Manual 

AirRobot AR200

Version 1.0.2 -eng
 GmbH & Co. KG

Werler Straße 4

D-59755 Arnsberg

Phone: +49 (0) 29 32 - 54 77 40

Fax: +49 (0) 29 32 - 54 77 45

E-Mail: service@airrobot.de

Internet: www.airrobot.de

Manual for AirRobot AR200

Language: English

Version 1.0.2 eng - Valid from: 17.12.14

Copyright AirRobot GmbH & Co KG. No unauthorized reproduction in full or in part or use of 

any images.
AR200
4

Contents

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Contents

1 General Remarks 6

1.1 1.1 System Description 6

1.2 1.2 About this Manual 7

2 Safety 8

3 System Components 10

4 Airframe 12

4.1 Handling and Set Up 12

4.1.1 Unfolding the airframe 14

4.1.2 Folding up the airframe 16

4.1.3 Mounting and Removing the Rotors 18

4.1.4 Mounting and removal of the antennas on airframe 20

4.1.5 Power off and power on of the airframe 20

4.1.6 Transportation of the airframe 21

4.2 Power supply/batteries 22

4.2.1 Insert and Removal of Flight Battery 23

4.2.2 Charging of the Flight Battery 26

4.3 Payloads 29

4.3.1 Attaching/Removing Payloads 30

4.3.2 Use of AR100 payloads 31

5 Hand Controller 32

5.1 Operating controls 32

5.2 Video/Data Display 50

5.2.1 Telemetry and airframe data display 51

5.2.2 Notifications in Video and Data Display 58

5.2.3 Menu video/data display 60

6 Ground Control Station Box (BKS) 66

6.1 Connectors 66

6.2 Assembly 72

6.3 Power supply BKS ground station box 75

6.3.1 Power supplied through vehicle adapter cable 75

6.3.2 Power supplied through the ground station battery 76

6.3.3 Charging the ground station battery 77
1

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng 5

Contents

7 Operating the System 78

7.1 Pre flight check 78

7.2 Flight preparation set up 79

7.3 Take off 81

7.4 Controlling the airframe 84

7.5 Landing 85

7.6 Fail safe functions 87

7.6.1 Auto home operator initiated 87

7.6.2 Finding a lost airframe 87

7.6.3 Emergency engine shut down / flight termination 88

7.7 Loss of CC uplink 89

7.7.1 Home on lost link 90

7.7.2 Auto Landing in lost link mode 91

7.8 Change Vide Norm 92

8 Troubleshooting 93

8.1 Malfunctions of airframe, ground control station and payload 93

8.1.1 Malfunctions of the airframe 93

8.1.2 Malfunctions of the ground control station 95

8.1.3 Malfunctions of the payload 96

8.2 Error codes airframe 97

9 Appendix 99

9.1 Batteries 99

Notes 103
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1 General Remarks

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

1 General Remarks

1.1 System Description

The AR200 is an auto stabilizing small unmanned aerial systems with GPS positioning for 

close range < 10 km operations in which real time video and data transmission from attached 

sensors is required.

The AR200 is equipped with a sophisticated proprietary flight management system including

• Automatic attitude and altitude control

• Automatic heading 

• Automatic positioning

• Auto landing on depleted battery

• Auto home on lost link

• Auto home operator initiated

• Automated return to last position of a mission

• Geo fenced operation to avoid flying out of defined areas (intentionally and 

non intentionally)

Features of the airframe include

• Low weight due to optimized lightweight construction

• Long flight endurance of up to 50 minutes

• Folding design to facilitate compact packaging and easy transportation

• Simple operation

• Rapidly deployable

Options

• High flexibility to adopt custom payloads and payloads of AirRobot AR100 series

• Mission planning software allows for fully waypoint controlled automated flight
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1

1.2 About this Manual

This manual is written for operators of the system and explains the handling and set up of the 

system components.

This manual does not constitute a flight-training manual. It does not replace flight training. 

Only qualified and trained operators should pilot the aerial system.

Before setting up or handling the system read entire contents of this manual. This will ensure 

safe operation and optimal results.

The following symbols are used to structure and describe the different topics of the manual 

and will allow you to read more efficiently.

General Remarks

Note

Fields marked with the arrow contain helpful information for the handling of 

the system.

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Read carefully

Fields marked with the exclamation point contain important information for the 

safe operation of the system. Please follow these instructions closely.

For optimized display on a computer screen please Adobe Acrobat Reader

• A dot is used before listings.

► A small triangle indicates the description of a manual task to be performed .

→ The arrow marks a reference to other chapters or topics of the manual.

(1) A number in parenthesis relates to a marking number within a chart or image.

The warning symbol marks important safety related information. Following these 

instructions is mandatory to ensure safe operation. In case of dismissal of these 

instructions there is a risk of accidents resulting in property damage and 

personal injuries.
8

2 Safety

2 Safety

Please keep in mind the following safety instructions to ensure safe mission flights

• The AR200 is a high power system. Moving parts are dangerous to humans and 

the environment.

• The pilot in charge is responsible for the safe operation of the aircraft and 

although there is a high level of automated functionality needs to direct undivided 

attention to the operation of the system at all times.

• Electrical supplies of ground station and aircraft as well as radio communication 

are as important for the safe operation of the system as the condition of the 

aircraft and the components.

• Do not touch any moving parts during operation. When engines are activated 

persons should keep a minimum distance of 30 ft.

• Being too close to the antennas during operation can cause harm. Keep a 

minimum distance of 1ft from antennas. 

• Do not fly close to or over any transportation infrastructure like roads, railways 

and pedestrian areas.

• Do not fly over dwellings or densely populated areas. Do not fly over people.

• Keep a minimum distance from any active airport of 5 miles.

• Always perform pre flight check before take off.

Prior to take off

• The system should absolutely only be operated in compliance with FAA 

regulations. Please refer to https://www.faa.gov/uas/ for more information of 

approval process and limitations of operations in the US.

• Before flight operation watch the weather closely and measure wind speed. 

Do not fly in wind exceeding 30 mph. Do not fly during thunderstorms.

• Choose a suitable and take off and landing area with at least 90 by 90 feet open 

space without obstructions like trees, buildings or power lines.

• In case of rain or snowfall protect the ground station and components from 

humidity

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng
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Safety 2

While operating the aircraft

• Do not fly over persons

• Do not fly in the vicinity of an airport

• Do not fly close to strong radio transmitters

• Do not fly over highways and streets

• Do not fly over water

• Do not exceed an altitude of 300 AGL

• Do not fly behind buildings or structures which can mask the radio signal

• Do not fly close to obstacles in gusty winds

• Do not fly with undercooled flight batteries (< 37 F)

• Watch the level of the flight battery closely. Return for landing in time before 

battery is depleted

• Do not fly to close to building with GPS positioning enabled. Spurious signals or 

masking can effect GPS performance and lead to uncontrolled movements

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng
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3 System Components

3 System Components

6 Rotors 

1 Flight platform folded up

1 Payload 1 Flight battery

6 Rotor safety clips

1 Video and data downlink antenna

1 Command control receiving antenna

1 Transport safety clip

Depending on configuration the system contains the following components needed for flight 

operation. 

(Additional optional accessories are available, please refer to airrobot.de)

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng
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11

3

Power adapter cord

Charger for flight battery

Video data downlink receiving 

antenna

Command control transmit 

antenna

Remote controller BKS main ground station box

Ground station battery

Light shade for controller

Video cable

USB stick

USB cable

Charger for ground 

station battery

System Components

Transport frame for aircraft Storage and shipping box for 

aircraft

Storage and shipping box for 

ground station

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng
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4 Airframe Handling and Set Up

4 Airframe

4.1 Handling

Fully assembled AR200 system with mounted rotors, transmitter and receiving antennas 

and a payload.

Warning

To safe weight all components are designed in lightweight construction. As a result 

some components and parts are sensitive to pressure and external force and can 

easily be damaged. Handle with care. Read instructions for the handling of the 

system in the following chapters carefully to avoid damage.

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng
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Airframe Handling and Set Up 4

The following chapters describe the basic set up of the airframe for safe and 

reliable operation

→ 4.1.1 „Unfolding of the airframe“, P 14

→ 4.1.2 „Folding up of the airframe“, P 16

→ 4.1.3 „Mounting and unmounting of the rotor blades“, P 18

→ 4.1.4 „Mounting and removing of the antennas“, P 20

→ 4.1.5 „Turning the aircraft on and off“, P 20

→ 4.1.6 „Transport of the aircraft“, P 21

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng
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2

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4.1.1 Unfolding the airframe

To safe space the airframe is transported with the engine arms (1) folded down. The landing 

gear (2) folds up along the arms and stays connected to the arms and the aircraft. Both, arms 

and landing gear, are secured with a transportation ring (3). Arms and landing gear fold out 

simultaneously. In the final stage after unfolding each landing gear is connected to two of 

the arms.

AR200-Airframe folded up

► Carefully fold out the two arms till they are in 

horizontal position and click into the locks at the 

edges of the center of the airframe (see direction of the arrows).

Make sure that the joint of the landing gear (4) 

stays straight and is not torqued. The sliding 

joint of the landing gear (4) needs to slide freely 

on the center rod (5) of the landing gear.

To unfold the system, remove two arms (1) and 

the landing gear (2) carefully from the transport 

ring (3).

AR200-Airframe unfolded

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Airframe Handling and Set Up
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7

4

4

8

9 10

15

4

► When the end position is reached make sure 

that the two latches (6) lock solidly into 

the clamps on the engine arms (7) with an 

audible click.

► Slide down the joint (4) of the landing gear 

along the center rod.

