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Unmanned Aerial Vehicle 

 Flight & Maintenance Manual 

Rev - NEW

 STRATIS IMAGING, INC. 

June 2015 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

I. INTRODUCTION & PURPOSE...................................................................................................... 3

II. UAV BASIC DESCRIPTION........................................................................................................... 3

III. UAV PARTS AND ACCESSORIES................................................................................................ 4

IV. UAV OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS .............................................................................. 7

V. UAV OPERATIONAL FREQUENCIES ........................................................................................ 8

VI. UAV BASIC OPERATION GUIDE ................................................................................................ 9

VII. PRE-FLIGHT PREPARATION .................................................................................................... 14

VIII. SITE CHECKS ................................................................................................................................ 15

IX. PRE-FLIGHT UAV INSPECTION ............................................................................................... 16

X. FLIGHT TEST................................................................................................................................. 17

XI. OPERATIONAL FLIGHT ............................................................................................................. 18

XII. POST FLIGHT ................................................................................................................................ 19

XIII. BATTERY USAGE & CHARGING.............................................................................................. 20

XIV. TRANSPORTATION INSTRUCTIONS ...................................................................................... 21

XV. CONFIGURATION CHANGES.................................................................................................... 21

XVI. UAV MAINTENANCE ................................................................................................................... 22

XVII. UAV REGULATIONS .................................................................................................................... 23

XVIII. DEFINITIONS......................................................................................................................... 24
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I. Introduction & Purpose 

The purpose of this document is to provide instructions on how to operate the Stratis 

Imaging Unmanned Areal Vehicles (UAV) during commercial operations. This includes 

a description of the UAV configurations as well as all operational information for the 

UAVs to be used for commercial operations. This document is for use by anyone 

involved in the flight operations including the Pilot in Command (PIC) and the associated 

Visual Observer (VO). The pilot and visual observer are required to know the contents of 

this document and must submit changes to these documents if any discrepancies are 

found. Additionally, this document must be available electronically or in written form to 

the pilot and/or visual observer during UAV flight operations. 

II. UAV Basic Description 

The two Stratis Imaging UAVs covered in this flight manual are the following: 

• Stratis Model 1: A quadcopter built on a DJI Flamewheel F450 frame and 

running the Pixhawk flight controller 

• Stratis Model 2: A hexacopter built on a Tarot Iron Man 680 Pro frame and 

running the Pixhawk flight controller 

These UAVs are configured to work with the following: 

• Control transmitter: FrSky Taranis X9D / X9D plus 

• Control receiver: FrSky X8R / L9R 

• Telemetry: 3DR Telemetry Radio 915Mhz 

• Video transmitter: FatShark 5.8ghz Cased FCC A/V Transmitter 

The Stratis Model 1 is based on the popular and highly proven DJI F450 frame and 

utilizes the Pixhawk flight controller running the popular APM flight control software. 

This same software serves as the basis for 3D Robotics commercial UAV offerings and 

was the flight controller used by the Canberra UAV team to win the 2014 Outback UAV 

Challenge. 
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The Stratis Model 2 is based on the Tarot 680 Pro carbon fiber hexacopter platform, 

which is a popular and robust platform for aerial cinematography. Along with the 

Pixhawk flight controller running APM flight control software, this combination has 

proven popular for use in commercial applications ranging from aerial cinematography to 

mapping and research and development. The use of six outrunners gives this platform 

redundancy in the event of a single motor failure. The 680 Pro frame is also capable of 

folding to improve ease of transportation. 

III. UAV Parts and Accessories 

The following is a description of the basic UAV parts and accessories: 

Aircraft frame / chassis

The Stratis Model 1 is built on the DJI F450 frame, which is constructed of glass fiber 

and polyamide nylon. It is a quadcopter with a fixed design. 
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The Stratis Model 2 is built on the Tarot 680 pro frame and is constructed of carbon fiber, 

fiber reinforced nylon and composite PCB circuit board. It is a hexacopter with a 

foldable design. 

Flight Control Transmitter

The flight control transmitter is an FrSky Taranis X9D operating at 2.4Ghz and running 

the open-source OpenTX transmitter software. The Taranis features FrSky's proprietary 

Advanced Continuous Channel Shifting Technology. ACCST shifts the frequency 

hundreds of times per second to ensure there are no signal conflicts or interruptions. 
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Flight Control Computer

Our flight control computer is the popular “Pixhawk” designed by the PX4 openhardware project. It features advanced processor and sensor technology from ST 

Microelectronics® and a NuttX real-time operating system, delivering high performance, 

flexibility, and reliability for controlling any autonomous vehicle. It is the all-in-one unit, 

combining FMU and IO into a single package. With hardware floating point unit and 

SIMD. The Pixhawk project started in 2009 and is being further developed and used at 

Computer Vision and Geometry Lab of ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of 

Technology) and supported by the Autonomous Systems Lab and the Automatic Control 

Laboratory. 

