October 16, 2015 

Mr. James Williams 

Manager, Flight Standards Service 

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integrations Office 

Federal Aviation Administration 

800 Independence Avenue, SW 

Washington, DC 20591 

U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operation 

West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

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RE: Request for exemption from multiple regulatory provisions to allow use of small unmanned aerial 

systems on land controlled by clients of Adam Ringle Consulting, LLC to assist in safe evaluation of 

infrastructure and operations, site surveys and aerial photographic support for our clients. 

Dear Mr. Williams: 

Adam Ringle Consulting, LLC (ARC) respectfully requests an exemption from several provisions of Title 14 

ofthe Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) to permit the use of small unmanned aerial systems (SUAS) to 

assist in the evaluation of infrastructure and operations, aerial photography and site surveys for our 

clients. This request is motivated primarily by the desire to maximize safety in infrastructure and 

operations as well providing site surveys from a low altitude aerial view. While an exemption would not 

eliminate the need for in person inspections of equipment, operations and installed site security 

features, it would allow ARC to broadly evaluate assets and operations with SUAS, resulting in a safer 

and more efficient infrastructure and security network. Accordingly, the grant of an exemption is 

consistent with Congress's intent, reflected in section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 

2012 (Modernization Act), 1 that safe systems be permitted in the national airspace prior to the issuance 

of final regulations governing general use of these systems. 2 A summary of this request suitable for 

publication in the Federal Register is provided as Appendix A. 

Appendix B provides than manufacturers information regarding the design, aircraft performance and 

fail-safe features. We have provided manufactures information related to operating limitations, normal 

and emergency procedures, and maintenance and inspections procedures. 

Appendix C provides the ARC Operations Manual for flights covered under this Exemption Request. 

1 P.L 112-95, 126 Stat 11, February 14, 2012. 

2 Section 333(b) (2) specifically contemplates that the FAA may issue a certificate of waiver upon finding that a type of UAS, as a result of its 

size, weight, speed, operational capacity, proximity to airports and populated areas, and operations with a visual line of sight do not create a 

hazard to users of the NAS or the public or pose a threat to national security. 

Background Information 

ARC is in the business of consulting on Mission Specific Safe SUAS operations and aerial photography 

Missions for our clients as part of our on customer site value added services enhancements. We have 

developed specific ARC Safe UAS Operational Procedures. Increasingly, we are called upon to help our 

clients looking to operate SUAS for site security evaluations of physical barriers or security 

enhancements they have placed on their property, photography missions for company publications and 

infrastructure safety and maintenance inspections. 

Aerial Photography Operations: 

Asset placement and recording of high value HVAC structures 

Property photographic documentation for publications 

Recording of enhancements made to security and property lines 

Public relations operations 

Insurance inspections 

Infrastructure Safety Inspection Operations: 

Railroad Inspection 

Agriculture Inspection 

Oil-field Inspection 

Utility Inspection 

Construction Site Inspection 

Pipeline Inspection 

Petro/chemical/manufacturing Inspection 

As part of the ARC is requesting FAA Exemption for SUAS operations for safety inspection and video 

capture usage. 

Regulatory Basis for Exemption Request 

In addition to the waiver authority provide in section 333 of the Modernization Act, the FAA may grant 

an exemption under 49 U.S.C. section 44701 (f) if it has determined that such an exception is in the 

public interest. The FAA has imposed a separate requirement in its procedural regulations, providing 

that the petitioner shall explain why granting the exception would not adversely affect safety or how the 

exception would provide at least an equivalent level of safety as compliance with the underlying 

regulation. In this case, approval of this exemption would advance the public interest by significantly 

enhancing the safety and efficiency of infrastructure operations and by providing the FAA with valuable 

user experience on the SUAS in a context with appreciable economic and societal benefits. As described 

below, the requested exemption would permit the operation of SUAS only under tightly and specifically 

controlled conditions, thus ensuring that operations will not have an adverse impact on safety. To the 

contrary, as explained below, ARC anticipates that the use of the SUAS will enhance safety in all 

operations, but largely in infrastructure operations. Granting an exemption is in the public interest. The 

safety and efficiency of infrastructure operations is heavily dependent upon constant analysis of assets, 

right of way, infrastructure, security assets in place and additional assets/facilities. There are a wide 

variety of factors that can affect conditions and cause problems for both infrastructure and security 

operations. Relatively small objects, minor perimeter security barriers not placed correctly, minor 

system failures can lead to accidents or other incidents causing downtime of infrastructure. Extreme 

weather events can lead to flooding or overheating infrastructure. For example earthquakes, landslides 

and abandoned vehicle at gate crossings can block infrastructure. The potential for terrorism, sabotage 

or simple trespassing are among the most prevalent risks that our modern infrastructure constantly 

faces. 

As a result, pursuant to federal regulations and company policy, our client's maintenance and security 

employees routinely inspect the infrastructure, such as bridges, tunnels, support structures and signals. 

At present, this work is done primarily by company personnel in motor vehicles, on foot, or in 

specialized site specific equipment. This is often a labor-intensive and sometimes dangerous job. While 

our clients do all they can to make these inspections and site surveys of assets as safe as possible, there 

is an irreducible element of risk involved whenever employees are required to go out on structures. 

Employees may need to climb over or onto structures, which can be slippery, rough and /or exposed to 

the elements. Some structures, such as bridges or building roof tops are high above the ground. 

Equipment moving through inspections or increased internal security zones can increase risk as well, 

especially in high traffic area. While the use of SUAS for supplemental infrastructure and general asset 

evaluation would not eliminate these risks entirely (as it is an additive safety measure), it would greatly 

reduce the risks to employees by allowing for remote direct line of sight aerial review by properly 

trained personnel. 

Additionally, the sheer amount of assets and the widely dispersed locations-in many instances far from 

sizeable population centers- means that visual inspection in all instances by company personnel can be 

inefficient. Aerial analysis by traditional fixed wing aircraft is impractical because the required altitudes 

for safe flight reduce visibility below meaningful levels- it is simple not possible to see all asset 

anomalies from such heights. Helicopters provided better vantage points; however manned helicopters 

are significantly more costly, subject to human safety and carry highly volatile jet fuel making them 

impractical for normal deployment. By using SUAS for supplemental asset evaluation, ARC will be able to 

substantially upgrade its capacity to detect and address issues with right of way, security plans and 

assets and other fixed assets on site before they become a problem to mitigate for safe operations. 

Thus, the use of SUAS has the potential to improve efficiency, resulting in faster and safe delivery of 

goods, energy and natural resources vital to the United Stated economy. 
•. 
Granting an Exemption will not Aversely Effect Safetv 

ARC notes that there is no applicable standard for an equivalency determination. Some have argued that 

the appropriate standard is that for model aircraft, noting that their operations, if conducted for 

recreational purposes, would fall completely within the allowable operations for model aircraft. We 

believe it is difficult to argue that there is sufficient correlation between model operations controlled by 

the Academy of Model Aeronautics and the one contemplated by ARC. At the same time, it is clear that 

the equivalency cannot be established for traditional, manned civil aircraft because the design and use 

profiles between traditional aircraft and SUAS are simply too different. As such, we believe it makes 

more sense to focus on why the contemplated operations would not adversely affect safety, which is all 

that section ll.Sl(e) requires. 

Granting an exemption will not adversely affect safety. ARC contemplates conducting SUAS operations 

or privately client owned land or controlled land, solely during daylight hours, at altitudes will below 

that which would pose a risk to other aircraft, not to exceed 200 feet AGL. In general, SUAS operations 

are intended to be conducted in areas distant from both congested area and airports. Moreover, 

because of inherent risks presented by highly secure facilities and standard infrastructure operations, 

our clients have already taken steps to secure property against unauthorized public access. For example, 

substantial stretches of pipeline, utilities, railroad track and oil production sites are fenced, have 

enhances security protection programs, are elevated or otherwise patrolled or secured to prevent 

access. Other long stretches of infrastructure are, as noted above, in very remote and/or wilderness 

area. The nature of operations anticipated by ARC requires the SUAS be flown at low altitudes, fairly low 

speeds and/or hovering and evaluating conditions. ARC expects that in most instances, the SUAS will be 

flown less than 60 feet from the highest structure along the path of the SUAS. Accordingly, the risk of 

interference with other aircraft is minimal. ARC also plans to conduct SUAS operations of at least 5NM 

from any public airports or heliports. If a circumstance arises where the need to conduct an operation 

closer to said airport/heliport, ARC PIC will make direct contact with the airport ATC of the 

contemplated operational area for instructions. ARC PIC will comply with any directions, NOT AM's or 

specified conditions as directed or issued by ATC for that airport. Contact will be made by appropriate 

and designated contact information as listed in the A F/D. 

Approval of exemptions allowing commercial operations of SUAS in the infrastructure aerial inspection 

industry will enhance safety by reducing risk to everyone. Conventional aircraft operations, using jet or 

piston powered aircraft, operational at extremely low altitudes and in extreme proximity to people and 

structures, pose a high hazard and elevated risk platform for many reasons. Some include that the 

weight of these aircraft can weigh 4,000 pounds or more, carry large amount of jet A or other volatile 

fuel and must be flow to and from the inspection or photography mission location. Conversely, a SUAS 

weighing fewer than 55 pounds and powered by electric motors and batteries eliminates the vast 

majority if not all of the given risk and poses no additional hazard of combustible fuel carried on board. 

The SUAS is carried to the site or location and will not carry any passengers or crew and therefore, will 

not expose them to the risks associated with manned aircraft flights. 
... 
The operation of SUAS's, weighing less than 55 pounds, conducted in the strict conditions as outlined 

above, will provide an equivalent level of safety supporting the grant of exemptions requested herein, 

including 333 Aircraft Exemption Status exempting the applicant from conventional aircraft 

requirements and allowing commercial operations. These lightweight aircraft will operate at slow 

speeds, close to the ground and in a controlled environment and, a~ a result, are far safer than 

conventional operations conducted with turbine helicopters operating in close proximity to the grounds 

and persons. 

The safety of those on the ground is protected by the fact that no one will be allowed into the area of 

operation without permission from the company. Security will be established and the perimeter for the 

flight area controlled strictly as part of the pre-flight operations and controls put in place. Each 

individual within the established perimeter or secure area will be required to take part in a preflight 

safety briefing, and must consent to being in the secured area. All non-participants will be forbidden and 

excluded from the area of flight operations. 

ARC will only use its own dedicated staff for SUAS operations and all operations will be within visual line 

of sight within .25-.50 miles from the pilot in command (UAS operator). There will be one PIC and one 

observer per operation at all times during flight operations. Both the PIC and the observer must conduct 

three takeoffs and landings on which they are trained every 90-days. PIC's and observers will establish 

their qualifications and currency thru a combination of aeronautical knowledge, UAS airmanship skills 

and verification through testing of their flight ability before actual operations have commenced. 

Depending on the mission type and specific circumstances, additional visual observers and or safety 

officers may be utilized at the discretion of the PIC, but there must always be at least one qualified PIC 

and one qualified observer during any and all operations. The observers will maintain radio and direct 

visual contact with the PIC at all times during the operation in a minimum of two forms. An Example will 

be direct radio contact plus mobile cell phone, both must be fully charged and operational. 

There are no standards for either private or commercial SUAS pilot certificates. The safe operation and 

control of the SUAS as described by the applicant does not depend on the type of FAA airman certificate 

held by the PIC such as SPA, Private etc. Given the restricted and controlled airspace with which the 

operations will take place, key factors needed by the PIC are knowledge of the airspace within which the 

operation will take place and how that airspace fits into the NAS. That knowledge can be and is gained 

primarily through ground school and through flight training in fixed wing or rotorcraft, nor is it 

dependent on the acquisition of a commercial or private pilot certificate. Those certificates demonstrate 

knowledge of factors and skills needed for the the safe operations of those types of aircraft (fixed wing 

or rotorcraft). It cannot and should not be assumed that a commercial pilot, approved to operate a 

helicopter or fixed wing aircraft, has the skill or ability to safely operate a small UAS, operating at 200 

feet AGL or lower, within strictly controlled pre-approved airspace. In addition to knowledge of airspace 

regulations, dexterity in the control and operation of the SUAS acquired from actual operation of this 

particular class of aircraft in the most important factor in establishing an equivalent level of safety. 

If the PIC has acquired the necessary knowledge of the airspace requirements, the relevant issues are 

where the aircraft is to be flown, the size of the aircraft relative to what is being used to accomplish the 

same mission and what precautions will be taken to ensure the safety of those in the area of operation. 

We propose that the PIC hold a minimum of an FAA Sport Pilot Certificate and a class Ill medical 

certificate, the aircraft will be operated within a secure perimeter and that no one be allowed to enter 

the secure area unless they are a participant in the flight operation, have been fully briefed of the risks 

prior to operations of the SUAS being conducted and have consented to the risks associated with being 

in the operational area. Should there be an emergency, the SUAS being flown pose a significantly lower 

risk platform than the helicopters or fixed wing aircraft currently being employed because they are a 

fraction of the size, carry no flammable fuel, do not carry crew or passengers and pose the most minimal 

of risk to others in comparison. This is in stark contrast to conventional aircraft that are flown to the site, 

carry explosive fuel, carry passengers and crew, and operate in a much larger area posing a significant 

danger. 

From a practical, notable and comparable standpoint, there are relatively few licensed full-scale aircraft 

pilots who are also qualified to fly the type pf SUAS that are utilized for infrastructure imaging 

operations. There are even fewer commercial pilots that can fly these SUAS- to the point that to do both 

is considered rare. Assuming that it is unlikely for a company to find a SUAS pilot to train and obtain a 

commercial certificate, or find a commercial certificated pilot who would be willing to learn to fly a SUAS 

to the competency level required for professional use. 

Minimum requirements for the PIC include: 

1. FAA Sport pilot certificate and a class 3 medical certificate; 

2. A minimum of 200 flight cycles and 25 hours total time as a SUAS rotorcraft pilot and at least 10 

hours logged as a SUAS pilot with a similar SUAS type single blade or multi rotor; 

3. A minimum of 5 hours as a SUAS pilot with the make and model of SUAS to be utilized for 

operations under the exemption and three take offs and landings in the proceeding 90 days; 

4. Have undergone a qualified process as specified in the Flight Operations and Procedures Manual 

consisting of a knowledge and skill test of the aircraft to be utilized. 

Another consideration supporting the certificate requirement is that the pilots holding a sport pilot 

certificate are subject to security screening by the Department of Homeland Security. This requirement 

should ameliorate security concerns over UAS operations under this exemption. 

ARC intends to use commercially available SUAS complements for SUAS. Those SUAS systems will be 

tested for quality and safety in our test area prior to be deployed in the field. The SUAS is less than 55 

pounds fully loaded, carries neither a pilot nor passenger, and operates exclusively with a secured area. 

We have routine maintenance schedule to verify that the SUAS will remain in safe and operational 

condition. Please refer to Appendix B for specific types of SUAS that will be utilized. 

Notes Regarding: 14 C.F.R. Part 21. Subpart H 

In accordance with the statutory criteria provided in Section 333 of PL 112-95 in reference to 49 U.S.C. 

44704, and in consideration of the size, weight, speed and limited operating area associated with the 

aircraft and its operation, we request that this aircraft exemption meets the conditions of Section 333. 

Therefore, if granted Section 333 relief of 14 CFR part 21, and any associated noise certification and 

testing requirements of part 36, is not necessary. 

Notes Regarding: 14 CFR section 45.23 (b). Marking of the Aircraft 

Given the size of the SUAV, two inch lettering will be impossible. UA will be identified by serial number, 

registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47 and have identification markings (N-number) in accordance 

with 14 CFR part 45, Subpart C. Markings will be as large as practicable. 

Notes Regarding: 14 CFR section 91.7 (a) Civil Aircraft Airworthiness 

ARC's request is based on the fact that no airworthiness certificate will be issued for the UAS. ARC's UAS 

will not require an airworthiness certificate in accordance with 14 CFR part 21, Subpart H. Based on the 

fact that an airworthiness certificate will not be issued, exemption from section 91.7 (a) is not necessary. 

Notes Regarding: 14 CFR section 91.9(b)(2) Civil Aircraft Flight Manual, Marking and Placard 

Certifications required, the original intent of these regulations was to display an aircraft's airworthiness, 

certification and registration documents so they would be easily available for inspectors and passengers. 

Based on the FAA Memorandum subject "Interpretation regarding whether certain required documents 

may be kept at an unmanned aircraft's control station," dated August 8th, 2014, the requested relief 

from 14 CFR section 91.9(b)(2) and section 91.203(a) and (b) is not necessary. 

Notes Regarding: section 91.109 Flight Instruction: Simulated Instrument and Certain Flight Tests 

Small UASs, by their design, do not have fully functional dual controls. Flight control is accomplished 

through the use of a control box that communicated with the aircraft via radio communications. Aircraft 

being considered for use by ARC allow the UAS Instructor to place the aircraft into "loiter'' mode (fixed 

altitude stationary hold). In the event of the student losing control, the UAS Instructor can quickly, via 

alternate equipment, not in the hands of the student, place the aircraft into a mode that allows the 

instructor to bring the aircraft back into control and back to the predetermined and/or safe landing 

location. ARC does not describe training scenarios in which a dual set of controls would be utilized or 

required, i.e. dual flight instruction, provided by a flight instructor or other company-designated 

individual that would require that individual to have fully functioning dual controls. Rather, ARC 

evaluated the qualification of its PICs based on their experience with the UAS to be operated and 

verified through testing, in lieu of formalized training. As such, ARC does not seek relief from 14 CFR 

section 91.109. 

Notes Regarding section 14 CFR 91.119(b) 

Relief from section 14 CFR 91.119(b), operation over congested area, is not applicable, because ARC's 

operations will only be conducted with the secured area described herein. 

