# ~ 

# ` i A LTA

# REVISION HISTORY

REVISIO N DATE DESC RIPTION
A July 2015 Initial Release
B August 2015 Revised section order. Added Allowable Gross Weight lable.

I

ALTA USER MANUAL PART NUMBER: 770-00042

# CONTENTS

2 Revision History 3 Contents

5 

### ALTA OVERVIEW 6 Disclaimer and Warning

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY 8 Introduction 9 Symbols, Abbreviations and Terminology 

### 12 Dimensions 

### 14 Included Items 

### 15 Specifications 

### 19 Limitations 

### 20 System Diagrams 

### 24 ALTA Mobile App 

### 24 Additional Required Components (not included)



### 25 SETTING UP ALTA 

### 26 Unfolding ALTA 

### 30 Radio Instatlation 

### 35 Radio Mapping 

### 40 Configuring Top or Bottom Mount 

### 42 Isolator Cartridges 

### 43 Battery Installation 

### 47 Compass Calibration 

### 49 Propellers 

### 51 First Person View (FPV) 

### 54 FPV On Screen Disptay Setup 

### 58 Tuning ALTA 

### 61 ALTA Ftight Parameters



### 64 OPERATING ALTA 

### 65 Flight Controtler Modes 

### 67 Home Switch

>~ ..._.,..:: I USER MANUAL 367 Arm Enable Switch 68 Status Light 70 Orientation Lights 71 ALTA App Monitor 72 Data Logging
73 

### NORMAL PROCEDURES 74 Unpacking and Setup 75 Before Starting 77 Before Takeoff 79 After Every Ftight 80 After Last Flight

81 

### EMERGENCYROCEDURES 82 Emergency Guidance 83 Pilot Disorientation 84 Unexpected Flight Controller Behavior 85 Battery Exhaustion 86 Status Light Warning Indicator Illuminates 87 Loss of Radio Control Signal 88 Loss of FPV Signal

89 

### PERFORMANCE 90 Weight / Endurance Performance Data 91 Allowable Gross Weight

92 

### MAINTAINING ALTA 93 General Information and Techniques 94 Maintenance Items 96 Replacement of Parts 97 Firmware Update Process

98 

### TROUBLESHOOTING

101 

### APPENDIX 102 Appendix A. Default Tuning Values 103 Appendix B. Data Logging Fields


### in A-LTA I USER MANUAL 4

### m AU'
- ?-. I USER MANUAL 5

# DISCLAIMER AND WARNING
IMPORTANT - Please read this disclaimer and warning carefully and review the ALTA User Manuat prior to flight. If you have any questions, please contact support(dfreeflysystems.com prior to using the ALTA. You can review the most current version of this User Manual at www.freeflysystems.com/software-manuaLs/. By using the ALTA, you acknowledge that you have read, understand and agree to this discLaimer. You agree that you are soleLy responsible for your_conduct while using the ALTA, and for any direct or indirect consequences that may result from its use. You agree to only use the ALTA for proper purposes that are in accordance with local and airspace rules and regulations. )> ALTA is not a toy and should be operated with extreme care, as improper operation can cause damage to property, serious personal injury or death. » As with any mutti-rotor heticopter, the ALTA is a complex and technical machine. Novice pilots should invest sufficient time on a flight simulator and seek training from an experienced pilot prior to operation. The ALTA User Manual and a flight simulator are no substitute for training with an experienced pilot, particularly when it comes to learning how to safely

~ operate the ALTA. Novice pilots should never fly without the supervision of

an experienced pitot. » Always check the ALTA and its components prior to operation. » Atways maintain a safe distance from the ALTA when in use. » Never attempt to touch the ALTA when the propellers are moving. » Never fly the ALTA over or around people, power lines or other aircraft. » Never fly with any propellers that have visible imperfections or damage. » Always keep children and animals a safe distance away from the ALTA when in use and when changing configurations. » Atways remove the propetlers or power ALTA using a low power source when making a change to the configuration of the ALTA to prevent propetler strikes in the event of unintentionat motor starts. » Always remove the configuration jumper when making changes to the configuration of the ALTA. » Atways test the ALTA with the propellers removed to make sure that the motors are spinning in the correct direction and that the motor assignment is correct with respect to the SYNAPSE flight controller. If you have either of these wrong, the ALTA will be uncontrollable and dangerous. » It is your responsibility to perform a futl system check of the ALTA prior to every flight.» It is your responsibility to learn how to safely operate the ALTA and to adhere to aLL appticable rutes and regulations. » Fly at your own risk.