► Proceed with the remaining arms and landing 

gear identical. While folding out the remaining 

two pairs of arms and landing gear the aircraft 

can rest on the still folded pair of arms (10)

or the unfolded landing gear (9).

► When the end position is reached the fixed 

mounted part on the rod (8) locks in to the 

opening of the joint (4).

Once the aircraft is unfolded the rotors and antennas can be mounted.

→ 4.1.3 „mounting and removal of the rotors“‚ 

P 18

→ 4.1.4 „mounting and removal of the antennas 

on the airframe“, P 18

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Airframe Handling and Set Up
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2 3

2

1 3

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4

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4.1.2 Folding up the Airframe

For transportation the airframe is folded up. In reversal of the fold out process two engine 

arms (1) and one corresponding landing gear (2) are folded up at a time and secured with the 

transportation ring. (3) Before folding up the airframe rotors have to be removed from the engines. (→ 4.1.3 „mounting and removal of rotors“, P 18)

AR200 Airframe folded up

► Unlock the joint of the landing gear (4) from the 

lock at the bottom of the rod (5).

► Move the joint slightly out of the lock upwards 

as indicated with the arrow.

AR200 Airframe unfolded

► Unlock the corresponding arms from the 

clipping mechanism.

► To unlock the clipping mechanism press the 

two latches (6) towards each other till they 

disconnect from the from the clamp (7), then 

slightly pan the arm downwards.

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Airframe Handling and Set Up
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5

8

3

2

1

9

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4

► Hold both arms slewing them downwards till 

they are in a vertical position. 

► The joint of the landing gear (4) should not 

rotate out of it’s parallel position and slight freely 

upwards the center rod (5).

► Secure the engine arms (1) and the landing 

gear (2) with the transportation ring (3). 

The position of the ring should be about 1 inch 

below the mount of the landing gear on the 

engine arms (8).

► Proceed accordingly with the remaining two 

pairs for arms and two landing gear. The 

airframe can rest on the already folded pair 

of arms.

When folded up and secured with the ring, the airframe is safe to transport. 

To lift the airframe do not lift on the upper housing, 

always hold by one of the arms.

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Airframe Handling and Set Up
3 4

1 2

1 2

2 1

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4

4.1.3 Mounting and Removing the Rotors

The AR200 has six rotors . Three rotate clockwise (1) and three with counter clockwise 

rotation (2). Accordingly rotors have different pitch. Rotors are coded and will only fit on the 

correct engine. They are mounted and locked with an interlocking (3) and additional secured 

with a rotor clip (4).

Achtung:

Before mounting or removing the rotors make sure that engines cannot start. 

Turn off aircraft and remove battery!

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Hinweis:

Die Rotor-Sicherungsclips können zur Aufbewahrung auf dem Rotor befestigt 

werden.

AR200 Rotor with rotor clip

Airframe Handling and Set Up
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3

4

5

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4

► Push the rotor with a slightly rocking motion 

onto the appropriate engine (1).

► Turn the rotor lock (3) all the way till the top is at 

a 90 degrees angle to the rotor and it is blocked 

from further turn by the cavity in the rotor.

► Proceed with the remaining rotors accordingly. 

► Stick the rotor safety clip (4) onto the rotor lock 

and the rotor. Open the clip by squeezing the 

two handles (5) on top inwards. The clip should 

go all around the rotor on both sides. It can only 

be mounted when the rotor lock is in 

place properly.

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

The following describes the mounting of the rotors. Removal is the reversed process.

AR200 airframe with all rotors mounted 

Airframe Handling and Set Up
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2

4

3

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4.1.4 Mounting and removal of the antennas on the aircraft

Receiving antenna for command control uplink

Stick the command control antenna (1) onto the connector on the top of the 

center housing (2)

Video/Data downlink antenna

Stick the Video/Data downlink antenna (3) onto the connector on the bottom of the 

center housing (4)

4.1.5 Power off and power on of the aircraft

► Press the main power button on the back of the 

center housing for approximately 3 seconds till 

you hear beep.

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Airframe Handling and Set Up
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5

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4.1.6 Transportation of the aircraft

For the safe transportation of the aircraft the carrying frame should always be used. 

If the airframe is stored or shipped with common carrier the transportation box 

should be used in addition.

AR200 in carrying frame AR200 in carrying frame and 

transportation box

► Put the rotors (1) into the foamed rotor holders 

(2) and secure them with the Velcro tape (3). 

The rotor safety clips (4) can be attached to the 

rotors for transport.

► Carefully lay down the airframe into the 

openings of the two holders of the transport 

frame (5). 

► The On Off button of the airframe should be 

facing the top (6). The central housing of the 

airframe goes towards the area with the larger 

space in between the holder and the frontage of 

the frame.

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Airframe Handling and Set Up
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4.2 Power Supply/Batteries

The AR200 airframe is powered by a lithium Ion battery. The ground station uses either a 

ground station battery (Mil Style BA2590 or similar) or the attached power adapter cord which 

allows for connection to a cigarette lighter power plug of a vehicle. The ground station 

accepts 12V to 24 V DC.

The following steps describe the basic steps to use and recharge the AR200 flight 

battery.

→ 4.2.1 „Insert battery into airframe“, P 23

→ 4.2.2 „Charging of flight battery“, P 26

The power supply to the ground station is described in 

→ 6.2 „Power supply ground station“, P 75

AR200-Flugakku BKS-Akku KFZ-Adapterkabel

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Airframe Power Supply
1

2

3

2

4 1

5

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4.2.1 Insert and Removal of Flight Battery

Achtung:

Before removal or change of flight battery ensure that the airframe is powered off.

Only use fully charged flight batteries

Always remove flight battery after use of airframe or prior to transportation. This 

avoids mechanical damage of the airframe as well as harmful deep discharge of 

the battery.

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

The flight battery is fitted into the battery holder (1) 

in the center housing of the airframe and then 

secured with a Velcro tape (2). The cover of the 

battery compartment is locked with a small lock (3) 

and can be slewed upwards to open.

The following describes the fitting, securing and connecting of the flight battery. The removal 

is performed with the reversed procedure.

► Open the top cover by pulling on the lock. 

Fit the flight battery (4) into the cavity of the 

battery holders (1) The connector of the 

battery has to be on the left side from the front, 

as shown. Make sure that the Velcro tape (2)

is led around the battery and is not trapped 

underneath the battery.

Airframe Power Supply
5 7

6

2

24

4

► Plug the connector of the power cable (7) into 

the flight battery. Before plugging in the cable 

the door of battery connector on the battery side 

has to be pushed open to the side.

Important

Double check that the connector sits solid and fully in the plug of the battery.

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

► Secure the flight battery with the Velcro tape (2).

► Pay attention that the power cable (6) is led to 

the side of the battery and is not jammed.

Airframe Power Supply/Batteries
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9

25

4

► Close the top cover and make sure that the lock 

latches in

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Airframe Power Supply/Batteries
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5

6

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AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

4.2.2 Charging of the Flight Battery

The charger consists of the charging unit (1), the power supply (2) and power cord (3). Optional the charging unit can be powered from a vehicle using the adapter power cord (4)

► Open the battery connector door (6) of the 

battery (5) and plug in the connector from the 

charger.

► Connect the flight battery charging unit to the 

power supply or a vehicle using the power supply plug in the back of the charger.

Connecting the charging unit

Connect the flight battery

The flight battery charger will start up.

Airframe Power Supply/Charger
7 8

7 8

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AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

The charger has two buttons on the front which have the following functions

Yellow button (7): • Change current display 

and adjustment

Green button (8): • Start charging

• Change charge current

• Stop charging

To change the charge current:

► Hold down the yellow button (7). The display 

color changes to yellow.

► While holding the yellow button simultaneously 

press the green button (8) and hold. The value 

of the charge current goes up in 500 mA steps.

► Release the green button when the desired 

value is reached.

Adjust charge current

The charge current can be adjusted in steps of 500 mA with a maximum of 14.5 A and a 

minimum of 5 A. The setting is retained after powering off the charging unit.

Recommended settings are:

• Charging from a power outlet (110 V to 260 V)

using the power supply of the charger 9000mA

• Charging from a vehicle (12 V to 24 V) 

using the adaptor cable of the charger 5000mA

Airframe Power Supply/Charger
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8

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4

Start charging:

► Press the green button (8) to start charging. The 

display color will change to turquoise.

► If no further action is taken the 100 % charge 

will start automatically after 3 seconds and the 

display color changes to blue.

► To only charge up to 70 %, press the green 

button once again after the first activation. The 

display color will change to blue and the charging starts to 70%.

Completed charging:

Stop charging:

► Pressing the green button (8) during charging 

for 1 second will stop charging. The charger 

changes to start up mode and the display color 

changes to white. 

After the battery is fully charged the display 

changes to green and shows the level of charging 

of the battery as well as condition. The flight 

battery can now be disconnected from the charger.

The charger can be used in two modes for full or 70% charge.

• Use 70% charging mode if the battery is stored and not used for a period of time. 

A battery will only be charged up to a charge level of 70% and not beyond. Please note the 

instructions for battery storage (→ 9.1 Notes for use of flight battery, P 104).

• The 100 % charge is used when the battery will be used immediately after a flight or in a 

short amount of time.

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Airframe Power Supply/Chargers
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AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

4.3 Attaching Payloads

Payloads are attached to the airframe using a bayonet coupling. Each payload has a payload 

holder (1) which is connected to the underbelly of the airframe (2) using a turning movement.

Payload Underbelly of the airframe

Achtung:

Before attaching or removing payloads power off airframe!

Airframe Payload
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2

3

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4

► When the coupling is fully inserted into the 

holder, turn the bayonet coupling counter 

clockwise till the inset.