ARC Safety Operations and Procedures Overview: 

Available Technology and Aircraft Options: 

Past proven reliable, best-in-class and a successful track record within the SUAS industry are the only 

technologies that ARC will utilize as industry partners for SUAS operations. The software and firmware 

must by highly reputable and include the below listed features at least1. Auto descending/Return to home (RTH) if a lost communication event occurred. If the SUAS 

loses communications, the SUAS will have the capability to return to pre-determined and set 

RTH location within the secured perimeter and land. 

2. RTH/auto descending if the battery level drops below operational levels or below a nominal 

level. 

3. Flight operations will be terminated by the PIC when the battery achieves 30% alert level and 

the aircraft will be on the ground at the home point before achieving 25% remaining under 

normal conditions. 

4. Live video for the PIC gives the operator real-time positioning feedback allowing us to monitor 

the area from the aircraft's perspective for collision avoidance as well as to maintain spatial 

orientation. 

5. The SUAS will have to capability to abort the mission should unpredictable obstacles or 

emergencies occur. 

6. The on screen display will contain operating information to ascertain aircraft status at all times: 

speed, altitude, number of GPS satellites (when available), heading, voltage, signal strength and 

real-time moving maps. 

7. GPS lock status confirmation in real time to provide for RTH and should command and control 

link failures occur (highly improbable), the aircraft returns automatically to the launch or home 

point (RTH). 

8. Altitude information will be provided to the SUAS pilot digitally encoded telemetric data feed, 

which downlinks from the aircraft to the ground based on-screen display. This altitude 

information will be generated by equipment installed on the board ofthe aircraft, using GPS 

triangulation, or digitally encoded barometric altimeter or radio altimeter, or any combination 

thereof. During pre-flight procedures, a zero altitude initiation point will be established and 

accuracy confirmed by the PIC. 

Prior to Launch (Preflight Evaluation and Scouting): 

Prior to considering the acceptance of a flight mission or aircraft launch, the pilot in command and the 

pilot observer will go to the proposed location and inspect same for operational parameters. These 

parameters include obstacles, a securely established perimeter, confirm the area does not fall within 

any restricted airspace or any other non-fly zone as designated by the national air space system and the 

geo fence parameters of the flight control software. Aviation weather data will be collected and 

confirmed prior to set-up of the aircraft After completing the required inspection of the aircraft, 

preflight checklist (referring to user manual) Preflight and compass calibration procedures will the 

mission be initiated. Any doubt or question about the aircraft the airworthiness or self-test completion, 

the pilot in command will abort the planned mission until the aircraft can be inspected by the 

manufacturer and deemed "safe to fly." 

The aircraft will be launched after a secure perimeter has been established and the aircraft, radio 

controllers, and electronics (batteries, mobile device monitors such as IPads etc.) have successfully 

passed all self-testing procedures as prescribed by the manufacturer. After the self-testing process has 

been completed, both the pilot and pilot observer will perform the compass calibration test, set the 

"home point" as directed and ensure the device passes all checklist and testing procedures. Once those 

have successfully been conducted, the pilot and pilot observer will confirm system "green" or "safe to 

fly" status has been achieved and additionally confirming a locked GPS signal. 

After the above described criteria have been met, the aircraft engines will be started and both pilot and 

pilot observer must observe the aircraft successfully perform its self-test "run-up" twice as prescribed by 

the manufacturer. Both will then confirm all LED indicators, system information, signal information and 

the "heads-up" display on the iPads all fall within normal operational parameters prior to applying 

power to climb any altitude. If any of the described processes are not successfully achieved, flight 

operations will not be performed and the aircraft will be shutdown. Further contact and constant radio 

communications with ATC will be in place or as otherwise directed by ATC. Should any low flying aircraft 

such as news helicopter or MEDEVAC helicopter traffic be operational within or around the prospective 

flight area, operations will not be performed until such air traffic has concluded its operation. 

Once launched, both pilot and pilot observer must have line of sight of aircraft at all times and the 

aircraft will be returned to the set take-off/home point once the battery level achieves 30% capacity 

remaining. Prior to landing, the pilot and pilot observed will constantly be scanning for any obstacles or 

non-participants, and only initiate a landing sequence when both confirm it is safe to do so. 

At all times, extreme caution and VFR operations with line of sight to any obstacles, persons or 

structures will be maintained. 

Mechanical/Ph vsical: 

1. Flight operations will be li~e of sight only and the aircraft will always remain in direct line of 

sight by the pilot and observer, thus eliminating the possibility and/or concern of lost link/signal 

loss that can occur from flying behind objects, walls or other barriers. However, should an 

unexpected signal loss/lost link event occur, please see detailed description for mitigation 

procedures listed below in lost link section below. 

2. The SUAS will weigh less than 55 pounds and not achieve a vertical speed of more than 37 knots. 

3. Batteries will always be fully charged and verified during preflight inspections and far exceeded 

the anticipated actual flight time. 

4. Flights will be conducted at an altitude not to exceed 200 feet AGL. 

5. Fireproof bags will be used for storage and charging of high capacity Lipo batteries on-site in 

addition to a properly rated fire extinguisher being present at all times. 

6. UAS aircraft operated under this exemption will be marked in accordance with 14 CFR part 45 

unless otherwise directed by the FAA. 

Personnel: 

1. Observers ensure safe flight operations and provide an extra set of redundant eyes (sometimes 

extra controllers for emergencies) for the PIC giving them real time feedback that they may not 

be able to see. PIC will take any verbal directions given to them by the observer as they have 

both trained together work off each other. In addition to one (properly current) observer, the 

operation may employ additional safety officers or observers depending on the conditions or 

proposed operations. Anyone may call to abort if a safety condition is observed at any time. 

2. Radio spectrum analysis for interference on the frequencies utilized for aircraft 

control/communication will be perform and verified by aircraft and controller signal strength 

indicators prior to operations being conducted. 

3. A briefing will be conducted in regard to the planned SUAS operations prior to each activity 

taking place and completed again for each different flight location or if operational parameters 

change during the mission. This briefing will be mandatory for all personnel who will be 

performing duties of any kind within the boundaries of the safety perimeter or have operational 

responsibility outside of the safety perimeter. All must be physically present and give consent to 

be part ofthe operations. 

4. The PIC will obtain the consent of all persons involved in the SUAS operations and ensure only 

consenting parties will be allowed within 100 feet of all flight operations. 

5. PIC and primary observer will at all times maintain direct voice communications by any means 

listed above in this document such as direct radio cbmmunication. 

6. Written and/or oral permission from relevant property holders will be obtained. 

7. Pilot and observer will have been trained, as described above in this document; in operations of 

UAS generally, have met all training/currency requirements, received up to date information on 

the particular SUAS to be operated. Should any doubt or concern occur during preflight 

preparations, the mission will be aborted. 

Operations: 

1. The UAS must weigh less than 55 pounds including all energy source(s) and equipment. 

Operations by this petition of exemption are limited to the following aircraft described in 

Appendix B. Proposed operations of any other aircraft will require a new petition or a petition of 

amendment to this request. 

2. The UAS aircraft may not be flown at a ground speed exceeding 37 knots. 

3. Flights must be operated at an altitude of not more than 200 feet AGL, also as indicated by the 

procedures in the operator's manual. Any and all altitudes reported to ATC must be in feet AGL. 

4. The UAS aircraft must be operated within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC and observed at 

all times. The requires the PIC and observed to be able to use human vision unaided by any 

device other than approved corrective lens, as specified on the PIC and observer's FAA issued 

medical certificates. 

5. All operations must use a visual observer as specific above in various sections of this petition. 

The observer will also maintain currency, training requirements and possess the designated 

medical certificate from the FAA. The observer may be used to satisfy the VLOS requirement as 

long as the PIC always maintains VLOS capability with both the aircraft and the observer in 

addition to direct communications. The PIC and observer must be able to directly verbally 

communicate at all times during flight operations and any issue with this communication will 

cause a cease of the flight operations until the issue can be resolved. 

6. The operator's manual included as Appendix C and this petition Of exemption must be 

maintained and made available to the Administrator upon request. If a discrepancy exists 

between the conditions and limitations in this exemption and the procedures outlined in the 

operator's manual, the conditions and limitations herein take precedence and must be followed. 

Otherwise, the PIC must follow the procedures as outlined in its PIC/operator's manual. 

The operator may update or revise its operator's manual. It is the operator's responsibility to 

track required or any such revisions and present updated and revised documents to the 

Administrator upon request. The operator must also present updated and revised documents if 

it petitions for extension or amendment. If the operator determines that any update or revision 

would affect the basis for which the FAA grants this petition for exemption, the operator must 

petition for amendment to their exemption. The FAA's UAS Integration Office (AFS-80) may be 

contacted if questions arise regarding updates or revisions to the operator's manual. 

7. Prior to each flight the PIC and observer must inspect the UAS to ensure it is in a condition for 

safe flight as stated above in the prior to launch section of this document. If the inspection 

reveals any condition that affects the safe operation of the UAS, the aircraft is prohibited from 

operating until the necessary maintenance has been performed and the UAS is found to be in a 

condition for safe flight. The Ground Control Station, if utilized, must be included in the preflight 

inspection. All maintenance and alterations must be properly documented in aircraft records. 
.. 
8. Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UAS operation or flight 

characteristics, e.g. replacement of a flight critical component, must undergo a functional test 

flight in accordance with the operator's manual. The PIC who conducts the functional test must 

make entry in the UAS aircraft records of the flight and outcome. The requirements for a 

functional test flight and aircraft record entry must be added to the operator's manual. 

9. The operator must follow the manufactures UAS aircraft/component, maintenance, overhaul, 

replacement, inspection and life limit requirements. When unavailable, the aircraft 

maintenance/component/overhaul, replacement and inspection/maintenance requirements 

must be established and identified in the operator's manual. At a minimum, the requirements 

for the following must be included in the operator's manual: 

a. Actuators/Servos; 

b. Transmission (single rotor) · 

c. Powerplant (motors) 

d. Propellers; 

e. Electronic speed controller; 

f. Batteries; 

g. Mechanical dynamic components (single rotor); 

h. Remote command and control; 

i. Ground control station (if used); and 

j. Any other components as determined by the operator; 

10. The PIC must possess at least a sport pilot certificate and at least a third-class medical 

certificate. The PIC must also meet the flight review requirements specified in 14 CFR section 

61.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC is rated on his or her pilot certificate. 

11. Prior to operations conducted for the purpose of aerial photographs, infrastructure or site 

inspections, the PIC must have accumulated and logged, in a manner consistent with 14 CFR 

section 61.51(b), a minimum of 200 flight cycle and 25 hours of total time as a UAS rotorcraft 

pilot and at least 10 hours logged as a UAS pilot with a similar UAS type (single blade or 

multirotor). Prior documented flight experience that was obtained in compliance with applicable 

regulations may satisfy this requirement. Training, proficiency, and experience-building flights 

can also be conducted under petition of this exemption to accomplish the required flight cycle 

and flight time. During training, proficiency, and experience-building flights, all persons not 

essential for flight operations and considered nonparticipants, and the PIC must operate the 

UAS aircraft with appropriate distance from nonparticipants, roadways, structures etc., in 

accordance with 14 CFR section 91.119. 

12. Prior to operations being conducted for the purpose of aerial photographs, infrastructure or site 

inspections, the PIC must have accumulated and logged, in a manner consistent with 14 CFR 

section 61.51 (b), a minimum of five hours as a UAS pilot operating the make and model of UAS 

to be utilized for operations under the exemption and three take-offs and three landings in the 

proceeding 90-days. Training, proficiency, experience-building and take-off and landings 
··1. 

\, 
currency flights can be conducted under this petition for exemption to accomplish the 90-day 

currency. During training, proficiency, experience-building and take-off and landing currency 

flights all persons not essential for flight operations are considered nonparticipants, and the PIC 

must operate the UAS with appropriate distance from nonparticipants in accordance with 14 

CFR section 91.119. 

13. Prior to any flight operations authorized by this petition of exemption, the PIC and observer 

must have successfully completed a qualification process, as outlined in the operator's manual. 

As this requirements stipulated by the operator, the test must be developed and implemented 

by a qualified person designated at the sole discretion of the operator. A record of completion 

of this qualification process must be documented and made available to the Administrator upon 

request. 

14. Prior to operations being conducted for the purpose of aerial photographs, infrastructure or site 

inspections, a flight demonstrations, administered by an operator-approved and -qualified pilot 

must be successfully completed and documented. This documentation must be made available 

for review upon request by the Administrator. Because knowledge and airmanship test 

qualifications have been developed by the operator, and there are no established practical test 

standards that support a jurisdictional FAA FSDO evaluation and approval of company 

designated examiners, the petitioner will conduct these tests in accordance with the operator's 

manual. 

15. The UAS may not be operated directly over any persons, except authorized and consenting 

personnel, below an altitude that is hazardous to persons or property on the surface in the 

event of the UAS failure or emergency condition occurring. 

16. Regarding the distance from participating persons, the operator's manual has safety mitigations 

for authorized and consenting personnel. At all times, those persons must be essential to the 

operations. 

17. Regarding distance from nonparticipating persons, the operator must ensure that no persons 

are allowed within 500 feet ofthe area except those consenting to be involved and necessary 

for the aerial photographs, infrastructure or site inspections operation. This provision may be 

reduced to no less than 200 feet if it would not adversely affect safety and the Administrator has 

approved it. For example, an equivalent level of safety may be determined by an aviation safety 

inspector's evaluation ofthe aerial photograph, infrastructure or site inspection area to note 

terrain features, obstructions, buildings, safety barriers, etc. Such barriers may protect 

nonparticipating persons (onlookers, the public, news media, etc.) from debris in the event of an 

accident. 

18. If the UAS loses communications or it loses GPS signal, the UAS must return to a pre-determined 

location with the secured perimeter and land or be recovered in accordance with the operator's 

manual. 

19. The UAS must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies in 

accordance with the operator's manual 

20. Each UAS operation must be completed with 25% battery power remaining. 

21. The operator must obtain an Air Traffic Organization (ATO) issued Certificate of Waiver or 

Authorization (COA) prior to conducting any operations under this petition of exemption. This 

COA will also require the operator to request a Notice to Airman (NOT AM) not more than 72 

hours in advance, but not less than 48 hours prior to the operation. 

22. All aircraft operated in accordance with this exemption must be identified by serial number, 

registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47 and have identification (N-number) markings in 

accordance with 14 CFR part 45, Subpart C. Markings must be as large as practicable. 

23. The operator must develop procedures to document and maintain a record of UAS 

maintenance, preventative maintenance, alterations, status of replacement/overhaul 

component parts, and the total time of service of the UAS. These Procedures must be added to 

the operator's manual. 

24. Each UAS operated under this exemption must comply with all manufacturer Safety Bulletins. 

25. The operator must develop UAS technician qualification criteria. These criteria must be added to 

the operator's manual. 

26. The preflight inspection section in the operator's manual must be amended to include the 

following requirement: The preflight inspection must account for all discrepancies, i.e. 

inoperable components, items, or equipment, not covered in the relevant preflight inspection 

sections of the operator's manual. 

27. Before conducting operations, the radio frequency spectrum used for operation and control of 

the UAS must comply with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or other appropriate 

government oversight agency requirements. 

28. At least three days prior before scheduled aerial photographs, infrastructure or site inspections, 

the operator of the UAS affected by this exemption must submit a written plan of activities to 

the local FSDO with jurisdiction over the proposed aerial photographs, infrastructure or site 

inspection area. The three day notification may be waived with the concurrence of the FSDO. 

The plan of activities must include at least the following: 

a. Date and times for all flights; 

b. Name and phone number of the operator for the UAS aerial photographs, infrastructure 

or site inspection operation conducted under this petition for exemption; 

c. Name and phone number for person responsible for on-site operation of the UAS; 

d. Make, model, and serial or N-number of the UAS to be used; 

e. Name and certificate number of UAS PIC's involved in the operations; 

f. A statement that the operator has obtained permission from the property owners 

and/or local officials to conduct the operations/event; the list of those who gave 

permission must be made available to the inspector upon request; 

g. Signature of exemption-holder or representative; and 

h. A description of the flight activity, including maps or diagrams of any area, city, town, 

county and/or state over which aerial photographs, infrastructure or site inspections will 

be conducted and the altitudes essential to accomplish the operation. 

29. The documents required under 14 CFR sections 91.9 and 91.203 must be available to the PIC at 

the Ground Control Station of the UAS any time the aircraft is operating. These documents must 

be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request. 

30. The UAS must remain clear and yield the right of way to all other manned operations and 

activities at all times (including, but not limited to, ultralight vehicles, parachute activities, 

parasailing activities, hang gliders, etc.). 

31. UAS operations may not be conducted at night, as defined in 14 CFR section 1.1. All operations 

must be conducted under visual metrological conditions (VMC). Flights under special visual flight 

rules (SVFR) are not authorized. 

32. The UAS may not be operated from any moving device or vehicle. 

33. The UAS may not be operated less than 500 feet below or less than 2,000 feet horizontally from 

a cloud or when visibility is less than 3 statute miles from the PIC. 

34. The UAS may not operate in Class B, C, or D airspace without written approval from the FAA. The 

UAS may not operate within 5 nautical miles of the geographic center of a non-towered airport 

as denoted on a current FAA-published aeronautical chart unless a letter of agreement with the 

airport's manager is obtained, and the operation is conducted in accordance with a NOTAM as 

required by the operator's COA. The letter of agreement with the airport management must be 

made available to the Administrator upon request. 

35. Any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses the lateral or vertical boundaries of 

the operational area as defined by the applicable COA must be reported to the FAA's UAS 

Integration Office (AFS-80) within 24 hours. Accidents must be reported to the National 

Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions contained on the NTSB Web site: 

www.ntsb.gov. Further flight operations may not be conducted until the incident, accident or' 

transgression is reviewed by AFS-80 and author'ization to resume operations is provided. 

