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DJI S-1000 Field Operating and Safety Manual

By: Douglas M. Bell For DOP media, LLC. 

The DJI S1000 with the DJI A2 flight controller is the system we are using currently. When a new 

aircraft is added to our fleet, we will construct a similar manual specific to that aircraft. 
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Definitions:

PIC Pilot in Charge

Lipo Lithium Polymer Power Cell

Battery Lipo unless otherwise noted

CG Center of Gravity

AGL Above Ground Level

LZ Landing Zone 

TX / RX Controller Transmitter / Controller Receiver

OSD On Screen DIsplay

FPV First Person View

Overview:

The purpose of this document is to provide the PIC as well as his team a 

list of procedures to follow before, during and after each flight and 

shoot to ensure that all possible safety measures and inspections are 

performed EXACTLY as stated. Following these procedures will ensure 

that that the DJI S-1000 and the team operating it, are as safe as 

possible.

If at any time during, the processes outlined in this manual, any flaws or 

damages are found, the item in question must be addressed and 

corrected/repaired before flight. 

Strict adherence to the processes outlined in this manual is required. 

Failure to follow to these processes is strictly prohibited as this could 

result in unsafe flight. 

Or systems are operated with a PIC, Spotter, and Cam. Op. We do not 

use FPV (first person View) equipment to fly our shots. Our aircraft are 

not outfitted with FPV gear and the PIC will always fly line of sight. 
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PIC (pilot in Charge) General Responsibilities

The PIC is ultimately in charge of the aircraft prior to, during and after 

flight. It is the duty of the PIC to ensure that all safety and maintenance 

checks are performed on the aircraft. If steps are skipped resulting in a 

failure and/or crash it is ultimately the PICs responsibility. The PIC must 

adhere to the rules and regulations published by the FAA and the 

restrictions outlined under the section 333 exemption. It is up to the 

PIC to ensure that the operation of the aircraft is done in the safest 

manner possible. The PIC will never risk the aircraft or safety of others 

to capture a shot. It is always best practice to land the machine and 

attempt the shot from a different approach if people or property may 

be at risk of injury or damage. No shot is worth risking a crash. 

Given the obligation of the PIC to operate safely, it is the responsibility 

of the PIC to be "fit for flight". The PIC may not operate the aircraft if 

alcohol was consumed in any volume in the previous 12 hours. The PIC 

must be in a "fit for flight" mental state to ensure a sound Aeronautic 

Decision Making (ADM) process. 

Physical Health is equally important. The PIC should be in a condition 

where there are no distractions that may affect safe flight. Dehydration, 

hunger, the need to take a bathroom break, and other factors like 

sickness should all be eliminated prior to flight. 

Just as with any Aircraft, the operation of our remotely controlled 

machines falls solely on the PIC. The PIC of our aircraft during 

commercial operation must hold A Pilot License (recreational 

minimum) and a minimum class 3 medical certificate. There is no 

exception to this rule under any circumstance other than a team 

member taking control if the PIC is unable to safely land the aircraft.
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Specifications

Overall Diameter 1045mm

Frame Arm Length 386mm

Frame Arm Weight (with Motor, ESC, 

Propeller) 325g

Center Frame Diameter 332mm

Center Frame Weight (with Landing Gear 

Mounting Base, Servos) 1330g

Landing Gear Size 460mm(Length) x 511mm(Width) x 

350mm(Height) (Top width: 155 mm)

Motor Stator Size 41 x 14mm

Motor kV 400rpm/V

Motor Max Power 500W

Motor Weight (with Cooling Fan) 158g

ESC Current 40A

ESC Voltage 6S LiPo

ESC Signal Frequency 30Hz - 450Hz

ESC Drive PWM Frequency 8KHz

ESC Weight (with Radiators) 35g

Propeller Type 1552/1552R High strength performance engineered 

plastic

Propeller Size 15 x 5.2inch

Propeller Weight 13g

Takeoff Weight 6.0Kg - 11.0Kg

Total Weight 4.2Kg

Flight battery LiPo (6S, 10000mAh-20000mAh, 15C(Min))

