## Monday, May 25, 2015

DOCKET MANAGEMENT FACILITY US DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION **SE WEST BUILDING GROUND FLOOR ROOM W12-140 1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE**  **WASHINGTON, DC 20590**

RE: REQUEST FOR EXEMPTION FROM MULTIPLE REGULATORY PROVISION S TO ALLOW THE USE OF SMALL UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS ON LAND CONTROLLED BY J UAN C. MELENDEZ D.B.A. ORTHOTEK TO PROVIDE AERIAL MAPPING AND PHOTOGRAPH Y SERVICES.

**To whom it may concern,**

**Juan C. Melendez D.B.A. Orthotek by means of this document requests an exemption from** 

**several provisions of Title 14 of the Code of Federa l Regulations (C.F.R.) to permit the use of small** 
**unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) for the collection o f aerial imagery for surveying and mapping purposes** 

**.**

**Juan C. Melendez D.B.A. Orthotek is Florida based land surveying, mapping and geomatics firm** 

**established in 2011. We specialize in providing pro fessional land surveying service to the private and** 

**public sector. We are Disadvantage Business Enterp rise and Minority Owned firm.** 

**With this requested exemptions would permit Juan C . Melendez D.B.A. Orthotek to operate** 
**small, unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for the pur pose of providing aerial image accusation for the** 
**production of surveying and mapping product. The pr imary area of use would be for: construction** 

**industry, quarry and mining industry, public works project, privet developments and any other industry**  **that**
**might have beneficial use of aerial mapping product s. While an exemption would not eliminate the curre**  **nt**
**need for traditional aerial mapping on manned aircr aft, it would allow Juan C. Melendez D.B.A. Orthote**  **k**

**to provide aerial mapping service on limited small scale project or project where traditional aerial m**  **apping**

**would be cost prohibited and not practical.**

## sUAV To Be Use For This Petition:

**Pixhawk autopilot system •Motors: SunnySky V2216-12 800 kV II •Propellers: A**  **PC 11X4.7 SFP (4), APC 11X4.7 SF (4) •Flight battery: 4S 10000 mAh 10C lithium polymer**  **•Aircraft weight (with battery): 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) •Aircraft dimensions: 13.7 in x 20.1 in x 11.8 in (**  **35 cm x 51 cm x 30 cm) •Case dimensions: 60.7 in x 14.5 in x 15.5 in (154**  **cm x 37 cm x 39 cm) •Payload capacity: (800 g)**  **•Radio range: .6 miles* (1 km)** **•Flight time: 14 min*** **•Maximum operational wind speed: 25 mph (11 m/s)**

See Operation and flight manual are attached.



## Support for Petition for Exemption

**In accordance with Tile procedural requirements of** 14 C.F.R. §11.81, **Juan C. Melendez D.B.A. Orthotek**
**provides the Following information:**

1. Contact Information:

**Juan Carlos Melendez**
**Owner**
**Juan C. Melendez D.B.A. Orthotek**
**13460 S.W. 24th St. Miami, FL 33175** 
**Tel: 305-877-9721 mailto:orthotek@otekmap.com** 

2. Regulatory Provisions From Which Juan C. Melendez D.B.A. Orthotek Seeks An

Exemption:
**Juan C. Melendez request exception from the followi ng provisions to perform operations.** 

**333 Aircraft Exemption Status**
**14 C.F.R. Part 21 14 C.F.R. §45.23 (b)**  **14 C.F.R. §61.113 (a) & (b) 14 C.F.R. §61.3**  **14 C.F.R. §91.7 (a) 14 C.F.R. §91.9 (b) (2)**  **14 C.F.R. §91.103 14 C.F.R. §91.109**  **14 C.F.R. §91.119**

## 14 C.F.R. §91.121 **14 C.F.R. §91.151 (a) 14 C.F.R. §91.203(a) & (b)**  **14 C.F.R. §91.205 14 C.F.R. §91.215**  **14 C.F.R. §91.405 14 C.F.R. §91.407(a)**  **14 C.F.R. §91.409(a)(l)&(2) 14 C.F.R. §91.417(a)&(b)** 

**If the FAA believes that additional relief is requi red for Juan C. Melendez D.B.A. Orthotek to**  **conduct the operations described here, we request a n exemption from any such regulatory**  **provisions as well.**

3. The Extent of Requested Relief and the Reasons Relief is Needed:

**I, Juan C. Melendez submit this application in acco rdance with the Reform Act, 112 P.L. 95** 
**Sec.331-334, seeking relief from any current applic able Federal Aviation Regulations to prevent** 

**Juan C. Melendez D.B.A. Orthotek to utilize commerc ially available sUAV for aerial mapping** 
**services within the National Airspace System. The Re form Act in Section 332 provides for such** 
**integration of civil unmanned aircrafts systems int o our National Airspace System. Juan C.** 
**Melendez D.B.A. Orthotek will be using a** 3DRobotic X8+ Octocopter **which meets the**

**definition of a "small unmanned aircraft" as define d in Section 331 and therefore the integration** 
**of our sUAV is expressly contemplated by this Refor m Act.** 

4. This Request Will Benefit The Public As Whole By Following:
**Granting Juan C. Melendez D.B.A. Orthotek with the requested exception will create multiple** 
**benefits for the public as a whole especially in th e local community where operation of the** 
**unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) will be perform.**

**1. Juan C. Melendez D.B.A. Orthotek plans to create jo**  **bs opportunities in the field of:**

• **Unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) operator.**

• **Photogrammetrist personnel.**

**2. Providing these exceptions will open a new market f**  **or aerial mapping services that were only possible to be perform by manned aircraft**  **s. Aerial mapping with unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) greatly reduces costs and t**  **hat cost reduction will benefit the public as a whole, especially on public funded proj**  **ects.**

**3. Congress has already proclaimed that it is in the p**  **ublic's interest to integrate commercially flown sUAV into the National Airspace**  **System.**

