GeoBiuServices 

http://www.geobluservices.com 

UAV 

S-600 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK 
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This book is offered in a format so that pilots can customize the checklists to their exact 

needs. Please print out this handbook, make notes regarding the checklist, then change 

the wording and order to suit your needs. Then print out the revised form and laminate it 

in plastic. Use it every time you operate your aircraft. Keep the log books regarding the 

following: 

1) Pilot flight time 

2) Aircraft flight time 

3) Aircraft maintenance and updates 

4) Battery usage, date put into service, voltage, mah vs time 

o Print out and make readily available the error message legend of various flashing 

lights. 

o Know what to do without hesitation should you observe warnings. 

o Insurance is a must! Not only will it be expensive to repair your aircraft in the event 

of an incident, if you injure bystanders or damage other people's property you are 

liable for damages which could run into the millions of dollars. One insurance 

company which currently writes policies on sUAS is www.Transportrisk.com. 

Errors & Omissions should be sent to customerservice@geobluservices.com. We will 

promptly update the POH for everyone to have the latest updates available. 

Flight Times using 90% of battery: 

16,000 mah battery with gimbal and camera: 12+ min 

These times are averages in our tests. Individual flight times may differ based on weight 

and flying style. 
CHECKLISTS 

BENCH SET UP & TESTS 

o All screws/bolts are tight 

o Timer alarm for flight time to not exceed 80% battery capacity set properly o 

Batteries are secure oAntennas are secure oProps balanced oProps aligned o 

Props not chipped 

o Check blades, arms, etc. for cracks/damage 

o Wiring Tight 

o No excessive flexing of motors or booms oBooms/motors will not twist oCenter of 

gravity is correct 

o Warning lights set for low battery if used 

o Batteries charged. Replace any battery which cycles below 80% of rated 

capacity 

• Laptop Battery 

• Flight Battery 

• RC Tx Battery 

• Video Rx Battery 

• Spare Laptop Battery 

INVENTORY CHECKLIST 

o Load Flight plan 

o Camera with SD card, spare batteries 

o Spare parts/tools/props 

o Spare flight batteries 

o Flight Controller/Transmitter 

o Video Monitor, stand/mount, battery, antennas 

o Datalink/iPad 

PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST 

o Position: GCS, UAV 

o Emergency LZ 

o Area secure 

o Props installed/tightened via "quick- disconnects" 

o Antennas 

o Battery connector (battery balance tab connector) for "video" out 

o GCS 

o Lens caps removed (FPV /Sony) 

o Camera On 

o SD card 

CHECKLISTS 
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o Flight battery: voltage- install 

o Transmitter: Switched -On 

o Model Selection - Surv 800 

o Camera Gimbal motors disarm for GPS/compass· calibration/re-arm post 

GPS/compass calibration 

o Calibrate GPS/compass per DJI instruction (360 degrees rotation 

vertical/horizontal) 

o GPS Mode- Double Purple/Single Purple 

o Camera/Gimbal tests 

o Upload mission 

TAKEOFF CHECKLIST 

o GPS mode 

o Motor startup/checks 

o Takeoff 

o Gimbal tilt angle adjust 

LANDING CHECKLIST 

o LZ clear 

o Land 

o Disconnect all battery connections 

o Turn off transmitter 

o Camera Power off 

o Disconnect video power 

o Check props/Motor Temps 

ERROR MESSAGES 

0 White flashes: IMU malfunction. Land and determine cause. Possibilities: 

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GPS/Compass not pointing forward 

IMU not pointing forward 

Set up of X, Y, Z for location of IMU and Compass is incorrect 

Excessive rocking/instability possible causes: 

Weak motor 

Structure flexing from fatigue or cracks 

Motor mount 

Main frame 

Booms 

Props 

Mounts 

Loose Bolts causing flexing or misalignment 

Props out of balance 

Props misaligned 

CHECKLISTS 3 I P a g 
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o Excessive wind speeds or gusts 

o Excessive Gains 

o Excessive motor power. Max motor power must a little more than typical ascent 

power. 

Red Flashes (1, 2 or 3 flashes with pauses)- GPS loss (3 is more serious). Land if loss lasts 

for more than 30 seconds. 

Possible causes: 

o Clouds 

o Structures 

o GPS mal-function 

o GPS too close to electrical components 

o GPS vibration 

CHECKLISTS 41 Page 
Section 1: 

Section 2: 

Section 3: 

Section 4: 

Section 5: 

Section 6: 

Section 7: 

Section 8: 

Section 9: 

General 

Limitations 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Emergency Procedures 

Normal Procedures 

Performance 

Weight and Balance/Equipment List 

Air Vehicle and Systems Description 

Handling, Service and Maintenance 

Supplements 
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SECTION 1 GENERAL 

NOTE: In an effort to minimize costs and maximize spare parts availability, many COTS 

(commercial off the shelf) components have been utilized. Some may have slight 

modifications to better suit this application. 

Most COTS products have separate data sheets, assembly manuals and instruction 

manuals. 

As with all high technology products utilizing constantly evolving software, it is important 

to periodically check for online upgrades to the COTS components, including hardware, 

firmware and software. 

WARNING: Great care must be taken with the batteries. Much of this manual and 

supplemental information is devoted to the use and care of the batteries, especially the 

flight batteries. They are less volatile than gasoline, though they should be treated with 

the same respect. Become very familiar with proper techniques of their use. 

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS 

o Economical due to extensive use of COTS products 

o Low Visual Signature 

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Quick Launch and Recovery 

Short Training Period 

Simple Operation 

Waypoint Navigation 

VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) 

o Quick Repairs 

o Redundant Flight Systems 

o Safety Return to Home during lost link 

o High Degree of Mission Success 

o GPS navigation 

o Flight Modes: Manual, Altitude Hold and GPS aided waypoint navigation, 

RTH(return- to-home) 

o Takeoff: Manual or Automatic 

o Landing: Manual or Automatic 

AUTOPILOT 

o Manufacturer: DJI-Innovations oAutopilot Model Number: Wookong 

o Components: GPS/Compass, IMU, Master Controller, Power Distribution System, 

LED Indicator Lighting System, Data Transceiver, GCS Software 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK PAGE I 1 
ANALOG WIRELESS LINKS 

o Distributor: DJI-Innovations 

!Frequencies: 

• 2.4 Ghz datalink with WiFi (50 waypoints) 

• 2.4 Ghz Command & Control 

• 5.8 Ghz Video -Usable Range: <2 km. 

FLIGHT BATTERY 

o Manufacturers: Various COTS suppliers 

o Battery chemistry recommended: Lithium Polymer 

o Battery Capacity: up to 16,000 mah or greater depending on max gross weight 

o Battery cell count required: 4S (4 cells in series) 

o Battery Voltage: 14V minimum during hover, 14.8V nominal, 16.8V maximum 

o Battery Minimum Rated Discharge Rate: 20C minimum 

o Battery Minimum Charge Rate: 1 C (3C preferable) 

o Battery Rest Time between discharging and charging: 0-30 minutes 

o Batteries used simultaneously: typically 1 

o Recommended Battery Discharge Amount: 80-85% 

/ FLIGHT PARAMETERS 

o Flight Time: 12+ minutes typical 

o Payload Max: 1 0 lbs for battery, sensor and gimbal 

WARNINGS 

o Never power a video transmitter or receiver without an antenna connected or 

overload failure will occur. 

o Read all information regarding batteries contained in this manual and 

supplements. 

o Batteries are highly flammable and can explode, especially when fully charged. 

Improper charging, vibration, impact, high discharge, etc. can lead to explosion 

and fire. Batteries must be charged under constant supervision and using proper 

precautions. 

o Batteries fully charged must be handled with extreme care. 

o Batteries must not be stored above 60% charged state. 

o Store batteries between 20%-60% charged state. Fully charge just before use. 

o Fully charged batteries which are not to be used within 24 hours should be 

discharged to 20%- 50% charged state. 

o Discharging LiPoly batteries in excess of 80% of their rated capacity can cause 

harm to the batteries. 

o Using more than one battery at a time requires the proper wiring harness so that 

the voltage is no more than 16.8V. Over voltage will cause serious damage to 

electrical equipment. 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK PAGE I 2 
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Using more than one battery at a time requires weight and balance checks. 

