HuRT, DEcKARD& MAYPLLC 

William C. Hurt,Jr. 

William H. May, III * 

Michael D. Kalinyak 

www.hdmfirm.com 

THE EQUUS BUILDING 

127 WEST MAIN STREET 

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY 40507 

Telephone~ (859) 254~0000 

Facsimile~ (859) 254~4763 

May4, 2015 

U.S. Department ofTransportation, Docket Operations 

West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140 

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Matthew R. Malone 

Aaron D. Reedy 

**James L Deckard 

Jacob K. Michul 

*Also licensed in Indiana 

**Also licensed in Tennessee 

< ,.i 

Re: Exemption Request Under Section 333 ofthe FAA Reform Act and Part 11 

'of the Federal Aviation Regulations 

Dear Sir or Madam: 

Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (the 

"Reform Act") and 14 C.P.R. Part 11, Evolmagery, LLC ("Evolmagery") hereby 

applies for an exemption from the Federal Aviation Regulations ("PARs") listed below 

and discussed in Appendix A to allow commercial operational of its sUASs for the 

purposes of aerial photography, filming, photogrammetry, surveying, agricultural 

modeling, crop monitoring, aerial mapping and environmental studies. Attached as 

Appendix B is a summary of this request. 

This exemption seeks to cover use of the following airframes, all of which will 

weigh less than 12 pounds including payload and energy sources: 

i. 3D Robotics X8 

ii. 3D Robotics Aero 

iii. 3D Robotics Y6 

iv. Other models to be added by future amendment to this exemption. 

The objective of Evolmagery's aerial photogrammetry and surveying operations 

is to provide high quality 3D imaging, mapping and spatial analysis for a variety of 

commercial, public, and residential uses, specifically targeting: 

• Volumetric analysis of mining stockpiles 

• Topographic Mapping 

• Precision agriculture services 

• Construction planning & inspection 

Hurt, Deckard & May, PLLC 
HURT, DECKARD & MAY PLLC 

• Environmental analysis and consulting (e.g. erosion monitoring, aerial 

habitat assessments, stream restoration) 

• Archaeological/cultural resource services 

Evolmagery' s Mission Statement and Description of Services is attached as Appendix C. 

With the landowner's permission, Evolmagery uses onboard cameras to capture 

high quality digital images that are mosaicked into detailed, digital customized maps of 

a surveyed area. Use of the sUAS's for aerial surveys reduces the need to operate 

conventional aircraft for the same purpose and provides very high quality imagery and 

spatial analysis at a fraction of the cost. These savings result in enhanced efficiency and 

productivity for the affected activities, as well as environmental benefits. 

Operations under the exemption will be subject to strict operating requirements 

and conditions to ensure at least an equivalent level of safety to currently authorized 

operations using manned aircraft and under conditions as may be modified by the FAA 

as required by Section 333. All operations shall be conducted in compliance with the 

attached operator's manuals and Flight Operations & Procedures Manual (Appendix D). 

Equipment Specs and Owner's Manuals are collectively attached as Appendix E. 

As described herein, the requested exemption would authorize commercial 

operations of the sUAS's which are small in size (less than 12 lbs). The sUASs will be 

operated under controlled conditions at low altitude in airspace that is limited in scope, 

as described more fully herein; they will have automated control features, as described 

below. The sUAS's also will be operated by an individual who is a FAA licensed airman 

with at least a private pilot's certificate and third class medical. Finally, the airspace in 

which the sUAS will operate will be disclosed to the FAA in advance. 

Evolmagery respectfully submits that because the small, unmanned aerial 

vehicles will be used in lieu of comparatively hazardous operations now conducted with 

fixed wing and rotary conventional aircraft, the FAA can have confidence that the 

operations will achieve at least an equivalent level or greater level of safety. Approval of 

this exemption would thereby enhance safety and fulfill the Secretary of Transportation's 

(the FAA Administrator's) responsibilities under Section 333(c) of the Reform Act to 

"establish requirements for the safe operation of such aircraft systems in the national 

airspace system." 

The name and address of the applicant are: 

Evolmagery, LLC 

Attn: Jesse R. Robinson 

P.O. Box 54954 

Lexington, KY 40555 

Phone: (859) 263-4142 

Email: jesse@evoimagery.com 
HURT, DECKARD & MAY PLLC 

The regulations from which the exemption is requested are as follows: 

14 C.P.R. Part 21; 

14 C.P.R. 45.23(b); 

14 C.P.R. 61.113(a) & (b); 

14 C.P.R. 91.7(a); 

14 C.P.R. 91.9(b)(2); 

14 C.P.R. 91.103; 

14 C.P.R. 91.109(a); 

14 C.P.R. 91.119; 

14 CFR 91.121 

14 C.P.R. 91.151(a) & (b) 

14 C.P.R. 91.203(a) & (b); 

14 C.P.R. 91.405(a); 

14 C.P.R. 91.407(a)(l); 

14 C.P.R. 91.409(a)(l) & (2) 

14 C.P.R. 91.417(a) & (b) 

Appendix A discusses each rule listed above and explains why exemptions pursuant to 

the proposal set forth in this letter are appropriate, provide an equivalent level of safety, 

and are in the public interest. 

THE APPLICABLE LEGAL STANDARD UNDER SECTION 333 

Evoimagery submits that grant of this exemption application for use of its sUAS's in 

aerial photogrammetry and surveying will advance the Congressional mandate in 

Section 333 of the Reform Act to accelerate the introduction of UASs into the national 

airspace system ("NAS") if it can be accomplished safely. This law directs the Secretary 

of Transportation to consider whether certain UASs may operate safely in the NAS 

before completion of the rulemaking required under Section 332 of the Reform Act. In 

making this determination, the Secretary is required to determine which types of UASs 

do not create a hazard to users of the NAS or the public or pose a threat to national 

security in light of the following: 

~ The UAS's size, weight, speed, and operational capability; 

~ Operation of the UAS in close proximity to airports and populated areas; 

~ Operation ofthe UAS within visual line of sight ofthe operator. 

Reform Act § 333(a)(1). If the Secretary determines that such vehicles "may operate 

safely in the national airspace system, the Secretary shall establish requirements for the 

safe operation of such aircraft in the national airspace system." I d. § 3 3 3 (c). 

The Federal Aviation Act expressly grants the FAA the authority to issue exemptions. 

This statutory authority, by its terms, includes exempting civil aircraft, as the term is 
HURT, DECKARD & MAYPLLC 

defined under §40101 of the Act, that includes sUAS's, from the requirement that all 

civil aircraft must have a current airworthiness certificate and those regulations requiring 

commercial pilots to operate aircraft in commercial service: 

The Administrator may grant an exemption from a requirement of a 

regulation prescribed under subsection (a) or (b) of this section or any of 

sections 44702-44716 of this title if the Administrator finds the exemption 

is in the public interest. 

The grant of the requested exemption is in the public interest based on the clear direction 

in Section 333 of the Reform Act; the additional authority in the Federal Aviation Act, as 

amended; the strong equivalent level of safety surrounding the proposed operations; and 

the significant public benefit, including enhanced safety and cost savings associated with 

transitioning to UASs for aerial photogrammetry and surveying. Accordingly, the 

applicant respectfully requests that the FAA grant the requested exemption without 

delay. 

Mandatory Operating Conditions 

Grant of the exemption to Evolmagery will be subject to the following mandatory 

conditions, which are based upon operating conditions set forth for operation ofUAS by 

public entities pursuant to Certificates of Authorization, with additional restrictions: 

~ The UASs will weigh less than 12lbs. 

~ Flights will be operated within line of sight of a pilot and/or observer. 

~ Maximum total flight time for each operational flight will be 12 minutes for 

multirotor operations and 32 minutes for fixed wing operations. Flights will 

be terminated at 20% battery power reserve should that occur prior to the 12 

minute limit for multirotor operations or the 32 minute limit for fixed wing 

operations. 

~ Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet AGL 

~ Minimum crew for each operation will consist of the UAS Pilot and Visual 

Observer. 

~ The UAS pilot will be a FAA licensed airman with at least a private pilot's 

certificate and third class medical. 

~ The UAS will only operate within a confined "Sterile Area" as defined in the 

FOPM. The FOPM requires the establishment of a "Security Perimeter" for 

the flight operations area. 

~ A briefing will be conducted for planned sUAS operations prior to each day's 

flight(s). All personnel performing duties within the boundaries of the safety 

perimeter are required to attend. 

~ For flights over 200 feet AGL, the operator will file a FAA Form 7711-1, or 
HURT, DECKARD & MAY PLLC 

its equivalent, as modified in light of the requested exemption, with the 

appropriate Flight Standards District Office ("FSDO"). 

~ The operator will file a NOTAM to the FSDO at least 24 hours prior to each 

flight. 

~ The operator will obtain consent of all persons involved in any 

photographing/filming and ensure that only consenting persons will be 

allowed within 100 feet of the flight operation. This radius may be reduced to 

30 feet based upon an equivalent level of safety determination, as required 

under the FOPM. With the advanced permission of the FSDO, operations at 

closer range can be approved. 

~ The Pilot and observer must be trained in UAS operations and have received 

current information on the particular U AS to be operated as required by the 

FOPM. 

~ The observer and pilot will at all times be able to communicate by voice 

~ Operations to be conducted over private or controlled-access property 

~ Permission from land owner/controller required before commencing any flight 

~ The aircraft will not be operated over urban or populated areas 

~ The aircraft will not be operated over heavily trafficked roads 

~ The aircraft will not be operated within 5 NM of an airport without 

preauthorization from the airport and the filing of any required NOT AM. 

~ Operations to occur during Visual Flight Rules Meteorological Conditions 

(VMC) 

~ Operations to occur during daylight hours 

~ All required permissions and permits will be obtained from territorial, state, 

county or city jurisdictions, including local law enforcement, fire, or other 

appropriate governmental agencies 

~ If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UAS will have 

the capability to return to a pre-determined location within the Security 

Perimeter and land. 

~ The UAS will have the capability to abort a flight in case of unpredicted 

obstacles or emergencies. 

In summary, applicant seeks an exemption from the F ARs set forth above and in 

Appendix A to allow commercial operations of a small unmanned vehicle conducting 

aerial photography, filming, photogrammetry, surveying, agricultural modeling, crop 

monitoring, aerial mapping and environmental studies. 

Approval of the exemption allowing commercial operations of the Evolmagery sUAS's 

for photogrammetry and precision surveying work will enhance safety by reducing risk. 

Conventional aerial survey operations, using jet or piston-powered aircraft present risks 
HURT, DECKARD & MAY PLLC 

Page- 6-

associated with vehicles that weigh in the neighborhood of 5,000 to 7,000 lbs, carry large 

quantities of fuel, passengers, and, in some cases, cargo. Such aircraft must fly to and 

from the survey location. In contrast, Evolmagery sUAS's weigh less than 12lbs. and are 

powered by batteries that eliminate a significant portion of that risk given the reduced 

mass and lack of combustible fuel carried on board. The Evolmagery sUAS's are carried 

to the project location, not flown there. The Evolmagery sUAS's will carry no 

passengers or crew and, therefore, will not expose any individuals to the risks associated 

with manned aircraft flights. 

Additionally, no national security issue is raised by the grant of the requested 

exemptions. Given the size, load carrying capacity, speed at which it operates, and the 

fact that it carries no explosives or other dangerous materials, the Evolmagery sUASs 

poses no threat to national security. 

The operation of the Evolmagery sUAS's, weighing less than 12 lbs. for 

photogrammetry and precision surveying in accordance with the strict conditions 

outlined above, will provide an equivalent level of safety supporting the grant of the 

exemptions requested herein, including exempting Evolmagery from the requirements 

of Part 21. 

The Evolmagery sUASs' satisfaction of the criteria set forth in Section 333 of the 

Reform Act-size, weight, speed, operating capabilities, lack of proximity to airports 

and populated areas, operation within visual line of sight, and national security-and its 

showing of an equivalent level of safety as it may relate to the requirement for a pilot's 

license, provide more than adequate justification for the grant of the requested 

exemptions allowing commercial operation of the Evolmagery sUAS's in the 

commercial photogrammetry and surveying business. 

