Aero-M

Operation ManualThank you for purchasing an Aero-M! This manual contains important information about your aerial mapping platform. Please read these instructions before your first flight. 1 Plan 12 Fly 203 Process 37Appendix 41

V.1 2014

©3D Robotics

DCT0010

Online information portal: 3DR.com/Aero-M3DR support: help@3DR.comTerms and conditions: 3DR.com/termsPix4D instructions: support.Pix4D.com
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1 PlanParts 2Flight Battery 3Charging 3Safety 3Powering the Aero 4Camera Setup 53DR EAI 5Charging 5Starting a Mission 5Mounting 6Ground Station Setup 7Download Software 7Connect to Radio 7

Mission Planning 8Operating Parameters 8Load Maps 9Draw Polygon 10Configure Survey 11Save and Write Mission 19
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Parts

Aero

wings propellers (1 

plus 1 spare)

camera

RC controller and accessoriesbattery guard bag

batteries (2)

ground station radiomicro-USB cablecharger and accessorieshex keys (?)propeller wrenchPixhawk micro-SD card adapter

horizontal stabilizer

wing spar

wing rubber bands (4 plus 2 spare)spare control horns (2)spare servo rods (2)spare camera mount filters (2)

FPV/OSD System If you selected to receive a FPV/OSD system, those components will be included with the Aero’s accessories. See page 34 for parts and instructions.

registration card and Pix4D license key
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1 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.

+

–

2 Set the charger to LiPo and 3A.

LiPo 3A

3 Connect the white connector to the 4S port, and join the two yellow connectors together. 

4S

4 Secure the battery inside the guard bag, and charge until the status indicator displays green.

Charging

Complete

The Aero is powered by a rechargeable lithium polymer (LiPo) battery. Charge the battery before your first flight.

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Flying with a low battery is a safety risk and can render the battery permanently unusable. Always fly with a fully charged battery. Charge the battery using a designated LiPo balance charger only. Always monitor the battery while charging. Protect the battery from extreme heat, extreme cold, puncturing, and flammable surfaces. Always transport, charge, and store the battery in the guard bag.Inspect the battery for damage before and after flying. If you observe any swelling of the package or the battery ceases to function, do not use the battery; locate your local battery recycling center, and 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.

Flight BatteryCharging Safety

Charger with power cable and split-wire charging cable

Charger settings

Flight battery charging wiring Charging in process
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1Turn on the controller. To avoid triggering the controller’s startup alarm, ensure that all switches are set back (away from you) and the throttle stick is set fully down.

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It is important to establish communication before powering on the Aero. Always turn on the controller before connecting the battery. When powering off the Aero, disconnect the battery before turning off the controller.

3Insert a charged battery into the battery slot, and attach the yellow connectors. This will power on the Aero.Hold the Aero still and level while it powers on.Attach the velcro above the battery slot to the velcro on the battery. Close and secure the lid onto the battery compartment.

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2Open the battery compartment by sliding the knob on the orange switch forward and lifting out the lid. orward and lifting out the lid.

Powering the Aero

RC controller

Throttle stick

Switches

Aero: battery compartment lid

battery slot

battery connector

Aero: battery compartment interior

flight battery
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Camera SetupThe Aero includes a Canon PowerShot SX260 HS running the 3DR EAI script.

SD card lockedLoad 3DR EAI

» Fly a mapping mission

SD card unlockedLoad default Canon software

» View images on camera» Save images to ground station» Update script

3DR EAI (Exposure-Aperture-ISO)3DR EAI runs on the Canon Hacker Development Kit (CHDK), a powerful opensource tool that expands the functionality of Canon point-and-shoot cameras. 3DR EAI optimizes image exposure and integrates with the Pixhawk autopilot to enable distance-based imaging.This software is designed to load off the camera’s SD card, leaving the original Canon programming intact. The yellow switch on the side of the SD card allows you to lock or unlock the card. Lock the SD card to run 3DR EAI; unlock the SD card to save images to your ground station or to boot the camera with its original programming.For more information about 3DR EAI, see page 43.

ChargingCharge the camera battery before your first flight. Once fully charged, insert the battery into the camera.

status indicator

Starting a MissionTo prepare the camera to fly a mapping mission, ensure that the mode dial is set to P (program) mode. Power on the camera using the silver button on the top. 3DR EAI will start automatically, and you will see the script messages on the camera display. Check to see that the last line of the script reads waiting on USB signal. The camera is now ready to map!

power button

Camera ready to map: waiting on USB signal

Canon battery charger

Power off the camera before removing the SD card. !

Camera running 3DR EAI Camera running Canon software

mode dial
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Mounting 

autopilot integration cable

The camera mounts to the Aero inside the battery compartment and connects to the autopilot using the mini-USB cable. When the camera is ready to start the mission, insert the camera into the mount inside the battery compartment as shown below, connect the mini-USB cable to the camera, and secure the camera in place using the velcro strap.

Connect mini-USB cable inside battery compartment here.

