C~TERPILLAR@ 

May28, 2015 

U.S. Department of Transportation, 

Federal Aviation Administration 

Docket Operations 

West Building Ground Floor, Rm W12-140 

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Caterpillar Inc. 

100 NE Adams St. 

Peoria, IL 61629 

Re: Caterpillar Inc.- Petition for Exemption Docket No. FAA-2015-1955 

Dear Sir or Madam: 

Please find enclosed Caterpillar's UAS Operations and Maintenance Manual (the 

"Manual"), together with certain U AS-specific user guides and manuals, in support of Caterpillar's 

application for exemption (FAA-2015-1955). 

Caterpillar requests confidential treatment ofthe Manual under 14 C.F.R. § 11.35(b), as it 

contains confidential commercial and proprietary information that Caterpillar has not and will not 

share with others. Such documents are not publicly available and are protected from release under 

the Freedom oflnformation Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552 et seq. 

In addition to The Manual, the following user guides are enclosed: 

(1) Trimble UX5 User Guide; 

(2) Parrot Bebop User Guide; and 

(3) Hoverfly Scripta User's Guide. 

Manuals for the DJI Inspire, DJI Phantom, and DJI Phantom 2, which Caterpillar also proposes 

to operate, have not been included, as FAA is already familiar with them, having granted a number 

of exemptions proposing use of those UAS. Please direct all communications regarding 

Caterpillar's petition to my attention. 

Sincerely, 

~· 

Gregory Harris 

Caterpillar Inc. 

Ph: 309-494-7622 

Email: harris gregory@cat.com 
1. 

Version 1.00 

Revision A 

June 2013 

USER GUIDE 

e.. Trimble. 
legal Information 

Trimble Navigation Limited 

935 Stewart Drive 

Sunnyvale, California 94085 

U.S.A. 

www. trimble. com 

Copyright and Trademarks 

© 2013, Trimble Navigation Limited. All rights reserved. 

Trimble and the Globe and Triangle logo are trademarks ofTrimble 

Navigation Limited, registered in the United States and in other 

countries. Access is a trademark ofTrimble Navigation Umited. 

Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks 

of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/ or other countries. 

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 

Release Notice 

This is the June 2013 release (Revision A) of the Trimble UX5 Aerial 

Imaging Solution User Guide. It applies to version 1.00 ofthe UX5 aerial 

imaging solution. 

COCOM Limits 

The U.S. Department of Commerce requires that all exportable GPS 

products contain performance limitations so that they cannot be used in 

a manner that could threaten the security of the United States. The 

following limitations are implemented on this product: 

-Immediate access to satellite measurements and navigation results is 

disabled when the receiver velocity is computed to be greater than 1, 

000 knots, or its altitude is computed to be above 18,000 meters. The 

receiverGPS subsystem resets until the COCOM situation clears. As a 

result, all logging and stream configurations stop until the GPS 

subsystem is cleared. 

Notices 

United States 

Certification number: FCC ID HSW-DNT2400P. 

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for 

a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits 

are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful 

interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial 

environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio 

frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the 

instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio 

communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is 

likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be 

required to correct the interference at his own expense. 

Changes and modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer 

or registrant of this equipment can void your authority to operate this 

equipment under Federal Communications Commission rules. 

Canada 

Under Industry Canada regulations, this radio transmitter may only 

operate using an antenna of a type and maximum (or lesser) gain 

approved for the transmitter by Industry Canada. 

To reduce potential radio interference to other users, the antenna type 

and its gain should be so chosen that the equivalent isotropically 

radiated power (e. i. r. p.) is not more than that necessary for successful 

communication. 

This device complies with Industry Canada licence-exempt RSS standard 

(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 

(1) this device may not cause interference, and 

(2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that 

may cause undesired operation of the device. 

This class A digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003. 

Certification number I C: 4492A-DNT2400P. 

This apparatus complies with Canadian RSS-210. 

Conformement a Ia reglementation d'lndustrie Canada, le present 

emetteur radio peutfonctionner avec une antenne d'un type et d'un 

gain maximal (ou inferieur) approuve pour l'emetteur par lndustrie 

Canada. 

Dans le but de reduire les risques de brouillage radioelectrique a !'intention des autres utilisateurs, il faut choisir le type d'antenne et son 

gain de sorte que Ia puissance isotrope rayonnee equivalente (p.i.r.e.) 

ne de passe pas l'intensite necessaire a l'etablissement d'une 

communication satisfaisante. 

Le present appareil est conforme aux CNR d'lndustrie Canada applicables 

aux appareils radioexempts de licence. L'exploitation est autorisee aux 

deux conditions suivantes: 

(1) l'appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et 

(2) J'utilisateur de l'appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radioelectrique 

subi, me me si le brouillage est susceptible d'en compromettre le 

fonctionnement. 

Cetappareil numerique de Ia classe A est conforme a Ia norme NMB-003 

du Canada. 

Numerique de certification IC: 4492A-DNT2400P. 

Cet appareil est conforme a Ia norme CNR-210 du Canada. 

Europe 

The product covered by this guide are intended to be used in all EU 

member countries, Norway, and Switzerland. 

This equipment is classified as group 1, class A equipment according to 

EN 55011. Group 1 is applicable for all equipment within the scope of EN 

55011 that is not classified as group 2 equipment, which contains all ISM 

RF equipment. Class A equipment is equipment suitable for use in all 

establishments other than domestic. Using Class A equipment in 

domestic environments may cause difficulties ensuring electromagnetic 

compatibility. 

CE Declaration of Conformity 

Hereby, Trimble Navigation, declares that this product is ( E: in compliance with the essential requirements and other 

relevant provisions of: 

- EMC Directive (2004/108/EC) 

-Machine Directive (2006/42/EC) 

- R& TIE Directive (1999/5/EC) 

- RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU) 

Note- Deviation from Machine directive 2006/42/EC: The CE 

marking for the UXS system is placed on the Trimble UXS eBox and is 

only visible when the eBox is removed from the Trimble UXS wing. 

Japan 

Certification numbers for the DNT2400P RFM radio module: 

007WWCUL0739 and 003UVA110681 

Australia and New Zealand 

This product conforms with the regulatory requirements of 

the Australian Communications and Media Authority 

(ACMA) EMC framework, thus satisfying the requirements 

for C-Tick Marking and sale within Australia and New 

Zealand. 

c 

Taiwan -Battery Recycling Requirements 

The product contains a removable Uthium-ion battery. Taiwanese 

regulations require that waste batteries are recycled. 

J~Ul:i'tll 1m §I ~ll 

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) 

For product recycling instructions and more information, 

please go to www.trimble.com/ev.shtml. 

Recycling in Europe: To recycle Trimble WEEE (Waste 

N824 

Electrical and Electronic Equipment, products that run on 

electrical power), call +31497 53 24 30, and ask for the 

Trimble 

"WEEE 

c/o Menlo 

Associate". 

Europe 

Worldwide 

BV 

Or, 

Logistics 

mail a request for recycling instructions to: - M eerheide 45 

5521 DZ Eersel, NL 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 12 
Contents 

1 Introduction ...................................................................................... 6 

The UXS aerial imaging rover ...................................................................... 7 

Parts of the UXS aerial imaging rover ............................................................. 8 

Solution components .............................................................................. 10 

Flight case contents ................................................................................ 11 

Inserting the eBox and camera ................................................................... 12 

Installing the Aerial Imaging software ............................................................ 13 

Missions and flights ................................................................................ 14 

Mission phases ..................................................................................... 14 

The Aerial Imaging screen ......................................................................... 15 

2 Planning a Mission .............................................................................. 18 

Creating a mission .................................................................................. 19 

Preparing the mission map ........................................................................ 19 

Defining mission parameters ..................................................................... .20 

Exporting the mission from the Aerial Imaging Desktop software ............................ 23 

Checking flight permissions and conditions ..................................................... 23 

3 Preparing Equipment .......................................................................... 26 

Checking the launcher ............................................................................. 27 

Checking the UXS aerial imaging rover ........................................................... 27 

Charging the UXS batteries ........................................................................ 29 

Charging the Tablet batteries ..................................................................... 32 

Charging the camera batteries . _ ... _ .......... _. _. __ .. _ .......... _. _ ... _ ... _. _ ....... _ ........... .32 

Checking the camera ............................................................................... 33 

Pairing the transmitter with the tracking receiver ... _. _ ...... __ . _ ...... _ .... _ .............. _ ... 36 

Locating your equipment .......................................................................... 37 

4 Completing a Flight ·········-···-················-···---···-··--········-·-·-···-········-·····-38 

Visit the site to check for obstacles .......... _ ...... _ ... __ ................. _. _ ... _ ... _ .. ____ ... _ .39 

Dealing with sudden weather changes .......................................................... .42 

Importing the mission ................................................................ _ .......... _42 

Defining the flight area ..................... _ ... _. _ ... _ .. ___ .. _ ..... __ .... _ .. _ ..... ,_: ... _ .. __ . _ .. .43 

Setting the flight parameters ... _ ..... _ ... _ ... _ ... _ ......... _ ... __ .... _ .. _ .. ·' ................... _ .45 

Completing the pre-flight checklist .................................. 7 .<. ·-...................... 47 

Monitoring the flight .............................................. ~-··-··-·---···-·-·--·· .......... 59 

Landing the UXS ... ...... ... ... . .. .... .......... .. ... . ..... .. .. . · ······· ·· ....................... 66 

Completing the post-flight checklist ........................ ··-· ······-··-....................... 67 

Exporting the mission ................................... --·-·-·-· ·······-·---·-···-·-·-· .......... 68 

Disassembling the launcher.............. ···· -·····-···········-·······-········-·····-·-···'69 

Trimble UXS Aerial imaging Solution User Guide . 4 
\ 

FCC Declaration of Conformity 

We, Trimble Navigation Limited. 

935 Stewart Drive 

PO Box 3642 

Sunnyvale, CA 94088-3642 

United States 

+ 1-408-481-8000 

Declare under sole responsibility that DoC products comply 

with Part 15 of FCC Rules. 

Operation is subject to thefollowingtwo conditions: 

(1)This device may not cause harmful interference, and 

(2)This device must accept any interference received, 

including interference that may cause undesired operation 

Trimble UXS A,. ~rial Imaging Solution User Guide I 3 
Contents 

5 Analysis and Export ----------------------------------------------------------------------------70 

Transferring the images ___________________________________________________________________________ .71 

Importing the mission to the Aerial Imaging Desktop software --------- _______ --------- _____ 71 

Exporting flight data for processing ______________________________________________________________ 72 

6 Troubleshooting ________________________________________________________________________________ .74 

Update checklist ______________________ ------------------- __________ ------------------------------- .. 75 

Errors and warnings _______________________________________________________________________________ .75 

Landing issues ________ ---------- ___________________ ----------------- ____ ---------- __________________ 77 

eBox LED status ____________________________________________________________________________________ .78 

Technical support -------------- ____________________________________________________________________ 78 

7 Specifications and Settings __________________________________________________________________ .79 

UX5 specifications __________________________________________________________________________________ 80 

Camera specifications _____________________________________________________________________________ .81 

Camera settings _________________ ---------- _____________________________ ------------- _ -------------- 82 

Battery charger settings ___________________________________________________________________________ 88 

Glossary ______________________________________________________________________________________________ .89 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide I 5 
Introduction 

In this chapter: 

• The UXS aerial imaging rover 

• Parts of the UXS aerial imaging rover 

• Solution components 

• Flight case contents 

• Inserting the eBox and camera 

• Installing the Aerial Imaging software 

• Missions and flights 

• Mission phases 

• The Aerial Imaging screen 

CHAPTER 1 

The Trimble UXSAeriallmaging Solution User 

Guide provides detailed information about 

operating the components of the Trimble® 

UXS aerial imaging solution. 

Even if you have used other unmanned aviation 

systems before, please read this user guide 

carefully to familiarize yourself with the 

UXS aerial imaging solution. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide I 6 
1 Introduction 

The UXS aerial imaging rover 

The Trimble UXS aerial imaging rover is an unmanned aircraft (UA}. An unmanned aircraft is a generic 

term, and refers to an aircraft that is operated with no pilot on board. Such an aircraft is commonly 

also referred to as a remotely-piloted aircraft (RPA}. The UXS aerial imaging rover follows a preprogrammed path where takeoff, flight, and landing require minimal human intervention. If 

required, the crew operating the aircraft from the ground can intervene to change the flight path or 

to land. In some cases, such as communications failure or loss of GPS signal, a pre-programmed 

intervention is automatically activated to re-establish signal loss or to terminate the flight early and 

complete a safe landing. 

The UXS aerial imaging rover holds/contains a camera that takes aerial images over the defined 

area. During the flight, all pictures are acquired at a specified height, along parallel lines with 

specified overlap between the image exposures. At the same time, position information of the 

pictures is recorded for further processing in image processing software such as Trimble Business 

Center software. 

Typica I applications 

Image acquisition can be used for: 

• Orthophoto creation 

• Digital Elevation Model (DEM} or Digital Surface Model (DSM} 

• Photogrammetry 

The resulting data is useful for a range of applications, including: 

• Topographical surveying, particularly in remote or difficult to access areas, typical in the mining 

and dredging industries 

• Vegetation monitoring 

• Infrastructure mapping 

ISA conditions 

All operating specifications provided in this guide for the UXS aerial imaging rover are determined 

using International Standard Atmosphere (I SA) conditions. The ISA conditions used to determine 

the specifications for the UXS aerial imaging rover are: 

Humidity 0% 

Air pressure 1013.25 hPa (760 mm Hg} 

Temperature 15 oc (59 OF} 

Air density 1.225 kg/m3 (0.076Ib/ft3

} 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide I 7 
1 Introduction 

Parts of the UXS aerial imaging rover 

The main parts of the UXS aerial imaging rover are shown below. 

Top view 

• Aircraft body e eBox co Download cable connector 

• Leading edge • Pitot tube CD Eleven servos 

• Payload bay • GPS antenna • Inboard eleven 

e Battery f) Mode button • Outboard eleven 

• Camera 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide I 8 
1 Introduction 

Bottom view 

0 Camera lens hole 

f) Launcher slat 

8 Motor 

8 Propeller nut 

8 Propeller 

8 Winglet 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide I 9 
1 Introduction 

Solution components 

The UXS aerial imaging solution comprises the following components: 

• UXS aerial imaging rover 

• Camera 

• Ground control station 

• Launcher 

• Tracker (optional) 

UXS aerial imaging rover 

The UXS aerial imaging rover consists of the wing kit (or body) and the eBox. The eBox is a 

removable box containing the computer that controls the UXS. The eBox is connected to a GPS 

antenna and a radio antenna so that the ground control station can communicate with the UXS 

while it is in the air. 

Camera 

The camera captures images during the flight. The camera has a large 16.1 megapixel APS-C sensor 

that provides sharp, detailed images. The standard RGB solution includes a UV HAZE 1 filter. The 

optional NIR (near infrared) solution is for use in specialized applications such as agriculture. 

Ground control station 

The ground control station (GCS) is used to control the UXS aerial imaging rover from the ground. It 

comprises the Trimble Tablet Rugged PC running the Trimble Access'M Aerial Imaging software. A 

modem is connected to the Tablet to enable radio communication to the unmanned aircraft. 

Launcher 

The launcher is a mechanical device that provides a safe way to launch the UXS aerial imaging rover 

in the direction of takeoff. 

Tracker 

The tracker consists of a transmitter inserted in the body of the UXS aerial imaging rover and a 

receiver. If required, the receiver is used to track the transmitter signal so the UXS aerial imaging 

rover can be located once it has landed. The exact type of tracker used depends on the country 

where the system is being used. Check with your Trimble distributor what is available for your 

location. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 110 
1 Introduction 

Flight case contents 

When you receive your solution components, unpack them and store them in the dedicated 

cavities in the flight case. 

Note- The GPS and RF antennas are small parts that are easily lost. Trimble recommends attaching the 

antennas to the eBox as soon as you unpack them. See Inserting the eBox and camera, page 12. 

Check off the components against the illustration below to ensure that you have all of the 

components you need for a successful flight: 

0 Tablet, modem and RF antenna, download • UXS battery charger and charge cable 

cable 

• UXS battery • Pitot cover and spare camera battery 

• Tracker transmitter and receiver f) Lens cleaning paper 

• Power strip, UXS power cable, and camera G> Pre-moistened lens cloth 

battery charger 

• UXS body, with camera, eBox and top cover • Tools and optional spare parts 

0 Extra parts such as winglets, propellers 

J 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide Ill 
1 Introduction 

Inserting the eBox and camera 

The eBox and camera are stored inside the UXS body in the flight case. 

1. Unpack the UXS body, the eBox, GPS antenna, RF antenna, and camera. 

2. Attach the RF antenna to the underside of the eBox. 

3. Attach the GPS antenna to the top side of the eBox. 

~/:;r·:> 

-~l/ .--- .. ; ··; !//// 

'-._._..v 

. 

4. Insert the eBox into the eBox cavity of the UXS body, sliding the bottom end into the cavity and 

then pressing down so that the connector on the rear plugs into the connector in the UXS 

body. 

WARNING -Always disconnect the battery from the eBox before inserting or removing the eBox from the 

UXS body. If the battery is still connected, you risk damaging the electronics inside the UXS body. For 

information on disconnecting the battery, see Removing the battery, page 29. 

5. Insert the screw into the hole oft he eBox and screw the eBox into place using a T10 Torx 

screwdriver. 

6. Insert the camera into the payload cavity of the UXS body. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 112 
1 Introduction 

Installing the Aerial Imaging software 

Use the Aerial Imaging software to plan, manage, and monitor your flights. 

The Aerial Imaging Desktop software is installed on an office computer. The field version of the Aerial 

Imaging software is installed on the Tablet. The field software provides all of the functionality 

included in the office software. In addition, you can use the field software to: 

• Plan and simulate flights. 

• Monitor the aircraft during flight. 

Aerial Imaging Desktop installation 

1. To install the Aerial Imaging Desktop software, use the Trimble Access Installation Manager. If 

you have: 

• not installed the Trimble Access Installation Manager before, go to www.trimble.comltaim 

for installation information. Make sure you download and install the TAIM Online version. 

• previously installed the Trimble Access Installation Manager, you do not need to reinstall it 

because it updates itself automatically. 

2. Make sure you do not have a Tablet or other Trimble controller connected to the office 

computer. 

3. Select Start I All Programs I Trimble Access Installation Manager to start the Installation 

Manager. 

4. Select the Additional applications tab. 

5. Select the Aerial Imaging Desktop check box. 

6. Click Create license. 

7. The Trimble Access Installation Manager switches to the Licensed applications tab and shows 

the now licensed Aerial Imaging Desktop software. 

8. Click Install. 

For further information on updating the software, refer to the Help file in the Trimble Access 

Installation Manager. To view the Help file, select the Trimble icon in the top left, and then select 

Help. 

Aerial Imaging Tablet installation 

1. To install the Aerial Imaging software on the Tablet, use the Trimble Access Installation 

Manager. lfyou have: 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 113 
1 Introduction 

• not installed the Trimble Access Installation Manager before, go to www.trimble.comltaim 

for installation information. 

• previously installed the Trimble Access Installation Manager, you do not need to reinstall it 

because it updates itself automatically. 

2. Select Start I All Programs I Trimble Access Installation Manager to start the Installation 

Manager. 

3. In the Licensed applications tab, select the Aerial Imaging check box and then click Install. 

For further information on how to install or update your software and license file, refer to the Help 

file in the Trimble Access Installation Manager. To view the Help file, select the Trimble icon in the 

top left, and then select Help. 

Missions and flights 

A mission consists of one or more flights within the mission area. Mission planning is usually done 

in the office. The number of flights per mission is estimated by the software and depends on the size 

of the mission area. 

A/light is a single flight within the mission area. Flight planning is done in the field. 

Mission phases 

The typical phases of a mission are: 

• Mission planning: In the office you can define the mission area, adding background maps, and 

avoidance zones if required. The software estimates the number of flights needed to cover the 

mission area, depending on the size of the mission area. Checks for flight permissions, weather, 

and site suitability are completed and the flight is scheduled. Before heading to the site, all 

equipment is checked for any damage from previous flights and all batteries are fully charged. 

