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BIGGS & MATHEWS ENVIRONMENTAL 

Consulting Engineers • Hydrogeologists 

Mansfield • Wichita Falls 

August 6, 2015 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

Docket Management System 

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Re: Petition for Exemption Under Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act and Part 11 of 

the Federal Aviation Regulations 

Dear Sir or Madam: 

Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (the Reform 

Act) and 14 C.F.R. Part 11, Biggs & Mathews Environmental, Inc. (Biggs & Mathews), an 

operator of the eBee Unmanned Aircraft System (eBee) seeks an exemption from the 

Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) listed below: 

• 14 C.F.R. 21 

• 14 C.F.R. 61.133(a) (b) 

• 14 C.F.R. 91.7(b) 

• 14C.F.R.91.119 

• 14 C.F.R. 91.151(a) 

• 14 CFR Subpart E (91.401 - 91.417) 

The requested exemption would authorize commercial operations using the eBee for 

mapping, training, aerial imaging, and survey applications. These operations will be 

subject to strict operating requirements defined in the eBee user manual, which is 

included as an enclosure to this exemption request. Biggs & Mathews believes the eBee 

training program is proprietary under 14 C.F.R. 11.35(b) and requests that the FAA does 

not include this document in the public docket. 

Established in 1953, Biggs & Mathews has provided professional engineering and 

hydrogeologic services to municipalities, governmental agencies, and private clients for 

more than 60 years. Biggs & Mathews provides consultant engineering services 

primarily to clients with development needs that include water treatment and supply, 

wastewater collection and treatment, infrastructure development, and municipal solid 

waste solutions. 

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AIRCRAFT 

The eBee is a small (37.8 inches wingspan) and ultra-light (maximum take-off weight of 

1.7 pounds) platform made of flexible foam that performs pre-programmed precision 

aerial mapping missions thanks to the on-board GPS and the related flight management 

software (eMotion) that allows the operator to plan safely and efficiently a mission in 3D, 

1700 Robert Road, Suite 100 • Mansfield, Texas 76063 • Phone: 817-563-1144 • Fax: 817-563-1224 
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U.S. Department of Transportation 

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Page 2 

and then monitor it in real-time. Thanks to the embedded camera, protected by a foam 

envelope, the eBee takes a collection of high-definition still images that are used later to 

generate maps and contour lines of the surveyed area. 

The four main characteristics of the eBee are: 

a. Very light weight: 

The eBee is so light that the operator can launch it by hand and let it land on 

almost any surface without requiring a parachute or landing net (belly land). Its 

low impact energy (38 J in case of a controlled emergency landing) also 

significantly reduces the risk of hazardous situations. Finally, the wings of the 

eBee are detachable and made of flexible foam with no sharp or hard edges and 

almost no internal strengthening structure. 

b. Electric-powered: 

The eBee is electric powered. A brushless engine technology makes it silent and 

reliable. The propeller is attached with a rubber band to the body of the plane so 

that it can easily flex away in case of contact with any object. 

c. Semi-automatic flight: 

The artificial intelligence incorporated within the eBee autopilot system 

continuously analyzes data from the Inertial Measurement Unit and from the 

onboard GPS and takes care of all the aspects of the flight under the supervision 

of the operator. 

d. Option for Manual control: 

Additionally, the eBee provides an override capability that allows the operator to 

take manual actions during the flight (Go to Home, Go Land, Hold and Resume 

the mission) and also suspend automated operations and take manual control of 

the aircraft should it become necessary to respond to emergency circumstances, 

thanks to the remote controller provided with the system. 

APPLICATIONS 

Mapping applications with the eBee may include aerial imaging, construction, and 

survey/GIS operations. The eBee solution has been very successful worldwide due to the 

many operational benefits related to the use of this solution: 

a. 

b . 

First, the eBee brings safety to daily survey operations: there is no need for 

humans to access dangerous working areas anymore (mines, quarries, or 

polluted sites). The missions can be programmed and reproduced reliably as 

often as needed for regularly updated maps. 

