings have been worn out.

3. Detach the propellers and start the motors. Carefully 

examine the edge of the rotor and confirm that the 

shaft is perfectly centered on the motor. Check 

for any abnormal or excessive vibration. If any 

problems are detected, contact DJI Support to order 

replacement motors.

4. Check for deformities by confirming that the gap 

between the motor and motor base is even. If not 

contact DJI Support to order replacement motors.

5. Ensure that the screws used to secure the motor 

base are tight and the plastic components around 

the motors are in good condition. If not please 

tighten the screws and contact DJI to repair any 

broken plastic components.

V. Checking the Propellers

1. Check the propellers. If there is any bending, 

breakage or cracking on a propeller, do not use it.

2. Attach the propeller to the motor, turn on the aircraft, 

and place it on the ground. Stand 1 meter away from 

the aircraft and observe the rotating propellers. If you 

can see two distinct propeller outline layers, when 

looking at a spinning propeller from the side, this 

propeller is damaged and should not be used.

VI. Checking the IMU

1. Open DJI Pilot app to check the condition of the IMU 

and perform an advanced IMU calibration. Please 

place the aircraft in a cool environment and on a 

flat, stable surface (if the landing gear is damaged, 

support the aircraft with four objects of equal 

height). Do not touch the craft during the calibration.

2. Turn on the aircraft and listen for any abnormal noise 

or vibration from the fan located on the front of the 

aircraft. If any irregularity is detected, replace the 

fan.

VII. Checking the Control and Video Transmission System

1. Check the 4 antennas on the landing gear to ensure 

that they are secure. Also check for any bending or 

damage.

2. Check the antennas of the remote controller for 

damage

3. Check the neck strap for damage or wear, replace 

if necessary.

VIII. Checking the Gimbal and Camera

1. The quick-mount connector for the camera is a 

particularly vulnerable component. If the gimbal 

fails to initialize when turned on, fails to work after 

initialization, or fails to transmit video to the app 

(while OSD data is displayed), the quick-mount 

connector may be worn. In this case, replace the 

rubber mat, circuit board, and/or connector on the 

gimbal quick-mount.

2. Check the metal contacts on the quick mount 

connector board, if any contact is bent, replace 

the quick-mount connector.

3. Check the contact pins on the qui ck-moun t 

connector board, if there is any dirt, rub it clean 

with an eraser. If any contact pins are worn out it 

should be replaced.

4. Confirm that the gimbal is able to properly stabilize 

itself. If its stabilizing performance deteriorates, 

contact DJI to arrange repairs.

5. Listen for any abnormal noise from the fan when 

the gimbal is turned on. This may indicate unusual 

vibration and the fan should be replaced.

IX. Checking the Vision Positioning System

1. Check the lens of the camera. If any dirt or residue 

is detected, gently clean the lens.

2. Check for and remove objects that might block the 

sensors.

3. Ensure that the Vision Positioning System is securely 

installed on the aircraft.

4. Detach the propellers and turn on the aircraft. Hold 

the aircraft 1-2 meters above a surface with rich 

patterns, under good lighting conditions. Change 

the Flight Mode switch to P Mode on the controller 

and check the DJI Pilot app. If the app displays an 

altitude value and indicates that P-OPTI mode is 

active, the Vision Positioning System should function 

normally.

Support Center Contact Info:

http://www.dji.com/support

The content is subject to change.

Download the latest version from

http://www.dji.com/product/inspire-1/download

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 2
APPENDIX B

3D Robotics Aero M – Operations Documents
AERO

Congratulations on your purchase of an Aero!

Please read the following sections of this manual to get 

started with your new autonomous aircraft.

1 Meet the Aero 7 Fly-by-wire mode

2 Safety 8 Command modes

3 Charge battery 9 Missions

4 Setup 10 Preflight steps

5 Manual mode 11 Takeoff & landing

6 Stabilize mode 12 Postflight steps

Meet the Aero

nose

body

left wing

motor

right wing

tail boom

tail

1
airspeed sensor 

battery compartment

electronics compartment

(under wings)

left aileron right aileron

rudder

elevator

If the terms above are unfamiliar to you, visit 3dr.com/learn, 

and dive into the exciting world of planes with our 

Introduction to Flying Fixed-Wing Aircraft.

RC transmitter

Spektrum FlySky

If you did not order an RC transmitter with your

Aero, visit 3dr.com/learn for instructions.

2
100 ft (30 m) 5 miles (8 km)

! Safety

Before you fly, always determine the boundaries of your safe flying area. If 

the Aero moves outside the designated area or exhibits instability in flight, 

switch to fly-by-wire mode and land the plane manually.

The Aero will not avoid obstacles on its own, including during missions. As 

the operator, it’s your job to recognize and avoid obstructions while flying. 

Always be ready to regain manual control of the plane in the event of an 

unsafe situation.

Spinning propellers can cause serious injury. The safety button 

indicates the status of the motor to help you prevent hazardous 

contact with the Aero’s high-speed propeller. When the Aero is 

powered on, the safety button will blink red; the motor is inactive 

and the propeller is safe to handle. When you’re ready to fly, press 

and hold the safety button until it shows solid red. This indicates 

that the motor is active and the propeller can spin if armed. To 

make the propeller safe to handle again, press and hold the safety 

button until it blinks red.

visual livniesual line

of sightof sight 400 ft400 ft

(120 m(1)20 m)

Always fly below 400 ft (120 m) and within your 

visual line of sight. Don’t let the Aero get too far 

away from you; make sure you can always see its 

orientation. Don’t fly in low light, heavy wind, rain, 

or other conditions that might impede visibility.

100 ft (350 m)les (8 km)

100 ft (30 m)

Always fly at least five miles (8 km) away from 

airports and other areas where pilots operate 

manned aircraft.

Always fly at least 100 feet (30 m) away from 

people, vehicles, and buildings. Make the safety 

of people and property your first priority!

If the Aero looses contact with the RC transmitter, it will 

return to the launch point automatically and enter into a 

circle pattern above the launch point, indicated by a 

blinking yellow status LED.

If the battery reaches 33% of its remaining charge, the 

Aero will return automatically to circle above the launch 

point, indicated by a blinking yellow status LED and a 

quick repeating tone.

3
Charge battery

The Aero is powered by a rechargeable lithium polymer 

(LiPo) battery. Store the battery at half charge, then charge 

fully before flying. Batteries must ship at half charge, so

please charge before your first flight. Each full battery 

provides approximately 40 minutes of flight time.

battery charger

Connect the charger to the power adapter cable and a 

wall outlet. Connect the red cable to the + port and the 

black cable to the - port.

+

–

Set the charger to LiPo and 3A.

LiPo 3A

4
Connect the white connector to the 4S port. Join the two yellow 

connectors together. Secure the battery inside the guard bag while 

charging, and charge until the status indicator displays green.

4S

Charging Complete

guard bag

! Battery safety

Protect the battery from extreme heat, extreme cold, puncturing, 

and flammable surfaces. Always transport, charge, and store

the battery in the guard bag.

Charge the battery using a designated LiPo balance charger only. 

Always monitor the battery while charging.

Flying with a low battery is a safety risk and can render the battery 

permanently unusable. Always fly with a fully charged battery.

Inspect the battery for damage before takeoff and after landing. 

If you observe any swelling of the package or the battery ceases 

to function, locate your local battery recycling center to dispose 

of the battery. In the US and Canada, visit call2recycle.org to 

find a location. Do not dispose of the battery in the trash.

5
Setup

Follow these instructions to take the Aero from 

travel configuration to flight configuration.

1 Slide the horizontal stabilizer into the vertical stabilizer 

along the orange groove. Make sure not to stress any

of the components on the tail.

horizontal stabilizer

vertical stabilizer

complete tail assembly

On the top of the horizontal stabilizer, open the 

blue clasp at the end of the servo rod.

6
Insert the pegs on the clasp into the open space in 

the servo horn, and close the clasp.

servo horn

Slide the blue rubber ring over the clasp to secure it in place.

Turn the plane over and insert the provided tail screw 

into the horizontal and vertical stabilizers.

tail screw

2 Locate the wing spar (long rod) and the two wings.

Slide a wing onto the spar.

7
Slide the other wing onto the spar.

Do not twist the wing or the spar so as not to stress the foam.

complete wing assembly

Locate the two cables inside the electronics compartment marked 

AILE. Connect these cables to the two cables on the wings marked 

AILE. (Either of the wing cables can connect to either of the plane 

cables; the order doesn’t matter.)

plane AILE cables wing AILE cables

Place the wings over the body of the Aero with the foam squares 

fitted into the matching space in the electronics compartment. 

Make sure not to pinch the AILE cables.

wings placed onto the body of the Aero

8
Locate the four large rubber bands. Use the bands to secure 

the wings to the body of the Aero by the four orange knobs 

on the body around the wings.

Attach two of the bands to the two knobs on one of the short 

sides and opposite knobs on the opposing side.

add first band add second band

orange knobs

Repeat on the other short side with the remaining two rubber 

bands, resulting in two pairs of opposing right triangles.

add third band add fourth band

complete band assembly

9
3 Locate the rings inside the propeller package. Remove 

the ring with the second-largest internal diameter, and 

insert it into the back of the propeller hub.

Remove the nut and the washer from the motor, add the 

propeller with the writing on the propeller facing towards 

the nose of the plane, add the washer and the nut over the 

propeller, and tighten the nut.

10
The tail boom arrives attached to the Aero. Follow these 

instructions to remove the tail boom for travel.

Disconnect the RUDD and ELEV cables inside the 

electronics compartment.

Remove the screws on the body and the tail indicated below.

body

tail

Pull out the tail boom to remove. To reattach, reverse these steps.

11
Setting flight modes

On 3DR transmitters, use the two-position switch and the 

three-position switch shown below to select a flight mode.