Evolmagery is prepared to modify or amend any part of this request to satisfy the need 

for an equivalent level of safety. We look forward to working with your office. Please 

contact us at any time if you require additional information or clarification. 
HURT, DECKARD & MAY PLLC 

APPENDICES TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Appendix A. Exemption request and equivalent level of safety showings under 

applicable rules subject to exemption 

Appendix B. Summary of Request 

Appendix C. Evolmagery Mission Statement 

Appendix D. Flight Operations and Procedures Manual 

Appendix E. sUAS Operation Manuals 

1. Technical Specification Summary 

2. 3D Robotics X8 Manual 

3. 3D Robotics X8 Checklist 

4. 3D Robotics Aero Manual 

5. 3D Robotics Aero Checklist 

6. 3D Robotics Y6 Manual 

7. 3D Robotics Safety Manual 
APPENDIX A 

EXEMPTION REQUEST AND EQUivALENT LEVEL OF SAFETY SHOWINGS UNDER 

APPLICABI,E RULES SUBJECT TO EXEMPTION 

Evolmagery requests an exemption from the following regulations as well as any additional 

regulations that may technically apply to the operation of its s U AS's: 

14 C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart H: Airworthiness Certificates 

14 CFR § 91.203(a)(1) 

Subpart H, entitled Airworthiness Certificates, establishes the procedural requirements for the 

issuance of airworthiness certificates as required by FAR §91.203 (a) (1). Given the size and 

limited operating area associated with the aircraft to be utilized by the Applicant, an exemption 

from Part 21 Subpart H 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.§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 UAS. In all cases, an analysis of these 

criteria demonstrates that the UAS operated without an airworthiness certificate, in the restricted 

environment and under the conditions proposed will be at least as safe, or safer, than a 

conventional aircraft (fixed wing or rotorcraft) operating with an airworthiness certificate without 

the restrictions and conditions proposed. 

The UAS to be operated hereunder is less than 55 lbs. fully loaded, carries neither a pilot nor 

passenger, carries no explosive materials or flammable liquid fuels, and operates exclusively within 

a secured and designated area. Unlike other civil aircraft, operations under this exemption will be 

tightly controlled and monitored by both the operator and under the requirements and in 

compliance with local public safety requirements. The FAA will have advance notice of all 

operations. These safety enhancements provide a greater degree of safety to the public and property 

owners than conventional operations conducted with airworthiness certificates issued under 14 

C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart H. Lastly, application of these same criteria demonstrates that there is no 

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

operation, lack of explosive materials or flammable liquid fuels, and inability to carry a substantial 

external load. 

14 C.F.R. § 45.23(b): Marking of the Aircraft 

The regulation provides: 

When marks include only the Roman capital letter "N" and the registration number 

is displayed on limited, restricted or light-sport category aircraft or experimental or 

provisionally certificated aircraft, the operator must also display on that aircraft 

near each entrance to the cabin, cockpit, or pilot station, in letters not less than 2 

inches nor more than 6 inches high, the words "limited," "restricted," "light-sport," 

"experimental," or "provisional," as applicable. 

liPage 
The sUASs have no entrance to the cabin, cockpit, or pilot station on which the word 

"Experimental" can be placed. Given the size of the UAV, two-inch lettering will be impossible. 

The word "Experimental" will be placed on the forward fuselage in compliance with§ 45.29(f). 

The equivalent level of safety will be achieved by having the sUASs marked on their fuselages as 

required by § 45.29(f) where the pilot, observer, and others working with the UAV will see the 

identification of the UAS as "Experimental." 

14 C.F.R. § 61.113(a) & (b): Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations; Pilot in 

Command; Commercial Pilot Privileges and Limitations. 

Pilot in Command Sections 61.113 (a) and (b) limit private pilots to non-commercial operations. 

Because the UAS will not carry a pilot or passengers, the proposed operations can achieve the 

equivalent level of safety of current operations by requiring the PIC operating the aircraft to have a 

private pilot's license rather than a commercial pilot's license to operate a small UAS. Unlike a 

conventional manned aircraft, a UAS is remotely controlled by a ground-based operator. The 

operational area is controlled and restricted, and all flights are planned and coordinated in advance. 

The level of safety exceeds that provided by a single individual holding a commercial pilot's 

certificate operating a conventional aircraft. The risks associated with the use of a UAS are so 

diminished from the level of risk associated with commercial operations contemplated by Part 61 

allowing UAS use by a private pilot as the PIC exceeds the present level of safety sought by 14 

C.F.R. §61.113 (a) and (b) 

14 C.F.R. § 91.7(a): Civil aircraft airworthiness. 

This regulation requires that no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it is in airworthy 

condition. As there will be no airworthiness certificate issued for the aircraft, should this should this 

exemption be granted, no FAA regulatory standard will exist for determining airworthiness. Given 

the size of the aircraft and the requirements contained in the FOPM for maintenance and use of 

safety check lists prior to each flight, an equivalent level of safety will be provided. 

14 C.F.R. § 91.9(b)(2): Civil Aircraft Flight Manual in the Aircraft. 

Section 91.9 (b) (2) provides: No person may operate a U.S.-registered civil aircraft ... (2) For 

which an Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual is not required by §21.5 of this chapter, unless there 

is available in the aircraft a current approved airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual, approved 

manual material, markings, and placards, or any combination thereof. The UAS, given its size and 

configuration has no ability or place to carry such a flight manual on the aircraft, not only because 

there is no pilot on board, but because there is no room or capacity to carry such an item on the 

aircraft. The equivalent level of safety will be maintained by keeping the flight manual at the 

ground control point where the pilot flying the UAS will have immediate access to it. 

14 C.F.R. § 91.103: Preflight Action 

21Page 
Section 91.103 requires each pilot to preflight an aircraft before flight to insure the safety of flight. 

As FAA approved rotorcraft flight manuals will not be used, an exemption is requested. However, 

an equivalent level of safety will be provided. The PIC will take all actions, including reviewing 

weather, flight battery requirements, landing and takeoff distances, and aircraft performance data 

before commencement of flight. 

14 C.F.R. § 91.109(a): Flight Instruction 

Section 91.109 provides that no person may operate a civil aircraft (except a manned free balloon) 

that is being used for flight instruction unless that aircraft has fully functioning dual controls. UAS 

and remotely piloted aircraft, by their design do not have fully functional dual controls. Flight 

control is accomplished through the use of a control box that communicates with the aircraft via 

radio communications. The FAA has approved exemptions for flight training without fully 

functional dual controls for a number of aircraft and for flight instruction in experimental aircraft. 

The equivalent level of safety provided by the fact that neither a pilot nor passengers will be carried 

in the aircraft and by the size and speed of the aircraft. 

14 CFR § 91.119: Minimum Safe Altitudes 

Section 91.119 establishes safe altitudes for operation of civil aircraft. Specifically, 91.119(c) 

limits aircraft flying over areas other than congested areas to an altitude of 500 feet above the 

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

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

Because Evolmagery requests authority to operate at altitudes only up to 400 AGL an exemption is 

needed to allow such operations. The UAS will never operate higher than 400 AGL. It will also be 

operated in a restricted area within a security perimeter, where buildings and people will not be 

exposed to operations without their pre- obtained consent. 

The equivalent level of safety will be achieved given the size, weight, speed, and material with 

which the Evoimagery sUASs are built. Also, no flight will be taken without the permission of the 

land owner or those who control the land. Because of the advance notice to the landowner, all 

affected individuals will be aware of the survey flights. Compared to aerial survey operations 

conducted with aircraft or rotorcraft weighing far more than 12 lbs. and carrying flammable fuel, 

any risk associated with these operations will be far less than those currently allowed with 

conventional aircraft operating at or below 500 feet AGL. Indeed, the low-altitude operations of 

the UAS will maintain separation between these small-UAS operations and the operations of 

conventional aircraft that must comply with Section 91.119. 

14 CFR 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 GPS altitude read out, an exemption may be needed. An equivalent level of safety will be 

3IPage 
achieved by the operator, pursuant to the Manual and Safety Check list, confirming the altitude of 

the launch site shown on the GPS altitude indicator before flight. 

14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a) & (b): Fuel Requirements for Flight in VFR Conditions 

This regulation provides: 

(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; or 

(2) At night, to fly after that for at least 45 minutes. 

(b) No person may begin a flight in a rotorcraft 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, to fly after that for at least 20 

minutes. 

The batteries powering the sUASs provide approximately 15 minutes (3DR X8), 15 minutes (3DR 

Y6) and 40 minutes (3DR Aero) of powered flight. Without an exemption from§ 14 CFR 91.151, 

the limitations proposed would prohibit their utility. Given the limitations on the UAS's proposed 

flight area and the location of its proposed operations within a predetermined area, a longer time 

frame for flight in daylight or twilight VFR conditions is reasonable. Furthermore, in the unlikely 

event that the sUAS should run out of battery before returning, it would simply auto land at its 

current position at a safe speed. Safety will be ensured as all3DR UAS platforms provide audible 

and visual warnings to the PIC when the UAS experiences low battery voltage, the first warning 

occurring at approximately 33% remaining battery power, and again at approximately 10% 

remaining battery power. At the critically low battery level, sUAS's will descend and land 

automatically within the safety perimeter. Finally, recognizing its weight and construction 

material, the risks are less than contemplated by the current regulation. 

Applicant believes that an exemption from 14 CFR §91.151(a) falls within the scope of prior 

exemptions. Operating the UAS, in a tightly controlled area where only people and property 

owners or official representatives who have signed waivers will be allowed, with less than 30 

minutes of reserve fuel, does not engender the type of risks that Section 91.151(a) was intended to 

alleviate given the size and speed of the small sUASs. Evolmagery believes that an equivalent 

level of safety can be achieved by limiting multirotor flights to 12 minutes or 20% of battery power 

and by limiting fixed wing flights to 32 minutes or 20% of battery- whichever happens first . This 

restriction would be more than adequate to return the UAS to its planned landing zone from 

anywhere in its limited operating area. 

14 C.F.R. § 91.203 (a) & (b): Carrying Civil Aircraft Certification and Registration 

This regulation provides as follows: 

41Page 
(a) ... no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it has ... an appropriate and 

current airworthiness certificate. 

(b) No person may operate a civil aircraft unless the airworthiness certificate 

required by paragraph (a) of this section or a special flight authorization issued 

under §91.715 is displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance so that it is legible to 

passengers or crew. 

Evoimagery's sUASs fully loaded weigh no more than 10 lbs. As such, there is no ability or place 

to carry certification and registration documents or to display them on the sUASs. In addition, 

there is no pilot on board the aircraft. 

An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by keeping these documents at the ground control 

point where the pilot flying the UAS will have immediate access to them. The FAA has issued 

numerous exemptions to this regulation. 

14 C.F.R. § 91.405(a); 407(a)(l); 409(a)(l) & (2); 417(a): Maintenance Inspections 

These regulations require that an aircraft operator or owner 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 ... ," 

and others shall inspect or maintain the aircraft in compliance with Part 43. 

Maintenance will be accomplished by the operator pursuant to the flight manual and operating 

handbook. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved because the UAS is very limited in size 

and will carry a small payload and operate only in restricted areas for a limited period of time. If 

mechanical issues arise the UAS can land immediately and will be operating from no higher than 

400 feet AGL. The operator will ensure that the UAS is in working order prior to initiating flight, 

perform required maintenance, and keep a log of any maintenance performed. Moreover, the 

operator is the person most familiar with the aircraft and best suited to maintain the aircraft in an 

airworthy condition to provide the equivalent level of safety. 

An equivalent level of safety will be achieved because maintenance and inspections will be 

performed in accordance with the UAS Manufacturer's User Manual. As provided in the FOM, the 

operator will ensure that the UAS is in working order prior to initiating flight and perform required 

maintenance needed. 