## In summary, granting this petition will benefit the **public by creating jobs opportunity, reducing the cost for public funded projects and en**  **couraging other companies to follow**
**suit.**

5. Reasons Why The Exemption Would Not Adversely Affect Safety, Or How The
Exemption Would Provide A Level Of Safety At Least Equal To The Ex isting Rule:

**Juan C. Melendez D.B.A. Orthotek believes that it i s in the public best interest the** 
**regulation of sUAV to fly over our National Airspa ce. By allowing this exception, it will** 
**discourage the unregulated use of sUAV and encourag ing the public to comply with the** 

**existing regulations.**

**Juan C. Melendez D.B.A. Orthotek plans to operate t he unmanned aircraft systems** 
**(sUAS) under the new interim policy established by The Federal Aviation** 

**Administration. “Blanket” 200-foot COA"**

**1. The aircraft weigh less than 55 pounds.** 

**2. flight height will be limited to 200'** 

**3. It will be operate during daytime Visual Flight Rule**  **s (VFR) conditions.**

**4. It will be operate within visual line of sight (VLO**  **S) of the pilots.**

**5. We will stay certain distances away from airports o**  **r heliports:**

• **5 nautical miles (NM) from an airport having an ope rational control tower; or** 
**3 NM from an airport with a published instrument fl ight procedure, but not an** 

**operational tower; or**

• **2 NM from an airport without a published instrument flight procedure or an** 

**operational tower; or**

• **2 NM from a heliport with a published instrument f light procedure.** 

Operations safety guidelines:

• **The sUAS has a built in failsafe to return to it poi nt of launch should connection** 

**be disabled between the control and sUAS.**

• **The sUAS will return to its point of launch should t he battery level fall below a** 
**safe level 14.1 Volts or (25%).**

• **In case the operator becomes incapacitated or unabl e to use the control. The** 
**sUAS will go into hover mode holding at a stationar y point, where it will hold** 

## that position until battery fall below 14.1 Volts **or (25%) and return to its point**
**of launch automatically.**

• **Flight time will not exceed 14 minutes. As per sUAS manufacture** 
**specifications.**

• **The sUAS will only be operated in line of sight from the operator.** 

• **The sUAS will not exceed 55 lbs. nor will it exceed a maximum speed of 25** 

**knots.**

• **The sUAS will at no time create a hazard to the Nati onal Airspace System or to** 

**the public.**

• **The sUAS shall be immediately grounded and yield rig ht of way should any** 
**manned aircraft come within an unsafe proximity of the sUAS.** 

• **Juan C. Melendez D.B.A. Orthotek will comply with a ll current and future** 

**recommendation to be established by the Federal Avia tion Administration for a** 

**safe operation of the sUAS in the National Airspace System. Safety to the** 
**public and property will be of the highest priority when operating the sUAS.** 

• **Juan C. Melendez D.B.A. Orthotek will in no way use its sUASs to conduct** 

**surveillance, spy, or in any way violate the expect ation of privacy of anyone.** 
**All aerial images acquired by our sUAS will be for mapping purposes.** 

• **All sUAV operators will undergo proper training on the use of the system** 
**(mechanical and software) and safety procedures est ablished by Juan C.** 

**Melendez D.B.A. Orthotek and Federal Aviation Admini stration for a safe use.** 

• **Juan C. Melendez D.B.A. Orthotek will keep logs for each flight to include** 
**detailed preflight check list of sUAS components in cluding battery charge,** 
**weather conditions, purpose of flight, area hazards prior to take off, and flight** 

**time.**

6. A Summery The FAA May Use In The Federal Registry

• 14 C.F.R. PART 21 SUBPART H — AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATES ( §§ 21.171 - 21.199) **This is design for manned aircrafts and it's not app licable for commercially** 
**available civilian sUAV**

• 14 C.F.R. §45.23 (b) Display of marks; general **Due to the size of the sUAV this will not be not ap plicable.** 

## • 14 C.F.R. §61.113 (A) & (B) PRIVATE PILOT PRIVILEGES AND
LIMITATIONS: PILOT IN COMMAND **The sUAV does not carry a pilot, passengers' nor car go for compensation or**  **hire. Commercial pilot certificate does notes crea te a higher level of safety for**  **the public as a properly trained sUAV operator woul d. Commercial pilot**  **certificate do not have training on sUAV systems.**

• 14 C.F.R. §61.3 CERTIFICATION: PILOTS, FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS, AND
GROUND INSTRUCTORS **A pilot certification is design for manned aircraft s. A pilot certificate does not**  **create a higher level of safety for the public as a properly trained sUAV**  **operator would. sUAV operators are trained using th e sUAV manufacture** 
**manual. As soon as the Federal Aviation Administrat ion has an approve sUAV**  **certification program Juan C. Melendez D.B.A. Ortho tek sUAV operators will**  **comply with the program.**

• 14 C.F.R. §91.7 (A) CIVIL AIRCRAFT AIRWORTHINESS.
**No such airworthiness certification is available fo r this aircraft. The sUAV will**  **not be mechanically modified and it will be thoroug hly inspected before all**  **flight.**

• 14 C.F.R. §91.103 PREFLIGHT ACTION. **Not applicable due to the current language. The sUAV operator will provide**  **written description on the flight log for each miss ion. This will include but is not**  **limited to weather reports and forecasts, preflight checklist, initial and final**  **battery voltage, copy of flight plan and flight dur ation.** 

• 14 C.F.R. §91.9 (B) (2) CIVIL AIRCRAFT FLIGHT MANUAL, MARKI NG, AND PLACARD REQUIREMENTS. **Not applicable due to the size of the aircraft and that it's unmanned. Copy of**  **the manual will always be in possession of the oper ator.** 

• 14 CFR §91.109 - FLIGHT INSTRUCTION; SIMULATED INSTRUMENT
FLIGHT AND CERTAIN FLIGHT TESTS. **Requiring that "No person may operate a civil aircr aft (except a manned free**  **balloon) that is being used for flight instruction unless that aircraft has fully**  **functioning dual controls." Due to the design and o peration of sUAV this is not**  **applicable.**