Spektrum mode switches

two-position switch

marked GEAR/MIX

FlySky mode switches

three-position switch 

marked FLAP/GYRO 

available positions 0, 1, 2

three-position switch 

marked F MODE 

available positions N, 1, 2

two-position switch 

marked AIL D/R 

available positions 0, 1

The two-position switch activates one of the two groups of modes 

then the three-position switch selects the specific mode within the 

group. The three-position switch can be set forward (away from you), 

center, and back (towards you). The two-position switch can be set 

forward and back.

three-position mode switch two-position mode switch

forward

(away from you)

center back

(towards you)

forward

(away from you)

back

(towards you)

12
The Aero includes six flight modes. Manual mode, two assisted flight 

modes (stabilize and fly by wire), autonomous mission mode, and two 

command modes (loiter and return to launch). The following sections 

of this manual describe the behavior of each mode. The Aero’s six 

modes are assigned to your transmitter’s mode switches according to 

model.

Flight modes on Spektrum

With GEAR/MIX set to MIX,

set FLAP/GYRO to: 0 for AUTONOMOUS

1 for FLY BY WIRE

2 for RETURN TO LAUNCH

With GEAR/MIX set to GEAR,

set FLAP/GYRO to: 0 for MANUAL

1 for STABILIZE

2 for LOITER

Flight modes on FlySky

With AIL D/R set to 0,

set F MODE to: N for RETURN TO LAUNCH

1 for FLY BY WIRE

2 for AUTONOMOUS

With AIL D/R set to 1,

set F MODE to: N for LOITER

1 for STABILIZE

2 for MANUAL

13
Manual mode

Fly with fine-tuned manual control without autopilot assistance. 

Manual mode gives you the most direct input to the control 

surfaces, resulting in precise in-flight adjustment. Try manual 

mode if you’re an experienced RC plane operator.

XGPS no GPS lock required

Manual mode RC controls

throttle pitch

yaw roll

Throttle up

Increase motor 

speed.

Throttle down

Decrease motor 

speed.

Throttle fully down

Stop motor.

14
Yaw left

Turn left.

Yaw right

Turn right.

Pitch up

Pitch up.

Pitch down

Pitch down.

Roll left

Roll right

Roll left.

Roll right.

15
Stabilize mode

Stabilize mode provides manual control with an added autopilot 

safeguard: Release the right stick and the Aero will automatically 

return to a level flying orientation. Use stabilize mode for the 

freedom of manual control with return-to-level stabilization.

XGPS no GPS lock required

Stabilize mode RC controls

throttle pitch

yaw roll

Throttle up

Increase motor 

speed.

Throttle down

Decrease motor 

speed.

Throttle fully down

Stop motor.

16
Yaw left

Turn left.

Yaw right

Turn right.

Pitch up

Pitch up.

Pitch down

Pitch down.

Roll left

Roll right

Roll left.

Roll right.

Roll and pitch center

Automatically level.

17
Fly-by-wire mode

Let the autopilot manage the control surfaces, and navigate based 

on where you want the Aero to fly. Fly-by-wire mode* (FBW) is the 

easiest way to fly and is the recommended mode for new fliers.

*APM:Plane mode FBWA

XGPS no GPS lock required

FBW mode RC controls

throttle stabilized pitch

yaw stabilized roll

Throttle up

Increase motor 

speed.

Throttle down

Decrease motor 

speed.

Throttle fully down

Stop motor.

18
Yaw left

Turn left.

Yaw right

Turn right.

Pitch up

Pitch up.

Pitch down

Pitch down.

Roll left

Roll right

Fly to the left.

Fly to the right.

Roll and pitch center

Automatically level.

19
Command modes

Use command modes to enter into an automatic flight pattern. 

Once set to a command mode, the Aero will continue to follow 

the specified pattern until otherwise directed. Command modes 

require GPS lock prior to takeoff.

Loiter mode: GPS-positioned circling

» The Aero will enter into a circle pattern with a radius of

60 meters at the current altitude.

» Move the right stick to adjust the position of the circle.

GPS GPS lock required

Return-to-launch mode: circling over launch point

» The Aero will return to the position where it acquired GPS lock 

and enter into a circle pattern at an altitude of 100 meters.

GPS GPS lock required

20
Missions

Use a ground station computer with the provided Telemetry 

Radio to fly a fully autonomous mission. To download software 

and learn how to plan a mission, visit 3dr.com/learn.

laptop ground station with 3DR Telemetry Radio

Once you have saved a mission to the Aero, ensure that the 

autopilot acquires GPS lock during the preflight steps, and 

take off in manual, stabilize, or fly-by-wire mode. Fly to the 

approximate altitude of the first waypoint, and switch into 

autonomous mode to start the mission.

To fly a mission with automatic takeoff and landing, visit

3dr.com/learn for instructions.

GPS GPS lock required

!

Do not set the Aero to autonomous mode without following 

the mission planning instructions at 3DR.com/learn.

21
3 4

Preflight steps

Select an open area for flying, away from people and buildings, 

and remember to bring the flight checklist and a fully charged 

battery. Follow these steps every time you fly.

Flight Checklist

Preflight

1 Go outside toan open area, Connect

and inspect aircraft.

» Wings and tail attached

» Tail boom secure

» S erv os and rods secure

» Airspeed s ens or secure

» Propeller tight

» Transm itter on

2 charged battery.

» Hold aircraft still 

while powering on.

» Secure lid.

» Check for balanced 

center of gravity.

Check manual 

controls.

» Throttle

» Pitc h u p and down

» Roll left and right

» Yaw left and right

Check autopilot 

stabilization.

» Pitc h u p and down

» Roll left and right

5 C hec k LED for blinking 6 Press and hold

blue (no GPS) or blinking

green (GP S locked).

XS

safety button until

solid red.

G P S

LED Initializing, please wait 

Autopilot ready, no GPS 

Autopilot ready, GP S locked 

Armed, ready tofly

Loss of RC signal, automatic return tolaunch

System error, see troubleshooting guide

Safety Button

Inactive, safe tohandle

Active, press and hold button before handling flight checklist

1 Before flying, examine the Aero to ensure that all 

components are secured in flight configuration.

» Check that the wings, tail, and tail boom are fully 

assembled and securely attached.

» Check that the propeller is secured tightly to the 

motor.

» Check that the servo rods are secured to the servo 

horns with the blue clasps.

tail servos wing servos

22
Check that the airspeed sensor is secured to the side of 

the Aero and the tube is free from obstructions.

airspeed sensor

If any of the components or assemblies in these checks are 

not secure, tighten the screws or use CA glue (super glue) 

to secure the components to the foam.

Power on the RC transmitter, and set the throttle fully down.

2 Open the battery compartment by sliding the knob 

on the orange switch and lifting out the foam lid.

23
Secure a charged battery to the velcro strip within the 

marked lines, and attach the yellow connectors.

! Hold the Aero still and level while it powers on.

Secure with the velcro strap. Close lid by aligning 

the orange notches at the nose.

3 With the battery connected and the lid secured, check that the 

Aero is correctly balanced for flight. Hold the Aero with one finger 

on each of the clear, plastic balancing points shown below. These 

points indicate the Aero’s center of gravity.

24
If the plane balances on your fingers, then the center of 

gravity is correct. If it won’t balance, adjust the position of 

the battery until you can balance the plane on two fingers as 

shown below.

4 Check the LED for the status of the autopilot. If you plan to 

use loiter, return-to-launch, autonomous, or any other GPSrequired modes during your flight, wait to see the blinking 

green light, indicating GPS lock, before proceeding. If you plan 

to fly only in manual, stabilize, or fly-by-wire modes, you may 

proceed when you see the blinking blue light.

Initializing, please wait

LED

Autopilot ready, no GPS 

Autopilot ready, GPS locked

5 To arm the motor, press and hold the safety 

button until it displays solid red.

safety button

Inactive, motor disarmed

Active, motor armed

25
!

6 Place the plane on the ground, and set the mode switches 

to select manual mode. Move each of the sticks as shown, 

and check for the corresponding movement of the motor 

or control surfaces.

Raise the throttle slightly until the motor spins, then 

immediately set the throttle back to fully down position.

Motor spins.

Do not raise the throttle more than just enough to 

spin the motor while the plane is on the ground, and 

do not place your hands in the way of the propeller 

while the motor is armed.

Pitch down

Elevator tilts down.

Pitch up

Elevator tilts up.

26
Roll left

Left aileron tilts up, 

right aileron tilts 

down.

Roll right

Left aileron tilts 

down, right aileron 

tilts up.

Yaw left

Rudder tilts left.

Yaw right

Rudder tilts right.

27
7 Set the mode switches to stabilize, and hold the plane in front

of you. Move the plane as shown, and check for the stabilization

response from the control surfaces.

Test: Tilt the plane left.

Result: Left aileron tilts 

down, right aileron tilts up.

Test: Tilt the plane right.

Result: Left aileron tilts up, 

right aileron tilts down.

Test: Tilt the plane down.

Result: Elevator tilts up.

Test: Tilt the plane up.

Result: Elevator tilts down.

28
Takeoff & landing

Now you’re ready for takeoff! If you’re new to planes, we recommend 

having a friend help you launch the Aero. Have your friend throw the 

Aero while you control the transmitter.

We recommend setting the Aero to fly-by-wire mode for takeoff. 

Find a launching area with at least 100 feet of clear space in front of

you. Face into the wind, and hold the Aero at the center of gravity.

Raise the throttle to center position to start the motor. Be careful not 

to place your hand in the way of the propeller!

throttle center

Hold the Aero above your head, run, and throw the 

plane at an upwards angle.

Once launched, the Aero will require immediate adjustment with 

the transmitter to navigate away from the ground and up to the 

desired altitude. Pitch up (right stick down) and add any other 

necessary controls based on wind, speed, and terrain.

29
!

When you’re ready to end your flight, follow these steps to land:

» Fly a circle pattern above your landing area.

» Come in on a final approach, flying into the wind at 

an altitude of 20 to 40 meters.