Max Power Consumption 4000W

Hovering Power Consumption 1500W (@9.5Kg Takeoff Weight)

Hovering Time 15min (@15000mAh & 9.5Kg Takeoff Weight)

Working Environment Temperature -10 °C to +40 °C
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Camera Operator (Cam. Op)

Our DJI S1000 is operated as a two man system. That is, The PIC is in 

charge of controlling the aircraft and maneuvering it during flight so 

that the second man, the camera operator can control the camera and 

attempt to capture the shot. The camera operator is responsible for 

powering on, focusing, exposing, and beginning recording on the 

camera. These tasks may be performed at any time prior to the aircraft 

power up. Once the aircraft has been powered up, the camera operator 

may only access the camera once the aircraft has completed the 

initialization process and the PIC gives the cam op the all clear to fine 

tune the camera if needed. This process is not discussed in detail as we 

do not believe that the operation of the camera significantly impacts 

the overall process of the PIC's operation. Having said that, our system 

uses and OSD (On Screen Display) which displays various flight 

information including the voltage level of the flight battery. If the 

camera operator notices anything out of the ordinary, he is to notify 

the PIC immediately either directly or through the spotter. This can also 

help ensure that our machine does not violate the 400 ft altitude rule 

as the altitude is displayed to the cam op as well. The PIC is not to 

depend on the camera operator for this information, but anything out 

of the ordinary should be reported as this is just one more set of eyes 

that can help prevent an accident. It is also required that all members 

of the flight team are familiar with the machine and know how to fly 

and land it in the unlikely event the PIC is unable to complete the flight. 
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Spotter

It is the job of the spotter to provide a second set of eyes for the PIC. 

The PIC must keep the aircraft in his line of sight at all times. The 

spotter is to keep an eye on the LZ and the area in general where the 

aircraft is being operated. Should there be an obstacle that the PIC 

doesn't see or if the LZ is compromised, the spotter is to inform the PIC 

and help avoid an incident. The spotter can also relay information from 

the cam op to the PIC should it be necessary. The spotter must be 

proficient in flying any aircraft we use on set. If for any reason the PIC is 

unable to continue flying the aircraft, the spotter is there to help assure 

the machine makes a safe landing in an emergency situation. 
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Tasks to be performed prior to flight:

Batteries and charging:

The operation of the DJI s1000 requires the use of many different 

batteries. These include the following: Flight Packs, Radio TX batteries, 

video batteries (for the video base on the ground). All of these batteries 

LiPo batteries are to be charged to the full capacity (4.2 volts per cell) 

prior to arriving on set. 

Flight Packs will be checked prior to each flight to ensure the packs are 

sufficiently charged. A reading of 24.6 - 25.2 Volts indicates the packs 

are 90 - 100% charged and this is acceptable and indicates the packs 

are ready for flight. A voltage reading of less than 22.8 volts indicates 

that the packs are less than 60 percent charged and should not be used 

for a flight. A set of packs at full capacity will allow 7 minutes of flight 

time while landing with approximately 40 percent capacity remaining. 

An illustration of a freshly charged 6s Lipo pack is shown below.
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Controller TX and VIdeo RX Batteries should be checked to make sure 

the 3s lipo batteries that power the controller TX and the Video RX are 

charged at the beginning of the day and checked prior to each flight. A 

reading of 11.6 or better indicates these batteries are at 75% capacity 

or higher and , therefore, will provide many hours of use. 

Note: It is possible to fly this aircraft with a controller using a 2 cell 

Lipo. This radio should indicate a minimum voltage of 7.6 or higher 

before every flight. Any other Controller used will require an

amendment to this document. 

Mechanical condition of Aircraft:

While it is impossible predict all possible situations or failures that can 

occur during flight, It is important to ensure that the aircraft is in 

optimum condition before every flight. The following steps will help 

ensure that the aircraft has no issues that will cause a preventable 

failure during flight. 
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Step 1: Raising and Locking all arms. Raise the arms of the machine 

and lock them in place with the red clip at the base of the arm. The clip 

will make and audible "click" sound when it locks into place. 

