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Stingray	Flight Manual
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Table of Contents

1. Legal 3

2. Stingray Overview 5

3. Operations 6

4. Fly 12

5. Failsafes 14

6. Process 15

7. Appendix 17

8. Stingray Spec Sheet 20
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Applicable Regulations

Bushnell Aviation, LLC products are subject to Civil Aviation regulations. 

Regulations may vary depending on the country where you intend to operate 

your product.

 ANY USE OF BUSHNELL AVIATION, LLC PRODUCTS IN BREACH OF 

THE LAW OF THE COUNTRY WHERE YOU OPERATE THE PRODUCT

IS UNDER YOUR SOLE RESPONSIBILITY.

 INFORM YOURSELF BEFORE USING THE PRODUCT. SOME 

COUNTRIES MAY HAVE LAWS THAT LIMIT THE USE OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT TO 'LINE-OF-SIGHT' OPERATIONS AND/OR 

PROHIBIT THE USE OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT AT ALL OR IN 

SPECIFIC AREAS.

Privacy

Recording and circulating an image of an individual may constitute an 

infringement of their image and privacy for which you can be liable. Ask for 

authorization before taking pictures of an individual, particularly if you want to 

keep your recordings and/or circulate images on the Web or any other medium. 

Do not circulate degrading images or ones that could undermine the reputation or 

dignity of an individual. Check that your use of the cameras on board Bushnell 

Aviation, LLC products comply with the legal provision on privacy in the country 

where you operate your product.

Limited Warranty

Bushnell Aviation, LLC warrants that the product will be free from defects in 

material and workmanship for a period of three (3) months from the date of 

delivery. Bushnell Aviation, LLC further warrants that the product will perform 

substantially in accordance with its specification. During the warranty period 

Bushnell Aviation LLC's sole liability shall be at Bushnell Aviation LLC's

sole option, either to repair or to replace the defective product with another 

product or a product with similar specifications, at no charge, or to reimburse the 

purchase price of the product, or if repair or replacement is not possible,

issue a credit note; provided however, that the defect has been confirmed by 

Bushnell Aviation, LLC and that the defective product is returned to Bushnell 

Aviation, LLC in accordance with the support and repair form together with all 

required flight logfiles.

Warranty does not apply, without limitation, in case: a) the products are not 

stored and used according to their specifications, b) the products are damaged 

due to carelessness, negligence, or wrong use by the user, and c) for defects 
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due to normal wear and tear including, but not limited to, deterioration to the 

airframe after first flight, normal degradation, misuse, moisture or liquids, 

proximity or exposure to heat, accidents, excessive strain, abuse, neglect, 

misapplication, repairs or modifications made by third party other than Bushnell 

Aviation, LLC, damage due to manual operation, damage due to take-off or 

landing location with obstacles, damage due to low altitude flight, damage due

to loss of data radio connection, damage due to strong wind, rain or humidity, or 

other causes for which Bushnell Aviation, LLC has no control.

THE FOREGOING WARRANTIES ARE IN LIEU OF ALL WARRANTIES, 

EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY 

IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A 

PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND OF ANY OTHER OBLIGATION ON THE PART 

OF BUSHNELL AVIATION, LLC.

Limitation of liability

TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT WILL 

BUSHNELL AVIATION, LLC BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OF REVENUE, 

LOSS OF PROFIT, LOSS OF DATA, OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, 

INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF BUSHNELL 

AVIATION, LLC HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH 

DAMAGES, AND WHETHER THIS LIABILITY ARISES FROM A CLAIM 

BASED ON CONTRACT, WARRANTY, TORT OR OTHERWISE, WITH 

THE EXCEPTION OF GROSS NEGLIGENCE AND DEATH. YOU SHALL 

AT ALL TIMES OPERATE THE PRODUCT IN AREAS OR UNDER 

CIRCUMSTANCES SO AS TO GUARANTY SECURITY AND SAFETY OF 

PEOPLE, PROPERTY AND ANIMALS.
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STINGRAY OVERVIEW

The Stingray is an autonomous flying sUAS comprised of the following 

components:

• Airframe: Made primarily of carbon fiber, Kevlar, and Nomex Honeycomb

• Winglets: Corrugated Plastic for stability.

• Elevons: Primary, and only, control surfaces.

• Servo rods: Actuate the elevons using servos

• Propeller: Used to generate thrust while it is in flight.

Caution: When attached to the motor the propeller spins at high

speeds and can be potentially dangerous if it comes into contact with

exposed skin. Be sure to always keep your hands clear of the 

propeller when the battery is attached to the Stingray.