The camera mount includes a lens cap that protects the filter during travel. Make sure to remove this lens cap before you fly, and check that the filter contains no foam particles, dirt, or scratches that could affect image quality.It is expected that the filter will accumulate scratches after significant use. If you notice any damage to the filter that could affect image quality, unscrew the filter and replace with one of the extra filters provided with the Aero.

UV filter

Aero battery compartment: camera mountCamera (side)

Camera mount (bottom): cap removedCamera mount (bottom): cap attached

The camera mount is fixed to the inside of the battery compartment and is not intended to be removed from the Aero.
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Mission Planner

Your license key for Pix4Dmapper can be found on the registration card inside the documents package. Visit mapper.pix4d.com/license-redeem to create an account and redeem 

your license key; then visit pix4d.com/download to download Pix4Dmapper 

Mission Planner is a full-featured ground station application for planning missions and monitoring the Aero in flight. Download Mission Planner from 

Discovery. Pix4D will automatically upgrade from the Discovery edition to the LT 3DR Edition (or Pro Edition if you selected to upgrade) when you log in to the program with your Pix4D account information.

3DR.com/download_software.

If you already have Mission Planner installed, make sure you’re running the most recent version: Select the Help tab and Check for Updates.

Mission Planner: Help tab

Ground Station Setup

Pix4Dmapper LT 3DR Edition

To connect the Aero to Mission Planner, connect the ground station radio to the laptop, and power the Aero.

1 Connect the ground station radio to your laptop using the micro-USB cable. Open Mission Planner.

3 Select Flight Data to view live data from the Aero.

2 Select 57600 and AUTO, then select CONNECT. 

(When connecting directly to Pixhawk’s micro-USB port, set the rate to 115200.)

Connect to Radio

Mission Planner allows you to turn a Windows laptop into a full-featured ground station for configuring and monitoring autonomous missions. You will need to take this laptop into the field when you fly the mission. As part of the mission procedure, you will use the Pix4D Rapid Check to verify the quality of the image set before leaving the field.

Download Software

Ground station laptop with radio connected

Mission Planner Connect tool (top-right corner))

Mission Planner Flight Data tab: connected to aircraft
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The Aero is a complete solution for creating high-resolution visual-spectrum aerial maps. 

Pixhawk 

autopilot 

system

Pix4Dmapper 

LT 3DR Edition

Canon SX260

3DR EAI

To create a map, the Aero flies an autonomous mission over the survey site, using the integration between the Pixhawk autopilot and custom-programmed camera to capture images at a consistent distance interval. Pix4Dmapper then stitches these images together into a georeferenced, orthorectified mosaic.The accuracy of the map depends on the configuration of the mission. Planning a mission that captures high-quality images requires balancing the Aero’s operating parameters with the environmental factors at the survey site.

Operating Parameters

Camera Canon SX260Camera Orientation Portrait (side facing forward)Operating Altitude 80-120 mStandard Operating Altitude 100 mLow-Wind Conditions 0-6 m/sHigh-Wind Conditions 7-10 m/s Maximum Wind Conditions 10 m/sOperating Speed 8-20 m/sDefault Speed 15 m/sEstimated Maximum Flight Time 40 minEstimated Ground Resolution 5 cm/pixelEstimated Maximum Survey Area 1 km2Minimum Photo Interval 2 seconds

Mission PlanningOperating Parameters

Mapping system diagram
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1Open Mission Planner, select Flight Plan, and 

zoom to your flying location. 

2Right-click on the map, select Map Tool and Prefetch, and accept the defaults prompts. Mission Planner will download the maps for the selected location to your computer. 

3Mission Planner will attempt to load the map data from the current level of zoom down to the closest level of zoom available. However, it can take hours to pre-fetch every level of zoom, and it is unlikely that the closer levels will be useful in planning the mission. To shortcut this process, check the slider on the right side of the map. The levels of zoom are represented by this slider from 0 (bottom) to 25 (top). Press the ESC key to skip levels of zoom at a greater detail than you need for mission planning.

Mission Planner Flight Plan tab: zoom to mapping location Mission Planner Flight Plan tab: Select Prefetch

Load Maps

Mission Planner allows you to plan the mission away from the mapping location; however, it is important to assess the environmental conditions on site at the time of the mission and adjust the flight plan if necessary. Alternatively, you can plan the entire mission at the mapping location. To create or alter the mission, Mission Planner requires an Internet connection to access the maps. If you’re unable to access the Internet on site, follow the instructions below to pre-fetch the maps within Mission Planner while you have Internet access.
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2Right click on the map. Select Draw Polygon and Add Polygon Point. Click and drag to add points around the area you want to map. 

3Right click on the polygon. Select Auto WP and 

Survey (Grid) to open the Survey Tool.

UnitsThe Survey Tool uses metric units. If your Mission Planner is set to imperial units, please change the settings to use metric to plan the mission. Support for imperial units in Mission Planner is coming soon; check 3DR.com/Aero-M for updates.