Second, the eBee is a cost-effective solution. It is cheaper to operate an 

unmanned aircraft system (UAS) rather than an aircraft or other ground systems 

for the same results. Moreover, small UAS like the eBee can help organizations 

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U.S. Department of Transportation 

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face the growing needs of the population while reducing operational costs. The 

eBee also enables the ability to take up new challenges - like water or 

environmental management through analysis of wetland index maps. 

c. Third, users can save time and work more efficiently by using the eBee. A 

mission does not need a long preparation time or long deployment constraints or 

long waiting time for perfect weather conditions unlike (for example) the use of 

satellites. Initial results are accessible directly on-site, which is impossible with 

imaging provided by satellites or manned aircraft. 

APPLICABLE LEGAL STANDARD UNDER SECTION 333 

Airworthiness assessment of the eBee: 

The airworthiness of the eBee has already been demonstrated for different projects in the 

United States, involving state/federal agencies and universities including (among others) 

the New Mexico State University): 

https://newscenter.nmsu.edu/Articles/view/1 0208/nmsu-uas-flight-test-center-conductsebee-airworthiness-assessment, and the USACE New Orleans, who coordinated with the 

Department of Army and the FAA to obtain all authorizations required in order to operate 

the eBee UAS). Moreover, the eBee has already received 15 Exemptions from the FAA. 

Sense Fly also obtained flight approvals for the eBee (delivered by national civil aviation 

authorities) in many countries, among others: 

• Switzerland (flight approval for VLOS operations) 

• Canada (flight approval for VLOS operations) 

• Australia (flight approval for VLOS operations) 

• France (flight approval for Extended-VLOS operations) 

• Germany (flight approval for VLOS operations) 

• United Kingdom (flight approval for VLOS operations) 

• Norway (flight approval for VLOS operations) 

• Sweden (flight approval for VLOS operations) 

• Denmark (flight approval for VLOS operations) 

Operating requirements: 

Grant of the exemption to Biggs & Mathews for the eBee will be subject to the following 

operating conditions: 

1. Operations authorized by this grant of exemption are limited to the SenseFiy 

eBee when weighing less than 55 pounds including payload. Proposed operations 

of any other aircraft will require a new petition or a petition to amend this 

exemption. 

2. Operations for the purpose of closed-set motion picture and television filming 

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U.S. Department of Transportation 

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are not permitted. 

3. The UA may not be operated at a speed exceeding 87 knots (100 miles per 

hour). The exemption holder may use either groundspeed or calibrated airspeed 

to determine compliance with the 87 knot speed restriction. In no case will the UA 

be operated at airspeeds greater than the maximum UA operating airspeed 

recommended by the aircraft manufacturer. 

4. The UA must be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet above ground 

level (AGL). Altitude must be reported in feet AGL. 

5. The UA must be operated within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the pilot in 

command (PIC) at all times. This requires the PIC to be able to use human vision 

unaided by any device other than corrective lenses, as specified on the PIC's 

FAA-issued airman medical certificate or U.S. driver's license. 

6. All operations must utilize a visual observer (VO). The UA must be operated 

within the visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC and VO at all times. The VO may 

be used to satisfy the VLOS requirement as long as the PIC always maintains 

VLOS capability. The VO and PIC must be able to communicate verbally at all 

times; electronic messaging or texting is not permitted during flight operations. 

The PIC must be designated before the flight and cannot transfer his or her 

designation for the duration of the flight. The PIC must ensure that the VO can 

perform the duties required of the VO. 

7. This exemption and all documents needed to operate the UAS and conduct its 

operations in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in this grant of 

exemption, are hereinafter referred to as the operating documents. The operating 

documents must be accessible during UAS operations and made available to the 

Administrator upon request. If a discrepancy exists between the conditions and 

limitations in this exemption and the procedures outlined in the operating 

documents, the conditions and limitations herein take precedence and must be 

followed. Otherwise, the operator must follow the procedures as outlined in its 

operating documents. The operator may update or revise its operating 

documents. It is the operator's responsibility to track such revisions and present 

updated and revised documents to the Administrator or any law enforcement 

official upon request. The operator must also present updated and revised 

documents if it petitions for extension or amendment to this grant of exemption. If 

the operator determines that any update or revision would affect the basis upon 

which the FAA granted this exemption, then the operator must petition for an 

amendment to its grant of exemption. The FAA's UAS Integration Office (AFS-80) 

may be contacted if questions arise regarding updates or revisions to the 

operating documents. 

8. Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UAS 

operation or flight characteristics, e.g. replacement of a flight critical component, 

must undergo a functional test flight prior to conducting further operations under 

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this exemption. Functional test flights may only be conducted by a PIC with a VO 

and must remain at least 500 feet from other people. The functional test flight 

must be conducted in such a manner so as to not pose an undue hazard to 

persons and property. 

9. The operator is responsible for maintaining and inspecting the UAS to ensure 

that it is in a condition for safe operation. 

10. Prior to each flight, the PIC must conduct a pre-flight inspection and determine 

the UAS is in a condition for safe flight. The pre-flight inspection must account for 

all potential discrepancies, e.g. inoperable components, items, or equipment. If 

the inspection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation of the UAS, the 

aircraft is prohibited from operating until the necessary maintenance has been 

performed and the UAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight. 

11. The operator must follow the UAS manufacturer's maintenance, overhaul, 

replacement, inspection, and life limit requirements for the aircraft and aircraft 

components. 

12. Each UAS operated under this exemption must comply with all manufacturer 

safety bulletins. 

13. Under this grant of exemption, a PIC must hold either an airline transport, 

commercial, private, recreational, or sport pilot certificate. The PIC must also hold 

a current FAA airman medical certificate or a valid U.S. driver's license issued by 

a state, the District of Colombia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the 

Federal government. The PIC must also meet the flight review requirements 

specified in 14 CFR § 61.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC is rated on his or her 

pilot certificate. 

14. The operator may not permit any PIC to operate unless the PIC demonstrates 

the ability to safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will 

be operated under this exemption, including evasive and emergency maneuvers 

and maintaining appropriate distances from persons, vessels, vehicles and 

structures. PIC qualification flight hours and currency must be logged in a manner 

consistent with 14 CFR § 61.51(b). Flights for the purposes of training the 

operator's PICs and VOs (training, proficiency, and experience-building) and 

determining the PIC's ability to safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent 

with how the UAS will be operated under this exemption are permitted under the 

terms of this exemption. However, training operations may only be conducted 

during dedicated training sessions. During training, proficiency, and experiencebuilding flights, all persons not essential for flight operations are considered 

nonparticipants, and the PIC must operate the UA with appropriate distance from 

nonparticipants in accordance with 14 CFR § 91.119. 

15. UAS operations may not be conducted during night, as defined in 14 CFR § 

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U.S. Department of Transportation 

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1.1. All operations must be conducted under visual meteorological conditions 

(VMC). Flights under special visual flight rules (SVFR) are not authorized. 

16. The UA may not operate within 5 nautical miles of an airport reference point 

(ARP) as denoted in the current FAA Airport/Facility Directory (AFD) or for airports 

not denoted with an ARP, the center of the airport symbol as denoted on the 

current FAA- published aeronautical chart, unless a letter of agreement with that 

airport's management is obtained or otherwise permitted by a COA issued to the 

exemption holder. The letter of agreement with the airport management must be 

made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request. 

17. The UA may not be operated less than 500 feet below or less than 2,000 feet 

horizontally from a cloud or when visibility is less than 3 statute miles from the 

PIC. 

18. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UA must return 

to a pre-determined location within the private or controlled-access property. 

19. The PIC must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or 

emergencies. 

20. The PIC is prohibited from beginning a flight unless (considering wind and 

forecast weather conditions) there is enough available power for the UA to 

conduct the intended operation and to operate after that for at least five minutes 

or with the reserve power recommended by the manufacturer if greater. 

21. Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA). All 

operations shall be conducted in accordance with an ATO-issued COA. The 

exemption holder may apply for a new or amended COA if it intends to conduct 

operations that cannot be conducted under the terms of the attached COA. 

22. All aircraft operated in accordance with this exemption must be identified by 

serial number, registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47, and have 

identification (N- Number) markings in accordance with 14 CFR part 45, Subpart 

C. Markings must be as large as practicable. 

23. Documents used by the operator to ensure the safe operation and flight of the 

UAS and any documents required under 14 CFR §§ 91.9 and 91.203 must be 

available to the PIC at the Ground Control Station of the UAS any time the aircraft 

is operating. These documents must be made available to the Administrator or 

any law enforcement official upon request. 