The payload is now locked and ready to be used.

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

► Push the bayonet coupling of the payload (1) 

onto the payload receptor (2) on the 

underbelly of the airframe. Match up the arrows 

(3) for correct alignment and fit.

4.3.1 Attaching and Removing of a Payload

Following description how to attach payloads. To remove payloads reverse the procedure.

Airframe Payload
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4

4.3.2 Use of AR100 payloads

The optional payload adapter allows for use of 

older AirRobot payloads and payloads designed 

for types AR100. 

The adapter is connected in identical way to a 

regular payload. The AR100 payloads can then be 

connected to the lower part of the adapter.

→ AR200 Adapter P 117

Payload adapter AR100-AR200

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Airframe Payload
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5 Hand Controllerl

Hand Controller

5.1 Operating controls

1 Video and data display 7 Auto navigation 

control panel 13 Radio communication selection

2 Joystick 1

(Altitude, Yaw) 8 Menu select buttons 14 Fiber optic communication 

selection

3

Joystick 2

(Forward, backward and 

sideways)

9 LED position lights 

(On/Off) 15 Ground station power (On/Off)

4 Payload control panel 10 Display brightness 16 Disarm airframe

5

GPS activation and 

deactivation

(On/Off)

11 Geo fence activation 

(On/Off) 17

Stop video recording on 

GCS

(onto USB stick)

6

OPS activation and deactivation

(On/Off)

12 Auto home activation

(On/Off) 18 Start video recording GCS(onto USB stick)

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Operating Controls

2 3

1

4

5

6

7

9

10

11

12

8

13 14 15 16 17 18
1

2

3

33

Hand Controller 5

Joystick 2

Joystick 1

Displayed items on the video and data display (→ „Video and 

data display“, P 50):

• Video of the camera payload

• Telemetry data

• Menu items to change settings

• Warning and error messages

Video and data display

Operating Controls

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Descent

Ascent

Yaw left Yaw right

Mid position auto hold 

current altitude

and heading

Forward flight

(in direction of camera view)

Flight 

sideways right

Flight 

sideways left

Backwards flight
4

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5

Payload control field

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

HD Video Camera: 

Zoom in

Tilt camera up

Turn camera on, subsequent push of button starts 

and stops recording

Tilt camera down

Zoom out

Hand Controller Operating Controls

The buttons of the payload control field control functions and 

movement of the attached payloads. The functions assigned 

to the buttons can vary depending on the payload used.

»Payload control field

Please note: Only the buttons marked in red in the graphic 

on the left are currently used for payload functions.

The following describes the assignment of the buttons depending on the different payloads
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AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Digital still camera: 

Zoom in

Tilt camera up

Trigger still image

Tilt camera down

Zoom out

Daylight dual optics video camera: 

No function

Tilt camera up

Toggle between normal and 4x zoom

Tilt camera down

No function

Hand Controller Operating Controls

Dawn and low light camera: 

No function

Tilt camera up

No function

Tilt camera down

No function
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5 Hand Controller Operating Controls

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

IR thermal imaging camera:

Tilt camera up

Change camera modus

Change thermal display between

White hot →black hot→color display

Tilt camera down

Zoomfaktor einstellen

Change zoom factor (digital zoom) Subsequent pressing 

of the button toggles zoom factor:

Normal→2 x zoom→4 x zoom→2 x zoom→normal

Kontrast einstellen

Adjust contrast. Subsequent pressing of the button 

changes contrast in between:

Automatic →Manual contrast 1 to manual contrast 6 in steps 

of 1 →back to automatic contrast

IR and thermal imaging camera with daylight camera: 

Tilt camera up

Change camera modus

Toggle between E/O video daylight camera and IR camera

Tilt camera down

IR-Wärmebildsensor: Zoomfaktor einstellen

Change zoom factor (digital zoom) Subsequent pressing of 

the button toggles zoom factor:

Normal→2 x zoom→4 x zoom→2 x zoom→normal

IR-Thermal Imaging Camera - Change camera modus

Change thermal display between

White hot →black hot→color display
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5

The GPS button activates and deactivates the GPS auto 

positioning and tele operation assistance.

Availability of sufficient GPS satellite reception to use this 

feature is displayed in the video data display.

 (→ „AirRobot Status“, P 53).

Activation of GPS assistance is displayed in the status display of the videe/data display (→ „active functions“, P 52).

GPS Unterstützung (Ein/Aus)

»GPS«-Taste

Caution:

Deactivate GPS during initial take off. Spurious 

signal and GPS error can cause sudden uncontrolled movements of the aircraft.

Activate GPS at an altitude above 15 to 30 ft. With 

the ground clearance at this altitude it is possible 

to correct for errors or uncontrolled movement

While in flight GPS enables auto positioning and 

allows for assisted tele operation to offset wind 

drifts. Use caution when deactivating GPS in flight 

especially in windy conditions. Strong uncontrolled 

drifts can result from GPS deactivation.

Note:

GPS is a satellite based positioning system, which 

is used by the aircraft to auto position in horizontal 

direction or assist the operator in flight maneuvers.

Reliability of GPS varies. Masking and spurious 

signal can occur in between buildings, in the 

vicinity of strong magnetic fields and transmitters.

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Hand Controller Operating Controls
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The OPS button activates and deactivates auto positioning 

assistance using the optional OPS. The OPS is an optical 

based positioning system for use at low altitude.

The data display in the video display indicates whether 

conditions (light, surface and altitude) allow for use of the 

OPS. (→ „AirRobot Status“‚ P 53).

Activation of OPS is indicated on the video display in the 

status area. (→ „AirRobot activated functions“‚ P 52).

OPS-Unterstützung (On/Off)

»OPS«-Button

Hinweis:

OPS (Optical Positioning System) is a sensor 

used to auto position the aircraft at low altitude 

independent from GPS. It is based on visual flow 

and detects and memorizes the underlying pattern 

of the ground below the aircraft. As a result it is not 

effective over monotonous ground structures (e.g 

plain grey concrete) or under low light conditions.

Small features on the ground can also sometimes 

not be detected. OPS is only effective with 

sufficiently large and contrast rich ground features. 

Depending on the ground features the altitude at 

which OPS should be used is between 3 and 

12 ft AGL.

Use of OPS is recommended in areas where there 

is no or weak and unreliable GPS signal e.g. in 

buildings, under obstuctions (trees, canopes) or 

under bridges. It is a complement to GPS 

controlled flight but not a replacement due to its 

short range.

Hand Controller Operating Controls

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AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Auto navigation controls

The airframe can store two absolute GPS based positions 

on board that can be approached directly via GPS guided 

automated flight through the function “approach position 

(→ „Approach position“, P 41) 

Home Point: This position is used to enable a direct GPS 

guided straight flight path to the home point when the mission 

is completed or batteries need to be changed. The home 

point is set automatically with first GPS reception by the 

aircraft or can manually be set by the operator

Last position of mission: Stores the location of the last mission and enables return to the mission site automatically after 

battery change or other mission interruptions. Initiates 

a direct GPS guided straight flight path to the position.

Store 

Position

Approach 

Positione

Initiate 

waypoint 

flight

Caution:

When using GPS guided automatic flight functions 

always ensure that sufficient altitude is used to 

avoid collision with obstacles in the flight path. 

The system does NOT have situational awareness. When in GPS guided auto flight mode pay 

close attention to video on hand controller display.

It is recommended that the operator sets the 

“Home Point” deliberately before starting a mission. If not, the system assigns the position with first 

GPS reception as the home point, which might be 

the position where the system was activated but 

not necessarily launched from. The home point 

should be an open, unobstructed area with no 

trees, power lines or buildings as well as at least 

30 ft away from people to facilitate safe auto landing. When powering off the airframe the stored 

“home point” will be lost and has to be set again.

Note:

Precondition for the use of the Auto Navigation 

Functions is sufficient GPS signal reception and 

activation of GPS on the hand controller using the 

GPS button.

Hand Controller Operating Controls

»Auto-Navigation-Steuerung«-

Tastenfeld
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Store a position

► To store the current position as the “home point” move 

the cursor to the line and confirm selection with the 

return button 

► Any slight movement of Joystick will immediately cancel 

out of the menu and return to the video

(→ Menu Navigation P 43).

Menu „Store Position“

»Store Position«-

Button

Hinweise:

Double pressing the “store position” button stores 

the current position as the “home point” quickly 

without entering the menu first. Successful reset 

of the home point is indicated by the display „distance from homepoint changing to 0.

GPS reception is required to store a position 

(Indicated by a G in the lower right corner of the 

video display)

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Hand Controller Operating Controls

Pressing the “store position” button opens a screen with 

menu „Store Position“ on the video/data display:
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AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

While in flight the operator can change altitude and heading using Joystick 1 without changing or cancelling the flight 

path. The automatic flight can be canceled at any time by moving Joystick 2.

When the position is reached the airframe will hover in place 

in auto positioning mode.

Menu „Approach Position“

Go To GPS PositionButton

Hinweise:

A double click with the button “Approach position” 

will initiate the auto home function immediately 

without displaying the menu.

To enable the system to automatically fly to 

“position in last mission” this position has to be 

stored before.

Using this function the flight platform will fly a GPS guided 

straight path to one of the two stored positions (home or last 

mission). On initiation the aircraft will turn towards the target 

position and then fly in a straight path at constant (last) 

altitude to the position. 

Pressing button “Go To GPS Position” opens the menu “

Approach position” on the video/data display.