• Flight planning: The flight is planned and the wind direction, takeoff and landing locations are 

specified. The pre-flight checklist is completed to ensure that the system is ready for the flight. 

• Flight operation: After launching the UXS aerial imaging rover, the flight is monitored using the 

ground control station. After the UXS aerial imaging rover lands, the post-flight checklist is 

completed to transfer the flight data to the Tablet PC. 

• Analysis and export: The flight and captured images are analyzed to make sure they are 

synchronized and the data is exported in the appropriate file format for image processing. 

• Image processing: The data collected during the flight is processed using image processing 

software such as Trimble Business Center software. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 114 
1 Introduction 

The Aerial Imaging screen 

When you open the Aerial Imaging software, the Aerial Imaging screen appears. 

The Aerial Imaging screen with an example mission is shown below: 

Create ne·f.· mission 0 

Open mine 

Oflights 

ecopy Ooelete 

The right panel shows the name of the current screen. There are several buttons next to the screen 

name: 

Mission list 

view the Software Settings screen. For more 

information, see Changing the software settings, 

page 17. 

viewtheAeriallmaging Help. 

close the software. 

Existing missions are displayed in the list to the right. The number of planned and completed flights 

in the mission is indicated. 

When you select a mission in the list, the map screen shows the map for the selected mission. 

Note -If the mission is new and not yet planned, a world map is shown. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 115 
1 Introduction 

You must select a mission before most of the following buttons are enabled: 

Inside the Create create a new mission. 

newfield 

Import 

Export 

Copy 

import a mission .gwt file. 

export mission data as .jxl or .csv files 

for processing. 

copy the contents of a miss ion. You 

can choose whether to also copy the 

flights and flight data. 

Creating a mission, page 19 

Importing the mission, page 42 

Exporting flight data for processing, 

page 72 

Open view the Mission Planning screen for Defining mission parameters, page 20 

Delete 

Main map 

the selected mission. 

delete the mission and associated 

flight data. Images for the mission are 

not deleted. 

Use the Map I Satellite button to toggle between the map view and the satellite view of the map 

(online maps only). 

Use the G) and. 8 buttons to zoom in and zoom out ofthe map. 

If you are viewing the map on the Tablet and it has a GPS connection, the ® button is available. If 

you pan around the map, click ® to center the map on the current GPS location. 

During flight, the • ·button is available. Click • to center the .map on the current UXS 

location. 

The status bar below the map shows: 

• ~ GPS coordinates of the location of the cursor on the map . 

• 0 GPS coordinates of the location of the GCS. lfthe GCS has no GPS connection, this icon is 

red and the text "not available" is displayed. 

• • GPS coordinates of the location of the UXS and the current ground speed. If the UXS has no 

GPS connection, this icon is not displayed. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 116 
1 Introduction 

Changing the software settings 

To change settings for the Aerial Imaging software, click the Settings button min the Aerial 

Imaging screen. 

The following settings are available: 

• The source for online maps. 

• Preferred units for speed, distance, and height. 

• Proxy settings for the Internet connection. 

Select the check box to enable proxy settings for the Internet connection and then enter the 

settings to use. If you change these settings, you are prompted to restart the Aerial Imaging 

software. 

Note- You may need to configure the Internet proxy settings before you can view online maps. For the 

correct settings to use, consult your network administrator. 

• Communication timeout settings. 

Enter a value between 20 seconds and 1800 seconds (30 minutes). The default value is 120 

seconds (2 minutes). 

Note- The country you are operating in may have regulations prescribing the minimum communication 

timeout setting that you must use. Make sure you are aware of these and that you use the regulated 

minimum setting for your location. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 117 
Planning a Mission 

In this chapter: 

• Creating a mission 

• Preparing the mission map 

• Defining mission parameters 

• Exporting the mission from the Aerial 

Imaging Desktop software 

• Checking flight permissions and 

conditions 

CHAPTER 2 

This chapter describes how to plan a mission. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 118 
Creating a mission 

To create a new mission, in the Aerial Imaging screen enter the name of the new mission in the 

Create new mission field and then click 0 . 

The new mission is listed in the Aerial Imaging screen and indicates 0 flights. 

To plan the mission, select it and then click Open. The Map tab of the Mission Planning screen 

appears. 

Preparing the mission map 

1. In the Mission Planning screen, make sure the Map tab is selected. 

2. To use an online map: 

a. Enter the location of interest in the Search for location field and then click: 0. . The map 

shows the area around the location using your preferred online map provider (see 

Changing the software settings, page 17). 

b. Zoom in or out, or pan until you view the preferred map area. 

c. Click Download. This ensures that you will be able to view the map background during the 

flight, if you do not have an Internet connection in the field. 

The current map, including a buffer around the edge, is downloaded as an offline map. The 

largest area you can download is 15 km x 10 km (9.3 miles x 6.2 miles). 

When you download the map, the online map layer is automatically hidden and the offline 

map is shown. The downloaded map overwrites any existing offline map, including any 

GeoTifffile that you have imported. The downloaded map works like any other offline map 

-you can zoom into the map to view more detail. 

Note- You must have an Internet connection to use an online map. If you do not have an Internet 

connection, add a locally available Geo Tiff file to ensure you have useful background data on the 

map. 

3. To use your own map, add a GeoTifffile that you have prepared earlier using software such as 

Trimble Business Center software. To do this, click Import. Navigate to the location of the file, 

select it, and then click Open. The map shows the contents of the file you selected. 

4. To add a KML file that you have previously downloaded from Google Maps, click Add layer. 

::tj: Tip- To return to the Aerial Imaging screen at any time, click the back arrow B next to Mission 

Planning. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 119 
Managing map layers 

The map has two default layers: "Online map" and "Grid lines". 

Layers are displayed on the map in the following order, with the grid at the top: 

• Grid lines 

• Mission and flight information, including mission area in yellow, avoidance zones in red, and 

completed flights in green 

• KML 

• Online map 

• Offline map (either a downloaded version of the online map, or an imported GeoTifffile) 

The online map layer is automatically hidden if the offline map layer is shown. 

To hide a layer, click the • icon next to the layer name. You can only hide an online map layer if you 

have an offline map layer. 

To show a hidden layer, click the <> icon next to the layer name. 

To remove a layer that is no longer required, click the Delete icon 0 next to the layer name. You 

cannot delete the "Grid lines" or "Online map" layers, or delete the completed flights from the map. 

Defining mission parameters 

1. In the Mission Planning screen, select the Mission tab. 

The Mission tab of the Mission Planning screen, with an example mission area, is shown below: 

Map Mission 

:x: Add !!voidance zone 

f) Delete selection 

GSD[cm] y 3.2 A 

Helght[m] y 100 A 

Forward y 75 A overlap[%] 

Sideward y 75 A overlap l%1 

Unk: overl11p 

Estimated * flights 

~t 32.27622• S, 116.02702" E 0 51.23376• N, 3.78108• E 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 120 
2. To create the area to be flown over: 

a. Click Define mission area. The cursor changes to cross hairs. 

b. Draw a polygon over the mission area on the map, clicking the mouse at each boundary 

point. To stop drawing, click the Define mission area button again, or click the initial 

boundary point. 

Note- The map can contain only one mission area. 

The software estimates the number of flights needed to cover the mission area, depending 

on the size of the area. 

c. To resize and reposition the mission area, move the boundary points. 

3. To create an avoidance zone: 

a. Click Add avoidance zone. The cursor changes to cross hairs. 

b. Draw a polygon over the map, clicking the mouse at each boundary point. To stop 

drawing, click the Add avoidance zone button again, or click the initial boundary point. 

c. To resize and reposition the avoidance zone, move the boundary points. 

d. Repeat steps a, b, and cto add as many avoidance zones as required. 

Note- The mission area and the+/- 200m (+/-656ft) required for turns should not overlap any 

avoidance zones on the map. If the mission area is orange, you must move the area out of the 

avoidance zone. 

Tip- To delete the mission area or an avoidance zone, select the appropriate polygon on the map 

and then click Delete selection. 

4. Set the ground sample distance (GSD). The default value is 3.2 em (1.3 "),which is obtained by 

flying at a height of 100m (328ft). For more information, see GSD and height, page 22. 

5. Enter the image forward and side overlap. The default value is 80%. For more information, see 

Image forward and side overlap, page 22. 

6. The Estimated flights field indicates the number of flights required to cover the mission area. 

Use the number indicated to plan the number of flights, time, and resources needed to 

complete the mission. During flight planning you can define the area to be covered in a specific 

flight. 

7. If you are doing the mission planning: 

• in the Desktop software, click Export to export the mission area to a .gwt file for copying to 

the Tablet. For more information, see Exporting the mission from the Aerial Imaging 

Desktop software, page 23. 

• on the Tablet, tap Flight to start planning the flight. For more information, see Defining 

the flight area, page 43. 

;Q: Tip- To return to the Aerial Imaging screen at any time, click the back arrow B next to Mission 

Planning. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 121 
GSD and height 

The GSD (ground sample distance) field in the Mission tab specifies the distance on the ground 

represented by each pixel. The default resolution is 3.2 em (1.3 "). 

The smaller the value in the GSD field, the more detailed the images. You should always specify a 

value equal to or smaller than the resolution required in the final orthophotos, after the images are 

processed. If the value in the GSD field is larger than the final resolution required, then the images 

acquired during the flight will not be detailed enough and the image processing software will need to 

interpolate additional pixels. This will result in images that do not have the expected resolution. 

The GSD field in the Mission tab and the height at which the UX5 aerial imaging rover flies are linked. 

The higher the unmanned aircraft flies, the larger the distance on the ground represented by each 

pixel in the images acquired during the flight: 

Minimum: 75 m (246ft) 2.4 em (0.9 ") 

100 m (328ft) 3.2 em (1.3 ") 

150 m (492ft) 4.8 em (1.9 ") 

Maximum: 750 m (2460 ft) 23.9 em (9.4 ") 

The value in the GSD field determines the default height used for flights within that mission. For 

example, if you enter 4.8 em in the GSD field, the unmanned aircraft will fly at 150m (492ft). During 

flight planning you can adjust the height for each flight, taking into account the specific obstacles 

and scan area oftheflight. 

Image forward and side overlap 

The default value of the overlap between images is 80%. Image overlap can range from 60% to 90%. 

By default the forward and side overlap values are linked, so that when one value changes, the 

other value changes accordingly. Click the Link overlap icon ~to "break" the link so that the 

overlap values can be set independently. If you click the Link overlap icon <><>to re-establish the 

link, the side overlap takes its value from the forward overlap value. 

A higher overlap results in: 

• better accuracy 

• a higher density of flight lines on the mission area 

• a higher number of images to process 

• longer processing times for images 

• longer flight duration for the same area 

Select the overlap value for your mission based on the accuracy, flight duration, and the number of 

images you require. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 122 
Exporting the mission from the Aerial Imaging 

Desktop software 

Note- This step is required if you did the mission planning in the Aerial Imaging Desktop software. You must 

complete this step so that you can import the mission into the Aerial Imaging software on the Tablet. 

1. In the Mission tab of the Mission Planning screen, click Export. The Export Mission dialog 

appears. 

2. Navigate to the folder where you want to save the mission, enter the file name and then click 

Save. 

The exported mission is saved as a .gwt file in the folder you selected. 

3. If the folder you exported the mission to is not a network folder that the Tablet can access, 

transfer the exported mission to a USB stick and then transfer it to the Tablet. 

4. To import the mission to the Aerial Imaging software on the Tablet, see Importing the mission, 

page42. 

Checking flight permissions and conditions 

In the days before the flight, complete the following checks to make sure the flight can proceed. 

Checking flight permission 

• Check if you need a permit to operate an unmanned aircraft in the airspace above the site. 

• Make sure you understand the legal context for safe operation of an unmanned aircraft. 

• Check for existing rules and standards with your local Civil Aviation Authorities (CAA). 

• Make sure you have permission from the landowner. 

• Make sure you have all other relevant permissions required for photography flights using 

unmanned aircraft. In some countries you need permission from defense organizations, the 

police, or a national geography institute to take pictures. 

Checking weather 

• In the days before the flight, check the TV weather broadcast or weather websites. This gives 

you a good general idea of the weather for the next three to four days. 

• For more accurate weather forecasts, consult and interpret aviation weather data through 

various weather websites. You can also contact the national meteorological office or a local 

meteorology office at an airport nearby. 

• On the day of the flight, consult the Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) and METAR reports. 

These are meteorological reports used in aviation. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 123 
Operation limitations 

The UXS aerial imaging rover cannot safely fly in all weather conditions. The following table shows 

the acceptable range for different conditions. 

& CAUTION -If any condition does not meet the acceptable range stated, the pilot should abort the mission. Flying 

outside the acceptable range of conditions will void your Trimble warranty. 

Time 

Distance from clouds 

Flight visibility 

Operator-UAS visibility 

Weather limitations 

Between sunrise and sunset 

Clear of clouds and always within line of sight 

5000 m (16AOO ft) 

Visual line of sight 

Light rain is acceptable. Avoid hail, snow, and heavy 

showers 

Head wind Maximum 65 kph (40 mph) 

Cross wind Maximum 65 kph (40 mph) 

Gusts Maximum 15 kph (9 mph) 

Turbulence Avoid turbulence at all times 

Temperature -25 octo +55 oc (-13 oF to 131 oF) (excluding launcher) 

Maximum launch altitude (AMSL) 4250 m (13A93 ft) 

Maximum operational ceiling (AMSL) 5000 m (16AOOft) 

Note- UXS not tested above 2500 m {8202 ft). 

Endurance SOmins 

Image acquisition limitations 

Although the UXS aerial imaging rover itself can cope with heavy weather conditions, the main issue 

besides safety is the quality of the pictures acquired during the flight. The following table shows the 

maximum values for different weather conditions. 

CAUTION -If any condition does not meet the acceptable maximum value stated, the pilot should abort the 

mission. Trimble does not guarantee good picture quality when flying in conditions beyond these limits. 

~ ~ • 7 - ;}f[:)!?Sf!f!Y ff""' ~ 7': 

Cd:l[flfition J~cceptable maximum 0 

"' ; "' 0 

P reci p itatio n Light rain 

Wind 50 kph (31 mph) 

Trimble UXS Aerial imaging Solution User Guide 124 
Checking the site 

Note- When checking the site you should refer to the relevant AlP and NOT AM documents for your region. 

• Identify the airspace and geographic environment of the site. 

• Check the relevant aviation charts and make sure the flight area is not near any of the following 

areas: 

• Forbidden airspace 

• Airports, airfields {except with prior permission) 

• Power plants {except with prior permission) 

• Check the relevant aviation charts and take special care around: 

• Parachute and parasailingjumping areas 

• Winch areas 

• High-pressure gas-releasing units {documented in AlPs or NOTAMs) 

• Congested areas {for example, towns) 

• Check ifthere are other aerial or ground activities planned, for example major public events. 

Checking the pilot 

• Make sure the pilot is certified to operate the UXS. 

• Check if the pilot needs any additional permits, such as a remote pilot license, a radio certificate 

for use of the 2-way radio for communication with air traffic control, and so on. 

• Be aware that the pilot has final responsibility for the operation of the UXS and its components. 

• Make sure the pilot is in good condition, both physical and mental. 

• Keep log files of the pilot hours and equipment used for each flight. 

Know your safe operating envelope 

• Trimble recommends having a crew of two people that will control the UXS: the pilot and the 

observer. They must be able to communicate at all times. Check your CAA regulations to see if a 

two-person crew is mandatory. 

• Make sure the crew understands the purpose and the phases of this particular mission. 

• Make sure the crew understands all aspects of safe operation of the UXS. This includes: 

• Understanding all safety precautions described in the Trimble UXSAeriallmaging Rover 

Safety Guide. 

• Understanding how to handle emergencies during flight. 

• Understanding the particular requirements of the project and site, including avoidance 

zones. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 125 
CHAPTER 3 

Preparing Equipment 

In this chapter: 

• Checking the launcher 

• Checking the UXS aerial imaging rover 

• Charging the UXS batteries 

• Charging the Tablet batteries 

• Charging the camera batteries 

• Checking the camera 

• Pairing the transmitter with the tracking 

receiver 

• Locating your equipment 

As part of your flight preparation, make sure all 

equipment is in good condition and 

well-prepared. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 126 
3 Preparing Equipment 

Checking the launcher 

1. Make sure the launch slider is in good condition, and moves freely. If it is damaged, contact 

your Trimble distributor. 

2. Check the launcher cord is not worn, and make sure there is enough elastic in the cord when it 

is stretched tight. If the cord must be replaced, refer to the Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution 

Maintenance Manual. 

3. Make sure the launch dock is in good condition. If it is damaged, contact your Trimble 

distributor. 

4. Make sure the launch dock wheels are in good condition and move freely. If they are worn and 

must be replaced, refer to the Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution Maintenance Manual. 

Checking the UXS aerial imaging rover 

Check the body 

The body ofthe UXS must be clean for flight. Dirt and gravel on the body decreases the lift and 

increases the drag during flight. 

1. Clean the body with a damp cloth. 

CAUTION- Do not use high water pressure or a steel brush to clean the body of the rover. This can damage 

the surface of the aerial imaging rover and affect the aerodynamics of the aircraft. Always use water and a 

soft brush. 

2. Check the body for cracks. If the body requires repair, refer to the Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging 

Solution Maintenance Manual. When in doubt, contact your Trimble distributor. 

3. Make sure there are no scratches on the camera filter. If the camera filter is damaged, refer to 

the Trimble UX5Aeriallmaging Solution Maintenance Manual. 

4. Make sure that the camera filter is tightly screwed into the body. If not, gently tighten it, taking 

care not to over-tighten it. 

5. Using first the wet camera wipes and then the dry camera wipes, thoroughly clean the camera 

filter. Make sure there are no specks of moisture or dust, as these will affect the image quality. 

Note- Only use wipes that are specifically intended for cleaning camera lenses. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 127 
3 Preparing Equipment 

Check the pitot tube 

The pitot tube must be in perfect condition as it is used to measure the total air pressure during 

flight. 

1. If required, remove the pitot clamp. 

2. Remove the pitot tube from the eBox. 

3. Make sure the tube is not bent or broken. 

4. Blow into the tube to make sure nothing is blocking it. 

& CAUTION- Only blow into the pitot tube after you have removed it from the eBox. Do not blow into the 

pitot tube when it is connected to the eBox because this will damage the barometric sensors. 

5. If the pitot tube is blocked or damaged, refer to the Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution 

Maintenance Manual. When in doubt, contact your Trimble distributor. 

Check the winglets 

To prevent roll stability issues, the winglets must be firmly attached to the UXS body. 

1. Make sure the winglets are intact. 

2. Make sure each winglet is firmly attached with two screws. 

3. If the wing lets are damaged, refer to the Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution Maintenance 

Manual. When in doubt, contact your Trimble distributor. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 128 
3 Preparing Equipment 

Charging the UXS batteries 

WARNING- Lithium polymer batteries are volatile. Failure to read and follow these instructions may result in 

fire, personal injury, and damage to property if charged or used incorrectly. 

To prevent injury or damage: 

-Use only the charger specified to charge the battery. 

-If at any time you witness a battery starting to balloon or swell up, discontinue the charging process 

immediately. Disconnect the battery and place it in a safe observation area for approximately 15 minutes. 

Continuing to charge a battery that has begun to swell will result in fire. 

-Charge in an isolated area, away from flammable materials. 

-Never leave charging batteries unattended. When charging the batteries you should always remain in constant 

observation to monitor the charging process and react to potential problems that may occur. 

WARNING- Always check that the settings on the charger are correct before charging the battery. Incorrect 

charger settings may result in damage to the battery, severe burning, and fire hazards. 

Note- Read the user documentation provided for the battery charger carefully before using the charger for 

the first time. 

Removing the battery 

1. Remove the top cover from the UXS body. 

2. Disconnect the main power connector of the battery from the eBox: 

l 

L 

,----------

i 

l_l I 

______ I 

r 

3. Remove the battery from the battery compartment of the UXS aerial imaging rover. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 129 
3 Preparing Equipment 

Connecting and charging the battery 

1. Connect the Graupner Ultra mat 14 plus charger to one of the following: 

• 12 V vehicle battery 

• 10Q-240VAC power supply 

The charger powers on and displays the following parameters for the UXS battery: 

• LiPo manual 

• C:S.OA 6000mAh 

Note- If the charger does not display the default parameters, you must change the settings. For more 

information, see Battery charger settings, page 88. 