Draw PolygonTo begin planning the mapping mission, select the area you want to map using the Polygon tool. You’ll be able to adjust the size and shape of the polygon later in the mission configuration process.1Select Flight Plan, and zoom to your 

mapping location.

Mission Planner Flight Plan tab: zoom to mapping location

Mission Planner Flight Plan tab: draw polygon

Mission Planner Flight Plan tab: open Survey tool

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Set CameraCanon SX260-SX280Set Camera OrientationUncheck the option for Camera top facing forward.Set Default Speed15 m/s Apply Survey SpeedCheck the option for Use speed for this mission. 

If unchecked, the mission will use the Aero’s default speed of 15 m/s regardless of the speed selected in the Survey Tool.

Configure Survey: Set Default ParametersMission Planner Survey tool

The Survey tool allows you to configure a mapping mission according to the Aero’s operating parameters and the current environmental conditions at the mapping location. First, set the default values for the Aero.
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Set AngleWind DirectionIn environments with winds of less than 6 m/s, set the angle so that the Aero flies into the wind. In winds from 7-10 m/s, configure the flight path to travel perpendicular to the wind so the Aero flies crosswind.No. of Strips Adjust the angle so that the Aero makes as few turns as possible to complete its course. The No. of Strips parameter shows how many 

passes the plane will make as you adjust the angle. Review Wind Conditions On-SiteAlways assess the wind conditions at your survey site at the time of the mission and adjust the mission accordingly.

Mission Planner Tip: Adjust PolygonConfigure Survey: Set AngleClick and drag the red polygon points to adjust the size and shape of the polygon from the Survey Tool. 

wind

Configure the flight path parallel with the wind in low winds (1-6 m/s).Configure the flight path perpendicular to the wind in high winds (7-10 m/s). wind

wind

Use caution when flying in winds over 10m/s. Mapping results may degrade as a result of inability to make headway or maintain appropriate groundspeed.

Mission Planner Survey toolNext configure the angle of the flight path for the current wind conditions.

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Set AltitudeStandard operating altitude: 100 mOperating altitude range: 80-120 mIncreasing altitude decreases flight time, allowing you to cover more area per minute. Decreasing altitude improves ground resolution. Set the altitude to get the best ground resolution while keeping the flight time under 40 min and the altitude under 120 m.Keep altitude below 120 m, and ensure that the altitude is appropriate for your flying area and local regulations.

Check Flight TimeFlight Time estimates the duration of the mission. The total estimated flight time must be under 40 min for a fully charged Aero battery. To decrease flight time, increase altitude or speed.High winds, humidity, high altitude, and extreme heat can affect power consumption and reduce flight time. Consider the environmental factors at your site when configuring flight time.

Check Ground ResolutionGround Resolution is the centimeters per pixel that you will have in the map and corresponds to the amount of detail that you will see.To improve ground resolution by decreasing the number of centimeters per pixel, decrease altitude.

Configure Survey: Set Altitude 

Mission Planner Survey tool

The survey altitude determines the duration of the mission and the ground resolution of the final map. Adjust altitude to balance flight time and power consumption with the current environmental conditions.

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Check Photo IntervalPhoto Every must be longer than 2 seconds for the SX260 camera.AltitudeIncreasing altitude increases photo interval.Keep altitude below 120 m, and ensure that the altitude is appropriate for your flying area and local regulations.SpeedDecreasing speed increases photo interval. Ensure that the Use speed for this mission option is checked.

Configure Survey: Check Photo IntervalMission Planner Survey toolWith the basic parameters in place, verify that the photo interval calculated from the altitude and speed complies with the operating parameters for the camera.

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Takeoff and Land WP’sFor automatic takeoff and landingCheck the Add Takeoff and Land WP’s option.Uncheck the Use RTL option. This will create a takeoff waypoint and a placeholder waypoint for the landing pattern. After accepting the survey, configure the automatic landing pattern by following the instructions on page 20.For automatic takeoff and manual landing Check both the Add Takeoff and Land WP’s option and the Use RTL options. 

This will create a takeoff waypoint so the Aero will automatically climb to the survey altitude before heading to the first waypoint. The Aero will return to circle over the launch point after completing the mission. For manual takeoff and landingUncheck the Add Takeoff and Land WP’s optionCheck the Use RTL option. For this option, take off manually then initiate the mission in flight. The Aero will return to circle over the launch point after completing the mission.

Configure Survey: Set Takeoff and Landing Mission Planner Survey tool

Now select a takeoff and landing pattern, either manual or automatic.
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Check Advanced Optionsto view the Survey Tool’s advanced configuration options.

Set OverShootThe Aero has a minimum turning radius of 90 degrees. To accommodate the sharp angles of the survey mission, set both OverShoot parameters to 50 to have the Aero overshoot the waypoints on either side of the polygon by 50% to ensure that the complete area of the polygon is covered by the images.OverShoot will affect flight time. Ensure that the total estimated flight time is less than the Aero’s maximum flight time of 40 minutes.