Support for Petition for Exemption 

In accordance with the procedural requirements of 14 CFR section 11.81. ARC provides the following 

information: 

Contact Information: 

Adam Ringle-President 

Adam Ringle Consulting, LLC 

19 Mica Street 

Townsend, DE 19734-2026 

302-275-1336 phone 

302-449-7122 fax 

Adam@adamringleconsulting.com 

www.adamringleconsulting.com 

Regulatory Provisions from which ARC seeks an Exemption 

ARC believes it may need an exemption form the following provisions to conduct the contemplated 

operations. In some instances, relief is needed because relief from another provision renders 

compliance with the regulation at hand infeasible. 

333 Aircraft Exemption Status 

14 C.F.R. sections 61.113(a) and (b) 

14 C.F.R. section 91.119 (c) 

14 C.F.R. section 91.121 

14 C.F.R. section 91.151 

14 C.F.R. section 91.405(a) 

14 C.F.R. section 91.407(a) 

14 C.F.R. sections 91.409(a) (1) and (2) 

14 C.F.R. section 91.417 (a) and (b) 

ARC believes an exemption is only needed from the above listed regulatory provisions. To the 

extent the FAA believes that additional relief is required for ARC to conduct the operations 

described here, we request an exemption from any such regulatory provisions as well.3 

3 For example, 14 CFR section 91.417(a) imposes certain maintenance record keeping requirements "as applicable," Since none of the 

underlying requirements (e.g., inspections intervals) can be met and will require an exemption, ARC believes a separate exemption should 

not be required for section 91.417 (a). 

The Extent of Requested Relief and the Reasons Relief is needed 

Section 333 Aircraft Exemption Status: 

Section 333 of the Modernization Act authorizes the FAA to exempt aircraft from the requirement for an 

airworthiness certificate based on a consideration of the size, weight, speed, operational capability of 

the particular UAS, as well as its proximity to airports and populated areas. An analysis of these criteria 

demonstrates that the SUA$ operated without an airworthiness certificate in the areas and under the 

conditions contemplated by ARC will be at least as safe, or safer, than a conventional aircraft (fixed wing 

or rotorcraft) operating with an airworthiness certificate without the conditions proposed in this 

request. 

The SUAS is less than 55 pounds fully loaded, carries neither a pilot nor passenger and operate 

exclusively within a secured area. Unlike other civil aircraft, operations under this exemption will be 

tightly controlled and monitored by the operator and observer. Operations will be conducted in 

compliance with the FAA and with local public safety requirements to provide security for the area of 

operation as is now done with conventional equipment, infrastructure, bridge and out building 

evaluation. These safety enhancements provide any expanded degree of safety to the inspectors over 

conventional operations. Lastly, application of these same criteria demonstrates that there is no 

credible threat to national security posed by the SUAS, due to its size, speed of operation, location of 

operation, lack of explosive materials and inability to carry a substantial external load. 

Given the size and limited operating area associated with the aircraft to be utilized by the Applicant, 

this meets the requirements of an equivalent level of safety under Part 11 and Section 333 of the 

Reform Act. The Federal Aviation Act (49 U.S.C. section 44701 (f)) and Section 333 of the Reform Act 

Both authorize the FAA to exempt aircraft from the requirement for an airworthiness certificate, upon 

Consideration of the size, weight, speed, operational capability and proximity to airports and 

populated areas of the particular SUAS. ln all cases, an analysis of these criteria demonstrates that the 

UAS operated without an airworthiness certificate, in the restricted environment and under the 

Conditions propose will be at least safe or safer than a conventional aircraft (fixed wing or rotorcraft) 

operating with an airworthiness certificate without the restrictions and conditions proposed. 

14 CFR section 61.113 (a) and (b) 

Section 61.113 Private pilot privileges and limitations: Pilot in Command. 

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) through (h) of this section, no person who 

holds a private pilot certificate may act as pilot in command of an aircraft that is 

carrying passengers or property for compensation or hire; nor may that person, for 

compensation or hire, act of pilot in command of an aircraft. 

(b) A private pilot may, for compensation or hire, act as pilot in command of an aircraft 

in connection with any business or employment if; 

1. The flight is only incidental to that business or employment; and 

2. The aircraft does not carry passengers or property for compensation or hire. 

***** 

ARC anticipates initially using a fe~ specially trained staff to conduct the SUAS operations. While 

these individuals will not hold commercial pilot licenses. The SUAS will not carry property for 

compensation or hire since they will be used solely to assist in aerial photographs, infrastructure or site 

inspections of equipment, right of way, assets, bridges, tunnels and out-buildings in furtherance of ARC's 

client's primary business, such as facility protection operations or infrastructure operations; however, 

the employee's operation of the SUAS will not be incidental to their employment with ARC, they will 

compensated for such work. Without an exemption, the pilot would be required to ,hold a commercial 

pilot certificate under section 61.133. However, the risk associated with the contemplated operations is 

less than the risk posed by traditional aircraft. The SUAS will fly at altitudes well below the permissible 

limits for other civil aircraft/ eliminating the risk to other aircraft, and within a geographical envelope 

under the sole control of ARC client1

S. Accordingly/ the risk would be limited to ARC personnel/ who will 

appropriately outfitted in safety gear and ARC client's property on the ground. Requiring a commercial 

pilot certificate would provide no applicable safety benefit and would needlessly impose an additional 

cost on ARC. Because the contemplated operations would not comply with section 61.113 (b)(1) and 

none of the other exceptions to paragraph (a) apply, relief is needed from both paragraphs (a) and (b). 

14 CFR 91.119(c) 

Section 91.119 Minimum safe altitudes; General. 

Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the 

following altitudes: 

*** 

***** 

(c) Over other than congested area. An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except 

over open water or sparsely populated area. In those cases, the aircraft may not be 

operated closer than 500 feet to any person/ vessel, vehicle or structure. 

ARC submits that the only relief it requires from section 91.119 is from the minimum altitudes 

listed in paragraph (c). Relief is required from paragraph (c) for fixed wing operations because asset 

evaluation or photographs conducted at 500 feet or higher is insufficiently distinct to be meaningful. 

Since operations at this altitude also pose a heightened risk of collision with another aircraft, safety can 

only be assured through the grant of an exemption. The anticipated rotorcraft operations should be 

adequately addressed by paragraph (d) (1). Additionally, relief should not be needed from paragraph (a) 

because an emergency landing of the aircraft due to a power failure will not create an undue hazard to 

persons or property on the surface. As noted in the explanation of why an exemption will not adversely 

affect safety1 ARC client's has exclusive use of the land over which the SUAS will be operated/ and the 

public access is restricted. It also had exclusive use of significant portions of land adjacent to the 

infrastructure and structures that will be the objects of evaluation, photographs and analysis. ARC's 

clients tightly control access to land and have the ability to assure that no individuals unassociated with 

the planned operations are on the affected land. As such, the risk of injury is minimal. ARC does not 

contemplate conducting operations over congested areas, so relief is not requested from paragraph (b). 

14 CFR 91.121 

14 CFR section 91 • .121 Altimeter Settings 

This regulation requires each person operating an aircraft to maintain cruising altitude by 

reference to an altimeter that is set" ... to the elevation of the departure airport or an appropriate 

altimeter setting available before departure." 

***** 

As the SUAS may not have a barometric altimeter, but instead a GPO altitude read out, an 

exemption may be needed. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by the operators~ pursuant to 

the Manual and Safety Check list, confirming the altitude of the launch sire shown on the GPS altitude 

indicator before flight. Altitude information will be provided to the SUAS pilot via digitally encoded 

telemetric data feed, which downlinks from the aircraft to a ground based on screen display. This 

altitude information will be generated by equipment installed on board the aircraft, using GPS 

triangulation, or digitally encoded barometric altimeter, or radio altimeter, or any combination thereof. 

Prior to each flight, a zero altitude initiation point will be established and confirmed for accuracy by the 

pilot. 

14 CFR 91.151 

Section 91.151 Fuel requirements for flight in VFR conditions. 

(a) No person may begin a flight in an airplane under VFR conditions unless (considering wind 

and forecast weather conditions) there is enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended 

landing and assuming normal cruising speed-

(1) During the day, to fly after that for at least 30 minutes. 

(b) No person may begin a flight in a rotorcraft under VFR conditions unless (considering the 

wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough fuel to fly to the first point of 

intended landing and, assuming normal cruising speed, to fly after that for at least 20 

minutes. 

***** 

Operating the SUAS in a pre-defined area with less than 30 minutes of reserve fuel does not 

raise the type of risk contemplated by section 91.151, i.e., that an aircraft could not run out of 

fuel in the event it has to be flown to an alternate airport or circle the planned airport in the 

event of unanticipated conditions. ARC does not intend to use SUAS for point-to-point flights 

and will not operate the SUAS beyond visual line of sight. Nor will the SUAS require an airport in 

order to land. Rather, ARC will operate the SUAS using pre-planned flight paths (taking into 

account weather conditions) designed to allow the SUAS to fly to the point of intended landing. 

As such, there is no need for a time-base excess fuel requirement. Rather it should be sufficient 

to require only as much additional flight capacity as necessary to safely land the SUAS. We 

believe that a 25% battery reserve is more than sufficient to the meet this objective. 

14 CFR 91.40S(a), 91.407(a) (1), 14 CFR 91.409(a) (1) and (2) and 14 CFR 91.417(a) and (b) 

Section 91.405 Maintenance required. 

Each owner or operator of an aircraft-

(a) Shall have that aircraft inspected as prescribed in subpart E of this part and shall between 

required inspections, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, have discrepancies 

repaired as prescribed in part 43 of this chapter; 

***** 

Section 91.407 Operations after maintenance, preventative maintenance, rebuilding, or 

alteration. 

(a) No person may operate any aircraft that has undergone maintenance, rebuilding or 

alteration unless-

(1) It has been approved for return to service by a person authorized under section 43.7 of this 

chapter; 

***** 

Section 91.409 Inspections. 

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, no person may operate an aircraft unless, 

within the preceding 12 calendar months, it has had; 

(1) An annual inspection in accordance with part 43 of this chapter and has been approved for 

return to service by a person authorized by section 43.7 of this chapter; or 

(2) An inspection for the issuance of an airworthiness certificate in accordance with part 21 of 

this chapter. 

***** 

Section 91.417 (a) and (b) 

***** 

ARC believes than an exemption from these three maintenance requirements is appropriate 

because the FAA has not developed maintenance standards that would allow an operator to meet the 

part 91 maintenance requirements. In particular, there are no individuals authorized by the FAA to 

approve a SUAS for return to service under section 91.407(a) or to conduct the initial airworthiness and 

annual return to service inspections required by section 91.409(a). ARC will maintain the aircraft as 

instructed in the owner's manual and ASTM F2909, where applicable, and will not operate the aircraft 

until it has reasonably determined that any needed repairs have been made. However, because of the 

technical impossibility of meeting the requirements of sections 91.405(a), 407(a), 409(a) and 417(a) and 

(b), we believe an exemption from these provisions is appropriate. 

Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time via the contact information provided above should you 

have any questions of concerns. 

Adam B. Ringle, CPP, MBA, EMT-T, NREMT-P 

President, Adam Ringle Consulting, LLC 
... .....,__ 
Appendix A 

Summary for Federal Register Publication 

Pursuant to 14 C.F.R. Part 11, the following summary is provided for publication in the Federal Register 

should the FAA determine that publication is needed. 

Petitioner: Adam Ringle Consulting, LLC (ARC) 

Sections of 14 C.F.R. Affected: 

333 Aircraft Exemption Status 

14 C.F.R. section 61.113(a) and (b) 

14 C.F.R. section 91.119(c) 

14 C.F.R. section 91.121 

14 C.F.R. section 91.151 

14 C.F.R. section 91.405(a) 

14 C.F.R. section 91.407(a) 

14 C.F.R. section 91.409(a) 

14 C.F.R. section 91.417(a) and (b) 

Description of Relief Sought: 

Petitioner seeks relief from the requirements of 333 Aircraft Exemption Status, 14 C.F.R., 61.113(a) and 

(b), 91.119(c), 91.121, 91.151, 92.405(a), 91.407(a), 91.409(a), and 91.417(a) and (b) to conduct SUAS 

operations over ARC Client's owned or controlled land, solely during daylight hours, to assist in aerial 

photographic documentation, the safe evaluation and analysis in infrastructure and security operations 

and asset evaluation/placement. In general, the SUAS operations are intended to be conducted in areas 

remote from both congested areas and airports. The nature of the operations anticipated by ARC 

requires that the SUAS be flown at relatively low altitudes. ARC expects that in most instances, the SUAS 

will be flown less than 60 feet from the highest structure along the path of the SUAS and in no instances 

will be flown higher than 200 feet above ground level. Accordingly, the risk of interference with other 

aircraft is extremely minimal. 

Appendix 8 

Specific Type(s). make and model 

DJIInspire 1 

\ 

........ / 

See attached Flight Manual: 

DJIInspire 1 User manual v.1.4 2015.7 
' ' 
INSPIRE 1 

User Manual [v1.4) 

2015.7 
Using this manual 

j:tegehds 

0 Warning & Important :(): Hints and Tips [ili] Reference 

! Befqre Flight 

The following tutorials and manuals have been produced to ensure you to make full use of your Inspire 1. 

1. Disclaimer 

2.1nthe Box 

3.1nspire 1 Quick Start Guide 

4.Safety Guidelines 

S.lnspire 1 User Manual 

6.1ntelligent Flight Battery Safety Guidelines 

Watching all the tutorial videos and reading the Disclaimer before flight is recommended. Afterwards, 

prepare for your first flight by using the Inspire 1 Quick Start Guide. Refer to this manual for more 

comprehensive information. 

[ VVat~h the video tuto.~ri_al_s __ -~- --~~- -~~ Please watch the tutorial video below to learn how to use Inspire 1 correctly and safely: 

www .dji.com/product/inspire-1/video 

j Downloa9 the_:_~~I.Pilot app 

Download and install the DJI Pilot app before use. Scan the QR code or visit 

"http://m.dji.net/djipilot" to download the app. 

For the best experience, use mobile device with Andriod V 4.1.2 or above. Requires iOS 8.0 or later. 

2 @ 2015 DJI. All Rights ReseiVed. 
Contents 

Using this manual 

Legends 2 

Before Flight 2 

Watch the video tutorials 2 

Download the DJI Pilot app 2 

Product Profile 

Introduction 6 

Feature Highlights 6 

Assemble the Aircraft 7 

Aircraft Diagram 9 

Remote Controller Diagram 9 

Aircraft 

Flight Controller 12 

Flight Mode 12 

Flight Status Indicator 12 

Return to Home (RTH) 13 

Dynamic Home Point 15 

Vision Positioning System 16 

Flight Recorder 17 

Attaching and Detaching the Propellers 17 

DJI Intelligent Flight Battery 18 

Remote Controllers 

Remote Controller Profile 24 

Remote Controller Operations 24 

Dual Remote Controllers Mode 29 

Remote Controller Status LED 31 

Linking the Remote Controller 32 

Remote Controller Compliance Version 33 

Gimbal and Camera 

Camera Profile 35 

Gimbal 36 

© 2015 DJ I. All Rights Reserved. 3 
DJI Pilot App 

Camera 40 

Map 43 

Academy 43 

User Center 43 

Flight 

Flight Environment Requirements 45 

Flight Limits and Flight Restriction Area 45 

Preflight Checklist 49 

Calibrating the Compass 49 

Auto Take-off and Auto Landing 50 

Starting/Stopping the Motors 51 

Flight Test 51 

FAQ 

Appendix 

Specifications 57 

Intelligent Orientation Control (IOC) 60 

How to Update Firmware 61 

FCC Compliance 62 

4 © 2015 DJI All R;ghts Reserved. 
Product Profile 

This chapter describes the features of 

Inspire 1, instructs you to assemble the 

aircraft and explains the components on 

the aircraft and remote controllers. 

© 2015 OJ!. All Rights Reserved 5 
D 

""0 

0 

0.. 

Product Profile 

jlntroductioh 

The Inspire 1 is brand new quadcopter capable of capturing 4K video and transmitting an HD video 

signal (up to 2km) to multiple devices straight out of the box. Equipped with retractable landing gear, it 

can capture an unobstructed 360 degree view from its camera. The built-in camera has an integrated 

gimbal tomaximize stability and weight efficiency while minimizing space. When no GPS signal is 

available, Vision Positioning technology provides hovering precision. 

§ature. Highlights 

c Camera and Gimbal: Up to 4K video recording and 12 megapixel photo capture. Reserved mounting Q. 

-o . space for NO filters for better exposure control. New quick-release mount allows you to remove the 

0 

~ 

(i) 

camera with ease. 

HD Video Downlink: Low latency, HD downlink powered by an enhanced version of the DJI Ughtbridge 

system. It also provides dual controllers mode. 

Landing gear: Retractable landing gear that enables an unobstructed panoramic view from the camera. 

DJI Intelligent Flight Battery: 4500 mAh DJI Intelligent Flight Battery employs new battery cells and a 

battery management system. 

Flight Controller: The next generation flight controller system provides a more reliable flight experience. 

A new flight recorder stores the flight data from each flight, and Vision Positioning enhances hovering 

precision when no GPS is available. 

[ A:ssen1ble the Aircr~ft --------------------~-------------------------~ 

Unlocking Travel Mode 

The aircraft is in Travel Mode during delivery. Follow these steps to change it to Landing Mode before 

your first flight: 

1. Insert the Intelligent Flight Battery into the battery compartment. 

2. Power on the Remote Controller and the Intelligent Flight Battery. 

3. Toggle the Transformation Switch up and down at least four times. 

4. Power off the aircraft. 

Travel Mode 

-~-Togglex4 Landing Mode 

6 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 
INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

Lt. • Battery must be fully charged before using it for the first time. Refer to "Charging the Intelligent 

Flight Battery" (P21) for more information . 

• If you have purchased the dual remote controller version, you must use the Master remote 

controller to deactivate Travel Mode. Refer to 'Setting Up Dual Remote Controllers Mode" {P30) 

section for more infromation about Master remote controller. 

• Be sure to remove the gimbal from the aircraft before switch from Landing Mode to Travel Mode. 