» When the plane reaches an altitude of 10 meters, set the 

throttle fully down to turn off the motor and glide down 

on a 15 to 20 degree down-pitch angle.

» When the plane is one meter above the ground, pitch up 

(flare) to land the Aero on the body of the plane instead 

of the nose.

wind direction

pitch slightly down

throttle fully down

20-40 m

pitch up

10 m

1 m

After stopping the motor at an altitude of 10 m, keep your 

thumb on the throttle stick in fully down position to ensure 

that the motor does not accidently spin during landing.

30
Postflight steps

1 To disarm the motor, press and hold the 

safety button until it displays blinking red.

safety button

Inactive, motor disarmed

Active, motor armed

2 Disconnect battery

3 Turn off transmitter.

Your flight is now complete. Always following the preflight 

and postflight steps described in this manual when you fly.

31
FPV/OSD video

If you received an FPV/OSD video system with your Aero, visit

3DR.com/learn for instructions on operating your video system.

Learning more

Visit 3DR.com/learn for more instructions on flying, configuring, 

and using a ground station with the Aero.

To learn more about the APM:Plane platform, including 

adding new flight modes and flying autonomous missions, 

visit plane.ardupilot.com.

Support

For customer support, contact us at help@3DR.com

or call our support line at +1 (858) 225-1414

Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm, PST.

Happy flying!

Aero User Manual vB | DCT0035 | ©3D Robotics, Inc. | 31 October 2014

32
Aero-M

Operation Manual

Thank you for purchasing an Aero-M! This manual contains important information about your 

aerial mapping platform. Please read these instructions before your first flight.

1 Plan 1

2 Fly 20

3 Process 37

Appendix 41

Online information portal: 3DR.com/Aero-M

3DR support: help@3DR.com 

Terms and conditions: 3DR.com/terms 

Pix4D instructions: support.Pix4D.com

V.3 2014

©3D Robotics

DCT0010
1 Plan

Parts2

Flight Battery3

Charging3

Safety3

Powering the Aero4

Camera Setup5

3DR EAI 5

Charging5

Startinga Mission5

Mounting6

Ground Station Setup7

Download Software7

Connectto Radio7

Mission Planning8

Operating Parameters8

Load Maps9

Draw Polygon 10

Configure Survey 11

Save andWrite Mission 19

1
Parts

Aero 

batteries (2) 

camera

wing spar 

horizontal stabilizer

wings

registration card and

Pix4D license key

RC controller and 

accessories

ground station radio 

 micro-USB cable

charger and 

accessories

 battery guard bag

wing rubber bands

(4 plus 2 spare)

propellers (1 

 plus 1 spare)

 hex keys (?)

 propeller wrench

spare control horns

(2)

spare servo rods (2)

FPV/OSD System

If you selected to receive a FPV/OSD system, those components 

will be included with the Aero’s accessories. See page 34 for 

parts and instructions.

spare camera 

mount filters (2)

Pixhawk micro-SD

card adapter

2
Flight Battery

The Aero is powered by a rechargeable lithium polymer (LiPo) battery. 

Charge the battery before your first flight.

Charging Safety

1

Connect the charger to the power adapter cable 

and a wall outlet. Connect the red cable to the + 

port and the black cable to the - port.

2

Set the charger to LiPo and 3A.

!

+

–

Charger with power cable and 

split-wire charging cable

3

LiPo 3A

Charger settings

4

Flying with a low battery is a safety risk and can render the 

battery permanently unusable. Always fly with a fully charged 

battery.

Charge the battery using a designated LiPo balance charger 

only. Always monitor the battery while charging. Protect the 

battery from extreme heat, extreme cold, puncturing, and 

flammable surfaces. Always transport, charge, and store the 

battery in the guard bag.

Inspect the battery for damage before and after flying. If you 

observe any swelling of the package or the battery ceases

to function, do not use the battery; locate your local battery 

recycling center, and dispose of the battery. In the US and 

Canada, visit call2recycle.org to find a location. Do not 

dispose of the battery in the trash.

Connect the white connector to the 4S port, and 

join the two yellow connectors together.

Secure the battery inside the guard bag, 

and charge until the status indicator 

displays green.

Charging

4S

Complete

Flight battery charging wiring Charging in process

3
Powering the Aero

1

Turn on the controller. To avoid triggering 

the controller’s startup alarm, ensure that 

all switches are set back (away from you) 

and the throttle stick is set fully down.

Switches

2

Open the battery compartment by 

sliding the knob on the orange switch 

forward and lifting out the lid. !

It is important to establish communication before 

powering on the Aero. Always turn on the controller 

before connecting the battery. When powering off 

the Aero, disconnect the battery before turning off 

the controller.

Throttle stick

Aero: battery compartment lid

RC controller

3

Insert a charged battery into the battery slot, 

and attach the yellow connectors. This will 

power on the Aero.

!

Hold the Aero still and level while it powers on.

Attach the velcro above the battery slot to the 

velcro on the battery. Close and secure the lid 

onto the battery compartment.

battery 

connector

battery slot

flight battery

Aero: battery compartment interior

4
Camera Setup

The Aero includes a CanonPowerShot S100 running the 3DR EAI script.

3DR EAI (Exposure-Aperture-ISO)

3DR EAI runs on the Canon Hacker Development Kit (CHDK), a powerful opensource tool that expands the functionality of Canon point-and-shoot cameras. 3DR 

EAI optimizes image exposure and integrates with the Pixhawk autopilot to enable 

distance-based imaging.

This software is designed to load off the camera’s SD card, leaving the original Canon 

programming intact. The yellow switch on the side of the SD card allows you to lock 

or unlock the card. Lock the SD card to run 3DR EAI; unlock the SD card to save 

images to your ground station or to boot the camera with its original programming.

For more information about 3DR EAI, see page 43.

Charging

Charge the camera battery before your first flight. Once 

fully charged, insert the battery into the camera.

status indicator

Canon battery charger

Starting a Mission

SD card locked

Load 3DR EAI

» Fly a mapping mission

SD card unlocked

Load default Canon software

» View images on camera

» Save images to ground station

» Update script

To prepare the camera to fly a mapping mission, ensure that the mode 

dial is set to P (program) mode. Power on the camera using the silver 

button on the top. 3DR EAI will start automatically, and you will see the 

script messages on the camera display. Check to see that the last line

of the script reads waiting on USB signal. The camera is now ready to map!

power button 

mode dial

Camera running 3DR EAI Camera running Canon software

!

Power off the camera before removing the SD card.

Camera ready to map: waiting on USB signal

5
Mounting

The camera mounts to the Aero inside the battery compartment 

and connects to the autopilot using the mini-USB cable. When the 

camera is ready to start the mission, insert the camera into the 

mount inside the battery compartment as shown below, connect 

the mini-USB cable to the camera, and secure the camera in place 

using the velcro strap.

The camera mount includes a lens cap that protects the filter during 

travel. Make sure to remove this lens cap before you fly, and check 

that the filter contains no foam particles, dirt, or scratches that could 

affect image quality.

It is expected that the filter will accumulate scratches after significant 

use. If you notice any damage to the filter that could affect image 

quality, unscrew the filter and replace with one of the extra filters 

provided with the Aero.

autopilot integration cable

UV filter

Aero battery compartment: camera mount

Connect mini-USB cable inside 

battery compartment here.

Camera mount (bottom): cap removed

Camera mount (bottom): cap attached

Camera (side)

The camera mount is fixed to the inside of the battery compartment 

and is not intended to be removed from the Aero.

6
Ground Station Setup

Mission Planner allows you to turn a Windows laptop into a full-featured 

ground station for configuring and monitoring autonomous missions. You will 

need to take this laptop into the field when you fly the mission. As part of the 

mission procedure, you will use the Pix4D Rapid Check to verify the quality of 

the image set before leaving the field.

Download Software Connect to Radio

Mission Planner To connect the Aero to Mission Planner, connect the ground station radio 

to the laptop, and power the Aero.

Mission Planner is a full-featured ground station application for planning 

missions and monitoring the Aero in flight. Download Mission Planner 

from 3DR.com/download_software.

If you already have Mission Planner installed, make sure you’re running 

the most recent version: Select the Help tab and Check for Updates.

Mission Planner: Help tab

1

Connect the ground station radio to your 

laptop using the micro-USB cable. Open 

Mission Planner.

Ground station laptop with radio connected

3

Select Flight Data to view live data from the Aero.

2

Select 57600 and AUTO, then select CONNECT. 

(When connecting directly to Pixhawk’s

micro-USB port, set the rate to 115200.)

Mission Planner Connect tool (top-right corner))

Pix4Dmapper LT 3DR Edition

Your license key for Pix4Dmapper can be found on the registration card 

inside the documents package.

Visit mapper.pix4d.com/license-redeem to create an account and redeem 

your license key; then visit pix4d.com/download to download Pix4Dmapper 

Discovery. Pix4D will automatically upgrade from the Discovery edition to 

the LT 3DR Edition (or Pro Edition if you selected to upgrade) when you 

log in to the program with your Pix4D account information. Mission Planner Flight Data tab: connected to aircraft

7
Mission Planning

Operating Parameters

The Aero is a complete solution for creating 

high-resolution visual-spectrum aerial maps.

Operating Parameters

Pixhawk 

autopilot 

system

Canon S100

3DR EAI

Pix4Dmapper

LT 3DR Edition

Camera Canon S100

Camera Orientation Portrait (side facing forward)

Mapping system diagram

To create a map, the Aero flies an autonomous mission over 

the survey site, using the integration between the Pixhawk 

autopilot and custom-programmed camera to capture images 

at a consistent distance interval. Pix4Dmapper then stitches 

these images together into a georeferenced, orthorectified 

mosaic.

The accuracy of the map depends on the configuration of the 

mission. Planning a mission that captures high-quality images 

requires balancing the Aero’s operating parameters with the 

environmental factors at the survey site.