~ ALV11 I USER MANUAL 6

# LIMITATION OF LIABILITY IN NO EVENT SHALL FREEFLY BE LIABLE TO BUYER FOR ANY INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THE ALTA OR FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS (HOWEVER CAUSED AND UNDER ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY); EVEN IF FREEFLY HAS BEEN ADVISED OFTHE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. IN NO EVENT SHALL FREEFLY"S LIABILITY FOR A PRODUCT (WHETHER ASSERTED AS A TORT CLAIM, A CONTRACT CLAIM OR OTHERWISE) EXCEED THE AMOUNTS PAID TO FREEFLY FOR SUCH PRODUCT. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN, IN NO EVENT SHALL FREEFLY'S LIABILITY FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT EXCEED THE AMOUNTS PAID BY BUYER TO FREEFLY FOR PRODUCT IN THE LAST TWELVE (121 MONTHS. IN NO EVENT WILL FREEFLY BE LIABLE FOR COSTS OF PROCUREMENT OR SUBSTITUTE GOODS BY BUYER. THE LIMITATIONS SET FORTH HEREIN SHALL APPLY TO ALL LIABILITIES THAT MAY ARISE OUT OF THIRD-PARTY CLAIMS AGAINST BUYER. THESE LIMITATIONS SHALL APPLY NOTWITHSTANDING ANY FAILURE OF ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OF ANY LIMITED REMEDY. Freefly shall not be tiable for damages or injuries incurred directly or indirectly from -. the use of the ALTA including, but not limited to, the fotlowing situations: ' » Failure of operator to fotlow proper instructions and safety warnings found at www.freeflysystems.com

. » Failure of the operator to follow onboard safety warnings while using the A LTA.» Failure of the operator to follow and comply with local rules and regulations. » Faiture of the operator to inspect the ALTA and its components prior to operation. » Failure of the operator to properly maintain and/or service the ALTA through an authorized Freefly Service Center with genuine ALTA parts. » Use of third-party products on the ALTA. » Use of the ALTA in a physicatly or mentally impaired capacity. » Use of the ALTA without sufficient training. » Use of the ALTA in unsafe conditions, including but not limited to, bad or severe weather, such as rain, wind, snow, lightning, dust storms, etc., or inareas of magnetic or radio interference, such as power stations, broadcasting and cetl phone towers, government prohibited airspace, etc. » Improper operation, misjudgment or risky behavior white using the ALTA. » Infringement of third party data, audio or video rights recorded when using the ALTA.
I USER MANUAL 7

# INTRUDUCTION
ALTA is a professional multi-rotor aircraft designed for demanding ciriematic, televisiori, and photographic applications. Within five minutes, ALTA can unfold from its

. carrying case to flying some of the most capable cinema cameras on either the top or bottom of the aircraft. The SYNAPSE ftight controller is purpose-built for cinerria use, yielding precise, yet smooth control. This User Manual has been prepared to describe the complete operation of airframe and flight control systems, and the normal maintenance of those items. Do not operate ALTA without reading and understanding this manual. This manual is not a substitute for adequate flight training. Training requirements can vary 

### when operating irn different countries or under different flight conditions. Always consult local regulations before flying ALTA. In areas where there are no flight training requirements, it is the sole determination of the pilot-in-command as to whether he or she has the appropriate level of training or experience for a given flight. Always set and adhere to personal minimums and fly within your own capabilities.

~ ~ ( USER MANUAL 8

# SYMBOLS, ABBREVIATIONS AND TERMINOLOGY

WARNINGS, CAUTIONS AND NOTES Throughout the manual, warnings, cautions and notes are used to hightight various important procedures. These are defined as fotlows: 

# i 

# A

WARNING CAUTION NOTE Warnings are used to hightight proce dures which, if not strictly obsefved, may result in personal injury or toss of tife.



