Xact	Sense	– MAX-8

Utility	Remote	Piloted	Aircraft

XS-MAX8-PXHK	V1.2

Aircraft	Manual

Pixhawk	Flight	Controller	Version
PLEASE READ BELOW BEFORE CONTINUING TO VIEW THIS MANUAL

The XactSense MAX-8 is a high powered multirotor helicopter 

capable of lifting cameras and other payloads with manual RC 

flight as well as waypoint autonomous flight. This is a powerful 

machine and should not be perceived or used as anything but a 

serious tool. The aircraft should be maintained and all 

processes within this document should be followed to avoid 

danger to the aircraft or possible injury to the operator or 

people in proximity to the aircraft. Please Follow strict PreFlight procedures and ensure the aircraft is in perfect working

order before attempting flight.
CONTENTS:

1: The Aircraft

1.a MAX-8 Specifications

1.b Aircraft Overview

1.c Electrical Components

2: The Radio Control Transmitter

2.a Controller Overview 

2.b Flight Mode Switches

3: Ground Station

3.a Ground Station Software

3.b Wireless Telemetry Radios

3.c computer drivers for telemetry radio

4: Operation

4.a Flying the MAX-8

4.b Stick Inputs

4.c Flight Modes

4.d LED codes

4.e FLIGHT !

5: Flight Safety
1: The Aircraft

1a.	MAX-8	Specifications
1.b Aircraft Overview

1.c Electrical Components
2 The Radio Control Transmitter

2.a	Controller	Overview

Below	is	a	diagram	of	the	Spektrum	DX-8	Radio	Control	Transmitter.	A	full	manual	

for	the	controller	will	be	provided	so	this	manual	will	only	review	aspects	of	the	

controller	that	are	relevant	to	flying	the	XactSense	MAX-8.
2.b	Flight	Mode	Switches

Beyond	general	flight	control	inputs	of	the	aircraft.	The	most	important	function	of	

the	RC	transmitter	is	the	Flight	Mode	Switch.	This	allows	the	operator	to	switch	

between	normal	stabilized flight modes	to	a	variety	of	auto	flight	modes	reviewed	in	

the	operation	portion	of	this	manual.	(section	4.c)

3 Ground	Station	Software

3.a	Ground	Station	Software	Overview

The	ground	station	software	for	the	MAX-8	called	“Mission	Planner”	is	open	source	

software	derived	from	the	ardupilot	open	source	autopilot	project.
Mission	Planner	also	performs	these	functions:

- Upgrading firmware

- Installing and	setting	up	additional	add-on	hardware

- Waypoint	Mission	planning

- Real	time	monitoring	of	flight	conditions

- Log	data	download	and	review

- Camera	shutter	functions	(if	photogrammetry	payload	installed)

Mission	Planner	is	a	free	download	from	here:

http://ardupilot.com/wp-content/plugins/downloadmonitor/download.php?id=82

A	full	explanation	on	the	functions	and	use	of	the	ground	control	software	can	be	

found	here:

http://planner.ardupilot.com/

3.b	Wireless	Telemetry	Radios

Mission	Planner	allows	for	initial	setup	of	the	aircraft	parameters	but	also	provides	

access	to	real	time	data	through	the	telemetry	radio	module	included	with	the	MAX8.

Instructions	on	connecting	the	radio	and	operating	can	be	found	here:		

http://copter.ardupilot.com/wiki/common-rfd900/

3.c	Computer Drivers	for	Telemetry	Radio

In	some	cases	the	drivers	included	in	the	mission	planner	software	may	not	install	

correctly	on	your	computer.

Drivers	for	the	FTDI	chip	allowing	USB	communication	to	the	telemetry	radio	can	be	

found	here:

http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm
4 Operation

4.a	Flying	the	MAX-8

The	first	step	to	successfully	flying	any	aircraft	is	to	become	comfortable	with	the	

aircraft	itself	and	the	controls necessary	to	fly	in	a	safe	and	responsible	manner. If	at	

any	point	the	aircraft	responds	in	a	different	manner	than	explained	in	this	manual	

please	contact	XactSense.

4.b Stick	Inputs



4.c	Flight	Mode	Switch

The	MAX-8	ships	with	these	settings	applied	to	the	flight	mode	switch:

UP:	Auto

CENTER:	Position	Hold

Down:	Stabilize

Stabilize: The	helicopter	will	remain	level	in	flight.	Stick	inputs	will	control	

the	helicopters	movements	only

Position	Hold: The	helicopter	will	maintain	position	and	height.	Stick	

inputs	will	still	override	the	position	hold,	and	once	released,	the	helicopter	

will	hold	at	the	new	position.	Throttle	at	center	will	maintain	height,	while	

throttle	at	higher	or	lower	will	climb	or	descend	respectively.

Auto: This	will	begin	to	perform	any	autonomous	mission	stored	in	the	

memory	on	the	flight	controller.

More	about	other	functions	that	can	be	applied	to	the	switch	can	be	found	here:

http://copter.ardupilot.com/wiki/flying-arducopter/flight-modes/
4.d FLIGHT!

Follow	this	procedure	to	fly the	helicopter	:

1:Power	on	the	RC	transmitter

2:	Ensure	the	flight	mode	switch	is	in	STABILIZE	mode	(down	if	set	to	stock	

parameters)

3:	Plug	in	the	flight	battery	on	the	helicopter

4:	Wait	for	startup	tones	to	finish

5:	Wait	for	aircraft	to	gain	GPS	Lock	(Status	LED	will	blink	Green)

6:	Depress	safety	switch	(motor	speed	controllers	will	emit	beeping)

7:	Stand	back	a	safe	distance	from	the	aircraft	with	the	nose	pointing	away	from	you

8:	Place	the	left	stick	to	lower	right	

- aircraft	will	beep	once	and	the	blades	will	begin	to	spin	slowly

- no	further	stick	imput	will	disarm	the	aircraft	in	5	seconds

- left	stick	in	the	lower	left	position	will	perform	DISARM	and	th	eblades	will	

stop

9:	Raise	throttle	slowly	until	helicopter	begins	to	lift	off.

10:	Raise	throttle	to	appropriate	position	to	lift	the	helicopter	quickly	to	eye	level	to	

avoid	ground	effect	and	blade	damage	from	airborne	debris	strike.

Follow	this	procedure	to	land the	helicopter	:

1:	Lower	the	helicopter	to	eye	level

2:		Place	the	helicopter	in	“stabilize	mode”	

3:	Lower	the	aircraft	slowly	until	only	a	few	inches	off	the	ground.

4:	Lower	the	throttle	completely	to	land	the	helicopter.

5:	Place	left	stick	in	lower	left	position	to	DISARM motors

NOTE:	The	DISARM	can	only	be	performed	with	flight	mode	switch	in	the	STABILIZE

position
5 Flight Safety
XS-MAX8-PXHK	V1.2

Aircraft	Manual

Pixhawk	Flight	Controller	Version