Operating Altitude 80-120 m 

Standard Operating Altitude 100 m 

Low-Wind Conditions 0-6 m/s 

High-Wind Conditions 7-10 m/s 

Maximum Wind Conditions 10 m/s 

Operating Speed 8-20 m/s 

Default Speed 15 m/s 

Estimated Maximum Flight Time 40 min

Estimated Ground Resolution 5 cm/pixel

Estimated Maximum Survey Area 1 km2

Minimum Photo Interval 2 seconds

8
Load Maps

Mission Planner allows you to plan the mission away from the mapping location; 

however, it is important to assess the environmental conditions on site at the time 

of the mission and adjust the flight plan if necessary. Alternatively, you can plan 

the entire mission at the mapping location. To create or alter the mission, Mission 

Planner requires an Internet connection to access the maps. If you’re unable to 

access the Internet on site, follow the instructions below to pre-fetch the maps 

within Mission Planner while you have Internet access.

1

Open Mission Planner, select Flight Plan, and 

zoom to your flying location.

2

Right-click on the map, select Map Tool and 

Prefetch, and accept the default prompts. 

Mission Planner will download the maps

for the selected location to your computer.

Mission Planner Flight Plan tab: zoom to mapping location Mission Planner Flight Plan tab: Select Prefetch

3

Mission Planner will attempt to load the map data from the current level of zoom down to the 

closest level of zoom available. However, it can take hours to pre-fetch every level of zoom, 

and it is unlikely that the closerlevels will be useful in planning the mission. To shortcut this 

process, check the slider on the right side of the map. The levels of zoom are represented by 

this slider from 0 (bottom) to 25 (top). Press the ESC key to skip levels of zoom at a greater 

detail than you need for mission planning.

9
Draw Polygon

To begin planning the mapping mission, select the area you want to map using 

the Polygon tool. You’ll be able to adjust the size and shape of the polygon later in 

the mission configuration process.

1

Select Flight Plan, and zoom to your 

mapping location.

Mission Planner Flight Plan tab: zoom to mapping location

2

Right click on the map. Select Draw Polygon and 

Add Polygon Point. Click and drag to add points 

around the area you want to map.

Mission Planner Flight Plan tab: draw polygon

3

Right click on the polygon. Select Auto WP and

Survey (Grid) to open the Survey Tool.

Mission Planner Flight Plan tab: open Survey tool

! Units

The Survey Tool uses metric units. If your Mission Planner is 

set to imperial units, please change the settings to use metric 

to plan the mission. Support for imperial units in Mission 

Planner is coming soon; check 3DR.com/Aero-M for updates.

10
Configure Survey: Set Default Parameters

The Survey tool allows you to configure a mapping mission according to the 

Aero’s operating parameters and the current environmental conditions at the 

mapping location. First, set the default values for the Aero.

Set Camera

Canon S100-S120

Set Camera Orientation

Uncheck the option for Camera top 

facing forward.

Set Default Speed

15 m/s

Apply Survey Speed

Check the option for Use speed for this mission. 

If unchecked, the mission will use the Aero’s 

default speed of 15 m/s regardless of the 

speed selected in the Survey Tool.

Mission Planner Survey tool

11
!

Configure Survey: Set Angle

Next configure the angle of the flight path for the current wind conditions.

Set Angle

Wind Direction

In environments with winds of less than 6 m/s, set the angle so that 

the Aero flies into the wind. In winds from 7-10 m/s, configure the 

flight path to travel perpendicular to the wind so the Aero flies crosswind.

wind

Mission Planner Survey tool

No. of Strips

Adjust the angle so that the Aero makes as few turns as possible to 

complete its course. The No. of Strips parameter shows how many 

passes the plane will make as you adjust the angle.

Review Wind Conditions On-Site

Always assess the wind conditions at your survey site at the time of 

the mission and adjust the mission accordingly.

Mission Planner Tip: Adjust Polygon

Click and drag the red polygon points to adjust the size 

and shape of the polygon from the Survey Tool.

wind

Configure the flight path parallel with 

the wind in low winds (1-6 m/s).

wind

Configure the flight path perpendicular to the 

wind in high winds (7-10 m/s).

Use caution when flying in winds over 10m/s. Mapping results may degrade

as a result of inability to make headway or maintain appropriate 

groundspeed. 12
Configure Survey: Set Altitude

The survey altitude determines the duration of the mission and the ground 

resolution of the final map. Adjust altitude to balance flight time and power 

consumption with the current environmental conditions.

Set Altitude

Standard operating altitude: 100 m

Operating altitude range: 80-120 m

Increasing altitude decreases flight time, allowing you to cover more area 

per minute. Decreasing altitude improves ground resolution. Set the altitude to get the best ground resolution while keeping the flight time under

40 min and the altitude under 120 m.

!

Keep altitude below 120 m, and ensure that the altitude is appropriate for 

your flying area and local regulations.

Mission Planner Survey tool

Check Ground Resolution

Ground Resolution is the centimeters per pixel that you will have

in the map and corresponds to the amount of detail that you 

will see.

To improve ground resolution by decreasing the number of 

centimeters per pixel, decrease altitude.

Check Flight Time

Flight Time estimates the duration of the mission. The total estimated flight 

time must be under 40 min for a fully charged Aero battery. To decrease 

flight time, increase altitude or speed.

High winds, humidity, high altitude, and extreme heat can affect power 

consumption and reduce flight time. Consider the environmental factors at 

your site when configuring flight time.

13
Configure Survey: Check Photo Interval

With the basic parameters in place, verify that the photo interval calculated from 

the altitude and speed complies with the operating parameters for the camera.

Mission Planner Survey tool

Check Photo Interval

Photo Every must be longerthan 2 seconds for the S100 camera.

Altitude

Increasing altitude increases photo interval.

!

Keep altitude below 120 m, and ensure that the altitude is 

appropriate for your flying area and local regulations.

Speed

Decreasing speed increases photo interval.

!

Ensure that the Use speed for this mission option is checked.

14
Configure Survey: Set Takeoff and Landing

Now select a takeoff and landing pattern, either manual or automatic.

Takeoff and Land WP’s

For automatic takeoff and landing 

Check the Add Takeoff and Land WP’s option. 

Uncheck the Use RTL option.

This will create a takeoff waypoint and a placeholder waypoint for the landing pattern. After accepting the survey, configure the automatic landing pattern by following 

the instructions on page 20.

Mission Planner Survey tool

For automatic takeoff and manual landing

Check both the Add Takeoff and Land WP’s option and the Use RTL options.

This will create a takeoff waypoint so the Aero will automatically climb to the survey 

altitude before heading to the first waypoint. The Aero will return to circle over the 

launch point after completing the mission.

For manual takeoff and landing

Uncheck the Add Takeoff and Land WP’s option

Check the Use RTL option.

For this option, take off manually then initiate the mission in flight. The Aero will 

return to circle over the launch point after completing the mission.

15
Configure Survey: Advanced Options

The Survey tool includes the following advanced configuration options. These options 

allow you to customize the mission to comply with best operating practices.

Check Advanced Options

to view the Survey Tool’s advanced configuration options.

Select Grid Options

Set OverShoot

The Aero has a minimum turning radius of 90 degrees. To accommodate the 

sharp angles of the survey mission, set both OverShoot parameters to 50 to 

have the Aero overshoot the waypoints on either side of the polygon by 50% 

to ensure that the complete area of the polygon is covered by the images.

!

OverShoot will affect flight time. Ensure that the total estimated flight time is 

less than the Aero’s maximum flight time of 40 minutes.

Mission Planner Survey tool: advanced options

Camera Config

The options under the Camera 

Config tab allow you to configure 

a camera other than the S100 

and won’t be used for operating 

the Aero.

Adjust StartFrom

During the mission, you will maintain contact with the aircraft through the RC 

controller and ground station signals. If your mission is likely to experience a 

loss of signal, it is best practice to start from the corner of the mission farthest 

from the launch point. In this example, TopLeft is the corner of the mission 

farthest from the launch point.

Mission Planner Survey tool: advanced options

Adjust Overlap and Sidelap

Overlap and sidelap are set to 50% and 60%, respectively, by default. See 

page 42 for an in-depth discussion of these parameters.

16
Configure Survey: Accept Survey

Before accepting the survey, verify that the mission complies with the

Aero’s operating parameters.

Operating Parameters

Camera

Canon S100-S120

Altitude

80-120 m

Camera top facing forward

unchecked

Flying speed

9-15 m/s

Use speed for this mission

checked (optional if speed set to default speed of 15 m/s)

Photo Every

greater than 2 s

Flight time

under 40 min depending on environmental conditions

Mission Planner Survey tool

Accept

Select Accept to create this mission. After accepting, you 

will need to reconfigure the survey completely to make any 

adjustments.

If Mission Planner prompts you for a home altitude, enter 

the altitude that you specified in the Survey tool.

Do not accept the mission if any of the parameters ! exceed the Aero’s operating limits.

17
Configuring Automatic Takeoff and Landing

If you selected automatic landing in the Survey Tool by checking the Add Takeoff and Land WP’s option and unchecking

the Use RTL option, you will need to configure the landing waypoint pattern manually at this step in the mission planning 

process.

To begin, determine the direction of the wind and select an unobstructed area 200-500 m in length leading to the 

launch point, into the wind. On the main Flight Plan screen, create a series of waypoints along this path to decrease 

altitude gradually from the survey altitude to 0, ensuring that:

» Turns along the flight path are greater than 90 degrees.

» The altitude decreases by a maximum of 20 m between waypoints

» There is at least 20 m between each waypoint

» The Grad % does not exceed 20%

To add a waypoint, right click on the map in the location of the waypoint you would like to add, and select Insert WP. For 

each waypoint you add to the mission, Mission Planner will prompt you for the new waypoint’s place in the script: Add 

the series of landing waypoints immediately before the LAND waypoint in the script of events. For the first waypoint in

the pattern, add it to the mission immediately following the DO_SET_CAM_TRIGG_DIST waypoint at the end of the mission. 