Our Pixhawks run the widely used ArduPilotMega “APM” Flight Stack (also known as 

“Ardupilot” or “Arducopter”.) APM is an open source unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 

platform, able to control autonomous multicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, traditional 

helicopters and even ground rovers. APM is an award winning platform that won the 

2012 and 2014 UAV Outback Challenge competitions. APM is also the basis for most of 

3D Robotics commercial UAV offerings, including their popular IRIS and Solo product 

lines. 

Stratis UAVs utilize the industry leading uBlox NEO-M8 series GPS receivers. The 

NEO-M8 series feature concurrent reception of GPS/QZSS, GLONASS, and BeiDou. 

They are capable of providing a position accuracy as good as 2.0m Circular Error 

Probability (CEP). The NEO-M8 series also feature an industry leading -167 dBm 

navigation sensitivity. 

To reduce potential interference eminating from the high-current wiring, telemetry and 

video transmitters onboard the UAV, all Stratis GPS are installed on a mast providing at 

least 5” of separation from other electronics on the UAV. 

Telemetry Receiver / Mission Planner
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Real-time flight telemetry is displayed using an Android tablet running the Tower app 

(also known as DroidPlanner 3). This software displays critical flight data (speed, GPS 

status, battery status, etc.) and also provides the primary interface for programming 

automated flight paths. 

Additional parts and accessories

Propellers: Propellers are constructed of carbon fiber. Propellers for the Stratis Model 1 

are 10” in length and propellers for the Stratis Model 2 are 13” in length. 

Batteries: Stratis UAVs use Lithium Polymer (LiPo) batteries with at least a 20C 

discharge rating and having XT60 power connectors. The Stratis Model 1 uses 3S LiPo 

batteries and can operate in a 1 or 2 battery configuration. The Stratis Model 2 uses 6S 

LiPo batteries and can also operate in a 1 or 2 battery configuration. In the 2 battery 

configurations the LiPo batteries are connected in parallel to roughly double the total 

charge capacity. 

IV. UAV Operational Characteristics 

The UAVs to be used in operations will operate within the below conditions and with the 

below stated characteristics: 

Stratis Model 1 Stratis Model 2 

Operating Temperature -10°C ~ 50°C 

(14°F ~ 122°F) 

-10°C ~ 50°C 

(14°F ~ 122°F) 

Total Drive Power 600W 1400W 
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Consumption at Maximum 

Throttle at Maximum Total 

Weight 

Supported Battery 3S LiPO in 1P or 2P 

configuration 

6S LiPO in 1P or 2P 

configuration 

Hovering Accuracy (GPS 

Mode) 

Vertical: ± 0.8m. Horizontal: 

± 2.5m 

Vertical: ± 0.8m. 

Horizontal: ± 2.5m 

Max Yaw Angular Velocity 200°/s 200°/s 

Max Tilt Angle 35° 35° 

Max Ascent / Descent Speed 6m/s 6m/s 

Max Flight Velocity 10m/s 11m/s 

Diagonal distance (motor 

center to motor center) 

450mm 680mm 

Number of rotors 4 6 

Weight 1000g (2.2 lbs) 1900g (4.19 lbs) 

Weight with battery (1P / 2P) 1400g / 1800g 

(3.08lbs/3.97lbs) 

2700g / 3500g 

(5.95lbs / 7.72 lbs) 

Max additional payload (1P / 

2P) 

500g / 100g 

(1.1 lbs / 0.22 lbs) 

1300g / 500g 

(2.87 lbs / 1.1 lbs) 

Max total weight (incl. 

battery and payload) 

1900g (4.19 lbs) 4000g (8.82 lbs) 

V. UAV Operational Frequencies 

The following are the UAV operational frequencies for the flight controller, telemetry, 

and image feedback from the camera: 

Flight Control: 

• Control frequency / Working Frequency: 2.4 GHz ISM 

• Control Channel Numbers of Transmitter: 16 

• Communication Distance: >1.5km 

• Receiver Sensitivity: > - 100 dBm 

• Power Consumption of Transmitter: < 20 dBm 

• Working Current/Voltage: 100mA @ 5V 

Telemetry (Bi-Directional): 

• Telemetry Transmitter Frequency: 915 Mhz ISM 

• Communication Distance: >1.5km 
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• Receiver Sensitivity: > - 100 dBm 

• Power Consumption of Transmitter: <= 20 dBm 

• Working Current/Voltage: 100mA @ 5V 

Camera / Live Video to Monitor: 

• Video Transmitter Frequency: 5.8 Ghz ISM 

• Communication Distance: >200m 

• Receiver Sensitivity: > - 100 dBm 

• Power Consumption of Transmitter: <= 20 dBm 

• Working Current/Voltage: 100mA @ 5V 

Note: All frequencies are used in compliance as per FCC Part 18 rules for operating in 

the specified ISM frequency bands 

VI. UAV Basic Operation Guide 

The following section describes the basic functions and operation of the Stratis UAVs. 

This includes the transmitter configuration, the flight modes, telemetry data, and camera 

recording system. 