& WARNING- The maximum charging current for the UXS battery is limited to 5 A. This value must be lower 

than the maximum permissible current (6 A) for the battery. Incorrect battery charging parameters can 

destroy your battery and cause it to catch fire or explode. 

2. Connect the charge cable to the charger: 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 130 
3 Preparing Equipment 

3. Connect the balancer connector of the battery to the charger: 

4. Connect the charger cable of the charger to the power connector on the battery: 

L_j 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 131 
3 Preparing Equipment 

5. On the charger, press and hold the Start key for two seconds. The battery starts charging. 

When a battery is fully charged, the charger produces an audible signal and stops charging 

automatically. At typical room temperature it takes approximately 2 hours to charge a fully 

depleted battery. Charging time will vary depending on remaining battery life and ambient 

temperature. 

Note- Make sure you charge both UXS aerial imaging rover batteries before leaving the office for a 

flight. Trimble recommends always having a spare, fully-charged battery on hand. 

Disconnecting the battery 

1. Disconnect the charger cable of the charger from the power connector on the battery. 

2. Disconnect the balancer connector of the battery from the charger. 

Charging the Tablet batteries 

Install the Tablet battery packs and charge the batteries according to the instructions provided in 

the Trimble Tablet Rugged PC User's Manual. 

Note - Make sure you fully charge the Tablet batteries before leaving the office for a flight. 

Charging the camera batteries 

WARNING- Charge and use the rechargeable Lithium-ion battery only in strict accordance with the instructions. 

Charging or using the battery in unauthorized equipment can cause an explosion or fire, and can result in personal 

injury and/or equipment damage. 

To prevent injury or damage: 

-Do not charge or use the battery if it appears to be damaged or leaking. 

-Charge the Lithium-ion battery only in the product that is specified to charge it. Be sure to follow all instructions 

that are provided with the battery charger. 

-Never leave charging batteries unattended. Discontinue charging a battery that gives off extreme heat or a 

burning odor. 

-Use the battery only in the equipment that is specified to use it. 

-Use the battery only for its intended use and according to the instructions in the product documentation. 

-Do not use or charge the battery if it appears to be damaged. Signs of damage include, but are not limited to, 

discoloration, warping, and leaking battery fluid. 

-Do not expose the battery to fire, high temperature, or direct sunlight. 

-Do not immerse the battery in water. 

-Do not use or store the battery inside a vehicle during hot weather. 

- Do not drop or puncture the battery. 

1. Make sure the camera is turned off. 

2. Slide the battery compartment latch to open it and remove the battery. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 132 
3 Preparing Equipment 

3. Insert the battery into the battery charger. 

4. Connect the battery charger to a power source. 

The charger light turns on, indicating the battery is charging. Charging a fully depleted battery 

pack at a temperature of 25 ·c (77 ·F) takes approximately 280 minutes. Charging time will vary 

depending on remaining battery life and ambient temperature. 

If the charger light flashes slowly, the battery temperature is outside the normal operating 

range. The charger automatically stops charging until the temperature returns to the normal 

range. When the temperature returns to normal, the charger resumes charging. 

5. If the charger light flashes quickly, this indicates an error. Turn off the power source and then 

remove the battery from the charger. Reinsert the battery in the charger and then turn on the 

power source. 

6. When the charger light turns off, the battery is fully charged. Disconnect the charger from the 

power source and then remove the battery from the charger. 

7. Insert the battery into the battery compartment of the camera. 

Note- Make sure you charge both camera batteries before leaving the office for a flight. Trimble 

recommends always having a spare, fully-charged battery on hand. 

For battery care and storage information, refer to the user documentation for the Sony NEX-5R 

camera. 

Checking the camera 

1. Make sure there are no scratches on the camera lens. If the camera lens is damaged, contact 

your Trimble distributor. 

2. Your camera arrives with the appropriate settings required to obtain good aerial images set by 

Trimble. However, before each flight, check the camera screen to make sure it displays the 

following icons. 

Note- The following image does not show all of the icons that appear on the camera screen. It shows 

the main icons to check to ensure that your camera settings are correct and you will successfully capture 

images during the flight. If any of these icons are not shown, or if you believe other camera settings have 

been changed, adjust the settings back to the settings recommended by Trimble. For a list of all 

applicable camera settings, see Camera settings, page 82. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 133 
3 Preparing Equipment 

S and Tv Shoot mode is set to shutter priority. 

D SD card is inserted. 

mfl16M FINE Aspect ratio is set to 3:2; image size is set to 16M; 

image quality is set to Fine. 

50i li:::J 

4u1.4l100% 

Recording mode of movies is set to SOi FH (the 

default). 

Steady shot is set to Off. 

Battery icon shows 100%. 

Touch operation is set to Off. 

Drive mode icon is shown. 

Metering mode is set to Multi (the default). 

Focus mode is set to Manual. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 134 
3 Preparing Equipment 

[~ 

AWB 

-=F 

I Std. t 

1/1000 

lii±O.O 

ISO AUTO 

Face detection is set to Off. 

White balance is set to AWB. 

Note- When using the NIR camera, select custom white 

balance or incandescent. 

Soft skin detection is set to Off (the default). 

Brightness correction is set to automatic (the default). 

Creative style is set to Standard (the default). 

Smile detection is set to Off. 

Picture effect is set to Off (the default). 

Shutter speed is set to 1/1000 or above. 

Exposure compensation is set to +/-0.0. 

ISO is set to Auto. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 135 
3 Preparing Equipment 

Pairing the transmitter with the tracking receiver 

Note- You must complete this step only once, before using the UXS aerial imaging rover for the first time. 

To track down the UXS aerial imaging rover fitted with a transmitter, the transmitter I D must first be 

stored in the memory of the receiver. 

1. Press and hold the Power key for three seconds to turn on the receiver. 

2. Press the MENU/OK key to enter the menu. 

3. Use the navigation keys to select TRANSM I TIER. Press the MENU/OK key to confirm. 

4. Use the navigation keys to select ADD. Press the MENU/OK key to confirm. 

5. Use the navigation keys to enter the missing digits of the frequency of the transmitter. Confirm 

each digit using the MENU/OK key. 

6. Follow the steps on the screen of the receiver to calibrate the transmitter. 

7. Once the calibration is done, you are prompted to enter a name for the transmitter. 

8. Use the navigation keys to enter the name you want to use for the transmitter. Confirm each 

letter using the MENU/OK key. 

The receiver is now able to communicate with the transmitter. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 136 
3 Preparing Equipment 

Locating your equipment 

Before you head out to the field: 

1. Make sure the flight case contains all of the required items. For more information, see Flight 

case contents, page 11. 

2. If you will be doing several flights before returning to the office, make sure you have one of the 

following: 

• an external storage device such as a laptop for transferring images to after each flight 

• a USB to SO card reader for transferring images to the Tablet after each flight 

• an SO card for each flight 

Note- Trimble recommends using a 

San Disk Extreme SDHC UHS-1 card with a 

write speed of45 MB/ and minimum 

capacity of 16GB. 

3. Make sure the launcher bag contains the 

following items: 

• safety pin 

• launch dock with lock pin 

• V-support 

• crank 

• launch slide with elastics 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 137 
Completing a Flight 

In this chapter: 

• Visit the site to check for obstacles 

• Dealing with sudden weather changes 

• Importing the mission 

• Defining the flight area 

• Setting the flight parameters 

• Completing the pre-flight checklist 

• Monitoring the flight 

• Landing the UXS 

• Completing the post-flight checklist 

• Exporting the mission 

• Disassembling the launcher 

CHAPTER 4 

This chapter describes the tasks required in the 

field to complete a successful flight with good 

image data. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 138 
4 Completing a Flight 

Visit the site to check for obstacles 

A few days before the flight, visit the flight area to: 

• Define a good takeoff and landing location. 

• Check for obstacles in the flight area. Obstacles are objects such as trees, buildings, antennas, 

power lines, and water that the UXS could fly into or land on. 

• Make sure you will be able to maintain a visual line of sight to the UXS throughout the flight. 

Note- Pay special attention during takeoff and landing. Most issues occur during these phases of the flight. 

Obstacle clearances for takeoff 

• Within the first SO m (164ft), there must be a clear area free of obstacles within 30° to the left 

and right ofthe launch direction. 

• No obstacles at all must appear within the first SO m (164ft) of the launch direction. 

• Within 280m (919ft) of the launch direction, obstacles must not appear above the safety line 

determined by a 1So safety angle. 

Om 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 139 
4 Completing a Flight 

Obstacle clearances for cruise flight 

During cruise flight, no obstacles must appear between the cruise flight height and 25m {82ft) 

below it: 

Obstacle clearances for descent 

DOD 

DOD 

DOD 

DOD 

DOD 

DOD 

DOD 

DOD 

When entering the landing orbit, no obstacles must appear with a 300m {984ft) radius of the center 

of the orbit. Once the UX5 has descended 25m from the cruise flight height, the required obstaclefree area has a radius of 150m {462ft). 

~ 

1 

~ DOD '2 

u DOD 

DOD 

DOD 

DOD 

DOD 

DOD 

DOD 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 140 
4 Completing a Flight 

Obstacle clearances for landing 

Once you confirm the landing, the UXS starts the final leg of the landing. 

• No obstacles must appear between the final leg of the landing and 15m below it. 

75m 

Om 

• Along the final leg of the landing, there must be a clear area free of obstacles within 15m to the 

left and right of the landing direction. 

Om 

• The landing location must be a 50 m x 30m area clear of any obstacles. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 141 
4 Completing a Flight 

Dealing with sudden weather changes 

On the day of the flight, check that the current weather conditions are suitable for flight. Pay 

particular attention to the prevailing wind direction and speed. 

If there are sudden weather changes before or during the flight, you must act quickly. Different 

weather changes and the recommended action are described below. 

The wind direction changes while you are completing the 

pre-flight checklist, but before launch. 

One of the following weather phenomena occurs before 

or during the flight: 

• Strong wind 

• Heavy rain, hail 

• Hurricane, tornado, or any kind of whirlwind 

• Thunder and lightening 

• Snow 

Importing the mission 

If required, reposition the launcher 

and update the takeoff wind direction 

and the landing direction in the flight 

plan. 

Cancel the flight. If the UXS is in the 

air, land as quickly as possible. 

Note- This step is required if you did the mission planning in the Aerial Imaging Desktop software and then 

exported the mission so that you can view it on the Tablet. 

1. In the Aerial Imaging screen on the Tablet, tap Import. 

2. Navigate to the location of the .gwt file you exported from the Aerial Imaging Desktop software 

(see Exporting the mission from the Aerial Imaging Desktop software, page 23), select it and 

then tap Open. 

The mission you imported appears in the mission list and the mission map appears. 

3. Select the mission and then tap Open. 

4. Review the mission plan and make any changes to the mission plan, if required. 

5. In the Mission tab of the Mission Planning screen, tap Flight to start planning the flight. For 

more information, see Defining the flight area, page 43. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 142 
4 Completing a Flight 

Defining the flight area 

The Area tab oft he Flight Planning screen enables you to select the flight you will complete. 

The software estimates the total flight time needed to cover the mission area. The estimated flight 

time does not include the time to get to and from the takeoff and landing locations, because these 

are not yet defined. The map shows the mission area in yellow, and the flight(s) required to cover 

the mission area appear as a blue rectangle. Any completed flights are shown in green. 

The red flight lines over the scan area indicate the direction the UXS will fly across the scan area. The 

unmanned aircraft always flies perpendicular to the prevailing wind direction. By default, the 

prevailing wind direction is a northerly wind. North is located at the top of the map. 

~ Tip- To return to the Mission Planning screen at any time, click the back arrow B next to Flight 

Planning. 

The Area tab of the Flight Planning screen, for an example flight, is shown below: 

0 Previous locations 

Orakeoff 

Olandlng 

Landing zone 

offset[m] 

Landing 

orientation 

-o- Simulate 

Left. 

~Checklist 

1. To select a flight, tap the flight in the flight list or on the map. The selected flight is highlighted. 

2. Update the prevailing wind direction to match the current conditions: 

a. Tap the wind direction arrows for the selected flight and drag them so that they indicate 

the current direction of the wind at the site. The scan area and the flight lines rotate 

accordingly. 

Note- To ensure smooth turns and limited headwind and tailwind during flight, it is important to 

correctly indicate the prevailing wind direction. 

Trimble UXS Aerial imaging Solution User Guide 143 
4 Completing a Flight 

b. lfthe scan area changes to orange, it indicates that the scan area or the additional+/- 200 

m (+/-656ft) required for turns overlaps an avoidance zone. If the scan area is orange, 

resize the scan area by clicking and dragging the corners, or move it away from the 

avoidance zone. 

3. Check the estimated flight duration for the selected flight. If the flight duration is shown in red, 

resize the flight area on the map until the estimated flight duration is below 50 minutes. 

4. The GSD and Height fields show the values entered for the mission. If required, edit the height 

for image acquisition for the flight, taking into account specific obstacles in the scan area. 

Images are not acquired until the unmanned aircraft climbs to the specified height. 

The value you enter in the Height field affects the GSD obtained for the images. For more 

information, see GSD and height, page 22. 

5. When you have finished making your changes, tap the Parameters tab. 

~Tips for managing completed flights: 

• To repeat a completed flight, select the flight in the list and then tap the Redo icon Q. 

Redoing a flight does not overwrite the flight data from the previous flight instance. You can see 

and select each set of flight data in the Export wizard when you export the data for processing. 

• To delete a completed flight, select the flight in the list and then tap the Delete icon 0. This 

removes the flight data stored on the Tablet for this flight, but not the images for the flight. 

• If you have not downloaded the log file for a flight, tap the Download Log File icon 0. The 

post-flight checklist appears. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 144 
4 Completing a Flight 

Setting the flight parameters 

The Parameters tab of the Flight Planning screen enables you to define the takeoff and landing 

parameters for the flight you selected in the Area tab of the Flight Planning screen. 

The Parameters tab of the Flight Planning screen, for an example flight, is shown below: 

0 Pr-evious locations 

Orakeoff 

Olandlng 

landing 

heading (j 

landing zone 

offset[m) 

landing 

orientation 

-o- S-imulate 

left. 

~Checklist 

1. To use the last used takeoff and landing locations, tap Previous locations and then go to step 4 

below. Otherwise, go to step 2. 

2. To set the takeoff location: 

a. Physically go to the takeoff location with your Tablet. 

b. When you reach the location, tap Takeoff. 

An icon ((((((l' appears on the map. The arrow next to it indicates the takeoff 

direction. By default this is into the prevailing wind direction set in the Area tab. 

Note- Always try to takeoff into the wind. This prevents a higher launch speed and a higher risk of 

launch failures. 

c. If required, tap the arrow and rotate it to change the takeoff direction and avoid any 

obstacles. 

3. To set the landing location: 

a. Physically go to the landing location with your Tablet. 

b. When you reach the location, tap Landing. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide \45 
4 Completing a Flight 

An icon ((((((,P appears on the map. The arrow next to it indicates the landing 

direction. By default this is into the prevailing wind direction set in the Area tab. 

Note- Always try to land into the wind. This prevents a higher landing speed and a higher risk of 

damage to the UX5. 

c. If required, tap the arrow and rotate it to change the landing heading and avoid any 

obstacles. Alternatively, enter the heading in the Land heading field. 

WARNING- Always take care to select a landing location and heading free of obstacles. In windy 

conditions, large obstacles in the approach line can result in undershoots close to the edge of the 

safety zone. 

d. If required, set the landing height offset. Valid values are from-25m to +25m. A negative 

value means that the landing location is lower than the takeoff location. The default value 

is 0 m, which means that the takeoff and landing locations are at the same height. 

4. Set the landing orientation to use a left turn or a right turn, depending on which turning 

direction provides better visibility and is furthest away from any obstacles. 

5. To simulate the flight, tap Simulate. For more information, see Simulating the flight plan, page 

46. 

6. To start the pre-flight checklist, tap Checklist. 

¢:: Tip- To return to the Mission Planning screen at any time, click the back arrow B next to Flight 

Planning. 

Simulating the flight pian 

After creating a flight plan, you can simulate the flight plan to check the following items: 

• The unmanned aircraft uses the correct takeoff direction. 

• The flight height, route, and turns used are all correct. 

• The unmanned aircraft does not enter any avoidance zones. 

• The unmanned aircraft uses the correct landing circuit. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 146 
4 Completing a Flight 

Completing the pre-flight checklist 

1. In the Parameters tab of the Flight Planning screen, tap Checklist. The pre-flight checklist 

opens. 

2. Use each step of the pre-flight checklist to prepare the equipment for flight. 

The pre-flight checklist guides you through each step. 

Note- More information about the steps that require special care is given in the following sections. Read 

these sections carefully until you are familiar with all of the tasks required to perform these steps. 

• Connecting the GCS, page 48 

• Connecting the battery, page 48 

• Preparing the camera, page 48 

• Inserting the tracker transmitter, page 49 

• Attaching the top cover, page 49 

• Covering the pitot tube, page 49 

• Checking the eleven trim, page 49 

• Checking the eleven response, page 49 

• Preparing the launcher, page 50 

• Transmitting the flight plan, page 55 

• Initializing, page 55 

• Removing the pitot cover, page 56 

• Checking the airspeed response, page 56 

• Positioning the propellers, page 56 

• Arming the system, page 56 

• Launching the UX5, page 57 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 147 
4 Completing a Flight 

Connecting the GCS 

When you reach this step in the pre-flight checklist, the software automatically checks to see ifthe 

modem is already connected. 

If the modem is not connected, the message "Attach the modem and antenna on the ground 

control station" is displayed. Do the following: 

1. Attach the antenna to the modem. 

2. Attach the modem and antenna to the back of the Tablet, under the handstrap. 

3. Insert the modem cable into the USB port on the Tablet. 

4. Tap Next to prompt the software to check if the modem is connected. 

When the connection to the modem is established, the software automatically moves to the next 

step in the pre-flight checklist. 

Connecting the battery 

If you have not yet connected the battery: 

1. Insert a fully charged battery into the battery compartment of the unmanned aircraft. 

2. Connect the main power connector on the battery to the power connector of the eBox. The 

eBox emits an audible sound to confirm that the battery is connected and the eBox starts 

booting up. 

When the eBox has completed booting up, the Next button is enabled. 

Note - If after this step you are prompted to update the eBox firm ware, see Update checklist, page 75. 

Preparing the camera 

1. Using first the wet camera wipes and then the dry camera wipes, thoroughly clean the camera 

lens. Make sure there are no specks of moisture or dust, as these will affect the image quality. 

Note- Only use wipes that are specifically intended for cleaning camera lenses. 

2. Make sure the camera filter in the UXS body is also clean and that the camera filter is tightly 

screwed into the body. If not, gently tighten it, taking care not to over-tighten it. 

3. Turn on the camera and check the camera screen to make sure it displays the icons described in 

Checking the camera, page 33. 

Trimble UXS Aerial imaging Solution User Guide 148 
4 Completing a Flight 

4. Make sure the lens settings are as follows: 

Setting 'Valu~ Notes 02~ "" , ,;, " j 1f" , 

0 ~~\\,; A 0.:)0; ;;s;4iJ,;~ "' l;£";;s; 4 "'8 ° j£ f ,::; 

Aperture f/4.5 

ring 

Focus ring 3+ m This is set and calibrated by the manufacturer and must not change. 

For your reference, this position corresponds with the white dot 

appearing below the right edge of the red 0 in the 10ft mark. 

5. Insert the camera into the payload bay of the unmanned aircraft. 

6. In the Aerial Imaging software, tap the Take picture button. Make sure that you hear the 

trigger sound from the camera. 

Inserting the tracker transmitter 

1. Turn on the tracker transmitter. 

2. Make sure that you can hear the transmitter using the tracker receiver. 

3. Insert the tracker transmitter into the body ofthe unmanned aircraft. 

Attaching the top cover 

Attach the top cover to the unmanned aircraft and make sure it is secure. 