Specify the altitude of each waypoint and check the distance and gradient angle in the waypoints table.

Locate the Takeoff waypoint in the mission script and set the 

first option in the row to assign the takeoff angle.

Set the takeoff angle to 20-25 degrees depending on the 

length of your takeoff area.

Takeoff angle

Mission Planner Tip: Configure Waypoints

Measure the distance between waypoints by right-clicking at one 

end and selecting Measure Distance; then right-click on the other end 

and select Measure Distance again. A dialog box will open with the 

distance between the two points.

Mission Planner Flight Plan tab: Correctly configured automatic landing pattern

Set altitude. 

Check Grad %.

Double-click on a field in the waypoint table to edit the parameters 

for a waypoint.

Use the Up and Down arrow icons to re-order the waypoints. 

Use the Delete option to remove a waypoint from the mission.

To add a waypoint, right click on the map in the location of the waypoint 

you would like to add, and select Insert WP. For each waypoint you add to 

the mission, Mission Planner will prompt you for the new waypoint’s place 

in the script: Add the series of landing waypoints immediately before the 

LAND waypoint in the script of events. For the first waypoint in the pattern, 

add it to the mission immediately following the DO_SET_CAM_TRIGG_DIST 

waypoint at the end of the mission. Specify the altitude of each waypoint 

and check the distance and gradient angle in the waypoints table.

18
Save and Write Mission

For the Aero to run the mission, write the waypoint file to the autopilot. 

Don’t forget to save the waypoint file to your ground station for future use.

Select Save WP File

to save the mission file to your computer. To 

repeat this mapping mission, load the saved 

WP file from your computer.

Select Write WPs

to save the mission to the Aero.

Mission Planner Flight Plan tab: Save and write mission

19
2

Fly

Safety 21

Aircraft Operation 22

Components 22

Assembly 23

Controls 26

Modes 27

Arming and Disarming 28

LED Indicators andTones 28

GPS Lock 28

Preflight Checks 29

Manual and AutomaticTakeoff 32

Manual and Automatic Landing 33

FPV System Operation 34

Flying Mapping Missions 35

Takeoff Checklist 35

Initiating 35

Monitoring 35

Failsafes 36

20
Safety

To ensure safe and successful flying, familiarize yourself with the safety information 

on this page. Always fly in accordance with your location regulations and these best 

operating practices.

Before you fly, determine the boundaries of your safe flying area. If the Aero moves 

outside the designated area or exhibits instability in flight, switch to fly-by-wire mode 

and land the plane manually. Always be ready to regain manual control of the plane 

in the event of an unsafe situation.

The Aero will not avoid obstacles on its own, including during missions. As the 

operator, it’s your job to recognize and avoid obstructions while flying. When 

planning missions, ensure that the selected altitude is appropriate for all 

geographical features of the area, including terrain.

Location

Propeller

Spinning propellers can cause serious injury. The safety 

button indicates the status of the motor to help you 

prevent hazardous contact with the Aero’s high-speed 

propeller.

• When the Aero is powered on, the safety 

button will blink red, indicating that the motor

is inactive and the propeller is safe to handle.

• When you’re ready to fly, press and hold the safety 

button until it shows solid red. This indicates that 

the motor is armed and the propeller will spin if the 

throttle stick is raised. To make the propeller safe

to handle again, press and hold the safety 

button until it blinks red.

visuvailsluinael line 

of siogfhstight

100 ft10(300ftm(3)0 m)

5 miles (8 km)

4004f0t 0 ft

(120(1m20) m)

Always fly below 400 ft (120 m) and within your visual 

line of sight. Don’t let the Aero get too far away from 

you; make sure you can always see its orientation. 

Don’t fly in low light, rain, or other conditions that 

might impede visibility.

Always fly at least 5 miles (8 km) away from airports 

and other areas where pilots operate manned 

aircraft.

You can find more safety tips throughout these instructions ! where you see this yellow box.

100 ft (30 m)

Always fly at least 100 feet (30 m) away from 

people, vehicles, and buildings. Make the safety 

of people and property 5yomuilers fi(8rskmt )priority!

21
Aircraft Operation

Components

nose

body rudder

left wing right wing elevator

tail boom

motor

Aero tail

tail

airspeed sensor 

battery compartment

electronics compartment

(under wings)

left aileron right aileron

Aero (top)

video system compartment

(above battery compartment)

ground station radio controller

If the terms above are unfamiliar to you, visit 3DR.com/Aero-M, and dive into the 

exciting world of planes with our Introduction to Flying Fixed-Wing Aircraft.

22
Assembly

Tail

Slide the horizontal stabilizer into the vertical stabilizer along the orange groove.

Make sure not to stress any of the components on the tail.

Turn the plane over and insert the provided tail screw into the horizontal 

and vertical stabilizers.

Horizontal stabilizer

Vertical stabilizer Complete tail assembly

Tail assembly (underside)

Tail screw

On the top of the horizontal stabilizer, open the blue clasp at the end of the servo rod. Insert the pegs on the clasp into the open 

space in the servo horn, and close the clasp. Slide the blue rubber ring over the clasp to secure it in place.

clasp

servo horn

23
Wings

Attach a wing onto each side of the spar. Do not twist the wing 

or the spar so as not to stress the foam.

Locate the two cables inside the electronics compartment marked AILE. Connect these 

cables to the two cables on the wings marked AILE. (Either of the wing cables can 

connect to either of the plane cables; the order doesn’t matter.)

Place the wings over the body of the Aero with the foam 

squares fitted into the matching space in the electronics 

compartment. Make sure not to pinch the AILE cables.

Locate the four large rubber bands. Use the bands to 

secure the wings to the body of the Aero by the four 

orange knobs on the body around the wings.

Attach two of the bands to the two knobs on one of the 

short sides and opposite knobs on the opposing side.

Repeat on the other short side with the remaining two rubber bands, resulting in two pairs of 

opposing right triangles.

1 2

3 4

24
Propeller

Locate the rings inside the propeller package. Remove the ring with 

the second-largest internal diameter, and insert it into the back of the 

propeller hub.

Remove the nut and the washer from the motor, add the propeller with the writing on the 

propeller facing towards the nose of the plane, add the washer and the nut over the propeller, 

and tighten the nut.

 ··
25
Controls

Fly the Aero manually using the RC controller.

throttle

yaw

pitch

roll

yaw left

yaw right

Turn left.

Turn right.

roll left

Throttle: Move the left stick forward and backward to control the motor.

Yaw: Move the left stick horizontally to turn left and right using the rudder.

Roll left.

Pitch: Move the right stick up to pitch down and down to pitch up.

Roll: Move the right stick left and right to control the bank angle.

roll right

Roll right.

throttle up

throttle down

throttle fully down

Increase motor speed.

Decrease motor 

speed.

Stop motor.

roll and pitch center

pitch up

pitch down

Automatically level.

Pitch up.

Pitch down.

26
Modes

Auto - fly a mission

Fly an autonomous mission. This is the mode that the Aero will use to create the map.

Fly by Wire - assisted manual control

Let the autopilot manage the control surfaces, and navigate based on where you want the Aero 

to fly. Fly-by-wire mode* (FBW) is the easiest way to fly and is the recommended mode for new 

operators.

*ArduPlane mode FBWA

Return to Launch (RTL) - recall to launch point

Command the plane to circle over the launch point. The Aero will return to the position where it 

acquired GPS lock and enter into a circle pattern at an altitude of 100 meters.

Loiter - circle

Activate GPS-positioned circling; the Aero will enter into a circle pattern with a radius of 60 meters 

at the current altitude. Move the right stick to adjust the position of the circle.

Stabilize - stabilized manual control

Stabilize mode provides manual control with an added autopilot safeguard: Release the right stick 

and the Aero will automatically return to a level flying orientation. Use stabilize mode for the freedom 

of manual control with return-to-level stabilization.

Manual - full manual control

Fly with fine-tuned manual control without autopilot assistance. Manual mode gives you the most 

direct input to the control surfaces, resulting in precise in-flight adjustment. Try manual mode if 

you’re an experienced RC plane operator.

To select a flight mode:

First, set the GEAR/MIX switch to select a set of modes. Then use the

FLAP/GYRO switch to 0, 1, or 2 to select a specific mode. 

With GEAR/MIX set to GEAR,

set FLAP/GYRO to: 0 for Manual

1 for Stabilize

2 for Loiter

With GEAR/MIX set to MIX,

set FLAP/GYRO to: 0 for Auto

1 for Fly by wire

2 for RTL

GEAR/MIX selects the set of modes.

FLAP/GYRO selects the specific mode, either 0, 1, 

or 2.

RC controller (top)

27
Arming & Disarming LED Indicators

Arming and disarming are important steps that must be completed before 

takeoff and after landing to activate and deactivate the motor, respectively.

Initializing, please wait

Before arming, check the status LED. The LED will flash blue while 

the Aero acquires GPS; this can take a few minutes. Once you see 

the green LED, the autopilot has acquired GPS lock.

Acquiring GPS, please wait

Armed, GPS locked

Loss of RC signal, automatic landing

Initializing, please wait.

Acquiring GPS lock, please wait. 

Autopilot ready, GPS locked

Low battery, automatic landing

Loss of GPS signal, switch to fly-by-wre

System error, see troubleshooting guide

To arm the motor, press and hold the safety button until it 

displays solid red.

To disarm, press and hold the safety button until it displays 

blinking red.

safety button

Inactive, motor disarmed

Active, motor armed

Tones

Visit 3DR.com/Aero-M to listen to Pixhawk’s status tones.

GPS Lock

Auto, RTL, and loiter modes requires GPS lock. When powered, the autopilot will 

automatically search for GPS lock. The position of the Aero when the autopilot acquires 

GPS will be saved as the home position, and used as the coordinates for the launch 

point during RTL. If you plan to use auto, RTL, or loiter modes during your flight, ensure 

that the Aero is located at a suitable launch point when powered, and the autopilot 

acquires GPS lock before takeoff, indicated by a blinking green status LED.