Proper CG is critical to performance. Airframe must not be overloaded. 

GPS/Compass must be facing forward. 

Do not use GPS Mode without GPS lock. o Use low strength thread locking 

compound on all screws. 

Wireless Video and Data ranges vary considerably on many factors including 

weather, equipment, and obstructions. 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK PAGE I 3 
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SECTION 2 LIMITATIONS 

AIRSPEED LIMITATIONS 

Vne- Velocity to Never Exceed: 15 m/s oVa- Typical Maneuvering Speed- 5 m/s 

POWER & POWERPLANT LIMITATIONS 

o 40 Amps max per motor 

o 40 Amps max per speed control 

o 320 Amps max total 

o Do not exceed 80-90% discharge of rated battery capacity 

o Do not charge batteries which are warmer than air temperature. 

o Allow batteries to cool after use before charging. Leave an air gap between 

batteries when multiple batteries are used simultaneously 

WEIGHT LIMITS 

o Takeoff Weight Max: 10 lbs 

o Must be checked prior to takeoff if any change in equipment is made. 

CENTER OF GRAVITY LIMITS 

0 3mm from the center of any of the three pairs of arms 

0 Must be checked before every flight to ensure batteries were installed in the 

proper location. Check all four pairs of arms before flight. 

MANEUVER LIMITS 

This aircraft is intended for non-aerobatic operations. 

o G-loading maximum: 2G 

TEMPERATURE LIMITS 

o Operating Temp Range: -1 ooc to +40°C 

In cold temperatures: 

o Keep IMU at room temperature if possible before the flight. 

o Keep Batteries above 5°C before flight. 

o Do not fly with any frost or ice on the propellers o In warm temperatures. 

o Batteries heat up when discharged. 

o The higher the discharge rate the higher the temperature increase during use. 

o At temperatures above 45°C, use of 2 or more batteries is required to lower the 

load on any one battery pack to keep it cooler. 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK PAGE I 4 
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WEATHER LIMITS 

Light dust and light rain require the use of a cover for the electronics in the center section. 

RANGE LIMITS 

Battery capacity is a primary limiting factor. 

Flying into the wind will use more battery power to travel the same ground distance. 

Higher air speeds will be required to penetrate the wind which used more battery power. 

Take this into account when flying a mission. 

Where possible, fly upwind at the start of a mission and downwind at the end to avoid 

depleting the battery before returning to base. Have alternative landing sites available 

in case of emergency landing. 

WIRELESS LINK 

o Wireless links will be stable in LOS (line of sight) in most conditions. 

o Wireless links are always susceptible to shorter ranges due to atmospheric 

conditions. 

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Other transmission devices in the area 

Jamming 

Antennas not aligned properly 

Improper voltage 

Antenna blockage from A V in certain positions 

Multipath - reflection off buildings or ground which cause multiple 

signals to arrive at different times and/or phase. 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK PAGE I 5 
SECTION 3 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES 

MOTOR FAILURE 

o Operation is possible with one motor/ESC/propeller failure. 

o The two adjacent motors/ESCs will be increased in thrust automatically by the 

flight controller to overcome the loss. 

o In cases where the airframe is highly loaded the maximum rating of 40 amps may 

be exceeded by these two motors/ESCs. 

o Operation should be terminated as soon as possible to reduce the possibility of 

damage to the remaining motors. 

COMMUNICATION FAILURE 

o Video link failure. 

o 5.8 Ghz being the shortest wavelength in general UA V use has the least ability to 

penetrate. This link should be the first to be lost. 

o It is best to lose video first! It is the least likely to cause a crash when it fails. 

o 5.8 Ghz can lose link with little warning. 

o Ensure that the GCS station antennas are perpendicular to the UAV. Do not point 

the antenna at the AV. 

o Yaw the AV to change the antenna position 

o Other links should still be good. Return back to the GCS until link is restored. 

o Transmitters produce heat when in operation. When overheated they may have 

thermal protection which interrupts use temporarily. Use of a heat sink or fan may 

be required especially with high ambient temperatures. 

o Higher gain antennas may be used, but do so with caution. High gain antennas 

are directional. 

o Multiple antennas using "diversity" can be used. Diversity is a device which 

determines the best signal, and uses that. 

o 5.8 Ghz even at high wattages theoretically has less range than lower frequencies. 

o RC link failure 

o 2.4 Ghz antennas can lose link with little warning. 

o Anything in between the two antennas can cause temporary signal loss especially 

a person. 

o Hold the transmitter up in the air and walk in the general direction of the AV (aerial 

vehicle). 

o Ensure that the antenna is vertical. Do not point the antenna at the AV. 

o The failsafe's on the RC link should be set so that the AV returns to home. Should 

this require a heading change, the antenna may move into a more desirable 

position and link will be restored. 

o The onboard equipment may block the signal. Yaw the AV so that the antennas 

point towards the GCS. 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK PAGE I 6 
LOW BATTERY POWER 

o Fail-safes can be set such that in the event of low battery power, either due to a 

failure or too long of a flight, the warning light on the A V will constantly flash 

amber. This is the first level of warning. 

o The second warning level is red flashing lights 

o Landing with 80-90% of battery depleted is best. 

o Do not mix partially charged batteries. Only use completely charged batteries. 

GCS FAILURE 

o Takeover by the external pilot should happen ASAP using the RC link. 

o Most often happens due to a low battery. 

o Keep a spare 3 cell LiPoly battery with the appropriate plug to plug into the charge 

jack for emergency use. Most chargers are 19V output which is roughly equivalent 

to a 4-cell battery. 3-cell batteries may work. 

COMPASS CALIBRATION ERROR 

o If the compass is out of calibration the warning light will flash red. This is the same 

signal as low voltage. If the voltage is correct, there is a calibration error. 

o Recalibrate the compass following the instruction manual. 

FIRE 

o Fires can occur due to a short circuit or battery failure. 

o Disconnect the battery ASAP unless there is danger in doing so if there is any 

electrical issue. 

o It is not possible to put out a battery fire. 

o Do not attempt to put out a battery fire. Use a fire extinguisher to put out fires 

surrounding the battery. A C02 fire extinguisher is better than the powder or 

chemical type. C02 does not leave a residue. Water can be used though it may 

cause other electrical component failures. 

FORCED LANDINGS 

o If alternate emergency landing zones should be chosen ahead of time. 

o Be sure that the LZ is clear of people to avoid any incidents. 

o Land in the nearest LZ which is clear of people. 

o Announce your intentions of landing as loud as necessary to alert people of the 

incoming AV. 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK PAGE I 7 
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SECTION 4- SET UP SUGGESTIONS 

GPS/COMPASS MAST LENGTH 

o We found that the higher the mast, the better the GPS reception. 

RADIO SET UP 

o Follow the instructions in the manual. 

TIMERS 

o Use of the countdown timer is a good backup method to ensure landing with 

battery power. 

o Set the timer for 1 0 minutes (or what you deem appropriate) and have it start when 

the throttle is over \~. Then adjust the timer upwards until the amount of battery 

used is about 80-90% of the total available. 

BATTERIES 

o Replace the transmitter standard battery with a Lipoly battery to extend use times 

to eight hours. Supplied batteries often last about two hours. 