SIPage 
APPENDIXB: 

SUMMARY OF EVOIMAGERY SECTION 333 EXEMPTION REQUEST 

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

Federal Register, should it be determined that publication is needed: 

Evolmagery LLC seeks an exemption from the following rules: 

14 C.P.R. Part 21; 

14 C.P.R. 45.23(b); 

14 C.P.R. 61.113(a) & (b); 

14 C.P.R. 91.7(a); 

14 C.P.R. 91.9(b)(2); 

14 C.P.R. 91.103; 

14 C.P.R. 91.109(a); 

14 C.P.R. 91.119; 

14 CFR 91.121 

14 C.P.R. 91.151(a) & (b) 

14 C.P.R. 91.203(a) & (b); 

14 C.P.R. 91.405(a); 

14 C.P.R. 91.407(a)(l); 

14 C.P.R. 91.409(a)(l) & (2) 

14 C.P.R. 91.417(a) & (b) 
APPENDIXC 

EVOIMAGERY MISSION STATEMENT 
~~~ 

EVOIMAGEPY 

MISSION STATEMENT 

Evohnagery, LLC is an innovative consulting firm that integrates the latest available technology 

with photogrammetry and mapping for today's evolving environment. At Evohnagery we 

develop extremely detailed custom maps and images, and extrapolate valuable infonnation for 

our clients. These images represent features in real-time; a vital asset for industries that face 

changing environments or need exceptionally accurate data. 

ABOUT US 

Our devoted staff includes a number of professionals who possess backgrounds in engineering, 

mining consulting, GIS/geospatial analysis, natural resource management, business, ecology, 

state and federal regulations, forestry, botany, wetland science, hydrology, and cultural 

resources/archaeology. Our client base includes only private sector entities distributed across 

several states and in different physiographic and geographic regions. 

We understand the complicated and delicate situations which may arise when working with 

construction, mining, and natural resources, and we seek to simplify and streamline projects 

to meet our client's goals, and resolve challenges with efficient, dynamic and pragmatic 

solutions. Evohnagery can manage, coordinate, or monitor all stages of a project through 

completion or offer individual services tailored to meet unique requirements. With an 

innovative approach,foresight into tomoiTow's challenges, a passion for our job, and a strong 

commitment to high quality service, we strive to achieve success and provide our clients with 

timely and cost-effective solutions. 

(859) 263 4142 

info(iX1cvoimagcry.com 

P.O. Box 54954 

Lexington, KY 40555 
SERVICES 

~~~ 

EVOI~AGERY 

Evolmagery provides a variety of services to industries that include: mining, agriculture, 

constmction, land development, quanies, real estate, and natural resources. Our multifaceted 

and extensive experience facilitates Evoimagery's unique ability to provide customized projects 

based on our client's needs, enabling them to make informed financial and business decisions, 

identify and mitigate risk, and capitalize on investments. We work hard to understand our 

client's goals and concerns, and remain cun·ent on industry trends and regulatory changes. 

Our comprehensive services include: 

MINING SOLUTIONS 

• Volumetric Services (stockpile, overburden, yardage placement) 

• Monthly Cost Analysis 

• Valuation Services 

• Active and As-Mined Maps 

• Profile and Cross Sections 

• Constmction Planning 

• Refuse Mapping 

MAPPING SERVICES 

• Aerial Imagery and GIS Analysis 

• Topographic/Contour Mapping 

• Digital Tenain and Elevation Models 

• Land Use Planning and Management 

• Digital Otihophotography 

• Spatial Analysis 

• 3D Imagery 

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES 

• Natural Resource Management and 

Planning 

• Regulatory Compliance Services 

• Stream Restoration and Mitigation 

• Habitat Assessments 

• Erosion Monitoring/Coastal Planning 

• Archaeological/Cultural Resource 

Services 

• Crop Consulting/ Agricultural 

Services 

"Mapping the Future ofTechnology" 

(859) 263 4142 

in fo(!L)C\'Oimagcry. com 

P.O. Box 54954 

Lexington, KY 40'555 
EVO IMAGERY L_ 

FLIGHT OPERATIONS AND PROCEDURES 

P.O. Box 54954 

Lexington, KY 40555 

(859) 263-4142 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ ! 

2.0 Pre-flight Information ................................................................................................................ 2 

3.0 Roles and Responsibilities ......................................................................................................... 4 

4.0 Flight Operations ....................................................................................................................... 5 

5.0 Emergency Responses ............................................................................................................... 7 

List of Appendices 

Appendix A ...................................................................................................... Pre-flight Checklists 

Appendix B ........................................................................................................... Maintenance Log 

Appendix C ................................................................................................................. Consent Form 

i 
1.0 INTRODUCTION 

This manual provides Evohnagery, LLC's protocol and procedures for the operations of small 

unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS). It includes pre-flight information and steps, roles and 

responsibilities, flight operations procedures, security perimeters, flight phases, required 

maintenance, training, and emergency procedures. Pre-flight checklists are provided in 

Appendix A, Appendix B contains a maintenance log, and a property access consent form can 

be found in Appendix C. 

Page 1 of 7 
2.0 PRE-FLIGHT INFORMATION 

Flight Locations 

All flights will take place over private or controlled access areas. This will include receiving 

any necessary landowner or controller permissions (see consent form in Appendix C). 

Pre-flight Filing 

Notice to Airmen (NOT AM) will be filed prior to every project. Form 7711-1, or its 

equivalent, as modified in light of the exemption, will be filed with the appropriate Flight 

Standards District Office (FSDO) prior to every project that occurs above 200' AGL. 

Pre-flight Briefing 

A briefing will be conducted for planned sUAS operations prior to each day's flight. All 

personnel performing duties within the boundaries of the safety perimeter are required to 

attend. 

Consent of Persons Involved 

The operator will have consent of all persons involved and ensure that only consenting 

persons will be allowed within 100 feet of the flight operation. This radius may be reduced to 

30 feet based upon an equivalent level of safety determination. 

Other Permits 

All required permissions and permits will be obtained from territorial, state, county or city 

jurisdictions, including local law enforcement, fire, or other appropriate governmental 

agencies. 

Pre-flight Checks 

The pre-flight checklist and user manuals are included in Appendices A and B, respectively. 

These and the flight operations manual will be kept on-site at all times, and will be followed 

prior to powering up the sUAS. The pre-flight check will include visual inspection of the 

entire airframe for wear and tear and any potential problems. 

• Check all electronics connections 

• Inspect airworthiness of airframe, engine(s), propeller(s) and avionics 

• Confirm maximum battery charge 

• Runway/launch site clear of unnecessary personnel and debris 

Post-Start Up Checks 

Follow the specific pre-flight checklist for the sUAS to be used. This includes but is not 

limited to: 

• Confirm that all servos, propellers, and flight control surfaces are responsive 

• Conduct engine run-up to verify functionality and balance of motors and propellers 

• Verify proper operation and functionality of autopilot hardware and software 

• Verify radio communication link signal between sUAS and ground station 

• Verify radio communication link signal between sUAS and handheld controls 

• Verify GPS position lock and HDOP on primary and secondary GPS receivers 

• Calibration and verification of compass functionality 

Page 2 of7 
• Calibration and verification of airspeed sensor functionality 

• Calibration and verification of altimeter functionality 

• Confirmation and testing of all failsafe functionality 

o Geofence breach failsafe 

o Communication loss failsafes 

o Maximum altitude breach failsafe 

o Low battery failsafe 

o GPS failure failsafe 

o Compass failure failsafe 

Visual Observer and Pilot In Command Communication 

The VO and PIC must be able to communicate verbally at all times. Electronic messaging or 

texting is not permitted during flight operations. VO must not perform any other duties 

beyond assisting the PIC with seeing and avoiding other air traffic and other ground based 

obstacles/obstructions and is not permitted to operate the camera or other instruments. The 

VO and PIC will have a pre-flight briefmg to discuss any potential hazards and address any 

questions about communication and duties. 

Airports 

No flights would occur within 5 NM of an airport without preauthorization from the airport 

and the filing of any required NOT AM's. 

Maintenance Logs 

The included maintenance log (Appendix B) will be used and any updates, repairs, or other 

work done to the sUAS would be recorded on the logs. 

Required Maintenance 

Each sUAS will be maintained following the manufacturers guidelines. In addition, pre and 

post flight inspections will be conducted after each flight. If, at any time, a defect or lack of 

functionality is detected, the sUAS will be placed out of service until the replacement of 

defective parts can be made and test flights are conducted under controlled conditions. At notime will temporary modifications of the defective parts be considered acceptable remedies. 

Defective parts are to be destroyed after removal from the sUAS. Flight logs will be reviewed 

and evaluated after each flight and any incidents will be logged and reported. 

Page 3 of7 
3.0 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

sUAS Pilot in Command (PIC) 

A sUAS PIC will be an FAA licensed airman with at least a private pilot's certificate and 

third class medical, and will have completed all sUAS training and requirements stated in this 

manual. Responsibilities will include: 

• Filing of any flight plans required 

• Formulating flight plans utilized during autonomous flights, ensuring that altitude, 

speed, and obstacle clearance are set at the safest possible setting 

• Field assembly of the sUAS (if required) 

• Conduct pre-flight inspections of sUAS 

• Complete and save all applicable checklists 

• Maintaining a flight log for each flight, and reviewing log post-flight 

• Operation of the sUAS. This may include takeoff, landing, initiating autonomous 

flight, or emergency procedures. 

• Monitors the state of the sUAS- altitude, speed, roll, pitch, battery strength, radio 

signal strength, etc. during manual and autonomous flight 

• During emergency situations, ensures the sUAS diverts to the correct area 

• Issues all commands to the s U AS 

• Issues flight termination command 

Visual Observer (VO) 

• VO will not perform any other duties beyond assisting the PIC with seeing and 

avoiding other air traffic and other ground based obstacles/obstructions and is not 

permitted to operate the camera or any other instruments. 

Training 

The Pilot and observer must be trained in sUAS operations and have received current 

information on the particular sUAS to be operated. All manufacturer manuals will be 

reviewed and training will take place to ensure sufficient control and use of the sUAS. All 

training hours will be logged. 

Page 4 of7 
4.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS 

Flight Times 

X8- Maximum Flight Time 15 minutes 

Aero - Maximum Flight Time 40 minutes 

Y6- Maximum Flight Time 15 Minutes 

Weight 

The weight ofthe sUAS will be less than 12lbs. 

Visual Line of Site 

Flights will be operated within line of sight of a pilot and/or observer. 

Flight Elevation 

Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet AGL. 

Minimum Crew 

Minimum crew for each operation will consist of the sUAS Pilot and Visual Observer. 

Sterile Area 

The sterile area will consist of the confined area that the sUAS will operate during the 

mission. This area will be contained within a "fence" that will provide the security perimeter 

the sUAS will be unable to travel beyond. 

Populated or Heavily Trafficked Areas 

The aircraft is never to be operated over urban, populated, or heavily trafficked areas. All 

flight perimeters would be verified to not contain populated or heavily trafficked sites such as 

highways or residential neighbourhoods. 

Flight Conditions 

Operations would occur during visual flight rules meteorological conditions (VMC) as well 

as during daylight hours only. The PIC is prohibited from beginning a flight unless 

(considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough power to fly at normal 

cruising speed to the intended landing point and land the UA with 20% battery power 

remaining. 

Post-startup Checks 

Verify that the specific pre-flight checklist for the sUAS has been conducted. This includes 

but is not limited to: 

• Confirm that all servos, propellers, and flight control surfaces are responsive 

• Conduct engine run-up to verify functionality and balance of motors and propellers 

• Verify proper operation and functionality of autopilot hardware and software 

• Verify radio communication link signal between sUAS and ground station 

• Verify radio communication link signal between sUAS and handheld controls 

• Verify GPS position lock and HDOP on primary and secondary GPS receivers 

• Calibration and verification of compass functionality 

• Calibration and verification of airspeed sensor functionality 

• Calibration and verification of altimeter functionality 

Page 5 of 7 
• Confirmation and testing of all failsafe functionality 

o Geofence breach failsafe 

o Communication loss failsafes 

o Maximum altitude breach failsafe 

o Low battery failsafe 

o GPS failure failsafe 

o Compass failure failsafe 

Flight Phases 

Takeoff and Flight Phases 

• Takeoff will be conducted manually to ensure full control in the event of a system 

failure 

• At an elevation of30 meters AGL, the PIC will re-check the functionality and 

responsiveness of the sUAS to all commands. This will be carried out in manual 

(stabilize) and loiter modes 

• After functionality check, the PIC will increase the elevation of the sUAS to the 

desired flight altitude at a rate of 2 meters per second or less in vertical climb 

• Once the sUAS reaches the desired altitude, the PIC will verify that communication 

links are active with a strong signal, and that there are no warnings present from the 

autopilot 

• PIC will send the command to the sUAS to begin the pre-loaded mission 

• The PIC and observer will maintain visual contact with the sUAS at all times. When 

the sUAS nears the edge ofline of sight, a Return To Launch (RTL) command will be 

initiated by the PIC 

• While the sUAS is tracking to waypoints the pilot will ensure that: 

o The sUAS maneuvers correctly 

o No deviation greater than 5 meters in any direction from programmed flight 

path 

o GPS maintains strong position signal and low HDOP 

o Signal strength on all radio communication links remains above 40 percent 

Landing 

• Landing under normal conditions will be conducted manually and under full control 

of the PIC 

• Autonomous landings may be conducted during emergency situations only 

Page 6 of7 
5.0 EMERGENCY RESPONSES 

Unpredictable Obstacle or Emergency 

The sUAS will have the capability to abort a flight in case ofunpredicted obstacles, system 

failures, or emergencies. This will be accomplished by built-in and manual triggers that will 

initiate a landing sequence within the safety perimeter (termination). 