The arming and disarming procedures ensure that you can safety start and ! stop the motor without risk of injury.

The Aero’s motor can spin when armed! Do not place your hands in the 

way of the propeller while the safety button is active (solid red).

28
Preflight Checks

Before each flight, perform a physical component check, center of gravity check, and control checks in both manual and stabilize 

modes. If any of the components or assemblies in these checks are not secure, tighten the screws or use CA glue (super glue) to 

secure the components to the foam.

1

Examine the Aero to ensure that all components are secured in flight configuration.

» Check that the wings, tail, and tail boom are fully assembled and securely attached.

» Check that the propeller is secured tightly to the motor.

» Check that the servo rods are secured to the servo horns with the blue clasps.

3

With the battery connected and the lid secured, check that the Aero is correctly 

balanced for flight. Hold the Aero with one finger on each of the clear, plastic balancing 

points shown below. These points indicate the Aero’s center of gravity.

If the plane balances on your fingers, then the center of gravity is correct. If 

it won’t balance, adjust the position of the battery until you can balance the 

plane on two fingers as shown below.

tail servos wing servos

2

Check that the airspeed sensor is secured to the side of the Aero and the 

tube is free from obstructions.

airspeed sensor

Flying the plane without the camera will affect the center of gravity. If you 

choose to fly without the camera, make sure to re-balance the center of 

gravity.

29
Preflight Checks: Manual Control Check

Before flying, power and arm the Aero on the ground and complete these checks to verify that the control surfaces respond correctly to the control inputs. Place 

the plane on the ground, and set the mode switches to select manual mode. Move each of the sticks as shown, and check for the corresponding movement of 

the motor or control surfaces.

1

Raise the throttle slightly until the motor spins, then 

immediately set the throttle back to fully down position.

3

Roll left

Left aileron tilts up, right 

aileron tilts down.

Motor spins.

Do not raise the throttle more than just enough to spin the motor while

! the plane is on the ground, and do not place your hands in the way of

the propeller while the motor is armed.

Roll right

Left aileron tilts down, 

right aileron tilts up.

2

Pitch down

4

Yaw left

Elevator tilts down.

Rudder tilts left.

Pitch up Yaw right

Elevator tilts up.

Rudder tilts right.

30
Preflight Checks: Stabilize Control Check

Set the mode switches to stabilize, and hold the plane in front of you. Move the plane as shown, and 

check for the stabilization response from the control surfaces.

1

Test: Tilt the plane left.

Result: Left aileron tilts down, right 

aileron tilts up.

Test: Tilt the plane right.

Result: Left aileron tilts up, right 

aileron tilts down.

2

Test: Tilt the plane down. 

Result: Elevator tilts up.

Test: Tilt the plane up. 

Result: Elevator tilts down.

31
Automatic Takeoff Manual Takeoff

Auto-takeoff works by sensing the movement of the plane and launching it in that 

direction. Set the Aero to autonomous mode when you’re ready to launch.

Find a launching area with at least 100 feet of clear space in front of you. Face into 

the wind, and hold the body of the Aero in one hand under the center of gravity. Be 

careful not to place your hand in the way of the propeller!

Hold the Aero above your head, run, and throw the plane at an upwards angle. The 

Aero will sense the throw, power the motor, and climb to the altitude specified by 

the takeoff waypoint before starting the survey mission.

DO NOT WIND UP YOUR THROW; if the Aero senses any backwards 

momentum it will attempt to launch in that direction. Use only forward

! momentum to throw to Aero!

If you’re new to planes, we recommend having a friend help you launch the

Aero. Have your friend throw the Aero while you control the controller.

We recommend setting the Aero to fly-by-wire mode for takeoff. Find a 

launching area with at least 100 feet of clear space in front of you. Face 

into the wind, and hold the Aero at the center of gravity. Raise the throttle 

to center position to start the motor. Be careful not to place your hand in 

the way of the propeller!

Hold the Aero above your head, run, and throw the plane at an upwards 

angle.

Once launched, the Aero will require immediate adjustment with the 

controller to navigate away from the ground and up to the desired altitude. 

Pitch up (right stick down) and add any other necessary controls based on 

wind, speed, and terrain.

Automatic takeoff requires you to configure the takeoff angle during mission planning. See page 18.

32
Automatic Landing Manual Landing

To land automatically at the end of the mission, the Aero requires the 

mission to be configured with a specific pattern of landing waypoints 

that gradually decreases the altitude so that the Aero can land safely. 

For instructions on configuring automatic landing, see page 18.

When you’re ready to end your flight, follow these steps to land:

» Fly a circle pattern above your landing area.

» Come in on a final approach, flying into the wind at 

an altitude of 20 to 40 meters.

» When the plane reaches an altitude of 10 meters, set the throttle fully down to turn 

off the motor and glide down

on a 15 to 20 degree down-pitch angle.

After stopping the motor at an altitude of 10 m, keep your thumb on the throttle 

stick in fully down position to ensure

! that the motor does not accidentally spin during landing.

» When the plane is one meter above the ground, pitch up (flare) to land the Aero on

the body of the plane instead of the nose.

wind direction

pitch slightly down

throttle fully down

20-40 m

pitch up

10 m

1 m

33
FPV System Operation

If you selected to receive an optional FPV/OSD system, the components are pre-installed 

into the Aero to transmit on-board video.

Parts 2 Wire and power receiver

1 Charge battery

AV receiver 

Antenna 

Receiver cables

Batteries (2)

Transmitter

Battery connector Camera

Attach an antenna to the receiver. Connect the AV output cable to either receiver AV OUT 

port. Connect the RC power cable to the receiver DC IN port, and attach a battery to the red 

connector.

3 Prepare on-board components

Charge both batteries before your first flight. Set the charger to LiPo and 1A. Connect the 

white battery connector to the 3S port, and connect the XT60-JST charger adapter to the 

red battery connector and yellow

charger connector.

Connect a fully charged battery to the transmitter inside the compartment in the nose of the 

plane. Remove the lens cap from the camera.

Remove lens cap!

LiPo 1A

3S port

4 Viewing video

When using a 3DR Black Pearl Monitor to view your video, set the mode to DIV (M button 

changes modes), the channel to 8 (+ and - buttons), and the band to E (press the power 

button to access the menu).

For more information about configuring the FPV/OSD system, visit 3DR.com/Aero-M.

34
Flying Mapping Missions

Takeoff Checklist

Before flying the mission, check the following:

» Camera is on with mission script ready and is secured into the 

mount with the mini-USB cable connected and the cap removed.

» Aero is powered and connected to the ground station with all pre-flight 

checks passed.

» The survey mission has been adjusted to account for present 

environmental conditions and saved to the Aero.

Initiating

For automatic takeoff, set the Aero to auto mode and launch according to the 

instructions in the Automatic Takeoff section of these instructions (page 33).

For manual takeoff, set the Aero to auto mode aftertakeoff to initiate the mission 

in flight.

Monitoring

Monitor the Aero closely during the mission using your line of sight and the

Mission Planner Flight Data screen.

Actions

Mission Planner Flight Data: Attitude

1 Heading direction

2 Bank angle

3 Altitude (black) and rate of climb (blue bar)

4 Ground speed

Status

1

2

3

4

1 Ground station signal

2 GPStime

3 Currently 

enabled mode

1

2

3

4

5

6

4 Distance to current waypoint >

current waypoint number

5 GPSstatus

6 Battery status* 

Full battery: 16.8 V

Low battery failsafe: 13.8 V

1 Change waypoints or restart a mission

2 Change modes

3 Change altitude

Flight Map

1 Current heading

1

2

3

1

2

3

4

5

6

4 Actual flight path

*Failsafe behavior enabled

! End your flight at 14 V! 2 Direct path to current waypoint

3 GPS-reported direction of travel

5 Latitude, longitude

6 Altitude

35
Failsafes

The Aero is programmed with a set of failsafe behaviors to prevent a crash in the event of a loss of 

one of the data or communication channels required for autonomous flight. Although certain failsafe 

have assigned LED indicators and tones, it is unlikely that you will be able to see these at a distance.

Monitor the Flight Data screen for failsafe indications. If a failsafe is triggered, the assigned behavior

will activate. To override the failsafe behavior (RTL in most cases), use the controller to regain manual

control.

Regaining Manual Control

To regain manual control during the mission, switch to fly-by-wire mode using the controller. If you’re

a confident operator, switch to stabilize mode. If you observe instability in the Aero’s flight behavior

or it the aircraft moves outside your designated safe flying area, switch to RTL. Turning off the

controller will automatically trigger an RTL and can be used in an emergency situation as a hard 

recall command.

RC Controller Signal Failsafe

Physical obstructions and interference from nearby wireless signals can affect the Aero’s connection with the RC controller.

If the Aero loses contact with the controller, it will return to the launch point automatically and 

enter into a circle pattern above the launch point, indicated by a blinking yellow status LED.

If the controller failsafe is triggered, wait for the Aero to return to the launch point, then regain 

manual control and either land or restart the mission.

Low Battery Failsafe

Environmental conditions can affect power consumption. Use the Mission Planner Flight Data 

display to monitor the voltage of the battery during flight.

If the battery reaches 13.8 V, the Aero will return automatically to circle above the launch point, 

indicated by a blinking yellow status LED and a quick repeating tone.

36
3 Process

On-Site Quality Check 38

Spot Check 38

Download Images 38

Download Log File 39

Pix4D Rapid Check 40

Full Processing 40

37
On-Site Quality Check

Before leaving the survey site, check the images using Pix4D to ensure sufficient quality for 

mapping by downloading the images from the SD card, downloading the log file from the 

Aero, and completing Rapid Check Initial Processing in Pix4D.

If you observe poor image quality or the quality report returns errors, see the Image Quality

Troubleshooting section on page 45 and repeat the mission.