NORMAL PROCEDURES 

PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST 

o Confirm all communication radios are operational. 

o Area must be clear of people to avoid collision. 

o Check for overhead power lines and other obstacles to avoid. 

o Check structural integrity. 

o In event of prior crash, inspect all booms, props, and motor mounts for excessive 

flex indicating structural fatigue/failure. 

o Have a manual flight plan avoiding obstacles. 

o Load auto flight plan if using one. 

o Be sure that the total flight time is under 15 minutes to avoid low battery. 

o Clean lens. 

o Remove lens cap. 

o Ensure camera has SO card installed. 

o Many flights have been wasted due to this! olnstall batteries. 

o Ensure that the straps are tight and the Velcro keeps the batteries from moving 

which will avoid a shift in the CG (Center of Gravity- or that it balances evenly). 

o Check CG (Center of Gravity). 

o Lift the copter on each of the two pairs of arms. The copter should balance 

properly. If not, do not fly. Rearrange the equipment such that the CG is o IMU 

pointing forward. 

o The Inertial Measurement Unit is set so that it must face forward oGPS/Compass 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK 81PAGE 
installed, limited free play, pointing forward. 

o This device must be installed with a screw to hold it in place. It cannot vibrate 

easily. If it does not point forward, the corrections in ATTI and GPS mode will be 

incorrect and it will crash. The FC will provide a warning with constant flashing 

white lights. 

o Level copter using a bubble level with front pointing in correct direction for course 

lock- do not turn on. 

o Keep in mind the best angle for pointing the landing gear in the direction that will 

keep the landing gear out of the shot when flying. 

• Turn on Pilot Tx 

• Confirm transmitter switch settings. 

• Check Model Selection on Tx to be Surv 800 oThrottle on Tx Down. 

• Return to Home switch off. 

o These settings above are required to initialize the copter properly. If the switches 

are in the incorrect position, it will not initialize properly. 

o If the copter does not function properly after takeoff, land immediately and 

disconnect the copter power. Then put all the switches in the proper position for 

initialization and turn the power back on to the copter. 

o Do not move or vibrate the copter until 30 seconds after full GPS Lock. 

o Initial 3 red blinks is normal meaning no GPS lock. No red flashes indicates full GPS 

lock. 

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Continue with checklist as you are waiting for full GPS lock, but do not move the 

copter. 

If the GPS takes more than 5 minutes to lock, there is a problem with the area. It is 

not receiving the proper signals from the satellites. GPS signals are weak, so trees, 

people, buildings, terrain, weather, have an effect. Move the copter into a more 

open area where it can more easily see the satellites. 

The transmitters receive a signal from the corresponding receivers. The voltages 

are regulated to about 5v. If the voltage is below 4.4v or above 6v do not fly. There 

may be power regulation issues. The receivers cannot work outside this voltage 

consistently. Also there is some issue if the voltage is outside that range which 

should be resolved before flying. 

Engage Attitude Mode- Must achieve double amber flash. 

Engage GPS Mode- Must achieve double purple flash Do not engage motors. 

Center the trim such that when the stick is in the neutral position that there are 

equal numbers of clicks in each direction. This ensures that when the sticks are 

neutralized that the flight controller will recognize this signal and engage GPS 

mode. 

Calibrate GPS/Compass before the first flight each day or if receiving continuous 

red blinks or continuous white blinks. 

Flip the GPS mode switch 7 times very quickly from manual to GPS. End with the 

switch in the manual position. The indicator light will be blue. Rotate the copter 

about. 

1 .5 turns in a horizontal position. A green flashing light indicates that this is 

complete. Then hold the copter vertically and rotate about 1 .5 turns. A white 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK 9IPAGE 
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flashing light indicates that this is complete. Repeat if necessary until this is 

completed. 

• After calibration, reset the copter by cycling battery with copter pointed in 

the correct heading for course lock. 

• Engage Camera. 

• HDMI switch On. 

o This will stop video from playing on the back of the camera and will send the video 

signal to the video transmitter via the HDMI connection. 

o This allows the camera to be operated freely through the transmitter. 

o Verify camera operation. 

o Operate the shutter. 

o Set the focus to auto. 

o Verify data link if installed. 

o Roll the copter about 45 degrees on its side by lifting one side of the copter and 

resting one side of the landing gear on the ground. 

o A corresponding roll should be seen on the gauge. 

o If the copter is rolled to the right, it will appear on the gauge that the horizon rolls 

to the left- not the right because the view from inside the copter is that the horizon 

rolls the opposite direction of the copter. 

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Verify altitude is about 0 via gauge on computer. 

If it is not about 0, the altitude settings for the waypoints will be off by this amount. 

This could cause the copter to fly at 1 0 meters or 30 meters if the waypoint is set 

for 20 meters and the altitude is off by 1 0 meters one way or another. If the copter 

thinks it is at 1 0 meters when it is on the ground, then it will only rise 1 0 meters above 

the ground to achieve what it believes it to be 20 meters above the ground. 

The altitude can be reset using the ground control software by going to altitude 

offset. 

o Alternate Emergency Landing Sites Established. 

NORMAL TAKEOFF 

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Engage GPS mode- Double purple flash when the throttle is down instances. 

Announce loudly: "CLEAR PROP" 

Move both of the sticks to the bottom left corners to engage the motors. Within 1 

second move the throttle up 1 /8 - 1 I 4. The copter should not lift off until about V2 

stick is reached. 

Verify data and video links before lifting off. If anything is not working properly, 

move the throttle stick to low to disengage the motors and determine a solution. 

If all flight checks are passed, announce loudly: "TAKING OFF" 

Advance throttle to about 3/4. Copter must jump off of the ground to avoid one 

skid coming up before the other skid, and the skid on the ground getting caught 

and flipping the copter over sideways. 

Ascend to 3 meters. Then decrease throttle to V2 to engage the GPS hold. 

Verify links, GPS, Attitude, etc. Should be single purple flash. 

Verify that the copter is holding position within .5m in all directions. 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK 10IPAGE 
o Verify camera operation. 

o Verify copter stability. If unstable, land and reset gains, recalibrate, or retest as 

necessary. 

o Proceed with manual mission or; For autopilot operation 

o Ascend to 1 0 meters. 

o Quick decisions are required when red flashes are indicated. 

o 1 0 seconds or more of loss of GPS signal will stop waypoint guidance and any GPS 

hold and put into manual mode. 

o Red indicator light battery warning requires immediate landing. 

POST LANDING 

o Note battery power used during the flight. Write this down in the log book. 

o ALWAYS disconnect the main power to the UA V first, then turn off the transmitter. 

o Check motor temperatures by touching them with your fingers. Any motors which 

are excessively hot should be further inspected and possibly replaced. 

o Check battery temperatures by touching them with your fingers. 

• Battery temperatures should not be hot to the touch. 

• Battery temperatures should be slightly above ambient. 

o Inspect all components especially the propellers for wear. 

o Note in logbook which batteries were used to calculate life cycle. 

o Remove the props using the "quick-disconnects" for return storage in case. 

AIRCRAFT FLIGHT LOG BOOK (Can be purchased inexpensively) 

o Keep a log of all flights. 

• Date 

• Time of Day 

• Time in Operation (in hours) 

• Mah used in flight 

• Location 

• Pilot, Observer, Sensor Operator Names 

• Flight Objective 

• Remarks 

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE LOG BOOK (Can be purchased inexpensively) 

o Keep a log of significant inspections, tests, repairs, alterations, equipment 

changes. 

• Date maintenance is performed. 

• Accumulated hours of operation. 

• Remarks. 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK 1 1 I p A G E 
PILOT LOG BOOK (Can be purchased inexpensively) 

o Keep a log of all flights. Include the following: 

• Aircraft flown 

• Aircraft serial number 

• Date 

• Time of Day 

• Time in Operation (in hours) 

• Location 

• Flight Objective 

• Remarks 

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PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK 12IPAGE 
SECTION 5 - PERFORMANCE 

FLIGHT TIMES 

o The UAV is designed to hover at high efficiency. Hovering is much less efficient 

than flying on a wing, thus flight times are low compared to fixed wing aircraft. 

o All the weight of the UAV is supported by power from the batteries. As the batteries 

are used in a flight, the amount of power available decreases. Therefore, the 

power reserve is constantly decreasing as the battery is being used. Thus loading 

a rotorcraft above its limit is not recommended. While the UAV may have enough 

power to lift off initially on a full charge, the power reserve at partial charge may 

be too low to allow for maneuvering and will result in a crash. 

o High lateral speeds will add lift to slightly improve efficiency. The rotors act similar 

to fixed wings at higher speeds. This increase in efficiency may be negated by the 

increased power consumption of forward flight. 

o High winds or gusts decrease efficiency /flight time. The motors work harder to hold 

position. 

o As weight increases flight times decrease. 