Transmitter Configuration:

The UAV control transmitter is configured as follows: 
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Switch A (SA) – The primary mode switch having the following settings: 

1. (UP) Stabilize flight mode 

2. (CENTER) Flight mode as configured by Switch B (SB)

3. (DOWN) Flight mode as configured by Switch C (SC) 

Switch B (SB) – Selects flight mode when SA is in position 2 (CENTER) 

1. (UP) Altitude hold flight mode 

2. (CENTER) Loiter flight mode 

3. (DOWN) Land flight mode 

Switch C (SC) – Selects flight mode when SA is in position 3 (DOWN) 

1. (UP) Auto Mission flight mode 

2. (CENTER) Return to Launch (RTL) flight mode 

3. (DOWN) Land 

Left control stick – Controls throttle and yaw 

1. (UP / DOWN) Throttle 

2. (LEFT / RIGHT) Yaw 

Right control stick – Controls pitch and roll 

1. (UP / DOWN) Pitch 

2. (LEFT / RIGHT) Roll 

Power Switch – Controls control transmitter power 

Digital Trim Switches – Used to compensate for minor drift when in stabilize mode. In 

general these should be centered. 

UAV Flight Control Modes 

The following is an overview of the flight control modes used by Stratis UAVs: 

Flight Mode Brief Description GPS Dependency

Stabilize Manual flight control NO 

Altitude Hold UAV maintains a consistent altitude while 

allowing roll, pitch, and yaw to be controlled 

as in Stabilize mode 

NO 

Loiter UAV automatically attempts to maintain the 

current location, heading and altitude 

YES 

RTL Automatically Return to Launch YES 

Auto Mission Follow a pre-programmed mission script YES 

Land Immediately and automatically land the UAV YES

 
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The following is a detailed description of flight modes: 

1. Stabilize Mode 

• Pilot’s roll and pitch input control the lean angle of the UAV. When the pilot 

releases the roll and pitch sticks the vehicle automatically levels itself. 

• Pilot will need to regularly input roll and pitch commands to keep the vehicle in 

place as it is pushed around by the wind. 

• Pilot’s yaw input controls the rate of change of the heading. When the pilot 

releases the yaw stick the vehicle will maintain it’s current heading. 

• Pilot’s throttle input controls the average motor speed meaning that constant 

adjustment of the throttle is required to maintain altitude. If the pilot puts the 

throttle completely down the motors will go to their minimum rate and if the 

vehicle is flying it will lose attitude control and tumble.

• The throttle sent to the motors is automatically adjusted based on the tilt angle of 

the vehicle (i.e. increased as the vehicle tilts over more) to reduce the 

compensation the pilot must do as the vehicle’s attitude changes. 

Always switch into a manual mode such as stabilize if the GPS-governed autopilot fails 

to control the vehicle. 

2. Altitude Hold Mode

This mode operates identically to Stabilize mode with the exception that throttle is 

managed according to the following rules: 

1) If the throttle stick is in the middle (40% ~ 60%) the vehicle will maintain the current 

altitude. 

2) Outside of the mid-throttle deadzone (i.e. below 40% or above 60%) the vehicle will 

descend or climb depending upon the deflection of the stick. When the stick is 

completely down the UAV will descend at 2.5m/s and if at the very top it will climb 

by 2.5m/s. 

Note that Altitude Hold mode does not rely on the GPS and is thus safe to use in 

situations where GPS signal is weak. 

Warning: In Altitude Hold mode the flight controller uses a barometer which measures 

air pressure as the primary means for determining altitude (“Pressure Altitude”) and if the 

air pressure is changing in your flight area, the UAV will follow the air pressure change 

rather than actual altitude. 

3. Loiter Mode

Loiter Mode automatically attempts to maintain the current location, heading and 

altitude. The pilot may fly the UAV in Loiter mode as if it were in Stabilize mode. 

Releasing the sticks will continue to hold position. 

• The pilot can control the UAV's position with the control sticks. 

• Horizontal location can be adjusted with the the Roll and Pitch control sticks with 

the maximum horizontal speed being 5m/s. When the pilot releases the sticks the 

copter will slow to a stop. 
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• Altitude can be controlled with the Throttle control stick just as in AltHold mode 

• The heading can be set with the Yaw control stick 

Loiter is a GPS-dependent mode, so it is essential that GPS lock is acquired before 

attempting to use this mode. 

4. Return to Launch (RTL)

When RTL mode is selected, the UAV will return to the home location. The UAV will 

first rise to an altitude of 50ft before returning home or maintain the current altitude if the 

current altitude is higher than 50ft. 

RTL is a GPS-dependent mode, so it is essential that GPS lock is acquired before 

attempting to use this mode. 

RTL will command the UAV to return to the home position, meaning that it will return to 

the location where it was armed. Therefore, the home position is always supposed to be 

your UAV’s actual GPS takeoff location, unobstructed and away from people. For UAV 

if you get GPS lock and then ARM your UAV, the home position is the location the UAV 

was in when it was armed. This means if you execute an RTL in UAV, it will return to 

the location where it was armed. 