Spot Check (Optional)

The quickest way to see the images after a flight is to unlock the SD card and restart the 

camera. The camera will load the default Canon programming and you can select the 

playback button to review the images.

Download Images

Unlock the SD card and load into your ground station. Select the DCIM folder and locate 

the folderfor your flight. Copy the files into a project folder on the ground station and 

delete them from the SD card.

playback button

SD card file structure: Download images

38
Download Log File

Pix4D uses the GPS data from the Aero’s log file to georeference the images. To download the Aero’s 

dataflash log, power the Aero and connect to Mission Planner. The download process will be faster if 

you connect the micro-USB cable directly to Pixhawk’s micro-USB port instead of connecting using 

the ground station radio. (When connecting directly to the Aero, set the rate to 115200.)

On the Flight Plan screen, select the DataFlash Logs tab under the heads-up 

display, and select Download DataFlash Log over Mavlink.

Mission Planner: Flight Data heads-up display

Mission Planner: Download Logs Program Files: Retrieve log file

The Log window shows the Aero’s recent flights. Select the flight for your 

mission, and select Download These Logs. This will save the log file to your 

computer in the location displayed under the list of flights.

To retrieve the log file, access your computer’s file structure under Program Files/Mission Planner/logs/ 

PLANE, and select the .log file for the date of your flight.

39
Pix4Dmapper Rapid Check: Create Project

1

Open Pix4D Mapper, and create a new project.

2

Select Aerial Nadir as the project 

type.

3

After adding the images, select From File to add the geolocation data from the Aero’s log file. In the 

pop-up window, select 3D Robotics Flight Log as the file format, and upload the dataflash log file 

downloaded from Mission Planner.

Pix4Dmapper Rapid Check: Initial Processing

After creating the project, select the Local Processing screen (Process menu). Check the 

option for Initial Processing and Rapid Check. Uncheck all other local processing options, and 

select Start.

Pix4D will generate a Quality Report that will indicate if the images are of sufficient quality to 

create a map.

Full Processing

To complete full processing for the map, visit support.pix4d.com for instructions.

40
Appendix

Aerial Imaging Concepts 42

3DR EAI 43

Image Quality Troubleshooting 45

Operational Troubleshooting 46

41
Aerial Imaging Concepts

Understanding key concepts in aerial images can help you understand the mission planning process and create better maps.

Distance-Based Imaging

By default, the camera captures only the images required to create the map. The Pixhawk monitors the distance traveled by the aircraft and sends a 

command to the camera to capture an image at the distance interval specified by the camera trigger distance parameter (CAM_TRIGG_DIST). This 

parameter is set by the Mission Planner Survey tool during survey configuration by calculating the minimum distance between images based on the 

parameters specified for the survey (altitude, overlap, sidelap). This distance-based imaging allows for more precise data collection, resulting in less 

images and data storage cost. Once configured, the Survey tool creates an event at the start of the mission script (after takeoff) to set the camera 

trigger distance to the specified interval and an event at the end of the mission (before landing) to reset the camera trigger distance to 0.

Time-Based Imaging

The camera is also equipped to capture images at a consistent time interval instead of using distance. This function can be useful if you want to 

capture images over an area without planning a mission. This time-based imaging results in more images per area, and therefore more processing 

time and storage cost. See the Trigger Type options on page xx to enable time-based imaging.

Overlap and Sidelap

To capture images for the map, the aircraft flies a lawnmower-like pattern in strips across the survey site. The front-to-back overlap between 

sequential images is called overlap; the side overlaps of adjacent pictures in different strips is called sidelap. The overlap and sidelap parameters 

in the Survey tool (see Advanced Options page xx) determine the distance between images and the number of images to be captured based on 

the projected ground area that each image will cover, called a footprint. Increasing overlap and sidelap improves the accuracy of the map while 

increasing flight time and processing time.

In the Survey tool, Distance between Images shows the specified 

camera trigger distance that will be assigned to the mission. 

You can also see the projected image footprint size and the 

total number of images to be captured.

Default overlap: 50% 

Default sidelap: 60%

42
3DR EAI

3DR EAI is based on KAP UAV Exposure Control Script v3.1: a great open-source project for kite and

UAV aerial photography.

Start and Stop Script

Ensure the camera is set to P (program) mode before powering the camera. Upon startup, 3DR EAI

starts automatically and listens for commands from the autopilot, indicated by waiting for USB signal.

To stop (and re-start) the script, press the shutter button. The script will display INTERRUPTED when 

stopped.

Script Menu

The script menu allows you to change the parameters associated with the script itself, including 

changing the trigger mode and adjusting exposure. To open the script menu, stop the script and 

select the FUNC. SET button. These parameters are configured for the S100 and do not require 

adjustment as part of standard operation.

Script start: waiting on USB signal Script menu

Trigger Type

This parameter allows you to control how the camera captures images. Trigger type defaults to USB 

for distance-based imaging during mapping missions. For time-based imaging, select Interval and 

specify the length in the Shot Interval parameter.

Trigger Type default: USB (mapping)

Variable intervalometer: Interval (default to 2 seconds, specified by Shot Interval)

Script stopped: INTERRUPTED FINISHED

CHDK Menu

The CHDK menu contains all the standard options provided with CHDK. To access the CHDK menu, 

stop the script and select the MENU button.

Script menu: Trigger Type

Memory Reset

If the battery is left out of the camera for too long, the camera will reset its memory. To re-configure 

the camera in this case, visit 3DR.com/Aero-M for instructions.

CHDK menu

Online Resources and Information

Visit 3DR.com/Aero-M for links to updates, more information about KAP UAV, and full CHDK

instructions.

43
Image Quality Troubleshooting

If you observe poor image quality during the spot check or if you receive error 

messages during processing, use the settings below to troubleshoot the image quality.

Blurry Images

To correct motion blur, adjust the shutter speed using the Target Tv parameter in the script menu.

Target Tv (shutter speed) default: 1/1250

To correct moderate motion blur: Set to 1/1600. 

To correct severe motion blur: Set to 1/2000.

Overexposure

If the images are overexposed but do not show any motion blur, it can be due to flying in extremely 

bright conditions. To correct this, set the Allow use of ND filter parameter to YES in the script menu.

Allow use of ND filter default: No

To correct overexposure: Set to Yes.

Example image: motion blur Script menu: Target Tv

Example image: overexposure Script menu: ND Filter

Processing Errors

If you receive errors from Pix4Dmapper regarding the images, dataset, or matching points, increase 

the overlap and sidelap during survey configuration to improve the quality of the image set.

Overlap default: 50% 

Sidelap default: 60%

To improve processing: Set overlap to 60% and sidelap to 70%.

Mission Planner Survey tool Advanced Grid Options: Overlap and Sidelap

44
Operational Troubleshooting

No Images Captured

1 If the camera did not capture any images during the mission, first perform a 

physical inspection on the Aero.

Is the mini-USB cable connected to the camera’s USB port?

2 Take a distance-triggered test image on the ground by manually setting 

the camera trigger distance parameter to 1 m.

Power the aircraft and connect to Mission Planner. Select Config/Tuning and 

Full Parameter List. Change the CAM_TRIGG_DIST parameter to 1, and select 

Write Params. Now carry the Aero for a few meters to see if the autopilot 

triggers the camera.

Camera (side)

Are the AUX OUT 6 pins connected on Pixhawk?

AUX OUT 6: black (-), red (+), white (s)

Pixhawk (side)

Is the camera battery charged? Unlock the SD card to view the Canon’s 

battery level indicator.

Mission Planner Full Parameter List: Set CAM_TRIGG_DIST to 1.

Camera with SD card unlocked, running Canon software

45
3DR Aero-M Specifications

v3

Autopilot: 3DR Pixhawk V2.4.5

Firmware: ArduPlane 3.1.1

GPS: 3DR u-blox GPS with Compass (LEA-6H module, 5 Hz update) 

Telemetry radio: 3DR Radio v2 (915 mHz or 433 mHz)

Motors: Tiger Motor AT2820-7 830 kV 

Frame: Fixed wing

Propellers: Gemfan 11x7

Battery: 4S 6000 mAh 35C lithium polymer

Aircraft weight (with battery): 6.8 lbs (3 kg)

Aircraft dimensions: 74 in (188 cm) wingspan, 51 in (129 cm) length

Case dimensions: 60.75 in x 14.5 in x 15.5 in (154 cm x 37 cm x 39 cm)

Payload capacity: 1.1 lbs (500 g) 

Radio range: .6 miles* (1 km) 

Flight time: 40 min* 

Maximum operational wind speed: 25 mph (11 m/s)

Landing accuracy: 6.5 ft latitude x 131 ft longitude (2 m x 40 m) 

Recommended flight speed: 33 mph (15 m/s)

Camera: Canon SX260 12.1 megapixel

Camera software: 3DR EAI 1.0

Area coverage (single flight): 250 acres* (1 km2) 

Orthomosaic accuracy: 3-16 ft (1-5 m)

Ground sampling distance: 2 inches per pixel* (5 cm per pixel)

Image processing software: Pix4Dmapper LT 3DR Edition (Windows only)

*Figures reflect estimated values at ideal operating conditions. Environmental conditions 

can affect flight time, range, area coverage, and ground sampling distance.
1

3 4

2

5 6

Aero Flight Checklist

Preflight

Go outside to an open area, 

and inspect aircraft.

» Wings and tail attached

» Tail boom secured

» Servos and rods secured

» Airspeed sensor secured

» Propeller tight

» Transmitter on

Connect

charged battery.

» Hold aircraft still 

while powering on.

» Secure lid.

» Check for balanced 

center of gravity.

Check LED for blinking 

blue (no GPS) or blinking 

green (GPS locked).

GXPS

Press and hold 

safety button until 

solid red.

GPS

Check manual 

controls.

» Throttle

» Pitch up and down

» Roll left and right

» Yaw left and right

Check autopilot 

stabilization.