• Place the aircraft on the smooth and reflective surface (e.g. table or tile) before switching between 

the travel modes to the landing mode. Do not place the aircraft on the rough and sound-absorbing 

surface (e.g. carpet) before switching between the travel modes and landing mode. 

Installing Gimbal and Camera 

1. Remove Gimbal Cover. 

2. Rotate the Gimbal Lock to the unlocked position {to the right when facing the nose of the aircraft). 

3. Insert the gimbal by aligning the white mark on the Gimbal. 

4. Rotate the Gimbal Lock back into the locked position. 

~--·· Gimbal Cover 

Locked 

Lt. Ensure the Micro-SO card is correctly inserted into the camera. 

Attaching Propellers 

Attach propellers with the black nut onto motors with the black dot and spin counter-clockwise to secure. 

Attach propellers with gray nut onto motors without a black dot and spin clockwise to secure. 

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved 7 
D 

'"'0 

.... 

0 

Cl. 

c: 

0 

-

INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

& Place all propellers onto the correct motor and tighten by hand to ensure security before flight. 

Attaching 1345s Quick-Release Propellers 

The 1345s Quick-Release propeller is the upgrade version of the propellers that greatly enhance the 

reliability of the propeller during the flight. Following the steps below to attach the 1345s Quick-Release 

propellers. 

1. Install the propellers with a white dot onto the mounting plates that have a white dot, and install the 

propellers without a white dot onto the mounting plates that do not have a white dot. 

Without 

white dot 

2. Align the hook (A) on the propellers with the securing spring (B), then press down the propeller onto 

the mounting plate then rotate the propellers according to the lock direction until it is secured . 

... 

Preparing Remote Controller 

Tilt the Mobile Device Holder to the desired position then adjust the antenna as shown. 

1. Press the button on the side of the Mobile Device Holder to release the clamp, adjust it to fit then attach 

your mobile device. 

2. Connect your mobile device to the remote controller with a USB cable. 

3. Plug one end of the cable into your mobile device, and the other end into the USB port on the back of 

the remote controller. 

8 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 
I Aircraft Diagram 

..----[2] 

0~~~=-[3] [}H----(4] 

t----[5] 

INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

[1] GPS 

[2] Propeller (P17) 

[3] Motor 

[ 4] Front LED (P12) 

[5] Landing gear 

[6] Gimbal and Camera (P35) 

I 

A#---[9] 

(11] ---rr------~.pl-------ji-J--- [10] 

[7] Intelligent Flight Battery (P18) 

[8] Aircraft Micro-USB Port 

[9] Rear LED (P12) 

[10] Camera Micro-USB Port 

[11] Camera Micro-SO Card Slot (P35) 

~,2f--Jr----[12] 

-w-----,f.d-7"7.!----[131 [12] Vision Positioning Sensors (P16) 

I Remote Controller Diagram 

[13] Aircraft Status Indicator (P13) 

[1] Antennas (P29) 

Relays aircraft control and video signal. 

[2] Mobile Device Holder 

Mounting place for your mobile device. 

J;=~~-=-=!t+--+------ [2] [3] Control Stick 

[9] ---tt-----=='=""'=-:::::::------

[8] ---+1---~~ 

tt:.:,~~+--- [3] 

~----t<t-- [4] 

'----1+---[5] 

,.-----If--(6] {?]--~~--

--==-~-=-...-

Controls aircraft orientation. 

[4] Return Home (RTH) Button (P13) 

Press and hold the button to initiate Return to 

Home (RTH). 

[5] Transformation Switch (P27) 

Toggle the switch up or down to raise or lower 

the landing gear. 

© 2015 DJL All Rights Reserved. 9 

.._ ___ ..4 
INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

[6] Battery Level LEOs [8] Power Button 

Displays the current battery level. 

(7] Status LED 

Used to power on or power off the remote controller. 

[9] RTH LED 

Displays the power status. Circular LED around the RTH button displays RTH status. 

[1 OJ Camera Settings Dial 

Turn the dial to adjust camera settings. 

Only functions when the remote controller is 

connected to a mobile device running the OJI · 

Pilotapp. 

[11] Playback Button 

Playback the captured images or videos. 

(12] Shutter Button 

Press to take a photo. If in burst mode, the 

set number of photos will be taken with one 

press. 

[13] Flight Mode Switch 

Used to switch between P, A and F mode. 

[14] Video Recording Button 

Press to start recording video. Press again to 

stop recording. 

[15] Gimbal Dial 

Use this dial to control the tilt of the gimbal. 

[16] Mini-HDMI Port 

Connect an HO compatible monitor to this 

port to get a live HD video preview of what the 

camera sees. 

[17] Micro-USB Port 

For connecting the remote controller to your 

computer. 

[16] [17] [18] [19] 

[15] _Jt;aiF,---r=~•~- [10] 

[14) [11] 

[13) 

[18] CAN Bus Port 

Reserved for future use. 

(19] USB Port 

Connect to mobile device to access all of the 

DJI Pilot app controls and features. 

[20] GPS Module 

[20) Used to pinpoint the location of the remote 

controller. 

10 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

[21] Back Left Button 

Customizable button in OJI Pilot app. 

[22] Power Port 

Connect to a power source to charge the 

remote controller's internal battery. 

[23] Back Right Button 

Customizable button in OJI Pilot app. 
This chapter describes the features of 

the Flight Controller, Vision Positioning 

System and the Intelligent Flight Battery. 

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 11 
Aircraft 

L_[ F_li..;;;..g_ht_G_o_n_t_ro_ll_e_r -------·--~ --· 

The Inspire 1 's flight controller is based on DJI flight controller with several enhancements such as new 

flight mode and new safe mode. Three safe modes are available: Failsafe, Return Home and Dynamic 

Home Point. These features ensure the safe return of your aircraft if the control signal is lost. A flight 

recorder stores crucial flight data for each flight. 

I Flight Mode ---~] Three flight modes are available. The details of each flight mode are found in the section below: 

P mode (Positioning) : P mode works best when GPS signal is strong. There are three different states of P 

mode, which will be automatically selected by the Inspire 1 depending on GPS signal strength and Vision 

Positioning sensors: 

P-GPS: GPS and Vision Positioning both are available, and the aircraft is using GPS for positioning. 

P-OPTI: Vision Positioning is available but the GPS signal is not. Aircraft is using only Vision 

Positioning for hovering 

P-ATII: Neither GPS or Vision Positioning available, aircraft is using only its barometer for positioning, 

so only altitude is controlled. 

A mode (Attitude): The GPS and Vision Positioning System is not used for holding position. The aircraft 

only uses its barometer to maintain altitude. If it is still receiving a GPS signal, the aircraft can automatically 

return home if the Remote Controller signal is lost and if the Home Point has been recorded successfully. 

F mode (Function): Intelligent Orientation Control (IOC) is activated in this mode. For more information 

about IOC, refer to the IOC in Appendix. 

:\}: Use the Flight Controller mode switch to change the flight mode of the aircraft, refer to the "Flight 

Mode Switch" on P27 for more information. 

[~light Status Indicator 

The INSPIRE 1 comes with the Front LED, Rear LED and Aircraft Status Indicator. The positions of these 

LEOs are shown in the figure below: 

Front LED Rear LED 

The Front and Rear LED show the orientation of the aircraft. The Front LED displays solid red and the 

Rear LED displays solid green. 

Aircraft Status Indicator shows the system status of the flight controller. Refer to the table below for more 

information about the Aircraft Status Indicator: 

12 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 
[6ircr<Jft Status Indicator Description 

Normal 

:1ff.-t!$/.-:('!J.: ······Red, Green and Yellow Flash 

Alternatively 

:/fj):-¢1: ...... Green and Yellow Flash Alternatively 

:¢Jf ······Green Flashes Slowly 

:{fj):x2 · .... ·Green Flashes Twice 

:($.: · · · · ··Yellow Flashes Slowly 

:Warning 

:@ ·· .... Fast Yellow Flashing 

~······Slow Red Flashing 

:®: ...... Fast Red Flashing 

-'$: · · · · · · Red Flashing Alternatively 

:®:-Solid Red 

INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

Power on and self-check 

Aircraft warming up 

Safe to Fly (P mode with GPS and Vision Positioning) 

Safe to Fly (P mode with Vision Positioning but without GPS) 

Safe to Fly (A mode but No GPS and Vision Positioning) 

Remote Controller Signal Lost 

Low Battery Warning 

Critical Low Battery Warning 

IMU Error 

Critical Error 

:®~&;.-······Red and Yellow Flash Alternatively Compass Calibration Required 

I Return to Home (RTH) 

The Return to Home (RTH) brings the aircraft back to the last recorded Home Point. There are three cases 

that will trigger RTH procedure; they are Smart RTH, Low Battery RTH and Failsafe RTH. 

GPS 

Home Point 

Smart RTH 

Description 

The Home Point is the location at which your aircraft takes off when the 

GPS signal is strong. You can view the GPS signal strength through 

the GPS icon ( "- 111!1 ). If you are using the Dynamic Home Point 

setting, the Home Point will be updated to your current position as you 

move around and when the Aircraft Status Indicator blinks green. 

Using the RTH button on the remote controller (refer to "RTH button" on P28 for more information) or the 

RTH button in the DJI Pilot app when GPS is available to enables smart RTH. The aircraft return to the 

latest recorded Home Point. you may control the aircraft's orientation to avoid collision during the Smart 

RTH. Press the Smart RTH button once to start the process, press the Smart RTH button again to exit 

Smart RTH and regain the control. 

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 13 

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Low Battery RTH 

The low battery level failsafe is triggered when the DJIIntelligent Flight Battery is depleted to a point that 

may affect the safe return of the aircraft. Users are advised to return horne or land the aircraft immediately 

when these warnings are shown. DJI Pilot app will advise user to return the aircraft to the Home Point 

when low battery warning is triggered. Aircraft will automatically return to the Home Point if no action is 

taken after 10 seconds countdown. User can cancel the RTH by pressing once on the RTH button. The 

thresholds for these warnings are automatically determined based on the current aircraft altitude and its 

distance from the Home Point. 

Aircraft will land automatically if the current battery level can only support the aircraft to land to the ground 

from the current altitude. User can use the remote controller to control the aircraft's orientation during the 

landing process. 

The Battery Level Indicator is displayed in the DJI Pilot app, and is described below 

. Battery Level 

Warning 

Low battery 

level warning 

Critical Low 

· battery level 

warning 

Estimated 

remaining 

flight time 

Critical Low battery level 

warning( Red) 

Remark 

The battery 

power is low. 

Please land the 

aircraft. 

The aircraft 

must land 

immediately. 

Estimated 

remaining flight 

based on current 

level. 

14 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

SuHicient battery 

level( Green) 

Low battery 

level warning Remaining flight time 

Power requires 

to return home 

Battery level indicator 

Aircraft Status 

Indicator 

Aircraft status 

indicator blinks 

RED slowly. 

Aircraft status 

indicator blinks 

RED quickly. 

N/A 

DJI Pilot app 

Tap "Go-home" to have 

the aircraft return to the 

Home point and land 

automatically, or "Cancel" to 

resume normal flight. If no 

action is taken, the aircraft 

will automatically go home 

and land after 10 seconds. 

Remote controller will sound 

an alarm. 

The DJI Pilot app screen will 

flash red and aircraft starts to 

descend. Remote controller 

will sound an alarm. 

N/A 

Flight Instructions ! 

Fly the aircraft 

back and land 

it as soon as 

possible, then 

stop the motors 

and replace the 

battery. 

The aircraft 

will begin to 

descend and land 

automatically. 

N/A 
INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

:O: • When the critical battery level warning activates and the aircraft is descending to land 

automatically, you may push the throttle upward to hover the aircraft and navigate it to a more 

appropriate location for landing. 

• Color zones and markers on the battery level indicator reflect estimated remaining flight time 

and are adjusted automatically, according to the aircraft's current status. 

Failsafe RTH 

Failsafe RTH is activated automatically if remote controller signal (including video relay signal) is lost for 

more than 3 seconds provided that Home Point has been successfully recorded and compass is working 

normally. Return home process may be interrupted and the operator can regain control over the aircraft if 

a remote controller signal is resumed. 

Failsafe Illustration 

1 Record Home Point (HP) 2 Confirm Home Point 

Blinking Green j Blinking Green 

4 Signal Lost Lasts 3secs. 5 Go Home(20m can be set) 

...,~~~~~~~,~~~~~~ ~20m 8evateto20m y Heiaht over HP<-20m 

Fast Blinking Yellow Fast Blinking Yellow 

3 Remote Controller Signal Lost 

Fast Blinking Yellow 

6 Landing after Hovering 15secs 

" ..,-- ~ ... 

@ 

Fast Blinking Yellow 

& • Aircraft automatically descends and lands if RTH is triggered when the aircraft flies within a 20 

meter (65 feet) radius of the Home Point. 

• Aircraft cannot avoid obstruction during the Failsafe RTH, therefore it is important to set an 

reasonable Failsafe altitude before each flight. Launch the DJI Pilot app and enter "Camera" 

view and select "MODE" to set the Failsafe altitude. 

• Aircraft will stop ascending and immediately return to the Home Point if you move the throttle 

stick if the aircraft reaches 20m altitudes or beyond during Failsafe. 

[Dyna~i~ .Ho!lle P_o_i_n~t~-------~~---·------ ___ ........ 

Dynamic home point is useful in situations when you are in 

motion and require a Home Point that is different from the 

takeoff point GPS module is located at the position shown in 

the figure below: 

& Ensure the space above the GPS module is not 

obstructed when using Dynamic Home Point. 

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 15 

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INSPIRE l User Manual 

There are two options for Dynamic Home Point. 

1. Set the aircraft current coordinate as the new Home Point. 

2. Set the remote controller's coordinate as the new Home Point. 

Setting Up Dynamic Home Point 

Follow the steps below to setup Dynamic Home Point: 

1. Connect to the mobile device and launch the DJI Pilot app and go to the "Camera" page. 

2. Tap"9"and select"~)', to reset the remote controller's coordinates as the new Home Point. 

3. Tap"9"and select" .. ~". to reset the aircraft's coordinates as the new Home Point. 

4. The aircraft status indicator blinks green to show Home Point is set successfully. 

I 

~ 

ViSion Positioning System . ·----~·--·--~· 

DJI Vision Positioning is a positioning system that uses ultrasonic and image data to help the aircraft 

identify its current position. With the help of Vision Positioning, your Inspire i can hover in place more 

precisely and fly indoors or in other environments where there is no GPS signal available. The main 

components of DJI Vision Positioning are located on the bottom of your Inspire 1, including (1 ]two sonar 

sensors and(2]one monocular camera. 

Using Vision Positioning 

Vision Positioning is activated automatically when the Inspire 1 is powered on. No manual action is 

required. Vision Positioning is typically used in the indoor environment where no GPS is available. By 

using the sensors on the Vision Positioning system, Inspire 1 can perform precision hovering even when 

no GPS is available. 

~ / 

y ~ 

~ 

/ ~ ~ 16 © 2015 DJL All Rights Reserved. 
INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

Follow the steps below to use Vision Positioning: 

1. Toggle the switch to "P" as shown the figure to the right: 

2. Place the Inspire 1 on a flat surface. Notice that the Vision Positioning system 

cannot work properly on surfaces without pattern variations. 

3. Power on the Inspire 1. The aircraft status indicator will flash twice in green ligh~. 

which indicates the Vision Positioning system is ready. Gently push the throttle up 

to lift off, and the Inspire 1 will hover in place. 

& The performance of your Inspire 1's Vision Positioning System is subject to the surface you are 

flying over. The ultrasonic waves may not be able to accurately measure the distance over sound 

absorbing materials, and the camera may not function correctly in suboptimal environments. The 

aircraft will switch from "P" mode to "A" mode automatically if both GPS and Vision Positioning 

System are not available. So operate the aircraft cautiously when in any of the following situations: 

• Flying over monochrome surfaces (e.g. pure black, pure white, pure red, pure green). 

• Flying over a highly reflective surfaces. 

• Flying at high speeds( over 8m/s at 2 meters or over 4m/s at 1 meter). 

• Flying over water or transparent surfaces. 

• Flying over moving surfaces or objects. 

• Flying in an area where the lighting changes frequently or drastically. 

• Flying over extremely dark (lux< 10) or bright (lux> 10,000) surfaces. 

• Flying over surfaces that can absorb sound waves (e.g. thick carpet). 

• Flying over surfaces without clear patterns or texture. 

• Flying over surfaces with identical repeating patterns or textures (e.g. tiles with same design). 

• Rying over inclined surfaces that will deflect sound waves away from the aircraft. 

• In the event of loss of remote controller's signal, the aircraft will hover for 8 seconds and then 

auto-land if it is in "P" mode. 

:\): • Keep the sensors clean at all times. Dirt or other debris may adversely affect the effectiveness 

of the sensors. 

• The effective hovering altitudes of the aircraft is from 0 to 2.5 meters. 

• Vision Positioning system may not function properly when the aircraft is flying over water. 

• Vision Positioning system may not be able to recognize pattern on the ground in low light 

conditions (less than 1 OOiux). 

• Do not use other ultrasonic devices with frequency of 40 KHz when Vision Positioning' system is 

in operation. 

• Vision Positioning system may not be able to stabilize the aircraft when flying close to the 

ground (below 0.5 meters) in fast speed. 

0 Keep the animals away from the aircraft when Vision Positioning system is activated. The sonar 

sensor emits high frequency sound that is only audible to some animals. 

I Flight Recorder --------------------------------------------------------~ 

Flight data is automatically stored in the internal storage device of the aircraft. User can gain access to 

these data through the DJI Pilot app. This includes flight duration, orientation, distance, aircraft status 

information, speed, and other parameters. 