## • 14 CFR §91.119 - MINIMUM SAFE ALTITUDES: GENERAL.14 C.F.R. §91.121 **Juan C. Melendez D.B.A. Orthotek will operate the s UAV under the The** 

**Federal Aviation Administration. “Blanket” 200-foot COA" This is below the** 
**altitude designated in this section. Also, the sUAS will only be operated in line** 
**of sight from the operator.**

• 14 CFR 91.121 - ALTIMETER SETTINGS.
**Barometric altimeters are not provided on SUAV syst ems. they do provide** 
**GPS altitude indicator. GPS altitude is provided to the operator at all times.** 

• 14 CFR §91.151 - FUEL REQUIREMENTS FOR FLIGHT IN VFR

CONDITIONS.
**sUAV operate under battery power and each flight la st less than 14 min as per** 
**manufactures specification. The sUAV are program to return to its launch** 
**when battery capacity reaches it 25%**

• 14 CFR 91.203 - CIVIL AIRCRAFT: CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED.
**This section cannot apply to sUAV due to the type of aircraft. sUAV do not** 

**have cabin or cockpit.**

• 14 C.F.R. §91.205 INSTRUMENT AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS. **This section cannot apply, the sUAV does not have co ckpit.** 

• 14 CFR 91.215 - ATC TRANSPONDER AND ALTITUDE REPORTING

EQUIPMENT AND USE.
**Cannot reasonably apply to sUAVs operated by Juan C . Melendez D.B.A.** 
**Orthotek because they will be operated below ATC rad ar capabilities as** 

**outlined in this exemption request.**

• 14 CFR 91.405 - Maintenance required. & 14 CFR 91.407 - Op eration after
maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, or alteration.& 14
C.F.R. §91.409(a)(l)&(2) Inspections. & 14 C.F.R. §91.41 7(a)&(b)

Maintenance records.

## The operator will provide all general maintenance fo **r the sUAV as per the**

**manufactures recommendations. Also the above cited regulations only apply to** 
**aircrafts with an airworthiness certification. They will not therefore apply to** 

**Juan C. Melendez D.B.A. Orthotek sUAV**

**If there is any additional information Juan C. Mele ndez D.B.A. Orthotek can provide to expedite this** 
**request, please let us know. Thank you for your tim e and consideration in regards to this matter.** 

**Best regards.**

**Juan C. Melendez**

# Flight Checklist

LED

Motors inactive, safe to handle Low battery, automatic landing Loss of RC signal, automatic landing

Pre-arm safety check failure Loss of GPS signal, switch to manual Initializing, hold the X8 level

Acquiring GPS, please wait

Autopilot ready, GPS locked

Armed



## Safety Button

Motors active, deactivate before handling (see reverse)



## Flight Modes

Return to launch

**RTL**

land at the launch point Stabalize

Altitude Hold

Loiter

Full Autonomy

Return to Launch 

### Standard position (altitude hold mode)

**STD** fly manually

Stabalize Altitude Hold Loiter Full Autonomy Return to Launch



### Loiter mode

**LTR**

hover

Stabalize Altitude Hold Loiter Full Autonomy Return to Launch 

# !

Stand back! 

# 4 6

The motors are

now active.

Hold left stick down

right until motors spin. 

# 2 1 Power on controller; set to STD and RTL OFF.

Arm
motors. Press and hold safety button until solid red. Connect charged battery.

Choose a clear launch point, and face the X8 away from you. 

# 5 Check
LED. 

# 3 Place the X8 at launch point. Go outside to an open area!

See the Operation Manual for complete
instructions.



### Auto mode

**AUTO**

fly a mission Stabalize

Altitude Hold

Loiter

Full Autonomy

Return to Launch ©2014 3D Robotics. vB. DCT0005 All rights reserved. 

### Control gimbal

**TILT**

tilt the camera down and up 

### Land

**CH7**

land at the current position Stabalize

Altitude Hold

Loiter

Full Autonomy

Return to Launch Stabalize Altitude Hold Loiter Full Autonomy Return to Launch

Stabalize Altitude Hold Loiter Full Autonomy Return to Launch



# X8 +

Hold the X8 still and level while powering on.Press and hold until blinking red to deactivate.Hold left stick downleft until motors stop. 

# 1 2 Disarm
motors. Press safety button. 

# 3 Disconnect battery. 

# 4 Power off controller. 

## Postflight Controller Flight Data

Press and hold the DN button to access the flight data screens. Press DN again to toggle between screens.

Lower left stick below
center to descend. Set left stick fully down to land when near the ground. Left Stick

Left Stick Raise left stick above
center to take off and gain altitude. Move left stick left and right to rotate.

Use right stick to fly forward, backward, left, and right. Set left stick to center
to maintain altitude.

Left Stick Left Stick



## Flight current flight mode

controller battery level (9-12 V) GPS signal strength in # of
satellites

meters from launch point flight battery level (14-16.8 V) connection strength

current latitude
current longitude

altitude in meters flight time altitude in meters



### For customer support, contact us at help@3dr.com or call our support line at +1 (858) 225-1414 Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm, PST.

