UNMANNED SYSTEMS 

FBWA Takeoff 

Step 1: 

The Launcher holds the E384 up, keeping the 

propeller as far away as possible. 

Step 2: 

One hand is placed on the bottom of the fuselage near the camera opening to guide the throw. 

Step 3: 

The other hand is the launching hand. The 

launching hand is placed on the tail, with the 

index finger or more on the back of the tail. 

Step 4: 

The Pilot should have the transmitter in hand. 

Th rattle up to 60%. 

Step 5: 

The launcher throws the E384 firmly at an angle 

of about 15 degrees with the wind at the nose of 

the plane. 

Step 6: 

After the release, the pilot increases the throttle 

and pulls up on the elevator to climb. 

Climb to about 100m. After climbing to a safe altitude, the mode may be changed for autonomous flight. 

13 
UNMANNED SYSTEMS 

Planning a Mapping Mission 

Step 1: 

Go to the Flight Plan tab and find the area you 

intend to survey. 

Step 2: 

Click Add Polygon on the right and enclose your 

area of interest. 

When in "Add Polygon" mode simply left click to 

add as many points as you desire. If you left click 

and hold a polygon point you can drag it (likewise with way points). If you need to delete a 

polygon point you can simply right click on the 

point and click on "Delete WP" (likewise with way 

points). 

Step 3: 

Click Survey (Grid). Choose your camera. Change 

your altitude for desired ground resolution. 

Choose your angle, based on wind direction. 

Choose your "start from" based on wind direction. Choose your sidelap/overlap (60% recommended). 

Step 4: 

Click the accept buton. 

You will notice "Stats on the right." Make sure 

"Flight Time" is reasonable, under 100 minutes. 

If you are using the Canon SX260 you will need to 

set the proper settings for your mission, based 

on the Flight Time. (See SX260 Operations). 

14 
UNMANNED SYSTEMS 

Auto Landing 

In this page Autonomous flight is planned from start to finish. Brief mentions will be made of Auto Takeoff 

and Planning a Mapping Mission. Check out those pages to fill in the details. 

Step 1: 

to the Flight Plan screen. The mission has been 

planned by first setting the Auto Takeoff WP, then 

adding a polygon and using the auto WP function. Because the Takeoff WP disappears we see 

that the first visible WP is WP 2. 

In this scenario the wind is moving from North to 

South. During landing a headwind is ideal. 

Step 2: 

WP must be added to accomplish two tasks. They 

must change the direction of the E384 so that it 

will be landing with a headwind. They must also 

reduce altitude safely. When reducing altitude, 

always avoid flying too closely to obstacles. To 

add WP manually, first left click the Clear Polygon 

function. Now left click anywhere on the map to 

add a WP. Change altitude by changing the value 

of the Alt column in the row of the WP number 

desired. Change the last WP command to Land. 

Change the Land WP altitude to Om. 

In this example, obstacles do not come into play. The design ofWP 38,39 and 40 is to set the E384 on the proper landing path 

and reduce altitude. We remember that the wind is traveling from North to South in this example. WP 41 is our Land WP at Om 

altitude. Also notice the Grad% column. 

When developing a landing procedure; 

1. Decide landing path based on wind. 

3. Set a WP procedure. 

2. Estimate the obstacle heights. 

4. Adjust altitudes. 

5. Set Land command. 6. Adjust the WP altitude or location in order to achieve usable Grad 

%. 

--The maximum magnitude of Grad% is near 30% with a 5 mph headwind .. 

--The maximum magnitude of Grad% between your Land WP and the previous WP should be kept below 10% 

To upload the WPs to the E384, connect to Mission Planner and left click the Write WP button. After the WP have been written, 

press the Read WP button. The Read WP button will clear the WP on your Flight Data screen and add the WP that are stored 

on the E384. Read WP allows confirmation that the WPs on the E384 are correct. 

15 
UNMAN ED SYSTEMS 

FBWA Landing 

Step 1: 

During descent keep throttle very low, and no 

throttle at all if speed is maintained. 

Step 2: 

Land with the wind at the nose of the E384 to 

slow it down. Bring the E384 down and land on 

its belly. 

Step 3: 

Go to the E384 and unplug the battery. 

When you are sure the battery is unplugged you 

may disassemble. 

