Control	1	Communications	flight	operations	manual	for DJI	Inspire	1 and	DJI	

Spreading	Wings	1000+ UAS

This	manual	is	an	addendum	to	the	DJI	User’s	Manual	for	the	Inspire	1	aircraft.		It	is	

not	intended	to	replace,	but	rather	to	supplement,	the	DJI Inspire 1 User’s	Manual.	

1) Weather	conditions	for	Inspire	operation:

a) Visibility:		Must	be	>	3	miles	at	the	Pilot’s	ground	location.	

b) Winds:		Must	be	less	than	25	mph	(gusting)	for	flight.	

c) Rain/	fog:		The	Aircraft must	not	be	operated	in	rain,	heavy	fog,	or	in	

weather	conditions	where	there	is	an	expectation	of	rain	within	the	flight	

area	during	flight.		The	Aircraft is	not	weather-proofed	and	loss	of	

control/	crash	can	occur	due	to	water	penetration	of	the	aircraft’s	on	

board	control	systems.

d) Daylight:		The	Aircraft is	only	to	be	operated	in	daytime/	VFR	conditions.

e) Clouds:		Flight	operations	may	not	be	conducted	less	than	500’	below	

cloud	cover	or	with	less	than	2000’	horizontal	clearance	from	clouds.	

2) RF	system:		

a) An	FCC	compliant	2.4	GHz	system	is	utilized	between	the	Aircraft and	it’s	

remote	controller.		

b) An	FCC	compliant	5.8	GHz	system	us	utilized	between	the	Master	(Pilot’s)	

controller	and	the	Camera	operator’s	controller.		This	controller	is	not	

capable	of	controlling	flight	characteristics	of	the	UAS.		The	secondary	

(Camera	operator’s)	controller	is	not	needed	for	aircraft	command	and	

control.		

c) As	the	2.4	GHz	spectrum	is	used	by	a	number	of	devices,	it	is	imperative	

both	before	and	during	flight	operations	to	monitor	the	RF	signal	strength	

from	the	aircraft on	the	controller’s	display.		This	will	give	the	Pilot	an	

idea	of	how	far	the	useable	range	is.		It	is	possible	for	crowded	RF	

conditions	to	render	the	useable	range	less	than	the	2km	range	specified	

by	the	manufacturer.		If	a	loss	of	the	RF	link	is	observed,	do	not	turn	off	

the	controller,	as	the	RF	signal	will	likely	be	regained	as	the	aircraft	

moves	closer	to	the	controller	during	it’s	default	return-to-home	system	

after	loosing	control	signal.		Refer	to	the	Preflight	Instructions	regarding	

setting	minimum	return-to-home	altitude.		

d) Loss	of	return	telemetry	from	Aircraft:		If	the	flight	telemetry	from	the	

aircraft	to	the	controller	is	lost,	the	Pilot	will	still	have	control	of	the	

Aircraft,	but	will	not	be	able	to	monitor	vital	flight	parameters	such	as	

battery	level	and	distance.		In	this	case	the	Aircraft	is	to	be	returned	to	

home	by	the	Pilot	and	landed immediately.		Flight	operations	must	not	be	

conducted	without	return	telemetry	from	the	Aircraft.		

3) Battery	usage	during	flight:	

a) Aircraft	battery	level	must	be	>95%	prior	to	takeoff.		Controller	battery

must	be	>50%.			During	flight	Pilot	must	monitor	the	battery	level	using	

the	provided	telemetry	link	from	the	aircraft.		A	visual	and	an	audible	low	

battery	alarm	will	sound	at	30%	UAS	battery	capacity.	 Flight	operations	
must	cease	at	30%	battery	capacity	and	the	Aircraft	is	to	be	landed.			The	

Aircraft	is	not	to	be	flown	with	less	than	25%	battery	capacity.		

b) Low	ambient	temperature:		In	temperatures	less	than	35	degrees	both	

controller	and	aircraft	battery	life	may	be	lessened	by	20%.		

c) Operation	in	high	wind	(>15mph):		When	using	GPS-hold	mode	the	

aircraft	will	use	additional	power	in	higher	winds,	thereby	draining	the	

battery	more	quickly.		Flight	operations	must	be	planned	accordingly.