Covering the pitot tube 

Put the pitot tube cover on the pitot tube. Check the Airspeed field in the Aerial Imaging software 

and make sure the current airspeed is below 20 kph (12.4 mph). 

Checking the elevon trim 

Make sure that the outboard elevons are leveled with the inboard elevons (the inboard elevons are 

fixed). The accuracy should be about 1 mm. 

Checking the elevon response 

Watch the elevons on the unmanned aircraft and make sure they move in response to the signals 

sent from the Aerial Imaging software. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 149 
4 Completing a Flight 

Preparing the launcher 

Step 1: Assemble the launcher 

1. Unfold the launch slide. 

& CAUTION- Take care when unfolding the launch slide as there are sharp edges that can cause finger cuts. 

2. Secure each section of the launch slide by lifting the appropriate handle and hooking it into the 

next section ofthe launch slide. Close the handles. 

3. Unfold and secure the V-support with the lock pin. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide ISO 
4 Completing a Flight 

4. To attach the V-support to the launch slide, make sure the knob is pointing to the left and then 

insert the V-support pins in the reserved holes, situated approximately 2/3 of the length of the 

launch slide. Turn the knob to the right to tighten. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 151 
4 Completing a Flight 

Step 2: Attach launcher cord and launch dock 

1. Pull the ends of the launcher cord out of the launch slide so that the cord lies on top of the 

launcher slide. 

Note - If the launcher cord is blocked while the elastics are not tightened, pull the release handles 

upward to unblock them. 

CAUTION- Never push the release handles when there is tension on the launcher cord. You will damage 

the elastics. If there is tension on the cord, insert the crank onto the nut located toward the front end of the 

launcher and use the crank to very gently release the force. At the same time, pull the release handles 

gently upward. This is safest done with two people, with one person carefully winding the crank counterclockwise to counteract the force on the elastics. 

~(;/'." /\ /~-~ 

\//.';J:~~~~ci)!:JY r::::<f))/ ///;~~(~!~~ 

I ' 

2. Position the launch dock on the end of the launch slide with the arrows pointing in the 

direction of launch. 

3. Slide the launch dock over the ends of the launcher cord. 

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide I 52 
4 Completing a Flight 

4. To attach the ends of the launcher cord to the launch dock, remove the lock pin from the 

launch dock and then slide the lock pin through the holes in the launch dock, attaching the 

ends of the launch cord as you do so. Secure the lock pin. 

5. Slide the launch dock over the launch hook at the beginning of the launch slide, making sure 

the launch dock clicks into position. Make sure the trigger is not blocked. 

6. Insert the safety pin into the launch dock. 

WARNING- Always keep the safety pin inserted in the launch dock. Remove the safety pin only just before 

launch. Early removal of the launch pin can result in accidental release of the launcher, causing serious 

personal injury and damage to the UXS aerial imaging rover or launcher. 

CAUTION- Never launch without the UXS aerial imaging rover sitting on the dock as it will damage the 

launch dock. The design of the launcher takes into account the weight of the UXS aerial imaging rover 

sitting on the I a unch dock. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 153 
4 Completing a Flight 

Step 3: Tighten the launcher cord elastics 

1. Position the launcher at the planned takeoff location, with the launch direction pointing into 

takeoff direction you have indicated in the software. 

2. Insert the crank onto the nut located toward the front end of the launch slide. 

3. Stretch the launcher cord using the crank. In normal circumstances, the node between the cord 

and elastic should be in the middle of the hole where numbered "4" on the launcher. 

CAUTION- The launcher cord stretches with every launch. When you can easily reach the last hole when 

tightening the cord, replace the launcher cord to prevent unsuccessful launches and damage to the launcher 

or the aerial imaging rover. For more information, refer to the Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution 

Maintenance Manual. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide I 54 
4 Completing a Flight 

Step 4: Place the UXS onto the launcher 

1. Position the unmanned aircraft at the front of the launch dock and use your finger tips to guide 

the launcher slats on the underside of the unmanned aircraft onto the lips of the launch dock. 

& WARNING- Take care to ensure the aerial imaging rover is correctly positioned on the launch dock. An 

incorrect position can result in launch failure, causing serious personal injury and damage to the rover or 

launcher. 

2. Use the artificial horizon indicator in the Aerial Imaging software to check the pitch and roll of 

the aerial imaging rover on the launch dock. The pitch angle should be between 20° and 30° and 

the roll angle should be between -so and 5°. The horizon should be positioned parallel to the 

aerial imaging rover on the artificial horizon indicator. If you need to adjust the horizon, 

reposition the launcher. 

Transmitting the flight plan 

This step appears only if the software is still transmitting the flight plan to the eBox. lftransmission 

of the flight plan is already complete, this step does not appear. The Next button is available once 

flight plan transmission is complete. 

Initializing 

At this step in the pre-flight checklist, the eBox initializes. It must acquire lock on at least 4 usable 

GPS satellites. The GPS receiver in the eBox determines the usability ofthe satellites, based on the 

characteristics of each satellite. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide ISS 
4 Completing a Flight 

Removing the pitot cover 

Remove the cover from the pitot tube. 

Checking the airspeed response 

Press and hold the pitot tube for no more than 5 seconds. Make sure that the current airspeed 

shown in the Airspeed field in the status panel of the Aerial Imaging software changes. 

Positioning the propellers 

1. Check the position ofthe propellers on the unmanned aircraft and make sure they are pointing 

backward as shown in the Aerial Imaging software. 

2. If the propellers are not positioned correctly, carefully adjust them. 

WARNING- Always take care when touching the propeller blades. If the unmanned aircraft receives a sudden 

shock while armed, the motor can unexpectedly start causing the propeller blades to move. Contact with moving 

propeller blades can result in serious personal injury. 

Arming the system 

This step of the pre-flight checklist shows a summary of the system status. 

Pre fhqhtcheclll,t ? 

,---x ~':': >' \ -,- ' .- ,~- --,- , 

SJ. R~O'Iepitot.c~ . 

:Er 9hec;k-~~~-~Y~~~c; 

l!!i'PboitlOniproJ>Oil"" 

0 Arm system 

0 Launch 

UNARMED (• e 

ARMED ( • • 

e 

Arm system 

Check the launch values. If all 

values are ok, arm the system. 

• ) 

• J-~·J 

f.s. 32.27240'" S, 116.02837 ... E 0 32.2660r S, 116.02696• E • 32.26544• S, 116.01873 .. E. ground speed: 0 km/h 

To arm the system, tap Arm. 

LEGEND 

0 nollght 

• mmfnuous light 

• bll•~ ....... 

.ca 'udlbfe slgni:l 

Pte tllght < 

COM GPS BAT 

I 111111 - I I 100 89 

Height 0 m Desired 0 m 

Airspeed 0 km/h Desired 0 km/h 

Throttle c-_=:::______,_ ... _,_~,-··~ 0% 

Time Battery 40:23 

G Take picture (t.Arm 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 156 
4 Completing a Flight 

launching the UXS 

1. To remove the safety pin, position yourself behind the launcher, reach carefully under the 

unmanned aircraft and then pull out the safety pin. 

& WARNING- Always take care to avoid contact with the propeller blades. If the unmanned aircraft receives 

a sudden shock while armed, the motor can unexpectedly start causing the propeller blades to move. 

Contact with moving propeller blades can result in serious personal injury. 

2. Just before launch, perform the following safety checks: 

a. Make sure there are no aerial objects inside the zone of operation. 

b. Locate the unmanned aircraft on the Tablet screen. 

c. Make sure both crew members have a clear line of sight to the unmanned aircraft. 

d. Make sure there are no obstacles or people near the front of the launcher. 

& WARNING- Make sure you complete each of the safety checks listed at this step. Failure to do so could 

result in serious personal injury and damage to the unmanned aircraft or launcher. 

3. When you have made sure that everything is clear in front of, above, and behind the launcher, 

stand behind the launcher and press the launch handle to launch the unmanned aircraft. 

& CAUTION- Never launch without the unmanned aircraft sitting on the dock as it will damage the launch 

dock. The design of the launcher takes into account the weight of the unmanned aircraft sitting on the 

Ia unch dock. 

4. if an obstacle such as a person or animal suddenly appears in the obstacle clearance zone 

during takeoff, tap theFTS button in the Aerial Imaging software. The unmanned aircraft 

immediately powers down and returns to the ground. For more information, see Emergency 

software commands, page 63. 

5. After launch, release the tension on the launcher cord. Leaving tension on the launcher cord for 

extended periods can damage the elastics. To release the tension, release the force with the 

crank very gently while pulling the release handles in the front of the launcher upward. This is 

safest done with two people, with one person carefully winding the crank counter-clockwise to 

Trimble UXS Aerial imaging Solution User Guide 157 
4 Completing a Flight 

counteract the force on the elastics. 

Trimble UXS Aerial imaging Solution User Guide \58 
4 Completing a Flight 

Monitoring the flight 

CAUTION -It is your responsibility to take action during flight when the safety of the UXS aerial imaging rover or 

its surroundings is compromised. To do this you must: 

-Have visual contact with the unmanned aircraft at all times. 

-Observe the zone of operation for the unmanned aircraft and look out for other aerial objects. 

-Ensure obstacle clearance. 

-Keep an eye on changing weather conditions. 

-Locate the unmanned aircraft on the Tablet screen. 

-Monitor the flight telemetry on the Tablet screen. 

For information on the appropriate action to take if you see an oncoming aerial object at any point 

during the flight, see Handling emergencies during flight, page 61. 

After takeoff, the UXS aerial imaging rover climbs to the specified cruise height. 

Once the unmanned aircraft has passed its first waypoint, the second waypoint is initiated. From 

this point, the unmanned aircraft follows the preprogrammed flight path. 

The Flight screen with an example flight is shown below: 