3DR.com/X8/info GPS status

speed in m/s

flight battery mAh
consumed since armed

**End your flight at 14.1 V.** Do not exceed 8,000 mAh for a fully charged X8 + battery (80% of available capacity). 

# !X8+Operation ManualRead beforeflying!IMPORTANTMeet the X8+Thank you for purchasing an X8+!The X8 is a powerful octocopter platform for aerial video.Review this manual in its entirety before your first flight.Additional instructions can be found in the X8 informationportal at3DR.com/X8/info.Happy flying!ContentsParts2Setup4Assembly4Ground Station5Power Management7Charging8Safety8Controller Battery9Powering the X810Connecting to a Ground Station11Flight Basics12Safety12Operating Limits13Controls14Modes17Return to Launch19Failsafes20Status Indicators22Flight Procedures24Takeoff24Landing26Monitoring27Missions28Planning29Saving30Initiating31Ending31Appendix32Troubleshooting32Maintenance32Specs33Resources342PartsUSB adapterGround Station RadioPropeller wrenchAndroid adapterSF propellers (4)SFP propellers (4)Charger and accessoriesGuard bagPixhawk micro-SD cardadapterRC ControllerBattery KitTool KitPropellersFlight ChecklistFlight batteryRadioFlight ChecklistLEDMotors inactive, safe tohandleLow battery, automatic landingLoss of RC signal, automatic landingPre-arm safety check failureLoss of GPS signal, switch to manualInitializing, hold the X8 levelAcquiring GPS, please waitAutopilot ready, GPS lockedArmedSafety ButtonMotors active, deactivate beforehandling (see reverse)Flight ModesReturn to launch**RTL**land at the launch pointStabalizeAltitude HoldLoiterFull AutonomyReturn to LaunchStandard position(altitude hold mode)**STD**fly manuallyStabalizeAltitude HoldLoiterFull AutonomyReturn to LaunchLoiter mode**LTR**hoverStabalizeAltitude HoldLoiterFull AutonomyReturn to Launch!Stand back!46The motors arenow active.Hold left stick down-right until motors spin.21Power on controller;set to STD and RTL OFF.Armmotors.Press and hold safetybutton until solid red.Connectcharged battery.Choose a clear launchpoint, and face the X8away from you.5CheckLED.3Place the X8 atlaunch point.Go outside toan open area!See the OperationManual for completeinstructions.Auto mode**AUTO**fly a missionStabalizeAltitude HoldLoiterFull AutonomyReturn to Launch©2014 3D Robotics. vA. DCT0005 All rights reserved.Control gimbal**TILT**tilt the camera down and upLand**CH7**land at the current positionStabalizeAltitude HoldLoiterFull AutonomyReturn to LaunchStabalizeAltitude HoldLoiterFull AutonomyReturn to LaunchStabalizeAltitude HoldLoiterFull AutonomyReturn to LaunchX8+Hold the X8 stilland level whilepowering on.3Micro-USB port (not pictured, sideof Pixhawk)X8+Front arms (blue)Rear arms (black)GPS mastPixhawk autopilotSafety buttonStatus LEDAntenna4Setup:AssemblyThe X8 arrives in travel configuration. Completethese steps to prepare the X8 for flight.1 Unfold Arms12Remove the bolts and thumbnuts near the two folded black arms (1).Unfold the black arms, re-insert the bolts, and secure with the thumbnuts (2).12X8 Assembly: Unfold Arms52 Unfold LegsRemove the bolts and nuts to the inside of the folded legs (1),unfold the legs, re-insert the bolts, and secure with the nuts (2).3 Attach PropellersThe X8 uses SF and SFP propellers. Labels are found on the individualpropeller packages and on the propellers themselves. The diagrambelow shows which motors require SF or SFP propellers. Accurateassembly of SF and SFP propellers is critical for the X8 to fly correctly.To attach each propeller, remove the nut and washer from the motor,and add the correct type of propellerwith the writing on the propeller facingthe sky. (This is a tight fit; apply pressure and twist the propeller onto themotor.) Replace the washer over the propeller, and use the propellerwrench to tighten the nut on top.12X8 Assembly: Unfold Legstop motor:SFbottom motor:SFPbottom motor:SFtop motor:SFPX8 Propeller Ordertop motor:SFbottom motor:SFPtop motor:SFPbottom motor:SFX8 Propeller Assembly!Ensure that the writing on allpropellers faces the sky.6Ground StationA ground station is a laptop or tablet running an ArduPilot-compatible mission control application.In the field, a ground station helps you monitor the X8 during flight, plan missions, and troubleshoot issues. We recommend using a ground station at all times with the X8.To set up a ground station, choose a platform below and visit3DR.com/download_softwareto installthe application.WindowsMission PlannerOS XAPM PlannerAndroidDroidPlanner 2Important Note About Vehicle Setup in Mission Planner and APM Planner:Your X8 has been pre-configured at the factory and is ready to fly. Re-performing thecalibrations on theInitial Setupscreen, including the mandatory hardware configurationsand setup wizard, can adversely affect the performance of your aircraft.iOS?There are currently no ground station applications available for iOS.7Power ManagementThe X8 is powered by a rechargeable lithium polymer (LiPo) battery. When fullycharged, the battery provides up to 15 minutes of flight time depending on payload,environmental conditions, and flying style. Flying with a gimbal, GoPro, and FPVsystem can reduce flight time by up to 5 minutes. Flying aggressively or in high windscan affect power consumption and reduce flight time. Monitor power consumptionusing the flight data display on the controller (press and hold theDNbutton).When the battery reaches the low voltage limit, the X8 initiates a low battery failsafeand lands automatically at the current position. (See page 20 for more informationabout failsafes.) To avoid a low battery failsafe, regularly check the controller’s flightdata display to monitor battery voltage, and end your flight before the battery reachesthe low voltage limit.ControllerPress and hold theDNbutton to view flight data.flight battery mAh consumed since armedAnother way to monitor power consumption is by using milliamp-hours (mAh).Monitor the mAh on the controller, and ensure that consumption does notexceed 8,000 mAh (80% of the battery’s available capacity). Exceeding 8,000mAh can render the battery permanently unusable.Do not exceed 8,000 mAh for a fully charged X8+ battery.flight battery levelFull battery:16.8 VLow battery limit:14 VEnd your flight at 14.1 V.!Controller Flight Data Display: Screen 1!8ChargingCharge the battery before your first flight!1Connect the charger to the power adapter cableand plug the adapter cable into a wall outlet.Connect the red cable to the + port and the blackcable to the - port.+–2Set the charger to LiPo and 3A.LiPo3A3Connect the battery’s white connector to thecharger’s 4S port, and join the two yellowconnectors together.4S4Secure the battery inside the guard bag,and charge until the status indicatordisplays green.ChargingCompleteCharger with power cable andsplit-wire charging cableCharger settingsFlight battery charging wiringCharging in process!Flying with a low battery is a safetyrisk and can render the batterypermanently unusable. Always flywith a fully charged battery.Charge the battery using a designatedLiPo balance charger only. Alwaysmonitor the battery while charging.Protect the battery from extremeheat, extreme cold, puncturing, andflammable surfaces. Always transport,charge, and store the battery in theguard bag.Inspect the battery for damage beforeand after flying. If you observe anyswelling of the package or the batteryceases to function, do not use thebattery. Do not dispose of the batteryin the trash; dispose of the battery atlocal battery recycling center. In theUS and Canada, visit call2recycle.orgto find a location.Safety9Controller BatteryThe controller is powered by 8 AA batteries (included). The controller’sflight data display allows you to monitor the voltage of the controller.When fully charged, the controller displays 12 V; when completely outof charge, the controller displays 9 V. Replace the batteries when thecontroller displays 9.1 V.ControllerPress and hold theDNbutton to view flight data.controller battery level (9-12 V)Replace controller batteries at 9.1 V.Controller Flight Data Display: Screen 1!10 