16 
UNMANNED SYSTEMS 

Geotagging Utility 

Step 1: 

Open mission planner and go to the flight data screen. Select the Telemetry Log tab on the display. 

Step 2: 

Click the Tlog > KML or Graph button. 

Step 3: 

This will open a new window as shown below. Next Select the Convert to CSV button. 

Step 4: 

Select the Telemetry log from the flight you wish to GeoTag and select open. 

Step 5: 

The log will then be converted into a CSV file. The CSV file will save under the same directory that 

you have selected your Telemetry Log from. 

Now that we have the CSV file we are able to GeoTag our pictures with the Event38 Image Utility. 

Continued on the next page 

17 
UNMANNED SYSTEMS 

Geotagging Utility (Continued) 

Step 1: 

Open the Event38 I mage Utility application. 

Step 2: 

Select Image Utilities then select GeoTag V2 . 

• 

Step 3: 

Select the I mage Path and Log File path. 

To select the correct image path select the directory or folder containing the photos that you wish 

to Geo Tag. 

To select the log file path find the CSV file you converted in the earlier steps of this manual. 

Then click process. 

·..-.......... 

··--

. -- ·--· 

Step 4: 

c:=:J --

c:=:J --

Click okay and then navigate to the Folder containing the pictures that had been selected for GeeTagging. There will be a Text document called lmageLog.txt. 

Step 5: 

The document will contain the image name, latitude, longitude and altitude for each processed 

picture. 

18 
UNMANNED SYSTEMS 

Transmitter Modes (Spektrum) 

With the Spektrum DXSe we can select from three different modes. Other modes can be selected using your 

ground station computer. 

The modes will be selected using the CH 5 three position switch. 

The position pushed furthest away from us (0) is 

FBWA mode. 

The position pushed furthest away from us (0) is 

FBWA mode. 

The position pulled closest to us (2) is Auto. 

Verify your modes. Power on your transmitter. Remove propeller. Power on your E384. Connect to Mission 

Planner. Cycle through the modes. In Flight Plan, the bottom right corner of the heads up display will show 

which mode is currently engaged. 

19 
UNMANNED SYSTEMS 

NX1100 Operations 

Step 1: 

Open Mission Planner and go to the Flight Plan 

screen 

Step 2: 

Right click on the screen and select "Draw Polygon" » "Add Polygon Point". 

Step 3: 

Choose the area you wish to map by inserting 

polygon points with a left click around your area 

of interest. Then right click and go to "Auto WP" 

»"Survey (Grid)". 

Step 4: 

In the "Simple" tab use the camera drop down 

and select the "NX1000." Choose an "Angle" that 

will allow the plane to fly crosswinds. Make sure 

the box labeled "Camera top facing forward" is 

not checked. Circled in red is "Ground Resolution." 

Step 5: 

Go to the "Grid Options" tab (This tab will not be 

visible unless you check the Advanced Options 

box in the Simple tab). Choose your Start From in 

the corner that will allow you to fly your pattern 

crosswinds and make all of your turns with the 

wind at the nose of the plane. Standard "Overlap" and "Sidelap" is 60% for each. 

Step 6: 

Go to the "Camera Config" tab and change the 

"Focal Length" to match the focal length of your 

pancake lens. 

At the bottom of the Camera Config tab make 

sure "CAM_TRIGG_DIST" is checked. 

Step 7: 

Go back to the "Simple" tab. Choose an altitude 

that corresponds to the "Ground Resolution" that 

you desire (be sure to check the altitude ceiling 

in your area). Then press "Accept" to transfer 

those WP to the "Flight Data" screen. 

20 
UNMANNED SYSTEMS 

NX1100 Operations (Continued) 

Step 1: 

Pull up the green Waypoints bar on the bottom 

of the screen and verify they are as expected. 

After the first WP in your polygon there shoud be 

a DO_SET_CAM_TRIG_DIST WP. After the last WP in 

your polygon you should see another 

DO_SET_CAM_TRIG_DIST WP. 

Step 2: 

Press the green Write WPs button on the right 

when your E384 is powered on and connected to 

Mission Planner. This will send the WPs to the 

E384. Read the WP from the E384 by pressing the 

Read WPs. Then look through the WPs again to 

make sure all the WP are as desired. 

