USER MANUAL

REVISION 1.0 (10/25/2015)
Make sure to read the entire user manual before

first flight! Operator assumes all responsibility

for safe operation.

Safety Practices

Product Overview

Key Features

ER1 Overview

Overview

Hardware

Assembly

Handheld Flight Controller

Basic Flight Controls

Left Stick

Right Stick

Mode Selection

Flight

Flying Conditions

Limits and Regulations

Pre-Flight Checklist

Airframe Inspection

Setup & Calibration

Preflight

Takeoff & Landing

Before Takeoff

Post Flight

Frequently Asked Questions & Troubleshooting
SAFETY PRACTICES

Before flying make sure to plan your flight area. Check for trees, obstacles, power

lines, etc that may be in your flight path. The drone will not automatically avoid

obstacles. As the pilot you need to make sure to recognize and avoid hazards

during flight.

Propellers may cause serious injury. Pay attention to the safety button to see

what the status of the motor is; blinking red for idle or solid red for armed. Press

and hold to change from one to another.

Make sure to follow the current FAA regulations. Do not let drone fly beyond line

of sight or above 400ft. Be conscious of weather conditions and daylight hours.

Never fly within five miles of airports or any other manned aircraft areas.

Always have fail safes in place for if the drone loses signal. Either use Return To

Launch or Land at the time it loses signal. Make sure to have a battery level fail

safe as well.

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

ER1

SPEKTRUM DX8 TRANSMITTER
915 MHz RADIO PAIR

SONY QX1

XRD

BOTLINK SOFTWARE
KEY FEATURES

● Resilient Fiberglass Body

○ Amazingly aerodynamic compared to foam bodied aircraft

● Automatic Flight

○ Little to no prior experience is needed to pilot. The ER1 will follow

whatever mission is created prior to flight. From takeoff to landing no

manual input is needed

● Simple and Easy to Use Flight Planning

○ Using Botlink is intuitive and precise. From free flying to survey

missions commanding your drone is as simple as Drag Drop Drone!

● In-Flight Image Processing

○ Using the camera on board you can have your images within seconds

of taking them, even while the drone is still flying! Using the XRD in

conjunction with Botlink you will be able to save time and money by

getting your actionable data when you need it.

ER1 OVERVIEW

Length: 1740mm (5.7ft)

Wingspan: 3730mm (12.25ft)

Wing Area: 7929.88 cm^2

Empty Weight: 6006g

Loaded Weight: 7214g

Airfoil Type: NACA 641412

Control Surfaces: Ailerons, Elevator, Rudder, Flaps,

Slotted Air Brakes

Servo Type: HS 225 MG

Powerplant: Hacker A50 14L Series Motor V3

Payloads: GoPro Hero 3, Sony QX 1, Sentera Dual,

etc.

Maximum Altitude: 5000 ft Guaranteed Cellular Connection

Cruise Speed: 44 knots

Never Exceed Speed: 61 knots

Stall Speed: 25 knots
Distance/clear area needed for launch, climb out

• 300 feet to clear 50 foot obstacle

Distance/clear area needed for landing

• 400 feet clear space

• Go around if not on stabilized approach by 100 feet AGL

◦ greater than 20 feet difference from planned descent glide slope

◦ greater than 20 feet horizontal distance from approach path

Ground conditions needed for landing/recovery, if any

• Needs a non-abrasive landing surface (i.e. grass, weeds, etc).

Air temp limits, other environmental limits; effects on flight duration, other

performance factors

• Minimum temp -17 °C

• Maximum temp +49 °C

• Requires standard daytime VFR conditions

Wind speed limits on launch, flight, landing phases

• Launch and landing: 22 knots

• Flight: 35 knots

In flight performance (airspeed, turn rates, climb/dive rates, etc.)

• Cruise Airspeed: 44 knots

• Turn Rate: Standard rate turns

• Climb Rate: 1500ft/min

• Descent Rate: 2000ft/min

Autopilot features (lost-link response, some indication of available modes, etc.)