# Powering the X8

Follow these steps to power the X8.

2 To power on the X8, join the yellow connector on the battery with the yellow connector on the X8. Keep the X8 still and level while it powers on and initializes the sensors. When the status LED displays blinking blue, the sensors have completed initialization and you can move the X8.

It is important to establish communication before powering on the X8. Always turn on the controller before connecting the battery. When powering off the X8, disconnect the battery before turning off the controller. 1 Turn on the controller. Ensure that the switches are set to CH 7 OFF, STD, and RTL OFF.

RC controller

Stabalize Altitude Hold Loiter Full Autonomy Return to Launch

Stabalize Altitude Hold Loiter Full Autonomy Return to Launch

X8: Connect battery, keep level while initializing Stabalize Altitude Hold Loiter Full Autonomy Return to Launch

CH 7 switch Mode switch RTL switch

Initializing, keep still and level

Initializing complete Status LED indicators:

3 When the initialization process is complete, turn over the X8 and secure the battery to the underside of the vehicle using the velcro straps.

X8: Secure battery 

## !11 

# Connecting to a Ground Station

To connect the X8 to a ground station, connect the ground station radio to your laptop or tablet and power the X8.

Tablet (DroidPlanner) 1 Connect the ground station radio to your laptop using the USB adapter. Open
Mission Planner or APM Planner.

3 Select Flight Data to view live data from the X8. 2 Select AUTO and 57600 , then select CONNECT

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

Ground station laptop with radio connected Mission Planner Connect tool (top-right corner)

Mission Planner Flight Dat a tab: connected to aircraft Laptop (Mission Planner/APM Planner)

1 Connect the blue end of the Android adapter to your device and the black end to the radio. 2 Select Connect

.

Ground station tablet with radio connected DroidPlanner: Connect icon12Flight Basics:SafetyTo ensure safe and successful flying, always fly in accordancewith your location regulations and these best operating practices.Before you fly, determine the boundaries of your safe flying area.If the X8 moves outside the designated area or exhibits instabilityin flight, switch to standard mode and land the X8 manually.The X8 cannot avoid obstacles on its own, including duringmissions. As the operator, it’s your responsibility to recognize andavoid obstructions while flying. Always be ready to regain manualcontrol of the X8 in the event of an unsafe situation.visual lineof sight400 ft(120 m)100 ft (30 m)5 miles (8 km)Always fly at least 100 feet (30 m)away from people, vehicles, andbuildings. Make the safety of peopleand property your first priority!Always fly below 400 ft (120 m) and within yourvisual line of sight. Don’t let the X8 get too faraway from you; make sure you can always see itsorientation. Don’t fly in low light, high winds, rain, orother conditions that might impede visibility.Always fly at least 5 miles (8 km)away from airports and other areaswhere pilots operate manned aircraft.visual lineof sight400 ft(120 m)100 ft (30 m)5 miles (8 km)visual lineof sight400 ft(120 m)100 ft (30 m)5 miles (8 km)Spinning propellers can cause serious injury. The safetybutton indicates the status of the motors to help youprevent hazardous contact with the X8’s high-speedpropellers.•When the X8 is powered on, the safetybutton blinks red, indicating that themotors are inactive and the propellers aresafe to handle.•When you’re ready to fly, press and hold thesafety button until it shows solid red. Thisindicates that the motors are active and thepropellers can spin if armed. To make thepropellers safe to handle again, press andhold the safety button until it blinks red.visual lineof sight400 ft(120 m)100 ft (30 m)5 miles (8 km)visual lineof sight400 ft(120 m)100 ft (30 m)5 miles (8 km)LocationPropellers13Operating LimitsAlways fly within the X8’s operating limits.Maximum altitude*100 m (328 ft)Range*300 m (984 ft) from launch pointGPS lockGPS lock required at all timesMaximum estimated flight time15 minPayload capacity800 g (1.7 lbs)X8+ Operating Limits*While geofence enabled (default)14 Maneuver the X8 in flight using the controller’s two joysticks. left stick:
throttle & yaw right stick: pitch
& roll

Left Stick Left Stick Move the throttle
stick below center to
decrease altitude. Set the throttle stick
to center to maintain
the current altitude. left stick Left Stick

Left Stick Move the left stick vertically to control altitude.

Set the throttle stick fully down to land
once the X8 is a few
inches above the ground. Left Stick To take off and to gain altitude, push the throttle stick slightly above center position. Left Stick Left Stick 

# Controls

Throttle15 Flight Tip When adjusting orientation, move the left stick horizontally without changing its vertical position. 

# Activate Hold until propellers start spinning.

T

ake-off + Lif t Raise just slightly for take of f

Hover + Land Lower just slightly to hover

Left Ya w Left Back Forward

Right

Right Ya w

Deactivate Hold until propellers stop spinning Activate Hold until propellers start spinning.