# METEOROLOGICAL TE

_ _. I SA Cautions are used to highlight proce- Notes are used to highlight specific dures which, if not strictly observetl, operating conclitions or steps of a may cause damage to equipmenl. procedure.



# RMINOLOGY

........... _. International Standard Atmosphere in which: The air is a dry, perfect gas; The temperature at sea level is 15° Cetsius (59° Fahrenheit); The pressure at sea level is 10112 mbar (29.92 inches Hg); The temperature gradient from sea level to the attitude at which the temperature is -56.5 ° C (-69.7 ° F) is -0.00198°C (-0.003564 ° F) per foot and zero above that altitude MSL Mean Sea Levet is the average height above the surface of the sea for all stages of tide AGL Above Ground Levet is the height of the aircraft above the ground

__.. OAT Outside Air Temperature is the free air static temperature surrounding the aircraft

. _.

021 , ALTA I USER MANUAL 9Pressure Altitude Attitude measured from standard sea level pressure (29.92 in. Hhg) by a pressure or barometric attimeter It is the indicated pressure altitude corrected for position and instrument error. In this Manual, altimeter instrument errors are assumed to be zero 

# POWER TERMINOLOGY Maximum Continuous The maximum typical power output of a Power Output motor averaged over the entire ftight Maximum Instantaneous The maximum power output of a motor during Peak Power Output any phase of flight, such as when maneuvering

... . ..._.... .......... . 

# FLIGHT AND POWERPLANT CONTROL Throttle Stick The radio controller stick responsible for throttle control. For Mode 2 controtlers, this is the verticat movement of the left controt stick. For Mode 1 controllers, this is the ' vertical movement of the right control stick Yaw Stick The radio controlter stick responsible

~ for yaw (also called pan) controt For Mode 2 and Mode 1 controllers, this is the lateral movement of the left control stick Pitch Stick The radio controlter stick responsible for pitch controt. For Mode 2 controllers, this is the vertical movement of the right stick For Mode 1 controllers, this is the vertical movement of the left stick Roll Stick The radio controller stick responsible for roll control. For Mode 2 and Mode 1 controllers, this is the tateral movement of the right control stick Pitch/Rott Stick The radio controt stick responsible or Cyctic Stick for both pitch and rolL control

........ . _.. For Mode 2 controllers, this is the right stick

_.... _ _ 

# WEIGHT AND BALANCE

. ....... ... Maximum Takeoff Maximum altowable weight at liftoff Weight (MTOW) Standard Empty Weight Weight of a standard aircraft

t~ ";"='s. I USER MANUAL 10Basic Empty Weight ......... ..... Standard empty weight plus optional equipment Useful Load Difference between take off weight and basic empty weight

_ _ Payload Useful load less battery weight 

# GENERAL TERMINOLOGY sUAS Small Unmanned Aircraft System includes alt components of the system required for the flight of an unmanned aircraft, including the radio controlter, data link and other related support equipment

t

IHI'

— ~ A I USER MANUAL 11

# 1111H

► 

# im
1533 (60.41 1064 [41.9)

4 

### -

4, 457 (18.0)

UNFOLDED PLAN VIEW WITH BOOM NUMBERING SCHEME MM (INCH)



### 318 (12.5)

(7.1) l 80

UNFOLDED SIDE VIEW WITH LANDING GEAR ,



### 178 1 (7.01
1126 (44.3)
UNFOLDED FRONT VIEW WITHOUT LANDING GEAR



### m ALTA I USER MANUAL 121 

## 550 (21.7 . ..

FOLDED SIDE VIEW '' :

FOLDED PLAN VIEW

CIC



## 180 

# ~ (7.11 205

(8.11

FOLDED FRONT VIEW

IS AL_A I USER MANUAL 13

# INCLUDED ITEMS



# ~ _
~ I~ 

### ; ' 0 4 4b0- a ~ 

### ;

\\ . _ '

~ .._.... . . ...._ .