WIRELESS TRANSMISSION 

o Refer to the specific manuals for performance ratings. 

o Wireless communications utilized provide acceptable communication for LOS (loss 

of signal). 

o In general: 

• LOS is required. 

• The higher the GCS antennas, the better the range. 

• Any freq. at may have severe degradation due to location to other 

admitters such as cell towers. 

• RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication) should be monitored for 

indication of communication drop out. 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK 131 PAGE 
SECTION 6- WEIGHT AND BALANCE EQUIPMENT LIST 

o CG is critical to the efficient operation of any AV. 

o When components are shifted, the CG will be altered. 

o The main components which are moved on a regular basis are the sensors and 

the batteries. 

o The sensors are typically in the front of the AV, and the batteries are located in the 

correct position to offset all the components on the A V. 

o The CG must be tested after any change to the components or their placement. 

o The CG should be tested by lifting the UA V with fingers on the bottom of the arms. 

WEIGHT 

Check all three pairs of arms. The CG should be no more than 2mm off in any on 

the three checks. The closer the CG is to the centerlines of the arms the more 

efficient and the more stable the UAV will be. 

o Weight is critical to the operation of any aircraft. 

o Weight is especially critical to a rotor wing aircraft. At full throttle the motors have 

a finite amount of thrust. All the weight is lifted by the battery power, there is no 

wing to assist in providing lift. 

o As the batteries are operated, they lose power. At full charge they have about 

16.8v. At 20% remaining capacity they have about 14.0v. 

o Do not overload the aircraft or there will not be sufficient reserve power to 

maneuver at low battery levels. 

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SECTION 7- AIR VEHICLE AND SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION 

FLIGHT BATTERY REQUIRED 

o Manufacturers: Various COTS suppliers. 

o Battery chemistry recommended: Lithium Polymer. 

o Battery Capacity: up to 16,000 mah or greater depending on max gross weight. 

o Battery cell count required: 4S (4 cells in series) 

o Battery Voltage: 14V minimum during hover, nominal, 16.8V maximum. 

o Battery Minimum Rated Discharge Rate: 20C minimum. 

o Battery Minimum Charge Rate: 1 C (2C preferable) 

o Battery Rest Time between discharging and charging: 0-30 minutes. 

o Batteries used simultaneously: Typically 1 

o Recommended Battery Discharge Amount: 80-90% 

WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS 

o Refer to the specific manuals for performance ratings. 

o Never power a video transmitter or receiver without an antenna connected or 

overload failure will occur. 

o Wireless communications utilized provide acceptable communication for LOS. 

o In general: 

• LOS is required. 

o Lower frequencies penetrate objects such as trees better than higher freqs. 

o Lower freqs have longer range than high freqs. 

o Higher freqs can transfer more data than lower freqs. 

o Higher freqs use smaller/shorter antennas. 

o The higher the GCS antennas, the better the range and reception. 

o Any freq at may have severe degradation due to location to other admitters such 

as cell towers. 

o Range must be constantly monitored. 

o Alternate antenna types may be utilized to improve link/range. Patch, helical, 

omni, etc. can be substituted. They must be verified before use. 

o Alternate freqs may be utilized to improve link/range. 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK 151 PAGE 
SECTION 8 HANDLING, SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE 

PROPELLER CARE 

o Propellers must be checked each flight for nicks or cracks. 

o Propellers are designed to last indefinitely if they do not impact dust, dirt or more. 

BATTERY CARE AND USE 

Refer to instruction sheet included from the battery manufacturer. Typical information 

follows: 

o Batteries are highly flammable and can explode, especially when fully charged. 

Improper charging, vibration, impact, high discharge, etc. can lead to explosion 

and fire. 

o Batteries must be charged under constant supervision and using proper 

precautions. 

o Batteries fully charged must be handled with extreme care. 

o Any battery which puffs up is considered damaged and must not be used. It is in 

a dangerous state. Never charge a puffed up battery. 

o Any battery which holds less than 80% of its rated capacity should be discarded. 

o Cycle test each battery after every 50 cycles or if a battery is suspected to have 

lost as significant amount of its capacity to determine the current capacity. 

o Properly dispose of batteries. First discharge the battery fully using a battery cycler. 

Bring to a recycler such as a home improvement store. 

o Always charge flight batteries under "balance" mode. 

o Flight Battery Recommended Charge- Rate: 1 C which takes approximately 1 hour 

to charge. 

o Flight Battery Maximum Charge Rate: May exceed 5C. Charge rates higher than 

1 C will decrease life cycles. Maximum charge rating per the manufacturer will 

provide 300+ cycles. Use the lowest charge rate which is practical. 

o Battery Rest Time between discharging and charging: 30 minutes minimum, 1 hour 

maximum. 

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Do not charge if the battery is more than 2°C warmer than ambient, especially if 

the temperature is above 20°C. The outer surface is cooler than the inner core 

after use. Damage will occur when charging a warm battery. 

Recommended Battery Discharge Amount: 80%. Using more of the capacity of 

the battery will decrease the life cycles 

As battery temperature approaches freezing the capacity of Lithium Polymer 

batteries decrease. Keep warmer than 5°C before installing into the UAV 

(unmanned aerial vehicle). 

Battery capacity decreases at higher discharge rates. Using more batteries 

decreases the discharge rate of each battery thereby extending individual 

battery capacity slightly. 

Lower discharge rates improve the life cycles. 

Batteries are rated at greater than 300 life cycles. 1 ,000+ life cycles are possible. 

Batteries must not be stored above 60% charged state for extended periods. 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK 16IPAGE 
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o Batteries should be stored below 25°C for extended periods. 

o Store batteries between 40%- 60% charged state. Fully charge just before use. 

o Fully charged batteries which are not to be used within 24 hours should be 

discharged to 40%- 60% charged state using the battery discharger. 

PREVENTATIVE MAl NTENANCE 

ANNUAL INSPECTION (SUGGESTED) 

o If the airframe has in excess of 300 hours in a one year period, an annual inspection 

must be completed by an approved technician. 

o An approved technician should disassemble the UA V and inspect all components 

for wear and replace any components as required. 

o Test all batteries for capacity. 

o Upgrade firmware and software to latest revisions 500 HOUR PM (SUGGESTED) 

o An approved technician should disassemble the UA V and inspect all components 

for wear and replace any components as required. 

o Replace all motors. 

o Test all batteries for capacity. 

o Upgrade firmware and software to latest revisions. 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK 171 PAGE 
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SECTION 9 - SUPPLEMENTS 

COTS components have been utilized in the construction of this AV. All instruction 

manuals, operating handbooks, warning notices, and more are available as separate 

documents. Components which may have separate documentation follow. Print out the 

significant documents and keep in a notebook with the copter at all times. 