Warning: In RTL mode the flight controller uses a barometer which measures air 

pressure as the primary means for determining altitude (“Pressure Altitude”) and if the air 

pressure is changing in your flight area, the UAV will follow the air pressure change 

rather than actual altitude. 

5. Auto Mission

In Auto mode the copter will follow a pre-programmed mission script stored in the 

autopilot which is made up of navigation commands (i.e. waypoints) and “do” 

commands. AUTO mode incorporates the altitude control from AltHold mode and 

position control from Loiter mode and should not be attempted before these modes are 

flying well. All the same requirements apply including ensuring that vibration levels and 

compass interference levels are acceptable and that the GPS is functioning well including 

returning an HDOP of under 2.0. 

• If starting the mission while the UAV is on the ground the pilot should ensure the 

throttle is down, then switch to the Auto flight mode, then raise the throttle. The 

moment that the throttle is raised above zero, the UAV will begin the mission. 

• If starting the mission from the air the mission will begin from the first command 

the moment that the flight mode switch is moved to Auto. If the first command in 

the mission is a take-off command but the vehicle is already above the take-off 

command’s altitude the take-off command will be considered completed and the 

vehicle will move onto the next waypoint. 

• At any time the pilot can retake control from the autopilot by returning the flight 

mode switch to another flight mode such as Stabilize or Loiter. If the pilot then 

switches to AUTO again, the mission will restart from the first command. 
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• During the mission the pilot’s roll, pitch and throttle inputs are ignored but the 

yaw can be overridden with the yaw stick. This allows the pilot to for example 

aim the nose of the UAV (which might have a hard mounted camera on it) as the 

UAV flies the mission. The autopilot will attempt to retake yaw control as the 

vehicle passes the next waypoint. 

• Missions can be entered, amended through the Mission Planner’s Flight Plan 

screen or through the Tower app running on the Android Tablet. 

• Missions should normally have an RTL as their final command to ensure the 

UAV will return after the mission completes. Alternatively the final command 

could be a LAND with a different location. Without a final RTL or LAND 

command the UAV will simply stop at the final waypoint and the pilot will need 

to retake control with the transmitter. 

6. Land

LAND Mode attempts to bring the UAV straight down.

• UAV immediately descends to 10m using the Altitude Hold controller 

• Upon reaching the ground the copter will automatically shut-down the motors and 

disarm the copter if the pilot’s throttle is at minimum.j 

• Land Mode uses the GPS to hold position. If the GPS signal is lost, then Land 

mode will continue to attempt to land without GPS position hold. 

• As Land mode makes use of the GPS for positional information, you should also 

be prepared to switch back to Stabilize Mode or Altitude Hold mode for manual 

recovery if necessary. 

UAV Telemetry Monitoring

UAV telemetry monitoring is performed by using the Tower application running on a 

Android tablet with the 3D Robotics V2 900Mhz telemetry transmitter attached via micro 

USB. The tower app displays live telemetry data from the UAV along with a map of the 

area and the position of the UAV. 
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The telemetry screen of the Tower app displays the following information: 

• Error and warning messages from APM flight controller 

• GPS Horizontal Dilution of Precision (HDOP) 

• Telemetry signal strength 

• Battery status 

• Flight mode 

• Compass heading 

• Ground speed 

• Air speed 

• Climb rate 

• Altitude 

Camera Operation and Video Monitoring 

Camera configuration

For cinematography applications the camera should be configured accordingly: 

• A neutral density filter should be installed and secured on the camera lens 

• Recording at 1080p at 30fps or 60fps 

• Set for cyclic recording of 3 minute segments 

• Set for manual color balance with sunlight setting 

• NTSC video out selected and enabled 

• Start recording prior to takeoff 

Video monitoring

Stratis UAVs are equipped with a 5.8Ghz FCC-licensed video transmitter. Use of the 

remote video monitor is straightforward and involves only powering it on and selecting 

the video channel matching that of the specific UAV being used. 

Note: It is important that the UAV NOT BE PICKED UP OR MANUALLY MOVED 

after it has been powered on. Doing so will likely result in a warning message preventing 

you from arming the UAV for flight. If a warning message appears it must be cleared 

prior to takeoff. Typically this is done by power cycling the UAV and waiting an 

additional 2-3 minutes for a solid GPS lock. 

VII. Pre-Flight Preparation 
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Prior to the client visit or any operational flight, the following steps are to be taken by the 

pilot and visual observer to ensure readiness for the operational flight: 

1. Weather Assessment - The pilot and/or VO must check the weather forecast to 

ensure that conditions are suitable for safe flight for the agreed date. If the 

weather will not be acceptable, then the flight must be rescheduled. 

2. Flight Plan – The pilot must create a flight plan, either electronically or in 

written form, that describes the intended mission. The VO must be aware of 

the flight plan and it is recommended that this flight plan be reviewed by the 

client. 

 If the flight plan will be pre-loaded into software for an automated 

flight, then load the program at this time. 