Hand Controller Operating Controls

Go to GPS position

► To automatically fly to a stored position move the cursor 

to the appropriate line and confirm the selection with the 

Return/Menu button. (→„Menu Navigation“, P 43).
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AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Hand Controller Operating Controls

Waypoint Navigated Flight

»Waypoint«-Button

With the waypoint navigation activation button a waypoint 

mission can be initiated. Prior to use of this feature the 

waypoint mission has to be created in the optional AirRobot 

GIS software and uploaded to the airframe.
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AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Hand Controller Operating Controls

Menu navigation

»Menu-Navigation«-Button field

• Move cursor up

• Press once = Change value up by 1 unit

• Press consistently = Running number value 

change up

• Display menu

• Open or confirm selected menu item

• Store changed value

• Move cursor down

• Press once = Change value down by 1 unit

• Press consistently = Running number value 

change down

Note:

Before the first flight mission make yourself 

sufficiently familiar with the different menus and 

functions accessible. Always consider that when 

menus are displayed, the live video feed from 

the airframe is not displayed resulting in limited 

situational awareness for the operator. Only access menus while in auto positioning steady 

hover, never while flying

The three buttons of the menu navigation field are used to 

navigate in between menu lines and to select and confirm 

menu items to change settings or store position data.
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Display-Brightness

The »Display-Brightness« button adjusts the brightness 

of the video/data display. 

• one time pressing the 

button = changes the brightness one step.

• continuous pressing of the button = changes the brightness consistently through all steps

Display brightness can be adjusted in 18 steps and is by 

default set to 13.

»Display brightness 

adjustment«-button

Pressing the LED on/off button activates and deactivates the 

LED position lights on the aircraft as well as the LED 

illumination on the IR camera. (optional: position lights are 

on by default)

LED position lights on/off

»LED On/Off buttons

Off On

Hand Controller Operating Controls
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Hand Controller Operating Controls

Using the flight border button the GPS fence is activated 

and deactivated.

Activation results in a pre set area around the current position 

of the aircraft out of which the aircraft cannot be flown. This 

applies to intentional operator input or external forces. The 

area has a default size of 90 by 90 ft. It only applies horizontal. 

Flight altitude and vertical movement is not limited.

Safety flight border (GPS cage)

»Safety Border«

Button

Note:

The GPS cage is only functioning when GPS 

reception is present. It does NOT depend on 

activation of GPS through the hand controller and 

can be used in GPS flight deactivated mode.
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Auto home on lost link

»Auto-Home«-Button

The home on lost link button activates the auto home function 

on lost link.

When this function is activated and command control uplink 

is lost the flight platform will initiate the following flight pattern 

Wait 20 sec, Climb to highest altitude reached on way to 

current position, Turn towards Home (→ „Take Off Position or 

Custom Set Position“, P 39). 

ALTERNATIVE: Without GPS availability - initiate auto landing after 20 sec.

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Important:

The operator should set a custom home point to 

avoid that the system uses the position of first 

GPS reception as a home point. The home point 

should also provide a suitable landing area without 

obstructions and the risk of people being within a 

30 ft area of it.

Home on lost link has to be activated prior to flight 

mission. Home on lost link cannot be activated 

when link is already lost.

Hand Controller Operating Controls
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Activate radio Command Control Uplink

This button activates or deactivates the command control 

radio uplink and video downlink (alternative to optional fiber 

optic connection) By default the radio link is the active link. 

If there is no fiber optic link present, the system will 

immediately default to radio again.

»Activate Radio CC Link«

Button

Hand Controller Operating Controls

Buttons »Fiber Optic Channel 1 and 2«-activates command 

control through fiber optic channels. Channel 2 is optional. 

If no command control link is established through fiber optic 

the ground station defaults back to radio link after 2 seconds.

Fiber optic channels 1 and 2

»Fiber Channel Activation«
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16

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5

To power on the ground station hold down the power button 

on the hand controller for at least 3 seconds till you see the 

video/data display light up.

Ground station power on/off

To disarm the engines Joystick 1 has to be fully pulled 

down as indicated in the arrow. While holding the Joystick 

simultaneously press the button “disarm engines” till 

engines stop.

Disarm engines (airframe landed and on ground)

»GCS Power 

On/Off«

Button

»Disarm Engines«-

Button

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Hand Controller Operating Controls
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18

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5

The stop recording button stops the video recording onto the 

USB stick on the ground station. 

Stop video recording

START – Video Recording button starts recording of video 

onto the USB stick in the BKS box. USB stick needs to be 

present (USB stick connection P 68) and properly initiated 

and the recorder needs to be ready. (→ „Recording“‚ P52).

START – Video Recording

»Start Recording«-

Button

»Stop Recording«-

Button

Note:

Use only high quality USB sticks with fast write 

times. The USB stick should be plugged into the 

ground station before the ground station is turned 

on to ensure readiness for recording. Videos are 

saved in H.264 format and can be played with any 

suitable media player.

Recommended VLC media player

 → „7.10 replay video“‚ P 97.

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Note:

After the recording is stopped the R will be 

blinking, indicating that the recorder is still writing 

the file. Do not turn of ground station before R 

stops blinking, otherwise data will be lost 

(→ „Recording“‚ P52).

Hand Controller Operating Controls
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5.2 Video/ Data Display

Hand Controller Video and Data Display

The video screen of the hand controller displays the following:

• Video image of the payload in real time

• Telemetry data (→ „5.2.1 Telemetry Data“, P 51)

• Menu for settings and storing positions (→ „5.2.3 Menu and data display“, P 60)

• Warn and error messages (→ „5.2.2 Messages in the video/data display“, P 58) 

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Hand controller with video/data display 

Hinweis:

A USB connection on the ground station box allows for accessing the video as a 

digital MPEG2 video stream. It can be displayed or recorded on a computer. 

(→ „USB-connection to PC (PC)“, P 69)
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Hand Controller Video and Data Display 5

5.2.1 Telemetry and airframe data display 

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Date and 

time 

Aircraft 

Battery Status

Ground 

Station Battery 

Number of 

GPS satellites 

acquired

Recording 

Activated 

system 

functions

AirRobot

Status

GPS 

coordinates

Distance to 

Home Point

Altitude

Payload 

used

Ground Speed 

(not Airspeed)

Elapsed 

Flight Time

Heading 
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Activated airframe functions

Recording

(–) (blinking) = Recorder initialized, preparing recording

– = Recorder ready

R = Recording on USB

(R) (blinking) = Video file is being saved

(H) (blinkend) = Home on lost link engaged

– = Home on lost link disengaged

G = GPS auto positioning and assisted tele op activated

O = OPS auto positioning activated

– = No GPS or OPS assistance system activated

B = Geo fence activated

– = Geo fence deactivated

Shows the status of the digital media recorder in the ground 

station. The recorder is activated with powering on the 

ground station. When a USB stick is connected to the ground 

station it is ready to record the video displayed coming from 

the payloads. (→ „Start video recording (on USB stick)“, P 49).

Provides information about activated functions of 

the airframe

Hand Controller Video and Data Display

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AirRobot Status

O = OPS-system within working range

– = OPS-system out of working range

Displays status of aircraft functions based on 

feedback from the aircraft

G = Airframe flies in auto home mode

H = Automated Flight to „Home Position‘ is executed

W =

Waypoint mission plan is executed

or

Fly to last mission position is executed

– = No GPS availability

R = Remote uplink is up

H = Auto home on lost link is being executed

L = Emergency landing is in progress

– = Remote uplink is lost

Hand Controller Video and Data Display

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GPS Reception

Date and Time

GPS Position Coordinates

Displays date and time. Time and date are generated 

from GPS satellite data and updated. If there is a lack 

of GPS link or lost video data downlink date and time 

are buffered in the ground station. Available display 

formats are (Settings: → „5.2.3 Menu video/data 

display“, P 60) :

• dd.mm.yy hh:mm

• mm-dd-yy hh:mm

• DTG (Example on the left)

Displays GPS coordinates of the flight platform.

Selectable display formats (Settings: → „5.2.3 Menu video/

data display“, P 60) 

• Longitude - Latitude

• MGRS-Format with 10m Grid

Day

Month

Time zone Year

Time

Shows number of satellites acquired. For sufficient GPS lock 

(displayed with a „G“ in the AirRobot Status bar) and effective 

use of GPS auto positioning and navigation a minimum of 

6 satellites is required.

Format DTG

Hand Controller Video and Data Display
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Hand Controller Video and Data Display

Ground Station Battery Status

Flight Platform Battery Status

Displays the remaining capacity of the aircraft battery. 

5 bars indicate full capacity. With one bar left the flight time 

is between 3 to 8 minutes.

Distance to Home Point

Distance to Home Point

Displays the distance of the aircraft to the set “home point”. 

Home point should be set prior to starting the mission. 

(→ „Auto navigation controls“, P 39). 

Selectable units are meter and feet. 

(→ „Settings“, P 18)

Note:

The remaining battery capacity is only be displayed on the video and data display. There are 

no acoustical warnings alerting the operator of 

depleted batteries. The system should always be 

flown through the video in the first person shooter 

perspective and not line of site to the aircraft. This 

ensures that status of flight battery, ground station battery and GPS availability always remain in 

plain sight to the operator. 

Displays the remaining capacity of the ground station battery

Note:

When the last bar is blinking flight time will be 

less then 2 minutes and emergency landing will 

be initiated within this time. When blinking look for 

suitable unobstructed landing place. Emergency 

landing on depleted battery can only safely performed from altitudes < 60 ft. REDUCE ALTITUDE 

WHEN BATTERY IS LOW
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Flight Direction (Heading by way of compass)

Elapsed Flight Time

Displays elapsed flight time in minutes.

Flight Speed

Displays the ground speed of the aircraft. (not the airspeed)

Selectable units are Kilometer/Stunde (kmh) or Miles/hour 

(mph) (Settings: → „5.2.3 Menu video/data display“, P 60) 

Displays the heading by way of compass in degrees.

