UNMAN ED SYSTEMS 

E384 Operations Manual 
UNMAN ED SYSTEMS 

Table of Contents 

Setup 

Getting Started 

Charging the Batteries 

Telemetry Connection 

Adjusting Declination 

Firmware Download 

Assembly 

Tail Asembly 

Wing Asembly 

Propeller Assembly 

Camera & Battery Installation 

Mission Planning 

Mission Planning Overview Part 1 

Mission Planning Overview Part 2 

Auto Takeoff 

FBWA Takeoff 

Planning a Mapping Mission 

Auto Land 

FBWA Land 

Geotagging Utility Part 1 

Geotagging Utility Part 2 

E384 Operations 

Transmitter modes 

NX1100 Operations Part 1 

NX1100 Operations Part 2 

S 110 Operations Part 1 

S 11 0 Operations Part 2 

E384 Procedures 

Pre-Field Checklist 

Preflight Checklist 

Flight Procedure Summary 

Flight Procedure Summary Part 2 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

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UNMANNED SYSTEMS 

Getting Started 

The following pages will act as a guide through the E384 experience, and serve as an 

important tool throughout its continued use. If questions or suggestions arise, do not 

hesitate to contact us for a quick resolution. 

All E384 users must download E38 Mission Planner found through the following link--

https:/ /www.event38.com/Articles.asp?ID=270 

If you are located beyond the USA start with Firmware Download. 

If you are in the USA follow through to Charging the Batteries. 

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UNMANNED SYSTEMS 

Charging the Batteries 

Step 1: 

To charge your batteries, plug in your battery 

charger and add the banana to XT-60 cable 

on the right side as shown in the picture 

below. 

Step 2: 

To charge the 8000mAh battery, plug it directly into the XT60-banana plug that is connected to the charger. Plug the balancer into 

the corresponding terminal. 

Step 3: 

Plug the power cord into the left side of the 

charger. 

Step 4: 

If LiPo charge is not selected when you 

power on the charger press the Batt Type 

(the left-most button) until it says LiPo then 

press the start button on the far right. 

Step 5: 

After selecting LiPo pressing the start button 

again will allow you to change the amps. 

Change this according to the battery you are 

charging by going left or right using the two 

buttons in between Batt Type and Start. 

Charge the 8000mAh battery at 6.0A. 

Step 6: 

After selecting the correct amount of amps, 

press start again. This will allow you to 

change the number of cells. The 8000mAh 

battery is labeled a 4 cell battery, so charge 

it at 45. 

Step 7: 

After choosing the proper amps and cells 

hold the start button. Then after the battery 

check press start again to start the charge. 

When the battery is full the charger will 

beep. 

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UNMANNED SYSTEMS 

Telemetry Conection 

Step 1: 

To connect we will first power on the transmitter, followed by the aircraft. We will allow 

ten seconds or so for the aircraft to initialize. 

Step 2: 

Plug in the cable from your ground side telemetry system to the computer. 

If you are using the RFD900 make sure pin 

one receives the black wire from the FTDI 

cable. 

If you have the old style 433 make sure the 

black wire goes to the GND pin. -------. 

The new style 3DR telemetry systems simply 

connect with a MicroUSB cable. 

Step 3: 

Open Mission Planner and choose the Com 

Port that comes up when plugging in the telemetry (it may take a few minutes for the 

Com Port to show up). Set baud rate to 57600. 

Step 4: 

Press Connect and you should have your 

wire less connection. 

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UNMANNED SYSTEMS 

Adjusting Declination 

The Earth's magnetic field varies significantly depending on your location relative to the poles. To adjust for the 

offset in your location, we'll change the magnetic declination parameter until the heading shown on Mission 

Planner matches the heading of your plane 

Step 1: 

Power on the R/C Transmitter then power on 

the E384. (This should be done with the battery, wings, and other components installed 

and ready for flight.) 