Adjust StartFromDuring the mission, you will maintain contact with the aircraft through the RC controller and ground station signals. If your mission is likely to experience a loss of signal, it is best practice to start from the corner of the mission farthest from the launch point. In this example, TopLeft is the corner of the mission farthest from the launch point.Adjust Overlap and SidelapOverlap and sidelap are set to 50% and 60%, respectively, by default. See page 42 for an in-depth discussion of these parameters.

Configure Survey: Advanced Options 

Select Grid Options

Camera ConfigThe options under the Camera Config tab allow you to configure a camera other than the SX260 and won’t be used for operating the Aero.

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The Survey tool includes the following advanced configuration options. These options allow you to customize the mission to comply with best operating practices.Mission Planner Survey tool: advanced options

Mission Planner Survey tool: advanced options
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Before accepting the survey, verify that the mission complies with the Aero’s operating parameters. 

CameraCanon SX260-SX280Altitude80-120 mCamera top facing forwarduncheckedFlying speed9-15 m/sUse speed for this missionchecked (optional if speed set to default speed of 15 m/s)Photo Everygreater than 2 sFlight timeunder 40 min depending on environmental conditions

Do not accept the mission if any of the parameters exceed the Aero’s operating limits.

Operating Parameters

Configure Survey: Accept Survey

AcceptSelect Accept to create this mission. After accepting, you will need to reconfigure the survey completely to make any adjustments.If Mission Planner prompts you for a home altitude, enter the altitude that you specified in the Survey tool.

Mission Planner Survey tool

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Configuring Automatic Takeoff and LandingIf you selected automatic landing in the Survey Tool by checking the Add Takeoff and Land WP’s option and unchecking the Use RTL option, you will need to configure the landing waypoint pattern manually at this step in the mission planning process.To begin, determine the direction of the wind and select an unobstructed area 200-500 m in length leading to the launch point, into the wind. On the main Flight Plan screen, create a series of waypoints along this path to decrease altitude gradually from the survey altitude to 0, ensuring that:

» Turns along the flight path are greater than 90 degrees.» The altitude decreases by a maximum of 20 m between waypoints» There is at least 20 m between each waypoint» The Grad % does not exceed 20% 

To add a waypoint, right click on the map in the location of the waypoint you would like to add, and select Insert WP. For 

each waypoint you add to the mission, Mission Planner will prompt you for the new waypoint’s place in the script: Add the series of landing waypoints immediately before the LAND waypoint in the script of events. For the first waypoint in 

the pattern, add it to the mission immediately following the DO_SET_CAM_TRIGG_DIST waypoint at the end of the mission. 

Specify the altitude of each waypoint and check the distance and gradient angle in the waypoints table.

To add a waypoint, right click on the map in the location of the waypoint you would like to add, and select Insert WP. For each waypoint you add to 

the mission, Mission Planner will prompt you for the new waypoint’s place in the script: Add the series of landing waypoints immediately before the LAND waypoint in the script of events. For the first waypoint in the pattern, add it to the mission immediately following the DO_SET_CAM_TRIGG_DIST

waypoint at the end of the mission. Specify the altitude of each waypoint and check the distance and gradient angle in the waypoints table.

Set altitude.Check Grad %.

Mission Planner Tip: Configure WaypointsMeasure the distance between waypoints by right-clicking at one end and selecting Measure Distance; then right-click on the other end 

and select Measure Distance again. A dialog box will open with the distance between the two points.Double-click on a field in the waypoint table to edit the parameters for a waypoint.Use the Up and Down arrow icons to re-order the waypoints.Use the Delete option to remove a waypoint from the mission. Mission Planner Flight Plan tab: Correctly configured automatic landing pattern

Locate the Takeoff waypoint in the mission script and set the first option in the row to assign the takeoff angle.Set the takeoff angle to 20-25 degrees depending on the length of your takeoff area.

Takeoff angle
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Select Save WP Fileto save the mission file to your computer. To repeat this mapping mission, load the saved WP file from your computer.Select Write WPsto save the mission to the Aero.

Save and Write Mission

For the Aero to run the mission, write the waypoint file to the autopilot. Don’t forget to save the waypoint file to your ground station for future use.

Mission Planner Flight Plan tab: Save and write mission
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2 FlySafety 21Aircraft Operation 22Components 22Assembly 23Controls 26Modes 27Arming and Disarming 28LED Indicators and Tones 28GPS Lock 28Preflight Checks 29Manual and Automatic Takeoff 32Manual and Automatic Landing 33FPV System Operation 34Flying Mapping Missions 35Takeoff Checklist 35Initiating 35Monitoring 35Failsafes 36
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To ensure safe and successful flying, familiarize yourself with the safety information on this page. Always fly in accordance with your location regulations and these best operating practices.

Always fly below 400 ft (120 m) 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, rain, or other conditions that might impede visibility.Always fly at least 5 miles (8 km) away from airports and other areas where pilots operate manned aircraft.Always fly at least 100 feet (30 m) away from people, vehicles, and buildings. Make the safety of people and property your first priority!

visual line of sight 400 ft (120 m)

Before you fly, 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. Always be ready to regain manual control of the plane in the event of an unsafe situation. 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. When planning missions, ensure that the selected altitude is appropriate for all geographical features of the area, including terrain.Location

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, indicating that 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 armed and the propeller will spin if the throttle stick is raised. To make the propeller safe 

 to handle again, press and hold the safety  button until it blinks red. 