North heading equals value 0 degrees, increasing angle 

is clockwise:

Hand Controller Video and Data Display
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Hand Controller Video and Data Display

Altitude

Payload

Shows altitude of airframe relative to take off point based on 

barometric sensor. 

Selectable units are m and ft 

Note:

Displays the relative altitude to the take off point 

and NOT the ground clearance. Always keep 

video display in sight and watch for appropriate 

ground clearance independent from reading.

Displays activated payload. Only applies to aircraft with 

multiple payload bays (AR200 and AR150)
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5.2.2 Notifications in Video and Data Display

Warning messages - „threshold altitude exceeded“ and „threshold distance exceeded“

The video/data display can show warning messages when maximum threshold altitude is 

reached (if activated by operator) or when maximum threshold distance from Home Point is 

reached. (if activated by operator). Activation and setting of threshold values is done through 

the menu of the video/data display. (Settings: → „5.2.3 Menu video/data display“, P 60)

Warning message „altitude exceeded“

(Message blinks)

Warning message „distance exceeded“

(Message blinks)

Hand Controller Video and Data Display

Maximum threshold altitude exceeded:

The current altitude exceeds the pre set 

maximum value

Warning Altitude Exceeded (blinking)

Maximum threshold distance exceeded:

The current distance of the flight platform from the 

home point exceeds the pre set maximum value

Warning Altitude Exceeded (blinking)
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Hand Controller Video and Data Display

Warning NO GPS:

If GPS reception (→ „GPS satellite reception“, P 54) is insufficient for stable reliable operation 

under GPS the warning is displayed.

General Error Messages:

Before a take off and after each engine start the system performs an internal pre flight check. 

If malfunctions are detected an error message will be displayed on screen. In addition the 

airframe will not take off.

→ „8.2 Error Codes“, P 102 
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5.2.3 Menu video/data display

The home menu for the video and data display can 

be called up with the »Enter«-Button» in the button field »Menu Navigation» (→ „Menu navigation“, 

P 43)

A slight movement of Joystick 2 will close all menus 

immediate. Settings not stored prior to closing the 

menu will not be saved and applied.

Menu displays on the video and data display are 

only shown on screen and not recorded in the video 

file which is saved on the USB stick. 

The arrow buttons are used to navigate in the menu. 

Menu items are selected using the »Enter».

Main menu of the video/data display

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Hand Controller Video and Data Display

Menu structure and settings accessible through the video/data display of the hancontroller

max Altitude

ein ↔ aus

max Altitude

0...65536m

max Distance

ein ↔ aus

max Distance

0...65536m

Back

Main menu

„AirRobot BKS3“

Time/Date

dd.mm.yy ↔ mm-dd-yy ↔ DTG

Coordinates

lat / lon ↔ MGRS

Units

Meter ↔ Feet

Submenu

„Messages“

Back

Back Submenu

„System Information“

Back

Language

German ↔ English

Submenu

„Dateneinschreibung“

Drone ID

AR0...AR65536

Channel

0...15 (customer specific)

Protocol

binary ↔ ascii

Back

Submenu „Connections“
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AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Hand Controller Video and Data Display

Menu navigation

»Menu-Navigation«-

Button field

• Move cursor up

• Press once - Change value up by 1 unit

• Press consistently - Running number value 

change up 

• Display menu

• Open or confirm selected menu item

• Store changed value

• Move cursor down

• Press once = Change value down by 1 unit

• Press consistently = Running number value 

change down

Note:

Before the first flight mission make yourself 

sufficiently familiar with the different menus and 

functions accessible. Always consider that when 

menus are displayed, the live video feed from 

the airframe is not displayed resulting in limited 

situational awareness for the operator.

The three buttons of the menu navigation field are used to 

navigate in between menu lines and to select and confirm 

menu items to change settings or store position data.
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Hand Controller Video and Data Display

Submenu connections

Submenu „Link“

Submenu “Connections protocol”: Determines 

the communication protocol between the 

ground control station and the flight platform:

• binary (Default)

• ascii

Important:

Changes of the communication settings (Protocol, Drone ID, Channel) on the 

ground station will result in an immediate loss of communication between ground 

station and airframe. 

DO NOT MAKE CHANGES while airframe is in flight. Only make changes when 

airframe is on the ground and engines are off!

Drone ID (only available if connection protocol 

is set to „binary“): To enable secure point to 

point connection in between flight platform and 

ground control station, both components need 

to be set to identical drone IDs. 

The drone ID of the flight platform is pre programmed by the manufacturer and by default 

is the serial number of the aircraft. 

To pair different airframes with a ground station 

the drone ID in the ground station has to be set 

to the drone ID of the flight platform.

Channel: Flight platform and ground control station 

must be set to the same radio communication 

channel. 

By default there are 16 channel combinations 

pre programmed into the flight platform and 

ground control station. 

The corresponding up and downlink frequency 

combinations are displayed in the video and 

data display.
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Hand Controller Video and Data Display

Channel selection on video/data display Channel Selection in the ground station 

and on the flight platform. 

(black area = switch ON)

To set the flight platform and the ground control station to the same channel proceed 

as follows:

► Turn off flight platform and remove flight battery

► Select the desired channel in the video and data display of the hand controller.

► Select channel on flight platform: Adjust DIP switch according to the schematics displayed 

on the video and data display (see example)

► Insert flight battery, power on flight platform

Example: The following images show examples for various channel settings in the ground 

control station and the corresponding DIP configurations on the flight platform. 

(DIP switch number 1 is not relevant for channel switching):
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Submenu Data Embedding

Submenu „Data embedding“

Date/Time: Determines the format in which date 

and time are displayed. (→ „Date and Time“, 

P 54) The format can be changed using the 

Enter Button of the menu navigation button field.

Coordinates: Sets the format of the coordinates 

displayed embedded in the video screen. 

(→ „GPS position coordinates“, P 54) 

The format can be changed using the Enter 

Button of the menu navigation button field.

Units: Sets the measurement units in which the distance and the ground speed are displayed.The 

format can be changed using the Enter Button of 

the menu navigation button field.

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Hand Controller Video and Data Display

Submenu „Messages“

Submenu Warning Messages 

and Settings

Maximum threshold altitude ON/OFF : Activates 

and deactivates the warning messages when 

maximum threshold altitude from home point 

is reached. By default this warning message is 

activated.

Maximum threshold altitude (Altitude Value): 

Sets the value of the maximum threshold 

altitude. If this value is exceeded during flight 

a warning message will be displayed on the 

video and data display. The value can be set 

between 0 and 65535 m. By default this value 

is set to 150 ft.

Maximum threshold distance ON/OFF: Activates 

and deactivates the warning messages when 

maximum threshold distance from home point 

is reached. By default this warning message is 

activated.

Maximum threshold distance (Distance Value): 

Sets the value of the maximum threshold 

distance If this value is exceeded during flight a 

warning message will be displayed on the video 

and data display. The value can be set between 

0 and 65535 m. By default this value is set to 

1050m
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Hand Controller Video and Data Display

Submenu system information

Submenu System Information

Version: Version of the ground control station 

software

Language Settings

Under the menu item language the language in which the menu items and the warning 

messages are displayed can be selected. Languages are selected using the enter button of 

the menu navigation button field. The following languages are selectable:

• German 

• English

Temperature: Inside temperature of the BKS Box 

of the ground control station

RX Packets: Number of received data packets 

from downlink since the ground control station 

was turned on

RX Faults: Number of faulty received data packets 

from downlink since the ground control station 

was turned on
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6.1 Connectors

6 Ground Control Station Box (BKS)

Ground Control Box (BKS)

1 BKS power supply cable

(Batt) 5 Connector video goggles(V-Brille) 8

Connector video/data 

rec antenna

(VIDEO-ANT-RX)

2

Plug for 12/24V adapter 

power supply cable

(12/24V)

6 USB connector for CPU

(PC) 9 Connector fiber optic link(LWL)

3 Analog video out

(V-OUT) 7

Connector for hand 

controller

(HBT)

10

Connector CC uplink 

antenna

(COMMAND-ANT-TX)

4

USB connector for 

recording

(MEMO)

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Anschlüsse

6 7

8 9 10

1 2 3 4 5
1 3 2

1

2

Vehicle adapter cable

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Ground Control Box (BKS) Bodenkontrollstation (BKS) 6

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

BKS power supply cable

To power the BKS box connect the power cable (1)

with the ground station battery (2):

→ „6.2.2 GCS power supply with battery“, P 76 

Note:

To avoid accidental disconnection of 

the power cable it should be secured 

with the attached Velcro tape (3)

BKS 12/24V adapter cable

To power the BKS box using a 12V or 24 V DC 

power source with a cigarette lighter connection 

use the vehicle adapter cable 

→ „6.2.1 GCS power supply with 12/24 Vvehicle adapter cable“, P 75 
3

4

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6 Ground Control Box (BKS)

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

This connector is used to plug in a video stick to 

record the video sent from the airframe. 

(→ „start video recording to USB stick“, P 49). 

It is recommended to use the short USB stick, 

which is part of the delivery. 

USB plug for memory stick

Note:

It is recommended to use short USB 

sticks to avoid mechanical damage due 

to accidental breaking off the stick. Use 

only high quality USB sticks with fast 

write times. The USB stick should be 

plugged into the ground station before 

the ground station is turned on to ensure readiness for recording. Videos 

are saved in H.264 format and can be 

played with any suitable media player.

USB-stick

The analog video out can be used to connect 

external monitors or recording devices.

