~` 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 3 
67 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 in 

areas 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: 

A i

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 9 
Pressure 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 10 
Basic 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 12 
1 

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~ ; ' 

04 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 Payload3 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. 

2Top and bottom mount. Includes batteries. 

3Payload weight top or bottom mount. 

Batteryweight not included and mounted ' 

on opposite side from payload. 

4At 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 -200 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 

5Must 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,, - riqEC5 Connector 

Motor Motor 

Lights* ti Lights* 

Ftight Ftight 

Battery Battery 

1. 

Motor 

Lights* 

~,E 1- 0 "' 01, T,/% , 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) 

rafflITI 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