• Communication Timeout Failsafe set to RTL (return-to-launch) and pre

flight Landing Mission

• Available Modes

◦ Auto - Fully autonomous waypoint based mission flying

◦ Guided - Autonomous flight around user defined loiter points

◦ Stabilize - Autonomous flight phase with priority over safe aircraft flight

attitude

◦ RTL - Fully autonomous return-to-launch mode with option for

emergency landing
◦ Manual - User controlled flight with no autopilot stabilization or

assistance NOT RECOMMENDED

OVERVIEW

The ER1 comes complete and ready to use out of the box. Even with a complete

drone it’s a good practice to know the different parts and pieces of the drone in

case of repairs or modifications.

1 Electronic Speed Controller (ESC)

2 GPS Receiver

3 Battery Voltage Monitor
4 10,000 mAh 6S Battery

5 Safety Button

6 Autopilot

7 Buzzer

8 915 MHz Radio

1 VGA Connector for Servos

2 Spar Channel

1 Pitot Tube

2 Airspeed Sensor
3 Servo

4 Control Horn

5 Linkage Rod

6 Clevis

7 Aileron Horn

1 16 X 10 Aeronaut CAM Propellers

2 Spinner and Yolk Assembly

3 Hacker A50 14L Series Motors V3
1 Elevator

2 Rudder

HARDWARE

AUTOPILOT

● Advanced aerial piloting system using PX4

open-source project

● Sends control signals to control surfaces

and ESC/motor
SERVOS

● Moves control surfaces to control aircraft

● Metal gears allow for use in more extreme

conditions

ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROLER (ESC)

● Regulates power sent to the motor

● Autopilot sends power requirements and

ESC outputs accurate RPMs

GPS RECEIVER

● Accurate GPS module

● Allows autopilot to know where it’s at and

helps in telling drone where to go

XRD

● Allows drone to gather, process, and send

data in real time

● Uses 4G Verizon network to receive

commands
PITOT TUBE

● Gives the autopilot current speed of the

drone while flying

● Used in combination with GPS to guide

flight

16 x 10 AERONAUT CAM PROPS

● Folding propellers allow for better flight

characteristics

● Made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic

for increased strength

MULTISTAR 10 Ah 6S BATTERY

● 10,000 mAh capacity

● 22.2V 10C

● 6 Cell
ASSEMBLY

The ER1 is very easy to get flight ready. The only assembly needed is to attach the

wings to the fuselage and give it power. Follow these steps to assemble.

1. Insert the spar through the middle of the fuselage.

2. Slide each wing onto the spar and push until flush with the fuselage. Wings

should click​into place.

3. Tape along seam between wings and fuselage for safety.

4. Insert battery and connect to voltage monitor to power drone.

HANDHELD FLIGHT CONTROLLER

The ER1 can be controlled using a Spektrum DX8 radio transmitter. While using

Botlink this transmitter is only used in case of emergency and when manual

control is needed.

Make sure to keep the throttle stick down while not using transmitter. The left

stick is zeroed at down and the right stick is zeroed at center.
BASIC FLIGHT CONTROLS

When flying the ER1, either using Botlink or manually, make sure to know the

basics of manual flying.

LEFT STICK

Movement Direction Input Aircraft Response

Up Throttle 100% Propeller Spins

Down Throttle 0% Propeller Stops

Down & Right Full Arming Long Tone *if successful

RIGHT STICK

Movement Direction Input Aircraft Response

Down Pitch Up Elevator Up

Up Pitch Down Elevator Down

Right Roll Right Right Aileron Up

Left Aileron Down

Left Roll Left Right Aileron Down

Left Aileron Up

MODE SELECTION

F Mode Gear Mode Description

0 0 Manual Full Control

0 1 Auto Used while flying with Botlink

1 0 RTL Return to Launch

1 1 FBWA Fly By Wire: A

2 0 Cruise Once sticks are released, plane will

continue on current heading

2 1 Stabilize As soon as sticks are released, plane
will level

FLIGHT

FLYING CONDITIONS

● Make sure to check weather conditions prior to flying. Rain, snow, fog, and

excessive wind (>30 mph) should be avoided

● Scout flight path to be aware of obstacles

● Avoid large structures as they may interfere with compass/GPS

● Never fly over heavily populated areas or roadways

● Avoid electromagnetic field producing devices (radio towers, cell towers,

power lines, etc)

LIMITS AND REGULATIONS

Be sure to regularly check the latest rules and regulations set forth by the

FAA, International Civil Aviation Organization, Transport Canada, and/or your

local aviation authorities. For up-to-date information go to www.faa.gov/

PRE-FLIGHT CHECKLIST

During all checks be sure to stay away from propellers and stand behind

drone in case of accidental start up. While testing any motor functions be sure to

have one person FIRMLY holding ER1 with motor pointed away from themselves

and anyone else.