• AIRFRAME AUTOPILOT SYSTEM BATTERIES BATTERY CHARGER CAMERA MANUAL 

• DATA WIRELESS LINK GIMBAL CAMERA MOUNT 

• GIMBAL CAMERA MOUNT MOTORS/CONTROLLER LAPTOP COMPUTER 

• MOTORS 

• ONBOARD REGULATOR PROPELLERS 

• RC/MANUAL COMMAND & CONTROL SYSTEM SPEED CONTROLS (ESCs) 

• VIDEO CAPTURE HARDWARE VIDEO CAPTURE SOFTWARE VIDEO WIRELESS LINK 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK 181 PAGE 
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GeoBiuServices 

http://www .geo bluservices.com 

UAV 

S-600 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK 
This book is offered in a format so that pilots can customize the checklists to their exact 

needs. Please print out this handbook, make notes regarding the checklist, then change 

the wording and order to suit your needs. Then print out the revised form and laminate it 

in plastic. Use it every time you operate your aircraft. Keep the log books regarding the 

following: 

1) Pilot flight time 

2) Aircraft flight time 

3) Aircraft maintenance and updates 

4) Battery usage, date put into service, voltage, mah vs time 

o Print out and make readily available the error message legend of various flashing 

lights. 

o Know what to do without hesitation should you observe warnings. 

o Insurance is a must! Not only will it be expensive to repair your aircraft in the event 

of an incident, if you injure bystanders or damage other people's property you are 

liable for damages which could run into the millions of dollars. One insurance 

company which currently writes policies on sUAS is www.Transportrisk.com. 

Errors & Omissions should be sent to customerservice@geobluservices.com. We will 

promptly update the POH for everyone to have the latest updates available. 

Flight Times using 90% of battery: 

16,000 mah battery with gimbal and camera: 12+ min 

These times are averages in our tests. Individual flight times may differ based on weight 

and flying style. 
CHECKLISTS 

BENCH SET UP & TESTS 

o All screws/bolts are tight 

o Timer alarm for flight time to not exceed 80% battery capacity set properly o 

Batteries are secure oAntennas are secure oProps balanced oProps aligned o 

Props not chipped 

o Check blades, arms, etc. for cracks/damage 

o Wiring Tight 

o No excessive flexing of motors or booms oBooms/motors will not twist oCenter of 

gravity is correct 

o Warning lights set for low battery if used 

o Batteries charged. Replace any battery which cycles below 80% of rated 

capacity 

• Laptop Battery 

• Flight Battery 

• RC Tx Battery 

• Video Rx Battery 

• Spare Laptop Battery 

INVENTORY CHECKLIST 

o Load Flight plan 

o Camera with SD card, spare batteries 

o Spare parts/tools/props 

o Spare flight batteries 

o Flight Controller/Transmitter 

o Video Monitor, stand/mount, battery, antennas 

o Datalink/iPad 

PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST 

o Position: GCS, UA V 

o Emergency LZ 

o Area secure 

o Props installed/tightened via "quick- disconnects" 

o Antennas 

o Battery connector (battery balance tab connector) for "video" out 

o GCS 

o Lens caps removed (FPV /Sony) 

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Camera On 

SD card 

CHECKLISTS 2 I Po g 
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o Flight battery: voltage- install 

o Transmitter: Switched - On 

o Model Selection - Surv 800 

o Camera Gimbal motors disarm for GPS/compass calibration/re-arm post 

GPS/compass calibration 

o Calibrate GPS/compass per DJI instruction (360 degrees rotation 

vertical/horizontal) 

o GPS Mode- Double Purple/Single Purple 

o Camera/Gimbal tests 

o Upload mission 

TAKEOFF CHECKLIST 

o GPS mode 

o Motor startup/checks 

o Takeoff 

o Gimbal tilt angle adjust 

LANDING CHECKLIST 

o LZ clear 

o Land 

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Disconnect all battery connections 

Turn off transmitter 

o Camera Power off 

o Disconnect video power 

o Check props/Motor Temps 

ERROR MESSAGES 

0 White flashes: IMU malfunction. Land and determine cause. Possibilities: 

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GPS/Compass not pointing forward 

IMU not pointing forward 

Set up of X, Y, Z for location of IMU and Compass is incorrect 

Excessive rocking/instability possible causes: 

Weak motor 

Structure flexing from fatigue or cracks 

Motor mount 

Main frame 

Booms 

Props 

Mounts 

Loose Bolts causing flexing or misalignment 

Props out of balance 

Props misaligned 

CHECKLISTS 3 I P g 
o Excessive wind speeds or gusts 

o Excessive Gains 

o Excessive motor power. Max motor power must a little more than typical ascent 

power. 

Red Flashes (1, 2 or 3 flashes with pauses)- GPS loss (3 is more serious). Land if loss lasts 

for more than 30 seconds. 

Possible causes: 

o Clouds 

o Structures 

o GPS mal-function 

o GPS too close to electrical components 

o GPS vibration 

CHECKLISTS 41Poge 
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Section 1: 

Section 2: 

Section 3: 

Section 4: 

Section 5: 

Section 6: 

Section 7: 

Section 8: 

Section 9: 

General 

Limitations 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Emergency Procedures 

Normal Procedures 

Performance 

Weight and Balance/Equipment List 

Air Vehicle and Systems Description 

Handling, Service and Maintenance 

Supplements 
SECTION 1 GENERAL 

NOTE: In an effort to minimize costs and maximize spare parts availability, many COTS 

(commercial off the shelf) components have been utilized. Some may have slight 

modifications to better suit this application. 

Most COTS products have separate data sheets, assembly manuals and instruction 

manuals. 

As with all high technology products utilizing constantly evolving software, it is important 

to periodically check for online upgrades to the COTS components, including hardware, 

firmware and software. 

WARNING: Great care must be taken with the batteries. Much of this manual and 

supplemental information is devoted to the use and care of the batteries, especially the 

flight batteries. They are less volatile than gasoline, though they should be treated with 

the same respect. Become very familiar with proper techniques of their use. 

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS 

o Economical due to extensive use of COTS products 

o Low Visual Signature 

o Quick Launch and Recovery 

o Short Training Period 

o Simple Operation 

o Waypoint Navigation 

o VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) 

o Quick Repairs 

o Redundant Flight Systems 

o Safety Return to Home during lost link 

o High Degree of Mission Success 

o GPS navigation 

o Flight Modes: Manual, Altitude Hold and GPS aided waypoint navigation, 

RTH(return- to-home) 

o Takeoff: Manual or Automatic 

o Landing: Manual or Automatic 

AUTOPILOT 

o Manufacturer: DJI-Innovations oAutopilot Model Number: Wookong 

o Components: GPS/Compass, IMU, Master Controller, Power Distribution System, 

LED Indicator Lighting System, Data Transceiver, GCS Software 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK PAGE I 1 
ANALOG WIRELESS LINKS 

o Distributor: DJI-Innovations 

[Frequencies: 

• 2.4 Ghz datalink with WiFi (50 waypoints) 

• 2.4 Ghz Command & Control 

• 5.8 Ghz Video -Usable Range: <2 km. 

FLIGHT BATTERY 

o Manufacturers: Various COTS suppliers 

o Battery chemistry recommended: Lithium Polymer 

o Battery Capacity: up to 1 6,000 mah or greater depending on max gross weight 

o Battery cell count required: 4S (4 cells in series) 

o Battery Voltage: 14V minimum during hover, 14.8V nominal, 16.8V maximum 

o Battery Minimum Rated Discharge Rate: 20C minimum 

o Battery Minimum Charge Rate: 1 C (3C preferable) 

o Battery Rest Time between discharging and charging: 0-30 minutes 

o Batteries used simultaneously: typically 1 

o Recommended Battery Discharge Amount: 80-85% 

FLIGHT PARAMETERS 

o Flight Time: 12+ minutes typical 

o Payload Max: 1 0 lbs for battery, sensor and gimbal 

WARNINGS 

o Never power a video transmitter or receiver without an antenna connected or 

overload failure will occur. 

o Read all information regarding batteries contained in this manual and 

supplements. 

o Batteries are highly flammable and can explode, especially when fully charged. 