Loss of Radio Communication 

• Occurs if both radio communication devices send no signal for more than 1 0 seconds 

o If combined with a loss of GPS, the sUAS will terminate 

o If the radio communication link fails during manual flight, the sUAS will 

return to the launch location, loiter for one minute, and terminate 

Loss ofGPS 

• If the GPS reports a loss of lock on both receivers during autonomous flight for more 

than 3 seconds, termination will be initiated 

• Termination can be cancelled by the PIC by placing the sUAS in manual mode and 

landing in a safe location 

Failure of Autopilot 

• Flight termination will be immediately activated 

Loss of engine power 

• If a loss of engine( s) occurs during autonomous flight, the PIC may attempt to 

manually land the sUAS in a safe location within the safety perimeter. 

• If the PIC is unable to regain control, termination will be activated immediately 

Geofence breach 

• If the fence surrounding the safety area is breached, immediate termination will occur 

at the point of the breach. 

Point of Contact 

Should there be any questions or concerns that arise during these processes and procedures, 

contact Jesse Robinson at 859-263-4142. 

Page 7 of 7 
Appendix A 

Pre-flight Checklists 
X8 Pre-flight Checklist 
FLIGHT CHECKLISTS (3DR X8/X8+) 

Date 

Project# 

Operator 

Observer (s) 
In Office, Pre-Flight Tasks 

Task Initials 

Prefetch Base Maps 

Build Preliminary Flight Plan 

Charge UAV Batteries 

Charge Camera Batteries 

Charge Laptop 

Print Field Map 

Load GCP's On Laptop 
Equipment Checklist 

Item ~ Initials 

PPE (Site Specific Sets) 1/person 

UAV 1 

Backup UAV 1 

Batteries 6+ 

Battery Tester 2 

Charger 1 

Lipo Bags 2+ 

Power Inverter 1 

Radio Transmitter 2 

Telemetry Link Set 2 

Tripod 1 

Ground Control Station 1 

12ft. USB Cable 1 

GOPRO/Gimbal or 2 

Canon/Mount 2 

SD Cards 3 

Micro SD Adapter 2 

Spare Parts/Tools Kit 1 

Soldering Kit 1 

Table 1 

Targets/Panels Varied 

Launch Pad 1 
Site Safety Checklist 

Task Initials 

Site Specific PPE Used 

Notify On-Site Personnel 

Identify Highest Obstruction 

No Highways In Flight Path 

No Populated Areas in Path 

Enable Failsafes as Required 

Secure Launch/Land Site {SOm) 

No Overthead Obstruction 

Transmitter Batteries Above 10 v 

Winds below 15 mph 

UAV Inspection 

Props Secure 

Motors Secure 

Motor Wires Secure 

Pixhawk Connections Secure 

Compass Connections Secure 

Data link Connections Secure 
Flight Checklist 

Task Initials 

Inspect UAV Again 

Start Mission Planner 

Transmitter Switches All Down/Off 

Power On RC Transmitter 

Attach Battery To UAV 

Check Balance With Battery 

Place UAV on LEVEL Surface 

Power Up UAV 

Do not touch UAV {15 seconds) 

Ensure Battery Wire/Prop Clearance 

Connect Telemetry 

Verify "Home" Location 

Check MP Voltage 

Check MP Heading 

Check MP Time 

Set "Home" By Clicking Home Button 

Verify Mode Switches 

Calibrate Compass 

Verify Calibration By Moving UAV 

Load Mission 

{GOPRO)Set Time On GoPro Via App 

{GOPRO) Mount GoPro to Gimbal 

{GOPRO) Press shoot button {1pic/2seconds) 

(CANON) Lock SD Card 

{CANON) Take Test Pictures 

{CANON) Press Play To Load CHDK 

{CANON) Press shoot button to start 

{CANON) Mount To UAV 

Ensure Launch Area Is Clear 
Launch UAV 

Test All Controls 

Set To Loiter and Monitor MP/UAV Behavior 

Verify No Warnings Or Error Messages 

Climb to Altitude 

Start Mission 

Land And Disarm UAV 
Post Flight Checklist 

Task Initials 

Download Photos 

Verify Photo Quality 

Download Log From Pixhawk 

Geo Refernce Photos 

Verify Correct Flight Path 

Verify Correct Elevation 

Proceed To Processing 
Y 6 Pre-flight Checklist 
FLIGHT CHECKLISTS (3DR Y6) 

Date 

Project# 

Operator 

Observer (s) 
In Office, Pre-Flight Tasks 

Task Initials 

Prefetch Base Maps 

Build Preliminary Flight Plan 

Charge UAV Batteries 

Charge Camera Batteries 

Charge Laptop 

Print Field Map 

Load GCP's On Laptop 
Equipment Checklist 

Item ~ Initials 

PPE (Site Specific Sets) 1/person 

UAV 1 

Backup UAV 1 

Batteries 6+ 

Battery Tester 2 

Charger 1 

Lipo Bags 2+ 

Power Inverter 1 

Radio Transmitter 2 

Telemetry Link Set 2 

Tripod 1 

Ground Control Station 1 

12ft. USB Cable 1 

GOPRO/Gimbal or 2 

Canon/Mount 2 

SD Cards 3 

Micro SD Adapter 2 

Spare Parts/Tools Kit 1 

Soldering Kit 1 

Table 1 

Targets/Panels Varied 

Launch Pad 1 
Site Safety Checklist 

Task Initials 

Site Specific PPE Used 

Notify On-Site Personnel 

Identify Highest Obstruction 

No Highways In Flight Path 

No Populated Areas in Path 

Enable Failsafes as Required 

Secure Launch/Land Site {SOm) 

No Overthead Obstruction 

Transmitter Batteries Above 10 v 

Winds below 15 mph 

UAV Inspection 

Props Secure 

Motors Secure 

Motor Wires Secure 

APM Connections Secure 

Compass Connections Secure 

Data link Connections Secure 
Flight Checklist 

Task Initials 

Inspect UAV Again 

Start Mission Planner 

Transmitter Switches All Down/Off 

Power On RC Transmitter 

Attach Battery To UAV 

Check Balance With Battery 

Place UAV on LEVEL Surface 

Power Up UAV 

Do not touch UAV (30 seconds) 

Ensure Battery Wire/Prop Clearance 

Connect Telemetry 

Verify "Home" Location 

Check MP Voltage 

Check MP Heading 

Check MP Time 

Set "Home" By Clicking Home Button 

Verify Mode Switches 

Calibrate Compass 

Verify Calibration By Moving UAV in all directions 

Load Mission 

Download Mission from UAV to verify path 

(GOPRO)Set Time On GoPro Via App 

(GOPRO) Mount GoPro to Gimbal 

(GOPRO) Press shoot button (1pic/2seconds) 

(CANON) Lock SD Card 

(CANON) Take Test Distant Landscape Pictures 

(CANON) Press Play To Load CHDK 

(CANON) Press shoot button to start (Distant Landscape) 

(CANON) Mount To UAV 

Ensure Launch Area Is Clear 
Launch UAV 

Test All Controls 

Set To Loiter and Monitor MP/UAV Behavior 

Verify No Warnings Or Error Messages 

Climb to Altitude 

Start Mission 

Land And Disarm UAV 
Post Flight Checklist 

Task Initials 

Download Photos 

Verify Photo Quality 

Copy Log From Laptop 

Geo Refernce Photos 

Verify Correct Flight Path 

Verify Correct Elevation 

Proceed To Processing 
Aero Pre-flight Chekclist 
FLIGHT CHECKLISTS (3DR AERO/AERO-M) 

Date 

Project# 

Operator 

Observer (s) 
In Office, Pre-Flight Tasks 

Task Initials 

Prefetch Base Maps 

Build Preliminary Flight Plan 

Charge UAV Batteries 

Charge Camera Batteries 

Charge Laptop 

Print Field Map 

Load GCP's On Laptop 
Equipment Checklist 

Item ~ Initials 

PPE {Site Specific Sets) 1/person 

UAV 1 

Backup UAV 1 

Batteries 6+ 

Battery Tester 2 

Charger 1 

Lipo Bags 2+ 

Power Inverter 1 

Radio Transmitter 2 

Telemetry Link Set 2 

Tripod 1 

Ground Control Station 1 

12ft. USB Cable 1 

GOPRO/Gimbal or 2 

Canon/Mount 2 

SD Cards 3 

Micro SD Adapter 2 

Spare Parts/Tools Kit 1 

Soldering Kit 1 

Table 1 

Targets/Panels Varied 

Launch Pad 1 
Site Safety Checklist 

Task Initials 

Site Specific PPE Used 

Notify On-Site Personnel 

Identify Highest Obstruction 

No Highways In Flight Path 

No Populated Areas in Path 

Enable Failsafes as Required 

Secure Launch/Land Site (SOm) 

No Overthead Obstruction 

Transmitter Batteries Above 10 v 

Winds below 15 mph 

Servos Secure 

UAV Inspection 

Props Secure 

Motors Secure 

Motor Wires Secure 

APM Connections Secure 

Compass Connections Secure 

Data link Connections Secure 
Flight Checklist 

Task Initials 

Inspect UAV Again 

Start Mission Planner 

Transmitter Switches All Down/Off 

Power On RC Transmitter 

Attach Battery To UAV 

Check Balance With Battery 

Place UAV on LEVEL Surface 

Power Up UAV 

Do not touch UAV (30 seconds) 

Ensure Battery Wire/Prop Clearance 

Connect Telemetry 

Verify "Home" Location 

Check MP Voltage 

Check MP Heading 

Check MP Time 

Set "Home" By Clicking Home Button 

Verify Mode Switches 

Calibrate Compass 

Verify Calibration By Moving UAV in all directions 

Load Mission 

Download Mission from UAV to verify path 

(GOPRO)Set Time On GoPro Via App 

(GOPRO) Mount GoPro to Gimbal 

(GOPRO) Press shoot button (1pic/2seconds) 

(CANON) Lock SD Card 

(CANON) Take Test Distant Landscape Pictures 

(CANON) Press Play To Load CHDK 

(CANON) Press shoot button to start (Distant Landscape) 

(CANON) Mount To UAV 

Ensure Launch Area Is Clear 
Launch UAV 

Test All Controls 

Set To Loiter and Monitor MP/UAV Behavior 

Verify No Warnings Or Error Messages 

Climb to Altitude 

Start Mission 

Land And Disarm UAV 
Post Flight Checklist 

Task Initials 

Download Photos 

Verify Photo Quality 

Copy Log From Laptop 

Geo Refernce Photos 

Verify Correct Flight Path 

Verify Correct Elevation 

Proceed To Processing 
AppendixB 

Maintenance Log 
Maintenance 

ntenace 

y visible damage/wear 

r Secure 

 

re 

 Secure 

onnections Secure 

nnections Secure 

Updates 

ade to UAV during this Maintenance: 
Appendix C 

Consent Form 
Permission to Collect Aerial Imagery over Property 

By signing this permission, the signer consents to aerial image collection by Evolmagery, LLC 

(Evolmagery) of the project site or facility, to the extent necessary, areas adjacent to the site or facility, This 

permission allows Evolmagery staff to enter upon and around such property in order to collect aerial imagery 

over the' project site or facility, without prior notice, during daylight hours, Monday through Sunday. If 

Evolmagery staff should wish to collect imagery at any other times, Evolmagery staff will so notify the 

applicant and will obtain a separate consent for such a collection. 

Imagery collection may take place regardless of whether the signer or an agent is present. In the event 

that the project site or facility is posted with any form of "posted" Or "keep out" notices, or fenced in with an 

unlocked gate, this permission authorizes Evolmagery staff to disregard such notices or unlocked gates at the 

time of the collection. The signer further agrees that during imagery collection, Evolmagery staff may capture 

physical characteristics of the site including, but not limited to, taking measurements of the project site or 

facility. The following rules apply during the execution of all imagery collection done by Evolmagery staff under 

this permission: 

,.I' 

1. Flight Operations. A Pilot in Command (PIC) will be in control of all aerial imaging assets. All flights will 

occur within line of sight and include a trained Visual Observer (YO). 

2. Rights to data/imagerv being collected. Data/imagery, and other information conceived, developed, or 

produced in the course of this permission shall remain the property of Evolmagery. The signer and 

agent maintain unlimited rights to modify and disseminate all data/imagery and information. 

3. Compliance with Laws. In the course of performance hereunder, the Parties shall comply with all 

applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations. 

4. Costs/Liability Limitation. Except in the event of a Party's gross negligence or willful misconduct; the 

aggregate liability of a Party to the other Party for claims, damages, costs, actions, or liabilities arising 

from or related to this Agreement, regardless of the legal theory of recovery, shall in no event exceed 

the actual out-of-pocket costs of the injured Party incurred in the performance of this Agreement. 