Analog video out 

The adapter cable has 3 RCA plugs in two different 

colors, red and yellow:

• Yellow - video display without data written in

• Red - video display with embedded data in video 

(→ „5.2 Video and data display“, P 50) 

Video adapter cable

Connectors
5

6

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Ground Control Box (BKS) Connectors 6

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

The connector for the video goggles allows for 

access to the video stream without data written in.

Connector video goggles

USB connector for computer

The USB connection on the ground station box 

allows for accessing the video as a digital MPEG2 

video stream. It can be displayed or recorded on 

a computer. (→ „USB-connection to PC (PC)“, 

P 69) In addition telemetry and payload data 

can be accessed and displayed with the 

appropriate software. 

The USB connector is also used to connect to the 

optional AirRobot Mission Manager software to 

sent waypoint missions to the airframe and interface with the software’s video and telemetry disUSB-cabel play.

Video goggles
7

8

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6

Connecting the hand controller

The hand controller is connected to the BKS box 

using the cable attached to it.

Ground Control Box (BKS)

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Connectors

AConnecting the video/data downlink receiving antenna

The antenna is connected to the rectangular plug 

marked (VI- DEO-ANT-RX) on the BKS ground 

station box:

→ „Connect/Disconnect video/data downlink 

receiving antenna“, P 73 

Hand controller

Video/data 

downlink receiving 

antenna

Extension cord and 

base for video/data 

downlink receiving 

antenna
10

9

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Connector fiber optic link

The fiber optic connector is used with the optional 

AirRobot fiber optic link. The fiber optic link allows 

for radio silent operation of the system. 

All video and data signals are transmitted through 

the fiber optic and the radio transmitters are 

deactivated.

In case the fiber optic link is interrupted, the 

system reverts back to radio link within 2 seconds.

Ground Control Box (BKS) Connectors

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Connector CC uplink antenna

The CC uplink antenna is either mounted to the 

connector marked Connector CC uplink antenna 

marked (COMMAND ANT TX) or using the 

extension cord:

→ „connecting the CC uplink antenna “, P 74 

Optional base and 

extension for CC 

uplink antenna

CC uplink 

antenna
1 2

3

4

5

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6.2 Assembly

Attention:

To ensure solid radio communication antennas should be off the ground in an 

elevated positions and unobstructed by objects or people.

Ground Control Box (BKS) Assembly and Set Up

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Ground Control Station (GCS) completely set up and assembled

Below image of ground station completely set up with all essential connections in place

BKS power supply cable connected to battery (4) Connector for hand controller (3) connected 

to BKS Box (5) Connector video/data RX antenna (1) connected to BKS Box antenna 

connector Connector CC uplink TX antenna (2) connected to BKS Box antenna connector 

Always connect antennas first!

Never power up the ground control station when the antennas are not connected. 

This can cause damage to the transmitters due to transmitter burn.
1

2

3

4 5

5

2

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6

► Plug the video/data downlink receiving antenna 

into the base socket with the extension cord (1). 

The clamps of the connector (2) lock solid into 

the slots (3) onto the socket. To remove the 

antenna, press the clamps (2) towards each 

other and pull the plug out of the socket (3). 

► Note: the receiving antenna is a directional 

antenna and has a front and a backside. 

The front always has to face into the direction 

of the flight operation to ensure optimal 

signal reception. 

Connect and disconnect the video/data downlink receiving antenna

► Connect the plug of the antenna extension cord 

(4) to socket on the BKS box (5).

► The clamps of the connector (2) lock solid into 

the slots on the socket (5). To remove the 

antenna, press the clamps (2) towards each 

other and pull the plug out of the socket (5).

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Assembly and Set Up Ground Control Box (BKS)
8

7

10 9

12 11

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6

Connecting the hand controller

► Connect the plug of the antenna extension 

to the socket on the BKS box marked (COMMAND-ANT-TX). As with the antenna the plug 

should solidly screwed into the socket.

► Screw the CC uplink transmitting antenna onto 

the connector on the base with the antenna 

extension cord.

► The hand controller is connected via a mil spec 

connector (11). Line up the connector (12) with 

the socket using the markings on the outside of 

the connector and socket. Push the connector 

into the socket and turn the outside ring 

45 degrees till it locks in.

Connecting the CC uplink transmitting antenna

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Ground Control Box (BKS) Assembly and Set Up
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AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Ground Control Box (BKS) Power Supply

6.3 Power supply BKS ground station box

The power to the BKS ground station can be supplied using the ground station battery or a 

12/24V adapter cable.

BKS battery 12/24V vehicle adapter cable

6.3.1 Power supplied through vehicle adapter cable

► Connect the adapter cable (2) to the plug on the 

BKS box (1) and the plug for the cigarette lighter 

to the 12/24 V power outlet of the vehicle.

Always connect antennas first!

Never power up the ground control station when the antennas are not connected. This can 

cause damage to the transmitters due to transmitter burn.
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6 Ground Control Box (BKS) Power Supply

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

6.3.2 Power supplied through the ground station battery

► To power the BKS box connect the power cable 

(1) with the ground station battery (2)

Hinweis:

To avoid accidental disconnection of 

the power cable it can be secured with 

the attached Velcro tape (3)
1 2

3

3

77

Ground Control Box (BKS) Power Supply 6

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

6.3.3 Charging the ground station battery

Status-LED Bedeutung

Green (continuous) Battery is fully charged

Yellow (slow blinking) Charger in stand by mode

Yellow (fast blinking) Battery is precharging

Yellow (continuous) Battery is charging

Red (continuous) Error, Battery is not charging

The ground station battery is charged with the battery charger. Charging can take up to 

6 hours. Charging level of the battery is displayed on top of the battery with a bar gauge.

0 Bars = Battery depleted; 5 Bars = Battery fully charged

► Connect the charger to a power outlet und 

plug the connector (1) of the charger onto the 

battery (2).

The charger has LEDs as status display (3):

After the plug sits correctly in place the status LED 

(3) shows the status of the charging.
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77 Operating the System System Check

7 Operation

7.1 Pre flight check

Before and after each operation the system should be completely checked to ensure safe 

and reliable operation:

► Check all components of the system for possible damages or damages:

• Airframe – all locks of the engine arms

• Airframe - battery properly in place and cable solidly attached

• Airframe – engines, rotate by hand, no friction or scrabbing noise should be present

• Airframe – rotor safety clips

• Airframe – RX and TX antennas in place an properly mounted

• Airframe – payload attachment

• BKS ground station – antennas in place and properly connected

• BKS ground station – battery cable in place and secured

• BKS ground station – battery fully charged

Attention:

The system is not flight ready when

Rotors are damaged. Even small damage results in an imbalance, which can have 

an effect on the attitude and flight stabilization sensors

Engines are damaged and have dented engine housings. The engines should turn 

freely and not create and scrubbing noise.

Damage to the outer structure or the engine arms of the system are visible.

Antennas are bend or snapped off

Water has penetrated the housing

Batteries are undercooled or not fully charged.

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Operating the System Flight Preparations 77

7.2 Flight preparation set up

a) Airframe

► Unfold the airframe and mount rotors, rotor clips 

and antennas:

→ „4.1 Handling“, P 13 

► Insert the flight battery:

→ „4.2 Power Supply“, P 22 

► Attach the payload:

→ „4.3 Payload“, P 29 

Note:

Always ensure that the flight battery is fully charged.

Note Troubleshooting:

When ground station components and airframes are interchanged, Drone ID 

settings and Communication channel settings have to checked and matched. 

In case settings of the airframe do not match up with the ground station the 

airframe will no link up or respond to the ground station and no video signal will 

be displayed:

To check these settings refer to „Submenu Connections“

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7

1

7 Flight Preparations

► Set up the ground control station 

(→ „6.2 Assembly“, P 72) 

► Turn the video/data antenna with the front 

towards the flight direction (1)

b) Ground control station

Operating the System

Attention:

To ensure solid radio communication antennas should be off the ground in an 

elevated positions and unobstructed by objects or people.

Hinweis:

The radio signal should not be obstructed or masked by buildings, 

trees or structures:

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77

7.3 Take off

► Bring the flight platform to the take off spot. 

Bear in mind the flight direction of the airframe.

Operating the System Take Off

Flight direction of airframe (red arrow)

Attention:

When positioning the airframe for take off take off the flight direction of the aircraft 

and the wind regime has to be taken into consideration.

A minimum distance of 60 feet around the airframe is required for all persons.

Note:

NOTE: This chapter does not constitute a flight-training manual. It does not 

replace flight training. Only qualified and trained operators should pilot the 

aerial system.

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7

1

2

7

► Press the on off button (1) for 3 seconds till you 

hear a beep.

Beep signal Meaning

No beep The flight platform has a remote uplink connection, GPS reception and 

is flight ready

Delayed inconsistent 

cheep

No GPS signal or CC remote uplink signal. Check channel and Drone 

ID settings

Consistent fast beep Battery is depleted

Power on the ground station: 

► Press the on off button (2) for 3 seconds 

With the ground station powered on video 

transmission will start and the status display for 

the remote uplink should show the letter R

(→ „5.2 Video and data display“, P 50).

The beeping signals of the flight platform can vary depending on system status:

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Operating the System Take Off
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7

3

7

To start the engines:

► Pull down Joystick 1 all the way (3). Hold – 

engines will start slowly. After approximately 

5 seconds the flight platform will cheep once. 

This is an indication that the pre flight check 

has been completed. 

The flight platform is now ready for take off!

Attention:

Be aware that the airframe will take of even if the Joystick 1 is released only 

up to its center position!

Attention:

Perform a short test flight first. 