(!) 32,26603• S, 116,02696• E A 32.26449• 5, 116,0296s+ E,. ground speedJ89 km/h 

I 100 89 

Desired 100m 

Airspeed 88 km/h Desired 75 kmth 

........ "~-~-~-==:: 34% 

00:01 Battery 06:38 

~~~J ·F~to 

. ~·~~'"'~] bzuQ¥~;~:;rJ 

lJ@l:~z,J l~,!~,s~''''J 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 159 
4 Completing a Flight 

You must use the Aerial Imaging software on the Tablet to monitor the unmanned aircraft during 

the entire flight: 

• The trajectory of the unmanned aircraft on the map must be close to the programmed flight 

path. 

• Monitor the strength of the communication link (COM bar). 

• Monitor the number of usable satellites (GPS bar). 

• Monitor the level of power in the battery. In the BAT bar the value is expressed as a percentage. 

In the Battery Time field, the value is expressed as time remaining in minutes and seconds. 

• Compare the actual flight height with the desired flight height set during mission and flight 

planning. 

• Compare the actual airspeed with the desired airspeed, which is 80 kph (49 mph) during cruise 

flight. The actual airspeed can be higher than the desired speed when the UXS is coping with a 

high head wind. The maximum airspeed is 90 kph (56 mph). 

• Monitor the throttle. The throttle should be around 30% during cruise flight in normal 

conditions. 

• Monitor the software for in-flight warnings and errors such as loss of GPS lock and loss of 

communication link. For more information on these warnings and the appropriate action to 

take, see Failsafes during flight, page 60 and Errors and warnings, page 75. 

Failsafes during flight 

The following failsafe mechanisms activate when a technical issue occurs that reduces the safe 

behavior of the unmanned aircraft: 

• Loss of GPS lock during flight 

• Loss of communication link during flight 

These mechanisms also trigger a notification on the Tablet, describing the issue. 

Loss of GPS lock during flight 

If the unmanned aircraft does not receive GPS communications for a period of4 seconds, then the 

following automaticfailsafe mechanism is activated: 

1. The unmanned aircraft banks at an angle of 25° while orbiting at its current location for 20 

seconds. If the unmanned aircraft successfully reacquires GPS lock, then it flies to the specified 

landing location and begins a normal landing sequence. 

2. If the unmanned aircraft is unable to reacquire GPS lock, then it activates the Flight Termination 

System (FTS). During FTS: 

a. The motor powers down and the speed lowers to 70 kph (43 mph). 

b. The unmanned aircraft orbits down in 200m (656ft) diameter circles until it reaches a 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 160 
4 Completing a Flight 

height of 7 m {23ft). 

Note- During FTS without GPS lock, the unmanned aircraft attempts to circle but the outcome is 

elliptical circles as the unmanned aircraft is subject to wind drift. 

c. The unmanned aircraft levels its wings, slows, and glides to the ground. 

Loss of communication link during flight 

If the unmanned aircraft does not receive a communication packet for the time specified in the 

Communication timeout field in the Settings screen, or if the communication link is poor and 

communication packets are being received intermittently, then the unmanned aircraft flies to the 

specified landing location and begins a normal landing sequence. 

Unlike a normal landing, you are not prompted to confirm landing before the final leg of the landing. 

If communication resumes during this automaticfailsafe mechanism, the unmanned aircraft 

continues the landing sequence. 

Handling emergencies during flight 

The most common emergencies involve another aircraft entering the vicinity at approximately the 

same height as the UXS. Different scenarios and recommended actions to ensure safe operation of 

the UXS are described below. 

For all scenarios, you must assess the situation before taking action. Take into account your 

location {that is, the location of the GCS) and the current location, course, and speed of the UXS and 

the intruding aircraft. 

Note- For any of the scenarios described below, if the situation is too critical (for example, fast moving 

aircraft) tap theFTS button and when prompted confirm Flight Termination System (FTS) activation to 

immediately abort the flight and put the UXS in an orbit toward the ground. 

" ~ 

v Scenario Action When the other aircraft r 

, has le~t the vicinity ... 

The approaching aircraft 1. Assess the situation. Tap Resume to continue 

will not cross the flight 2. Tap Hold, Home, Right, or Fly to to mapping. 

path of the UXS. move the UXS to a safe position. 

The flight path of the 1. Assess the situation. Tap Resume to continue 

approaching aircraft and 2. Tap Fly to to move the UXS to a safe mapping. 

the UXS are converging. position. 

The flight path of the 1. Assess the situation. Tap Resume to continue 

approaching aircraft is 2. Tap Fly to, Right, or Hold to move mapping. 

diverging from the flight the UXS to a safe position. path of the UXS. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 161 
4 Completing a Flight 

The flight path of the 

approaching aircraft is 

intercepting the flight 

path of the UXS. 

The approaching aircraft 

is approaching the UXS 

head-on. 

The approaching aircraft 

intends to land. 

1. Assess the situation. 

2. Tap Fly to, Right, or Hold to move 

the UXS to a safe position. 

1. Assess the situation. 

2. Tap Right to move the UXS to a safe 

position. 

A landing aircraft has priority over an UXS 

at all times. Never assume that the 

aircraft has noticed the UXS. Take the 

necessary safety measures depending on 

the situation. 

Tap Resume to continue 

mapping. 

Tap Resume to continue 

mapping. 

Tap Resume to continue 

mapping. 

Occasionally other objects such as birds enter the zone of operation. Assess the situation and try to 

avoid collisions using the methods described above. If a collision does occur, immediately press the 

FTS button in the Aerial Imaging software and if prompted, confirm FTS activation to abort the 

flight. Once the UXS has landed, carefully check equipment for damage. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 162 
4 Completing a Flight 

Emergency software commands 

The Monitor Flight screen of the Aerial Imaging software provides several buttons that enable you 

to manually interrupt the pre-programmed flight plan while the unmanned aircraft is in the air. Use 

these commands to take evasive action if required. 

Note- Tapping any button in this screen overrides any previous command. 

Note- The only button available when the UXS is below 50 m {164ft) during takeoff is theFTS button. None 

of the buttons in this screen are available when the UXS is in the final leg of the landing. 

Land 

Use the Land button when the flight must be terminated and there is time and space for a preplanned landing. 

When you tap Land, the unmanned aircraft immediately terminates its flight plan and initiates a 

normal landing sequence. It flies at cruise height to the entry point which is located 300m (984ft) 

from the landing location. It starts circling downward in 200m (656ft) diameter circles until it 

reaches a height of 75 m (246ft). 

To release the Land command, tap Resume. The unmanned aircraft returns to the start of the flight 

line it was on when the flight plan was interrupted, and resumes mapping when it reaches the point 

that mapping paused. 

To complete the landing, tap Confirm. The unmanned aircraft finishes its current circle until it 

reaches the point where it first started circling and then it starts the final leg of the landing. 

Fly to 

Use the Fly to button to move the unmanned aircraft from its current position to a location you 

choose. 

To enable the Fly to button, tap the location on the map that you want the unmanned aircraft to 

move to. Tap Fly to. The unmanned aircraft flies to the specified location and then orbits there at 

the cruise flight height in 200m (656ft) diameter circles. Mapping is paused. 

When in the Fly to pattern, you can adjust the unmanned aircraft's height by 10m (32ft) up or 

down, if required. The software does not allow the height to be set lower than 75 m (246ft) or higher 

than 750 m (2460 ft). 

To release the Fly to command, tap Resume. The unmanned aircraft returns to the height it was at 

before the Fly to pattern began. It flies to the previous waypoint and resumes mapping when it 

reaches the point that mapping paused. 

Note -If you tap the map again while the unmanned aircraft is in the Fly to pattern, the Resume button 

changes back to Fly to. You must tap Fly to again and the UXS will fly to the new location on the map. 

Hold 

Use the Hold button when another aircraft in the vicinity is observed. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 163 
4 Completing a Flight 

When you tap Hold, the unmanned aircraft begins orbiting its current location at the cruise flight 

height in 200m (656ft) diameter circles. Mapping is paused. 

When in the Hold pattern, you can adjust the unmanned aircraft's height by 10m (32ft) up or 

down, if required. The software does not allow the height to be set lower than 75 m (246ft) or higher 

than 750 m (2460ft). 

To release Hold, tap Resume. The unmanned aircraft returns to the height it was at before the Hold 

pattern began. It flies to the previous waypoint and resumes mapping when it reaches the point 

that mapping paused. 

Home 

Use the Home button when the unmanned aircraft must be removed from the general area of 

mapping and you want to have it within close sight. 

When you tap Home, the unmanned aircraft immediately flies to the location of the ground control 

station (GCS) or the last known location and orbits there at the cruise flight height in 200m (656ft) 

diameter circles. Mapping is paused. 

When in the Home pattern, you can adjust the unmanned aircraft's height by 10m (32ft) up or 

down, if required. The software does not allow the height to be set lower than 75 m (246ft) or higher 

than 750 m (2460ft). 

To release Home, tap Resume. The unmanned aircraft returns to the height it was at before the 

Home pattern began. It flies to the previous waypoint and resumes mapping when it reaches the 

point that mapping paused. 

Right 

Use the Right button when you want to move the unmanned aircraft away from its current position 

but have it close to its current location. 

When you tap Right, the unmanned aircraft flies 300m (984ft) to the right of the current heading 

and then orbits there at the cruise flight height in 200m (656ft) diameter circles. Mapping is paused. 

When in the Right pattern, you can adjust the unmanned aircraft's height by 10m (32ft) up or 

down, if required. The software does not allow the height to be set lower than 75 m (246ft) or higher 

than 750 m (2460 ft) .. 

To release the Right command, tap Resume. The unmanned aircraft returns to the height it was at 

before the Right pattern began. It flies to the previous waypoint and resumes mapping when it 

reaches the point that mapping paused. 

FTS 

Activate the Flight Termination System (FTS) when the UX5 aerial imaging rover must be removed 

from the air as quickly as possible. TheFTS button can be used during takeoff, cruise flight, and 

landing. 

To activate theFTS, tap FTS and if prompted, confirm FTS activation. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 164 
4 Completing a Flight 

The unmanned aircraft immediately aborts the flight. During cruise flight this involves: 

1. The motor powers down and the speed lowers to 70 kph (43 mph). 

2. The unmanned aircraft orbits down in 200m (656ft) diameter circles until it reaches a height of 

7 m (23ft). 

3. The unmanned aircraft levels its wings, slows, and glides to the ground. 

If you activate FTS when the unmanned aircraft is at a height of less than 25m (82ft) -that is, during 

takeoff or landing -then the unmanned aircraft slows to 60 kph (37 mph) and flies downward in a 

straight line at the current heading until it glides to the ground. 

Dealing with a crash 

A crash is an accident associated with the operation of an aircraft in which: 

• a person is fatally or seriously injured 

• the aircraft sustains damage or structural failure 

• the aircraft is missing or completely inaccessible 

Note- A landing on the intended landing site resulting in a damaged aircraft cannot be seen as a crash, 

except if there is damage to another object. 

1. If a crash occurs which causes injuries or death, you must: 

a. Contact the emergency services. 

b. Help where necessary, without risking your own life. 

c. Make a perimeter around the accident. Make sure no evidence disappears. 

d. Notify your civil aviation authority (CAA). 

2. If a crash occurs which causes damage to another object: 

a. Contact the emergency services when necessary (for example, if gas, electricity, or water 

supplies are affected). 

b. Contact the owners of the object that is hit. 

c. Notify your civil aviation authority. 

3. Take pictures of the crash site. Download the data files from the GCS and send all data and 

pictures to your Trimble distributor. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 165 
4 Completing a Flight 

Landing the UXS 

& CAUTION -It is your responsibility to ensure the safety of the unmanned aircraft during landing. To do this you 

must: 

-Have visual contact with the unmanned aircraft at all times. 

-Observe the zone of operation for the unmanned aircraft and look out for other aerial objects. 

-Ensure obstacle clearance. 

-Locate the unmanned aircraft on the Tablet screen. 

WARNING- Make sure there are no people or obstacles near the landing zone. Failure to do so could result in 

serious personal injury and damage to the rover. 

After passing the last waypoint on the scan lines, the UX5 terminates its flight plan and initiates a 

normal landing sequence. It flies at cruise height to the entry point which is located 300m (984ft) 

from the landing location. It starts circling downward in 200m (656ft) diameter circles until it 

reaches a height of 75 m (246ft). It keeps circling in left or right circles, depending on the direction 

specified in the Aerial Imaging software, until you tap Confirm. 

To complete the landing, tap Confirm. The aerial imaging rover finishes its current circle until it 

reaches the point where it first started circling and then it starts the final leg of the landing. 

The image below shows the landing circuit using a landing orientation set to right turns. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 166 
4 Completing a Flight 

locating the UXS after landing 

If the UXS has landed somewhere in the field and you are not able to visually locate it, you can track 

it using the tracking system receiver. 

1. On the receiver, press and hold the On/Off key for three seconds to power on the receiver. 

2. Press the Menu/OK key to enter the menu. 

3. Select the transmitter you want to track down using the Scan key and then press the Menu/OK 

key to confirm. 

4. Fold out the four antennas on the receiver and then place the receiver on the palm of your 

hand, taking care not to touch any of the antennas. 

5. Increase the gain as much as possible using the Increase key. 

6. To pick up the first signal pulses, hold the receiver in front of you at high level and slowly turn 

360°, scanning the horizon with the antenna. 

Tip- Make sure the internal antenna is selected. The range of the receiver is wider if you 

track from an elevation. Always hold the receiver in front of you so that the receiver can 

distinguish between incoming signals from the front and the back. 

Each received signal pulse and its strength are shown on the transmitter bar/received signal 

strength indicator and indicated with an audible signal. 

7. Scan the area to determine the direction with the highest signal strength. If the signal strength 

is the same in all directions, reduce the gain using the Decrease key until the received signal 

strength is halfthe transmitter bar and then repeat the scan. 

8. Follow the determined direction. Repeat the scan at intervals to verify the direction you need 

to head in to locate the aerial imaging rover. 

Note -If you experience difficulties finding the rover following one direction, try doing the scan from a 

different location and locating the cross-section between the new and previously found direction. 

For more information on using the tracker system, refer to the user documentation for the 

tracker transmitter and receiver. 

Completing the post-flight checklist 

1. After the UXS has successfully landed, tap Finish flight. 

2. A message warns that the UXS should be on the ground. Do one of the following: 

• Tap No to cancel the post-flight checklist. 

• Tap Yes. The UXS goes into standby mode and the post-flight checklist appears. 

3. Remove the download port cap from the eBox and then attach the download cable to the eBox 

and the modem. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 167 
4 Completing a Flight 

4. Click Next. 

The software detects the cable connection and automatically starts downloading the log files 

from the eBox to the Tablet. 

Note -If there is an issue with the cable connection, the post-flight checklist returns to the previous 

screen. Detach and then reattach the cable and then click Next. 

5. When prompted, disconnect the download cable and then reattach the download port cap to 

the eBox. 

6. When prompted, remove the camera from the unmanned aircraft and make sure the number 

of captured images shown on the camera is the same as the number of captured images shown 

in the Aerial Imaging software. 

Note -If you have images from more than one flight on the camera, you may need to remove the SO 

card from the camera, insert it into the Tablet, and then use Windows Explorer to navigate to the correct 

folder on the SD card to view the number of images taken for the flight. To do this you will need a USB to 

SO card reader or an external storage device. For more information, see Locating your equipment, page 

37. 

7. Tap Finish to close the post-flight checklist and return to the Mission Planning screen. 

Exporting the mission 

Although you can use the Aerial Imaging software on the Tablet to analyze and export the flight for 

processing, it will typically be done in the office using the Aerial Imaging Desktop software. To be 

able to do this you must export the mission from the Aerial Imaging software on the Tablet. 

1. In the Mission Planning screen, click Export. The Export Mission dialog appears. 

2. Navigate to the folder where you want to save the mission. If the Tablet cannot access a 

network folder, then insert a USB stick and then navigate to a folder on the USB stick. 

3. Enter the file name and then click Save. 

The exported mission is saved as a .gwt file in the folder you selected. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 168 
4 Completing a Flight 

Disassembling the launcher 

1. If you have not yet released the tension on the launcher cord, then do so now. 

To release the tension, release the force with the crank very gently while pulling the release 

handles in the front of the launcher upward. This is safest done with two people, with one 

person carefully winding the crank counter-clockwise to counteract the force on the elastics. 

2. Remove the lock pin on the launch dock and detach the launcher cord. 

3. Using the crank, tighten the launcher cord so that most of the cord is in the launch slide but the 

end remains out. 

4. Slide the launch dock offthefront ofthe launch slide. 

5. To detach the V-support, turn the knob upward and then slide the pins out of the holes in the 

launch slide. Remove the lock pin on the V-support to fold the legs and then reinsert the lock 

pin. 

& CAUTION- Take care when folding the V-support legs not to jam or cut fingers. 

6. Open the handle fixes on the launch slide and fold the launch slide. 

7. Return the following items to the launcher bag: 

• safety pin 

• launch dock with lock pin 

• V-support 

• crank 

• launch slide with elastics 

For more information, see Locating your equipment, page 37. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 169 
Analysis and Export 

In this chapter: 

• Transferring the images 

• Importing the mission to the Aerial 

Imaging Desktop software 

• Exporting flight data for processing 

CHAPTER 5 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 170 
5 Analysis and Export 

Transferring the images 

Note -If you already transferred the images from the camera to an external storage device in the field, then 

transfer the images from that device to a location on the computer running the Aerial imaging Desktop 

software, or to a network location. 

If you have not already transferred the images from the camera: 

1. When you return to the office, remove the SD card from the camera. 

2. Insert the SD card into an office computer and then transfer the images from the SD card to a 

location on the computer or a network location. 

3. Delete the images from the SD card. 

4. Replace the SD card in the camera. 

Importing the mission to the Aerial Imaging Desktop 

software 

1. Start the Aerial Imaging Desktop software. 

2. In the Aerial Imaging screen, tap Import. 

3. Navigate to the location of the .gwt file, select it and then tap Open. 

The mission you imported and the flights in that mission are listed and the mission map 

appears. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 171 
5 Analysis and Export 

Exporting flight data for processing 

Note- You can export flight data from the Aerial Imaging Desktop software, or from the Aerial imaging 

software on the Tablet, if you have copied the images to the Tablet. 

1. In theAeriaflmaging screen, make sure the correct mission is selected. 

2. Click Export. The Export wizard appears. 

3. Select the format to export to: 

• To process the flight data using Trimble Business Center software, select the .jxl option. 

• To process the flight data using other processing software, select the .csv option. 

4. Click Next. 

5. Select the flight to export and then select the folder where you have stored the images for that 

flight. 

The summary at the bottom of the window shows you the number of camera triggers in the 

flight log file and the number of images in the selected image folder. 

If these numbers do not correspond, you have the option to correct it using the Aerial Imaging 

software. For each scan line the software matches the shutter commands with the number of 

images. 

Note- The files must be corrected before exporting to Trimble Business Center. 

If there are: 

• too many images, first check the image folder and make sure it does not contain images 

from a different flight. Then select the option to automatically correct the files. 

For scan lines that have more images than shutter commands, the extra images are 

dropped at the end of the scan line, regardless of where in the scan line the extra images 

occurred. 

• not enough images, you may need to repeat the flight. If the number of missing or 

additional images is not large, select the option to automatically correct the files. 

For scan lines that have more shutter commands than images, the extra shutter 

commands are dropped at the end of the scan line, regardless of where in the scan line the 

extra shutter commands occurred. 

Note -lfthere are more than three images missing, Trimble recommends performing the flight 

again. If the missing images are not due to obvious reasons such as a depleted camera battery 

during flight, an SO card with incorrect specifications (see Locating your equipment, page 37}, or 

incorrect camera settings, contact your Trimble distributor. 

A message appears, showing the correction results. 

6. Click Next. 

7. Enter a file name for the exported flight data and then click Save. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 172 
5 Analysis and Export 

By default the exported file is stored in the same folder as the images for the flight. This is 

required for processing .jxl files using Trimble Business Center. 

8. Click Finish to close the Export wizard. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 173 
CHAPTER 6 

Troubleshooting 

In this chapter: 

• Update checklist 

• Errors and warnings 

• Landing issues 

• Technical support 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 174 
6 Troubleshooting 

Update checklist 

The Aerial Imaging software performs a firmware version check when the connection between the 

GCS and the UXS is established during the pre-flight checklist procedure. If firmware updates are 

available you are prompted to perform an update. 

1. Dooneofthefollowing: 

• To dismiss the update checklist and continue with the pre-flight checklist, tap No. 

• To start the firmware update, tap Yes. The update checklist appears. 

2. When prompted, attach the modem. Tap Next to update the modem firmware. 

3. When prompted, connect the download cable. Tap Next to update the eBox firmware. 

4. The ebox firmware update consists of several automatic steps. When the firmware has finished 

updating, disconnect the download cable from the eBox and the modem. 

The software returns to the Flight Planning screen. 

Errors and warnings 

This topic describes error messages or warnings may appear. Use the table below the message to 

take appropriate action. If the problem persists, contact your Trimble distributor. 

Low battery level 

If the message appears Then ... ~ ' 

Pre-flight, before ARM 

Pre-flight, after ARM 

In-flight 

Replace the battery with a fully charged battery and then redo the 

pre-flight checklist. 

1. Disarm the UXS via software. If that does not work, disarm the 

UXS by pressing the Mode button once (one flash) taking care 

to avoid the propellers. 

2. Replace the battery with a fully charged battery and then redo 

the pre-flight checklist. 

lfthe landing location is not too far from the location of the UXS and 

the battery level is not too low, tap Land. Otherwise, tap FTS. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 175 
6 Troubleshooting 

Loss of GPS lock 

Pre-Flight, before ARM 

Pre-Flight, after ARM 

In-flight 

Communication loss 

Pre-Flight, before ARM 

Pre-Flight, after ARM 

In-flight 

Autopilot errors 

You will not be able to ARM the UXS. 

1. Press the Mode button once (one flash) to restart the eBox. 

2. Redo the checklist. 

1. Disarm the UXS via software. If that does not work, disarm the 

UXS by pressing the Mode button once (one flash) taking care 

to avoid the propellers. 

2. Press the Mode button once (one flash) to restart the eBox. 

3. Redo the checklist. 

The automatic failsafe mechanism is activated. See Failsafes during 

flight, page 60. 

You will not be able to ARM the UXS. 

1. Press the Mode button once (one flash) to restart the eBox. 

2. Redo the checklist. 

1. Disarm the UXS via software. If that does not work, disarm the 

UXS by pressing the Mode button once (one flash) taking care 

to avoid the propellers. 

2. Press the Mode button once (one flash) to restart the eBox. 

3. Redo the checklist. 

The automaticfailsafe mechanism is activated. See Failsafes during 

flight, page 60. 

Any Autopilot errors, including: 

• Autopilot error 2: airspeed disconnected 

• Autopilot error 3: old params 

• Autopilot error 4: params uninit 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 176 
;J 

6 Troubleshooting 

• Autopilot error 8: altimeter zero 

• Autopilot error 9: pitch range 

• Autopilot error 10: pitch zero 

• Autopilot error 12: roll zero 

• Autopilot error 14: Yaw zero 

• Autopilot error 15: AGL range 

• Autopilot error 16: inconsistent params 

• Autopilot error 17: flight invalid command 

• Autopilot error 23: accelerometer failure 

• Autopilot error 72: multiple errors 

• Autopilot error 255: battery error 

f¢ I ""'( 

If th~ messag~~ppears ~ ~ Then ... ;,~ ' ~' l - "q; ~ "' ", Bt 

Pre-Flight, before ARM 

Pre-Flight, after ARM 

In-flight 

Landing issues 

You will not be able to ARM the UX5. 

1. Press the Mode button once (one flash) to restart the eBox. 

2. Redo the checklist. 

1. Disarm the UX5 via software. If that does not work, disarm the 

UX5 by pressing the Mode button once (one flash) taking care 

to avoid the propellers. 

2. Press the Mode button once (one flash) to restart the eBox. 

3. Redo the checklist. 

If the landing location is not too far from the location of the UX5 and 

the battery level is not too low, tap Land. Otherwise, tap FTS. 

If the unmanned aircraft does not automatically power off the motor after landing, Trimble 

recommends manually powering off the motor as soon as possible to avoid motor damage. To 