1. Case 2. A LTA , 3. Case Lid Foam 4. Isolator Cartridges

a. (6) Teal (lnstalled) b. (6) Black

c. 16) Red 5. Documentation 6. USB-Futaba Power Cable 7. Inverted Landing Gear 8. Anlenna Tubes 9. FPV Cables

a. Skyzone/BOSCAM b. ImmersionRC/Fat Shark

c. Ready Made RC 10. Fasteners

a. (4) M3 x 8 Socket Head for Toad In The Hole Male Adapler b. (2) M3 x 8 Flat Head for Accessory Mount 11. Toad In The Hole Male Adapter 12. 5.5mm Wrench 13. Hex Drivers (1.5mm, 2.Omm, 2.5mm) 14. Accessory Mount 15. Double-Sided Tape

OR ,.,—n1<w I USER MANUAL 14

# SPECIFICATIONS

DIMENSIONS Unfotded Diameter (does not include Props) Fotded Diameter (does not include Props) Height to base of Toad In The Hole (TITH) 

# POWERPLANT Number of Motors Motor Type Motor Model Motor Max Continuous Power Output Motor Max Instantaneous Peak Power Output Maximum RPM (flat rated) Equivalent Kv Electronic Speed Controller 

# PROPELLERS Materiat Propeller Orientation Propeller Type 1126 mm

550 mm

220 mm

6 Direct Drive 3-Phase PMAC Outrunner 

### F45 350 W 

### 950 W

6300 RPM 

### 384 Freefly Silent-Drive Sine Wave ESC

Carbon fiber with balsa core (3) CW and (3) CCW Props

18 x 6 Folding 

# BATTERY Nominal Battery Voltage Maximum Battery Size Maximum Battery Quantity Battery Connectors Required Minimum Battery Discharge Rating 6S / 22_2V 240 x 180 x 80 mm 2 Battery Packs (Parallel)

2x EC5 (Parallel) Dual Pack: 200A / 400A Peak SingLe Pack: 300A / 600A Peak

MR

~

eLTA I USER MANUAL 15

# WEIGNTS Maximum Gross for Takeoff' 13.6 kg (30.0 lbs) Maximum Useful Load 2 9.1 kg (20.0 lbs) Maximum Payload 3 6.8 kg (15.0 tbs) Typical Standard Empty Weight: 4.5 kg 110.0 lbs) 

# SPECIFIC LOADINGS Typical Specific Power` 145 W/kg Thrust Ratio at MTOW' 1.85 : 1

' At sea level, ISA.

2 Top and bottom mount. Includes batteries.

3 Payload weight top or bottom mount. Batteryweight not included and mounted ' on opposite side from payload.

4 At MTOW, sea level, ISA.

~ ~~L~".~ I USER MANUAL 16

# FLIGHT CONTROLLER Model Name Flight Modes Supported Inputs:
Supported Radios

Supported Radio Controller Telemetry Systems Minimum Radio Controller Channels Required Supported GNSS Supported SBAS First-Person View System Video Formats

: Supported First-Person View Transmitters Supported First-Person View Cameras First-Person View OSD Telemetry Installed Transceivers Data Logging Rate 

# LIGHTING AND INDICATION Status Light Orientation Lights Orientation Light Cotor Options Accessory Lighting Port Accessory Lighting Port Location Freefty SYNAPSE flight controller Manuat, Height Mode, Position Mode, Return-To-Home, Autoland

DSMX, DSM2, S.Bus, S.Bus2, PPM, FPV SD Futaba S.Bus & S.Bus2, DSMX, DSM2 (Spektrum/JR), PPM, PPM Invert, PPM Graupner Futaba w/ built-in vottage sense port

k , GPS, GLONASS, Gatileo QZSS, WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS

NTSC, PAL Skyzone, BOSCAM, ImmersionRC, Fat Shark

Ready Made RC User Configurable

Wi-Fi 25 Hz

1 Watt Red, 1 Watt White LED

3-Watt RGB LED Red, Yetlow, Blue, Green, White 12 VDC Outboard on Boom Ends 

# ISOLATION SYSTEM Vibration Isolation System Option 1: Soft / Light Payloads Option 2: Medium / Medium Paytoads Option 3: Stiff / Heavy Payloads Siticone 0-Rings Red 0-Rings TealO-Rings Black 0-Rings

go )%LZA% I USER MANUAL 17

# PAYLOAD MOUNTING Mounting Locations Mounting System
FPV Camera Mount FPV Transmitter Mount Bottom and Top Mount Freefty Toad In The Hole fTITH) Quick Release Forward, underneath chassis

Boom #5

0

M , I USER MANUAL 18

# LIMITATIONS
;] NOTE
These limitations are advisory in nature and do not extend or restrict limitations provided by local aircraft operational regutation.