3. Airspace Review – The pilot must review the site location and ensure that 

there are no risks to interfering with any controlled airspace. Further, the 

operations must be conducted at least 5 miles from any airport. IF WITHIN 5 

MILES OF AN AIRPORT: The airport must be notified of the flight plan per 

government regulatory requirements. 

4. Safety Assessment – The pilot and visual observer must assess the site for 

safety, including power lines or other interferences that can cause a potential 

problem. This may include power lines, vegetation, geologic features, or 

population centers. Any safety issues need to be addressed in the flight plan. 

Abort procedures are to be reviewed and discussed. 

5. Permissions – The pilot and/or VO must ensure that the client’s permission 

has been granted for the planned flight. Operations cannot be conducted 

without proper client authorization. Permissions must be in writing as part of 

the client contract agreement. 

6. UAV Transportation: Ensure that the UAV and batteries are prepared 

properly for transportation to the operational site. (See the enclosed 

transportation requirements section in this document). 

VIII. Site Checks 

Upon arriving at the operational site, the following procedures are to be followed to 

ensure that the site is ready and safe for the intended operation. The UAV PIC and or VO 

are responsible to make sure that these checks have been conducted except where noted. 

1. Ensure that the appropriate client authorization has been obtained by the 

clients or authorized agents of the client prior to an operational flight. 

Operations cannot be conducted without proper client authorization. 

2. The PIC must review the flight plan to ensure that the plan can be performed 

safely. The PIC must also review the flight plan with the VO. 

3. Ensure that the site is clear of any unauthorized personnel. 

4. Review the site to check for any safety hazards that may be present such as 

power lines or other items that may interfere with the safety of the planned 

flight. 
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5. Operate only if the weather is permissible for a safe operational flight. 

6. The PIC must ensure that the Visual Observer is available, and can perform 

his or her duties to ensure a safe flight. Note that no one may pilot the UAV 

who does not meet the FAA regulations for UAV operational flight. The pilot 

and VO are responsible to ensure that he/she is not impaired in any way that 

may affect the safety of the operation. 

7. Ensure that the Flight Manual and appropriate permission documentation are 

available to the pilot and VO prior to flight. 

IX. Pre-Flight UAV Inspection 

It is the UAV operator (the pilot in command) responsibility to ensure that the UAV is in 

good operational order. The following steps need to be conducted on the UAV to be used 

prior to the operation: 

1. Battery Charge - Make sure that the transmitter battery and flight battery are 

charged sufficiently to complete the flight such that there will be at least 5 min 

of battery life remaining at the end of the flight.

2. Battery Installation - Ensure that the battery is properly installed and is secure. 

3. UAV Inspection - Check that all parts of the multi-rotor are in good condition 

before flight. Check for any loose wires and secure if necessary. Do not fly 

with aging or broken parts. Please see the Maintenance Manual for proper 

maintenance of the UAV. Ensure that the UAV is not overloaded. It must be 

below the maximum takeoff weight. 

4. UAV Camera - Check the camera and check that the camera mounting is 

secure and ready for flight. Check that the camera lens is clean. 

5. Propellers - Check that the propellers and the motors are installed correctly 

and firmly before flight. Make sure the rotation direction of each propeller is 

correct. 

6. Landing Gear – Check that the landing gear is ready for operational flight 

including checking for any wear or cracks. 

7. Transmitter – Turn on the transmitter. Ensure that it’s communicating 

properly with the UAV. 

8. Flight Plan Set-Up – If the flight will be automated using a software program, 

load the Flight Plan. Or if the program has been pre-loaded, verify that the 

program is correct. 

9. Compass and GPS – Check the Compass and GPS to ensure that they are 

ready for operational flight. This includes checking the telemetry feed to be 

sure that there are not indicated faults. Any indicated fault of the Compass or 

GPS must be cleared prior to flight. 

10. Antennae – Check that antennas are securely attached prior to takeoff. Physically 

inspect any twist-on SMA connectors to ensure they are completely engaged. 

11. Initial UAV Power On– Turn on the UAV and check for proper operation. Do 

not ARM the UAV at this time.
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12. Telemetry - Check that the UAV telemetry data is properly displayed on the 

telemetry monitoring Android Tablet running the Tower app. At a minimum the 

following date must be displayed during flight: 

a. Airspeed 

b. Altitude (AGL in feet) 

c. Battery Voltage 

d. GPS HDOP 

e. Flight Mode 

13. Camera Video – Ensure that the camera is recording video by checking for the 

recording icon on the remote video monitor. 

 Upon completion of these checks, and that the UAV and UAV transmitter are 

airworthy, the flight test and the operational flight can then be conducted. 

*UAV Operational Cautions* 

 Make sure to switch on the transmitter first, then power on the multi-rotor before 

takeoff. Power off the multi-rotor first, then switch off the transmitter after 

landing. 

 The fast rotating propellers of the UAV will cause serious damage and injury. 

Always fly the multi-rotor 3m or above away from you and away from unsafe 

conditions, such as obstacles, high-voltage lines, etc. 