Step 2: Flight battery installation. Our battery configuration of choice 

is two (2) 6 cell lithium polymer battery packs connected in parallel. We 

use two battery packs as a form of redundancy in case there is a failure 

in one pack. Mount the battery packs on the battery tray and strap 

down tightly with the velcro straps attached to the battery tray. Once 

the packs are mounted to the tray, slide the tray on to the frame and 

attach the clip on the bottom of the tray to the machine. Once the clip 

snaps in place, pull on the tray to ensure that it is securely mounted. 

See photos below. 
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Step 3: Prop and motor mount bushing inspection. Inspect the screws 

that hold the props to the prop adapter mounted to the motor (all 

motors). The blades should not move freely and sloppily but instead 

should have a slight bit of resistance when moved about the axis of the 

screw. Next, inspect the rubber anti-vibration bushings that mount the 

motors to the frame. There should be no play when you attempt to 

rock the motors back and forth. If there is play, the bushings should be 

replaced before flight. This is a normal maintenance item as these 

rubber bushings are the first point of vibration dampening on the 

S1000. See photos below. 
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Step 4 : Weight And Balance. The DJI S-1000 has a maximum takeoff 

weight of 24.25 lbs. It is imperative, to avoid stressing the components, 

that the takeoff weight be less than this at all times. Also, in order to 

prevent stressing particular motors, it is important the aircraft be 

balanced properly along the Roll and Pitch axes. This is done by placing 

your index finger at the midpoint on each side of the aircraft along the 

roll axis and picking up the aircraft. The aircraft should balance. The 

same procedure should be done along the pitch axis. If the aircraft does 

not balance, the Lipo batteries can me moved forward or backward on 

the battery tray to ensure proper balance. The illustrations below show 

how this is done. 
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Step 5: Compass/GPS orientation. Our Dji S1000 is configured with a 

standard, unmodified DJI A2 flight control computer. This computer 

relies on input from the gps/compass installed in the center top plate of 

the frame. It is imperative that the compass be locked in the upright 

position and the arrow on the compass graphic is pointed center 

forward out of the front of the aircraft. See the illustrations below.
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Step 6: Gimbal Inspection: All items installed on the aircraft are 

securely attached to prevent ejection during flight. The gimbal and 

camera are to be inspected before every flight. The gimbal is attached 

by 12 rubber vibration dampening balls as indicated in the picture 

below. Make sure all of these balls are attached. One ball has a safety 

screw as indicated in the photo below. Confirm this screw is in place at 

all times. The camera is secured to the gimbal by an aluminum screw 

located at the very bottom of the gimbal. This nut should be tightened 

very snugly. 
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Step 7: Power up Radio Control Transmitter. Power up the control 

TX. Once the tx is on and initialized, check the battery level indicated on 

the radio status window. Confirm that the correct model (S1000) is 

indicated on the active model display. ST1 will begin to count time 

when throttle is moved from off position.

Verify that all switches are in the correct position corresponding to the 

labels on the radio. The following photos indicate proper switch 

position for GPS assisted flight. 
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Although the A2 flight controller will not allow the machine to take off and fly 

away in an unsafe radio configuration on power up, it is good practice to make 

sure all switches are in safe proper position, this includes the throttle gimbal to be 

in the zero throttle condition as shown below. If a situation on the ground should 

render the PIC unable to fly, our Spotter and Camera Operator are instructed to 

use the radio to land the aircraft. In a worst case scenario the Failsafe switch can 

be flipped and the flight controller will fly back to the launch point and land the 

aircraft. The Failsafe switch is located as indicated picture right above.

Step 8: Powering up the aircraft. Now that the batteries are 

installed, the radios trasnsmitters are turned on and all parts on the 

the aircraft are secure, the aircraft can be powered up. Plug the red and 

black connectors attached to the battery packs to the corresponding 

connectors on the machine. Be sure to slide connectors together firmly 

insuring a solid secure connection. Make sure connectors are snug and 
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there is no risk of them separating during flight. The illustration below 

shows the red connector properly attached, the black connector needs 

to be pushed together to form a tight fit.