I Attaching and Detachin_;;;:gc.._t_h_e_P~ro-'p'---e_ll_e_rs_. -------------=-~ Use only DJI approved propellers with your Inspire 1. The grey or black nut on the propeller indicates 

the rotation direction of the propeller and where it should be attached. To attach the propellers properly, 

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 17 

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INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

match the nut with the dots on the motors of your Inspire 1: 

I 

L':"opellers Grey cap( 1345} Black cap(1345R) 

c::::::::::=;~ 

Motors with a black dot 

Figure 

Attach On Motors without a black dot 

Legends e'l Lock: Turn the propellers in the indicated direction to mount and tighten 

'b 'l Unlock : Turn the propellers in the indicated direction to loosen and remove 

Attaching the Propellers 

1. Attach the propellers with a grey nut onto a motor without a black dot and spin the propellers clockwise 

to secure them in place. Attach the propellers with a black nut onto a motor with a black dot and spin 

the propellers counter clockwise to secure its position. Be sure to completely tighten each propeller by 

hand before flight. 

/ 

& • Ensure propellers are attached to its corresponding motors, otherwise the aircraft cannot take off. 

• Handling the propellers with care. 

• Manually tighten each of the propellers on the corresponding motors to ensure it is attached firmly. 

Detaching the Propellers 

Hold the motor still. Then spin the propeller in the unlock direction indicated on the propeller itself. 

Detaching 1345s Quick-Release Propellers 

Press the 1345s Quick-Release propellers downward firmly then rotate the propeller in the unlock 

direction to unlock the propellers. 

& • Check that the propellers and motors are installed correctly and firmly before every flight. 

• Ensure that all propellers are in good condition before each flight. DO NOT use old, chipped, 

or broken propellers. 

• To avoid injury, STAND CLEAR of and DO NOT touch propellers or motors when they are spinning. 

• ONLY use original DJI propellers for a better and safer flight experience. 

I OJ , .. Intelligent Flight. Battery _________ ~-----------' 

The DJI Intelligent Flight Battery has a capacity of 4500mAh, voltage of 22.2V, and smart chargedischarge functionality. It can only be charged with an appropriate DJI approved charger. 

Intelligent Flight Battery Charger 

18 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 
INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

& Battery must be fully charged before using it for the first time. Refer to "Charging the Intelligent 

Flight Battery" P21 for more information . 

DJI Intelligent Flight Battery Functions 

1. Battery Level Display: LEOs display the current battery level. 

2. Battery Life Display: LEOs display the current battery power cycle. 

3. Auto-discharging Function: The battery automatically discharges to below 65% of total power when it 

is idle (press the power button to check battery level will cause battery to exit idle state) for more than 

10 days to prevent swelling. It takes around 2 days to discharge the battery to 65%.lt is normal to feel 

moderate heat emitting from the battery during the discharge process. Discharge thresholds can be 

set in the DJI Pilot app. 

4. Balanced Charging: Automatically balances the voltage of each battery cell when charging. 

5. Over charge Protection: Charging automatically stops when the battery is fully charged. 

6. Temperature Detection: The battery will only charge when the temperature is between 0 °C(32°F) and 

40°C (104°F). 

7. Over Current Protection: Battery stops charging when high amperage {more than 10A) is detected. 

8. Over Discharge Protection: Discharging automatically stops when the battery voltage reaches 18V to 

prevent over-discharge damage 

9. Short Circuit Protection: Automatically cuts the power supply when a short circuit is detected. 

10. Battery Cell Damages Protection: DJI Pilot app shows warning message when damaged battery cell 

is detected. 

11. Battery Information History: Show the last 32 entries of battery information records that include warning 

messages and so on. 

12. Sleep Mode: Sleep mode is entered after 10 minutes of inactivity to save power. 

13. Communication: Battery voltage, capacity, current, and other relevant information is provided to the 

aircraft's to the main controller. 

& Refer to Disclaimer and Intelligent Flight Battery Safety Guide/ins before use. Users take full 

responsibility for all operations and usage. 

Using the Battery 

Powering ON/OFF 

Powering On: Press the Power Button once, then press again and hold for 2 seconds to power on. The 

Power LED will turn red and the Battery Level Indicators will display the current battery level. 

Powering Off: Press the Power Button once, then press again and hold tor 2 seconds to power off. 

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 19 
INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

Low Temperature Notice: 

1. The performance of the intelligent Flight Battery is significantly reduced when flying in a low 

temperature environments (those with air temperatures below S°C). Ensure that the battery is fully 

charged and the cell voltage is at 4.35 V before each flight. 

2. Using the Intelligent Flight Battery in extremely low temperature environments (those with air 

temperatures below ~10°C) is not recommended. When flying in environments with temperatures 

between soc and -1 0°C, the Intelligent Flight Battery should be able to achieve the appropriate voltage 

levels {above 4.2 V), but it is recommended that you apply the included insulation sticker to the battery 

in order to prevent a rapid drop in temperatures. 

3. If the OJI Pilot app displays the "Critical Low Battery Level Warning" when flying in low temperature 

environments, stop flying and land the aircraft immediately. You will still be able to control the aircraft's 

movement when this warning is triggered. 

4. Store the Intelligent Flight Battery in a room temperature environment and ensure that its temperature 

exceeds soc before using it in the low temperature environment. 

S. When using the Inspire 1 in a low temperature environment, begin by allowing the aircraft to hover at a 

low altitude, for approximately one minute. to heat the battery. 

6. To ensure optimum performance, keep the Intelligent Right Battery's core temperature above 20°C 

when in use. 

& In cold environments, insert the battery into the battery compartment and allow the aircraft to 

warm up for approximately 1-2 minutes before taking off. 

Checking the battery level 

The Battery Level Indicators display how much remaining power the battery has. When the battery is 

powered off, press the Power Button once. The Battery Level Indicators will light up to display the current 

battery level. See below for details. 

I 

!::§ The Battery Level Indicators will also show the current battery level during charging and 

discharging. The indicators are defined below . ... 4 : LED is on. ~:- : LED is flashing. 

4 : LED is off. . ', 

· Battery Level 

LED1 LED2 LED3 LED4 Battery Level 

4 4 4 4 87.S%-100% ,., 

4 4 4 ~-.. 7S%-87.S% 

'•' 

4 4 4 4 62.S%-7S% 

•'· 4 4 ~-- 4 50%-62.S% 

'•' 

4 4 4 4 37.S%-SO% 

4 ~-- 4 4 2S%-37.S% ... 4 4 4 4 12.S%-2S% 

•'· 

~-- 4 4 4 0%-12.S% 

'•' 

4 4 4 4 =0% 

20 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 
INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

Battery life 

The battery life indicates how many more times the battery can be discharged and recharged before 

it must be replaced. When the battery is powered off, press and hold the Power Button for 5 seconds 

to check the battery life. The Battery Level Indicators will light up and/or blink as described below for 2 

seconds: 

· Battery Life 

LED1 LED2 LED3 LED4 Battery Life 

~ ~ ~ ~ 90%-100% 

''• 

~ ~ ~ ~-- 80%-90% .,, 

~ ~ ~ ~ 70%-80% 

•'• 

~ ~ ~-- .,. ~ 60%-70% 

~ ~ ~ ~ 50%-60% ... ~ ~-- ~ ~ 40%-50% 

'•' 

~ ~ ~ ~ 30%-40% 

•'• 

~-- ... ~ ~ ~ 20%-30% 

~ ~ ~ ~ below20% 

& When battery life reaches 0%, it can no longer be used. 

~ For more information about the battery, launch DJI Pilot app and check the information under the 

battery tab. 

Charging the Intelligent Flight Battery 

1. Connect Battery Charger to a power source ( 1 00-240V 50/60Hz). 

2. Open the Protection Cap and connect the Intelligent Flight Battery to the Battery Charger. If the battery 

level is above 95%, turn on the battery before charging. 

3. The Battery Level Indicator will display the current battery level during charging. 

4. The Intelligent Flight Battery is fully charged when Battery Level Indicators are all off. 

5. Air cool the Intelligent Flight Battery after each flight. Allow its temperature to drop to room temperature 

before storing it for an extended period. 

& • Do not charge the Intelligent Flight Battery and remote controller with standard charger (model: 

A 14-100P1A) at the same time, otherwise the charger may overheat. 

• Always turn off the battery before inserting it or removing it from the Inspire 1. Never insert or 

remove a battery when it is powered on. 

Power Outlet 

Intelligent Flight Battery Charger 

@ 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 21 

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INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

Battery Level Indicators while Charging 

LED1 LED2 LED3 .. ' 

~: 

'•' ~ ~ ~ . ;··. . .. ~--

'•' 

~-- ... ~ ... •'• ... ~- ~-- ~: ',. ... ., . __ -.·, •'• ... ~-- ~-- ~: ... '•' . ,. 

~ ~ ~ 

Charging Protection LED Display 

LED4 

~ 

~ 

~ 

•'• 

~-- ., . 

~ 

Battery Level 

0%-25% 

25%-50% 

50%-75% 

75%-100% 

Fully Charged 

The table below shows battery protection mechanisms and corresponding LED patterns. 

Battery Level Indicators while Charging 

LED1 LED2 LED3 LED4 Blinking Pattern Battery Protection Item ... ~ ~-- ~ ~ LED2 blinks twice per second Over current detected ',. 

•'• 

~ ~--

',. ~ ~ LED2 blinks three times per second Short circuit detected . .. ~ ~ ~-- ~ LED3 blinks twice per second Over charge detected 

'•' 

... ~ ~ ~-- ~ LED3 blinks three times per second Over-voltage charger detected 

'•' 

... Charging temperature is too low ~ ~ ~ ~-- LED4 blinks twice per second ., . (<0°C) 

... Charging temperature is too high ~ ~ ~ ~-- LED4 blinks three times per second ... (>40°C) 

After any of the above mentioned protection issues are resolved, press the button to turn off the Battery 

Level Indicator. Unplug the Intelligent Flight Battery from the charger and plug it back in to resume 

charging. Note that you do not need to unplug and plug the charger in the event of a room temperature 

error, the charger will resume charging when the temperature falls within the normal range. 

& OJI does not take any responsibility for damage caused by third-party chargers. 

:<J: How to discharge your Intelligent Flight Battery: 

To effectively calibrate the battery capacity, it is recommended to charge and discharge the 

battery thoroughly for every 10 charge-and-discharge cycle. User should install the battery onto 

the aircraft and then power on the aircraft to initiate the discharge process. discharge the battery 

until the aircraft is powered off automatically. User should then fully charge the battery to ensure 

the battery is working at its optimal. 

Slow: Place the Intelligent Flight Battery into the Inspire 1's Battery Compartment and power it 

on. Leave it on until there is less than 5% of power left, or until the battery can no longer 

be turned on. Launch the OJI Pilot app to check battery level. 

Rapid: Fly the Inspire 1 outdoors until there is less than 5% of power left, or until the battery can 

no longer be turned on. 

22 © 2015 OJI. All Rights Reserved. 
Remote Controllers 

This chapter describes the features 

of the remote controller that includes 

aircraft and remote controller operations 

and dual remote controller mode. 

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 23 
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Remote Controller 

jRern~tefCont_r_o_lle_r_P,_r_o_fil~e ___ , ______ _ 

The Inspire 1 Remote Controller is a multi-function wireless communication device that integrates the 

video downlink ground system and aircraft Remote Controller system. The video downlink and aircraft 

Remote Controller system operate at 2.4 GHz with maximum transmission distance of 2km. The remote 

controller features a number of camera functions, such as taking and previewing photos and video, and 

controlling gimbal motions. The remote controller is powered by a 2S rechargeable battery. The current 

battery level is displayed by LEOs on the front panel of the remote control. 

• Compliance Version: The Remote Controller is compliant with both CE and FCC regulations. 

• Operating Mode: Control can be set to Mode 1 , Mode 2. 

• Mode 1 : The right stick serves as the throttle. 

• Mode 2: The left stick serves as the throttle. 

Do not operate more than 3 aircrafts within in the same area (size equivalent to a soccer field) to 

prevent transmission interference. 

J Remote Gontr611er0perations 

Powering On And Off The Remote Controller 

The Inspire 1 remote controller is powered by a 2S rechargeable battery with a capacity of 6000mAh. The 

battery level is indicated by the Battery Level LEOs on the front panel. Follow the steps below to power on 

your remote controller: 

1. When powered off, press the Power Button once and the Battery Level LEOs will display the current 

battery level. 

2. Then, press and hold the Power Button to power on the remote controller. 

3. The Remote Controller will beep when it powers on. The Status LED will blink green (slave remote 

controller blinks solid purple) rapidly, indicating that the remote controller is linking to the aircraft. The 

Status LED will show a solid green light when linking is completed. 

4. Repeat step 2 to power off the remote controller after finish using it. 

Charging Remote Controller 

Charge the remote controller via supplied charger. 

24 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 
INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

Power Outlet 

Charger 

Power Button 

Controlling Camera 

Shoot videos or images and adjust camera settings via the Shutter Button, Camera Settings Dial, Playback 

Button and Video Recording Button on the remote control. 

· [1] Camera Settings Dial 

liiiiiill-\\-1--- [ 1 J 

n-t-1--- [2] 

Turn the dial to quickly adjust camera settings such as ISO and shutter speed without letting go of the 

remote controller. Move the dial button to left or right to view the pictures or videos in playback mode. 

[2] Playback Button 

Press to view images or videos that have already been captured. 

[3] Shutter Button 

Press to take a photo. If burst mode is activated, multiple photos will be taken with a single press. 

[4] Recoding Button 

Press once to start recording video, then press again to stop recording. 

Controlling Aircraft 

This section explains how to use the various features of the remote controller. The Remote Controller is set 

to Mode 2 by default. 

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 25 

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INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

IX] Stick Neutral/ mid point: Control sticks of the Remote Controller are placed at the central position. 

Move the Stick: The control stick is pushed away from the central position. 

Aircraft Remote 

Controller 

(Mode2} ( o indicates nose direction) 

1f 

G) 0 

®) 

0 

26 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Remarks 

Moving the left stick up and down changes the 

aircraft's elevation. 

Push the stick up to ascend and down to descend. 

Push the throttle stick up to takeoff. 

When both sticks are centered, the Inspire 1 will 

hover in place. 

The more the stick is pushed away from the 

center position, the faster the Inspire 1 will change 

elevation. Always push the stick gently to prevent 

sudden and unexpected elevation changes . 

Moving the left stick to the left or right controls the 

rudder and rotation of the aircraft. 

Push the sick left to rotate the aircraft counter 

clock-wise, and push the stick right to rotate the 

aircraft clockwise. If the stick is centered, the 

Inspire 1 will stay facing its current direction. 

The more the stick is pushed away from the center 

position, the faster the Inspire 1 will rotate. 

Moving the right stick up and down changes the 

aircraft's forward and backward pitch. 

Push the stick up to fly forward and down to fly 

backward. The Inspire 1 will hover in place if the stick 

is centered. 

Push the stick further away from the center position for 

a larger pitch angle (maximum 35·) and faster flight. 

Moving the right stick control left and right changes 

the aircraft's left and right pitch. 

Push left to fly left and right to fly right. The Inspire 1 

will hover in place if the stick is centered. 

Push the stick further away from the center position for 

a larger pitch angle (maximum 35•) and faster flight. 

Gimbal Dial: Turn the dial to the right, and the 

camera will shift to point upwards. Turn the 

dial to the left, and the camera will shift to point 

downwards. The camera will remain in its current 

position when dial is static. 
Flight Mode Switch 

Toggle the switch to select the desired flight mode. 

You may choose between; P mode, F mode and A 

mode. 

Figure 

F@ 

A 

p 

Flight Mode 

Frnode 

A mode 

Pmode 

INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

P mode (Positioning) : P mode works best when GPS signal is strong. There are three different states of P 

mode, which will be automatically selected by the Inspire 1 depending on GPS signal strength and Vision 

Positioning sensors: 

P-GPS: GPS and Vision Positioning both are available, and the aircraft is using GPS for positioning. 

P-OPTI: Vision Positioning is available but the GPS signal is not. Aircraft is using only Vision 

Positioning for hovering 

P-ATII: Neither GPS or Vision Positioning available, aircraft is using only its barometer for positioning, 

so only altitude is controlled. 

A mode (Attitude): The GPS and Vision Positioning System is not used for holding position. The aircraft 

only uses its barometer to maintain altitude. If it is still receiving a GPS signal, the aircraft can automatically 

return home if the Remote Controller signal is lost and if the Home Point has been recorded successfully. 

F mode (Function): Intelligent Orientation Control (IOC) is activated in this mode. For more information 

about IOC, refer to the IOC in Appendix. 

The Flight Mode Switch is locked in P mode by default. To unlock the switch, launch the DJI Pilot app, 

enter the ·camera" page, tap "MODE", and then activate "Multiple Flight Mode". 

Transformation Switch I RTH Button 

The Transformation Switch I RTH Button combination serves two functions. Toggle the switch up or down 

to raise or lower the landing gear. Or, press the button to activate the Return to Home (RTH} procedure. 

Transformation Switch 

This switch has two positions. The effect of toggling the switch to any of these positions is defined below: 

Lower Raise 

1. Raise: Raise the landing gear to its upper most position. 

( 

© 2015 OJ I. All Rights Reserved. 27 

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INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

2. Lower: The landing gear will lower to its lowest position for landing. 

~ Do not raise the landing gear when the aircraft is on the ground. Ensure the landing gear is 

lowered before landing. 

RTH button 

Press and hold this button to start the Return to Home (RTH) procedure. The LED around the RTH Button 

will blink white to indicate the aircraft is entering RTH mode. The aircraft will then return to the last recorded 

Home Point. Press this button again to cancel the RTH procedure and regain the control of the aircraft. 

Connecting Mobile Device 

Tilt the Mobile Device Holder to the desired position. Press the button on the side of the Mobile Device Holder 

to release the clamp, and then place your mobile device into the clamp. Adjust the clamp to secure your 

mobile device. Then connect your mobile device to the remote controller with a USB cable. Plug one end of 

the cable into your mobile device, and the other end into the USB port on the back of the remote controller. 

28 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 
INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

Optimal Transmission Range 

The signal transmission between aircraft and remote controller perform best within the range that 

displayed in the picture shown below: 

Optimal Transmission Range 

Strong Weak 

Ensure the aircraft is flying within the optimal transmission range. Adjust the distance and position 

between the operator and the aircraft to achieve optimal transmission performance. 