Take off to a low altitude (15 – 20 ft). During initial phase climb swiftly, do not 

loiter too close to ground

At low altitude check response to Joystick commands for yaw, forward and 

sideways flight

With the Joystick 1 in neutral position check that the system maintains its 

altitude

Touch down again

The preflight has been completed and the system is ready for a mission flight.

Note:

If the Joystick is pulled up before the cheep confirming the completion of the pre 

flight check is heard the engines will shut down and the system will not take off.

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Operating the System Take Off
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77

7.4 Controlling the airframe

The flight platform should always be flown through 

the video in the first person shooter perspective 

and not line of site to the aircraft. This way 

operation is similar to driving a car. There are no 

reversals of directions; each stick input translates 

into the exact movement on the screen regardless 

of the position of the airframe in relation to the 

operator. Control of the airframe can be achieved 

intuitively almost like a video game.

In addition this operation mode ensures that 

status of flight battery, ground station battery and 

GPS availability always remains in plain sight to 

the operator.

Operating the System Control

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Landing in line of sight of the operator:

► Bring the airframe close to the landing area

► Turn the airframe so that the back is facing towards you; this way Joystick input 

will be proportional to observed aircraft movement. As an example, pushing 

Joystick 2 to the left results in movement of the aircraft to the left from the 

perspective of the operator looking at it.

► Decent slowly by pulling down Joystick 1. Ensure that the pull is straight down to 

avoid turn of the aircraft.

► When the airframe has reached the ground, pull the Joystick all the way down 

(as for engine start on take off)

► The airframe will remain on the ground.

7.5 Landing

Operating the System Landing

Landing through camera view:

► Bring the airframe close to the landing area

► Tilt the camera down (70 to 80 degrees) so that you can see the ground towards 

the direction of the landing area.

► Fly slowly towards the landing area while descending. Use features on the ground 

as reference points. 

► When the flight platform is close to ground stop forward flight and descent slowly 

till the airframe is on the ground.

► When the airframe has reached the ground, pull the Joystick all the way down 

(as for engine start on take off) The airframe will remain on the ground. 

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7

5

3

4

7 Operating the System Landing

► Remove the flight battery and charge for 

subsequent missions or storage:

→ „4.2.1 Insert and removal of the flight 

battery“, P 23. 

→ „4.2.2 Charging the flight battery“, P 26.

Powering off the airframe:

► Press the ON/OFF button (5) for 3 seconds.

Disarm engines after landing:

► Hold down Joystick 1 (3) all the way as during 

final stage of landing. While holding down the 

Joystick simultaneously press the engine off 

button (4) on the hand controller for 2 seconds. 

The engines will stop. Release the Joystick 1 

into the middle position after the engines have 

stopped.

Note:

Restart of the engines can only be performed after the Joystick 1 has been in the 

middle/neutral position once.

Note:

Always store and transport batteries in climate-controlled environment. 

Undercooled batteries loose capacity and do not perform well. Once the battery is 

inserted into the flight platform and the flight is in progress the batteries warm up 

and the outside temperature does not have the same effect.

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7.6 Fail safe functions

Operating the System

The approach position function of the hand controller allows to command the airframe to return to the home position automatically:

→ „Approach position“, P 41

The “home position” is by default the coordinate on which the system first received GPS after 

been powered on. For safety reasons the home position should be manually changed by the 

operator.

When the auto home function is active, the airframe flies a straight path towards the home 

point. While it is in flight, heading and altitude can be changed using Joystick 1 (altitude and 

heading control) without canceling the automated flight path. Any movement of Joystick 2 

(position control) will immediately cancel the automated flight. The airframe goes into auto 

hover or can manually be controlled.

It is imperative that even during automated flight the operator at all times pays close attention 

to the video display to avoid obstacles and watch for any hazards.

7.6.1 Auto home operator initiated

7.6.2 Finding a lost airframe

► Turn off engines (→ „Turn off engines“, P 48)

► Turn on GPS (→ „GPS Activation/Deactivation)“, P 37).

► Press button “approach position” and hold down

The flight platform will now make a cheeping noise.

Fail Safe Functions

After landing in an area with low visibility an acoustical signal can be used to locate 

the airframe:

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Attention:

The auto home function initiated through the approach position menu and button 

should not be mistaken for the auto home on lost link!
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7

1

2

7 Operating the System

During a regular landing the engine speed is reduced to idle speed when the aircraft 

sets down on the ground. At this point the operator can disarm the engines.

In case of a crash landing or a collision the system is not aware of it’s flight status. In 

this case the engines can be turned off by the operator if the system is at an attitude 

exceeding 60 degrees:

7.6.3 Emergency engine shut down / flight termination

Fail Safe Functions

► Hold down Joystick 1 (1) all the way as 

during final stage of landing. While holding 

down the Joystick simultaneously press the 

engine off button (2) on the hand controller 

for 2 seconds. The engines will stop. 

Release the Joystick 1 into the middle 

position after the engines have stopped.

If the system for any reason exceeds an attitude of 160 degrees the engines will 

automatically shut down and if the system is in flight the flight will be terminated 

immediately. This avoids any uncontrolled spinning of the aircraft in case a rotor or 

engine is lost in midair.

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7

Lost Link

no

no

yes

yes

Wait 15 sec 

Home on lost

 Link Engaged? 

GPS

 available 

Emergency

Landing 

Automated fly 

to home

position 

89

7

7.7 Loss of CC uplink

Fault tree for lost link

When command control radio communication is lost the system responds as follows:

Operating the System Loss of CC uplink

Note:

The waiting time of 15 seconds is default factory setting and can only be changed 

by the manufacturer.

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng
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77 Operating the System Loss of CC uplink

7.7.1 Home on lost link

The function “Auto Home on Lost Link” initiates an automated flight to the home position 

when command control uplink is lost.

The function is activated with the Auto Home on Lost Link button on the hand controller 

(→ Auto-Home on Lost Link“ (On/Off)“, P 46).

A blinking H in the video/data display indicates the function is being executed.

The sequenze under GPS when CC link is lost is as follows:

1–Wait for 15 seconds in auto positioning mode

2–Climb to highest altitude reached during flight

3–Head towards home point

4–Fly straight path towards home point

5–When home point is reached auto land

Important:

Safe use of this feature requires that a straight flight path back to the home point 

from any position during the mission can be flown without colliding with obstacles. 

The system will not backtrack the previous flight path. As a result there is a risk of 

collision with structures during the straight return to home flight. There might be 

obstructions in this flight path of which the operator is unaware.

As a countermeasure the airframe in lost link mode will climb to the highest altitude it has reached during the mission flight to this point. If the mission requires 

low flying or flying around obstacles (buildings, trees or powerlines) rather then 

overflying them it is advisable to climb at least once during the mission to a high 

altitude, which is in excess of all obstacles in the mission area. As a result in the 

event of lost link the airframe will climb to this altitude and maintain it on the way 

to the home point.

The function should NOT be used when flights underneath structures or obstacles 

are part of the mission. During these mission parts the function should be deactivated to avoid the airframe from climbing into an obstacle.

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Loss of CC uplink 77

7.7.2 Auto Landing in lost link mode

If GPS signal is available auto landing will be initiated 15 seconds after the airframe 

has reached the home position. The descent rate is electronically set to 0.5 m/s.

When CC uplink is lost and no GPS signal is available, the airframe initiates auto 

landing immediately to avoid drift away. The descent rate is electronically set to 

0.5 m/s.

In addition to lost link mode auto landing is performed when the battery of the aircraft 

is depleted. 

Operating the System

Attention:

Auto landing on depleted battery can only safely be performed from flight altitudes 

lower then 60 ft above ground. 

Always monitor the battery indicator. When the last bar is blinking adjust altitude to 

below 60 feet to ensure safe landing.

After auto landing there is a likelihood of a restart of the engines. Keep a distance 

of at least 60 feet from the airframe till all engines have completely stopped.

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Note:

Lost link sequence is cancelled by the airframe if signal is reestablished for 10% 

of the waiting time. With the factory default settings of 15 seconds the lost link 

sequence will be cancelled if signal is present for 1.5 seconds.
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7 Operating the System

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Set Video Norm

7.9 Change video norm

Depending on the payload cameras produce PAL or NTSC video signals. To adjust 

for different cameras the video norm can be changed.

The video norm is changed using a DIP switch on the airframe, located on the left 

side of the battery compartment. To change video norm please proceed as follows:

: ► Power off airframe. (→ „4.1.5 Power off and 

power on of the aircraft“, P. 20).

► Remove the battery (→ „4.2.1 Insert and 

remove airframe battery“, P. 20).

► Change switch 1 of the DIP switch to the 

desired video norm. (refer to schematics below.

Dip-Schalter 1: Videonorm = PAL

(schwarze Fläche = Schalter gedrückt)

Dip-Schalter 1: Videonorm = NTSC

(schwarze Fläche = Schalter gedrückt)
93

Operating the System Troubleshooting 8

Some mechanical damage can be repaired by replacing parts. Certain parts like rotors, landing gear and similar are user replaceable. In case other parts show damage or malfunction 

factory maintenance will be required.

8.1 Malfunctions of airframe, ground control station and payload

8.1.1 Malfunctions of the airframe

8 Troubleshooting

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Malfunction Possible reason

Airframe does not respond 

to CC input

CC uplink receiving antenna on airframe not working, not present or 

not properly installed.

► Check antenna and when necessary replace antenna.

CC uplink transmitting antenna on the ground station not working, 

not present or not properly installed.

► Check antenna and when necessary replace antenna.

CC uplink radio communication range exceeded.

► If in flight, move closer to flight platform.

► If in flight, wait till lost link mode is initiated and airframe returns 

to home.

Radio interference due to other radio emitters in the vicinity.