T

ake-off + Lif t Raise just slightly for take of f

Hover + Land Lower just slightly to hover

Left Ya w Left Back Forward

Right

Right Ya w

Deactivate Hold until propellers stop spinning Move the stick to
the left to rotate
counterclockwise.

Move the stick to the right to
rotate clockwise. left stick Left Stick

Release the stick to stop rotating and
maintain the current
orientation. Move the left stick horizontally to rotate the X8 and change orientation. For a slow rotation, move the stick slightly away from the center in either direction. Moving the stick farther from the center creates
a faster rotation. Left Stick 

### Yaw16 

# Activate Hold until propellers start spinning.

T

ake-off + Lif t Raise just slightly for take of f

Hover + Land Lower just slightly to hover

Left Ya w Left Back Forward

Right

Right Ya w

Deactivate Hold until propellers stop spinning Activate Hold until propellers start spinning.

T

ake-off + Lif t Raise just slightly for take of f

Hover + Land Lower just slightly to hover

Left Ya w Left Back Forward

Right

Right Ya w

Deactivate Hold until propellers stop spinning Move the right
stick forward to fly forward. right stick

Move the right stick back to fly
backward. The right stick allows you to control the X8’s position in the air. Move the right stick to tell the X8 to move in that direction: forward (toward the blue arms), back (toward the black arms), left (toward the left arms), or right (towards the right arms). How far you move the stick from the center before releasing it tells the X8 how fast to move.



# Activate Hold until propellers start spinning.

T

ake-off + Lif t Raise just slightly for take of f

Hover + Land Lower just slightly to hover

Left Ya w Left Back Forward

Right

Right Ya w

Deactivate Hold until propellers stop spinning Activate Hold until propellers start spinning.

T

ake-off + Lif t Raise just slightly for take of f

Hover + Land Lower just slightly to hover

Left Ya w Left Back Forward

Right

Right Ya w

Deactivate Hold until propellers stop spinning Move the right stick left to fly
left.

Move the right stick right to fly right.

Flight Tip The X8 moves according to its orientation. The blue arms face forward, and the black arms face backward. Before using the right stick, use yaw to keep the X8 facing in
outward orientation so that the black arms face towards you and the blue arms and face away from you. 

### Pitch and Roll17 

## ! Standard (altitude hold mode)

STD

fly manually

Start your flight in standard to select altitude hold mode, and fly manually using the controller.



### Loiter mode

LTR

hover

Select loiter to hover in place automatically. Use the controller to adjust the X8’s position then release the sticks to hold that position. Loiter is a great way for beginners to learn how to fly! If you’re new to flying, start your first flight in loiter instead of standard. Stabalize Altitude Hold Loiter Full Autonomy Return to Launch

Stabalize Altitude Hold Loiter Full Autonomy Return to Launch mode switch

The X8 includes three flight modes: manual flight (STD-altitude hold), hover mode (LTR-loiter), and mission flight (AUTO). Use the switch on the right side of the controller to select a flight mode.

To avoid sudden changes in altitude, set the throttle stick to center position before switching modes, including in the event of a GPS failsafe. See page 20
for more information about failsafes. 

# Modes18 

### Auto mode
AUTO

fly a mission

Select auto mode to fly an autonomous mission. The X8 automatically flies the series of waypoints saved to the autopilot. See the Missions section on page 28 for instructions on planning and flying missions. 

### Stabalize

Altitude Hold

Loiter

Full Autonomy

Return to Launch 

### Gimbal control

TILT

tilt the camera up and down

Connect a Tarot Gimbal (sold separately), and use the TILT knob to control the angle of the camera in flight. Visit 3DR.com/X8/info for instructions. 

### Stabalize

Altitude Hold

Loiter

Full Autonomy

Return to Launch 

### Land
CH 7

land at the current position

Set the CH 7 switch to ON to end your flight and land at the current position. Once you activate land, set the throttle stick fully down, and the X8 automatically disarms after landing. The X8 does not disarm automatically unless the throttle stick is set fully down.

Reposition during landing: During landing, use the right stick on the controller to adjust the X8’s position. 

## ! Do not activate auto mode unless you have saved a mission to the X8 using a ground station application.19 land at the launch point

Set the RTL switch to ON to end your flight and return the X8 to the launch point automatically. Once you activate RTL, set the throttle stick fully down, and the X8 automatically disarms after landing. The X8 does not disarm automatically unless the throttle stick is set fully down.

When commanded to RTL, the X8:

1 Achieves minimum altitude of 15 m (50 ft) or maintains current altitude

if above 15 m. 2 Moves to launch point and loiters for 5 seconds. 3 Lands at launch point. Wait for a few seconds until the X8 disarms

automatically.

launch point

15 meters 1 2

3 hover 5 seconds 

### Stabalize

Altitude Hold

Loiter

Full Autonomy

Return to Launch 

# Return to Launch

Reposition during landing: During landing, use the right stick on the controller to adjust the X8’s position.



## ! RTL returns the X8 to the location where it was armed. Always arm the X8 at a safe, unobstructed launch point.20 

# Failsafes

visual line of sight 400 ft (120 m)

100 ft (30 m) 5 miles (8 km) 400 ft (120 m)

visual line of sight 400 ft (120 m)

100 ft (30 m) 5 miles (8 km) 400 ft (120 m) Low Battery Failsafe Environmental conditions, payload, and flying style can affect power consumption. Use the controller’s flight data display to monitor the voltage of the battery during flight.

If the battery reaches 14 V, the X8 lands automatically at the current position, indicated by a blinking yellow status LED and a quick repeating tone. The X8 is programmed with a set of failsafe behaviors to prevent a crash in the event of a loss of one of the data or communication channels required for flight. Although certain failsafes have assigned LED indicators and tones, it is unlikely that you will be able to see these at a distance. Monitor the ground station for failsafe indications. If a failsafe is triggered, the assigned behavior activates. To override the failsafe behavior, use the controller to switch to standard mode and regain manual control.