 Battery: The Stingray is powered by a LiPo (Lithium Polymer) battery.

Caution: Proper care of your battery is essential. Keep out of high 

temperatures when in use and when in storage. Do not alter, mutilate, 

puncture the battery

 Pitot probe: This is the sensor used by the Stingray to detect airspeed, wind 

and altitude. It must be kept clean and clear of obstructions to function properly.
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Operations

The Stingray uses the 3DR Pixhawk for all navigation, autopilot, and safety 

integration. Refer to the Pixhawk manual for operation.

Manual Mode

In manual mode, the Stingray will be operated using the supplied radio controller. 

Return to Home will be programmed on switch 2.

Ground Station Setup 

Mission Planner allows you to turn a Windows laptop into a full-featured ground station for con guring and monitoring autonomous 

missions. You will need to take this laptop into the eld when you y 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 eld. 

Download Software 

Mission Planner 

Mission Planner is a full-featured ground station application for planning missions and monitoring the Stingray in ight. 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. 

Connect to Radio 

To connect the Stingray to Mission Planner, connect to the laptop, and power the Stingray. 

1 Connect the ground station radio to your laptop using the micro-USB cable. Open Mission Planner. 

2 Select 57600 and AUTO, then select CONNECT. (When connecting directly to Pixhawk’s micro-USB port, set the rate to 115200.) 

3 Select Flight Data to view live data from the Stingray. 

Controls 

Fly manually using the RC controller. 

Move the left stick forward and backward to control the motor.

Move the left stick horizontally to turn left and right using the rudder. Move the right stick up to pitch down and down to pitch up.

Move the right stick left and right to control the bank angle. 
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Modes 

Fly an autonomous mission. This is the mode that the Stingray will use to fly via the map. 

Fly by Wire - assisted manual control

Let the autopilot manage the control surfaces, and navigate based on where you want the Stingray 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 Stingray 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 Stingray 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 Stingray 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: 

With GEAR/MIX set to MIX, set FLAP/GYRO to: 

0 for Manual 1 for Stabilize 2 for Loiter 

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) 

Arming & Disarming 

Arming and disarming are important steps that must be completed before takeoff and after landing to activate and deactivate the 

motor, respectively. The arming and disarming procedure ensures you can safely start and stop the motor without risk of injury. The 

Stingrays motor can spin while armed! Do not place your hands in the way of the propeller while the safety button is active (solid red).

Before arming, check the status LED. The LED will flash blue while the Stingray acquires GPS; this can take a few minutes. Once 

you see the green LED, the autopilot has acquired GPS lock. 

Initializing, please wait. Acquiring GPS lock, please wait. Autopilot ready, GPS locked 
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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. 

LED Indicators 

Please reference the Pixhawk quick guide.

Tones 

Visit 3DR.com/Stingray-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 Stingray 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 Stingray is located at a suitable launch 

point when powered, and the autopilot acquires GPS lock before takeoff, indicated by a blinking green status LED. 

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. 

Examine the Stingray to ensure that all components are secured in flight configuration. 

 » Check that the elevons, hatches, and winglets 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 clasps. 

 » Check that the airspeed sensor is secured to the side of the Stingray and the tube is free from obstructions. 

With the battery connected and the lid secured, check that the Stingray is correctly balanced for flight. Hold the Stingray with one 

finger 1/3 behind nose. That point indicates the Stingray’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.

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. 

Preflight Checks: Manual Control Check 

Before flying, power and arm the Stingray 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. 

Raise the throttle slightly until the motor spins, then immediately set the throttle back to fully down position. Do not raise the throttle 

more than just enough to spin the propeller while the plane is on the ground, and do not place any body part in the way of the propeller 

while the motor is armed.
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Roll left 

Left Stick 

Left elevon tilts up, right elevon tilts down. 

Roll right

Right Stick

Left elevon tilts down, right elevon tilts up. 

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. 

Test: Tilt the plane left. 

Result: Left elevon tilts down, right elevon tilts up. 

Test: Tilt the plane right. 

Result: Left elevon tilts up, right elevon tilts down. 

Test: Tilt the plane down. Result: Elevator tilts up. 

Test: Tilt the plane up. Result: Elevator tilts down. 

Automatic Takeoff 

Auto-takeoff works by sensing the movement of the plane and launching it in that direction. Set the Stingray 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 Stingray in one 

hand under the center of gravity. Be careful not to place your hand in the way of the propeller!

Hold the Stingray above your head, run, and throw the plane at an upwards angle. The Stingray will sense the throw, power the motor, 

and climb to the altitude specified by the takeoff waypoint before starting the survey mission. 