I Dual ~emote Controllers Mode 

More than one remote controller can connect to the same aircraft in Dual Remote Controller mode. In 

Dual Controllers mode, the "Master" remote controller operator controls the orientation of the aircraft, while 

the "Slave" remote controller controls the movement of the gimbal and camera operation. When multiple 

"slave" remote controllers (max of 6) are connect to the aircraft, only the first connected "slave" remote 

controller is able to control the gimbal, the remaining "slave" remote controller can view the live feed video 

from the aircraft and set the camera parameters, but they cannot control the gimbal. 

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Master Remote Slave Remote ' 

Controller Controller 

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Gimbal and Camera Control Signal 

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved 29 

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INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

& Use the gimbal dial on the remote controller to control the pitch movement of the camera in the 

single remote controller mode, however, you cannot control the pan movement of the camera. 

Setting Up Dual Remote Controllers Mode 

Dual Remote Controllers mode is disabled by default. Users must enable this feature on the "Master" 

remote controller by through the DJI Pilot app. Follow the steps below for setup: 

"Master" Remote Controller: 

1. Connect the remote controller to your mobile device and launch the DJI Pilot app. 

2. Go to the Camera page, and tap /J;J"' ,1111 to enter the remote controller settings window. 

3. Tap "Set RC Status" to enable Master-and-Slave mode. 

4. Select "Master" in the "Set RC Status" section to set the remote controller as "Master" remote controller. 

RC Settings X 

[ RC Control Settings >] 

Master and Slave 

Set RC Status l OFF Ff§M Slave j 

RC Name I T12254 I Connection Password l 1234 I 

Slave RC List 

5. Enter the connection password for the "Slave" remote controller. 

"Siaveh Remote Controller: 

1. Tap "Search for Master Controller" to search the "Master" remote controller. 

RC Settings X I 

( RC Control Setting >] 

Master and Slave 

Set RC Status 

RC Name S88642 

Request Control 

Search for Master Controller 

Master RC List 

30 © 2015 OJL All Rights Reserved. 
INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

~ Remote controller cannot link to the aircraft if the remote controller is set as "Slave". Meanwhile, 

the "Slave" remote controller cannot control the orientation of the aircraft. Reset the remote 

controller to "Master" in DJI Pilot app if you wish to link the remote controller to the aircraft. 

2. Search the "Master" remote controller in the surrounding area in the "Request Control" section. 

RC Se!lmgs >< 

[ RC Control Settings >] 

Master and Slave 

Set RC Status 

RC Name 

Request Control 

Search for Master Controller 

Master RC list 

3. Select the "Master" remote controller from the "Master RC List" and input the connection password to 

connect to the desired "Master" remote controller. 

v T12254 Connection Password 1234 

Master RC List 

I Remote Co~t_roller Status LED 

The Status LED reflects connection status between Remote Controller and aircraft. The RTH LED shows 

the Return to Home status of the aircraft. The table below contains details on these indicators. 

~®~ 

(®) $>1'&----t+---- RTH LED 

Status LED -----""":~;;:;;;~~~==~ 

©2015 DJL.AII Rights Reserved. 31 

-----., ' I ~-----~ 
D 

:n 

CD 

3 

0 

...... 

CD 

() 

0 

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a 

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INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

Alarm 

:tf$1:-Solid Red 1 chime 

~:-Solid Green 1 chime 

:?J!;-Solid Purple D-D-

:~-Solid Blue D-O-/chime 

@·······Slow Blinking Red 0-D-Q ...... , .. " 

' ·$.1;1.-t:®:-:C!!J: ..... . Red and Green/ Red and None 

Yellow Alternate Blinks t 

l£!!H LE~ _ Sound 

:(ijj:-Solid White 1 chime 

:~; ...... Blinking White D · · · 

:(iJ!: ...... Blinking White DD·· .... 

Remote Controller Status 

The remote controller set as "Master' but it is not 

connected with the aircraft. 

The remote controller set as "Master" and it is connected 

with the aircraft. 

The remote controller set as "Slave" but it is not 

connected with the aircraft. 

The remote controller set as 'Slave" and it is connected 

with the aircraft. 

Remote controller error. 

HD Downlink is disrupted. 

Remote Controller Status. 

Aircraft is returning home. 

Sending Return to Home command to the aircraft. 

Aircraft Return to Home in progress. 

~ The Remote Status Indicator will blink red, sound an alert, when the battery level is critically low. 

I Linking .'the Remote Controller 

The remote controller is linked to your aircraft before delivery. Linking is only required when using a new 

remote controller for the first time. Follow these steps to link a new remote controller: 

i. Power on the remote controller and connect to the mobile device. Launch DJI Pilot app. 

2. Power on the Intelligent Flight Battery. 

3. Enter "Camera" view and tap on and then tap "Linking Remote Controller" button as shown below. 

( RC Control Setting X 

Remote Control Calibration > 

Stick Mode > 

Default stick mode is Mode 2. changing stick modes alters the way the aircraft is controlled. 

Do not change unless familiar with your new mode. 

C1 [ Gimbal Pitch/Yaw 

32 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

C2 [ Reset gimbal yaw 

You can customize the C1 and C2 buttons on the back 

of the remote controller. 
INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

4. The remote controller is ready to link. The Remote Controller Status Indicator blinks blue and "beep" 

sound is emitted. 

~ RC Control Sett1ng >< 

Remote Control Calibration 

Stick Mode 

Defaul t stick mode is Mode 

Do not change unless famili 

C1 [ Gimbal Pitcr 

Searching for aircraft frequency, 

timeout in 54 seconds 

Press the linking button on the aircraft 

to link this remote controller 

Cancel 

> 

> 

ircraft is controlle d. 

balyaw J 

You can customize the C1 and C2 buttons on the back 

of the remote controller. 

5. Locate the Linking button on the front of the aircraft, as shown in the figure shown below. Press the 

Linking button to start linking. The Remote Controller Status Indicator will display solid green if Link is 

succeed. 

Lt. • Remote controller cannot link to the aircraft if the remote controller is set as "Slave". Meanwhile, 

the "Slave" remote controller cannot control the orientation of the aircraft. Reset the remote 

controller to "Master" in DJI Pilot app if you wish to link the remote controller to the aircraft. 

• Remote controller will disconnect from the linked aircraft if a new remote controller is linked to 

the same aircraft. 

I Remote Controller Compliance Version 

The remote controller is compliant with both CE and FCC requirements. 

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 33 

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Gimbal and Camera 

This chapter provides the technical 

specifications of the camera and explains 

the working mode of the gimbal. 

34 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 
Camera and Gimbal 

I Camera Profile 

The on-board camera supports 4K video capture up to 4096x2160p24 and 12M pixel photos capture by 

using the 1/2.3 inch CMOS sensor. You may export the video in either MOV or MP4 format for editing. 

Available picture shooting modes include burst. continuous, and timer mode. A live preview of what the 

camera is seeing before you shoot videos and pictures is supported through the OJI Pilot App. 

Camera Micro-SO Card Slot 

To store your photos and videos, plug in the micro-SO card into the slot shown below before powering on 

the Inspire 1. The Inspire 1 comes with a 16GB micro-SO card and supports up to a 64GB micro-SO card. 

A UHS-1 type micro-SO card is recommended, because the fast read and write capability of these cards 

enables you to store high-resolution video data. 

0 Do not remove micro-SO card from the Inspire 1 when it is powered on. 

Camera Data Port 

Power on the Inspire 1 and then connect a USB cable to the Camera Data Port to download photos or 

videos from the camera to your computer. 

~- --... 

t ... ~ .... =: .... ~.~ ... ~ 

"'- _.z;r 

Lt Power on the aircraft before attempting to download the files. 

© 2015 OJ I. All Rights Reserved. 35 
INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

Camera Operation 

Use the Shutter and Record button on the remote controller to shoot the images or the videos through the 

OJI Pilot app. For more information about how to use these buttons, refer to "Controlling Came~a" P25. 

NO Filter 

Attach an NO filter to the front of the camera to reduce over-exposure and "jello" effect. 

[Gimbal 

Gimbal Profile 

The 3-axis Gimbal provides a steady platform for the attached camera, allowing you to capture stabilized n images and video. The Gimbal can tilt the camera up to 120 degrees and rotate 360 degrees. 

G) 

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~ 

!X) 

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0.. 

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3 

(1) 

.... 

!X) 

Use the gimbal dial on the remote controller to control pitch movement of the camera by default. Note that 

you cannot control the pan motion of the camera by default. Enable the "Master-and-Slave" mode and 

set the remote controller to "Slave" state if you wish to control both the pan and pitch movement of the 

camera. 

& Use the gimbal dial on the remote controller to control the pitch movement of the camera in the 

single remote controller mode, however, you cannot control the pan movement of the camera. 

Pan Control 

Follow the instructions below to use the gimbal dial to control the pan movement of the gimbal: 

1. Power on the aircraft and remote control, launch OJ! Pilot app and enter "Camera" page. 

2. Tap "RC Control Settings" icon and select either C1 or C2 customizable button as the gimbal pitch/ 

yaw switching button. 

3. Select "Gimbal Pitch/Yaw" from the dropdown list. 

36 © 2015 OJL All Rights Reserved 
INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

< RC Control Sett1ng X 

Remote Control Calibration > 

Stick Mode > 

Default stick mode is Mode 2, changing stick modes alters the way the aircraft is controlled. 

Do not change unless familiar with your new mode. 

C1 I Gimbal Pitch/Yaw ~--------------~ C2 I~ ___ R_es_e_t~gi_m_b_a~ly~a_w __ ~ 

You can customize the C1 and C2 buttons on the back 

of the remote controller. 

Press C1 or C2 button to switch from pitch mode to yaw mode. You may use the gimbal dial to pan the 

gimbal under yaw mode. Press C1 or C2 again to exit yaw mode. 

Using DJI Pilot App to Control Gimbal 

Follow the steps below to use DJI Pilot app to control the gimbal orientation: 

1. Launch DJI Pilot app, enter "Camera" page. 

2. Tap and press on the screen until a blue circle is shown. 

3. Slide to control the gimbal orientation within the "Camera" page as shown below. 

0 1-------l 

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 37 
INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

Gimbal Operation Modes 

Three Gimbal operation modes are available. Switch between the different operation modes on the 

Camera page of the DJI Pilot App. Note that your mobile device must be connected to the remote 

controller for changes to take effect. Refer to the table below for details: 

Pitch 

Follow Mode 

FPVMode 

Pan 

The angle between Gimbal's orientation and aircraft's nose remains 

constant at all times. One user alone can control the pitch motion of the 

Gimbal, but a second user is required to control the pan motion using a 

second remote controller. 

The Gimbal will lock to the movements of the aircraft to provide a FirstPerson-View flying experience. 

The Gimbal's motion is independent of the aircraft's orientation. One user 

Free Mode alone can control the pitch motion of the Gimbal, but a second user is 

required to control the pan motion using a second remote controller. 

Tap to force the Gimbal orientation to re-align with aircraft's orientation 

Re-alignment by panning from gimbal's current orientation. Pitch angle will remain 

unchanged during the re-alignment. 

& • Gimbal motor error may occur in these situations: (1) Gimbal is placed on uneven ground. (2) 

Gimbal has received an excessive external force, e.g. a collision. Please take off from flat, open 

ground and protect the gimbal after powering up. 

• Flying in heavy fog or cloud may make the gimbal wet, leading to a temporary failure. The 

will recover when it dries out. 

38 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 
DJIPilotApp 

This chapter describes the four main 

GUI of the OJI Pilot app. 

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 39 
CJ 

c.. 

DJIPilotApp 

The DJI Pilot app is a new mobile app designed specifically for the Inspire 1. Use this app to control the 

gimbal, camera and other features of your flight system. The app also comes with Map, Store a User Center, 

for configuring your aircraft and sharing your content with friends. It is recommended that you use a tablet 

for the best experience. 

? 

United States 

Mountain View 

DIRECTOR 

The Camera page contains a live HD video feed from the Inspire 1's camera. You can also configure 

various camera parameters from the Camera page. 

[9] 

[10] 

H 39M 0 1039M V 5 8.3M/S HS 24,2>1/S £ 1.2M 

[12] [11] 

40 © 2015 DJL All Rights Reserved. 
INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

[1] Flight Mode 

8: The text next to this icon indicates the current flight mode. 

Tap to configure the MC (Main Controller) Settings. These settings allow you to modify flight limits and 

set the gain values. 

[2] GPS Signal Strength 

"·nil: This icon shows the current strength of GPS signals. Green bars indicate adequate GPS 

strength. 

[3] IOC Settings 

~ CL: This icon displays the IOC setting when the aircraft has entered F-mode. Tap to view the IOC 

settings menu and select the desired IOC setting. 

[4] System Status 

~<Gi'iS)~: This icon indicates the current aircraft system status and GPS signal strength. 

[5] Battery Level Indicator 

·4>0 .. : The battery level indicator provides a dynamic display of the battery level. The colored 

zones on the battery level indicator represent the power levels needed to carry out different functions. 

[6] Remote Controller Signal 

riA"" 11 11!: This icon shows the strength of remote controller's signal. 

[7] HD VIdeo Link Signal Strength 

~""till I: This icon shows the strength of the HD video downlink connection between the aircraft and 

the remote controller. 

[8] Battery Level 

fll OOOJo: This icon shows the current battery level. 

Tap to view the battery information menu, set the various battery warning thresholds, and view the 

battery warning history. 

[9] General Settings 

:::Tap this icon to view the General Settings page. From this page, you can set flight parameters. 

reset the camera, enable the quick view feature, adjust the gimbal roll value, and toggle the flight 

route display. 

[10] Camera Operation Bar 

Shutter and Recording Settings 

1.!0: Tap to enter various camera value settings, including color space for the recording, resolution 

of the videos, image size and so on. 

Shutter 

e: Tap this button to take a single photo. Press and hold this button to select single shot, triple shot 

or time-lapsed shooting modes. 

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 41 
-, -, 

l - -~ 

0 

c._ 

INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

Record 

• : Tap once to start recording video, then tap again to stop recording. You can also press the 

Video Recording Button on the remote controller, which has the same functionality. 

Playback 

~ :Tap to enter the playback page. You can preview photos and videos as soon as they are 

captured. 

Camera Settings 

:;:=:Tap to set ISO, shutter and auto exposure values of the camera. 

[11] Vision Positioning 

~ : This icon shows the distance between the surface and the Vision Positioning System's sensors. 

[12] Flight Telemetry 

H. 39M D: ]Q39M V S 8.3M/S H S:24.2M/S 

The Vision Positioning Status icon is highlighted when the Vision Positioning is in operation. 

Flight attitude is indicated by the flight attitude icon. 

(I} The red arrow shows which direction the aircraft is facing. 

(2} Light blue and dark blue areas indicate pitch. 

(3) The angle of the boundary between the light blue and dark blue areas indicates the roll angle. 

[13] Map 

Display the flight path of the current flight. Tap to switch from the Camera GUI to the Map GUI. 

0"' • 

• 

[ 14] Home Point Settings 

f : Tap this button to reset the current home point. You may choose to set the aircraft take-off 

location, the remote controller's current position, or the aircraft's current position as the Home Point. 

[15] Return to Home (RTH) 

if) : Initiate RTH home procedure. Tap to have the aircraft return to the latest home point. 

[16] Gimbal Operation Mode 

Refer to "Gimbal Operation Mode" P38 for more information. 

42 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 
INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

[17] Auto Takeoff/Landing 

..tf..! : Tap to initiate auto takeoff or landing. 

[18] Livestream 

«:'»: Livestream icon indicates the current video feed is broadcasting live on YouTube. Be sure the 

mobile data service is available on the mobile device. 

[19] Back 

-A- :Tap to return to the main GUI. 

I Director 

Director is an automatic video editor built into the DJI Pilot app. After recording several video clips, simply 

tap "Director" from the app's home screen. You can then select a template and a specified number of 

clips, which are automatically combined to create a short film that can be shared immediately. 

!store 

Tap "Store" to visit the official DJI Online Store to see the latest information about DJI products and easily 

buy new products. 

I Discovery 

Sync pictures and videos to your mobile device, view flight logs, and check your DJI account status in 

"Discovery•. Use your registered DJI account to login to "Discovery". 

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 43 

0 

c... 
Flight 

This chapter describes the flight safety 

and flight restrictions. 

44 © 2015 DJL All Rights Reserved. 
Flight 

Once pre-flight preparation is complete, it is recommended to use the flight simulator to learn how to fly 

safely. Ensure that all flights are carried out in a suitable location. 

I Flight Environm~nt Requirements 

1. Do not use the aircraft in severe weather conditions. These include wind speed exceeding 1 Om/s , 

snow, rain and smog. 

2. Only fly in open areas. Tall buildings and steel structures may affect the accuracy of the on-board 

compass and GPS signal. 

3. Avoid from obstacles, crowds, high voltage power lines, trees or bodies of water. 

4. Minimize electromagnetic interference by not flying in area with high levels of electromagnetism, 

including mobile phone base stations or radio transmission towers. 

5. Aircraft and battery performance is subject to environment factor such as air density and temperature. 

Be very careful when flying 14700 feet (4500 meters) or more above sea level as battery and aircraft 

performance may be reduced. ' 

6. The Inspire 1 cannot operate within the polar areas in "P" mode. 

I Flight Limits and. Fligh~ Restriction Area 

Flight limits on height and distance can be set. The details of these flight limits are described in the following 

section. 

All unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operators should abide by all regulations from such organizations as 

the ICAO {International Civil Aviation Organization), FAA and their own national airspace regulations. For 

safety reasons, the flight limits function is enabled by default to help users use this product safely and 

legally. The flight limits function includes height limits, distance limits and No Fly Zones. 

When operating in P Mode, height, distance limits and No Fly Zones work together to manage flight. In A 

mode only height limits work and flights cannot go higher than 120 meters. 