Propeller

You can find more safety tips throughout these instructions where you see this yellow box.

Safety 

5 miles (8 km)

100 ft (30 m)

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Aircraft OperationComponents

body

tail boom

tail

left wing

motor

nose

right wing

battery compartment

airspeed sensor

electronics compartment 

(under wings)

rudderelevator

left aileron right aileron

If the terms above are unfamiliar to you, visit 3DR.com/Aero-M, and dive into the exciting world of planes with our Introduction to Flying Fixed-Wing Aircraft.

video system compartment (above battery compartment)

controller ground station radio Aero (top)

Aero tail
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On the top of the horizontal stabilizer, open the blue clasp at the end of the servo rod. Insert the pegs on the clasp into the open space in the servo horn, and close the clasp. Slide the blue rubber ring over the clasp to secure it in place.

servo horn

Turn the plane over and insert the provided tail screw into the horizontal and vertical stabilizers.

Assembly

TailSlide the horizontal stabilizer into the vertical stabilizer along the orange groove. Make sure not to stress any of the components on the tail.

clasp

Tail assembly (underside)

Tail screw

Horizontal stabilizer

Vertical stabilizer Complete tail assembly
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Wings Attach a wing onto each side of the spar. Do not twist the wing or the spar so as not to stress the foam.

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.

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.

Repeat on the other short side with the remaining two rubber bands, resulting in two pairs of opposing right triangles.

1 23 4
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PropellerLocate 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.
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throttle up

Increase motor speed.

throttle down

Decrease motor speed.

throttle fully down

Stop motor.

yaw leftyaw right

Turn left.Turn right.

Fly the Aero manually using the RC controller.yaw

throttle

Throttle: Move the left stick forward and backward to control the motor. Yaw: Move the left stick horizontally to turn left and right using the rudder.Pitch: Move the right stick up to pitch down and down to pitch up.Roll: Move the right stick left and right to control the bank angle.

p

Controls

roll

pitch

roll and pitch center

Automatically level.

roll leftroll right

Roll left.Roll right.

pitch uppitch down

Pitch up.Pitch down.
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Auto - fly a missionFly an autonomous mission. This is the mode that the Aero will use to create the map.Fly by Wire - assisted manual control

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 operators.*ArduPlane mode FBWA Return to Launch (RTL) - recall to launch point

Command the plane to circle over the 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.Loiter - circle

Activate 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. Stabilize - stabilized manual control

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.Manual - full manual controlFly 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.

GEAR/MIX selects the set of modes. FLAP/GYRO selects the specific mode, either 0, 1, or 2.

To select a flight mode:First, set the GEAR/MIX switch to select a set of modes. Then use the FLAP/GYRO switch to 0, 1, or 2 to select a specific mode. With GEAR/MIX set to GEAR,set FLAP/GYRO to: 0 for Manual 1 for Stabilize 2 for LoiterWith GEAR/MIX set to MIX,

set FLAP/GYRO to: 0 for Auto 1 for Fly by wire  2 for RTL

Modes 

RC controller (top)
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Arming and disarming are important steps that must be completed before takeoff and after landing to activate and deactivate the motor, respectively.

The arming and disarming procedures ensure that you can safety start and stop the motor without risk of injury.The Aero’s motor can spin when armed! Do not place your hands in the way of the propeller while the safety button is active (solid red).

To arm the motor, press and hold the safety button until it displays solid red.To disarm, press and hold the safety button until it displays blinking red.

safety button

Inactive, motor disarmed

Active, motor armed

Arming & Disarming LED Indicators

Initializing, please waitAcquiring GPS, please waitArmed, GPS lockedLoss of RC signal, automatic landingLow battery, automatic landingLoss of GPS signal, switch to fly-by-wreSystem error, see troubleshooting guide

Tones

Visit 3DR.com/Aero-M to listen to Pixhawk’s status tones.

GPS LockAuto, RTL, and loiter modes requires GPS lock. When powered, the autopilot will automatically search for GPS lock. The position of the Aero when the autopilot acquires GPS will be saved as the home position, and used as the coordinates for the launch point during RTL. If you plan to use auto, RTL, or loiter modes during your flight, ensure that the Aero is located at a suitable launch point when powered, and the autopilot acquires GPS lock before takeoff, indicated by a blinking green status LED.

Before arming, check the status LED. The LED will flash blue while the Aero acquires GPS; this can take a few minutes. Once you see the green LED, the autopilot has acquired GPS lock. 

Initializing, please wait. 

Acquiring GPS lock, please wait.

Autopilot ready, GPS locked

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Preflight Checks

Before each flight, perform a physical component check, center of gravity check, and control checks in both manual and stabilizemodes. If any of the components or assemblies in these checks are not secure, tighten the screws or use CA glue (super glue) tosecure the components to the foam.1Examine the Aero to ensure that all components are secured in flight configuration.