» Pitch up and down

» Roll left and right

LED Initializing, please wait

Autopilot ready, no GPS

Autopilot ready, GPS locked

Armed, ready to fly

Loss of RC signal, automatic return to launch

System error, see troubleshooting guide

Safety Button

Inactive

Active, press and hold button to deactivate
1

Flight Control

RC mode 2 only

motor on

motor off

pitch down

pitch up

yaw left

yaw right

roll left

roll right

Flight Modes

Spektrum FlySky

With GEAR/MIX set to MIX, 

set FLAP/GYRO to:

0 for AUTONOMOUS

1 for FLY BY WIRE

2 for RETURN TO LAUNCH

With GEAR/MIX set to GEAR, 

set FLAP/GYRO to:

0 for MANUAL

1 for STABILIZE

2 for LOITER

With AIL D/R set to 0, 

set F MODE to:

N for RETURN TO LAUNCH

1 for FLY BY WIRE

2 for AUTONOMOUS

With AIL D/R set to 1, 

set F MODE to:

N for LOITER

1 for STABILIZE

2 for MANUAL

Postflight

Press and hold safety button 

until blinking red.

2 Disconnect battery.

3 Power off transmitter.

For customer support, contact us at help@3DR.com

or call our support line at +1 (858) 225-1414

Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm, PST.

3DR.com/rtf-aero | plane.ardupilot.com

V.B DCT0034 ©2014 3D Robotics. All rights reserved.
Safety

Drone safety information for planes and 

copters

Drones can be hazardous if operated incorrectly. If you are new to drones, we

recommend learning on a mini-drone to learn the ropes first. Make safety your first 

priority, and always follow these best practices.

Handling

Spinning propellers can cause serious injury. Become familiar with your drone’s

arming procedure, and always disarm before handling the propellers. On 3DR RTF 

(ready-to-fly) and other Pixhawk-powered vehicles, the safety button provides an

additional safety measure by blocking power to the motors while the button is 

disabled (blinking red), allowing you to handle the drone safely.

When flying, always make sure to keep a safe distance between yourself and the

drone. Don’t take off with the drone facing towards you or fly directly over your head. 

It is your job to ensure the safety of the people around you; make sure that spectators

maintain a safe distance from your drone at all times.

Visual Line of Sight
Maintaining visual contact with your aircraft is the best assurance of a safe flight. 

Don’t let the drone get too far away from you; keep it where you can easily see its 

orientation from the ground. This is called your visual line of sight and prevents a 

situation where you cannot recover the drone safely.

Flying within visual line of sight is also a good way to ensure that your radio signals

(from the RC and telemetry radio systems) aren’t blocked by buildings or other

obstructions. If you can’t see through it, it’s likely that your radio signal can’t either.

Under 400 Feet

Keep your drone flying below 400 feet (120 meters) altitude to avoid conflict with

full-scale, manned aircraft and maintain visual line of sight. To give you an idea of 

how high that is, the Statue of Liberty is 300 feet (93 meters) tall.

100 Feet from People, Vehicles, and Property

Always maintain at least 100 feet (30 meters) between your drone and people,

vehicles, and buildings. This rule is important for flying near crowds, buildings, and 

roads due to potential hazards from unplanned landings.

5 Miles from Airports
To prevent conflict between your drone and manned aircraft, always fly at least five 

miles (eight kilometers) away from all airports and other locations where manned

aircraft are in use. Research your area to find all areas of restricted airspace near you.

Failsafes

A failsafe is a pre-programmed behavior designed to prevent a crash in the event of an 

unsafe situation. All ArduCopter vehicles include a GPS failsafe activated by default.

3DR RTF copters are also preset with radio control (RC) and low battery failsafe 

behaviors.

Loss of GPS signal

If the drone looses GPS signal in a flight mode that requires GPS (loiter, auto, returnto-launch, guided), it will land automatically, indicated by a blinking blue and yellow 

status LED and a high-high-high-low tone. Always fly outside in an open area to

improve GPS signal strength.

Loss of RC signal

If the drone looses contact with the RC transmitter, it will land automatically,

indicated by a blinking yellow status LED. If it looses RC signal during a mission, it 

will return to the launch point before landing.
Low battery

If the battery reaches 25% charge, the drone will land automatically, indicated by a

blinking yellow status LED and a quick repeating tone. If the battery runs low during 

a mission, the drone will return to the launch point before landing.

Common sense

Your common sense is the best failsafe. Always be ready to regain manual control of

the drone in the event of an unsafe situation. Before you fly, determine the boundaries 

of your safe flying area. If the drone moves outside the designated area or exhibits

instability in flight, switch to stabilize mode and land the drone manually. Remember 

that, despite specific regulations, flying recklessly or creating an unsafe situation for

the public is always illegal. As the operator, you take responsibility for the behavior 

of your drone at all times.

Visit Know Before you Fly for more information about drone safety. Please fly with 

adult supervision if you are under 18 years of age. In Canada, visit Transport

Canada for your local regulations.
APPENDIX C 

Sample Flight Log
Mountain Aviation, Inc. – UAS Flight Log

DATE UAS BATTERY FLIGHT AREA FLIGHT TIME NOTES (Client, Purpose of flight, etc.)
APPENDIX D 

Sample Battery Log
Mountain Aviation, Inc. – UAS Battery Log

DATE BATTERY FLIGHT TIME NOTES (Charge Time, etc.)
APPENDIX E 

Sample Maintenance Log
Mountain Aviation, Inc. – UAS Maintenance Log

DATE UAS ITEM (Motors, ESC, etc.) NOTES (maintenance performed, etc.)
APPENDIX F 

OpenPilot Preflight Checklist
ENVIRONMENTAL::

□ Check for people, animals, property in the flight vicinity.

□ Notify any bystanders or nearby property owner of your intentions.

□ If flying FPV, discuss flight plan with your check‐pilot.

□ If flying in controlled airspace, notify airspace authority of your intentions.

□ First Aid / Safety Kit on hand, stocked, readily accessible, and visible to anyone in the area

HARDWARE / EQUIPMENT::

== VISUALLY INSPECT THE AIRFRAME ==

□ Cracks (especially in high stress areas like joints)

□ Loose or damaged screws / fasteners / bands / straps / ties

□ Loose or damaged wiring

□ Loose or damaged connections (solder, plugs, etc)

□ Inspect prop mounts & screws & apply slight counter pressure on arms to check for loosened construction

□ For FPV, inspect/clean FPV and/or Gopro camera lens and ensure that cameras are secured

□ Battery/batteries fully charged, properly seated & secured

□ Remove props and test fail‐safe behavior (if applicable)

□ Props are smooth and free of damage/defect (check blade, surface, & hub)

□ Tighten prop adapters (careful not to over tighten which may damage prop)

□ Ensure voltage alarm is connected

□ Ensure arming/idle timeout is properly configured (6‐15 seconds is generally acceptable)

□ Check whether the right model is selected in the transmitter (if applicable)

□ Check your RC transmitter shows the right range and centering for all sticks

□ If desired, perform range test

PRE‐FLIGHT::

== POWER UP ==

□ Batteries charged & secured

□ Position quad in a level, safe location for takeoff

□ For FPV, power up ground station, video receiver, goggles, etc

□ If using onboard video recorder (i.e., Gopro), turn on camera

□ All transmitter controls move freely in all directions

□ All transmitter trims in its neutral position

□ All transmitter switches in correct position (typically away)

□ Transmitter throttle to zero

□ Radio transmitter on

□ Connect/power on battery to airframe

□ Ensure led indicators & audible tones are all correct

□ Timer on (if applicable)

□ For FPV, check video in goggles

□ Scan for nearby people or animals

□ Stand clear ‐ audibly, loudly announce the word "CLEAR!"

□ Arm flight controller

== PRE TAKEOFF ==

□ Increase throttle slightly listening for any abnormalities

□ Short 20‐30 second hover at 3‐5 feet

(listen for any weird vibrations or anything that sounds loose)

Version 1.1
APPENDIX G 

Flight Safety Procedures
Mountain Aviation, Inc. UAS

Flight Safety Procedures

Pre‐Flight Safety

□ Pre‐Flight Safety Briefing  Make sure all participating crew members understand their assignments 

and crew stations  cordon off Flight Perimeter and clear of all non‐participating persons

□ Designate Take off / Landing Area  Area clear of all non‐participating persons and clear of all hazards

 Area marked off

□ Complete UAS Preflight Checklists  OpenPilot Checklist

□ Confirm all Approvals are in place BEFORE flight begins

Flight Safety

□ PIC maintain constant visual contact with the UAS and monitor flight systems

□ VO maintain constant visual contact with UAS and monitor surrounding airspace and operations 

perimeter for other air traffic and ground hazards

□ PIC and VO maintain constant verbal communication

Post Flight Procedures

□ Turn off power to UAS

□ Turn off power to ground station

□ Disconnect UAS battery to prevent accidental activation

□ Inspect UAS for any damage / unusual wear‐and‐tear  log in Maintenance Log if necessary

□ Secure the UAS

□ Complete Battery and Flight Logs

□ Remove all warning signs/markersfrom operations perimeter

□ Make all necessary improvements/repairs

□ Flight Debriefing  any changes necessary to process / documents / safety procedures / etc.?

Emergency or Suspected Hazard

Immediately land UAS at safest and closet ground location in the event of:

□ ANY Hardware or System Failure

□ ANY System Warnings

□ Low‐flying manned aircraft Seen or Heard in the vicinity of UAS operation

□ Public gathering within establish safety perimeter

□ Too many distractions affecting the PIC or VO

□ Sudden weather change (wind bursts, rain, fog, etc.)

□ Sudden increase of vehicular traffic in vicinity of UAS operation

□ Birds flying into flight perimeter

□ Any other unsafe event / condition that has the potential to cause collision, distraction, or interruption 

of safe flight operations

THE PIC ALWAYS HAS THE DUTY TO CANCEL ANY FLIGHT IN THE EVENT OF ANY SAFETY RELATED ISSUE