Improper charging, vibration, impact, high discharge, etc. can lead to explosion 

and fire. Batteries must be charged under constant supervision and using proper 

precautions. 

o Batteries fully charged must be handled with extreme care. 

o Batteries must not be stored above 60% charged state. 

o Store batteries between 20%- 60% charged state. Fully charge just before use. 

o Fully charged batteries which are not to be used within 24 hours should be 

discharged to 20%-50% charged state. 

o Discharging LiPoly batteries in excess of 80% of their rated capacity can cause 

harm to the batteries. 

o Using more than one battery at a time requires the proper wiring harness so that 

the voltage is no more than 16.8V. Over voltage will cause serious damage to 

electrical equipment. 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK PAGE I 2 
o Using more than one battery at a time requires weight and balance checks. 

o Proper CG is critical to performance. Airframe must not be overloaded. 

o GPS/Compass must be facing forward. 

o Do not use GPS Mode without GPS lock. o Use low strength thread locking 

compound on all screws. 

o Wireless Video and Data ranges vary considerably on many factors including 

weather, equipment, and obstructions. 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK PAGE I 3 
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SECTION 2 LIMITATIONS 

AIRSPEED LIMITATIONS 

Vne- Velocity to Never Exceed: 15 m/s oVa- Typical Maneuvering Speed- 5 m/s 

POWER & POWERPLANT LIMITATIONS 

o 40Ampsmaxpermo~r 

o 40 Amps max per speed control 

o 320 Amps max total 

o Do not exceed 80-90% discharge of rated battery capacity 

o Do not charge batteries which are warmer than air temperature. 

o Allow batteries to cool after use before charging. Leave an air gap between 

batteries when multiple batteries are used simultaneously 

WEIGHT LIMITS 

o Takeoff Weight Max: 10 lbs 

o Must be checked prior to takeoff if any change in equipment is made. 

CENTER OF GRAVITY LIMITS 

0 3mm from the center of any of the three pairs of arms 

0 Must be checked before every flight to ensure batteries were installed in the 

proper location. Check all four pairs of arms before flight. 

MANEUVER LIMITS 

This aircraft is intended for non-aerobatic operations. 

o G-loading maximum: 2G 

TEMPERATURE LIMITS 

o Operating Temp Range: -10°C to +40°C 

In cold temperatures: 

o Keep IMU at room temperature if possible before the flight. 

o Keep Batteries above 5°C before flight. 

o Do not fly with any frost or ice on the propellers o In warm temperatures. 

o Batteries heat up when discharged. 

o The higher the discharge rate the higher the temperature increase during use. 

o At temperatures above 45°C, use of 2 or more batteries is required to lower the 

load on any one battery pack to keep it cooler. 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK PAGE I 4 
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WEATHER LIMITS 

Light dust and light rain require the use of a cover for the electronics in the center section. 

RANGE LIMITS 

Battery capacity is a primary limiting factor. 

Flying into the wind will use more battery power to travel the same ground distance. 

Higher air speeds will be required to penetrate the wind which used more battery power. 

Take this into account when flying a mission. 

Where possible, fly upwind at the start of a mission and downwind at the end to avoid 

depleting the battery before returning to base. Have alternative landing sites available 

in case of emergency landing. 

WIRELESS LINK 

o Wireless links will be stable in LOS (line of sight) in most conditions. 

o Wireless links are always susceptible to shorter ranges due to atmospheric 

conditions. 

• Other transmission devices in the area 

• Jamming 

• Antennas not aligned properly 

• 

• 

• 

Improper voltage 

Antenna blockage from A V in certain positions 

Multipath -reflection off buildings or ground which cause multiple 

signals to arrive at different times and/or phase. 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK PAGE I 5 
SECTION 3 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES 

MOTOR FAILURE 

o Operation is possible with one motor/ESC/propeller failure. 

o The two adjacent motors/ESCs will be increased in thrust automatically by the 

flight controller to overcome the loss. 

o In cases where the airframe is highly loaded the maximum rating of 40 amps may 

be exceeded by these two motors/ESCs. 

o Operation should be terminated as soon as possible to reduce the possibility of 

damage to the remaining motors. 

COMMUNICATION FAILURE 

o Video link failure. 

o 5.8 Ghz being the shortest wavelength in general UA V use has the least ability to 

penetrate. This link should be the first to be lost. 

o It is best to lose video first! It is the least likely to cause a crash when it fails. 

o 5.8 Ghz can lose link with little warning. 

o Ensure that the GCS station antennas are perpendicular to the UAV. Do not point 

the antenna at the A V. 

o Yaw the AV to change the antenna position 

o Other links should still be good. Return back to the GCS until link is restored. 

o Transmitters produce heat when in operation. When overheated they may have 

thermal protection which interrupts use temporarily. Use of a heat sink or fan may 

be required especially with high ambient temperatures. 

o Higher gain antennas may be used, but do so with caution. High gain antennas 

are directional. 

o Multiple antennas using "diversity" can be used. Diversity is a device which 

determines the best signal, and uses that. 

o 5.8 Ghz even at high wattages theoretically has less range than lower frequencies. 

o RC link failure 

o 2.4 Ghz antennas can lose link with little warning. 

o Anything in between the two antennas can cause temporary signal loss especially 

a person. 

o Hold the transmitter up in the air and walk in the general direction of the AV (aerial 

vehicle). 

o Ensure that the antenna is vertical. Do not point the antenna at the AV. 

o The failsafe's on the RC link should be set so that the AV returns to home. Should 

this require a heading change, the antenna may move into a more desirable 

position and link will be restored. 

o The onboard equipment may block the signal. Yaw the AV so that the antennas 

point towards the GCS. 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK PAGE I 6 
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LOW BATTERY POWER 

o Fail-safes can be set such that in the event of low battery power, either due to a 

failure or too long of a flight, the warning light on the A V will constantly flash 

amber. This is the first level of warning. 

o The second warning level is red flashing lights 

o Landing with 80-90% of battery depleted is best. 

o Do not mix partially charged batteries. Only use completely charged batteries. 

GCS FAILURE 

o Takeover by the external pilot should happen ASAP using the RC link. 

o Most often happens due to a low battery. 

o Keep a spare 3 cell LiPoly battery with the appropriate plug to plug into the charge 

jack for emergency use. Most chargers are 19V output which is roughly equivalent 

to a 4-cell battery. 3-cell batteries may work. 

COMPASS CALIBRATION ERROR 

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FIRE 

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If the compass is out of calibration the warning light will flash red. This is the same 

signal as low voltage. If the voltage is correct, there is a calibration error. 

Recalibrate the compass following the instruction manual. 

Fires can occur due to a short circuit or battery failure. 

Disconnect the battery ASAP unless there is danger in doing so if there is any 

electrical issue. 

It is not possible to put out a battery fire. 

Do not attempt to put out a battery fire. Use a fire extinguisher to put out fires 

surrounding the battery. A C02 fire extinguisher is better than the powder or 

chemical type. C02 does not leave a residue. Water can be used though it may 

cause other electrical component failures. 

FORCED LANDINGS 

o If alternate emergency landing zones should be chosen ahead of time. 

o Be sure that the LZ is clear of people to avoid any incidents. 

o Land in the nearest LZ which is clear of people. 

o Announce your intentions of landing as loud as necessary to alert people of the 

incoming AV. 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK PAGE I 7 
SECTION 4- SET UP SUGGESTIONS 

GPS/COMPASS MAST LENGTH 

o We found that the higher the mast, the better the GPS reception. 

RADIO SET UP 

o Follow the instructions in the manual. 

TIMERS 

o Use of the countdown timer is a good backup method to ensure landing with 

battery power. 

o Set the timer for 10 minutes (or what you deem appropriate) and have it start when 

the throttle is over 1

k Then adjust the timer upwards until the amount of battery 

used is about 80-90% of the total available. 

BATTERIES 

o Replace the transmitter standard battery with a Lipoly battery to extend use times 

to eight hours. Supplied batteries often last about two hours. 