Once the aircraft is powered up, it will go through an initialization 

process. This process includes a system check , GPS search and lock, 

and gimbal initialization. The aircraft must not be disturbed during this 

process which should take 15 sec - 2 minutes depending on GPS search. 

The flight controller will indicate flight readiness condition via the led 

on the status indicator (located at the rear of the aircraft so that the 

pilot can see the indicator at all times). The status indicator will 

continue to flash aircraft status before, during and after flight until the 

aircraft is powered off. The status indicator will display the controller 

and aircraft status as well as battery status at all times the aircraft is 

powered on. The status indicator is pictured below.
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Note: Any indication other than an intermittent flashing violet light, is a 

NO FLY CONDITION. There is no exception to this rule. 

The LED will blink colored signals indicating the following conditions:

Intermittent Red flight light, 1 two or 3 flash

Before launching aircraft, the LED indicator must display an intermittent flashing violet light. Any other indication 

indicates and error or that the machine is in a mode other than GPS assisted mode and the machine is not to be 

operated unless the VIOLET INTERMITTENT FLIGHT READY STATUS IS DISPAYED. 

As listed in the chart above, an alternating blue and yellow constant indicator means there is a compass error. This 

usually indicates that the compass needs calibration and this procedure is to be performed as indicated the DJI A2 

Flight Controller manual. Once this procedure has been completed the aircraft must be powered down and 

powered back up and allowed to re-initialize as before. Once the machine reboots and indicates an intermittent 

violet flashing flight ready condition, the compass error has been resolved and the pilot may continue. 

During flight the alternation violet indicator will continue to flash. If this changes for any reason, the PIC is to land 

the aircraft safely and immediately in fix resolve the error immediately. Once the error has been addressed, 

standard preflight operation must be performed before next flight. 

A flashing yellow light during flight indicates that remaining flight time in the battery has fallen to below 40% and 

the PIC must land the aircraft safely and immediately. If the flight time procedures have been followed this 

flashing yellow condition likely indicates a battery pack is nearing the end of it's useful life and sholud be examined 

prior to future use. 

Intermittent red flash (1,2 or 

3) flashes Searching GPS (no red blink when locked)

Intermittent flashing violet 

light FLight controller is flight ready in GPS mode

Intermittent flashing yellow 

light Flight Controller is flight ready in Atti mode (NO FLY)

No Flashing Light Flight controller is in Manual mode (NO FLY)

Alternating green and yellow 

constant Bad compass Data, compass needs calibration

Flashing Yellow during flight First level Battery warning

Flashing Red light Battery level critical aircraft will return home and land controls 

can still be overridden by PIC. 
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If the indicator flashes an INTERMITTENT red light during flight, the capacity of the packs have fallen to critical level 

and the flight controller will begin to return the aircraft to the launch position. The PIC will still have control of 

aircraft however, in a neutral flight stick condition, the flight controller will return the aircraft to home position and 

land. The flashing red light will only occur after the initial yellow condition has flashed continuously until the flight 

packs have fallen to critical level. If at any time during any flight the flashing red critical indication appears before 

or very quickly after the yellow indication, there is likely a failure in one or more of the flight packs and the aircraft 

must be safely landed as quickly as possible. The flight packs are to be marked and set aside for future examination 

and are not to be used again until tested and verified to be in safe flight ready condition. In addition, this 

occurrence requires a close examination of all battery connections between the battery packs and the flight 

controller. 

Step 9: Launch and Flight. All of the safety measures up to and 

including this step are to avoid preventable accidents. Once the PIC 

deems the aircraft Safe and Ready for flight, PIC will define a landing 

zone and "sterile" staging area. The LZ must be clear of any obstacles or 

people. The aircraft must be 100 feet from any people other than the 

flight crew defined as PIC, spotter, and Camera Operator. The PIC is not 

to be disturbed during launch, flight, or landing unless doing so by the 

spotter will prevent and accident or potential mistake. The PIC is to be 

treated just as he would be in a sterile cockpit situation in a full scale 

aircraft on takeoff and landing. The PIC must explain this 'sterile 

cockpit' scenario to the crew and any other people located in the 

vicinity of the set who may potentially violate this established area. 