 Always keep the compass module away from the magnet. Otherwise it may 

damage the compass module and lead the aircraft to work abnormally or even be 

out of control. 

X. Flight Test 

The following flight maneuvers and checks must be conducted prior to the operational 

flight to verity UAV readiness. Note that the UAV must be within visual line of site 

during any flight maneuvers. 

1) Power on the UAV and physically ARM it by holding down the red flashing button 

on the UAV. Move to a safe distance. 

2) Wait at least three minutes to allow the GPS time to establish a lock. Then, using the 

telemetry display, check HDOP reported by the GPS. Make sure its less than 2 which 

indicates good GPS coverage. 

3) Additionally, check the following using the telemetry display: 

a) Verify that there are no warnings on telemetry 

b) Verify battery voltage is sufficient for flight. 

4) Using the controller, select Stabilize mode and remotely ARM the UAV by holding 

the left control stick in the lower right corner. 

5) Slowly start increasing the throttle, keeping the UAV on ground. Check that the 

propellers spin uniformly and in the correct directions. 
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6) Take off from ground and hover at 6 ft in stabilize mode. Ensure that the UAV takes 

off at less than 50% throttle. If more than 50% throttle is needed for takeoff, the 

UAV is overloaded and you should not attempt flight. 

7) Switch to Loiter flight mode. Ensure that the UAV stays in place for 20s. without 

wandering more than 8 ft. Be prepared to switch to Stabilize mode for recovery 

should the UAV suddenly change direction. Monitor GPS HDOP during this time to 

ensure it does not rise above 2. 

8) Systematically check yaw, pitch and roll capability. Move the UAV controls to check 

left, right, forward and back for full responsiveness. UAV should respond uniformly 

to both forward/back and left/right control inputs.

9) Bring UAV back to landing. 

10) Remotely disarm the UAV by holding the left control stick in the lower left position. 

11) Check the telemetry to ensure no faults are found. 

Upon completing a flight: 

1. Remotely disarm the UAV by holding the left control stick in the lower left 

position until the disarmed tone is heard 

2. Approach the UAV and physically disarm it by holding down the red button 

until it starts flashing. 

3. If a camera is in use, power down the camera. 

4. Power down the UAV 

5. Switch off the transmitter 

Once the preflight preparation, site checks, UAV inspection and flight test have been 

performed, the UAV is ready for operational flight. 

XI. Operational Flight 

To begin the operational flight, follow the following steps: 

1. Ensure that the Operational Site Check is complete.

2. Complete the UAV preflight inspection 

3. Complete the UAV flight test 

 Perform the UAV operational flight per flight plan. 

Important: The UAV must adhere to the following requirements during operations: 

 The UAV speed must stay unter 87 kts or 100 mph 

 The UAV altitude must not exceed 400 ft AGL. 

 Visual line of site (VLOS) to the UAV must be maintained at all times to both the 

PIC and VO. 

 The PIC and VO cannot switch duties mid-flight. 

 End the flight with at least 5 min of remaining battery life. The UAV must be at 

least 500 feet away from non participants 

 No flights are permitted over water. 
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Unsafe Conditions

Unsafe conditions take a variety of forms. Both the VO and the PIC are responsible for 

monitoring for unsafe conditions and taking appropriate actions. 

The VO must indicate to the PIC if they have observed an unsafe situation. Unsafe 

situations observable by the VO might include: 

1. The UAV is within 500 feet of non participants 

2. Changes in weather (such as wind) that are beyond acceptable limits for the UAV 

3. Discovery of obstacles in the flight path (such as power lines) which were not 

observed and discussed prior to takeoff 

4. Any UAV audible alarms or erratic UAV behavior as observed by the VO 

5. Any UAV components become visibly loose or detached

The PIC must also constantly monitor for unsafe situations. Unsafe situations 

experienced by the PIC might include: 

1. The UAV does not respond to control inputs 

2. The UAV is moving in a manner inconsistent with the control inputs 

3. The telemetry system has displayed warning or error messages 

4. Telemetry is showing an HDOP above 2 while operating in a GPS-dependent 

flight mode 

5. During Auto Mode, the UAV flies in a manner inconsistent with the programmed 

flight plan. 

If an unsafe condition occurs, the PIC and VO must follow the following abort 

procedures: 

1. The PIC should immediately switch to Stabilize flight mode and take manual 

control of the UAV. 

2. The VO should maintain a safe distance from the UAV and ensure that others also 

maintain a safe distance. 

3. If the UAV is over a safe landing area, immediately land the UAV. Immediately 

disarm and power off the UAV. 

4. If the UAV is not over a safe landing area, then return to the launch point and land 

the UAV. 

XII. Post Flight 

Upon completion of the operational flight, the following steps must be taken: 

1. Inspect the UAV for any damage that my have occurred during flight. Faults 

must be logged with appropriate action to be taken prior to the next flight. 

Maintenance issues are to be noted for appropriate follow up. 