Manual Takeoff 

Auto-takeoff works by sensing the movement of the plane and launching it in that direction. Set the Stingray 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 Stingray in one 

hand under the center of gravity. Be careful not to place your hand in the way of the propeller!

Use the landing gear provided or on the launch rail, if purchased. 

Hold the Stingray above your head, run, and throw the plane at an upwards angle. The Stingray will sense the throw, power the motor, 

and climb to the altitude specified by the takeoff waypoint before starting the survey mission. 
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If you’re new to planes, we recommend having a friend help you launch the Stingray. Have your friend throw the Stingray while you 

control the controller. 

We recommend setting the Stingray 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 Stingray 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 Stingray above your head, run, and throw the plane at an upwards angle. 

Once launched, the Stingray 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. 

DO NOT WIND UP YOUR THROW; if the Stingray senses any backwards momentum it will launch in that direction. Use only 

forward momentum to throw the Stingray!

Automatic takeoff requires you to configure the takeoff angle during mission planning.

Automatic Landing 

To land automatically at the end of the mission, the Stingray requires the mission to be configured with a specific pattern of landing 

waypoints that gradually decreases the altitude so that the Stingray can land safely. For instructions on configuring automatic landing, 

Manual Landing 

To land automatically at the end of the mission, the Stingray requires the mission to be configured with a specific pattern of landing 

waypoints that gradually decreases the altitude so that the Stingray can land safely.

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 full 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 Stingray on the landing skids of the plane instead of the 

nose.

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 
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 » 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. 

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. 

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. 

Save and Write Mission 

For the Stingray 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 Stingray. 
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Fly

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. 

Propeller 

Spinning propellers can cause serious injury. The safety button indicates the status of the motor to help you prevent hazardous contact 

with the Stingray’s high-speed propeller. 

Before you fly, determine the boundaries of your safe flying area. Flying 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. 

When the Stingray 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. 

The Stingray 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 

Always fly below 400 ft (120 m) and within your visual line of sight. Don’t let the Stingray 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 

Always fly at least 100 feet (30 m) away from people, vehicles, and buildings. Make the safety of people and a priority!

FPV System Operation 

If you selected to receive an optional FPV/OSD system, the components are pre-installed into the Stingray to transmit on-board video. 

Parts

AV receiver Antenna Receiver cables 

Batteries (2) 

Transmitter Battery connector 

Camera 
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1 Charge battery 

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. 

2 Wire and power receiver 

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 

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!

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). 

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. 

 » Stingray 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 Stingray. 

Initiating 

For automatic takeoff, set the Stingray to auto mode and launch according to the instructions in the Automatic Takeoff section of these 

instructions. 

For manual takeoff, set the Stingray to auto mode after takeoff to initiate the mission in flight. 

Monitoring 

Monitor the Stingray closely during the mission using your line of sight and the Mission Planner Flight Data screen. 

End your flight at 14V!
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Failsafes 

The Stingray 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 y-by-wire mode using the controller. If you’re a con dent operator, switch to 

stabilize mode. If you observe instability in the Stingray’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 Stingray’s connection with the RC controller. 

If the Stingray 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 Stingray 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 Stingray will return automatically to circle above the launch point, indicated by a blinking yellow 

status LED and a quick repeating tone. 
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Process 

On-Site Quality Check 

Before leaving the survey site, check the images using Pix4D or comparable software to ensure sufficient quality for mapping by 

downloading the images from the SD card, downloading the log file from the Stingray, 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 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 folder for your flight. Copy the files into 

a project folder on the ground station and delete them from the SD card. 

Download Log File 

Pix4D uses the GPS data from the Stingray’s log file to geo-reference the images. To download the Stingray’s data ash log, power the 

Stingray 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 Stingray, 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 

The Log window shows the Stingray’s recent flights. Select the flight for your mission, and select Download These Logs. This will 

save the log le to your computer in the location displayed under the list of flights. 

To retrieve the log le, access your computer’s le structure under Program Files/Mission Planner/logs/ PLANE, and select the .log le 

for the date of your flight. 

Pix4Dmapper Rapid Check: Create Project 

Open Pix4D Mapper, and create a new project. Select Aerial Nadir as the project type. 

After adding the images, select From File to add the geo-location data from the Stingray’s log le. In the pop-up window, select 3D 

Robotics Flight Log as the le format, and upload the data ash log le downloaded from Mission Planner. 
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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. 
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Appendix 

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 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% 

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 con gured for the 

S100 and do not require adjustment as part of standard operation. 
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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) 

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. 