24. The UA must remain clear and give way to all manned aviation operations and 

activities at all times. 

25. The UAS may not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle. 

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26. All Flight operations must be conducted at least 500 feet from all 

nonparticipating persons, vessels, vehicles, and structures unless: 

o a. Barriers or structures are present that sufficiently protect 

nonparticipating persons from the UA and/or debris in the event of an 

accident. The operator must ensure that nonparticipating persons remain 

under such protection. If a situation arises where nonparticipating persons 

leave such protection and are within 500 feet of the UA, flight operations 

must cease immediately in a manner ensuring the safety of 

nonparticipating persons; and 

o b. The owner/controller of any vessels, vehicles or structures has granted 

permission for operating closer to those objects and the PIC has made a 

safety assessment of the risk of operating closer to those objects and 

determined that it does not present an undue hazard. 

The PIC, VO, operator trainees or other essential persons are not considered 

nonparticipating persons under this exemption. 

27. All operations shall be conducted over private or controlled-access property 

with permission from the property owner/controller or authorized representative. 

Permission from property owner/controller or authorized representative will be 

obtained for each flight to be conducted. 

28. Any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses the lateral or 

vertical boundaries of the operational area as defined by the applicable COA must 

be reported to the FAA's UAS Integration Office (AFS-80) within 24 hours. 

Accidents must be reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) 

per instructions contained on the NTSB Web site: www.ntsb.gov. 

EXEMPTION REQUEST AND EQUIVALENT LEVEL OF SAFETY SHOWINGS UNDER 

APPLICABLE RULES SUBJECT TO EXEMPTION 

Biggs & Mathews requests an exemption from the following regulations as well as any 

additional regulations that may technically apply to the operation of the eBee: 

14 C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart H: Airworthiness Certificates 

14 CFR § 91.203(a)(1) 

Subpart H, entitled Airworthiness Certificates, establishes the procedural requirements for 

the issuance of airworthiness certificates as required by FAR § 91.203(a)(1 ). Given the 

size and limited operating area associated with the aircraft to be utilized by Biggs & 

Mathews, an exemption from Part 21 Subpart H meets the requirements of an equivalent 

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level of safety under Part 11 and Section 333 of the Reform Act. Section 44071 (t) of the 

Act and Section 33 of the Reform Act both authorize the FAA to exempt aircraft from the 

requirement for an airworthiness certificate upon consideration of the size, weight, speed, 

operational capability, and proximity to airports and populated areas of the particular 

UAS. In all cases, an analysis of these criteria demonstrates that the UAS's operated 

without an airworthiness certificate, in the restricted environment and under the conditions 

proposed herein will be at least as safe, or safer, than a conventional aircraft (fixed wing 

or rotorcraft) operating with an airworthiness certificate without the restrictions and 

conditions proposed. 

The UAS's to be operated hereunder are less than 55 lbs fully loaded, carries neither a 

pilot nor passenger, carries no explosive materials or flammable liquid fuels, and 

operated exclusively within a secured area. Unlike other civil aircraft, operations under 

this exemption will be tightly controlled and monitored by Biggs & Mathews pursuant to 

the eBee user manual's requirements, and under the requirements and in compliance 

with local public safety requirements, to provide security for the area of operation as in 

now done with conventional aerial mapping and surveying. These safety enhancements, 

which already apply to civil aircraft operated in connection with mapping and surveying 

operations, provide a greater degree of safety to the public and property owners than 

conventional operations conducted with airworthiness certificates issued under 14 C.F.R. 

Part 21, Subpart H. Lastly, application of these same criteria demonstrates that there is 

no credible threat to national security posed by the UAS, due to its size, speed of 

operation, location of operation, lack of explosive materials or flammable liquid fuels, and 

inability to carry a substantial external load. 

14 C.F.R. § 61.3: Requirements for certificates, ratings and authorizations 

14 C.F.R. § 61.113(a) & (b); 61.133(a): Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations; Pilot 

in Command; Commercial Pilot Privileges and Limitations 

The regulation provides that no person may serve as a required pilot flight crewmember 

of a civil aircraft of the United States, unless that person: 

(1) Has a pilot certificate or special purpose pilot authorization issued under this part in 

that person's physical possession or readily accessible in the aircraft when exercising the 

privileges of that pilot certificate or authorization. However, when the aircraft is operated 

within a foreign country, a pilot license issued by that country may be used. 