Step 3: 

Turn your NX1100 on in P mode, we have configured your NX1100 for optimum performance in P 

mode. Connect the MicroUSB coming from channel Aux Out 5 on the Pixhawk to your NX1100. 

In Auto mode the plane will take pictures based 

on your parameters. 

Step 4: 

After the flight connect a MicroUSB from your 

computer to your Pixhawk. Choose the correct 

Com Port, and set the baud rate to 115200. Go to 

the "Terminal" screen on Mission Planner and 

press the green "Connect" button. Now press the 

"Log Download" button. 

Step 5: 

Choose the latest log and press "Download These 

Logs". After completion close the "Log" window. 

Hold Ctrl on your keyboard and press the letter 

"F" on your keyboard. 

Step 6: 

Click on "Geo ref images." 

Step 7: 

Choose "Cam Message Synchro." Press "Browse 

Log" and choose the log we just downloaded 

from the APM. Press "Browse Pictures" and 

choose the pictures from the mission. Press 

"Pre-process" and wait for it to be completed. 

Then press "GeoTag Images." After this step is 

complete a separate set of images that are geotagged will be created for you. 

21 
UNMANNED SYSTEMS 

5110 Operations 

Step 1: 

Open Mission Planner and go to the Flight Plan 

screen. 

Step 2: 

Click the Add Polygon button on the right. Left 

click on the map to enclose the area you are 

mapping with the polygon then click the "Survey 

(Grid)" Button. 

Step 3: 

Change the camera option to Canon S110 and 

click Accept. You will notice that two DO_-

CAM_TRIGG_DIST WP have been automatically 

added. 

The first box reads 43. After the first WP is 

reached this will tell the camera to take a picture 

every 43m the E384 travels. 

DO_CAM_TRIGG_DIST is also the last WP in my 

survey. The first box reads 0. When the E384 

reaches the last WP it will tell the camera to stop 

Step 4: 

Write and read your WPs. 

Step 5: 

After running through your preflight checklist 

plug the cable from your Pixhawk port Aux Out 5 

into your S110. 

Step 6: 

Turn on the S110 and press the shutter button to 

open the lens. 

Step 7: 

Press the blue play button. 

Step 8: 

Press the shutter again and the text on the display should read "waiting on USB signal." 

Step 9: 

Place the camera in your E384. 

If at some point during your flight you have 

reached greater than 50m altitude and later decrease altitude below 30m the lens on the 5110 

will automatically close. If you need to abort flight 

before reaching SOm you can close the lens by 

going to the actions tab under the HUD in Flight 

Data and pressing the close camera lens button. 

22 
UNMANNED SYSTEMS 

5110 Operations (Continued) 

Step 1: 

Connect a MicroUSB cable from your computer to 

the Pixhawk. Choose the correct Com Port, and 

set the baud rate to 115200. 

Step 2: 

Go to the "Terminal" screen on Mission Planner 

and press the green "Connect" button. 

Step 3: 

Press the "Log Download" button. If you have not 

cycled power since your flight, choose the last 

log and press download these logs. 

Step 4: 

Run the Event38.1mage.Utility Application. 

Moil! 

FU IMAGE UTlUTIES 

Step 5: 

Click IMAGE UTILITIES» Geo Tag. 

Step 6: 

Click Select next to Image Path and choose your 

folder containing your images. 

Step 7: 

Click Select next to Log File Path and choose 

your dataflash log from your flight. 

Step 8: 

Click Process. After a few seconds a pop up 

should appear letting you know processing is 

complete and a new set of tagged photos will be 

included within your image folder. 

- fU IMAGE U1IJTIS 

~!iii u . 

~ C\Uon I u 

~ C\Uon r.: ~~~~ 

~10cl10 ~~ n 

23 
UNMAN ED SYSTEMS 

Pre-Field Checklist 

D Designate a Windows Laptop 

D Download E38 Mission Planner 

D Download Telemetry Radio Drivers 

D Cache Maps 

D Charge Batteries 

D Flight Batteries 

D Transmitter Batteries 

D Camera Batteries 

D Pack Everything Up 

D Flight Batteries 

D Fuselage 

D Tail 

D Elevator 

D Wings 

D WingSpar 

D Propeller 

D Transmitter 

D Camera 

D Ground Side Telemetry 

D Laptop 

D Rubber Bands 

D Phillips Screwdriver 

D Adjustable Pliers (Or Similar Tool) 