Be sure not to set the E384 near any large 

metallic objects as the compass is very sensitive and can be affected by local magnetic 

disturbances. Once initialized, set it on the 

ground at a known heading. it can be any direction as long as it's known. If no directions 

are known for certain, you can use visual 

cues that would be visible on Google Earth. 

For example, you can point the nose to be 

perpendicular to your street or parallel with 

the edge of your house. 

Step 2: 

Connect to the E384 by telemetry in Mission 

Planner. 

Once connected, you'll see an airplane icon 

at roughly your current location. If you're 

inside, you may need to go near a window or 

put the E384 outside in order to get a GPS fix. 

There will be a red line emerging straight forward from the icon, that is the direction the 

autopilot thinks it's facing. Knowing the real 

direction, we can now adjust and iterate the 

magnetic declination until the red line is 

pointing in the same direction we know the 

E384 to be pointing. 

Step 3: 

Take a mental note of approximately how 

many degrees off the true direction the red 

line is pointing. Now click on Initial Setup-> 

Mandatory Hardware-> Compass 

Step 3: 

If the red line was counterclockwise of the 

true direction, add the approximate number 

of degrees you noted before to the current 

value, type that in and then switch back to 

Flight Data. 

Wait at least 30 seconds between iterations, 

it takes some time for the direction to 

update. If the red line was spun clockwise 

relative to the true direction, subtract. Negative values are ok but they should not exceed 

180 degrees in either direction. 

Example: 

Initial setting, I've set the E384 down lining 

up with the edge of my building. 

Now after adding 45 degrees to the declination value, it's very close to parallel with the 

edge. I'll make one more adjustment for another 2-3 degrees but this is close enough already. Aim to be within 5 degrees of the true 

heading. 

4 
UNMANNED SYSTEMS 

Firmware Download 

For customers outside of the USA, firmware must be loaded onto the E384. 

Step 1: 

Go to the below link to download the E384 firmware 

below. 

http:/ /event38.wikispaces.com I Firmware+ Download 

Step 2: 

Plug the micro USB cable connected to the computer 

into the autopilot. 

Step 3: 

Open Mission Planner. Go to Initial Setup» Install 

Firmware. 

Step 4: 

Follow the steps given to download the E384 Firmware. 

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UNMANNED SYSTEMS 

Tail Assembly 

Step 1: 

Fit the elevator on top of the tail, and slide the 

elevator toward the rudder. 

Step 2: 

Connect the servo lead on the elevator to the 

servo extension. 

Step 3: 

Take the servo wires from the tail and place them 

into the body of the E384. 

Step 4: 

Push the carbon rod all the way into the body, 

the notches on the rod will catch on the orange 

tube at the furthest point. 

Step 5: 

Tighten the three screws on the body to keep the 

tail tightly in place 

Step 6: 

Fish the elevator and rudder cables through the 

hole on the top and connect the elevator to 

output channel2 and the rudder to output channel4. 

Be sure the top pin receives the black wire on 

your Pixhawk. 

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UNMANNED SYSTEMS 

Wing Assembly 

Step 1: 

Slide the rod into one wing, and then the other. 

Step 2: 

Connect the servo wires to the splitter originating from main out channel one on the Pixhawk, 

either wing can go into either side of the splitter. 

Step 3: 

Fit the wings into the body, avoid squeezing the 

servo wires in between the wings and the body. 

Step 4: 

Attach rubber bands as follows ... 

(Use two rubber bands for safety.) 

7 
UNMANNED SYSTEMS 

Propeller Assembly 

Step 1: 

Place the propeller on to the bolt with the lettering on the propeller facing the motor. 

Step 2: 

Place the washer on the bolt. Make sure the side 

of the washer with the larger face is against the 

propeller. 

Step 3: 

Then, tighten the nut to bolt very tightly securing 

the propeller and washer. If this bolt is too loose 

the propeller may fall off during a flight. 