The regulation provides also that no person that holds a private pilot certificate may act 

as pilot in command of an aircraft for compensation or hire. Subparagraph (b) allows a 

private pilot to act as pilot in command of an aircraft in connection with any business or 

employment if: 

(1) The flight is only incidental to that business or employment; 

(2) The aircraft does not carry passengers or property for compensation or hire. 

Given the safety features of the eBee and the fact that the missions are pre-programmed 

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and monitored in real-time with a specific flight management software (eMotion), 

SenseFiy proposes that operators of the eBee should not be required to hold a 

commercial pilot certification. Instead, operators should be required to: 

Have a sport or recreational pilot license (at least) and have successfully passed a 

manufacturer's training program for the eBee. 

14 C.F.R. § 91.7(a): Civil aircraft airworthiness 

This regulation requires that no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it is in airworthy 

condition. Should the exemption be granted allowing commercial operation of the eBee 

without an airworthiness certificate, no standard will exist for airworthiness of the eBee. 

Given the size of the aircraft and the previous airworthiness assessments given to the 

eBee by: 

• New Mexico State University: 

https://newscenter.nmsu.edu/Articles/view/1 0208/nmsu-uas-flight-test-centerconducts-ebee-airworthiness-assessment 

• USACE New Orleans, who coordinated with the Department of Army and the FAA 

to obtain all authorizations required in order to operate the eBee UAS for levee 

system monitoring, documentation of construction progress, and extensive 

oblique photography of USACE structures & activities 

An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by insuring compliance with the user's 

manual prior to each flight. 

14 CFR § 91.119: Minimum Safe Altitudes 

The regulation provides that over sparsely populated areas the aircraft cannot be 

operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure. Since the 

aircraft will be operating at a maximum of 400 feet AGL, the eBee cannot comply with this 

requirement. 

The equivalent level of safety will be achieved because the eBee will only fly over private 

property with the permission of the landowner. The operator will define before every flight 

a working area radius and a flight area ceiling, preventing the eBee to go beyond the 

flight area. 

The landowner and the persons who may be on the ground in the flight area will be 

briefed of the expected route of flight and the associated risks to persons and property on 

the ground. Due to the small size of the eBee and the material with which the eBee is 

built, the hazard to persons, vessels, vehicles, and structures is not comparable to 

manned aircraft and should be considered in granting the exemption. 

Moreover, the aircraft will not be operated over congested areas nor over any open-air 

assembly of persons. The aircraft will be operated at an altitude allowing, if a power unit 

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fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface. 

14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a): Fuel Requirements for Flight in VFR Conditions 

The regulation provides that no person may begin a flight in an airplane under day-VFR 

conditions unless there is enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing and to fly 

after that for at least 30 minutes. 

Given the area of operation for the eBee, Biggs & Mathews believes that an equivalent 

level of safety is already achieved with the specific procedure preventing the eBee to 

accept a take-off order is the battery level is below a given value. Moreover, SenseFiy 

has integrated "low" and "critical" battery level warnings and implemented a "return to 

Home" (and "Go Land") actions in these situations. 

14 CFR Subpart E (91.401- 91.417)- Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, and 

Alterations 

The regulation provides that the operator is primarily responsible for maintaining the 

aircraft in an airworthy condition, including compliance with Parts 39 and 43. Paragraphs 

91.407 and 91.409 require that the aircraft be "approved for return to service by a person 

authorized under 43.7" after maintenance and inspection. Section 91.409(a)(2) requires 

an annual inspection for the issuance of an airworthiness certificate. Section 91.417(a) 

requires the owner or operator to keep records showing certain maintenance work that 

has been accomplished by certificated mechanics, under Part 43, or licensed pilots and 

records of approval of the aircraft for return to service. 

Biggs & Mathews proposes that the maintenance of the eBee will be accomplished by the 

owner/operator according to the maintenance manual, provided by SenseFiy. Biggs & 

Mathews requests the FAA treat the eBee training program as proprietary under 14 

C.F.R. 11.35(b) and not include this document in the public docket. 