24 
UNMANNED SYSTEMS 

Preflight Checklist 

D Assemble E384 

D Tail 

D Wings 

D Batery 

D Camera 

D Fuselage Cover 

D Check Balance 

D Power On Transmitter 

D Plugin Battery 

D Arm Plane 

D Function Testing (FBWA Mode- Ensure 

proper response from ailerons) 

D Move right stick right 

D Move right stick left 

D Move right stick up 

D Move right stick down 

D Move left stick right 

D Move left stick left 

D Move left stick upwards 

D Compensation Testing (No remote used) 

D Bank Right 

D Bank Left 

D Lift Nose Up 

D Lift Tail Up 

D Open Mission Planner 

D Check MP Automated Checklist 

D Review User Checklist 

D Check For Valid Waypoints 

D Power On Camera In "P" Mode 

D Reinstall Camera 

25 
UNMANNED SYSTEMS 

Flight Procedure Summary 

In this section we will discuss the procedure used to collect imagery, beginning with preparations for flight. 

Start by following the E384 Pre-Field Checklist (Page 24). 

When you arrive at the field, take a note of the wind direction and speed. Avoid flying in winds above 20 

mph. When we plan a mission we want to fly crosswinds and make all our turns into the wind. Let's start the 

mission planning process. Decide whether you will be taking off manually (in FBWA) or using the automatic 

takeoff. If you are taking off manually (FBWA Takeoff- Page 13) no further action is needed. If you are taking 

off automatically, follow Auto Takeoff (Page 12). Now plan the surveying portion of your mission (Planning a 

Mapping Mission- Page 14). Finally, decide on your landing procedure. Automatic landing follows Auto 

Land. Manual landing follows FBWA Land. 

Now we will turn our attention to the assembly of the E384. 

Attach the propeller (Page - 8). Attach the tail (Page- 6). Attach the wings (Page- 7). Place the batteries (but 

do not plug them in!!!) and camera into the E384 and check the balance (Page- 9). 

Go through the E384 Preflight Checklist (Page 25). 

When everything checks out properly go to the Fight Plan screen and press Write WP. After the WP have 

been written to the E384 press Read WP. This will read whatever WP the E384 has stored. Verify all the WP 

are correct. 

Start your camera and prepare for take off. 

If you are taking off manually, follow FBWA Takeoff. 

If you are using an automatic takeoffWP; 

Now the Launcher should pick the E384 up and hold it, fully prepared to launch. Never put body parts near 

the propeller when the battery is plugged in! 

The Launcher should communicate to the Ground Station Manager that he is prepared. The Ground Station 

Manager shall then change the mode to Auto, using either the RC transmitter or the actions tab under the 

HUD. The Grand Station Manager should confirm that the mode is Auto. The Launcher will then proceed by 

throwing the E384 firmly at an angle of approximately 15 degress. Always throw the E384 against the wind 

for best results. 

When the E384 reads 3 m/s ground speed, the motor will begin rotating. The E384 will attempt to hold 

heading during takeoff. When it reaches the takeoff altitude it will turn and travel to the second WP. 

26 
UNMANNED SYSTEMS 

Flight Procedure Summary (Continued) 

If you have completed a manual takeoff, and are now in RTL; 

Watch the E384 circle at least twice to make sure that it is flying properly. Now go to your computer and 

press Auto. This will start the mission. 

During the mission keep an eye on the battery voltage. The voltage will fluctuate most notably at higher 

throttle. If it no longer rises above 14.5V it is time to bring it in for a landing. During the mission pay attention to the flight path and the altitude as well. If the E384 is struggling to maintain its flight path, alterations 

to the mission may be necessary. Likewise if there is a large drop in altitude, greater than 15m, alterations 

may be necessary. 

When the E384 has reached the last WP of the survey portion of the mission it will go into RTL if there is no 

Auto Land procedure. If there is an automatic landing procedure, the E384 will proceed through those WP. 

If you are landing manually, Switch back to FBWA. You now have control. During descent keep throttle very 

low, and no throttle at all if stability is maintained. Always land with the wind at the nose of the E384 to slow 

it down. Bring the E384 down and land on its belly. 

Go to the E384 and unplug the battery. When you are sure the battery is unplugged you may disassemble. 

27