manually power off the UX5, tap theFTS button in the Aerial Imaging software. If that does not 

work, press and hold the Mode button on the eBox until the LED flashes three times. 

& WARNING- Always take care to avoid contact with the propeller blades. Contact with moving propeller blades 

can result in serious personal injury. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 177 
6 Troubleshooting 

eBox LED status 

The diagram below shows the status of the LEOs on the eBox. 

3 flashes 

disconnect battery 

/'" 

I 

\,...., 

3 flashes 

1 flash 

POWER CYCLE 

OFF 

connect battery 

(ie• 'I 

j 

STANDBY 

2 flashes 

l

, •e· I ----~ 

1 flash 

DISARM 

ON 

2 flashes 

[ • 8. J 

ARMED 

Technical support 

DOWNLOAD 

3 flashes 

If you have an issue and cannot find the information you need in the product documentation, 

contact your Trimble distributor. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 178 
CHAPTER 7 

Specifications and Settings 

In this chapter: 

• UXS specifications 

• Camera specifications 

• Camera settings 

• Battery charger settings 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 179 
7 Specifications and Settings 

UXS specifications 

The UX5 aerial imaging rover has the following specifications: 

Power/battery 

Battery type 

Nominal energy capacity 

Nominal voltage 

Battery charger settings for 

charging: 

-Maximum current 

-Voltage 

Battery charger settings for 

Lithium polymer 

6000mAh 

14.8V 

6A 

12.6 v +/- 0.03 v 

discharging: 40 A 

-Maximum current 9 v 

-Cut-off voltage 

Battery charging time 

Height 

Minimum flight height 

Maximum flight height 

Maximum operational ceiling 

(recommended) 

Maximum 2 hours if fully 

discharged. 

75 m (246ft) 

750 m (2460 ft) 

5000 m (16,400 ft) 

Note- UXS not tested above 2500 m 

{8202ft). 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 180 
7 Specifications and Settings 

Dimensions 

Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) 2.5 kg (5.51bs) 

Wing span 100 em (39.3 ") 

Length 65 em (25.6 ") 

Height 10.5 em (4.1 ") 

& CAUTION- Any deviation leading to a different maximum takeoff weight (MTOW} must be approved by Trimble. 

Camera specifications 

The Sony NEX-5R camera has the following specifications: 

{ 't~~ ~ ' 

Fe!ature Specification ~ k ' 

Effective pixels 

Image sensor 

Focal length 

F-aperture 

Shutter speed 

ISO sensitivity 

Display 

Dimensions 

(width x height x depth) 

Weight 

Battery charging time 

16.1 megapixels 

APS-C 23.5 x 15.6 mm (0.93 x 0.61") 

CMOS 

4.5-22 

1/4000-30 

ISO 100-25600 equivalent 

7.5cm (3") 

110.8 x 58.8 x 32.5 mm 

(4.36 X 2.31 X 1.28 ") 

218 g (0.481b) body only 

Approximately 280 minutes when 

fully discharged 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 181 
7 Specifications and Settings 

Cam era settings 

The camera arrives with the appropriate settings required to obtain good aerial images set by 

Trimble. These settings are listed below. 

Note the following: 

• Settings that are greyed out in the camera menus cannot be selected and so are not listed here. 

• A value of"-" in the tables below indicates that the value for that setting is not set and is not 

required. 

• A value of "N/ A" in the tables below indicates that the setting is available for selection but the 

value is not applicable. 

Lens settings 

Aperture ring 

Focus ring 

f/4.5 

3+m 

Note - This is set and calibrated by the 

manufacturer and must not change. For your 

reference, this position corresponds with the white 

dot appearing below the right edge of the red 0 in 

the 10ft mark. 

Menu settings 

Shoot Mode 

0tf+¢ ;; -{: 

Setting ~,,, ~ Value " 

Shoot Mode 

Camera 

S (Shutter priority) 

1/1000 or above 

; f y "'~ = ~ 

Setting , , Value ~ ~ ;; "" ? "' "' ~v "'"" 

Drive Mode Remote Cdr. 

Flash Mode 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 182 
7 Specifications and Settings 

AF /M F Select 

Autofocus Area 

Autofocus Mode 

Touch Shutter 

Object Tracking 

Zoom 

Face Detection Off 

Face Registration 

Smile Shutter Off 

Auto Port Framing Off 

Soft Skin Effect Off 

Shooting Tip List 

LCD Display Display All Info 

DISP Button Enable the following: 

• Display All Info 

• Big Font Size Disp 

• Histogram 

Image Size 

< 

Setting Value ~ 

"""' '\ '"" 

Image Size 16M L:16M 

Aspect Ratio 3:2 

Quality Fine 

Movie File Format N/A 

Movie Record Setting N/A 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 183 
7 Specifications and Settings 

Brightness/Color 

Exposure Compensation ± 0.0 

ISO 

White Balance 

Metering Mode 

DRO/ Auto HDR 

Picture Effect 

Creative Style 

Playback 

Auto 

AWB 

Note- When using the NIR camera, select custom 

white balance or incandescent. 

Multi 

O-Range Optimizer 

Off 

Standard 

There are no relevant settings set in the Playback menu. 

Application 

There are no relevant settings set in the Application menu. 

Setup 

Shooting settings 

AEL with shutter On 

AF Illuminator Off 

Live View Display Setting Effect On 

Auto Review Off 

Grid Line Off 

Peaking Level Mid 

Peaking Color Red 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 184 
7 Specifications and Settings 

Clear Image Zoom Off 

Digital Zoom Off 

Self-portrait Self-timer Off 

MF Assist On 

MF Assist Time 2Sec 

Color Space sRGB 

Release without Lens Enable 

Front Curtain Shutter Off 

Long Exposure NR Off 

High ISO NR Normal 

Lens Comp.:Shading Auto 

Lens Comp.: Chromatic Auto 

Aberation 

Lens Comp.: Distortion Auto 

Auto Slow Shutter Off 

Movie Audio Rec. On 

Wind Noise Reduction On 

AF Micro Adjustment 

Main settings 

0 

, Setting Vall::l~, 

' ' 

Menu Start Top 

Function Menu Settings 

MOVIE Button Off 

Custom Key Settings 

Touch Operation Off 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 185 
7 Specifications and Settings 

Beep 

Language 

Date/Time Setup 

Area Setting 

Help Guide Display 

Power Save 

Power Saving Start Time 

LCD Brightness 

Display Color 

Wide Image 

Playback Display 

HDMI Resolution 

CTRL for HDMI 

USB Connection 

Cleaning Mode 

Version 

Initialize 

Memory card tool 

Off 

English 

Set the correct date and time for your 

location and the format used by your 

organization. 

Set the correct area for your location. 

Off 

Standard 

lmin 

Manual 

White 

Normal 

Manual Rotate 

Auto 

On 

Auto 

(Click to clean the sensor.) 

(Click to see the camera and lens 

version.) 

(Click to reset settings.) 

~t~" ":c r" ""'"'~ " " ~;If ~ z'k 

Setting ;* ,{ Value ' " '',; : ', 9: " ~ ~> 

Format 

(Click to format a card.) 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 186 
7 Specifications and Settings 

s~;'""lft "'~ : :~;{"> ; ""'~ """' ""'""+~" ~"':' ' 

Setting , " "" Value " );, ""' ;: 0' 

File Number Series 

Folder Name Date Form 

New Folder 

(Click to create a folder.) 

Recover Image DB 

(Click to recover the image database.) 

Display Card Space 

Click to view card space usage.) 

Network settings 

!! "' '"'" 

; Setting ~" , Value h 

~ "' X: 

WPS Push 

(Click to connect using WPS Push.) 

Access Point Settings 

Edit Device Name 

Display MAC Address 

(Click to view the MAC address.) 

Reset View on Smartphone 

(Click to reset the remote view.) 

Reset Network Settings 

(Click to reset the network settings.) 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 187 
7 Specifications and Settings 

Battery charger settings 

When the charger power on, it displays the following parameters for the UX5 battery: 

• LiPo manual 

• C:5.0A 6000mAh 

& WARNING- Always check that the settings on the charger are correct before charging the battery. Incorrect 

charger settings may result in damage to the battery, severe burning and fire hazards. 

If the settings are incorrect, correct them using the steps below: 

1. To change the battery type, press and hold the Prog/Mode key for two seconds. Repeat the 

button press until the charger screen shows "LiPo manual" or "Lilo manual" or "LiFe manual". 

2. Briefly press the Prog/Mode key (for less than two seconds). 

3. To change the lithium type, press the DEC or INC key until the lithium type is set to "LiPo". 

4. To change the voltage per cell, press the Enter/Start key and then press the DEC or INC key 

until the voltage is set to "4.20V/C". 

5. Briefly press the Prog/Mode key (for less than two seconds). 

6. In the main screen, the "C:x.xA" entry is blinking. Press the DEC or INC key until it shows "5.0". 

7. To change the battery capacity, press the Enter/Start key and then press the DEC or INC key 

until the battery capacity is set to "6000mAh". 

Your charger is now set and should show: 

• LiPo manual 

• C:5.0A 6000mAh 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide jss 
\) 

Glossary 

Glossary 

aerial imaging rover 

aerial photo station 

aeronautical 

information 

publication 

AlP 

avoidance zone 

CAA 

cross wind 

elevon 

flight 

flight plan 

GCP 

GCS 

georeference 

The UXS aerial imaging rover is a type of unmanned aircraft specifically 

designed for aerial photogrammetry. 

An aerial photo station is created each time an aerial photo is taken 

during a flight. It defines a point and includes raw sensor values 

(orientation and tilt), coordinate data, and an image. 

A manual containing thorough details of regulations, procedures and 

other information pertinent to flying aircraft in the particular country to 

which it relates. It is usually issued by or on behalf of the respective civil 

aviation administration. 

See aeronautical information publication. 

Avoidance zones are used in the mission map to indicate areas that the 

unmanned aircraft must not fly over, such as airports and forbidden 

airspace. 

Civil Aviation Authority. 

A wind that blows from a sideways direction. 

The movable flap on the back edge of each wing. The elevons move up 

and down to create uneven lift, which controls the aircraft's rolling and 

banking movement. 

Contained within a mission, a flight covers a single polygonal area on the 

earth's surface. A flight is defined by a flight plan. 

In aviation terms, a flight starts as soon as the aircraft starts to move 

under its own power or by additional equipment that is part of the 

system until the moment it comes to rest. 

A set of parameters that defines the proper flight path the unmanned 

aircraft must follow during a single flight. Parameters include the desired 

altitude ofthe side image overlap. A mission can include one or more 

flights, each of which is defined by a flight plan. 

See ground control point. 

See ground control station. 

The act of positioning an object at its true location (using two or more 

coordinates) in 2D or 3D space. Georeferencing is used, for example, to 

position an aerial photograph accurately in relation to other objects in a 

project. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide jsg 
Glossary 

georeferenced image 

ground control point 

ground control 

station 

ground sample 

distance 

GSD 

head wind 

height 

launch 

launch dock 

launcher 

METAR 

mission 

mission area 

A photo taken from a ground- or aerial-based station that includes 

overlaid point coordinate data. See also georeference. 

An accurately surveyed coordinate location for a physical feature that 

can be identified on the ground and is used to georeference images. 

The ground control station (GCS) is used to control the unmanned 

aircraft from the ground. It comprises the Trimble Tablet Rugged PC 

running the Trimble Aerial Imaging software. A modem is connected to 

the Tablet to enable radio communication to the aerial imaging rover. 

Although the unmanned aircraft flies following a preprogrammed flight 

plan, you need the GCS to manage the unmanned aircraft before, 

during, and after the flight. 

In the Aerial Imaging software, the ground sample distance (GSD) is the 

distance on the ground represented by each pixel. The GSD and the 

height at which the aircraft flies are linked. The higher the unmanned 

aircraft flies, the larger the distance on the ground represented by each 

pixel in the images acquired during the flight. 

See ground sample distance. 

A wind that blows from the direction that the aircraft is flying toward. 

The height above the ground that the unmanned aircraft flies. The rover 

does not begin taking photographs until it reaches the height specified 

for the flight. 

The process of releasing the rover from the launcher. Launch 

immediately preceeds takeoff. 

The platform that rests on the launcher. The unmanned aircraft sits on 

the launch dock. The launch dock moves forward along the launcher at 

speed when the unmanned aircraft is launched. 

The launcher is a mechanical device that provides a safe way to launch 

the unmanned aircraft in the direction of takeoff. 

A routine aviation weather report issued at hourly or half-hourly 

intervals. It is a description of the meteorological elements observed at 

an airport at a specific time. 

An interconnected series of aerial photo station images recorded with an 

unmanned aircraft system (UAS) that are intended to be processed as a 

single unit and used for surveying purposes. A mission can include one 

or more flights that cover a single polygonal area. 

A single polygonal area that defines the geographical area to be 

photographed during one or more flights. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 190 
Glossary 

NOT AM 

photogrammetry 

pitot tube 

remote pilot station 

remotely-piloted 

remotely-piloted 

aircraft 

remotely-piloted 

aircraft system 

RPA 

RPA system 

RPAS 

segregated airspace 

TAF 

tail wind 

takeoff 

terminal aerodrome 

forecast 

tracker 

A notice filed with an aviation authority to alert aircraft pilots of potential 

hazards along a flight route or at a location that could affect the safety of 

the flight. The term NOT AM is commonly used rather than the more 

formal term Notice to Airmen. 

The use of photography in surveying and mapping to make 

measurements between objects. 

The sensor used by the aircraft to detect airspeed. It must be kept clean 

and free of obstructions to operate correctly. 

The station at which the remote pilot manages the flight of an 

unmanned aircraft. 

Control of an aircraft from a pilot station which is not on board the 

aircraft. 

An aircraft where the flying pilot is not on board the aircraft. This is a 

subcategory of unmanned aircraft. 

A set of configurable elements consisting of a remotely-piloted aircraft, 

its associated remote pilot station(s), the required command and control 

links and any other system elements as may be required at any point 

during flight operation. 

See remotely-piloted aircraft. 

A remote crew member who, by visual observation ofthe remotelypiloted aircraft, assists the remote pilot in the safe conduct of the flight. 

See remotely-piloted aircraft system. 

Airspace of specified dimensions allocated for exclusive use to a specific 

user(s). 

See terminal aerodrome forecast. 

A wind that blows from the opposite direction to the direction that the 

aircraft is flying toward. 

The initial ascent ofthe unmanned aircraft. Takeoff immediately follows 

launch. 

A terminal aerodrome forecast (TAF) is a concise statement of the 

expected meteorological conditions at an airport during a specified 

period (usually 24 or 30 hours). 

The tracker consists of a transmitter inserted in the body of the 

unmanned aircraft and a receiver. If required, the receiver is used to 

track the transmitter signal so the unmanned aircraft can be located 

once it has landed. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 191 
Glossary 

UA 

UAS 

unmanned aircraft 

unmanned aircraft 

system 

visual line-of-sight 

operation 

waypoint 

winglet 

See unmanned aerial vehicle. 

See unmanned aircraft system. 

An aircraft which is intended to operate with no pilot on board. See also 

unmanned aircraft system (UAS). 

An aircraft and its associated elements which are operated with no pilot 

on board. 

An operation in which the remote crew maintains direct visual contact 

with the aircraft to manage its flight. 

A waypoint is a point between major points on a route, as along a track. 

In terms of the Aerial Imaging software, a waypoint is located at the 

beginning and end of each flight line in the scan area. 

The extreme edge of the wing. 

Trimble UXS Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 192 
Parrot 

BEBOP DRONE 

User guide 
Table of Contents 

Before you begin ........................................................................................................................................ 4 

Package contents ............................................................................................................................................................................. 4 

Downloading the application ...................................................................................................................................................... 4 

Charging the battery ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4 

Installing the battery ....................................................................................................................................................................... s 

Using the hull ..................................................................................................................................................................................... s 

Connecting a smartphone ............................................................................................................................................................ 6 

Switching onjoff the Parrot Bebop Drone ............................................................................................................................ 6 

Changing the propellers ................................................................................................................................................................ ] 

Preflight check ............................................................................................................................................ 8 

Flying ....................................................................................................................................................... 9 

Piloting screen ................................................................................................................................................................................... 1o 

Calibrating the Parrot Bebop Drone ........................................................................................................................................ 11 

Map mode ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 11 

Flat trim ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 13 

GPS signal ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 13 

Take off ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 13 

Movements ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 

Pre-programmed acrobatics ....................................................................................................................................................... 15 

Photos and videos. ........................................................................................................................................................................... 15 

Landing ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 17 

Return to starting point ................................................................................................................................................................. 17 

Battery ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19 

Settings ....................................................................................................................................................... 20 

Flight. ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2o 

lmage ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 20 

Recording ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 21 

Piloting ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 22 

Network ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 23 

Motor information ........................................................................................................................................................................... 25 

Version ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 25 
Drone Academy ......................................................................................................................................... 26 

Updating ...................................................................................................................................................... 28 

Troubleshooting .......................................................................................................................................... 29 

Led behavior ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 29 

Spare parts ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 29 

General information ................................................................................................................................... 30 

Safety precautions and maintenance ...................................................................................................................................... 30 

Wi-Fi ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 31 

Warning on invasion of privacy ............................................................................................................................................. 31 

Battery ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 31 

Warranty .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 31 

Modifications ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 32 

Disposal of this product at the end of its life .................................................................................................................. 33 

Declaration of conformity ............................................................................................................................................................ 33 

Registered trademarks .............................................................................................................................................................. 33 
Before you begin 

Note: For easy reading, iPhone®, iPad® and other compatible telephones or tablets are 

referred to as 'smartphones' in the manual. 

Package contents 

Parrot Bebop Drone Batteries (x 2) 

Extra propellers (x 4) Propellers mounting tool 

Charger Plug converters (x4) 

Lens cap USB f Micro USB cable 

Hull protections (x 2) 

Install the camera's lens cap with the elastic band when you carry the Parrot Bebop 

Drone to protect it. 

Downloading the application 

Connect to the App Store5M or Google PlayTM and download the FreeFiight 3 

application forfree. 

Note: The application is compatible with the Parrot Bebop Drone from the FreeFiight 

3.1 version only. 

Charging the battery 

1. Insert the plug converter corresponding to your country 

to the charger. 

2. Plug the battery into the charger. 

3. Plug the charger into the mains. 

> The charger led lights up in red when charging. Once 

the battery is fully charged, the led turns green. The 

battery takes about 1 hour to charge. 
Installing the battery 

1. Plug the battery to the Parrot Bebop Drone's power cable (A). If necessary, pull the 

string to access the power cable. 

2. Slide the battery into its compartment. 

3. Attach the strap to secure the battery (B). 

• 

Using the hull 

To use the Parrot Bebop Drone indoors: 

1. Install the hull protectors to protect the Parrot Bebop Drone in case of collision. 

2. Launch the Free Flight 3 application. 

3. Press 0, then Flight settings. 

4· Activate the Hull button. 

To use the Parrot Bebop Drone outdoors: 

Before you begin 5 
1. Remove the hull protectors for better speed performance. 

2. Press 0, then Flight settings. 

3. Deactivate the Hull button. 

Note: If you fly the Parrot Bebop Drone outdoors in an obstructed area, install the hull 

protectors and activate the Hull button. 

Connecting a smartphone 

1. Switch the Parrot Bebop Drone on. 

2. On your smartphone, launch a search of the Wi-Fi® networks available: 

• if you are using an iPhone or an iPad, select Settings> Wi-Fi; 

• if you are using an AndroidTM smartphone, select Settings > Wireless and 

networks> Wi-Fi. 

3. Select the network: BebopDrone_xxxxx. 

4. Wait for your smartphone to connect to the Wi-Fi network of the Parrot Bebop 

Drone. This connection is generally represented by the Wi-Fi logo appearing on 

the smartphone screen. 

s. Start the Free Flight 3 application. 

> The connection between your smartphone and the Parrot Bebop Drone 1s 

established automatically. 

See the Settings>Wi-Fi section forfurther information. 

Switching on/off the Parrot Bebop Drone 

Press the onjoff button located on the back oft he Parrot Bebop 

Drone to switch it on or off. 

>The led located on the on/off button lights up in green and the 

Parrot Bebop Drone omits a sound once it is fully booted and ready 

for use. 

6 Before you begin 
Changing the propellers 

1. Remove the propellers with the propellers mounting tool (A). 

2. Install the new propellers (B): 

• place the propellers with a hole in the middle on the motors with a protruding 

axle (front right and rear left motors); 

• place the propellers without a hole on the motors without protruding axle (front 

left and rear right motors). 

3· Lock the propellers with the propellers mounting tool. 

• 

Before you begin 7 
Preflight check 

Before each flight session, check the following points: 

• Do not fly the Parrot Bebop Drone at night. 

• Check the weather conditions. Do not fly the Parrot Bebop Drone when the 

weather is rainy, snowy, orfoggy. 

• Ensure there is no obstacle in your flight area that could disturb piloting or visual 

flight. 

• Ensure the use ofthe Parrot Bebop Drone is allowed in yourflight area. 

• Check the Wi-Fi use restrictions in yourflight area. 

• Ensure the propellers are correctly installed and locked. For further information, see 

Before you begin > Changing the propellers. 

• Ensure the battery is correctly attached to the Parrot Bebop Drone. For further 

information, see Before you begin > Installing the battery. 

• Ensure the Parrot Bebop Drone and your smartphone batteries are charged. 

• Check the quality oft he Wi-Fi range. Forfurther information, see Settings > Wi-Fi. 

8 Preflight check 
Flying 

Note : Normal piloting mode is activated by default. To change mode, see 

Settings> Piloting. 

1. Launch the FreeFiight 3 application. 

2. Wait until the connection between your smartphone and the Parrot Bebop Drone 

is complete. 

3. Press Start to pilot the Parrot Bebop Drone. 

> The piloting screen appears. It locks in landscape format. 

Flying 9 
Piloting screen 

# Description # Description 

Last screen 9 Left joystick 

2 Settings 10 Right joystick 

3 Flat Trim 11 Speed 

4 Emergency landing 12 Altitude 

5 Pre-programmed acrobatics 13 Distance from your smartphone 

6 Video recording 14 Take off 

7 Photo 15 GPS signal 

8 Map mode 16 Battery level of the Parrot Bebop 

Drone 

10 Flying 
Calibrating the Parrot Bebop Drone 

When you use the Parrot Bebop Drone for the first time, the calibration screen appears. 

1. Follow the procedures on the screen. 

2. Once you completed the three steps, press <. 

Note: You can also calibrate your Parrot Bebop Drone if it does not stay on course 

correctly. To do so, press (bFiight settings. 

Map mode 

You can display a map instead of the camera video feedback to see the position of your 

Parrot Bebop Drone. 

Before activating the map mode: 

• preload a map. If you fly the Parrot Bebop Drone in an area without internet 

connection, or ifthe internet connection is lost while flying, the Parrot Bebop Drone 

will still be located on the map. 

• wait until the ta:J icon turns green to indicate the Parrot Bebop Drone GPS position 

is detected. 

Preloading a map 

1. Go to the main screen of FreeFiight 3. 

2. Press=> Settings. 

3· Press Preload a map. 

>The map appears. The blue dot indicates your position. 

Note: To locate your position on the map, the FreeFiight 3 application must have 

access to your smartphone location services. For iOS devices, activate the function in 

Settings > Free Flight 3 > Location service. For Android devices, activate the function in 

Settings > Application manager > FreeFiight 3 > Permissions. For further information, 

see your smartphone user guide. 

4. Zoom in yourflight area. If you already are in your flight area, press Center on your 