# POWERPLANT LIMITATIONS Maximum RPM 6300 RPM Maximum Battery Voltage 25.2 Volts Minimum Average Battery Voltage 19.2 Votts 

# ENVIRONMENTAL LIMITATIONS Do not fly ALTA in temperatures exceeding 45°C (113 0 F) or below -20 0 C(-4°F). 5 

# WEIGHT LIMITS ' Maximum Takeoff Weight 13.6 kg 130.0 lbs) Maximum Payload 6.8 kg (15.0 tbs) 

# FLtGHT CONTROLLER LIMITS Maximum Pitch/Rott Angle 45 0 Maximum Yaw Rate 150° / second

5 Must additionally observe battery temperature ratings.

~ e I USER MANUAL 19

# SYSTEM DIAGRAMS
sUAS OVERVIEW

,



# \~~}~ 

# F= — I

HD Video Link, Preview Monitor' 

# 0 .8,..

Radio Controller•

'NOTINCLUDED

El AIL: ~~ I USER MANUAL 

## 0
ALTA App

FPV Rz, Preview Monitor`

06_O O O 

## ~ O O

2.4GHz MdVI Controller'

20

## FLIGHT CONTROL "

ALTA 

### I USER MANUAL 21 I

## POWER SYSTEM

Motor Motor Lights- Lights*

'0

SYNAPSE Flight Controller / A, 

## 10 oll 

# 0 'T

Motor Lights*

s



## 1 01

5,, - 

## r i q EC5 Connector Motor Motor Lights* 

### ti Lights*

Ftight Ftight Battery Battery 1.

Motor Lights*

"'

~ ,E 1- 0

T,/% 01, , I USER MANUAL 22

## FPV EQUIPMENT

H ALaA 

### I USER MANUAL 23

# ALTA MOBILE APP

The ALTA App is used to configure ALTA parameters and to monitor ALTA's status during flight. To download the ALTA App, search for "Freefly ALTA" in the App Store or on Google PtayTM

. Parameters may only be adjusted white ALTA is on the ground and disarmed. In addition, radio mapping parameters can only be adjusted when the Configuration Jumper is removed. For more information on radio mapping, see the Radio Mapping section of this manual. When making configuration changes with the ALTA App, wait three seconds for the app to automaticatly save changes to ALTA before shutting off the app or the mobile device. The ALTA App witt be actively maintained, and additionat functionality may be added over time. For information on individual app updates, refer to the App release notes. 

# ADDITIONAL REQUIRED COMPONENTS,(NOT INCLUDED)

raffl ITI i i

► 

## ;i ; ALTA supports a variety of radio controllers as outlined in the Flight Controller Specifications. A minimum of five (5) channels are required, with four (4) used for flight control, and the remaining one (1) used for mode selection. However, a radio controller with at teast 9 channels is highly recommended to make use of Velocity and Climb Rate Clamps, Return-To-Home, and Arm Enable functions. It is recommended to use a radio controller with a three way switch for the Mode, Home and Arm Enable functions, and a knob or slider input for both the Velocity and Climb Rate Clamp functions. 

# FLIGHT BATTERY ALTA can accommodate a variety of Lithium Polymer (LiPo) flight battery packs. Battery packs must be 6S, having a nominal voltage of 22.2 V. When running two packs, each pack must have a continuous discharge rating of 200 amps or greater, and a peak discharge rating of 400 amps or greater. When running a single pack, the pack must have a continuous discharge rating of 300 amps or greater, and a peak discharge rating of 600 amps or greater. For additional information on expected flight durations, refer to the Performance Section of the manual.

0 A

~ LTA I USER MANUAL. 24