AIRFRAME INSPECTION

❏ Wings

❏ Ailerons - Check Condition

❏ Flaps - Check Condition

❏ Air Brakes - Check Condition

❏ Servo Linkage Rods - Test for full control

❏ Pitot Tube - Look for any obstructions

❏ Wingtips - Check Condition

❏ Leading Edge - Check Condition

❏ Trailing Edge - Check Condition

❏ Top of Wing - Check Condition

❏ Bottom of Wing - Check Condition
❏ Tail Assembly

❏ Rudder - Check Condition

❏ Elevator - Check Condition

❏ Servos - Test for full control

❏ Fuselage

❏ GPS/Compass - Check Condition

❏ Underside of Aircraft - Check Condition

❏ Power Plant

❏ Motor - Check Condition

❏ Propeller - Check Condition & Orientation

❏ Spinner - Check Locknut

SETUP & CALIBRATION

PREFLIGHT

❏ Battery - Fully Charged and Connected

❏ Gyro Calibration - Do not move aircraft, place on ground and make sure

aircraft is level

❏ Connect Transmitter - Autopilot tone

❏ Safety Switch - ARM

❏ Transmitter - Set to MANUAL

❏ Check Servo and Motor - Correct Direction

❏ Transmitter - Set to AUTO

❏ Check Autopilot Servos - Move Aircraft Manually

❏ Safety Switch - DISARM

❏ 915 MHz Radio - Connected

❏ 4G LTE XRD - Connected with Good Cell Strength

❏ GPS - Position Lock

❏ Heading - Correct

❏ Pre-Flight Calibration - Follow In-App Instructions

❏ Refer to Airspeed Calibration section of Botlink Manual

TAKEOFF & LANDING

BEFORE TAKEOFF

❏ Mission Plan - Built and Uploaded to Drone

❏ Refer to Mission Planner section of the Botlink Manual

❏ Transmitter - Set to AUTO

❏ Safety Switch - ARMED

❏ Throttle - ARMED
❏ Mission - Play

❏ Takeoff - Complete Launch

POST FLIGHT

❏ Throttle - DISARMED

❏ Safety Switch - DISARMED

❏ Battery - Disconnected

❏ Transmitter - Off

❏ 915 MHz Radio - Disconnected

❏ Inspect Airframe - Check Condition

FAQs & TROUBLESHOOTING

1. Why should I launch INTO the wind? Doesn’t that make it harder for the

plane to launch?

a. When launching the aircraft it needs to get to flight speed in a short

amount of time. In order to do so it needs as much airflow over the

wings as possible. If you were to launch WITH the wind, the airspeed

would be the launch speed minus the wind speed.

2. How do I locate a downed aircraft?

a. First of all, ALWAYS keep sight of your drone. In the event of a

downed aircraft it may be the case that it was a catastrophic collision.

In that case there is no signal to send back to the pilot as a beacon. As

long as the XRD is still active you can use the drone location and your

position within Botlink to narrow your search.

3. What happens if my transmitter loses power during the flight?

a. If you are flying in any proximity to people or obstacles immediately

create a landing mission to bring the ER1 down. If something were to

go wrong there would be no manual way to control the drone. If there

are no risks and it is already flying a planned mission you can allow it

to finish out its current mission.

4. What happens if my Botlink-Enabled device dies during flight?

a. As long as the drone has a mission loaded the autopilot is still

following those commands. If you need to bring the ER1 down put the

transmitter into RTL mode or bring it down manually. Be sure to keep

your transmitter powered on in case of an emergency.

5. What do I do if I forgot to create a landing mission once the drone is flying?

a. Once the drone if finished flying it’s mission simply drag it to a point

that is safe to loiter at. The drone will continue to loiter in a circle

which gives you time to create a landing mission in Mission Planner.

Once that is created simply upload to the drone and have it play that

mission.