NORMAL PROCEDURES 

PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST 

o Confirm all communication radios are operational. 

o Area must be clear of people to avoid collision. 

o Check for overhead power lines and other obstacles to avoid. 

o Check structural integrity. 

o In event of prior crash, inspect all booms, props, and motor mounts for excessive 

flex indicating structural fatigue/failure. 

o Have a manual flight plan avoiding obstacles. 

o Load auto flight plan if using one. 

o Be sure that the total flight time is under 15 minutes to avoid low battery. 

o Clean lens. 

o Remove lens cap. 

o Ensure camera has SD card installed. 

o Many flights have been wasted due to this! olnstall batteries. 

o Ensure that the straps are tight and the Velcro keeps the batteries from moving 

which will avoid a shift in the CG (Center of Gravity- or that it balances evenly). 

o Check CG (Center of Gravity). 

o Lift the copter on each of the two pairs of arms. The copter should balance 

properly. If not, do not fly. Rearrange the equipment such that the CG is o IMU 

pointing forward. 

o The Inertial Measurement Unit is set so that it must face forward oGPS/Compass 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK 81 PAGE 
installed, limited free play, pointing forward. 

o This device must be installed with a screw to hold it in place. It cannot vibrate 

easily. If it does not point forward, the corrections in ATTI and GPS mode will be 

incorrect and it will crash. The FC will provide a warning with constant flashing 

white lights. 

o Level copter using a bubble level with front pointing in correct direction for course 

lock- do not turn on. 

o Keep in mind the best angle for pointing the landing gear in the direction that will 

keep the landing gear out of the shot when flying. 

• Turn on Pilot Tx 

• Confirm transmitter switch settings. 

• Check Model Selection on Tx to be Surv 800 oThrottle on Tx Down. 

• Return to Home switch off. 

o These settings above are required to initialize the copter properly. If the switches 

are in the incorrect position, it will not initialize properly. 

o If the copter does not function properly after takeoff, land immediately and 

disconnect the copter power. Then put all the switches in the proper position for 

initialization and turn the power back on to the copter. 

o Do not move or vibrate the copter until 30 seconds after full GPS Lock. 

o Initial 3 red blinks is normal meaning no GPS lock. No red flashes indicates full GPS 

lock. 

o Continue with checklist as you are waiting for full GPS lock, but do not move the 

copter. 

o If the GPS takes more than 5 minutes to lock, there is a problem with the area. It is 

not receiving the proper signals from the satellites. GPS signals are weak, so trees, 

people, buildings, terrain, weather, have an effect. Move the copter into a more 

open area where it can more easily see the satellites. 

o The transmitters receive a signal from the corresponding receivers. The voltages 

are regulated to about 5v. If the voltage is below 4.4v or above 6v do not fly. There 

may be power regulation issues. The receivers cannot work outside this voltage 

consistently. Also there is some issue if the voltage is outside that range which 

should be resolved before flying. 

o Engage Attitude Mode- Must achieve double amber flash. 

o Engage GPS Mode- Must achieve double purple flash Do not engage motors. 

o Center the trim such that when the stick is in the neutral position that there are 

equal numbers of clicks in each direction. This ensures that when the sticks are 

neutralized that the flight cohtroller will recognize this signal and engage GPS 

mode. 

o Calibrate GPS/Compass before the first flight each day or if receiving continuous 

red blinks or continuous white blinks. 

o Flip the GPS mode switch 7 times very quickly from manual to GPS. End with the 

switch in the manual position. The indicator light will be blue. Rotate the copter 

about. 

o 1 .5 turns in a horizontal position. A green flashing light indicates that this is 

complete. Then hold the copter vertically and rotate about 1 .5 turns. A white 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK 9IPAGE 
flashing light indicates that this is complete. Repeat if necessary until this is 

completed. 

• After calibration, reset the copter by cycling battery with copter pointed in 

the correct heading for course lock. 

• Engage Camera. 

• HDMI switch On. 

o This will stop video from playing on the back of the camera and will send the video 

signal to the video transmitter via the HDMI connection. 

o This allows the camera to be operated freely through the transmitter. 

o Verify camera operation. 

o Operate the shutter. 

o Set the focus to auto. 

o Verify data link if installed. 

o Roll the copter about 45 degrees on its side by lifting one side of the copter and 

resting one side of the landing gear on the ground. 

o A corresponding roll should be seen on the gauge. 

o If the copter is rolled to the right, it will appear on the gauge that the horizon rolls 

to the left- not the right because the view from inside the copter is that the horizon 

rolls the opposite direction of the copter. 

0 Verify altitude is about 0 via gauge on computer. 

0 If it is not about 0, the altitude settings for the waypoints will be off by this amount. 

This could cause the copter to fly at 1 0 meters or 30 meters if the waypoint is set 

for 20 meters and the altitude is off by 1 0 meters one way or another. If the copter 

thinks it is at 1 0 meters when it is on the ground, then it will only rise 1 0 meters above 

the ground to achieve what it believes it to be 20 meters above the ground. 

0 The altitude can be reset using the ground control software by going to altitude 

offset. 

o Alternate Emergency Landing Sites Established. 

NORMAL TAKEOFF 

o Engage GPS mode- Double purple flash when the throttle is down instances. 

o Announce loudly: "CLEAR PROP" 

o Move both of the sticks to the bottom left corners to engage the motors. Within 1 

second move the throttle up 1/8- 1/4. The copter should not lift off until about 112 

stick is reached. 

o Verify data and video links before lifting off. If anything is not working properly, 

move the throttle stick to low to disengage the motors and determine a solution. 

o If all flight checks are passed, announce loudly: "TAKING OFF" 

o Advance throttle to about 3/4. Copter must jump off of the ground to avoid one 

skid coming up before the other skid, and the skid on the ground getting caught 

and flipping the copter over sideways. 

o Ascend to 3 meters. Then decrease throttle to Y2 to engage the GPS hold. 

o Verify links, GPS, Attitude, etc. Should be single purple flash. 

o Verify that the copter is holding position within .5m in all directions. 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK 10IPAGE 
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o Verify camera operation. 

o Verify copter stability. If unstable, land and reset gains, recalibrate, or retest as 

necessary. 

o Proceed with manual mission or; For autopilot operation 

o Ascend to 1 0 meters. 

o Quick decisions are required when red flashes are indicated. 

o 1 0 seconds or more of loss of GPS signal will stop waypoint guidance and any GPS 

hold and put into manual mode. 

o Red indicator light battery warning requires immediate landing. 

POST LANDING 

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Note battery power used during the flight. Write this down in the log book. 

ALWAYS disconnect the main power to the UAV first, then turn off the transmitter. 

Check motor temperatures by touching them with your fingers. Any motors which 

are excessively hot should be further inspected and possibly replaced. 

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Check battery temperatures by touching them with your fingers. 

• Battery temperatures should not be hot to the touch. 

• Battery temperatures should be slightly above ambient. 

Inspect all components especially the propellers for wear. 

Note in logbook which batteries were used to calculate life cycle. 

0 Remove the props using the "quick-disconnects" for return storage in case. 

AIRCRAFT FLIGHT LOG BOOK (Can be purchased inexpensively) 

o Keep a log of all flights. 

• Date 

• Time of Day 

• Time in Operation (in hours) 

• Mah used in flight 

• Location 

• Pilot, Observer, Sensor Operator Names 

• Flight Objective 

• Remarks 

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE LOG BOOK (Can be purchased inexpensively) 

o Keep a log of significant inspections, tests, repairs, alterations, equipment 

changes. 

• Date maintenance is performed. 

• Accumulated hours of operation. 

• Remarks. 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK 11 I pAGE 
PILOT LOG BOOK (Can be purchased inexpensively) 

o Keep a log of all flights. Include the following: 

• Aircraft flown 

• Aircraft serial number 

• Date 

• Time of Day 

• Time in Operation (in hours) 

• Location 

• Flight Objective 

• Remarks 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK 12IPAGE 
SECTION 5 - PERFORMANCE 

FLIGHT TIMES 

o The UAV is designed to hover at high efficiency. Hovering is much less efficient 

than flying on a wing, thus flight times are low compared to fixed wing aircraft. 

o All the weight of the UA Vis supported by power from the batteries. As the batteries 

are used in a flight, the amount of power available decreases. Therefore, the 

power reserve is constantly decreasing as the battery is being used. Thus loading 

a rotorcraft above its limit is not recommended. While the UA V may have enough 

power to lift off initially on a full charge, the power reserve at partial charge may 

be too low to allow for maneuvering and will result in a crash. 

o High lateral speeds will add lift to slightly improve efficiency. The rotors act similar 

to fixed wings at higher speeds. This increase in efficiency may be negated by the 

increased power consumption of forward flight. 

o High winds or gusts decrease efficiency/flight time. The motors work harder to hold 

position. 

o As weight increases flight times decrease. 