»

tail servos wing servos

Check that the wings, tail, and tail boom are fully assembled and securely attached.

» 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.

airspeed sensor

2Check that the airspeed sensor is secured to the side of the Aero and the tube is free from obstructions.

3With 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.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.Flying the plane without the camera will affect the center of gravity. If you choose to fly without the camera, make sure to re-balance the center of gravity.
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Before flying, power and arm the Aero on the ground and complete these checks to verify that the control surfaces respond correctly to the control inputs. 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.

1 Raise the throttle slightly until the motor spins, then immediately set the throttle back to fully down position.

Motor spins.

2 Pitch down

Elevator tilts down.

Pitch up

Elevator tilts up.

! 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.

3 Roll left

Left aileron tilts up, right aileron tilts down.

Roll right

Left aileron tilts down, right aileron tilts up.

4 Yaw left

Rudder tilts left.

Yaw right

Rudder tilts right.

Preflight Checks: Manual Control Check
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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.

1 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.

2 Test: Tilt the plane down.Result: Elevator tilts up.Test: Tilt the plane up.Result: Elevator tilts down.

Preflight Checks: Stabilize Control Check
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Auto-takeoff works by sensing the movement of the plane and launching it in that direction. Set the Aero to autonomous mode when you’re ready to launch.Find a launching area with at least 100 feet of clear space in front of you. Face into the wind, and hold the body of the Aero in one hand under the center of gravity. Be careful not to place your hand in the way of the propeller!Hold the Aero above your head, run, and throw the plane at an upwards angle. The Aero will sense the throw, power the motor, and climb to the altitude specified by the takeoff waypoint before starting the survey mission.Automatic takeoff requires you to configure the takeoff angle during mission planning. See page 18.

!

DO NOT WIND UP YOUR THROW; if the Aero senses any backwards momentum it will attempt to launch in that direction. Use only forward momentum to throw to Aero!

Manual Takeoff Automatic TakeoffIf 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 controller.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!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 controller 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.
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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.

throttle fully down

pitch up

20-40 m

10 m

1 m

wind direction

pitch slightly down

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 accidentally spin during landing.

Manual Landing Automatic Landing

!

To land automatically at the end of the mission, the Aero requires the mission to be configured with a specific pattern of landing waypoints that gradually decreases the altitude so that the Aero can land safely. For instructions on configuring automatic landing, see page 18.
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FPV System Operation

If you selected to receive an optional FPV/OSD system, the components are pre-installed into the Aero to transmit on-board video.

AV receiverAntennaReceiver cablesBatteries (2)

Parts 2 Wire and power receiver

Attach an antenna to the receiver. Connect the AV output cable to either receiver AV OUT port. Connect the RC power cable to the receiver DC IN port, and attach a battery to the red connector.

1 Charge battery

Charge both batteries before your first flight. Set the charger to LiPo and 1A. Connect the 

white battery connector to the 3S port, and connect the XT60-JST charger adapter to the red battery connector and yellow charger connector.

3S port

Battery connector

Transmitter

Camera

Remove lens cap!

3 Prepare on-board componentsConnect a fully charged battery to the transmitter inside the compartment in the nose of the plane. Remove the lens cap from the camera.

LiPo 1A

4 Viewing videoWhen using a 3DR Black Pearl Monitor to view your video, set the mode to DIV (M button 

changes modes), the channel to 8 (+ and - buttons), and the band to E (press the power 

button to access the menu).For more information about configuring the FPV/OSD system, visit 3DR.com/Aero-M.
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Flying Mapping MissionsTakeoff Checklist

Before flying the mission, check the following:» Camera is on with mission script ready and is secured into the  mount with the mini-USB cable connected and the cap removed. » Aero is powered and connected to the ground station with all pre-flight  checks passed.» The survey mission has been adjusted to account for present  environmental conditions and saved to the Aero.

Initiating For automatic takeoff, set the Aero to auto mode and launch according to the instructions in the Automatic Takeoff section of these instructions (page 33).For manual takeoff, set the Aero to auto mode after takeoff to initiate the mission in flight.

MonitoringMission Planner Flight Data: Attitude1 Heading direction2 Bank angle3 Altitude (black) and rate of climb (blue bar)4 Ground speed

Status

4 Distance to current waypoint >  current waypoint number5 GPS status6 Battery status*

1 Ground station signal2 GPS time3 Currently 

 enabled mode

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

5

6

Monitor the Aero closely during the mission using your line of sight and the Mission Planner Flight Data screen.

Actions1 Change waypoints or restart a mission2 Change modes3 Change altitude

Flight Map1 Current heading

2 Direct path to current waypoint3 GPS-reported direction of travel

4 Actual flight path5 Latitude, longitude6 Altitude

123

1

2

3

4

5

6 Full battery: 16.8 V

Low battery failsafe: 13.8 V End your flight at 14 V! !