location, then zoom. 

Flying 11 
12 Flying 

s. Press Preload. 

6. Wait until the preloading in completed. 

Activating map mode 

Press S. 

The 8 icon indicates the Parrot Bebop Drone starting point. 

The tl~ icon indicates the Parrot Bebop Drone position. 

To switch back to the video mode, press S again. 
Flat trim 

Use the flat trim feature after you change the battery or ifthe Parrot Bebop Drone does 

not stay on course correctly. 

1. Place the Parrot Bebop Drone on a flat, dry, unobstructed surface. 

2. Press -e-. 

GPS signal 

Note: If you are in an area with no GPS reception, the Parrot Bebop Drone position will 

not be detected. 

Theta~ icon indicates that the Parrot Bebop Drone position is detected. 

Theta~ icon indicates that the Parrot Bebop Drone position is not detected. 

Make sure the Parrot Bebop Drone position is detected before taking off to register the 

starting point correctly. 

Take off 

1. Place the Parrot Bebop Drone on a flat and dry surface and in a unobstructed and 

lit area. 

2. Press Take Off. 

> The Parrot Bebop Drone takes off and hovers at approximately 1 m above the 

ground. 

Movements 

Note: Movements depend on the flight and piloting settings. See the Settings section 

for further information. The following description is valid when the Normal option is 

activated and Joypad inverted option is deactivated (default configuration). 

Flying 13 
14 Flying 

Right joystick: 

Hold the central button and tilt your smartphone forwards or backwards to pilot the 

Parrot Bebop Drone forwards or backwards. 

Hold the central button and tilt your smartphone to the left or right to fly the Parrot 

Bebop Drone to the left or right. 
Left joystick: 

Up 

Down 

Pre-programmed acrobatics 

The Parrot Bebop Drone can perform acrobatics while flying, whether it is stationary or 

moving. 

1. Press the flip icon to change the flip. *is selected by default. 

n back flip 

fJ front flip 

CD left flip 

® right flip 

* no flip 

2. Tap on your smartphone screen twice to perform a flip. 

Photos and videos 

Note: The camera is located at the front on the Parrot Bebop Drone. The camera 

located under the Parrot Bebop Drone is for stabilization only. You can set the Parrot 

Bebop Drone in video or photo mode. The video mode is activated by default. For 

further information, see Settings> Recording. 

Orienting the camera 

Control the angle of the camera regardless of the Parrot Bebop Drone position. 

• in Normal and Joypad modes: slide two fingers on the screen. 

Note : The vertical orientation commands are reversed. If you slide your finger 

upwards, the camera angle will move downwards. If you slide your finger downwards, 

Flying 15 
16 Flying 

the camera angle will move upwards. 

• in Ace mode: slide ••. 

Taking a photo 

Press t:l to take a photo. 

The internal memory of the Parrot Bebop Drone is 8GB. The maximum number of 

photos stored in the internal memory depends on the selected format. To choose a 

photo format, see Settings> Recording. Once the memory is full, it is no longer possible 

to take a photo. 

Note: To obtain high quality photos, ensure that the Parrot Bebop Drone is set in 

photo mode. To do so, see Settings> Recording. 

Recording a video 

The video recording starts automatically when you press Take off. The • button 

blinks during recording. 

To stop the video record, press e. To start a new video, press e again. 

Note: It is not possible to record a video when the Parrot Bebop Drone is set in 

timelapse mode. To deactivate timelapse mode, see Settings> Recording. 

Note: The video recording stops after 25 minutes of recording. 

Retrieving photos and videos 

To retrieve photos and videos from the Free Flight 3 application: 

1. Press< to return to the main screen. 

2. Press =to displaythe contextual menu. 

3. Press Internal memory. 

>The list of photos and videos stored in the Parrot Bebop Drone internal memory 

appears. 

4. Select one or several photos andforvideos. 

s. Press Transfer to retrieve the photos andfor videos on your smartphone. 

6. Press Delete if you want to delete the photos and/or videos from the internal 

memoryofthe Parrot Bebop Drone. 

To retrieve photos and/or videos on your computer: 

Note: Before connecting the Parrot Bebop Drone to your computer, ensure that the 

Parrot Bebop Drone battery is installed and charged. 

1. Connect the Parrot Bebop Drone to your computer with the USBfmicro USB cable 

(supplied). 
2. Switch the Parrot Bebop Drone on. 

> Your computer detects the Parrot Bebop Drone automatically. Wait until the 

driver installation is complete. A pop-up appears like the one shown below. 

ria. Your device is now ready to be used. 

lJD The device driver iis mow installed. 

The appearance, content and location of this message will depend on your 

operating system. 

3. Open the file, as though it were a USB flash drive. 

>You can copy the photos andforvideos on your computer. 

Note: It is not possible to transfer video files to the Parrot Bebop Drone. 

Landing 

Ensure that the Parrot Bebop Drone is over a flat, dry and unobstructed surface, then 

press Landing to make the Parrot Bebop Drone land. 

Press Emergency in an emergency case only. The motors will cut out and the Parrot 

Bebop Drone will immediately drop from the height at which it is flying. Using the 

landing button is sufficient in most instances. 

Return to starting point 

Note: If neither your smartphone nor the Parrot Bebop Drone receives a GPS signal, 

the Return to starting point feature cannot be activated. 

The Return to starting point feature enables you to make the Parrot Bebop Drone fly 

back to: 

• the last take off location, 

• your smartphone location ifthe Parrot Bebop Drone has received no GPS signal. 

Note: To locate your position on the map, the FreeFiight 3 application must have 

access to your smartphone location services. For iOS devices, activate the function in 

Flying 17 
18 Flying 

Settings > Free Flight 3 > Location service. For Android devices, activate the function in 

Settings > Application manager > FreeFiight 3 > Permissions. For further information, 

see your smartphone user guide. 

Displaying the starting point 

Press S. 

>Map mode is activated. The. icon indicates the position ofthe Parrot Bebop Drone 

starting point. If the Parrot Bebop Drone has received no G PS signal, the starting point 

does not appear. 

Flying the Parrot Bebop Drone back to its starting point 

1. Press 0. 

> The Return to starting point screen appears. 

1. Press fk. 

> The fk button turns green and the Parrot Bebop Drone returns to its starting 

point. Once the Parrot Bebop Drone reaches its starting point, it remains at 2 m 

above the ground. 

You can take control over the Parrot Bebop Drone when it is returning to its starting 

point. 

Note: lfthe Parrot Bebop Drone altitude is below 10m, it will reach an altitude of 10m 

before returning to its starting point in order to avoid any obstacle. 
Note: If the connection between yoursmartphone and the Parrot Bebop Drone is lost, 

the Parrot Bebop Drone returns to its starting point automatically after 1 min of 

disconnection. 

Battery 

The B button indicates the Parrot Bebop Drone's battery level. The Parrot Bebop 

Drone has a battery life of approximately 11 minutes. 

When the battery level is low, an alert appears on your smartphone screen. The Parrot 

Bebop Drone's onjoff button turns red. 

Note: The number of acrobatics can have an impact on the Parrot Bebop Drone's 

battery life. 

Flying 19 
Settings 

Press Oto access the Parrot Bebop Drone settings menu. 

Slide the screen right or left to access the different settings screens. 

Press 0to reset the Parrot Bebop Drone to factory settings. It will delete your settings 

and preferences, photos and videos stored in the Parrot Bebop Drone's internal 

memory. 

Note: You can also reset the Parrot Bebop Drone without the Parrot Bebop Drone 

application. To do so, switch the Parrot Bebop Drone on and press the onjoff button 

for 10 seconds. The led blinks green and orange, then turns green. The Parrot Bebop 

Drone switches off automatically. 

Flight 

Select the Flight settings screen. 

Activate the Hull button when the hull protections are installed. 

Press Calibrate when the Parrot Bebop Drone does not stay on course correctly. 

To set the speed: 

• Use the Max vertical speed option to define a maximum speed when you fly the 

Parrot Bebop Drone upwards. 

• Use the Max rotation speed option to define a maximum speed when you make the 

Parrot Bebop Drone rotate. 

When you fly the Parrot Bebop Drone horizontally, its speed depends on the angle of 

inclination. 

Note: The hull protections slow the Parrot Bebop Drone down when you fly it outdoor. 

Image 

20 Settings 

Select the Image settings screen. 

Press f(J.':to set the image contrast. 

Press Pd to set the image exposure. 
Select one of the following buttons to adapt the white balance according to your 

environment: 

automatic 

:o: daylight .... 

cloudy 

,,.,, 

a:.! white fluorescent light ''"' 

tungusten bulb 

Recording 

Select the Recording settings screen. 

The Parrot Bebop Drone is equipped with a fisheye (wide-angle) camera. 

Note: The camera lens is situated at the front of the Parrot Bebop Drone. The lens 

situated under the Parrot Bebop Drone is for stabilization only. 

Press Photo mode or Video mode to select video or photo mode. 

Note: The video mode is activated by default. 

Press DNG (high resolution photos) or JPEG to select a photo format. 

To activate burst mode: 

1. Press Timelapse mode. 

2. Slide your finger on the circle to select the interval between each photo. If you 

select 10", the Parrot Bebop Drone will take a picture every10 seconds. 

Note: When the Parrot Bebop Drone is set in timelapse mode, it is not possible to 

record a video. 

Note: When the DNG option is activated, the timelapse mode enables the Parrot 

Bebop Drone to take a picture every 10 seconds minimum. When the JPEG option is 

activated, the timelapse mode enables the Parrot Bebop Drone to take a picture every 

8 seconds minimum. 

Settings 21 
Piloting 

22 Settings 

Select the Piloting settings screen. 

Use the Max altitude option to define a maximum altitude when you fly the Parrot 

Bebop Drone upwards. When the Parrot Bebop Drone is about to reach this limitation, 

it stabilizes at the altitude selected. 

Use the Max inclination option to define a maximum angle pitch when you fly the 

Parrot Bebop Drone forwards and backwards. The lower the maximum inclination 

value, the smaller the angle of pitch.The higher the maximum inclination value, the 

greater the angle of pitch. 

Note: This setting affects the acceleration. With a greater angle of pitch, the Parrot 

Bebop Drone will accelerate faster. 

The left handed option reverses the controls on your smartphone. To do so, press 

Joypad inverted. 

Three piloting modes are available: 

Normal 

(activated by default) 

Leftjoypad 

~ rotating to the left 

ct;. rotating to the right 

A fly upwards 

V flydownwards 

Right joypad 

Hold the central button and tilt your 

smartphone to fly the Parrot Bebop Drone. 
Ace 

Leftjoypad 

3> rotating to the left 

cZ rotating to the right 

A fly upwards 

V fly downwards 

Hold the central button and tilt your 

smartphone to fly the Parrot Bebop 

Drone 

Joypad 

Leftjoypad 

3> rotating to the left 

cZ rotating to the right 

A fly upwards 

V flydownwards 

Network 

Product name 

Select the Network settings screen. 

Right joypad 

Slide •• to orientate the camera regardless 

ofthe Parrot Bebop Drone's position. 

Right joypad 

~ flyforwards 

~ fly backwards 

1> flyright 

<1 flyleft 

The network name of your Parrot Bebop Drone appears in your smartphone peripheral 

Settings 23 
24 Settings 

devices list and in the FreeFiight 3 application settings menu. 

To change the network name of your Parrot Bebop Drone: 

1. Change the Parrot Bebop Drone name in the Product name field. 

2. Reboot the Parrot Bebop Drone. 

Note: The network name ofthe Parrot Bebop Drone can only contain letters, numerals 

and underscores("_"). It must not exceed 32 characters in length. 

Wi-Fi 

Select the Network settings screen. 

Note: Before flying the Parrot Bebop Drone, please ensure that you comply with the 

Wi-Fi frequencies restrictions of your place of flight. Certain frequencies may be 

restricted orforbidden. Selecting the country and activating the outdoor option enable 

Free Flight 3 to adapt the available channels according to the legislation of the selected 

country. For example, in certain countries using the 5 GHz Wi-Fi band may be 

prohibited in outdoor mode. 

You can connect the Parrot Bebop Drone to the 2.4GHz or 5GHz Wi-Fi bands. 

• The 2-4 GHz Wi-Fi band enables you to fly the Parrot Bebop Drone from a 

greater distance. It is generally more congested than the 5 GHz Wi-Fi band in 

urban areas. 

• The 5 GHz Wi-Fi band enables you to obtain a better connection between the 

Parrot Bebop Drone and your smartphone. Check your smartphone user guide 

(or the technical specifications) to see whether it supports connection to the 5 

GHzWi-Fi band. If it does not, use the 2-4 GHzWi-Fi band only. 

Consult the diagram at the bottom of the screen to know the state of the Wi-Fi 

channels. 

Red curves represent congested channels. Green curves represent less congested 

channels. The channel without curves are free. 
To switch the Wi-Fi band (2-4 GHzor 5 Ghz) manually without 

using the application, hold down the on/off button for 5 seconds . 

> The led turns orange, then green. The Parrot Bebop Drone has 

switched its Wi-Fi band. 

In automatic mode, FreeFiight 3 automatically selects a channel 

according to the country, the mode (outdoor or indoor), the Wi-Fi band selected and 

the congestion of the channels. If you encounter a problem with the quality level of the 

Wi-Fi connection: 

1. Select Manual mode. 

2. Select a non-overloaded channel using the information displayed on the diagram. 

Give preference to channel without curves or with green curves. 

Motor information 

Select the Motor information screen to display: 

• the motor state; 

• the software version; 

• the last flight date; 

• the total flight time; 

• the last error date. 

Version 

Select the Informations screen to display: 

• the FreeFiight 3 version; 

• the Parrot Bebop Drone firmware version; 

• the Parrot Bebop Drone hardware version; 

• the GPS hardware version. 

Settings 25 
Drone Academy 

Note: An internet connection is necessary to use the Drone Academy. 

To launch the Drone Academy: 

1. Launch the FreeFiight 3 application. 

2. Press Drone Academy. 

Note: A profile is necessary to access the Drone Academy. 

To create a profile: 

1. Press Sign up now. 

2. Type a user name, a password and an e-mail address. 

3. Press Register your profile. 

> The Drone Academy main screen appears: 

# Description 

Accessing the Free Flight 3 application home screen 

2 Visualizing the map ofthe flights 

3 Accessing your list of drones 

4 Accessing your list offlights 

26 Drone Academy 
5 Modifying and disconnecting your profile 

6 Sending a Drone Academy invitation 

To modify or delete your profile: 

1. Press the Profile tab. 

2. Press 0. 

3. Press Logout or Edit. 

4· If you edit your profile, slide the screens towards left to complete your profile. 

To register a Parrot Bebop Drone, press My drones. 

Note: The first time you connect the Parrot Bebop Drone to your smartphone, a popup ask you to register your Parrot Bebop Drone in the Drone Academy. 

To consult the shared flights: 

1. Press Map. 

2. Press [[]to search flights amongst: 

• your flights or other user's flights; 

• the type of media. 

Press [01 to search flights by user or place. 

To consult and share yourflights: 

1. Press My pilotings. 

>The list ofyourflights appears. You can sort them by date, rank or type. 

2. Press the flight you wish to share. 

3. Press Public to share the flight. You can also: 

• press the stars to rate the flight; 

• press the tabs at the bottom of the screen to consult the flight information. 

Drone Academy 27 
Updating 

1. Launch the FreeFiight 3 application. 

2. Press Check for updates to check if any updates are available for the Parrot Bebop 

Drone. 

There are 2 ways to update the Parrot Bebop Drone: 

• via the FreeFiight 3 application (recommended) 

• via USB, by downloading the update file from our website. A computer is necessary 

for this method. 

Note: Ensure that the battery of the Parrot Bebop Drone is in place and fully charged 

before updating via USB. 

Forfurther information, see the Parrot Bebop Drone update procedures. 

28 Updating 
Troubleshooting 

Led behavior 

Behavior 

Green 

Blinking green 

Orange 

Blinking green 

Spare parts 

Signification 

Normal state 

The Parrot Bebop Drone is booting up. 

A motor error is detected. To locate the 

defective motor: 

1. In Free Flight 3, press Start. 

2. Press 0 > Motor information. 

>The screen indicates the defective 

motor. 

3. Ensure the propeller is not blocked or 

damaged. 

The Parrot Bebop Drone is defective and 

cannot fly correctly anymore. 

You can buy spare parts ofthe Parrot Bebop Drone on our online store. 

For further information about replacing spare parts, see the video tutorials on our 

support page. 

Troubleshooting 29 
General information 

The Parrot Bebop Drone is a model aircraft designed only for entertainment, and 

competitions between model aircraft (*). The pilot must operate hisfher Parrot Bebop 

Drone in hisfher line-of-sight at all times in order to avoid any obstacles, and must 

take care only to use it in suitable locations chosen to ensure that people, animals and 

property remain safe at all times. 

(*) Before flying your Parrot Bebop Drone, check your local civil aerial regulation and 

read the guidelines on www.parrot.com. 

Safety precautions and maintenance 

The Parrot Bebop Drone is not suitable for use by children under 14 years of age. 

Fly responsibly. Do not fly your Parrot Bebop Drone over any populous area, such as 

beaches, others people's backyards, heavily populated parks, or sports ovals where a 

game is in progress, over gathering of animals. Do not fly near an airfield. Do not fly for 

money. If you want to fly your Parrot Bebop Drone in any populous area or near an air 

field, do contact your local aerial authority to get the appropriate authorization. 

To fly the Parrot Bebop Drone indoors install the hull in order to protect the Parrot 

Bebop Drone in case of contact with any object. When rotating, the propellers of the 

Parrot Bebop Drone could cause injury to people, animals and property. 

WARNING: Do not touch the Parrot Bebop Drone when propellers are rotating and 

wait until the propellers have completely stopped before handling the Parrot Bebop 

Drone. 

Do not use spare parts and accessories other than those specified by Parrot. 

The Parrot Bebop Drone may be irreversibly damaged if you allow sand or dust to 

penetrate it. Keep the Parrot Bebop Drone away from high voltage power lines, trees, 

buildings and any other potentially dangerous or hazardous areas. 

Do not use the Parrot Bebop Drone in wet conditions. Do not land the Parrot Bebop 

Drone on water or on a wet surface. This could result in irreversible damages. 

Avoid subjecting the Parrot Bebop Drone to aggressive altitude changes. 

Do not leave the Parrot Bebop Drone in direct sunlight for long periods. 

Small parts may be swallowed. All materials for fastening or packing purposes are not 

part ofthe product and should be discarded for children's safety. 

30 General information 
Wi-Fi 

Before flying the Parrot Bebop Drone, please ensure that you comply with the Wi-Fi 

frequencies restrictions of your place offlight. Certain frequencies may be restricted or 

forbidden. For example, in certain countries using the 5 GHz Wi-Fi band may be 

prohibited in outdoor mode. 

Warning on invasion of privacy 

Recording and circulating an image of an individual may constitute an infringement of 

their image and privacy for which you could be liable. Ask for authorisation before 

filming individuals, particularly if you want to keep your recordings andfor circulate 

images on the Internet or any other medium. Do not circulate a degrading image or one 

which could undermine the reputation or dignity of an individual. The use of the Parrot 

Bebop Drone for surveillance or espionage is strictly forbidden and could result in your 

prosecution under the law. Check that your use of the cameras on board the Parrot 

Bebop Drone complies with the legal provisions on the protection of privacy. 

Battery 

Read the entire instruction sheet included with this battery. Failure to follow all 

instructions could cause permanent damage to the battery and its surroundings, and 

cause bodily harm. Never use anything except a LiPo approved charger. Always use a 

LiPo cell balancing charger or a LiPo cell balancer. Never charge through the discharge 

lead. Never trickle charge, or allow to discharge below 2.5V per cell. Never allow the 

battery temperature to exceed 140°F (6o0

C). Never disassemble or modify pack wiring 

in any way or puncture cells. Never place on combustible materials or leave 

unattended during charge. Always charge in a fireproof location. Always set charger's 

output volts to match battery volts. Always keep out of reach of children. Improper 

battery use may result in a fire, explosion or other hazard. 

The battery terminals should not be allowed to short-circuit. The product should be 

connected only to class II appliances which display the symbol. 

Warranty 

Without prejudice to any applicable statutory warranty, Parrot warrants that the Parrot 

Bebop Drone will be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of 12-

months from the initial date of purchase (excluding consumables which are warranted 

during 6 months from the initial date of purchase) upon presentation of proof of 

purchase to the retailer or to Parrot (including the date and place of purchase, product 

General information 31 
serial number). Return to retailer is not applicable in the USA- return shall be made to 

Parrot. During the contractual warranty period, any defective product should be 

returned in its original packaging to the retailer's or Parrot's after-sales service. After 

inspection ofthe product, Parrot will, at its sole discretion, either repair or replace the 

defective part or product, excluding any other indemnification of any nature. Parrot's 

warranty does not cover: defects due to damage caused by an accidental collision or 

fall; defects due to abnormal use of the product or if spare parts have been installed 

without following the recommendations and instructions provided by Parrot in this 

guide or on www.parrot.com or if the Parrot Bebop Drone has been customised by the 

end-user; defects caused by repairs carried out by the end-user or an unauthorised 

third party, except spare parts provided by PARROT; defects due to the use of spare 

parts not provided by PARROT in the original packaging.the use of spare parts not 

approved by Parrot, in particular, the use of batteries not approved by Parrot ; defects 

caused by any reason other than a defect in material or workmanship the gradual power 

loss of the Parrot rechargeable battery ( o86x) over time, which does not constitute as 

a defect in material or workmanship, If upon technical tests being carried out any 

product is found non defective we reserve the right to return such product to the 

sender at the sender's cost and to levy a charge to cover Parrot's technical test fees. 

Upon expiration ofthe 12-month warranty period or if the defect is not covered by the 

warranty, any defective product can be returned to Parrot's after-sales service in order 

to be repaired or for a defective part to be replaced at the sender's costs. Repair will be 

carried out only after acceptance oft he corresponding quotation. Except in relation to 

consumables, spare parts are subject to a 12 month warranty and are subject to the 

same terms and conditions as those described above. The warranty does not cover: 

damage to non Parrot products, including devices used to operate the Parrot Bebop 

Drone. 

Modifications 

The explanations and specifications in this guide are given for information purposes 

only and may be modified without prior notice. They are deemed to be correct at time 

of going to press. The utmost care has been taken when writing this guide,as part of the 

aim to provide you with accurate information. However, Parrot shall not be held 

responsible for any consequences arising from any errors or omissions in the guide, nor 

for any damage or accidental loss of data resulting directly or indirectly from the use of 

the information herein. Parrot reserves the right to amend or improve the product 

design or user guide without any restrictions and without any obligation to notify users. 

As part of our ongoing concern to upgrade and improve our products, the product that 

you have purchased may differ slightly from the model described in this guide. If so, a 

32 General information 
later version of this guide might be available in electronic format at Parrot's website at 

www.parrot.com. 

Disposal of this product at the end of its life 

At the end of this product's life, please do not dispose of this product in your general 

household waste. Instead, in order to prevent possible harm to the environment or 

human health from uncontrolled waste disposal, please dispose of this product 

separately in accordance with your local laws and regulation. For more information on 

the separate collection systems for waste electrical and electronic equipment that are 

available for consumers, near your home, free of charge, please contact your local 

municipality authority. You can also contact the retailer from which you purchased 

your Parrot Bebop Drone - he might have put in place recycling services or he may be 

part of a specific recycling scheme. 

Declaration of conformity 

Parrot SA, 174 quai de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris, France, declare under their sole 

responsibility that the product described in this user guide complies with technical 

standards EN 301489-17, EN300328, EN71-1, EN71-2, EN71-3, EN62115 following the 

provision of the Radio Equipment, Telecommunication Equipment directive (1999/5/ 

EC R& TTE), and oft he General Safety directive (2001/95/EC). 

http://www.parrot.com/ce/?bebop-drone 

Registered trademarks 

Parrot, Parrot Bebop Drone are trademarks or registered trademarks of Parrot SA. 

App Store is a trademark of Apple Inc. 

Google Play is a trademark of Google Inc. Wi-Fi® is a registered trademark of Wi-Fi 

Alliance®. 

All other trademarks mentioned in this guide are protected and are the propertyoftheir 

respective owners. 

General information 33 
Employee best practices for updating Goal Plans 

Caterpillar is a global leader, equipping you to deliver business results throughout your career. Below are 

some best practices for updating your Goal Plan to help you track your performance. 

Concise Goals 

Concise and measurable goals are critical to the effectiveness of the Performance Management process. 

Now is the time to review goals and ensure they are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, 

Realistic, Time and resource constrained). 

The Description section should contain components of the SMART acronym to summarize the objectives 

of your goal. The Targeted Results section should describe the measurable deliverable for your goal. 

If you want to track all the activities required to ensure a goal is met, please utilize the optional Tasks 

section. Similar to a project plan, the Targeted Result section contains the milestone, and the Tasks are 

the activities required to ensure the milestone is accomplished. 

Measurement 

The Measurement section helps track progress towards a targeted result. Goal progress is represented 

as a percentage of the difference between the Initial value and the Target value. 

A new field for Initial value has been created to support accurate calculation of goal progress. This feature 

will allow you to track goals that are intended to decrease or optimize a value. For example, a goal's 

targeted result may be to reduce the number of escalations per quarter from 6 down to 2. In this case, the 

Target value would be lower than the Current value. If you were previously using the Measurement tool, 

your Actual value will transfer into the Current value. 

Measurement Q 

Progress Hidetargetlialues 

Current 

initial Target 

0.00 ........... 1.0:0 .. 