Max Height & Radius Limits 

Max Height & Radius limit flying height and distance, and the user may change these settings in the 

DJI Pilot App. Once complete, your Inspire 1 will fly in a restricted cylinder that is determined by these 

settings. The tables below show the details of these limits. 

Max Height Max Radius 

Home Point 

__,y:..---+- Height of aircraft 

when powered on 

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 45 

[] 
::!! 

INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

Signal Strong {f$!: · · · · · · Blinking Green 

Flight Limits 

Max Height 

Max Radius 

Flight altitude must be under 

the set height. 

Flight distance must be within 

the max radius. 

DJI PilotApp 

Warning: Height 

limit reached. 

Warning: Distance 

limit reached. 

GPS Signal Weak:@-······ Blinking Yellow 

Flight Limits DJI Pilot App 

Max Height Flight height restricted to 

120m and under. 

. Warning: Height limit 

reached. 

Aircraft Status Indicator 

None. 

Rapid red flashing :@: 

·· .... when close to the 

max radius limit. 

Aircraft Status Indicator 

None. 

liS' Max Radius No limits ~ 

,& ·If you fly out of the limit, you can still control the Inspire 1, but cannot fly it further. 

• If the Inspire 1 flies out of the max radius in Ready to Fly (non-GPS) mode, it will fly back within 

range automatically. 

No-Fly Zones 

All No-Fly Zones are listed on the DJI official website at http://flysafe.dji.com/no-fly. No-Fly Zones are 

divided into Airports and Restricted Areas. Airports include major airports and flying fields where manned 

aircraft operate at low altitudes. Restricted Areas include borders between countries or sensitive sites. 

The details of the No-Ay Zones are explained below: 

Airport: 

(1) Airport No-Ry Zones are comprised of Takeoff Restricted Zones and Restricted-Altitude Zones. Each 

zone features circles of various size. 

(2) R1 depends on the size and shape of the airport, and is an area around the airport that is a Takeoff 

Restricted Zone, inside of which take-off and flight is prevented. 

(3) From R1 to R1 + 1 mile around the airport, the flight altitude is limited on a 15 degree incline, starting at 

65 feet (20 meters) from the edge of airport and radiating outward. The flight altitude is limited to 1640 

feet (500 meters) at R1 + 1 mile. 

(4) When the aircraft is within 320 feet (100 meters) of the No-Fly Zones, a warning message will appear 

in the DJI Pilot app. 

46 © 2015 OJ I. All Rights Reserved. 
INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

i' I : feet I ~ 

:, : 

+------- R2 -+I -----+ 

+---- 1 mile --..j +-- R1 0 0 ~ No-fly zone Reslricted-allitude flight zone Warning zone 

Restricted Areas: 

(I) Restricted Areas do not have a flight altitude restriction. 

(2) R around the designated Restricted Area is a Take-off Restricted area. Aircraft cannot takeoff within 

this zone. The value of R varies depending on the definition of the Restricted Area. 

(3) A "warning zone" has been set around each Restricted Area. When the aircraft is within 0.6 miles ( 1 

km) of this zone, a warning message will appear in the DJI Pilot app. 

> 

I 

0 

No-fly zone Warning zone Free zone 

© 2015 DJI. All Righrs Reserved. 47 

D 
INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

GPS Signal Strong .-ey: · · · · · · Blinking Green 

Aircraft 

Zone Restriction OJI Pilot App Prompt Status 

Indicator 

Motors will not start. Warning: You are in a No-fly 

zone. Take off prohibited. 

No-fly Zone If the aircraft enters the 

• restricted area in A mode but Warning: You are in a No-fly 

P mode activates the aircraft zone, automatic landing has 

will automatically descend to begun. (If you are within 1.5 mile 

land then stop its motors after radius) 

landing. 

Warning: You are in a restricted :fff!.· ...... zone. Descending to safe Red flashing 

Restricted- If the aircraft enters the altitude. (If you are between the 

altitude flight restricted area in A mode but P range of 1.5 mile and 5 mile 

mode activates, it will descend radius) zone to a safe altitude and hover 15 Warning: You are in a restricted Q feet below the safe altitude. · zone. Max flight height restricted 

to between 10.5m and 120m. Fly 

Cautiously. 

Warning zone No flight restriction applies, but Warning: You are approaching a 

~ e;J there will be warning message. restricted zone, Fly Cautiously. 

Free zone 

No restrictions. 0 None. None. 

EEJ Semi-automatic descent: All stick commands are available except the throttle stick command 

during the descent and landing process. Motors will stop automatically after landing. 

Lt • When flying in the safety zone, aircraft status indicator will blink red quickly and continue for 3 

seconds, then switch to indicate current flying status and continue for 5 seconds at which point 

it will switch back to red blinking. 

• For safety reasons, please do not fly close to airports, highways, railway stations, railway lines, 

city centers and other special areas. Try to ensure the aircraft is visible. 

48 @ 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 
INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

[ ~reflight Checklist 

1. Remote controller, aircraft battery, and mobile device are fully charged. 

2. Propellers are mounted correctly and firmly. 

3. Micro-SO card has been inserted if necessary. 

4. Gimbal is functioning as normal. 

5. Motors can start and are functioning as normal. 

6. DJI Pilot app connected to the aircraft. 

(Calibrating the Compass 

IMPORTANT: Make sure to calibrate the compass in every new flight location. The compass is very 

sensitive to electromagnetic interference, which can cause abnormal compass data leading to poor flight 

performance or even failure. Regular calibration is required for optimum performance. 

0 • DO NOT calibrate your compass where there is a chance of strong magnetic interference, such 

as magnetite, parking structures, and steel reinforcements underground. 

• DO NOT carry ferromagnetic materials with you during calibration such as keys or cellular 

phones. 

• DO NOT calibrate beside massive metal objects. 

Calibration Procedures 

Choose an open space to carry out the following procedures. 

1. Ensure that the compass is calibrated. If you did not calibrate the compass as part of your pre·flight 

preparations, or if you have moved to a new location since the last calibration, tap Aircraft Status 

Indicator bar in the app and select "Calibrate", then follow the on-screen instructions. 

2. Hold and rotate the aircraft horizontally 360 degrees, and the Aircraft Status Indicator will display a 

solid green light. 

© 2015 OJ I. All Rights Reserved. 49 

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INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

3. Hold the aircraft vertically with nose pointing downward, and rotate it 360 degrees around the center 

axis. Recalibrate the compass if the Aircraft Status Indicator show solid red. 

Lt::, If the Aircraft Status Indicator blinks red and yellow after the calibration, move your aircraft to a 

different location to carry out compass calibration. 

:(): Calibrate the compass before each flight. Launch DJI Pilot App, follow the on-screen instruction 

to calibrate the compass. 

When to Recalibrate 

1. When compass data is abnormal, and the Aircraft Status Indicator is blinking red and yellow. 

2. When flying in a new location, or a location that is different from your last flight. 

3. When the mechanical structure of the Inspire 1 has changed, i.e. changed mounting position of the 

compass. 

4. When severe drifting occurs in flight, i.e. the Inspire 1 does not fly in straight lines. 

I Auto Take-off and Auto Landing 

Auto Take-off 

Use auto take-off to take off your aircraft automatically if the Aircraft Status Indicator displays blinking 

green. Follow the steps below to use auto take-off: 

1. Launch OJI Pilot app, enter "Camera" page. 

2. Ensure the aircraft is in "P" mode. 

3. Go through the pre-flight checklist. 

4. Tap"..t.", and confirm flight condition. Slide to confirm and take-off. 

5. Aircraft takes off and hovers at 1.2 meters above ground. 

50 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 
INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

Auto-Landing 

Use auto-landing to land your aircraft automatically if the Aircraft Status Indicator displays blinking green. 

Follow the steps below to use auto-landing: 

1. Ensure the aircraft is in "P" mode. 

2. Check the landing area condition before tapping ".i.", to perform landing. 

3. Aircraft lowers the landing gear and proceed to land automatically. 

:\): Landing gear will automatically raise when the aircraft reaches an altitude of 1.2m for the first 

time, and automatically lower every time it descends to 0.8m. Users can turn this feature ON/OFF 

in the Pilot app. 

[Starting/Stopping the Motors 

Starting Motors 

J 

The Combination Stick Command (CSC) listed below are used to start the motors instead of simply pushing the stick up. Ensure that you perform the CSC in one motion. 

OR 

Stopping Motors 

There are two methods to stop the motors. 

Method 1: When the Inspire 1 has landed, push the throttle down G), then conduct CSC ®. Motors will stop 

immediately. Release both sticks once motors stop. 

Method 2: When the aircraft has landed, push the throttle down and hold. The motors will stop after 3 

seconds. 

&. Do not perform CSC when aircraft is in midair, otherwise the motors will be stopped. 

! Flight Test J 

Take off/Landing Procedures 

1. Place the aircraft on open, flat ground with battery indicators facing towards you. 

2. Power on the remote controller and yoc~r mobile device, then the Intelligent Flight Battery. 

3. Launch the DJI Pilot App and enter the Camera page. 

4. Wait until the Aircraft Indicator blinks green. This means the Home Point is recorded and it is safe to fly 

now. If it flashes yellow, it means Home Point is not recorded, and yoJ should not take off. 

5. Push the throttle up slowly to take off or using Auto Take-off to take off. 

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 51 
INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

6. Shoot photos and videos using the DJI Pilot app. 

7. To land, hover over a level surface and gently pull down on the throttle slowly to descend. 

8. After landing, execute the CSC command or hold the throttle at its lowest position for 3 seconds or 

more until the motors stop. 

9. Turn off the Intelligent Flight Battery first, followed by the Remote Controller. 

& • When the Aircraft Status Indicator blinks yellow rapidly during flight, the aircraft has entered Failsafe 

mode. 

• A low battery level warning is indicated by the Aircraft Status Indicator blinking red slowly or 

rapidly during flight. 

• Watch video tutorials about flight for more flight information. 

Video Suggestions and lips 

1. Work through the checklist before each flight. 

2. Select desired gimbal working mode in the DJI Pilot app. 

3. Aim to shoot when flying in P mode only. 

4. Always fly in good weather, such as sunny or windless days. 

5. Change camera settings to suit you. These include photo format and exposure compensation. 

6. Perform flight tests to establish flight routes and scenes. 

7. Push the sticks gently to make aircraft movements stable and smooth. 

52 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved 
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved 53 
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Troubleshooting (FAQ) 

1. How can I put a GoPro camera on the Inspire 1? 

The Inspire 1 does not currently support GoPro attachments. The gimbal is designed to hold DJI 

cameras only. 

2. When will ground station functionality be available? 

The Inspire 1 does not currently support ground station. Ground station will be available with future 

firmware updates. 

3. Is the camera's exposure automatic? 

The exposure can be set to Auto, for automatic changes, or Manual, if you wish to use a specific setting. 

4. Can I see the size of images through the app? 

Yes, you can preview image or video sizes through the OJI Pilot app. 

5. How much weight can the Inspire 1 carry without its included camera? 

We do not recommend flying with any payload other than the included OJI gimbal and camera. 

6. Do you have an LCD monitor available for the Inspire 1? 

No, DJI does not sell LCD or HD monitors for the Inspire 1. However, you can output the live streaming 

video to a compatible monitor or mobile device of your own. 

7. How long does it take to charge the battery? Does it comes with a charger? 

Yes, all Inspire 1 units come with standard TB47 charger. 

With the standard TB47100W charger, it takes 85min to fully charge a 4500mAh battery. 

8. Are the two remote controllers the same? Should I setup the remote controllers in the app or 

somewhere else to control the camera and aircraft separately? 

The two remote controllers are physically identical. You can set the remote controllers to either "Master" 

or "Slave" through the OJI Pilot app if you wish to use dual controller mode. 

9. Where can I find info on the simulation application that plugs into the trainer port? Can you suggest a 

simulation program? 

There is no trainer port on the remote controller for the Inspire 1. 

1 0. Can the mobile device holder be used on the Phantom 2 series remote controller? 

No, it cannot. The mobile device holder can only be used with the Inspire 1 remote. 

11. Does the Inspire 1 have a SO card included? 

The Inspire 1 comes with a 16GB micro-SO card. It supports SO cards up to 64GB. 

12. Can I upgrade and buy a second remote controller if I only buy a single remote controller now? 

Yes. 

13. How big is the Inspire 1 ? 

Its length x height x width dimensions without the propellers attached are 44 x 30 x 45cm (17.3 x 11.8 x 17. ?in}. 

54 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 
INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

14. What flight controller does the Inspire 1 use? 

The Inspire 1 uses its own new flight controller. 

15. Which motors and propellers does the Inspire 1 come with? 

The Inspire 1 uses 3510 motors and 1345 propellers. 

16. Aircraft frame arm joints appear loosen, is that normal? 

The space of the joins shown in the below figure is normal and it will not affect the performance of 

aircraft, do not adjust the position of the screws on your own. 

17. Failed to complete self-check? 

Place the aircraft on the flat surface before powering on. Do not move the aircraft during the selfcheck. 

© 2015 DJL All Rights Reserved. 55 

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56 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved 
Appendix 

I Specifications 

' :Aircraft 

L_ 

Model 

Weight (Battery Included) 

Hovering Accuracy (P Mode) 

Max Angular Velocity 

Max Tilt Angle 

Max Ascent Speed 

Max Descent Speed 

Max Speed 

Max Flight Altitude 

Max Wind Speed Resistance 

Max Flight Time 

Motor Model 

Propeller Model 

Indoor Hovering 

Operating Temperature Range 

Diagonal Distance 

Dimensions 

'Gimbal 

l "--

Model 

Output Power (With Camera) 

Operating Current 

Angular Vibration Range 

Mounting 

Controllable Range 

Mechanical Range 

Max Controllable Speed 

T600 

2935g 

Vertical: 0.5 m 

Horizontal: 2.5 m 

Pitch: 300°/S 

Yaw: 150°/s 

35° 

5 m/s 

4m/s 

22 m/s (A Til mode, no wind) 

4500m 

10 m/s 

Approximately 18 minutes 

DJ13510 

DJI 1345 

Enabled by default 

-10° to 40° C 

559to 581 mm 

438x451x301 mm 

_j 

_____ " _____ --"-----"--""_". _ _j 

ZENMUSEX3 

Static: 9 W; In Motion: 11 W 

Station: 750 mA; Motion: 900 mA 

±0.03° 

Detachable 

Pitch: -90° to +30° 

Pan: ±320° 

Pitch: -125° to +45° 

Pan: ±330., 

Pitch: 120°/S 

Pan: 180°/S 

© 2015 DJL All Rights Reserved. 57 

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I Camera 

Name 

Model 

Total Pixels 

Effective Pixels 

Image Max Size 

ISO Range 

Electronic Shutter Speed 

· FOV (Field Of View) 

CMOS 

Lens 

Still Photography Modes 

Video Recording Modes 

Max Bitrate Of Video Storage 

Supported File Formats 

Supported SO Card Types 

Operating Temperature Range 

I Remote Controller 

' 

Name 

Operating Frequency 

Transmitting Distance 

EIRP 

Video Output Port 

Power Supply 

Charging 

Dual User Capability 

58 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

X3 

FC350 

12.76M 

12.4M 

4000x3000 

100-3200 (video) 100-1600 (photo) 

8 s to 1/8000 s 

Sony EXMOR 1/2.3" 

20mm (35mm format equivalent) f/2.8 focus at oo ) 

9 Elements in 9 groups 

Anti-distortion 

Single shoot 

Burst shooting: 3/5/7 frames 

Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB): 3/5 bracketed frames at 

0.7EV Bias 

Time-lapse 

UHD ( 4K): 4096x2160p24/25, 3840x2160p24/25/30 

FHD: 1920x 1 080p2 4/25/30/48/50/60 

HD: 1280x720p24/25/30/48/50/60 

60Mbps 

FAT32/exFAT 

Photo: JPEG, DNG 

Video: MP4/MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264) 

Micro SO 

Max capacity: 64GB. Class 10 or UHS-1 rating required. 

oo to 40° C 

C1 

922.7MHz-927.7 MHz (Japan Only) 

5. 725-5.825 GHz;2.400-2.483 GHz 

2 km (Outdoor And Unobstructed) 

10dBm@900m, 13dBm@5.8G, 20dBm@2.4G 

USB, Mini-HDMI 

Built-in battery 

DJI charger 

Host-and-Slave connection 
Mobile Device Holder 

Output Power 

Operating Temperature Range 

Storage Temperature Range 

Charging Temperature Range 

Battery 

Charger 

Model 

Voltage 

Rated Power 

1 Battery (Standard) 

Name 

Model 

Capacity 

Voltage 

Battery Type 

Energy 

Net Weight 

Operating Temperature Range 

Storage Temperature Range 

Charging Temperature Range 

Max Charging Power 

. Battery (Optional) 

Name 

Model 

Capacity 

Voltage 

Battery Type 

Energy 

Net Weight 

Operating Temperature Range 

Storage Temperature Range 

Charging Temperature Range 

Tablet or Smart Phone 

9W 

-10"' to 40° C 

Less than 3 months: -20"' to 45"' C 

More than 3 months: 22° to 28° C 

0-40° c 

6000 mAh LiPo 2S 

A14-100P1A 

26.3V 

100W 

Intelligent Flight Battery 

TB47 

4500mAh 

22.2 v 

UPo 6S High voltage battery 

99.9Wh 

570g 

-10° to 40° C 

Less than 3 months: -20° to 45° C 

More than 3 months: 22° C to 28° C 

0"' to 40° C 

180W 

Intelligent Flight Battery 

TB48 

5700 mAh 

22.8 v 

LiPo 6S 

129.96 Wh 

670g 

-10to 40° C 

Less than 3 months: -20 to 45° C 

More than 3 months: 22° to 28° C 

oo to 40° C 

INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

_ _j 

__ j 

... ·-- -~ ---· -.,...._._., I ---~- _ ___j 

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 59 

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INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

Max Charging Power 180W ------- ~--------·--~·-~----·· -·- --.... ----- ... ·------·--~--·-~--~ 

(~ision Positio~ing 

Velocity Range 

Altitude Range 

Operating Environment 

· Operating Range 

~I Pilot A~p- _ 

Below 8 m/s (2 m above ground) 

5-500 em 

Brightly lit (lux> 15) patterned surfaces 

0-250 em 

Mobile Device System Requirements iOS version 7.1 or later; Android version 4.1.2 or later 

Supported Mobile Devices 

* iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 58, iPad Air 2, iPad Mini 

3, iPad Air, iPad Mini 2, iPad 4;* Samsung Note 3, Samsung 

S5, Sony 23 EXPERIA;* Note: It is recommended that you 

use a tablet for the best experience 

jlntelli'gent Orientation Control (IOC) 

IOC allows users to lock the orientation of aircraft in different fashions. There are three working modes for 

IOC and you may select the desired IOC modes from the DJI Pilot app. IOC only works under F mode, 

and user must toggle the flight mode switch to "F" mode to activate IOC. Refer to the table below: 

Course Lock (CL) 

Home Lock (HL)* 

Point of Interest (POl)* 

Its forward direction is pointing to the nose direction when recording, which is 

fixed until you re-record it or exit from CL. 