*Failsafe behavior enabled
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Failsafes

Low Battery FailsafeEnvironmental conditions can affect power consumption. Use the Mission Planner Flight Data display to monitor the voltage of the battery during flight.If the battery reaches 13.8 V, the Aero will return automatically to circle above the launch point, indicated by a blinking yellow status LED and a quick repeating tone.

The Aero is programmed with a set of failsafe behaviors to prevent a crash in the event of a loss of one of the data or communication channels required for autonomous flight. Although certain failsafe have assigned LED indicators and tones, it is unlikely that you will be able to see these at a distance. Monitor the Flight Data screen for failsafe indications. If a failsafe is triggered, the assigned behavior will activate. To override the failsafe behavior (RTL in most cases), use the controller to regain manual control. Regaining Manual ControlTo regain manual control during the mission, switch to fly-by-wire mode using the controller. If you’re a confident operator, switch to stabilize mode. If you observe instability in the Aero’s flight behavior or it the aircraft moves outside your designated safe flying area, switch to RTL. Turning off the controller will automatically trigger an RTL and can be used in an emergency situation as a hard recall command.RC Controller Signal FailsafePhysical obstructions and interference from nearby wireless signals can affect the Aero’s connection with the RC controller. If the Aero loses contact with the controller, 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 controller failsafe is triggered, wait for the Aero to return to the launch point, then regain manual control and either land or restart the mission.
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3 ProcessOn-Site Quality Check 38Spot Check 38Download Images 38Download Log File 39 Pix4D Rapid Check 40Full Processing 40
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On-Site Quality Check Before leaving the survey site, check the images using Pix4D to ensure sufficient quality for mapping by downloading the images from the SD card, downloading the log file from the Aero, and completing Rapid Check Initial Processing in Pix4D.If you observe poor image quality or the quality report returns errors, see the Image Quality Troubleshooting section on page 45 and repeat the mission. 

playback button

SD card file structure: Download images

Spot Check (Optional)The quickest way to see the images after a flight is to unlock the SD card and restart the camera. The camera will load the default Canon programming and you can select the playback bottom to review the images.

Download ImagesUnlock the SD card and load into your ground station. Select the DCIM folder and locate the folder for your flight. Copy the files into a project folder on the ground station and delete them from the SD card.
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Pix4D uses the GPS data from the Aero’s log file to georeference the images. To download the Aero’s dataflash log, power the Aero and connect to Mission Planner. The download process will be faster if you connect the micro-USB cable directly to Pixhawk’s micro-USB port instead of connecting using the ground station radio. (When connecting directly to the Aero, set the rate to 115200.)On the Flight Plan screen, select the DataFlash Logs tab under the heads-up display, and select Download DataFlash Log over Mavlink.The Log window shows the Aero’s recent flights. Select the flight for your mission, and select Download These Logs. This will save the log file to your 

computer in the location displayed under the list of flights.To retrieve the log file, access your computer’s file structure under Program Files/Mission Planner/logs/PLANE, and select the .log file for the date of your flight.

Mission Planner: Flight Data heads-up display

Mission Planner: Download Logs Program Files: Retrieve log file

Download Log File
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1Open Pix4D Mapper, and create a new project.

2Select Aerial Nadir as the project type.

Pix4Dmapper Rapid Check: Create Project

After creating the project, select the Local Processing screen (Process menu). Check the option for Initial Processing and Rapid Check. Uncheck all other local processing options, and select Start.

3After adding the images, select From File to add the geolocation data from the Aero’s log file. In the 

pop-up window, select 3D Robotics Flight Log as the file format, and upload the dataflash log file downloaded from Mission Planner.

Pix4Dmapper Rapid Check: Initial Processing

Pix4D will generate a Quality Report that will indicate if the images are of sufficient quality to create a map. 

Full ProcessingTo complete full processing for the map, visit support.pix4d.com for instructions.
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AppendixAerial Imaging Concepts 423DR EAI 43Image Quality Troubleshooting 45Operational Troubleshooting 46
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Aerial Imaging ConceptsUnderstanding key concepts in aerial images can help you understand the mission planning process and create better maps.Distance-Based ImagingBy default, the Aero captures only the images required to create the map. The autopilot monitors the distance traveled by the Aero and sends a command to the camera to capture an image at the distance interval specified by the camera trigger distance parameter (CAM_TRIGG_DIST). This parameter is set by the Mission Planner Survey Tool during survey configuration by calculating the minimum distance between images based on the parameters specified for the survey (altitude, overlap, sidelap). This distance-based imaging allows for more precise data collection, resulting in less images and data storage cost.Once configured, the Survey Tool creates an event at the start of the mission script (after takeoff) to set the camera trigger distance to the specified interval and an event at the end of the mission (before landing) to reset the camera trigger distance to 0. Therefore, while on the ground and during landing, the camera captures no images because the camera trigger distance is set to 0 m.Time-Based ImagingThe Aero is also equipped to capture images at a consistent time interval instead of using distance. This function can be useful if you want to capture images over an area without planning a mission. This time-based imaging results in more images per area, and therefore more processing time and storage cost. See the intervalometer option on page 43 to enable time-based imaging.Overlap and SidelapTo capture images for the map, the Aero flies a lawnmower-like pattern in strips across the survey site. The front-to-back overlap between sequential images is called overlap; the side overlaps of adjacent pictures in different strips is called sidelap. The overlap and sidelap parameters in the Survey Tool (see Advanced Options page 16) determine the distance between images and the number of images to be captured based on the projected ground area that each image will cover, called a footprint. The Survey Tool uses a default overlap of 50% and a default sidelap of 60%. Increasing overlap and sidelap improves the accuracy of the map while increasing flight time and processing time.In the Survey Tool, Distance between Images shows 