► Change channel of the airframe and ground station 

(→ „ submenu connections“, P 62).

The radio channels of the airframe and the ground station 

are different.

► Check channel settings of airframe and ground station and when 

necessary change settings (→ „ submenu connections“, P 62).

Drone ID of airframe and ground station are not a match.

► Match up drone ID of the ground station and airframe. When 

necessary change settings (→ „ submenu connections“, P 62).

The communication protocol in the ground station has 

been changed.

► Change setting of the protocol on the ground station 

(→ „ submenu connections“, S. 62).
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8 Operating the System Troubleshooting

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Malfunction Possible reason

The airframe spins when GPS 

is activated and does not hold 

steady position

Parameters of the magnetometer are faulty.

► Deactivate GPS and land immediately FACTORY 

MAINTENANCE REQUIRED

No GPS

The flight platform is in an unsuited location with no unobstructed 

view of the sky or buildings or structures mask the GPS signal.

► Move the airframe to a different take off location

Engine start is aborted by 

the airframe

Flight platform stands inclined. 

► Place flight platform on a horizontal landing spot.

Joystick 1 was not pulled down long enough.

► Repeat engine start and hold Joystick 1 all the way down 

till beep

Malfunction of the internal sensors.

► FACTORY MAINTENANCE REQUIRED
95

Operating the System 8

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Troubleshooting

8.1.2 Malfunctions of the ground control station

Malfunction Possible reason

No video transmission

The airframe is not powered on.

► Power on airframe.

Malfunction of the video/data receiving antenna on the ground 

control station.

► Check antenna and when necessary replace antenna.

Malfunction of the video/data transmitting antenna on the airframe.

► Check antenna and when necessary replace antenna.

The antenna plugs on the ground station are defective.

►Check the connections for proper seating, bends or damages to 

the cables.

The set video norm does not match the signal from the camera.

►Check video norm settings and when necessary change setting 

using DIP switch on the airframe.

DThe video antenna on the ground station faces into the 

wrong direction.

► Check orientation (always towards flight direction) and correct.
96

8 Troubleshooting

AAirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

8.1.3 Malfunctions of the payload

Malfunction Possible reason

No Video Image

The flight platform is powered off.

► Power on flight platform.

Malfunctions of video/data receiving antenna.

► Check and when necessary replace the antenna.

Is payload properly seated and bayonet connector fully turned in?

Payload does not receive power.

► Try to tilt payload remote controlled, if not possible check power 

supply to payload.

Contact pins of payload connector are soiled.

► Carefully clean contacts.

Damage to cables or connectors of the payload.

► Check cable and plugs for damages or exposed wires.

No remote controlled tilt 

of payload

Contact pins of payload connector are soiled.

► Carefully clean contacts.

Servomotors are defective.

► Check servos and transmission belts.

Operating the System
97

Störungen Error Codes 8

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Bei jedem Motorstart wird eine automatische Systemprüfung durchgeführt. Wenn dabei Probleme festgestellt werden, erscheinen entsprechende Fehlercodes in der Mitte des Video- und 

Datendisplays.

8.2 Error codes airframe

Displayed Error Codes

Malfunction Possible reason

0x11 (Acceleration sensor)

0x12 (Acceleration sensor)

0x13 (Gyro)

0x14 (Gyro)

Movements of the airframe caused by external forces affect the 

sensors during start up and system check.

► Ensure that the airframe stands on solid ground and is not 

expose to high winds while on the ground. Restart engines again

If the error code persists, there might be a decalibration or defect of 

the sensors FACTORY MAINTENANCE REQUIRED.

0x15 (Barometric Sensor)

0x16 (Magnetometer)

Barometric sensor or magnetometer did not initialize during start up

► Power airframe of and on. Retry.

If the error code persists, there might be malfunction of the 

magnetometer or barometric sensor FACTORY MAINTENANCE 

REQUIRED.

0x21 (Throttle)

Joystick 1 was not fully pulled down to end position during take off

► Restart engines and retry pulling joystick 1 down to end position 

till beep can be heard.

If the error code persists, check for quality of CC uplink radio 

communication or interference.

0x22 (Sensors)

Movements of the airframe caused by external forces affect the 

sensors during start up and system check.

► Ensure that the airframe stands on solid ground and is not 

expose to high winds while on the ground. Restart engines again.

If the error code persists, there might be a decalibration or defect of 

the sensors FACTORY MAINTENANCE REQUIRED.
98

8 Error Codes Malfunctions

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Malfunction Possible reason

0x23 (Engines)

Communication to engines is disrupted.

► Power off airframe and power on again. Retry.

If the error code persists, there is a defect on one or more engines. 

FACTORY MAINTENANCE REQUIRED.

0x24 (Engine launch failure)

0x25 (Engine launch failure)

0x26 (Engine launch failure)

Engine launch failure

Engine speed to low at start up, possible cause high gusty winds 

effecting props

► Reposition airframe to wind protected take off area.

If the error code persists, there is a defect on one or more engines. 

FACTORY MAINTENANCE REQUIRED

0x31 (Flight termination)

Airframe has collided or crashed.

Airframe is flipped, engines are shut down and power cut off for 

safety reasons.
99

9

9.1 Batteries

9 Appendix

Appendix Battery Handling

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Achtung:

The flight batteries contain lithium ion cells. Because of the high energy density 

these cells have a risk to inflame or explode:

When extremely overcharged

When overloaded

When deep discharge occurs

When overheating occurs

As a result for mechanical damage, piercing

As a result of a short circuit

Countermeasures in case of battery fire

• Always extinguish a burning battery with suitable extinguishing agent. 

• If there is no suitable extinguishing agent let the battery burn out

• Do not breath in any vapors resulting from a burning battery

• NEVER EXTINGUISH A BURNING BATTERY WITH WATER, DANGER 

OF EXPLOSION!
100

9 Anhang Hinweise zum Akkugebrauch

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

General instructions for handling the battery

• The AR200 is solely for use with the AR200 airframe, it may not be used with 

any other device.

• The BKS battery is solely for use with the ground station.

• Always fully charge batteries prior to use. ONLY use dedicated AirRobot AR200 

charger!

• No fire or open flames close to batteries.

• Avoid contact of the batteries with any liquids.

• Never disassemble a battery. Do not modify or make any changes to the 

battery. Disassembling a battery can cause short circuits with discharge of gases, 

fire, explosions and the discharge of harmful liquids.

• Do not drop battery. Avoid any kind of mechanical damage to the battery. Do not 

use a battery that shows signs of mechanical damage. 

• In case a battery becomes damage due to airframe crash or drop, store battery 

in a non-flammable and non conductive container on non-flammable ground. 

Monitor battery for at least 30 minutes after damage occurred. There is still a risk 

of ignition during this time period. 

• Electrolytes used in the battery are harmful. Avoid contact with skin and eyes.

• If skin comes into contact with electrolytes wash with plenty of water and consult 

a physician.

• If skin comes into contact with electrolytes wash with plenty of water and consult 

a physician.

• Gases and vapors discharged by defective batteries are harmful. Do not 

breathe in.

• Do not use batteries with a surface temperature of < 50 or > 140. Do not 

store batteries in vehicles or in direct sunlight.

• Avoid short circuit of the contacts with metal objects like keys or knifes.

• Check the battery after each flight for mechanical damage, bloating, corrosion, 

smell and extensive heat. Do not use the battery if you find any of the 

above listed.

• The batteries are rechargeable, but still have a limited life span. Replace 

batteries when their performance starts to degrade.
101

Anhang 9

Battery use for flight operations:

• Use only fully charged batteries with sufficient capacity for the flight mission. 

• Never use a battery if the charger or the battery tester displayed “error” when 

connecting the battery

• The optimal operating temperature is within the range of 68 to 104 degrees. 

Batteries which are cold (< 37) degrees have higher inner resistance and lower 

capacity. 

• After flight the battery temperature should not exceed 140 degrees. Allow the 

battery to cool down to room temperature before charging. Do not store 

discharged batteries.

• Never use a battery which shows signs of damage, bloating, corrosion, smell 

and extensive heat. Do not use the battery if you find any of the above listed.

• In case a battery becomes damage due to airframe crash or drop, store 

battery in a non-flammable and non conductive container on nonflammable ground. Monitor battery for at least 30 minutes after damage 

occurred. There is still a risk of ignition during this time period. 

Hinweise zum Akkugebrauch

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Hinweis:

To get optimal results from the batteries they should be used on a regular basis. 

Record all flights with a battery including flight time for a better assessment of the 

condition of the battery.
102

9 Appendix Battery Handling

AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng

Charging batteries:

• Only use dedicated AirRobot battery chargers.

• Never use a battery if the charger or the battery tester displayed “error” when 

connecting the battery

• Never charge batteries unattended

• Always put batteries on non flammable and non conductive surfaces

• Do not charge batteries in areas with the presence of flammable objects, heat 

sources or in a car exposed to sunlight.

• Do not charge batteries in car while driving.

• Do not charge batteries in areas with strong electro static fields or strong electro 

magnetic emitters like remote controls, cellular phones, electrical motors.

• The battery should not heat up during charging. If the battery heats up while 

charging is in progress, disconnect immediately.

Storage and transport of batteries:

• When storing the battery for extended period of time charge only to 70% 

charging level. Fully charged batteries age faster when stored. Do not store 

discharged batteries, this will significantly shorten the lifetime of the battery.

• Optimal storage temperature is 59 to 68 degrees.

• Store batteries on non flammable and non conductive surfaces.

• Store the battery in dry area.

• Remove all connections to the airframe or ground station from the batteries.

• Always transport in the appropriate transport case.
AirRobot AR200 Manual Version 1.0.2 eng 103

Notes