Permission is granted for aerial imagery collection of property located at the following address(es): 

By signing this form, I affirm under penalty of perjury that I am authorized to give consent to entry by 

Evolmagery as described above. * 

Print Name and Title Signature Date 

* The signer of this form must be an individual or authorized representative of a legal entity that: 

• owns fee title and is in possession of the property identified above; 

maintains possessory interest in the property through a lease, rental agreement or other legally binding document; or 

• is provided permission to act on behalf of an individual or legal entity possessing fee title or other possessory interest in 

the property for the purpose of consenting to imagery collection of such property 
APPENDIXE 

sUAS OPERATION MANUALS 
APPENDIX E.l. 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION 

SUMMARIES 
Technical Specifications Summary 

Evolmagery uses 3DRobotics sUAS. These systems are operated by advanced flight controllers 

with safety features that prevent the systems from entering controlled airspace. Real-time system 

monitoring is provided at all times via telemetry links connected to the ground control station 

and the PIC. 

3DRobotics X8/+ Aircraft 

• Battery: 4S 14.8V 10,000 mAh lOC 

• Battery Dimensions: 6.6 in x 2.6 in x 1.4 in (16.7 em x 6.5 em x 3.5 em) 

• Battery Weight: 803 g 

• Weight without battery and payload: 3.83 lbs 

• Typical weight with battery and payload: 6.4 lbs 

• Autopilot hardware: Pixhawk v2.4.5 

• Autopilot firmware: ArduCopter 3.2 

• GPS: 3DR u-blox GPS with Compass (LEA-6H module, 5Hz update) 

• Ground Station Radio: 3DR Radio v2 (915 MHz or 433 MHz) 

• Motors: SunnySky V2216-12 KV800 II 

• Controller: Fly Sky FS-TH9X with FrSky telemetry module 

• Frame Type: X 

• Propellers: APC Propeller llx4.7 SF (4), APC Propeller llx4.7 SFP (4) 

• Vehicle Dimensions: 13.7 in x 20.1 in x 11.8 in (35 em x 51 em x 20 em) 

• Payload Capacity: 800 g (1.7lbs). Additional payload possible up to over lkg with 

reduced flight time. 

• Vehicle Weight with Battery: 2.56 kg (5.6lbs) 

• Maximum Estimated Flight Time: 15 min 

• Speed minimum: 5 m/s, Max: 9 m/s 

• Maximum Ascent Speed: 3 m/s 

• Maximum Descent Speed 3 m/s 

3DR Aero/M Aircraft 

• Pixhawk autopilot system 

• 3DR GPS+Compass 

• RC Tiger Motor 2820 830kv motor 

• RC Tiger Motor 60A ESC 

• Gemfan llx7 propeller 

• Henge MD933 servos 

• Dubro control linkages 

• External LED indicator and USB port 

• Digital airspeed sensor 

• Average flight time: 40 min 

• Weight without battery and payload: 5.7lbs 

• Typical weight with battery and payload: 7.2 lbs 

• Payload capacity: 2kg 
Technical Specifications Summary 

• Wingspan: 1,880 mm 

• Maximum speed: 56 mph (90 kmh) 

• Minimum speed: 22 mph (35 kmh) 

• Internal payload volume: 280 cm

3 

3DR Y6 Aircraft 

• APM 2.6 Autopilot System 

• 3DR Power Module with XT60 connector 

• 3DR u-blox GPS with magnetometer 

• 850 KV brushless motors 

• 20 AmpESCs 

• 10x4.7 slow-fly APC propellers 

• 4S 6000 mAh battery pack, battery charger and battery bag 

• Minimum speed: 5 rn!s, Maximum speed 9 m/s 

• Average flight time: 12-15 minutes 

• Payload capacity: 600 g 

• Weight without battery and payload: 2.71lbs 

• Typical weight with payload: 4.62 lbs 

3DR X8- Gimbal 

Model- Tarot T-2D Brushless Gimbal 

• Supply voltage polarity protection and voltage compensation 

• Motor drive end short-circuit protection 

• Working voltage: DC 7.4V ~ 14.8V (Recommended 12V, three lithium battery) 

• Working current: 200mA-500mA (power supply voltage and the motor related) 

• Working environment temperature: -15 °C ~ 65 °C 

• Processor: Dual32-bit high-speed ARM core processor 

• Sensor : Three axis :MEMS gyroscope and :MEMS accelerometers 

• Maximum angular rate : 2000 o I sec 

• Maximum acceleration : 16G 

• Control frequency: 2000Hz 

• Motor drive frequency: 20KHz (no noise smoothing driven) 

• Control accuracy: 0.1 o (Pixel Grade) 

• Control angle range: -45 ° ~ 45 o (roll), -135 o ~ 90 o (tilt) 

• Pose solver algorithms : PTZ dedicated brushless motor decoupled EKF algorithm 

• Shooting equipment : GOPRO Hero 4 

• Weight without camera : 200g 
Technical Specifications Summary 

3DR X8/Y6/Aero Canon Camera 

Model- Powers hot S1 001110 

• Weight 3.1oz (89g) 

• Total Pixels: Approx. 13.3 Megapixels 

• Effective Pixels: Approx. 12.1 Megapixels 

• Focal Length: 5.2 (W)- 26.0 (T) mm (35mm film equivalent: 24-120mm) 

• CMOS 1/1. 7-inch 

• Focusing Range: Auto & Manual Focus: 1.2 in (3 em) - infinity (W), 12 in (30 em) -

infinity (T) 

• Sensitivity: Auto, ISO 

80/100/125/160/200/250/320/400/500/640/800/1000/1250/1600/2000/ 

2500/3200/4000/5000/6400 (in P Mode) 

Tarot Gimbal Camera 

Model- Go Pro Hero 4 

• Type: Wide-angle lens 

• Weight: 3.1oz (89g) 

• Resolutions- (Default) Wide 4000 x 3000 7MP Wide, Medium 3000 x 2250 5MP 

Medium 2560 x 1920 

Transmitter 

• Model- Turnigy 9X or Flysky-TH9X 

• Frequency 2.4GHz 

• Operating Range- 1000m Unobstructed 

• Low voltage warning 

• Power 12VDC (1.5AA *8) 
APPENDIX E.2. 

3D Robotics X8 Manual 
Unfold arms and legs 

Remove the bolt and thumb nut outside the folded arm. Rotate the 

arm into position, insert the bolt through the plate and the arm, and 

secure the arm in place with the thumb nut. 

slide arm 

front arms 

travel position (blue) flight position 

Rotate the legs into place and secure through the 

inner hole with the provided bolt and nut. 

travel position 

lo 

flight position 
Attach propellers 

Remove the rings from the propeller 

packages. Select the ring with the 

smaller internal diameter, and insert 

it into the back of the propeller hub. 

Remove the nuts and washers from 

the motors. Add SFP propellers to the 

the front-left and back-right motors 

and SF propellers to the front-right and 

back-left motors with the writing on the 

propellers facing towards the sky. 

Place the washer over the propeller, and 

secure the nut tightly on top. Always 

ensure that the propellers are fastened 

tightly to the motors before flying. 

Charge battery 

Connect the charger to the power 

adapter cable and a wall outlet. 

Connect the red cable to the + port 

and the black cable to the- port. 

Set the charger to LiPo and 3A. 

~· 

SF 

•si=P 

rr·~~~"~ 

,.,. 

' 

•:: 

LiPo 3A 
Connect the white connector to 

the 45 port. Join the two yellow 

connectors together. ~ ~!!!!!!! ..... 

Secure battery inside the guard 

bag while charging. Charge until 

the status indicator displays green. 

red green 

• 

Charging • 

Complete 

A. Battery safety 

Protect battery from extreme heat, extreme cold, puncturing, 

and flammable surfaces. Always transport, charge, and store 

battery in the guard bag. 

Charge battery using a designated LiPo balance charger only. 

Always monitor battery while charging. 

4S 

Flying with a low battery is a safety risk and can render battery 

unusable. Always discontinue use when you receive a low 

battery notification, and always fly with a fully charged battery. 

Inspect battery for damage before takeoff and after landing. 

If you observe any swelling of the package or battery ceases 

to function, locate your local battery recycling center to dispose 

of battery. In the US and Canada, visit call2recycle.org to 

find a location. Do not dispose of battery in the trash. 
Flight modes 

On 3 DR transmitters, use the two-position switch and the 

three-position switch shown below to select a flight mode. 

Spektrum mode switches FlySky mode switches 

two-position switch 

marked GEAR/MIX 

r=u~ __ two-position switch 

three-position switch 

marked FLAP/GYRO 

Both switches must be set to the correct position to 

select a mode. The three-position switch can be set 

forward (away from you), center, and back (towards 

you). The two-position switch can be set forward and 

back. 

marked AIL D/R 

If you did not order an 

RC transmitter with your 

copter, visit 3dr.com/learn 

for instructions. 

three-position mode switch two-position mode switch 

!JJ ® r1 !JJ r1 

forward center back forward back 

(away from you) (towards you) (away from you) (towards you) 

In this manual, the position of the three-position switch is specified 

first and the position of the two-position switch is specified second. 

For example, "center/back" requires the three-position switch set to 

center and the two-position switch set to back. 

Stabilize mode 

Stabilize allows full manual control of 

altitude, position, and orientation without 

autopilot assistance. Use stabilize for 

acrobatic flying and to recover your copter. 

Loiter mode 

With automatic autopilot control of 

altitude, position, and orientation, loiter is the 

easiest way to fly. Just release the sticks and the 

copter will hover in place. 

position of switch: 

forward/forward 

forward/back 

no GPS lock required 

position of switch: 

center/forward 

GPS lock required 

before takeoff 
Altitude hold mode 

Set the left stick to center, and the copter will 

automatically hover at the current altitude. 

Adjust altitude and orientation with the left 

stick, and navigate with the right stick. 

Return to launch (RTL) 

Command the copter to achieve a minimum 

altitude of 15 meters, return to the launch 

point, hover for five seconds, and land. Use 

RTL to end your flight automatically. 

Autonomous mode 

Fly a fully autonomous mission using a 

computer or Android device as a ground 

station. For instructions on planning and 

flying missions, visit 3dr.com/learn. 

A. Flight safety 

position of switch: 

center/back 

no GPS lock required 

position of switch: 

back/back 

GPS lock required 

before takeoff 

position of switch: 

forward/back 

GPS lock required 

before takeoff 

Your copter has powerful motors and high-speed propellers. Never place your hands near propellers 

while the motors are armed or the safety button displays solid red. Always press and hold the safety 

button until it displays blinking red before handling. 

Always fly in an open area away from people and buildings; do not attempt to fly indoors or in a confined 

space. Do not fly over people, near airports, or in any situation that could pose a hazard to those around 

you. Always fly within your line of sight and in compliance with local regulations. Your copter will not 

avoid obstacles on its own. As the operator, it is your job to recognize and avoid obstructions while 

flying. Always follow the preflight and postflight steps in the order described in this manual and the 

flight checklist, and remain attentive at all times while flying. 

Environmental factors, such as wind and GPS irregularities, can cause instability in flight. Your copter will 

attempt to compensate for these factors by automatically landing if it detects an unsafe flying condition 

due to loss of RC signal, loss of GPS signal, or low battery. To avoid potential hazards due to 

environmental factors, identify the boundaries of your flying area before takeoff, and recover the copter 

manually by switching into stabilize mode if it moves outside your designated flying area. If you observe 

any inconsistent behavior, land, and consult the troubleshooting guide at 3dr.com/learn. 

Always use an RC transmitter as a primary or backup control system when flying. Ensure that the 

transmitter is turned on any time the copter is powered. If contact with the transmitter is lost during 

flight, the copter will land and display a blinking yellow light. If the copter is more than 2 meters (6.5 

feet) from the launch point, it will return to launch (RTL) before landing. 

Autopilot-positioned flight modes (loiter, autonomous, and return-to-launch) require an active GPS 

signal. If GPS signal is lost during flight, the copter will land and display a blinking blue and yellow light 

with a high-high-high-low tone. Always choose an unobstructed fly'1ng area to improve s'1gnal strength. 

When the battery reaches 25% of its remaining charge, the copter will land and display a blinking yellow 

light with a quick repeating tone. If the copter reaches the low battery limit during a mission, it will return 

to the launch point before landing. 
Flying 

Select an open area for flying, away from people 

and buildings, and remember to bring the flight 

checklist and a fully charged battery. Follow these 

steps every time you fly. 

1 Turn on the transmitter. Set the left stick fully 

down, and select a flight mode. Check that 

the propellers are tight, the antennas are 

vertical, the GPS mast is vertical, and all the 

components are secure. 