2. Note any faults that may be present in the telemetry data. Faults must be cleared 

prior to the next operational flight. 

3. The Pilot and/or VO must ensure that the operational site is left in good condition. 

4. Inspect and clean the camera lens if necessary. 
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5. Properly stow the UAV parts and accessories. 

If an unsafe condition occurred during flight, the following additional actions must be 

taken: 

1. All occurrences of unsafe conditions and emergency landings should be 

documented and reported to the Stratis main office. Date, time and location of the 

incident must be recorded, along with all relevant details. 

2. If the UAV has behaved erratically causing an unsafe condition while operating in 

a GPS-dependent mode, the PIC should cease use of GPS-dependent modes at 

this location and fly only in Stabilize or Altitude Hold modes. 

3. If the UAV has behaved erratically causing an unsafe condition while operating in 

Stabilize or Altitude Hold modes it should be immediately returned to the Stratis 

main office for analysis by Stratis engineering. 

All Telemetry and Data logs for the flight should be saved for analysis by Stratis 

engineering. 

XIII. Battery Usage & Charging 

The following is the procedure for battery charging: 

 It is extremely important you only use a charger specifically designed for 

charging the Lithium Polymer cells which are used on Stratis Imaging's UAVs. 

All new chargers now come with a balancing feature which is essential for both 

safety and battery life reasons. 

 The stated operating voltage of a typical Lithium Polymer cell is from 3V to 4.2V 

when fully charged. Discharging cells below 3 volts will invariably cause 

irreversible damage and charging above 4.2V is dangerous. 

 Prior to charging, the UAV battery charger should be configured for 'LiPo' battery 

chemistry and the balanced charging feature should be enabled. The charger 

should be configured for a peak cell voltage of 4.2V, at which point the charger 

will cut off. 

 The battery charger should be connected to the battery by both the balanced 

charging cable as well as the power output cable. Be sure that the correct polarity 

(RED = POSITIVE, BLACK = NEGATIVE) is observed when connecting 

battery packs to charger. The battery charge rate should be set to 1C. This means 

that a 2200mAh battery should be charged at no more than 2.2A and a 5000mAh 

battery should be charged at no more than 5A. 

Some important points about charging UAV batteries:

 Batteries should NEVER be left unattended while charging. 

 Be absolutely sure that the Lithium Polymer charger settings are correct for the 

battery pack being charged – both voltage and current settings. 

 Lithium Polymer must be CHARGED and STORED in a fire-safe container such 

as a Lipo Sack or a Metal Container such as a military ammo can. 
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 Do not charge batteries near flammable items or liquids. 

 Keep a dry fire extinguisher nearby or a large bucket of dry sand, which is a 

cheap and effective extinguisher. 

 Never charge inside an automobile even when parked.

 Never try charging a pack that has been crash damaged, you run the risk of fire! 

Cells that are obviously swollen or have physical damage should never be used 

and careful disposal is required, especially if the cells are swollen. 

 KEEP BATTERIES AWAY from children and pets at ALL times. 

Battery storage instructions are as follows: 

 UAS batteries should be stored in a sealed metal container at a temperature of 

between 5oC & 27oC. If UAV batteries are to be stored long term they should be 

charged such that their voltage is between 3.8-3.85V per cell prior to storage. This 

“storage voltage” is necessary to ensure long battery life. 

 Regardless of duration of storage it is important to take precautions against 

battery fires when storing or transporting Lithium Polymer (LiPo) batteries such 

as are used on Stratis Imaging's UAVs. It is Stratis Imaging's policy to always 

transport and store UAV batteries in a sturdy sealed metal container such as a 

military ammo can. 

XIV. Transportation Instructions 

The following are the UAV transportation Instructions: 

 Prior to transport, all UAV batteries should be disconnected from the UAV and 

placed in a sealed metal container such as a military ammo can. UAV batteries 

should always be transported separately from the UAV itself, and they should 

always be transported in a sealed metal container. 

 UAV should always be transported in a protective case designed to protect them 

from damage while in transit. If the UAV is a model that has foldable outrunners, 

the outrunners should be folded prior to placement in the protective case. While 

placing the UAV in the case, care must be taken to ensure that propellers are not 

nicked or bent, and that the frame is not under stress in any way during transport. 

 Upon arrival at the site, the UAV should be carefully unpacked and inspected. 

Extend the UAV outrunners (if supported on this model) and ensure that all of the 

motors are level with one another and that the propellers are firmly attached and 

spin easily. Extend (if supported) the landing gear and ensure that it is firmly in 

place. Check the flight controller for loose wiring. 

 If any visible problems are found do not attempt flight! Contact the Stratis 

Imaging home office to determine next steps, which might include field repairs or 

return of the UAV to the home office for repair. 

XV. Configuration Changes 
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This document reflects the current UAV configurations. If there are significant changes 

to the configuration of the UAV or UAV accessories that affect the safety of flight or 

significantly affect the UAV flight characteristics, then operations are not permitted until 

the UAV configuration is tested for operational worthiness. Additionally, the pilots and 

visual observes must be trained on the new configuration and the flight manual is updated 

to reflect these changes. Note that a significant change is defined as one that affects the 

described operation of the UAV per this manual or a change that affects the basic 

characteristics of flight that may cause an unsafe condition. 