An equivalent level of safety will be achieved because the eBee 1) is small in size, 2) is 

not a complex mechanical device, 3) will carry no external payload, and 4) will operate 

only in restricted predetermined areas. Moreover, the operator is the person most familiar 

with the aircraft and is best suited to maintain the aircraft in an airworthy condition and to 

ensure an equivalent level of safety. Finally, before every flight, the eBee runs 

automatically a sequence of pre-flight tests to make sure that every sensor and every 

critical part is running properly. If a problem is detected, the eBee will not be able to be 

switched-on and a message error is displayed on the main screen of the flight 

management software. The operator can then refer to the maintenance manual to 

troubleshoot this issue. Several parts of the eBee are easily interchangeable (propellers, 

wings), which allows the operator to make sure the wings and propulsion system are 

always airworthy when a mission is initiated. 

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CONCLUSION 

Based on the aforementioned reasons, Biggs & Mathews respectfully requests that the 

FAA grant an exemption allowing efficient commercial operations of the eBee pursuant to 

FAA requirements and conditions. 

Please contact us if you have any questions or comments regarding this submittal. 

Sincerely, 

BIGGS & MATHEWS ENVIRONMENTAL 

Caleb R. Hollingshead, P.E. 

Project Engineer 

Enclosure: eBee Owner's Manual 

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David Clark, P.E. 

Firm Principal 
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--------sense Fly 

Extended User Manual 

eBee and eBee Ag 

Revision 12 I September 2014 

Copyright© 2010-2014 senseFiy Ltd 

\.,"v--

senseFiy 

a Parrot company 
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GENERAL INFORMATION 

READ THIS USER MANUAL CAREFULLY BEFORE USING A SENSEFLY LTD PRODUCT. 

sense Fly Ltd products are intended for professional use only. 

Applicable Regulations 

senseFiy Ltd products are subject to Civil Aviation regulations. Regulations may vary depending on the country 

where you intend to operate your product. 

ANY USE OF SENSEFLY LTD PRODUCTS IN BREACH OF THE LAW OF THE COUNTRY WHERE YOU OPERATE THE PRODUCT 

IS UNDER YOUR SOLE RESPONSIBILITY. 

INFORM YOURSELF BEFORE USING THE PRODUCT. SOME COUNTRIES MAY HAVE LAWS THAT LIMIT THE USE OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT TO 'LINE-OF-SIGHT' OPERATIONS AND/OR PROHIBIT THE USE OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT AT ALL 

OR IN SPECIFIC AREAS. 

Privacy 

Recording and circulating an image of an individual may constitute an infringement of their image and privacy for 

which you can be liable. Ask for authorization before taking pictures of an individual, particularly if you want to keep 

your recordings and/or circulate images on the Web or any other medium. Do not circulate degrading images or 

ones that could undermine the reputation or dignity of an individual. Check that your use of the cameras on board 

sense Fly Ltd products comply with the legal provision on privacy in the country where you operate your product. 

Limited Warranty 

SenseFiy Ltd warrants that the product will be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of twelve 

(12) months from the date of delivery. Sense Fly Ltd further warrants that the product will perform substantially in 

accordance with its specification. During the warranty period senseFiy Ltd's sole liability shall be at senseFiy Ltd's 

sole option, either to repair or to replace the defective product with another product or a product with similar specifications, at no charge, or to reimburse the purchase price of the product, or if repair or replacement is not possible, 

issue a credit note; provided however, that the defect has been confirmed by senseFiy Ltd and that the defective 

product is returned to sense Fly Ltd in accordance with the support and repair form together with all required flight 

logfiles. 

Warranty does not apply, without limitation, in case: a) the products are not stored and used according to their 

specifications, b) the products are damaged due to carelessness, negligence, or wrong use by the user, and c) for 

defects due to normal wear and tear including, but not limited to, deterioration to the airframe after first flight, 

normal degradation, misuse, moisture or liquids, proximity or exposure to heat, accidents, excessive strain, abuse, 

neglect, misapplication, repairs or modifications made by third party other than senseFiy Ltd, damage due to manual 

operation, damage due to take-off or landing location with obstacles, damage due to low altitude flight, damage due 

to loss of data radio connection, damage due to strong wind, rain or humidity, or other causes for which sense Fly Ltd 

has no control. 
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THE FOREGOING WARRANTIES ARE IN LIEU OF ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND OF 

ANY OTHER OBLIGATION ON THE PART OF SENSEFLY LTD. 