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UNMANNED SYSTEMS 

Installing Camera & Batteries 

Step 1: 

Place the battery into the plane, after checking 

the center of gravity you may need to adjust the 

location of the batteries. 

Step 2: 

Insert the camera. 

Step 3: 

Attach the nose hatch. 

Step 4: 

Check the center of gravity by putting a finger on 

each wing at the rear of the Styrofoam insert 

under the wings and making sure it is level or 5 

degrees nose down at most. 

The red line in the following picture shows the 

proper center of gravity. 

Step 5: 

If the center of gravity is off, correct this by 

moving the battery forward or backward on the 

velcro and then re-check the center of gravity. 

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UNMANNED SYSTEMS 

Mission Planning Options 

The E384 is fully capable of performing fully autonomous missions. When using the E384, fully manual 

(FBW-A) flight is also an option. The E384 can use combination of manual (FBW-A) flight and autonomous 

flight. Examining the flight options will allow the user to choose the best solution for the intended use. 

--The discussion begins with a fully autonomous mission. 

-The Ground Station Manager plans a mission with an Auto TakeoffWP, a Land WP, and anything in between. 

The user in charge of physically throwing the E384 (the "Launcher") will prepare himself, in a ready-to-launch 

position. The Ground Station Manager will change the mode to AUTO (either using the transmitter, or using 

the ground station computer). The Ground Station Manager will communicate to the Launcher of the mode 

change. The Launcher launches the E384 firmly at about a 15 degree angle into a headwind. The E384 realizes 

it has been launched and begins turning the motor. The E384 begins gaining altitude until it has reached the 

takeoff altitude. The E384 proceeds by traveling to the next WP. It continues through the WPs until it has 

reached the final WP, the Land WP. The E384 touches down. The E384 Flight Crew briefly celebrates another 

successful collection of data. One member ofthe E384 Flight Crew travels to the E384. The member disconnects the battery for safe transportation. 

The advantage of the fully autonomous flight is apparent. Minimal user input is needed, as the E384 takes 

care of itself. It is important to discuss further the Auto Takeoff and Auto Land process. 

-Auto Takeoff will be perfect, so long as the Launcher launches the E384 without too much error. Errors can 

be seen if the E384 is launched with a large bank angle. Errors can be seen if the E384 is launched with a 

pitch angle that is too great or not great enough. Errors can be seen if the E384 is not launched strongly 

enough, or if the E384 is thrown downwind. The E384 should by gliding out of the users hand. While the 

E384's Auto Takeoff has room for errors, it is possible to have too many Launcher errors for a clean takeoff. 

-Auto Land is a useful tool. The Ground Station Manager sets WP's to reduce the altitude, followed by a Land 

WP. There are two aspects involved in Auto Land that should be realized. 

The first aspect is that the Ground Station Manager must be diligent. The Ground Station Manager must be 

sure to follow proper landing procedure to maintain a high probability of success. 

The second is that there are uncontrollable factors in play. Google Maps (or other "Maps") will not maintain 

perfectly accurate terrain. This means that it is important to allow for a landing strip that offers some forgiveness. Another factor of note is altitude. The altitude will not be perfect for two major reasons. The E384 

considers Om altitude to be that of the altitude where it was given power. If the landing strip is of different 

altitude than that of the start up altitude, it must be taken into account. The other altitude factor is the E384 

altitude readings. There may be discrepancies between actual altitude and E384 altitude readings. The E384 

could touch down before intended, or glide past the intended landing target. Again, it is important to choose 

a landing strip that offers some forgiveness. 

%The user can take manual (FBW-A) control of the E384 at any time. The E384 mode will be switched to 

FBW-A and the pilot will control the E384.% 

--Attention is turned toward a fully manual (FBW-A) flight. 