RC Controller Signal Failsafe Physical obstructions and interference from nearby wireless signals can affect
the X8’s connection with the controller.

If the X8 loses contact with the controller, it returns to the launch point and lands automatically, indicated by a blinking yellow status LED.21 GPS Failsafe
The X8 requires GPS lock before takeoff. Enclosed areas, physical obstructions, and lack of available satellites can affect GPS strength. If the X8 loses GPS lock in flight, it triggers a GPS failsafe—indicated by a blinking blue and yellow LED with a high-high-high-low tone—and automatically switch to manual control (standard - altitude hold mode). Always be prepared to regain manual control at any time while flying and choose an unobstructed flying area to improve GPS signal strength. When flying a mission, we recommended changing the GPS failsafe behavior to land. (Visit 3DR.com/X8/info for more information about configuring the GPS failsafe.)

Altitude Failsafe The X8 has a 100 m (328 ft) altitude geofence enabled by default. If the geofence is breached, the X8 automatically switches to RTL. visual line of sight 400 ft (120 m)

100 ft (30 m) 5 miles (8 km) 400 ft (120 m) 

### visual line of sight 400 ft (120 m)

100 ft (30 m) 5 miles (8 km) manual
control

100 m (328 ft)

Range Failsafe The X8 has a 300 m (984 ft) horizontal geofence enabled by default. If the X8 travels farther than 300 m from the launch point, it automatically returns to the launch point and lands. If you plan to fly a mission that exceeds this range, you will need to disable the horizontal geofence. (Visit 3DR.com/X8/info for instructions.) The range failsafe is disabled in the event of a GPS failsafe.22 

# Status Indicators

Low battery, automatic landing Loss of RC signal, automatic landing

Pre-arm safety check failure—connect to a ground station
and see the troubleshooting section Loss of GPS signal, switch to standard mode (altitude hold) Initializing, hold the X8 still and level

Acquiring GPS, please wait

Armed Autopilot ready, GPS locked Status LED The Pixhawk LED indicates the status of the X8. During flight, the LED won’t be visible; instead, use a ground station to view the status of the X8. Visit 3DR.com/X8/info to listen to Pixhawk’s status tones.

X8 Status LED 

### LED23 

### Safety Button

The safety button indicates the status of the motors to allow you to arm and disarm the X8 safely.

Safety button

X8 Safety Button

Motors inactive, safe to handle

Motors active, deactivate before handling24 

# Flight Procedures: Takeoff

Follow these steps to take off.



## » Propellers are attached tightly to the motors in the correct order and the GPS mast is oriented vertically.



## » The X8 is powered with the battery secured to the underside of the vehicle. (Remember to hold the X8 still and level while the sensors initialize.)



## » The controller is set to CH 7 OFF, standard (STD) mode (loiter mode for beginners), and RTL OFF.



## » The status LED displays blinking green, indicating that the X8 has acquired GPS lock. This can take a few minutes depending on your flying location.



## » The X8 is situated at a safe, unobstructed launch point, facing away from you. 

### Checklist25 

### Arm

After completing the checklist, you’re ready to fly! Arming and disarming are important steps that must be completed before takeoff and after landing. Use the safety button and the controller to arm the X8.