the specified camera trigger distance that will be assigned to the mission. You can also see the projected image footprint size and the total number of images to be captured.

Default overlap: 50%Default sidelap: 60%
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3DR EAI3DR EAI is based on KAP UAV Exposure Control Script v3.1: a great opensource project for kite and UAV aerial photography. Start and Stop ScriptEnsure the camera is set to P (program) mode before powering the camera. Upon startup, 3DR EAI starts automatically and listens for commands from the autopilot, indicated by waiting for USB signal. To stop (and re-start) the script, press the shutter button. The script will display INTERRUPTED when stopped.CHDK MenuThe CHDK menu contains all the standard options provided with CHDK. To access the CHDK menu, stop the script and select the MENU button.

Script MenuThe script menu allows you to change the parameters associated with the script itself, including changing the trigger mode and adjusting exposure. To open the script menu, stop the script and select the FUNC. SET button. These parameters are configured for the Aero and SX260 and do not require adjustment as part of standard operation. Trigger TypeThis parameter allows you to control how the camera captures images. Trigger type defaults to USB for distance-based imaging during mapping missions. For time-based imaging, select Interval and specify the length in the Shot Interval parameter.Trigger Type default: USB (mapping)Variable intervalometer: Interval (default to 2 seconds, specified by Shot Interval)

Script start: waiting on USB signalScript stopped: INTERRUPTED FINISHED

Script menu

CHDK menu Script menu: Trigger Type
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Updating the Script3DR EAI is an open-source project and continuously improving. To download the latest script, visit 3DR.com/Aero-M and select 3DR EAI Source. You will be redirected to the GitHubt repository where you can right-click on Raw and select Save Link to download the latest script labeled 3DR_EAI_SX260.lua. To update the script on the SD card, unlock the SD card and open it on your computer. Navigate to CHDK/Scripts and replace the existing 3DR_EAI_SX260.lua file with the updated script file from GitHub.ResourcesVisit 3DR.com/Aero-M for links to resources.3DR EAI GitHub Repository: github.com/diydrones/ardupilot/tree/master/Tools/CHDK-ScriptsKAP UAV Exposure Control Script v3.1: chdk.wikia.com/wiki/KAP_UAV_Exposure_Control_ScriptCHDK v1.3: chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK_1.3.0_User_Manual

Download latest script from GitHub

New script file Script file on SD card

Memory ResetIf the battery is left out of the camera for too long, the camera will reset its memory. To re-configure the camera in this case, visit 3DR.com/Aero-M for instructions.
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Image Quality TroubleshootingIf you observe poor image quality during the spot check or if you receive error messages during processing, use the settings below to troubleshoot the image quality.Blurry ImagesTo correct motion blur, adjust the shutter speed using the Target Tv parameter in the 

script menu.Target Tv (shutter speed) default: 1/1250To correct moderate motion blur: Set to 1/1600.To correct severe motion blur: Set to 1/2000.OverexposureIf the images are overexposed but do not show any motion blur, it can be due to flying in extremely bright conditions. To correct this, set the Allow use of ND filter parameter to YES in the script menu.Allow use of ND filter default: NoTo correct overexposure: Set to Yes.Processing ErrorsIf you receive errors from Pix4Dmapper during processing, increase the overlap and sidelap during survey configuration to improve the quality of the image set.Overlap default: 50%Sidelap default: 60%To improve processing: Set overlap to 60% and sidelap to 70%.

Example image: motion blur Script menu: Target TvExample image: overexposure Script menu: ND filter
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Operational TroubleshootingNo Images Captured1 If the camera did not capture any images during the mission, first perform a  physical inspection on the Aero.

Is the mini-USB cable connected to the camera’s USB port?Are the AUX OUT 6 pins connected on Pixhawk?

AUX OUT 6: black (-), red (+), white (s) 

Is the camera battery charged? Unlock the SD card to view the Canon’s 

 battery level indicator.

2 Take a distance-triggered test image on the ground by manually setting  the camera trigger distance parameter to 1 m.Power the Aero and connect to Mission Planner. Select Config/Tuning and Full Parameter List. Change the CAM_TRIGG_DIST parameter to 1, and select Write Params. Disconnect the Aero from Mission Planner, and carry for a few meters to see if the autopilot triggers the camera.

Mission Planner Full Parameter List: Set CAM_TRIGG_DIST to 1.