During flight, it is up to the spotter to notify the PIC if the LZ has been 
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compromised. In this scenario, the LZ is to be cleared by the spotter 

and the aircraft must be landed. The LZ is to be re-secured and PIC can 

continue operations as described in this manual. If the flight timer of 7 

minutes, his has less than 40% (2:00) remaining, the PIC is to determine 

if the shot can be captured in less than 2 minutes and if not, fresh Flight 

Packs are to be installed and normal startup procedure may commence. 

When the PIC decides it is time to land the aircraft (determined by 

flight timer, whether the shot is captured, or other reason the PIC has 

determined) the spotter is required to keep the LZ clear until the 

aircraft had been safely landed and powered off by the PIC. 

Once the machine is powered off, the Sterile area is deemed 'expired' . 

The crew and others may move about freely until the PIC announces 

another Sterile LZ.

FLIGHT LOG:

A log of all flights performed including flight durations, locations, PIC, weather 

conditions, and possible errors are to be kept up to date at all times. This flight log 

is included as part of this manual and will remain with the manual at all times. The 

Manual and flight log will be provided to any company paying for aircraft time, 

any FAA official, any law enforcement official, company insuring aircraft or any 

PIC who will be piloting this aircraft. The document will be provided upon request 

is made at a time this is not possible. In such as case, the document will be 

provided in a timely manner. 

This manual also contains a maintenance log where any and all maintenance, 

device replacements, modification, or repairs can be documented. These items 

will include but are not limited to: General maintenance items as described in the 

Operating manual for the DJI S1000, the operation manual for the DJI A2 flight 

controller, The DJI Zenmuse z15 Gimbal, and the Radio Transmitters used to fly 

this aircraft. Replacement or installation of any mechanical, electrical, software, 
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or item that can affect the weight and balance of the aircraft are to be 

documented on the maintenance log. Post modification procedures are to include 

documentation, balancing aircraft (if physical changes were made), and 

performing a test flight followed by another test flight by any PIC who will 

operate the aircraft for commercial purposes. This manual may be reprinted from 

time to time to incorporate new pages needed in the event existing pages 

become full. A copy of the last complete page of the flight log and maintenance 

log will be included in the new copy. A copy of all logs will be stored electronically 

or on hard copy should the pages need to be replaced. 

Summary: 

It is important that all rules are followed exactly as listed in this manual. If at any 

time additional rules are created to improve safety, they are to be added to this 

manual and approved by the PIC. This manual is not designed to replace the 

operation manual provided by DJI Incorporated and is not meant to provide 

training for this aircraft rather, training on procedures. The Operating manual for 

the A2 flight Control system is to be carried in the field with this manual at any 

time when there is to be a flight whether for commercial, maintenance, 

troubleshooting, testing or other purposes. It is understood that the PIC has 

trained rigorously on the A2 Flight Control System as well as the DJI S1000 and the 

flight characteristics of this Aircraft and fight control combination. 

IMPORTANT:The PIC for this aircraft must be an FAA Certified Pilot (sport, 

recreational, or private) with a Current Class 3 Medical certificate as defined 

Under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 1. The aircraft may 

not be operated commercially, at any time by any person who does not meet the 

requirements of a certified pilot as defined in 14CFR. 

Any person operating the aircraft who does not meet these requirements, may 

only do so when configuring, troubleshooting, testing or operating recreationally. 

The FAA Guidelines for model aircraft are to be followed at all times during flights 

conducted even non-commercial. 
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NOTE: Operation of the Camera, video system and Gimbal by the cam op are not 

explained in this manual as they are not an essential part of the overall 

performance of the aircraft. While the GImbal does use IMU data from the flight 

controller in order to keep the gimbal steady, it does not feed data back to the 

flight controller and does not affect performance. The PIC is not, at any time 

during flight, in control of these systems. 
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FLIGHT LOG

Date PIC Location weather Errors coments
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Maintenance Log

Date Item Operation Mechanic Check 

flight

PIC 

test

comments
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