WIRELESS TRANSMISSION 

o Refer to the specific manuals for performance ratings. 

o Wireless communications utilized provide acceptable communication for LOS (loss 

of signal). 

o In general: 

• LOS is required. 

• The higher the GCS antennas, the better the range. 

• Any freq. at may have severe degradation due to location to other 

admitters such as cell towers. 

• RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication) should be monitored for 

indication of communication drop out. 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK 131 PAGE 
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SECTION 6- WEIGHT AND BALANCE EQUIPMENT LIST 

o CG is critical to the efficient operation of any A V. 

o When components are shifted, the CG will be altered. 

o The main components which are moved on a regular basis are the sensors and 

the batteries. 

o The sensors are typically in the front of the AV, and the batteries are located in the 

correct position to offset all the components on the AV. 

o The CG must be tested after any change to the components or their placement. 

o The CG should be tested by lifting the UA V with fingers on the bottom of the arms. 

WEIGHT 

Check all three pairs of arms. The CG should be no more than 2mm off in any on 

the three checks. The closer the CG is to the centerlines of the arms the more 

efficient and the more stable the UA V will be. 

o Weight is critical to the operation of any aircraft. 

o Weight is especially critical to a rotor wing aircraft. At full throttle the motors have 

a finite amount of thrust. All the weight is lifted by the battery power, there is no 

wing to assist in providing lift. 

o As the batteries are operated, they lose power. At full charge they have about 

16.8v. At 20% remaining capacity they have about 14.0v. 

o Do not overload the aircraft or there will not be sufficient reserve power to 

maneuver at low battery levels. 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK 14jPAGE 
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SECTION 7- AIR VEHICLE AND SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION 

FLIGHT BATTERY REQUIRED 

o Manufacturers: Various COTS suppliers. 

o Battery chemistry recommended: Lithium Polymer. 

o Battery Capacity: up to 16,000 mah or greater depending on max gross weight. 

o Battery cell count required: 4S (4 cells in series) 

o Battery Voltage: 14V minimum during hover, nominal, 16.8V maximum. 

o Battery Minimum Rated Discharge Rate: 20C minimum. 

o Battery Minimum Charge Rate: 1 C (2C preferable) 

o Battery Rest Time between discharging and charging: 0-30 minutes. 

o Batteries used simultaneously: Typically 1 

o Recommended Battery Discharge Amount: 80-90% 

WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS 

o Refer to the specific manuals for performance ratings. 

o Never power a video transmitter or receiver without an antenna connected or 

overload failure will occur. 

o Wireless communications utilized provide acceptable communication for LOS. 

o In general: 

• LOS is required. 

o Lower frequencies penetrate objects such as trees better than higher freqs. 

o Lower freqs have longer range than high freqs. 

o Higher freqs can transfer more data than lower freqs. 

o Higher freqs use smaller/shorter antennas. 

o The higher the GCS antennas, the better the range and reception. 

o Any freq at may have severe degradation due to location to other admitters such 

as cell towers. 

o Range must be constantly monitored. 

o Alternate antenna types may be utilized to improve link/range. Patch, helical, 

omni, etc. can be substituted. They must be verified before use. 

o Alternate freqs may be utilized to improve link/range. 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK 151 PAGE 
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SECTION 8 HANDLING, SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE 

PROPELLER CARE 

o Propellers must be checked each flight for nicks or cracks. 

o Propellers are designed to last indefinitely if they do not impact dust, dirt or more. 

BATTERY CARE AND USE 

Refer to instruction sheet included from the battery manufacturer. Typical information 

follows: 

o Batteries are highly flammable and can explode, especially when fully charged. 

Improper charging, vibration, impact, high discharge, etc. can lead to explosion 

and fire. 

o Batteries must be charged under constant supervision and using proper 

precautions. 

o Batteries fully charged must be handled with extreme care. 

o Any battery which puffs up is considered damaged and must not be used. It is in 

a dangerous state. Never charge a puffed up battery. 

o Any battery which holds less than 80% of its rated capacity should be discarded. 

o Cycle test each battery after every 50 cycles or if a battery is suspected to have 

lost as significant amount of its capacity to determine the current capacity. 

o Properly dispose of batteries. First discharge the battery fully using a battery cycler. 

Bring to a recycler such as a home improvement store. 

o Always charge flight batteries under "balance" mode. 

o Flight Battery Recommended Charge- Rate: 1 C which takes approximately 1 hour 

to charge. 

o Flight Battery Maximum Charge Rate: May exceed 5C. Charge rates higher than 

1 C will decrease life cycles. Maximum charge rating per the manufacturer will 

provide 300+ cycles. Use the lowest charge rate which is practical. 

o Battery Rest Time between discharging and charging: 30 minutes minimum, 1 hour 

maximum. 

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Do not charge if the battery is more than 2°C warmer than ambient, especially if 

the temperature is above 20°C. The outer surface is cooler than the inner core 

after use. Damage will occur when charging a warm battery. 

Recommended Battery Discharge Amount: 80%. Using more of the capacity of 

the battery will decrease the life cycles 

As battery temperature approaches freezing the capacity of Lithium Polymer 

batteries decrease. Keep warmer than 5°C before installing into the UAV 

(unmanned aerial vehicle). 

Battery capacity decreases at higher discharge rates. Using more batteries 

decreases the discharge rate of each battery thereby extending individual 

battery capacity slightly. 

Lower discharge rates improve the life cycles. 

Batteries are rated at greater than 300 life cycles. 1 ,000+ life cycles are possible. 

Batteries must not be stored above 60% charged state for extended periods. 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK 16IPAGE 
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0 Batteries should be stored below 25°C for extended periods. 

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Store batteries between 40%- 60% charged state. Fully charge just before use. 

Fully charged batteries which are not to be used within 24 hours should be 

discharged to 40%- 60% charged state using the battery discharger. 

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE 

ANNUAL INSPECTION (SUGGESTED) 

o If the airframe has in excess of 300 hours in a one year period, an annual inspection 

must be completed by an approved technician. 

o An approved technician should disassemble the UA V and inspect all components 

for wear and replace any components as required. 

o Test all batteries for capacity. 

o Upgrade firmware and software to latest revisions 500 HOUR PM (SUGGESTED) 

o An approved technician should disassemble the UA V and inspect all components 

for wear and replace any components as required. 

o Replace all motors. 

o Test all batteries for capacity. 

o Upgrade firmware and software to latest revisions. 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK 171 PAGE 
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SECTION 9 - SUPPLEMENTS 

COTS components have been utilized in the construction of this AV. All instruction 

manuals, operating handbooks, warning notices, and more are available as separate 

documents. Components which may have separate documentation follow. Print out the 

significant documents and keep in a notebook with the copter at all times. 

• AIRFRAME AUTOPILOT SYSTEM BATTERIES BATTERY CHARGER CAMERA MANUAL 

• DATA WIRELESS LINK GIMBAL CAMERA MOUNT 

• GIMBAL CAMERA MOUNT MOTORS/CONTROLLER LAPTOP COMPUTER 

• MOTORS 

• ONBOARD REGULATOR PROPELLERS 

• RC/MANUAL COMMAND & CONTROL SYSTEM SPEED CONTROLS (ESCs) 

• VIDEO CAPTURE HARDWARE VIDEO CAPTURE SOFTWARE VIDEO WIRELESS LINK 

PILOT OPERATIONS HANDBOOK 18IPAGE