2 Attach the battery to the underside of the 

copter using the velcro straps, and join the 

yellow connectors. 

3 Determine the boundaries of your flying area 

before takeoff, and select a level, unobstructed 

space as a launch point. Place the copter at the 

launch point with the blue arms facing away 

from you, and stand back. 

4 Check Pixhawk's LED. If you plan to fly 

only in stabilize or altitude-hold modes, 

wait to see the blinking blue light. 

If you plan to use loiter, autonomous, 

return-to-launch, or other GPS-required 

modes during your flight, wait to see the 

blinking green light, indicating GPS lock, 

before arming. 

'"·~·-·-·· .... ••'"·----

;,,..., .. 
5 The safety button indicates when the 

copter is safe to handle. When you're 

ready to fly, press and hold the safety 

button until it displays solid red. This 

indicates that the copter is now active. 

6 To arm the motors, hold the left stick 

down/right until the motors spin. 

7 Control your copter in flight using the 

transmitter's left and right sticks. Use the 

left stick to control throttle (power) and 

yaw (rotation); use the right stick to 

control roll (left and right movement) and 

pitch (forward and backward movement). 

Navigate by orienting the copter with the 

blue arms facing forward. 

8 After landing, disarm the motors by 

holding the left stick down/left until 

the motors stop. 

9 Press the safety button until it displays blinking 

red to make the copter safe to handle. 

10 Once the motors are disarmed, disconnect the 

battery. Once the copter is powered off, turn off 

the transmitter. 

safety button 
Learning more 

Visit 3dr.com/learn for more instructions on 

flying, configuring, and using a ground station 

with your copter. 

Resources 

To learn more about the APM:Copter platform, 

including adding new flight modes and flying 

autonomous missions, visit copter.ardupilot.com. 

~ 

~APM /(COPTER 

Support 

For customer support, contact us at help@3dr.com 

or call our support line at +1 (858) 225-1414 

Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm, PST. 
APPENDIX E.3. 

3D Robotics X8 Checklist 
Go outside to 

an open area! 

See the Operation 

Manual for complete 

instructions. 

1 Power on controller; 

set to STD and RTL OFF. 

3 Place the X8 at 4 Press and hold safety launch point. button until solid red. 

•••• Choose a clear launch 

point, and face the X8 

away from you. 

The motors are 

now active. 

Stand back! 

LED 

• • • • Initializing, hold the X8 level 

0. 0. Acquiring GPS, please wait 

0. 0. Autopilot ready, GPS locked • • •••• Armed 

Safety Button 

Flight Checklist 

5 Check 

LED. 

o•o• 

2 Connect charged battery. 

Hold the X8 still 

and level while 

powering on. 

~ 

6 Arm 

motors. 

®0 

Hold left stick downright until motors spin. 

Loss of RC signal, automatic landing 

)~ Low battery, automatic landing 

)~ Loss of GPS signal, switch to manual 

Pre-arm safety check failure 

0 • 0 • Motors inactive, safe to 

handle •••• Motors active, deactivate before 

handling (see reverse) 

Flight Modes 

Standard position 

(altitude ho.ld mode) 

STD 

fly manually 

Auto mode 

AUTO 

P Loiter mode 

LTR 

I 

hover 

Return to launch 

RTL 

. . . .. . . .. 
Controller Flight Data 

Press and hold the DN button to access the flight data screens. 

Press DN again to toggle between screens. 

GPS status (~~~~~~ 

connection strength 

altitude in meters 

speed in m/s (' 

meters from launch point /-.. -. ::1 

flight time <~n 

current latitude <:c 

current longitude 

altitude in meters /~.~ 

Flight 

[_~ 

current flight mode 

GPS signal strength in# of 

satellites 

flight battery level (14-16.8 V) 

flight battery mAh 

consumed since armed 

f.\ End your flight at 14.1 V. 

~ Do not exceed 8,000 mAh for 

a fully charged X8+ battery 

(80% of available capacity). 

~·~·, controller battery level (9-12 V) 

@0®0@0 

Postflight 

Raise left stick above Set left stick to center Move left stick left 

center to take off and to maintain altitude. and right to rotate. 

gain altitude. 

Use right stick to fly forward, 

backward, left, and right. 

Lower left stick below Set left stick fully down to 

1. Disarm 

motors. 2 Press safety 

button. 

eo eo 

center to descend. land when near the ground. 

3 Disconnect 

battery. 4 Poweroff 

controller. 

®0 ~ Hold left stick down- Press and hold until 
APPENDIX E.4. 

3D Robotics Aero Manual 
AERO 

Congratulations on your purchase of an Aero! 

Please read the following sections of this manual to get 

started with your new autonomous aircraft. 

1 Meet the Aero 

2 Safety 

3 Charge battery 

4 Setup 

5 Manual mode 

6 Stabilize mode 

Meet the Aero 

7 Fly-by-wire mode 

8 Command modes 

9 Missions 

10 Preflight steps 

11 Takeoff & landing 

12 Postflight steps 

nose 

fl I 

r f-- body 

left wing X . 

• ~motor 

tail boom____., 

tail 

right wing 
2 

airspeed sensor --------t.J 

~::::::i:::::;::::nt _______ v_ .. -'(under wings) J!\ 

i leftaLn f right aileron 

'• 

rudder 

elevator 

If the terms above are unfamiliar to you, visit 3dr.com/learn, 

and dive into the exciting world of planes with our 

Introduction to Flying Fixed-Wing Aircraft. 

RC transmitter 

Spektrum 

If you did not order an RC transmitter with your 

Aero, visit 3dr.com/learn for instructions. 

Fly Sky 
A Safety 

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

the Aero moves outside the designated area or exhibits instability in flight, 

switch to fly-by-wire mode and land the plane manually. 

The Aero will not avoid obstacles on its own, including during missions. As 

the operator, it's your job to recognize and avoid obstructions while flying. 

Always be ready to regain manual control of the plane in the event of an 

unsafe situation. 

Spinning propellers can cause serious injury. The safety button 

indicates the status of the motor to help you prevent hazardous 

contact with the Aero's high-speed propeller. When the Aero is 

powered on, the safety button will blink red; the motor is inactive 

and the propeller is safe to handle. When you're ready to fly, press 

and hold the safety button until it shows solid red. This indicates 

that the motor is active and the propeller can spin if armed. To 

make the propeller safe to handle again, press and hold the safety 

button until it blinks red. 

•••• 

, .... -· ~ 

f 

...... visual line 

of sight 

0 

400ft 

(120m) 

Always fly below 400ft (120m) and within your 

visual line of sight. Don't let the Aero get too far 

away from you; make sure you can always see its 

orientation. Don't fly in low light, heavy wind, rain, 

or other conditions that might impede visibility. 

Smiles(8km) 

Always fly at least five miles (8 km) away from 

airports and other areas where pilots operate 

manned aircraft. 

0000 

, ... .//' 

ILJ 

~ 0000 

·····* <> 

c:=+:... 

~ 

<> 

Always fly at least 100 feet (30 m) away from 

people, vehicles, and buildings. Make the safety 

of people and property your first priority! 

If the Aero looses contact with the RC transmitter, it will 

return to the launch point automatically and enter into a 

circle pattern above the launch point, indicated by a 

blinking yellow status LED. 

If the battery reaches 33% of its remaining charge, the 

Aero will return automatically to circle above the launch 

point, indicated by a blinking yellow status LED and a 

quick repeating tone. 

3 
4 

Charge battery 

The Aero is powered by a rechargeable lithium polymer 

(LiPo) battery. Store the battery at half charge, then charge 

fully before flying. Batteries must ship at half charge, so 

please charge before your first flight. Each full battery 

provides approximately 40 minutes of flight time. 

II 

battery charger 

Connect the charger to the power adapter cable and a 

wall outlet. Connect the red cable to the + port and the 

black cable to the - port. 

• 

Set the charger to LiPo and 3A. 

LiPo 3A 
Connect the white connector to the 4S port. Join the two yellow 

connectors together. Secure the battery inside the guard bag while 

charging, and charge until the status indicator displays green. 

~ ~!!!!!!! ..... 45 

• 

Charging • 

Complete 

guard bag 

A Battery safety 

Protect the battery from extreme heat, extreme cold, puncturing, 

and flammable surfaces. Always transport, charge, and store 

the battery in the guard bag. 

Charge the battery using a designated LiPo balance charger only. 

Always monitor the battery while charging. 

Flying with a low battery is a safety risk and can render the battery 

permanently unusable. Always fly with a fully charged battery. 

Inspect the battery for damage before takeoff and after landing. 

If you observe any swelling of the package or the battery ceases 

to function, locate your local battery recycling center to dispose 

of the battery. In the US and Canada, visit call2recycle.org to 

find a location. Do not dispose of the battery in the trash. 

5 
6 

Setup 

Follow these instructions to take the Aero from 

travel configuration to flight configuration. 

1 Slide the horizontal stabilizer into the vertical stabilizer 

along the orange groove. Make sure not to stress any 

of the components on the tail . 

• 

horizontal stabilizer 

vertical stabilizer 

complete tail assembly 

On the top of the horizontal stabilizer, open the 

blue clasp at the end of the servo rod. 

t ... r_ ..... .._ ... ~ 
Insert the pegs on the clasp into the open space in 

the servo horn, and close the clasp. 

servo horn 

Slide the blue rubber ring over the clasp to secure it in place. 

Turn the plane over and insert the provided tail screw 

into the horizontal and vertical stabilizers. 

® ·~-­ • 1 

tail screw 

2 Locate the wing spar (long rod) and the two wings. 

Slide a wing onto the spar. 

7 
8 

Slide the other wing onto the spar. 

Do not twist the wing or the spar so as not to stress the foam. 

o I 

,.----~---"'4 , .. , 

complete wing assembly 

Locate the two cables inside the electronics compartment marked 

AILE. Connect these cables to the two cables on the wings marked 

AILE. (Either of the wing cables can connect to either of the plane 

cables; the order doesn't matter.) 

Place the wings over the body of the Aero with the foam squares 

fitted into the matching space in the electronics compartment. 

Make sure not to pinch the AILE cables. 

~· 1*/ 

f-~ 

I 

: wings placed onto the body of the Aero 
Locate the four large rubber bands. Use the bands to secure 

the wings to the body of the Aero by the four orange knobs 

on the body around the wings. 

Attach two of the bands to the two knobs on one of the short 

sides and opposite knobs on the opposing side. 

~ add second band 

. ~ 

Repeat on the other short side with the remaining two rubber 

bands, resulting in two pairs of opposing right triangles. 

~· add third band r--------7 add fourth band v. 

complete band assembly 

9 
10 

3 Locate the rings inside the propeller package. Remove 

the ring with the second-largest internal diameter, and 

insert it into the back of the propeller hub. 

Remove the nut and the washer from the motor, add the 

propeller with the writing on the propeller facing towards 

the nose of the plane, add the washer and the nut over the 

propeller, and tighten the nut. 

··~ 
The tail boom arrives attached to the Aero. Follow these 

instructions to remove the tail boom for travel. 

Disconnect the RUDD and ELEV cables inside the 

electronics compartment. 

Remove the screws on the body and the tail indicated below. 

~ El, El ----· 

body 

,~ 

~· 

tail 

Pull out the tail boom to remove. To reattach, reverse these steps. 

11 
12 

Setting flight modes 

On 3DR transmitters, use the two-position switch and the 

three-position switch shown below to select a flight mode. 

Spektrum mode switches 

FlySky mode switches 

two-position switch 

marked GEAR/MIX 

three-position switch 

marked FLAP/GYRO 

available positions 0, 1, 2 

three-position switch 

marked F MODE 

available positions N, 1, 2 

two-position switch 

marked AIL D/R 

available positions 0, 1 

The two-position switch activates one of the two groups of modes 

then the three-position switch selects the specific mode within the 

group. The three-position switch can be set forward (away from you), 

center, and back (towards you). The two-position switch can be set 

forward and back. 

three-position mode switch two-position mode switch 

forward center back forward back 

(away from you) (towards you) (away from you) (towards you) 
The Aero includes six flight modes. Manual mode, two assisted flight 

modes (stabilize and fly by wire), autonomous mission mode, and two 

command modes (loiter and return to launch). The following sections 

of this manual describe the behavior of each mode. The Aero's six 

modes are assigned to your transmitter's mode switches according to 

model. 