~~~.9::.~~.~.~~~~. 

HCMRFIY~ 

ed in this publication regarding device applications and use is intended by way of suggestion only and may be superseded by updates or 

ion or warranty is given and no liability is assumed by Hoverfly Technologies, Inc. with respect to the accuracy or use of such 

ment of patents arising from such use or their compliance to any industry standards. Use ofHoverfly Technologies, Inc. products as critical 

aving systems is not authorized except with express written approval. No licenses are conveyed, implicitly or otherwise, under intellectual 

echnologies, Inc. 2013. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the Copyright Act of 1976 US Code§ 102 101-122, no part ofthis 

duced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of 

Inc. 

uted by Hoverfly Technologies, Inc. electronically and may not be printed and distributed without written permission. 

ns Alfred D. Ducharme except where noted. 

charme 

egistered trademark 2013. 

November 2013 Rev 4.0 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 2 of33 
HOVERFIY~ 

rchasing the Hoverfly Scripta Aerial System 

-autonomous aerial system that can be used to acquire aerial video and pictures. It is the result of several years of 

ing starting with the flight control system, the HoverflyPRO and HoverflyGPS. Extensive testing of each component, 

nd overall system components has been completed over thousands of flights. We believe the Scripta is the best aerial 

ccess using the Scripta. This document covers the major parts of the system and how to operate your Scripta. We 

you read this document before attempting to power and fly your system. 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 3 of 33 
(/) en C"' 

::::!. 0 

s- ., 

)> -· CD "C ::::!. 

!!!. lit (/) 

'< Ill 1: lD 

3 

c: 

Ill ., CD 

"'!. 

Ill Q) -· c 

G') 

- c: 

CD en 

'< (/) 

....... 

CD 

3 
HOUERFIY~ 

lying machine whether remote controlled or not can be dangerous. It is very important that you observe all necessary 

ore (and after) flying. The Scripta Aerial System DOES NOT FLY ITSELF. You must have experience with remote 

eferably helicopters. If you do not have the ability to hover a remote control helicopter in one spot and maneuver it, you 

nal instruction BEFORE flying the Scripta. 

trol of your aircraft! One moment of showing-off can lead to a lifetime of regret. 

e are old pilots and bold pilots but there are few old bold pilots ... even ones with GPS! 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 5 of33 
HOVERFIY~ 

ontents 

 Scripta •...........................•..............................................................................................•....................................••............................. 8 

.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 

........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 10 

ries .............................................................................................................................. . 

tery .............................................................................................................................. . 

ttery 

10 

10 

10 

........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 11 

Flight. ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 

oms .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 11 

ar ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 

allation ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 15 

agentometer Installation 17 

.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 18 

itter ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 19 

ng Function (AL) .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 21 

ld Function (AH) .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 22 

ons (PH and RTH) ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 23 

cedure for Flight ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 24 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 6 of33 
mitter .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 25 

ation and Gimbal Control Modes 

k Functionality 

cedure for Gimbal 

25 

26 26 

......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 28 

es ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 29 

......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 30 

......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 31 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 7 of 33 
HOUERFIYt 

tion to the Scripta 

s 

on the Scripta have very specific rotational directions. The diagram below describes the rotations for each propeller. 

umbers on the top ends of the booms which correspond to the propellers shipped with your system. 

xP SF 

xP SFP 

Clockwise 

12xP SFP Clockwise 

12xP SFP 

12xP SF 

Clockwise 

12xP SFP 

Counter-Clockwise 

12xP SF 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide 

P =Pitch 

Acceptable values are 3-5 

Page 8 of33 
HOUERFIY~ 

k the rotation and type of propeller before each flight. If a propeller is damaged or broken the replacement must be 

shown above. Failure to replace a propeller with the correct type will render the aircraft un-flyable. 

pellers require shaft adapters (typically grey plastic APC propellers but not present on wooden propellers). The user 

opeller shaft size adapter that comes with each propeller. This size adapter should be inserted into the bottom of the 

laced on the shaft. 

be replaced using the washer and nut combination as shown below (example illustration). 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 9 of33 
HOUERRYt 

teries 

th a range of 4S (four parallel 3.6V lipo batteries packaged together) batteries with varying capacities. The Scripta 

H or 5450 mAH battery enabling the aircraft to fly for 10 minutes (in hover) when using two batteries connected on each 

he battery should be fully charged before attempting to fly. The supplied charger should be set to 1C or 5.0A for 5000 

0 mAH, 4S, and capacity of 5000 mAH or 5450 mAH. These settings may need to be adjusted on the charger. The 

d come with the unit or you can read it online on the manufacturers' website. In addition the balancing plug should 

assure that each 3.6V cell is balanced during charging. Finally, a Lipo Safe Bag should be used while charging. 

unted on the battery mounts on either side of the aircraft using the Velcro straps. The user may use 1 or 2 batteries. 

n by the user should be used to determine which combinations with which payloads provide the required flight times. 

attery 

AH 3S battery is mounted using Velcro directly on the Gimbal Unit to supply power to the gimbal. This battery should be 

n the 3S setting of your supplied charger. It is suggested that the user check the voltage of the gimbal battery regularly 

age of this battery should never fall below 1 OV. Doing so may damage the battery. 

Battery 

 mAH-6000 mAH battery should be arrive attached to the back of the LCD monitor. This battery should be attached to 

 on the power input to the monitor when the user wants to view the video downlink from a camera mounted on the 

voltage of this battery should be checked regularly during use. The voltage of the battery should never fall below 13V. 

e the battery. In addition, remember to disconnect the battery when the monitor is not in use. 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 10 of 33 
HOUERRY~ 

ers 

ansmitter is used to fly the Scripta Aerial System. The functions are covered in more detail in the next chapter. A 

pektrum DX7s is used to control the camera gimbal. This is also covered in the next chapter. 

y for Flight 

ooms 

stem arrives in the long Pelican case and requires some assembly. Clean off a large table and place the folded aircraft 

Gently fold the booms out separated by equal angles and centered on the tabs of the center and bottom carbon fiber 

the bag of parts included with your system. It may be located in the smaller Pelican case. The plastic boom clamps 

e socket head bolts and nuts to secure the booms into place. 

--...., 

Top View Bottom View 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 11 of 33 

----,---
HOVERFIY~ 

ld tools tight the socket head bolts and nuts. Alternate between the right and left sides as you tighten them so that they 

 of torque applied. DO NOT over tighten these bolts. The carbon fiber can be damaged from exesive torque. Just 

nug. The nylon locking part of the nut will keep them from loosening during use. However, these bolts should be 

re also secured by the boom socket head bolts and nuts. Refer to the picture below for proper placement. 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 12 of 33 
HOUERFIY~ 

Gear 

tensions 

p into the two tabs located on the bottom side of the aircraft. Review the picture below for assembly. 

e depressed and the landing gear extensions are pulled off for disassembly. 

ation 

e bottoms of the landing gear extensions. A Velcro strap is used to strengthen this connection. As designed the skids 

sconnect when landing. Make sure that you always use the Velcro strap to decrease the likelihood of this happening. 

ot secure the skids in a hard landing. See the picture below for reference. 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 13 of33 
HOUEAFIYt 

uld be fastened tightly before flight. 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 14 of 33 
HOVERFIY~ 

 Landing Gear- BEFORE USE 

ding gear position before using them. To do this have a friend hold the aircraft on one side while you hold the other. 

n and then plug in one of the aircraft batteries. Actuate the Landing Gear switch shown in the pictures below. Allow the 

t and then put them down repeatedly. Lastly leave them in the down position and disconnect the aircraft battery and 

. Now you can set the aircraft on its landing gear. 

Landing Gear Down Landing Gear Up 

stallation 

 onto the aircraft using the quick locking mount. Review the pictures below to observe how the gimbal is installed. 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 15 of33 

HOVERFIY~ 

ches is on the outside and one is on the inside of the gimbal. The tabs slide into the white gimbal mount from one side. 

Magentometer Installation 

ould already be mounted on one of the booms or underneath the dome. You should make sure that the flat part of the 

p if it is mounted on the boom. 

ast needs to be installed as shown. The arrow on the top of the flat sensor should be pointing forward or in the direction 

craft. The mast should be pointing straight up. 

rvo connections are made to the corresponding connections. They are typically marked with silver or white as shown 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 17 of33 
HOUERU'~ 

on 

tly like a remote control helicopter. The user must fly the aircraft at all times and remember that constant attention will 

 the craft safely. If the user does not have experience flying remote control helicopters they should seek professional 

ansmitter is used to operate all of the different functions of the HoverflyPRO and HoverflyGPS as well as control the 

e user should also download and read the manuals for the HoverflyPRO and HoverflyGPS for more detailed information. 

ailable on the Hoverfly website. The DX8 that comes with the Scripta has been labeled or color coded to make it easier 

(not all transmitters have all of the labels shown in the following diagrams). 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 18 of33 
nsmitter 

ll switches on the DX8 to "0" as noted on the top of the transmitter. Start operation by turning the DX8 to the on 

he battery into the Scripta. 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 19 of33 
ks control the operation of the Scripta. 

tier 

ter 

FRONT Yaw 

~.~ 

~~ 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide 

Transmn.ter ~ Transm$Uer 

HOVERFIY~ 

Piton 

ThroWe 

Page 20 of33 
ing Function (AL) 

ture automatically returns the aircraft to level position when the right control stick is centered. The user can choose the 

" used for autoleveling by adjusting this parameter using the Setup Tool (downloaded from www.hoverfytech.com). 

The Gear switch is used to activate Auto-Leveling. 

Shown as the green switch (not always green on all units but always the same switch) 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 21 of33 
HOVERFIY~ 

old Function (AH) 

ure will maintain the aircrafts current altitude when activated. Keep in mind that position "2" is used for AH and position 

nction. Additionally, the user must make sure that the craft is in hover before activating AH. Center throttle value is 

 current altitude" by the HoveflyPRO. Moving the throttle stick up will not increase altitude and moving the throttle stick 

titude. When de-activating the AH function the user must first make sure that the throttle is in the center postion. 

Shown as the white switch (not always white on all units but always the same switch) 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 22 of33 
tions (PH and RTH) 

) and Return-to-Home {RTH) functions are activated using the red switch. The user should read the HoverflyGPS 

 the performance and operation of these functions. 

Shown as red switch (not always red on all units but always the same switch) 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 23 of 33 
HOUERFIY~ 

rocedure for Flight 

starting location for your flight, use this procedure to "Arm" the aircraft: 

ottle stick to idle. 

Flight Transmitter and wait for main screen to appear. 

attery source to the Aircraft. 

ould initialize within 5-10 seconds and beep according to the ESC manual. 

Pro (bottom flight controller) will beep 2 times and flash it's LED light green when it is ready to be armed. 

GPS (top flight controller) will show a Purple->Red LED. 

HoverflyGPS has a GPS satellite fix and the LED goes green (good fix) or blue (excellent fix). 

overflyProTM and aircraft, move the throttle stick to the left-bottom until you hear one beep. 

ttle stick to the right-bottom. The HoverflyPro's LED will blink RED During this period the HoverflyPro is calibrating it's 

rs and should remain motionless. (do not arm while holding the aircraft). 

is complete, the HoverflyPro will Beep several times. 

he LED light will turn solid green. The HoverflyPro rM is now armed and the aircraft is ready to fly. 

e a constant beeping when the aircraft is armed. This is to remind you that it is armed. NO ONE should ever approach 

en it is armed. Always disarm the aircraft when it is on the ground and before you approach it. 

ight turns Purple at any point during the arming sequence, ensure altitude hold is disabled and the aircraft remains 

ng. Repeat the arming sequence. 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 24 of33 
HOUERFIY~ 

ransmitter 

s used to control the camera gimbal. There is only one control stick and one switch that is used for camera control. 

peration and Gimbal Control Modes 

rols the Gimbal Control Mode. Position "0" is the home position and should be used on take-off and landing. The 

e Angle-Position mode where the angle of the right control stick on the DX7s transmitter is translated to angle of the 

Position "2" mode is the Angle-Velocity mode where the angle of the right control stick on the DX7s translates to 

e Pan or Tilt of the camera. In this mode, when the stick is returned to center the current angle of the camera is 

odes, the pan direction of the camera is magnetically held to a particular compass bearing. Panning the camera is 

mpass bearing of the camera. As the craft is yawing the pointing direction of the camera remains true to the desired 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 25 of33 
HOUEHU~ 

tick Functionality 

 is used to control the Tilt and Pan movement of the camera gimbal. Moving the right control stick up and down will tilt 

irection. Moving the right control stick right and left will pan the camera pointing direction. 

er Camera Transmitter Camera 

rocedure for Gimbal 

 does not need to be armed like the HoverflyPRO/GPS. However, you should follow this procedure for proper use. 

mera is mounted to the gimbal tray and balanced, place the craft on a relatively level surface. 

bal transmitter on and wait for main screen to appear. 

al battery source into the gimbal power plug and make sure wires are out of the way of any movement. 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 26 of33 
 HoverflyGIMBAL goes through calibration showing yellow and red LED. It is important that you do not move the craft 

e. The HoverflyGIMBAL is mounted inside the black box on the bottom of the gimbal. The LED can be seen through 

It may be difficult to observe. The gimbal will activate once the calibration is complete. 

 on the HoverflyGIMBAL goes green the gimbal is ready to operate. 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 27 of33 
~~ 

e Updates 

 the HoverflyPRO and HoverflyGPS are published frequently. The user can remove the canopy to reveal the flight 

e USB receptacles are used to update the firmware. Please refer to the HoverflyGPS and HoverflyPRO manuals for 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 28 of33 
HCMRU'~ 

al Resources 

User's Guide- Downloadable in PDF format from http://www.hoverflytech.com/Documentation.html 

TM User's Guide- Downloadable in PDF format from http://www.hoverflytech.com/Documentation.html 

rt- support@hoverflytech.com 

owledgebase System -hoverflytech.zendesk.com 

ate Client -/www.hoverflytech.com/Software Updates.html 

and Hoverfly Gimbal Configurator- www.hoverflytech.com/Software Updates.html 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 29 of33 
HOUEH=IY~ 

damage your Scripta beyond your ability to repair it you may contact Hoverfly Customer Service. The unit can be 

rfly for repair. Please be aware that a repair cost will apply to all repairs including the cost of replacement parts. 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 30 of33 
ht Checklist 

t 

ast a 250 foot safety zone. 

t you have fully charged your transmitter and onboard battery packs. 

t the antenna of your Radio (TX) is up and correctly positioned; make sure the receiver (RX) for your craft is well 

in the craft and secured and that the antenna is facing downward and to the back of your craft and not touching any 

t. 

 on level ground and turn on your transmitter- check that you have the correct model selected on your TX. 

attery to your craft. 

0 feet away from your craft and behind the craft with the craft facing directly away from you. 

 foot flight safety zone you have established, also checking behind you for children running in to see what you are 

the area; look for obstacles that you might not have seen previously, like power-lines and overhead wires. 

craft near controlled airspace. 

craft within 5 miles of an airport. 

craft within 1000 feet of power lines. 

ther conditions, the wind speed and direction. Do not fly in gusty strong wind at any time. Always try and fly the craft 

t your back so the craft will drift directly away from you. 

our eyes on the craft when in flight- if people approach you inside your safety zone to talk to you or to ask questions 

lying the craft do not engage in the conversation and ask them to stand well clear of you until you have landed. 

craft well away from people and I or property. 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 31 of33 
 for children nearby. Pre-flight safety check 

eck the craft before every flight. 

y and check to see if all the components are safe and secure and not loose . 

if any wires have come off 

se bolts on the assembly 

e battery's are secure 

tery voltage, and if you have more than one battery, check your spares too 

pellers for marks and nicks 

peller nuts or bolts, make sure they are tight 

 gear assembly 

HOVERFIY~ 

bal nuts and bolts and make sure there is smooth motion in all axes without any possibility of wires getting caught in 

gine mounts and the bolts and nuts for tightness 

nsmitter battery voltage; never fly the craft with a low voltage reading on your transmitter (check with the manufacturer 

ment for minimum and maximum voltage readings) . 

e transmitter antenna is not damaged . 

e craft receiver module is well connected and that the antenna's are properly positioned . 

ook over the craft from all sides to make sure that nothing appears unusual or out of place . 

ght perimeter Check for power-lines and overhead obstacles. 

rong wind- the operational safe wind speed for these craft is about 10-15 KPH. 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 32 of 33 
HOVERFIYt 

a crash or a hard landing, always check the craft for damage before taking off again. In this instance, you must also 

do not have dirt or grit in the engines; this can cause an engine or engines to overheat and fail in flight resulting in an 

raft and serious damage or injury to the craft , other people and their property. 

ld should preferably be open and flat with short grass. If it is necessary to take off in a 

y has long grass, manually flatten a 10 foot diameter take off perimeter with your feet. 

flight plan - visualize your flight path and check again for obstacles. 

raft out of direct line of sight and always keep your eyes on the craft whilst it is in the air. 

raft above 400 feet in height (the length of a football field). 

people- a 50m (150ft) perimeter around and above people is a recommended minimum and operational law in most 

r transmitter off in flight. 

ew flights are against the law in some countries- check the relevant aviation safety authority in your country before 

ways have a "spotter" with if you do fly FPV. 

ds fly your craft unless they are well schooled in the discipline. 

r the influence of any substance or alcohol. Whilst there is a minimum blood alcohol level allowed for driving an 

most countries, the law for pilots in command of flying craft around the globe is universal. .. there is a zero limit 

ur transmitter on before connecting the battery to the craft ... and always disconnect the battery from the craft before 

ansmitter off. 

Scripta Aerial System User's Guide Page 33 of33