XVI. UAV Maintenance 

After 20 flight hours, a more comprehensive maintenance check is required beyond 

what is done post flight. The following actions must be conducted. 

1. Conduct the following steps when the UAV is powered off and the battery 

unattached. 

1. Structural Check & Maintenance – Review the UAV structure, camera, 

transmitter, and all accessories for any cracks, loose wires, or loose 

components. Repair any issues that affect the UAV performance. Tighten 

any loose components. 

2. Landing Gear – Check that the landing gear is ready for operational flight 

including checking for any wear or cracks. 

3. Outrunners – Inspect each outrunner for cracks and / or structural damage. 

Replace any damaged outrunner components. 

4. Propellers – Check that the propellers and the motors are installed 

correctly and firmly. Ensure that the propellers spin freely. Ensure the 

rotation direction of each propeller is correct. Inspect the propellers for 

cracks or deformations such as bends, warps or missing chunks. If cracks 

or deformations are found the propellers must be replaced. 

5. Propeller balance – Remove the propellers and check for balance using a 

propeller balancing tool. Adjust propellers for optimum balance as 

needed. 

6. Motors – Check the motors for debris or physical damage. Manually spin 

the motors and check for smooth operation. If noises or clicking is heard 

while spinning the motors then motor bearings should be replaced. If the 

motors show cracks or other physical damage they should be replaced. 

7. Flight Controller – Insure the flight controller is securely mounted and that 

all wires leading to it are firmly connected and have sufficient slack to 

permit the flight controller's anti-vibration mount to function. 

8. GPS – Ensure that the GPS is firmly attached and that GPS wiring is 

sound and connectors are firmly in place. 

9. Control Radio – Ensure that the control radio is firmly attached and that 

all wiring is sound and connectors are firmly in place. 
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10. Telemetry Radio – Ensure that the telemetry radio is firmly attached and 

that all wiring is sound and connectors are firmly in place. 

11. Live Video Feed Radio - Ensure that the live video feed radio is firmly 

attached and that all wiring is sound and connectors are firmly in place. 

12. Antennae – Check that antennas are securely attached. Physically inspect 

any twist-on SMA connectors to ensure they are completely engaged. 

13. Batteries –Visually inspect the batteries for any damage. If batteries are 

swollen or have crash damage they should be safely discarded. 

14. UAV Camera - Check the camera and check that the camera mounting is 

secure and ready for flight. Check that the camera lens is clean. 

2. Conduct the following steps when the UAV powered and with battery attached: 

1. Telemetry data checks – Ensure that telemetry data is being received and 

displayed. Review any telemetry data for prior faults. Ensure that they are 

cleared. Check the battery charges. 

2. Transmitter – Check all transmitter control switches to ensure proper 

operation. Use the telemetry display to verify transmitter operations. 

3. Battery – Check that batteries have correct voltage when charged. 

4. Motor Test – With the propellers removed, arm the UAV and test motor 

spin. Observe and listen to each motor individually for buzzing or other 

signs of impending bearing failure. Replace bearings if any signs of 

bearing failure are observed. 

5. Radio Fail Safe – Ensure that control radio failsafe has been configured in 

accordance with the instructions on the APM Copter website: 

(http://copter.ardupilot.com/wiki/configuration/throttle-failsafe/) With the 

propellers removed, test the Radio Failsafe operation. Note that Stratis 

UAVs are configured to automatically go to Land mode in the event of 

loss of radio contact. 

6. Calibrations – Using the Mission Commander software, perform the 

compass, accelerometer and radio calibration procedures as described in 

APM Copter's “Mandatory Hardware Configuration” instructions 

(http://copter.ardupilot.com/wiki/initial-setup/configuring-hardware/) 

7. Compass and GPS – Check the Compass and GPS to ensure that they are 

ready for operational flight. This includes checking the telemetry feed to 

be sure that there are not indicated faults. 

8. AutoTune – In a clear field setting, perform the APM Copter AutoTune 

procedure as described on the Ardupilot website 

(http://copter.ardupilot.com/wiki/autotune/) 

9. Camera – Ensure that the camera is properly recording video. Clean the 

camera lens. 

XVII. UAV Regulations 

The instructions within this manual are compliant with the required FAA regulations, but 

additionally, the flight operations personnel are expected to know them as a qualification 
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for operating UAVs. The regulations around UAVs can be found at 

https://www.faa.gov/UAV/. Further, demonstrated knowledge of these regulations are a 

part of the PIC and VO training plan and qualifications. 

XVIII. Definitions 

The following are definitions of terms used in this manual: 

PIC – Pilot in Command 

UAV – Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. Also called Aerial – Unmanned Areal System or 

Drone. 

VLOS – Visual Line of Sight 

VO – Visual Observer