Flight modes on Spektrum 

With GEAR/MIX set to MIX, 

set FLAP/GYRO to: 0 for AUTONOMOUS 

1 for FLY BY WIRE 

2 for RETURN TO LAUNCH 

With GEAR/MIX set to GEAR, 

set FLAP/GYRO to: Ofor MANUAL 

1 for STABILIZE 

2 for LOITER 

Flight modes on FlySky 

With AIL D/R set to 0, 

set F MODE to: N for RETURN TO LAUNCH 

1 for FLY BY WIRE 

With AIL D/R set to 1, 

set F MODE to: 

2 for AUTONOMOUS 

N for LOITER 

1 for STABILIZE 

2 for MANUAL 

13 
14 

Manual mode 

Fly with fine-tuned manual control without autopilot assistance. 

Manual mode gives you the most direct input to the control 

surfaces, resulting in precise in-flight adjustment. Try manual 

mode if you're an experienced RC plane operator. 

@ no GPS lock required 

Manual mode RC controls 

throttle 

yow~ ~mil 

Throttle up 

$() f- ' I 

~·-~_ ... ·-+ 

Throttle down 

(@)0 . . 

~--~---"· 

Throttle fully down 

{ij)O .. 

""-y --=~---~·~·· .... 

Increase motor 

speed. 

Decrease motor 

speed . 

Stop motor . 
Yaw left ~ 

€>0 •' ,, 

'• Turn left. ]'._ '\ 

Yaw right 1 

€}0 '• i~~ 

/,' Turn right. l 

Pitch up I ~ 0® 'f',~--> Pitch up. 

.. ,..--------· e:,. 

Pitch down ·~ ;.. 0® o;:· 

--:~~-/· Pitch down . 

.......... 

Roll left 

0~ Roll left. 

Roll right 

O€} Roll right. 

15 
16 

Stabilize mode 

Stabilize mode provides manual control with an added autopilot 

safeguard: Release the right stick and the Aero will automatically 

return to a level flying orientation. Use stabilize mode for the 

freedom of manual control with return-to-level stabilization. 

@ no GPS lock required 

Stabilize mode RC controls 

throttle 

yow~ ~mil 

Throttle up t- I ®0 .. 

~ ------ *· ··-+ Increase motor -- speed. 

Throttle down ,., ... Decrease motor \@)0 .r;: ..,..__.. ,_ a#?·-, ....... speed. 

Throttle fully down 

®0 ... 

c:; --~:· Stop motor. 
Yaw left ~ €)0 •' ,, 

'''!'--. Turn left. 

'\ 

Yaw right 1 

€>0 ';, 

,, 

_.{' 

l Turn right. 

Pitch up I ~ 

0~ \" Pitch up. ,~ 

.. ---- ,:, 

Pitch down • fa, 

0® ~ 

---~~~. Pitch down. 

~ 

Roll left 

O€) Roll left. 

Roll right 

O€} Roll right. 

Roll and pitch center 

0® .. 

.:;'---~~-' Automatically level . 

17 
18 

Fly-by-wire mode 

Let the autopilot manage the control surfaces, and navigate based 

on where you want the Aero to fly. Fly-by-wire mode* (FBW) is the 

easiest way to fly and is the recommended mode for new fliers. 

*APM:Piane mode FBWA 

@ no GPS lock required 

FBW mode RC controls 

throttle 

yow~ 

Throttle up 

®0 .. 

e; 

Throttle down 

~0 .. 

~· 

Throttle fully down 

(ij)O 

~ 

stabilized pitch 

~ otoblli"d mil 

' I 

--~ ,_,_~-·>~ .__. 

~ 

-~~-~--··, 

Increase motor 

speed. 

Decrease motor 

speed. 

Stop motor. 
Yaw left ~ 

~0 •' 

'· Turn left. \\ 

Yaw right 1 

€}0 ,, 

;? Turn right. 

Pitch up I ~ 

0(@) \" : '. Pitch up. 

.. ~~ 

~· ..-----

Pitch down .. ,.. 

0® "'' ---·~·~.··. .' I Pitch down . 

.......... 

Roll left 

0~ Fly to the left. 

Roll right 

O€} Fly to the right. 

Roll and pitch center 

0® .. . I 

:::;· --':'"~~~--· Automatically level. 

19 
Command modes 

Use command modes to enter into an automatic flight pattern. 

Once set to a command mode, the Aero will continue to follow 

the specified pattern until otherwise directed. Command modes 

require GPS lock prior to takeoff. 

Loiter mode: GPS-positioned circling 

» The Aero will enter into a circle pattern with a radius of 

60 meters at the current altitude. 

» Move the right stick to adjust the position of the circle. 

8 GPS lock required 

Return-to-launch mode: circling over launch point 

» The Aero will return to the position where it acquired GPS lock 

and enter into a circle pattern at an altitude of 100 meters. 

8 GPS lock required 

20 
Missions 

Use a ground station computer with the provided Telemetry 

Radio to fly a fully autonomous mission. To download software 

and learn how to plan a mission, visit 3dr.com/learn. 

laptop ground station with 3DR Telemetry Radio 

Once you have saved a mission to the Aero, ensure that the 

autopilot acquires GPS lock during the preflight steps, and 

take off in manual, stabilize, or fly-by-wire mode. Fly to the 

approximate altitude of the first waypoint, and switch into 

autonomous mode to start the mission. 

To fly a mission with automatic takeoff and landing, visit 

3dr.com/learn for instructions. 

9 GPS lock required 

A. Do not set the Aero to autonomous mode without following 

the mission planning instructions at 3DR.com/learn. 

21 
Preflight steps 

Select an open area for flying, away from people and buildings, 

and remember to bring the flight checklist and a fully charged 

battery. Follow these steps every time you fly. 

flight checklist 

1 Before flying, examine the Aero to ensure that all 

components are secured in flight configuration. 

» Check that the wings, tail, and tail boom are fully 

assembled and securely attached. 

22 

» Check that the propeller is secured tightly to the 

motor. 

» Check that the servo rods are secured to the servo 

horns with the blue clasps. 

ill~--

_I_ 

~ ...... £/: -~ 

tail servos I wing servos 
Check that the airspeed sensor is secured to the side of 

the Aero and the tube is free from obstructions. 

airspeed sensor 

• 

If any of the components or assemblies in these checks are 

not secure, tighten the screws or use CA glue (super glue) 

to secure the components to the foam. 

Power on the RC transmitter, and set the throttle fully down. 

2 Open the battery compartment by sliding the knob 

on the orange switch and lifting out the foam lid. 

- .... l 

\ 

23 
Secure a charged battery to the velcro strip within the 

marked lines, and attach the yellow connectors. 

A Hold the Aero still and level while it powers on. 

Secure with the velcro strap. Close lid by aligning 

the orange notches at the nose. 

3 With the battery connected and the lid secured, check that the 

Aero is correctly balanced for flight. Hold the Aero with one finger 

on each of the clear, plastic balancing points shown below. These 

points indicate the Aero's center of gravity. 

l 

~r ...... ~a~ ~s~~ .... 

24 
If the plane balances on your fingers, then the center of 

gravity is correct. If it won't balance, adjust the position of 

the battery until you can balance the plane on two fingers as 

shown below. 

--· 

4 Check the LED for the status of the autopilot. If you plan to 

use loiter, return-to-launch, autonomous, or any other GPSrequired modes during your flight, wait to see the blinking 

green light, indicating GPS lock, before proceeding. If you plan 

to fly only in manual, stabilize, or fly-by-wire modes, you may 

proceed when you see the blinking blue light. 

~LED 

I .., 

e e.. Initializing, please wait 

0. Oe Autopilot ready, no GPS 

0. Oe Autopilot ready, GPS locked 

5 To arm the motor, press and hold the safety 

button until it displays solid red. 

I 

~--+safety button 

J 

'A 

0. Oe Inactive, motor disarmed 

e e e e Active, motor armed 

25 
6 Place the plane on the ground, and set the mode switches 

to select manual mode. Move each of the sticks as shown, 

and check for the corresponding movement of the motor 

or control surfaces. 

26 

Raise the throttle slightly until the motor spins, then 

immediately set the throttle back to fully down position. 

\@)0 ~ 'f' 

Motor spins. 

A Do not raise the throttle more than just enough to 

spin the motor while the plane is on the ground, and 

do not place your hands in the way of the propeller 

while the motor is armed. 

Pitch down 

0® Elevator tilts down. 

Pitch up 

0\@) X

! 

t Elevator tilts up. 
Roll left 

O€> 

Roll right 

O€} 

Yaw left 

€)0 

Yaw right 

€}0 

. ' 

• i 

•, X 

r 

0 

~ i 

1 

X 

r 

0 

Left aileron tilts up, 

right aileron tilts 

down . 

Left aileron tilts 

down, right aileron 

tilts up. 

Rudder tilts left. 

Rudder tilts right. 

27 
28 

7 Set the mode switches to stabilize, and hold the plane in front 

of you. Move the plane as shown, and check for the stabilization 

response from the control surfaces. 

Test: Tilt the plane left. 

Result: Left aileron tilts 

down, right aileron tilts up. 

Test: Tilt the plane right. 

Result: Left aileron tilts up, 

right aileron tilts down. 

Test: Tilt the plane down. 

Result: Elevator tilts up. 

Test: Tilt the plane up. 

Result: Elevator tilts down. 
Takeoff & landing 

Now you're ready for takeoff! If you're new to planes, we recommend 

having a friend help you launch the Aero. Have your friend throw the 

Aero while you control the transmitter. 

We recommend setting the Aero to fly-by-wire mode for takeoff. 

Find a launching area with at least 100 feet of clear space in front of 

you. Face into the wind, and hold the Aero at the center of gravity. 

Raise the throttle to center position to start the motor. Be careful not 

to place your hand in the way of the propeller! 

throttle center 

®0 

Hold the Aero above your head, run, and throw the 

plane at an upwards angle. 

Once launched, the Aero will require immediate adjustment with 

the transmitter to navigate away from the ground and up to the 

desired altitude. Pitch up (right stick down) and add any other 

necessary controls based on wind, speed, and terrain. 

29 
When you're ready to end your flight, follow these steps to land: 

» Fly a circle pattern above your landing area. 

» Come in on a final approach, flying into the wind at 

an altitude of 20 to 40 meters. 

» When the plane reaches an altitude of 10 meters, set the 

throttle fully down to turn off the motor and glide down 

on a 15 to 20 degree down-pitch angle. 

» When the plane is one meter above the ground, pitch up 

(flare) to land the Aero on the body of the plane instead 

of the nose. 

A. 

30 

wind direction 

~·------------------------

throttle fully down 

$0 

•. . • 1- <; . .............___ . , , I 

.........__ 

10m ············· 

pitch up 

0® 

····\- ' I 

-,; ___ ... ~---······ 

After stopping the motor at an altitude of 10 m, keep your 

thumb on the throttle stick in fully down position to ensure 

that the motor does not accidently spin during landing. 
Postflight steps 

1 To disarm the motor, press and hold the 

safety button until it displays blinking red. 

~--+safety button 

J 

2 Disconnect battery 

3 Turn off transmitter. 

0 e 0 e Inactive, motor disarmed 

e e e e Active, motor armed 

Your flight is now complete. Always following the preflight 

and postflight steps described in this manual when you fly. 

31 
FPV/OSD video 

If you received an FPV/OSD video system with your Aero, visit 

3DR.com/learn for instructions on operating your video system. 

Learning more 

Visit 3DR.com/learn for more instructions on flying, configuring, 

and using a ground station with the Aero. 

To learn more about the APM:Piane platform, including 

adding new flight modes and flying autonomous missions, 

visit plane.ardupilot.com. 

~ 

~PM 

PLANE 

Support 

For customer support, contact us at help@3DR.com 

or call our support line at +1 (858) 225-1414 

Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm, PST. 

32 
APPENDIX E.5. 

3D Robotics Aero Checklist 
~;:)~ ,Ae;ro Elight Checklist 

Preflight 

1 Go outside to an open area, 

and inspect aircraft. 

» Wings and tail attached 

» Tail boom secured 

» Servos and rods secured 

» Airspeed sensor secured 

» Propeller tight 

» Transmitter on 

3 Check LED for blinking 

blue (no GPS) or blinking 

green (GPS locked). 

oeoe® 

oeoe 8 

5 Check manual 

controls. 

» Throttle 

» Pitch up and down 

» Roll left and right 

» Yaw left and right 

2 Connect 

charged battery. 

» Hold aircraft still 

while powering on. 

» Secure lid. 

» Check for balanced 

center of gravity. 

4 Press and hold 

safety button until 

solid red. 

•••• 

6 Check autopilot 

stabilization. 