1 Press and hold the safety button until it displays solid red. This indicates that the
X8 is now active. Stand back!

Motors inactive, safe to handle

Motors active, deactivate before handling

2 To arm the motors, hold the left stick down/right until the motors spin.

Controller left stick: arming position Safety button indicators



## ! The arming and disarming procedures ensure that you can safety start and stop motors without risk of injury. The X8’s motors will spin when armed! Make sure the propellers are clear of any obstructions, including your hands, before arming. Do not handle the propellers or pick up the X8 while the safety button is active (solid red).26Landing1Press and hold the safety button until itblinks red. The motors are now inactive,and the X8 is safe to handle.2To disarm the motors, hold the left stick down/leftuntil the motors stop.DisarmFor manual landing in standard or loiter mode:Motors inactive, safe to handleMotors active, deactivate beforehandlingController left stick: disarming positionSafety button indicators!Do not handle the propellers or pick up the copter while the safety button isactive (solid red). Remember to disconnect the battery before turning off thecontroller when powering off.If you end your flight using the Ch 7 land command or RTL, the X8 disarmsautomatically; wait for the motors to stop, and proceed to powering off.Attempting to disarm the X8 in either land mode or RTL mode can causethe cause the copter to flip.27MonitoringPress and hold theDNbutton to access the flight data screens.PressDNagain to toggle between screens.current flight modecontroller battery level (9-12 V)GPS signal strength in # of satellitesmeters from launch pointflight battery level (14-16.8 V)connection strengthcurrent latitudecurrent longitudealtitude in metersflight timealtitude in metersGPS statusspeed in m/sflight battery mAhconsumed since armedEnd your flight at 14.1 V.Do not exceed 8000 mAh for afully charged X8+ battery (80% ofavailable capacity).!Monitor the X8 in flight using the controller’s flight data screens.ControllerController Flight Data Display: Screen 1Controller Flight Data Display: Screen 228MissionsThe X8’s Pixhawk autopilot is capable of flying an autonomous missionwithout operator input. Ensure that you feel comfortable operating the X8manually before attempting an autonomous mission.Environmental AwarenessBefore you fly, assess the features of your flying area. Determine the boundaries of the safe flying area, and be prepared to recover the copter manuallyif it goes outside this area. Be aware of any risks at your location, includingbodies of water, structures, trees, etc. Designate a few areas as safety zoneswhere you can safely land the copter in case of an unsafe situation.Radio Signal ConditionsFlying behind solid objects, like buildings and trees, blocks radio signals.Always maintain visual contact with the copter to ensure that the radio signalis unobstructed. Radio towers, cell phone towers, and nearby WiFi signalscan also cause interference with the radio system and decrease its range.Avoid flying in populated areas to avoid sources of interference.AltitudeSelect an appropriate altitude for your flying location and local regulations.Remember the X8 cannot avoid obstacles during a mission; it completes themission as planned. Select altitudes that avoid any obstacles, such as trees,and comply with the safety information in this manual.SpeedBy default, the X8 travels at 6.5 m/s (14.5 mph) during a mission.PowerAs the operator, it is your responsibility to ensure that all missions complywith the X8’s operating limits, including flight time. Don’t forget to take intoaccount the effect of current wind conditions on power consumption.Regaining Manual ControlDuring a mission, keep the controller easily accessible, and be prepared toregain manual control at any time. To regain manual control during themission, switch to standard mode using the controller. If you observeinstability in the X8’s flight behavior or if the copter moves outside yourdesignated safe flying area, switch to RTL. Turning off the controllerautomatically triggers an RTL and can be used in an emergency situationas a hard recall command.FailsafesThe X8’s default failsafe behaviors are optimized for manual flight. Forautonomous missions, we recommend re-configuring the failsafe settingsfor your flying location. For instructions, visit3DR.com/X8/info.29PlanningSelect the DroidPlanner icon, selectEditor. Tap to addwaypoints, or select the brush tool and draw a pathfor the X8 to follow.Select Flight Plan, and click to add waypoints. Select the green arrows atthe bottom of the screen to configure altitude and change waypoint types.To plan a mission, power the X8 and connect to your ground station. Groundstation applications require an Internet connection to access maps.Tablet (DroidPlanner)Laptop (Mission Planner, APM Planner)DroidPlanner: Edit waypointsMission Planner: Flight PlanTakeoff and LandingBoth ground station applications provide the option to configure automatictakeoff and landing into the mission. Missions without automatic takeoff andlanding must be initiated and ended in flight.30SavingSelect the option menu in the top-right corner, andselectSend Mission. This command saves the missionto the X8.On theFlight Planscreen, selectWrite WPsto save the mission to the X8.SelectSave WP Fileto save the mission to your computer for future use.After planning the mission, save the mission to the X8. The Pixhawk autopilotcan store one mission at a time. When you initiate the mission, the X8 startsthe mission stored to the autopilot at the time.Tablet (DroidPlanner)Laptop (Mission Planner, APM Planner)DroidPlanner: Send Mission (option menu)Mission Planner: Flight Plan31InitiatingStabalizeAltitude HoldLoiterFull AutonomyReturn to LaunchStabalizeAltitude HoldLoiterFull AutonomyReturn to LaunchLeft StickFor auto-takeoff, raisethrottle to start mission.Once you’ve saved the mission to the X8, follow these steps to fly the mission.1 Perform a pre-mission test flight.Follow the standard takeoff procedure, and flyabrief test flight to verify that all controls (throttle,yaw, roll, and pitch) are responding normally.2 Arm in standard mode.When you’re ready to start the mission,arm the X8 in standard (STD) mode.3 Switch to auto mode.For automatic takeoff, arm the X8 in standardmode. Then switch to auto mode, and raise thethrottle to initiate the mission.For manual takeoff, initiate the mission in flight byswitching to auto mode.Controller: mode switchController: mode switchController: left stickAutomatic LandingFor missions configured with a landwaypoint, the X8 disarms automaticallyafter landing.Ensure that the throttlestick is set fully down during landing; theX8 cannot disarm automatically unlessthe throttle stick is set fully down.Manual LandingFor missions without a land waypoint,switch to standard or loiter mode in flightthen land manually.Ending!To avoid sudden changesin altitude when switchingfrom auto mode to standardmode, ensure that the leftstick is set to the centerposition.End the mission according to the type oflanding configured in the mission.32Appendix:TroubleshootingMaintenancePre-Arm Safety Check Failure`If the status LED displays blinking yellow, the X8 is failing one of the pre-arm safety checks. To determine the specific failure, check theheads-up display on the ground station for the error message specifying the failed check.Radio Calibration Failure:Perform radio calibration or RC controller re-bindingAccelerometer Calibration Failure:Perform accelerometer calibrationCompass Calibration Failure:Perform compass calibrationGPS Failure:Wait for improved GPS signal or move to a more open area (most common failure)Video tutorials for performing calibrations are available at 3DR.com/X8/info.Replacement parts for the X8 are available for purchase at store.3DR.com.Instructions for replacing the wiring, plates, motors, and legs of the X8 areavailable at 3DR.com/X8/info.33SpecsBattery:4S 14.8V 10,000 mAh 10CBattery Dimensions:6.6 in x 2.6 in x 1.4 in (16.7 cm x 6.5 cm x 3.5 cm)Battery Weight:803 gAutopilot Hardware:Pixhawk v2.4.5Autopilot Firmware:ArduCopter 3.2GPS:3DR u-blox GPS with Compass (LEA-6H module, 5 Hz update)Ground Station Radio:3DR Radio v2 (915 MHz or 433 MHz)Motors:SunnySky V2216-12 KV800 IIFrame Type:XPropellers:APC Propeller 11x4.7 SF (4)APC Propeller 11x4.7 SFP (4)Vehicle Dimensions:13.7 in x 20.1 in x 11.8 in (35 cm x 51 cm x 20 cm)Payload Capacity:800 g (1.7 lbs)Vehicle Weight with Battery:2.56 kg (5.6 lbs)Maximum Altitude*:100 mRange*:300 m from launch point (1 km when geofence disabled)Maximum Estimated Flight Time:15 min*While geofence enabled (default)ResourcesThank you for being a responsible drone operator. For more information about the X8,visit the pages below.Online information portal:3DR.com/X8/infoTerms and Conditions:3DR.com/termsContact 3DR Support at help@3DR.com or call our support line at+1 (858) 225-1414 Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm PST.Happy flying!3D Robotics1608 4th Street, Suite 410Berkeley, CA 947103DR.comX8+ Operation ManualDCT0004v.C2014 ©3D Robotics