Memory Reset 

If the battery is left out of the camera for too long, the camera will reset its memory. 

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: To correct moderate motion blur: To correct severe motion blur: 

Overexposure 

1/1250

Set to 1/1600. Set to 1/2000. 

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. 

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: Sidelap default:

To improve processing: 

50%

60%

Set overlap to 60% and sidelap to 70%. 
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Operational Troubleshooting 

No Images Captured 

1 If the camera did not capture any images during the mission, first perform a physical inspection on the 

Stingray. 

Is the mini-USB cable connected to the camera’s USB port? 

Are the AUX OUT 6 pins connected on Pixhawk?

AUX OUT 6: black (-), red (+), white (s) 

Is the camera battery charged? Unlock the SD card to view the Canon’s battery level indicator. 

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 Con g/Tuning and Full Parameter List. Change 

the CAM_TRIGG_DIST parameter to 1, and select Write Params. Now carry the Stingray for a few meters 

to see if the autopilot triggers the camera. 
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STINGRAY	SPEC	SHEET

Characteristics

Wing	Span 5.4ft	(1.7m)

Length 2.1ft	(.6m)

MGTOW 9	lbs

Payload 4	lbs

Motor 25	Amp, 1500	KV, Brushless

Battery 2x	9000mA-h	LiPo

Datalink Circular	Polarized	433	UHF

Auto-tracking

Performance

Endurance 45-90	Min	(varied	based	on	configuration)

Ceiling >8,000ft

Speed 90MPH	(145KMH)

Telemetry Airspeed,	GPS,	Altitude,	Compass,	Voltage

Telemetry	Range 10NM	(16KM)	Radius

Operating	Range Manual	- 10NM

Autopilot	- >25NM

Operation

Launch Rail	Launch

Recovery Kevlar	Skid	Belly	Landing

Wind <25kts

Precipitation Light

Ground	Control	Station

Computer Panasonic	Toughbook	CF-19	Rugged	Notebook	PC	or	Comparable

2GB	RAM

80GB	HD

10.3"	Touchscreen

Wireless	LAN	(802.11abg)

Windows	XP

Mission	Planner	Software	Included
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To create a map, the Stingray 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 Stingray’s operating parameters with the environmental factors at the survey site. 

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. 

Open Mission Planner, select Flight Plan, and zoom to your flying location. 

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 closer levels 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. 

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. 

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.

Select Flight Plan, and zoom to your mapping location. 

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. 

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/Stingray-M for updates. 

Configure Survey: Set Default Parameters 

The Survey tool allows you to configure a mapping mission according to the Stingray’s operating parameters and the current 

environmental conditions at the mapping location. First, set the default values for the Stingray. 

Set Camera 

Canon S100-S120 

Set Camera Orientation 

Uncheck the option for Camera top facing forward. 

Set Default Speed 
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15 m/s 

Apply Survey Speed 

Check the option for Use speed for this mission. If unchecked, the mission will use the Stingray’s default speed of 15 m/s regardless 

of the speed selected in the Survey Tool. 

Configure Survey: Set Angle 

Next configure the angle of the flight path for the current wind conditions. Adjust the angle so that the Stingray makes as few turns as 

possible to 

Set Angle 

Wind Direction 

In environments with winds of less than 6 m/s, set the angle so that the Stingray ies into the wind. In winds from 7-10 m/s, configure 

the flight path to travel perpendicular to the wind so the Stingray flies crosswind. 

# of Strips

Adjust the angle so that the Stingray makes as few turns as possible to complete its course. The # 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. 

Configure the flight path parallel with the wind in low winds (1-6 m/s). 

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. 

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. 

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. 
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Keep altitude below 120 m, and ensure that the altitude is appropriate for your flying area and local regulations. 

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 Stingray

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. 

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. 

Check Photo Interval 

Photo Every must be longer than 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. 

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. 
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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 Stingray will automatically climb to the survey altitude before heading to the rst waypoint. 

The Stingray 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 Stingray will return to circle over the launch point after 

completing the mission. 

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. 

Camera Con g 

Check Advanced Options to view the Survey Tool’s advanced configuration options. 

Select Grid Options 

Set OverShoot 

The Stingray 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 Stingray 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 Stingray’s maximum flight time of 40 

minutes. 

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. 

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. 

The options under the Camera Con g tab allow you to configure a camera other than the S100 and won’t be used for operating the 

Stingray. 

Configure Survey: Accept Survey 

Before accepting the survey, verify that the mission complies with the Stingray’s operating parameters. 
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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 

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 Stingray’s operating limits or FAA regulations.