» Pitch up and down 

» Roll left and right 

LED •••• 

oeoe 

Initializing, please wait 

oeoe 

Autopilot ready, no GPS 

Autopilot ready, GPS locked 

I 1 1"1 
Flight Control 

0 

(ij)O 

0® 

0 

motor on 

motor off 

pitch down 

pitch up 

Flight Modes 

Spektrum 

With GEAR/MIX set to MIX, 

set FLAP/GYRO to: 

0 for AUTONOMOUS 

1 for FLY BY WIRE 

2 for RETURN TO LAUNCH 

With GEAR/MIX set to GEAR, 

set FLAP/GYRO to: 

0 for MANUAL 

1 for STABILIZE 

2 for LOITER 

Postflight 

RC mode 2 only 

€>0 

0 

0 

FlySky 

0 

yaw left 

yaw right 

roll left 

roll right 

With AIL D/R set to 0, 

set F MODE to: 

N for RETURN TO LAUNCH 

1 for FLY BY WIRE 

2 for AUTONOMOUS 

With AIL D/R set to 1, 

set F MODE to: 

N for LOITER 

1 for STABILIZE 

2 for MANUAL 

1 Press and hold safety button 

until blinking red. 

oeoe 

Disconnect battery. 
APPENDIX E.6. 

3D Robotics Y6 Manual 
Unfold arms and legs 

Remove the bolts and thumb nuts outside the blue arms. Rotate 

the blue arms into position, insert the bolts through the plates and 

the arms, and secure the arms in place with the thumb nuts. 

slide arms into position 

~ 

travel position flight position 

Rotate the legs into place and secure through the 

inner hole with the provided bolt and nut. 

front arms 

(blue) 

secure with bolts 

rear arm 

(black) 
Attach propellers 

Remove the rings from the propeller 

packages. Select the ring with the 

smaller internal diameter, and insert 

it into the back of the propeller hub. 

Remove the nuts and washers from 

the motors. Add SFP propellers to the 

the front-left and back-right motors 

and SF propellers to the front-right and 

back-left motors with the writing on the 

propellers facing towards the sky. 

Place the washer over the propeller, and 

secure the nut tightly on top. Always 

ensure that the propellers are fastened 

tightly to the motors before flying. 

Charge battery 

Connect the charger to the power 

adapter cable and a wall outlet. 

Connect the red cable to the + port 

and the black cable to the - port. 

SFP ··si=····-

Ill 

I'' 

; 

..... !i. 

0 

I SFP ......... SF 

SFP ... sf' .. 

0 red 

0 black 
Connect the white connector to 

the 45 port. Join the two yellow 

connectors together. ._~ ~!!!!!!! 1 .. 

Secure battery inside the guard 

bag while charging. Charge until 

the status indicator displays green. 

red 

• Charging 

guard bag 

A Battery safety 

green 

• Complete 

Protect battery from extreme heat, extreme cold, puncturing, 

and flammable surfaces. Always transport, charge, and store 

battery in the guard bag. 

Charge battery using a designated LiPo balance charger only. 

Always monitor battery while charging. 

45 

Flying with a low battery is a safety risk and can render battery 

unusable. Always discontinue use when you receive a low 

battery notification, and always fly with a fully charged battery. 
Flight modes 

On 3DR transmitters, use the two-position switch and the 

three-position switch shown below to select a flight mode. 

Spektrum mode switches FlySky mode switches 

two-position switch 

marked GEAR/MIX 

three-position switch 

marked FLAP/GYRO 

Both switches must be set to the correct position to 

select a mode. The three-position switch can be set 

forward (away from you), center, and back (towards 

you). The two-position switch can be set forward and 

back. 

If you did not order an 

RC transmitter with your 

copter, visit 3dr.com/learn 

for instructions. 

three-position mode switch two-position mode switch 

~ ® 0 ~ 0 

forward center back forward back 

(away from you) (towards you) (away from you) (towards you) 

In this manual, the position of the three-position switch is specified 

first and the position of the two-position switch is specified second. 

For example, 1/center/back" requires the three-position switch set to 

center and the two-position switch set to back. 

Stabilize mode 

Stabilize allows full manual control of 

altitude, position, and orientation without 

autopilot assistance. Use stabilize for 

acrobatic flving and to recover vour cooter. 

position of switch: 

fo rw a rd/fo rwa rd 

forward/back 

no GPS lock required 
Altitude hold mode 

Set the left stick to center, and the copter will 

automatically hover at the current altitude. 

Adjust altitude and orientation with the left 

stick, and navigate with the right stick. 

Return to launch (RTL) 

Command the copter to achieve a minimum 

altitude of 15 meters, return to the launch 

point, hover for five seconds, and land. Use 

RTL to end your flight automatically. 

Autonomous mode 

Fly a fully autonomous mission using a 

computer or Android device as a ground 

station. For instructions on planning and 

flying missions, visit 3dr.com/learn. 

A Flight safety 

position of switch: 

center/back 

no GPS lock required 

position of switch: 

back/back 

GPS lock required 

before takeoff 

position of switch: 

forward/back 

GPS lock required 

before takeoff 

Your copter has powerful motors and high-speed propellers. Never place your hands near propellers 

while the motors are armed or the safety button displays solid red. Always press and hold the safety 

button until it displays blinking red before handling. 

Always fly in an open area away from people and buildings; do not attempt to fly indoors or in a confined 

space. Do not fly over people, near airports, or in any situation that could pose a hazard to those around 

you. Always fly within your line of sight and in compliance with local regulations. Your copter will not 

avoid obstacles on its own. As the operator, it is your job to recognize and avoid obstructions while 

flying. Always follow the preflight and postflight steps in the order described in this manual and the 

flight checklist, and remain attentive at all times while flying. 

Environmental factors, such as wind and GPS irregularities, can cause instability in flight. Your copter will 

attempt to compensate for these factors by automatically landing if it detects an unsafe flying condition 

due to loss of RC signal, loss of GPS signal, or low battery. To avoid potential hazards due to 

environmental factors, identify the boundaries of your flying area before takeoff, and recover the copter 

manually by switching into stabilize mode if it moves outside your designated flying area. If you observe 

any inconsistent behavior, land, and consult the troubleshooting guide at 3dr.com/learn. 

Always use an RC transmitter as a primary or backup control system when flying. Ensure that the 

transmitter is turned on any time the copter is powered. If contact with the transmitter is lost during 

flight, the copter will land and display a blinking yellow light. If the copter is more than 2 meters (6.5 
Flying 

Select an open area for flying, away from people 

and buildings, and remember to bring the flight 

checklist and a fully charged battery. Follow these 

steps every time you fly. 

1 Turn on the transmitter. Set the left stick fully 

down, and select a flight mode. Check that 

the propellers are tight, the antennas are 

vertical, the GPS mast is vertical, and all the 

components are secure. 

2 Attach the battery to the underside of the 

copter using the velcro straps, and join the 

yellow connectors. 

3 Determine the boundaries of your flying area 

before takeoff, and select a level, unobstructed 

space as a launch point. Place the copter at the 

launch point with the blue arms facing away 

from you, and stand back. 

4 Check Pixhawk's LED. If you plan to fly 

.... _,.,., ....... oeo• """'""""'"G" o•o•-.......... , ...... ___ .... __ _ . . .. '""'"'"' __ ...... .....,. 

oeo. .-....... - ••- _,.,_ ....... -............. 

1 ~n 
5 The safety button indicates when the 

copter is safe to handle. When you're 

ready to fly, press and hold the safety 

button until it displays solid red. This 

indicates that the copter is now active. 

6 To arm the motors, hold the left stick 

down/right until the motors spin. 

7 Control your copter in flight using the 

transmitter's left and right sticks. Use the 

left stick to control throttle (power) and 

yaw (rotation); use the right stick to 

control roll (left and right movement) and 

pitch (forward and backward movement). 

Navigate by orienting the copter with the 

blue arms facing forward. 

8 After landing, disarm the motors by 

holding the left stick down/left until 

the motors stop. 

Q Prpc;c; thP c;r~fPtv h11ttnn 1mtil it rlic;nlr~vc; hlinking 

safety button 
Learning more 

Visit 3dr.com/learn for more instructions on 

flying, configuring, and using a ground station 

with your copter. 

Resources 

To learn more about the APM:Copter platform, 

including adding new flight modes and flying 

autonomous missions, visit copter.ardupilot.com. 

~' 

~APM //COPTER 

Support 

For customer support, contact us at help@3dr.com 

or call our support line at +1 (858) 225-1414 

Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm, PST. 
APPENDIX E.7. 

3D Robotics Safety Manual 
We give away a new IRIS+ every month! *Email 

--

=:! 

Drone Safety 

it (HTJP://3DROBOTICS.COM\ > DRONE SAFETY 

Drones can be hazardous if operated incorrectly. If you are new to drones, we recommend learning on 

a mini-drone to first learn the ropes. Make safety your first priority, and always follow these best 

practices. 

Handling 

Spinning propellers can cause serious injury. Become familiar with your drone's arming procedure, and 

always disarm before handling the propellers. On 3DR RTF (ready-to-fly) and other Pixhawk-powered 

vehicles, the safety button provides an additional safety measure by blocking power to the motors 

while the button is disabled (blinking red), allowing you to handle the drone safely. 

When flying, always make sure to keep a safe distance between yourself and the drone. Don't take off 

with the drone facing towards you or fly directly over your head. It is your job to ensure the safety of 

the people around you; make sure that spectators maintain a safe distance from your drone at all 

times. 

Visual Line of Sight 
~-

······ •.... ····· 

r visualline 

of sight 

Maintaining visual contact with your aircraft is the best assurance of a safe flight. Don't let the drone 

get too far away from you; keep it where you can easily see its orientation from the ground. This is 

called your visual line of sight and prevents a situation where you cannot recover the drone safely. 

Flying within visual line of sight is also a good way to ensure that your radio signals (from the RC and 

telemetry radio systems) aren't blocked by buildings or other obstructions. If you can't see through it, 

it's likely that your radio signal can't either. 

Under400Feet 

400ft 

(120m) 

Keep your drone flying below 400 feet (120 meters) altitude to avoid conflict with full-scale, manned 

aircraft and maintain visual line of sight. To give you an idea of how high that is, the Statue of Liberty is 

300 feet (93 meters) tall. 

100 Feet from People, Vehicles, and Property 

Always maintain at least 1 00 feet (30 meters) between your drone and people, vehicles, and buildings. 

This rule is important for flying near crowds, buildings, and roads due to potential hazards from 

unplanned landings. 
5 Miles from Airports 

...,..-(:---5 _m_;~_s <_a_km_>_.,... g 

To prevent conflict between your drone and manned aircraft, always fly at least five miles (eight 

kilometers) away from all airports and other locations where manned aircraft are in use. Research your 

area to find all areas of restricted airspace near you. 

Fail safes 

A failsafe is a pre-programmed behavior designed to prevent a crash in the event of an unsafe 

situation. All ArduCopter vehicles include a GPS failsafe activated by default. 3DR RTF copters are also 

preset with radio control (RC) and low battery failsafe behaviors. 

~ ........ ;;... .... ~-:­

... ~ eoeo c:::::> 

Loss of GPS signal 

If the drone looses GPS signal in a flight mode that requires GPS (loiter, auto, return-to-launch, 

guided), it will land automatically, indicated by a blinking blue and yellow status LED and a high-highhigh-low tone. Always fly outside in an open area to improve GPS signal strength. 

t ......... .;;.. .... ·~­

.1. 

0000 c:::::> 

Loss of RC signal 

If the drone looses contact with the RC transmitter, it will land automatically, indicated by a blinking 

yellow status LED. If it looses RC signal during a mission, it will return to the launch point before 

landing. 
~ 0000 

Low battery 

If the battery reaches 25% charge, the drone will land automatically, indicated by a blinking yellow 

status LED and a quick repeating tone. If the battery runs low during a mission, the drone will return to 

the launch point before landing. 

Commonsense 

Your common sense is the best failsafe. Always be ready to regain manual control of the drone in the 

event of an unsafe situation. Before you fly, determine the boundaries of your safe flying area. If the 

drone moves outside the designated area or exhibits instability in flight, switch to stabilize mode and 

land the drone manually. Remember that, despite specific regulations, flying recklessly or creating an 

unsafe situation for the public is always illegal. As the operator, you take responsibility for the behavior 

of your drone at all times. 

Visit Know Before you Fly (http:/ /knowbeforeyoufly.or~/) for more information about drone safety. 

Please fly with adult supervision if you are under 18 years of age. 

back to Learn (http://3drobotics.com/learn/) 

II a D 

I c I 

. I :I :, . I' : 

.. , I . I 

I f l ! : t 

! ! ! i 
Wegiveawaya new I RIS+every rrDnth! 

Email 

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