Record a Home Point (HP), and push Pitch stick to control the aircraft far from 

or near to the HP. 

Point of Interest. Record a point of interest (POl), the aircraft can circle around 

the POl, and the nose always points to the POl. 

:\): *Home Lock and Point of Interest feature are coming soon. 

Prerequisites of IOC 

Use the IOC feature under the following condition: 

L Mo~es I()~ _ GPSenabled GPS Flight Distance Limits ·-- ~------

Course Lock No None None 

Home Lock Yes ~.nl! Aircraft ( <:JQm ) Home Point 

POl Yes ~IIIII Aircraft < sm-soom ) Point of Interest 

Using IOC 

Enable the IOC feature by tapping "Enable IOC" in the setting page of the DJI Pilot app. Toggle the Flight 

Mode Switch to "F" mode and follow the on-screen instruction to use IOC feature. 

60 © 2015 OJI. All Rights Reserved. 
INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

I How to Qpdate Firmware 

Follow the process described below to upgrade the aircraft, remote controller and battery. 

Updating the Aircraft Firmware 

Step 1- Check Battery and SD Card Capacity 

Ensure the Intelligent Flight Battery has at least 50% power and there is at least 100MB of free space on 

the SD card. 

Step 2- Prepare the Firmware Update Package 

1. Download the firmware update package from the official DJI website (http://www.dji.com/product/ 

phantom-3/download). 

2. Insert the SD card into your PC. Extract the all downloaded files into the root directory of the SD card. 

Remove the SD card from your PC. Ensure the aircraft is powered off then insert the SD card into the 

SD card slot on the camera. 

Step 3- Update the Aircraft 

1. Ensure the remote controller is powered off and then power on the aircraft. Upgrade will begin 

automatically after aircraft is powered on. 

2. It will take approximately 25 minutes to complete the firmware update. The camera status indicator 

will blink green and red to indicate the upgrade is in progress and stop blinking when the update is 

complete with success. 

3. Check the upgrade status by opening the ".txt" file that is automatically generated after the update. 

The update is successful if the text "result: successful" is in the document. Try upgrading the firmware 

again if the text "result failed" is found or the camera status indicator shows solid red. 

Updating the Remote Controller Firmware 

Ensure the DJI GO app has been updated to v1.2.0 before updating the remote controller. The 

System Status bar in Camera View of the DJI GO App will flash several times if a firmware update is 

available. Follow these steps to update the firmware via the DJI GO App. 

Step 1- Check Battery and SD Card Capacity 

1. The remote controller has at least 50% battery level. 

2. Your mobile device is able to access the internet. 

3. There is at least 30 MB of free space on your mobile device. 

Step 2- Download and Update the Firmware 

1. Go to the DJI GO App > Camera View > System Status bar > Overall Status. Tap Download the 

firmware update package to download and update the firmware. Track the update progress from 

progress bar in the DJI GO App. The status LED on the remote controller will blink blue during update 

and blink green when update is complete with success. 

Firmware update through the DJI GO app will not work with older versions of the remote controller 

firmware. If the firmware update fails, follow the instructions below to update the firmware using the 

traditional method: 

a. Update the latest firmware package files from DJI official web site. 

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 61 
INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

b. Extract all downloaded files into the root directory of an SD card or USB flash drive. 

c. Turn off the remote controller, Insert the SD card into a SD card reader or the USB disk onto the 

remote controller USB port when remote controller is turned off. 

d. Power on the remote controller and wait 60 seconds until the upgrade begins. Do not power off 

the remote controller during the update. 

e. It will take approximately 10 minutes to complete the firmware update. The camera will sound 

a beeping sound and the Status LED on the remote controller shows solid blue to indicate the 

update is in progress. The Status LED on remote controller shows solid green and beeping 

sound will stop if the upgrade is completed with success. 

f. If you do not have a SD card reader, you may insert the SD card into the gimbal and connect the 

gimbal with remote controller to upgrade the remote controller. 

Lt. You will only be able to update the remote controller firmware through the DJI GO app from 

this point onwards. 

Updating Intelligent Flight Battery Firmware 

The Intelligent Flight Battery is upgraded during the aircraft firmware upgrade process. It is recommended 

to keep the upgrade package files in your SD card. The upgrade will start automatically after power 

cycling the aircraft. 

Lt. • Ensure there is only one firmware package file stored on your SD card. 

• Only storage devices that are formatted for FAT32 and exFAT file systems are supported for 

aircraft and remote controller firmware updates. 

• Ensure the internet connection of your mobile device is stable when downloading the firmware 

update package. 

• Turn on Airplane Mode on your mobile device before updating the firmware, as any incoming 

calls may disrupt the update process. 

• Do not perform firmware update while the aircraft is still flying in the air. Only carry out firmware 

update when the aircraft is landed. 

• Be sure to update the remote controller's firmware to the latest version after you upgrade the 

aircraft's firmware. 

• The remote controller may become unlinked from the aircraft after updating. Re-link the remote 

controller and aircraft. 

• Confirm the update results based on the blinking pattern of camera status indicator or gimbal 

sound. It is normal for the aircraft to sound or the LED to blink during the update process. 

[!&c Compliance ~~-

FCC Compliance 

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 

(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and 

(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired 

operation. 

Changes or modifications not expressly roved by the party responsible for compliance could void the 

user's authority to operate the equipment. 

62 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 
INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

Compliance Information 

FCC Warning Message 

Any Changes or modifications not expressly roved by the party responsible for compliance could void the 

user's authority to operate the equipment. 

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 

(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference 

received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. 

FCC Radiation Exposure Statement: 

This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. 

This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance 20cm between the radiator& 

your body. This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or 

transmitter. 

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class 8 digital device, 

pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against 

harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio 

frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful 

interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in 

a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, 

which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct 

the interference by one or more of the following measures: 

-Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. 

-Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. 

-Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. 

-Consult the dealer or an experienced radio{TV technician for help. 

IC RSS warning 

This device complies with Industry Canada licence-exempt RSS standard (s). Operation is subject to the 

following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any 

interference,including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device. 

Le present areil est conforme aux CNR d'lndustrie Canada licables aux areils radio exempts de licence. 

L'exploitation est autorisee aux deux conditions suivantes: 

{1) l'areil ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et 

(2) l'utilisateur de l'areil doit accepter tout brouillage radioelectrique subi, meme si le brouillage est 

susceptible d'en compromettre le fonctionnement. 

IC Radiation Exposure Statement: 

This equipment complies with IC RF radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. 

This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter. 

This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance 20cm between the radiator& 

your body. 

Any Changes or modifications not expressly roved by the party responsible for compliance could void the 

user's authority to operate the equipment. 

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 63 
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INSPIRE 1 User Manual 

KCC Warning Message 

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NCC Warning Message 

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64 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 
The content is subject to change. 

I Download the latest version from I 

www.dji.cC?mlsupport 

© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Appendix C 

Flight Operations and Procedures to be Followed (ARC) 

In addition to all conditions set forth within the request for exemption, the below procedures will be 

followed during ARC flight SUAS Operations: 

Prior to considering the acceptance of a flight mission or aircraft launch, the pilot in command and the 

pilot observer will go to the proposed location and inspect same for operational parameters. These 

parameters include obstacles, a securely established perimeter, confirm the area does not fall within 

any restricted airspace or any other non-fly zone as designated by the national air space system and the 

geo fence parameters of the flight control software. Aviation weather data will be collected and 

confirmed prior to set-up of the aircraft After completing the required inspection of the aircraft, 

preflight checklist (referring to user manual) Preflight and compass calibration procedures will the 

mission be initiated. Any doubt or question about the aircraft the airworthiness or self-test completion, 

the pilot in command will abort the planned mission until the aircraft can be inspected by the 

manufacturer and deemed "safe to fly." 

The aircraft will be launched after a secure perimeter has been established and the aircraft, radio 

controllers, and electronics (batteries, mobile device monitors such as I Pads etc.) have successfully 

passed all self-testing procedures as prescribed by the manufacturer. After the self-testing process has 

been completed, both the pilot and pilot observer will perform the compass calibration test, set the 

"home point" as directed and ensure the device passes all checklist and testing procedures. Once those 

have successfully been conducted, the pilot and pilot observer will confirm system "green" or "safe to 

fly" status has been achieved and additionally confirming a locked GPS signal. 

After the above described criteria have been met, the aircraft engines will be started and both pilot and 

pilot observer must observe the aircraft successfully perform its self-test "run-up" twice as prescribed by 

the manufacturer. Both will then confirm all lED indicators, system information, signal information and 

the 11heads-up" display on the iPads all fall within normal operational parameters prior to applying 

power to climb any altitude. If any of the described processes are not successfully achieved, flight 

operations will not be performed and the aircraft will be shutdown. Further contact and constant radio 

communications with ATC will be in place or as otherwise directed by ATC. Should any low flying aircraft 

such as news helicopter or MEDEVAC helicopter traffic be operational within or around the prospective 

flight area, operations will not be performed until such air traffic has concluded its operation. 

Once launched, both pilot and pilot observer must have line of sight of aircraft at all times and the 

aircraft will be returned to the set take-off/home point once the battery level achieves 30% capacity 

remaining. Prior to landing, the pilot and pilot observed will constantly be scanning for any obstacles or 

non-participants, and only initiate a landing sequence when both confirm it is safe to do so. 

At all times, extreme caution and VFR operations with line of sight to any obstacles, persons or 

structures will be maintained. 

Emergency Procedures 

The safety of all persons will be of the highest priority and any emergency condition will be reported 

immediately to ATC if any emergency occurs during flight operations. 

ATC via CTAF frequency via PIC headset radio and/or emergency frequency 121.5 if no response from 

ATC 

WILCOM (our dispatch center) via 800 MHz police radio (non-participating observer holding perimeter 

preassigned to this function during an emergency during preflight planning) 

911 dispatch center for area by observer 1 via cellular telephone 

Additionally, the PIC will always attempt to maintain visual contact with the aircraft during an 

emergency condition such as a "fly away" while continuously attempting corrective actions to 

mitigate the emergency condition. 

Should a fly away occur or a lost communications issue persist that cannot be corrected, the above 

notifications should have all taken place simultaneously and while corrective actions were being 

implemented. The PIC will continue to report and update ATC while following the aircraft on foot to 

close the range/distance and regain the signal. By default, the failsafe RTH should have occurred when 

the signal loss occurred and if it did not, the fly away is extremely dangerous to other persons, aircraft 

and bystanders (non-participants). Altitude, direction of flight and obstacles in area need to be reported 

to above agencies with priority being given to ATC for other aircraft. Even if not the PIC, the aircraft 

needs to be kept in sight at all times so any advanced warning or potential collision avoidance measures 

can be put in place while trying to track the aircraft. This may include stopping both vehicular and 

pedestrian traffic while tracking aircraft and attempting to gauge the potential landing or crash area 

based on remaining battery life. It should be noted that the aircraft in addition to trying to RTH when 

the signal was originally lost, may attempt to do so when the battery reaches a critical low as well. At 

least one observer with a controller will remain with the pre-set RTH point in case the aircraft returns to 

reacquire the signal. 

While emergencies can occur, most common ones can be prevented through proper preflight 

planning/checklists and can be mitigated through early reporting by not attempting to conceal the 

em~rgency. Early reporting will help put fewer people, aircraft and property at risk while attempting to 

regain control of the aircraft and correct the problem. In addition, as soon as a crash, 

touchdown/landing point is determined, ARC personnel will immediately attempt to clear the area to 

prevent injuries. After the emergency, if required by the crash etc., under 49 CFR PART 830, appropriate 

notifications and reporting will occur as outlined above in this document. 

OTHER EMERGENCIES (non-flight) 

Other emergencies not related to the flight operation may occur and contingency plans must be in place 

to prevent the emergency from affected the safety of the flight operation. 

Medical emergency to PIC- Should a medical emergency occur which incapacitates the PIC during an 

active flight operation, the 1st observer who has slave controller 1, will initiate the emergency RTH on 

either his controller or by taking possession of the PIC master controller. The aircraft will be landed and 

shutdown, all controllers powered off as quickly as possible while someone else renders aid to the PIC. 

It should be noted that all ARC Observers have received 16-hours of in-house training on the aircraft and 

flight operations. Therefore, while they cannot operate the aircraft under the current FAA rules, they are 

all extremely familiar will all functions of the aircraft and receive emergency procedures training during 

their 16 hour program. 

ARC Lost Communications Procedures: 

1. Loss of Communications between the Observer and Pilot in Command: 

The PIC and Observer will be collocated during operations for ARC and communications will be 

conducted via direct contact/communication both verbally and visually. In addition, they will 

possess portable radios with voice actuated headsets, possess cellular telephones, and be 

trained in basic emergency hand signals. At any point during operations under the exemption if 

communications is lost between the pilot and the observer, the UAS will be landed immediately 

and the communications must be re-established prior to any additional flight operations 

resuming. 

2. Loss of Communications between Pilot in Command and Air Traffic Control: 

If required to do so, the PIC will communicate with ATC through use of two-way radio 

communications or a cellular phone based on the agreement between ATC and the PIC. In the 

event the PIC is unable to establish communications, the PIC will immediately land the UAS until 

communications can be re-established. In all cases, when a loss of communication occurs and 

there is concern for people or property in the air or on the ground, the PIC will land the UAS 

immediately. 

3. Loss of Communications between UAS and Controllers (General Guidelines) 

Total signal loss should not have occurred without warning as both the pilot in command and any pilot 

observers have "heads-up displays" and visual line of sight of the aircraft at all times. If a weak signal 

was entering into the cautionary range, the aircraft should have been returned to home prior to an 

entire lost communications issue occurring. If a communications loss however does occur without 

warning, a RTH button on the master controller will be pushed in an attempt to return the aircraft to its 

original launch point. Under normal conditions, the pilot in command and any pilot observers will have 

all have controllers or ground stations, minimum of 3 to a maximum of 6 links controllers, repeating the 

signal every few hundred feet within the operational area. Therefore, if the PIC losses communication 

completely, he will immediately transmit this condition over the radio channel being utilized for the 

operation and confirm the communications loss is just the master controller or all linked controllers. If 

only the PIC losses communication, the 1st pilot observer who is utilizing slave controller 1 will attempt 

to initiate the RTH from either the !Pad or the RTH button on the remote controller if he/she still has 

communications. If both PIC, 15t pilot observer loss communications, the 2nd pilot observer who is 

utilizing slave controller 2 with the ground station monitor will then immediately attempt same RTH 

procedure and report success or failure and monitor the heads~up display for changes to aircraft status. 

At the same time the above procedures are being followed, the PIC should be attempting to decrease 

his distance to the aircraft as quickly as possible within the secure police perimeter to attempt to regain 

the lost communications and check the antennas on the master remote controller to ensure they are 

opened as wide as possible to ensure max range. These procedures will be followed and attempted if 

the aircraft is hovering and remaining in its GPS locked position. These procedures should correct the 

signal loss issues and this should occur very quickly within seconds to 30 seconds maximum. Any loss in 

signal will be reported to ATC along with current altitude, aircraft status and total flight time remaining. 

Once the signal is regained, ATC will be notified of same and the aircraft will beRTH for landing 

procedures and grounded until the issue which interrupted the signal can be determined and resolved. 

If the signal loss cannot be corrected immediately and the aircraft is not remaining within the 

operational area that is under police control, a true emergency condition exists and this condition will 

be address further in the Emergency Procedures section and is commonly referred to as a "fly away." 

Signal strength: 

If signal strength of a remote controller or a video signal appears to be dropping into the "yellow" or 

cautionary operational range, the aircraft will be manually returned to home (RTH) by the pilot in 

command immediately and the aircraft be grounded until the signal strength and quality can be 

evaluated and corrected. The signal strength can be monitored by either the pilot in command or any 

pilot who has possession of any of the linked RC controllers. 

Lost Link: 

This aircraft has a built~in return to home (RTH) feature called "failsafe RTH." This condition will activate 

if the remote controller signal is lost for more than 3 seconds and this includes video signal. As the 
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aircraft gets closer and the signal is regained, the pilot does have the ability to regain control utilizing 

the remote controller and interrupt the RTH landing sequence. It is the policy of ARC that safety will 

always override an aerial photography or inspection mission. Therefore, the aircraft will always be 

landed if the RTH feature was activated due to signal interruption, lost link occurring or a pilot initiated 

RTH for any other emergency condition. The cause and resolution will be evaluated prior to any flight 

operations resuming. It is essential that the cause of the lost link be determined and resolved. If not 

actual cause can be determined, flight operations will be grounded. The position of the aircraft when 

the lost link or signal interruption occurred will be recorded by the pilot observer and additionally all 

flight data is recorded to the internal flight data recorder on the aircraft.