-The Ground Station Manager may or may not have planned a mission. The Launcher prepares to throw the 

E384. The Launcher communicates with the pilot until preparedness is reached. The Launcher throws the 

E384. The Pilot increases throttle and begins increasing altitude. The Pilot manually (FBW-A) controls the 

E384 at all times. The Pilot flies in any manner deemed necessary. The Pilot brings the E384 down for a landing. 

10 
UNMANNED SYSTEMS 

Mission Planning Options (Continued) 

-While a fully manual (FBW-A) flight will not yield data collection, it can increase the Pilot's flight skill. This 

may prove valuable in situations where a manual (FBW-A) takeoff or landing is ideal. 

-FBWA takeoff will hold one advantage if the Pilot is skilled. With a skilled Pilot, this will allow the Launcher 

to commit more errors while still finding success. 

-FBWA landing holds an advantage if the Pilot is skilled. With a skilled Pilot the E384 may land more accurately. 

--Lastly, combination flight is discussed. 

-The E384 Flight Team may decide manual (FBW-A) flight is ideal in certain situations. The scenario considered is that of manual (FBW-A) takeoff, automatic survey, followed by manual (FBW-A) landing. In this scenario the Pilot performs a manual takeoff. After communicating with the rest of the Flight Crew, the E384 is 

placed into AUTO. The E384 flies the pre-programmed survey WPs. When the E384 completes the mission it 

will return to the area that it was given power and proceed by circling that area at 100m altitude. The Pilot 

regains manual (FBW-A) control when the mode is switched to FBW-A. This is done either from the ground 

station computer, or from the Pilot's transmitter. The Pilot maintains control and brings the E384 down for a 

landing. 

-All combinations of manual (FBW-A) and autonomous flight can be realized. 

--In conclusion, the E384 can fly fully autonomously, fully manual (FBW-A), and a combination of autonomous and manual (FBW-A) flight. With a skilled pilot at the helm, the E384 can takeoff and land under harsher conditions than an automatic takeoff and automatic landing. 

Now that mission planning understanding has been increased, the stages of flight and the WP layout will be 

detailed. 

11 
UNMANNED SYSTEMS 

Auto Takeoff 

Step 1: 

Enter the Flight Plan screen of Mission Planner. 

Before setting any WP click the Add TakeoffWP 

button on the right. 

Action )) 

Add Polygon 

Clear Polygon 

Survey(Gnd) 

Bevetion Graph 

Cle!r Miss1on 

l.oad'"IP F1le 

Sav ole 

Add T okecfl WP 

Step 2: 

When prompted, enter the desired takeoff altitude. It is recommended that your takeoff altitude equal that of your surveying altitude. 

•.. Altitude l__!!_j 

Please enter your lakeoff afi<ude 

120 

Step 3: 

--

The next prompt will be pitch angle. It is recom -

mended to set this to 35. 

The resulting WP will be shown under the Waypoints bar. Notice there will not be a takeoff WP visible on 

the map. 

Proceed by constructing the Survey(Grid) portion of the Mission Planning. 

The TakeoffWP will initiate when the E384 is in AUTO and the ground speed is above 3 m/s (which suggest 

the E384 being launched). 

Step 4: 

The Launcher should pick the E384 up and hold it, fully prepared to launch. One hand is placed on the 

bottom of the fuselage near the camera opening to guide the throw. The other hand is the launching hand. 

The launching hand is placed on the tail, with the index finger or more on the back ofthe tail. Never put 

body parts near the propeller when the battery is plugged in! 

The Launcher should communicate to the Ground Station Manager that he is prepared. The Ground Station 

Manager shall then change the mode to Auto, using either the RC transmitter or the actions tab under the 

HUD. The Ground Station Manager confirms that the mode is Auto. The Launcher proceeds by launching the 

E384 firmly at an angle of approximately 15 degress. Always throw the E384 against the wind for best results. 

When the E384 reads 3 m/s ground speed, the motor will begin rotating. The E384 will attempt to hold 

heading during takeoff. When it reaches the takeoff altitude it will turn and travel to the second WP. 

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