Limitation of liability 

TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT WILL SENSEFLY LTD BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OF REVENUE, LOSS OF PROFIT, LOSS OF DATA, OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF 

SENSEFLY LTD HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, AND WHETHER THIS LIABILITY ARISES 

FROM A CLAIM BASED ON CONTRACT, WARRANTY, TORT OR OTHERWISE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF GROSS NEGLIGENCE AND DEATH. 

YOU SHALL AT ALL TIMES OPERATE THE PRODUCT IN AREAS OR UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES SO AS TO GUARANTY SECURITY AND SAFETY OF PEOPLE, PROPERTY AND ANIMALS. 

Copyrights 

senseFiy Ltd reserves the right to make changes to specifications and product descriptions contained in this document at any time without notice. Please consult www.sensefly.com for the latest release. 

Copyright© 2014 sense Fly Ltd. All rights reserved. REPRODUCTION, USE OR DISCLOSURE OF ALL OR IN PART OF THIS 

MANUAL TO THIRD PARTIES WITHOUTTHE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF SENSEFLY LTD IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. 
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Address 

sensefly Ltd 

Route de Geneve 38 

1033 Cheseaux-Lausanne 

Switzerland 

Website: http:/ /www.sensefly.com 

Technical support 

If you have questions on your eBee or accompanying software please consult sense Fly Ltd's Technical 

support website at the following address: 

http:/ /www.sensefly.com/support/ 
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Welcome to your eBee 

Congratulations on your purchase of the eBee, a complex and powerful yet intuitive autonomous mapping system. We take great care to develop and design the 

best possible hardware and software tools for quick, high-quality and easy-to-use 

20 and 3D aerial mapping . 

0 Note: This manual refers to the version 2.4 of eMotion and version 3.2 

of Postflight Terra 30 software. Check the software version included 

in your package and consult the Release Notes for potential changes 

included in more recent versions of the software. 
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Package contents 

eBee 

battery 

packs 

spare 

propeller 

remote control, 

cables and 

propeller --

attachment 

bands 

ground 

modem 

EPP 

glue 

wing eBee 

central body 

wing 

User manual 

battery 

charger 

eBee 

battery 

charger 

cable 

camera 

charger 

camera 
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The standard eBee package contains the following items: 

• 1 x carrying case with foam protection 

• 1x eBee central body with built-in autopilot 

• 1x pair of detachable wings 

• 1 x spare propeller 

• 1 Ox spare propeller attachment rubber bands 

• 2x Lithium-Polymer battery packs 

• 1x Lithium-Polymer battery charger (including cables) 

• 1x 2.4 GHz USB ground modem for radio data link (including USB cable) 

• 1x 2.4 GHz remote control (including including 3 AA batteries) 

• 1x still camera (including memory card, battery and charger) 

• 1 x USB cable for interfacing with camera and on-board autopilot 

• 1xEPPglue 

• 1 x eBee User Manual 

• 1x camera User Manual 

Depending on your order, your package may also include other items, such as 

additional payloads. Please verify upon delivery that your package is complete . 

In case of a missing item, please contact your eBee reseller immediately. 

0 Note: Camera user manuals are also available to download from 

sensefly.com/support/download. 
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Hardware features 

Top face of the eBee 

ground 

sensor -----ii-+----+~· 

Bottom face of 

the central body "'-------~==-

Detachable 

wing 

/-winglet 

The eBee is an autonomous flying drone comprised of the following components: 

• Central body: This is the core of the eBee and includes all the electronics, 

actuators and communications hardware on-board the drone. 

• Wing: The two wings of the eBee are detachable for storage and replacement. Each wing has two wing struts and two clips to hold it in place within 

the central body. 
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• Wing lets: These structures add aerodynamic stability to the drone while it 

is in flight. 

• Ailerons: Used to control the eBee while in flight. 

• Servo connection mechanism: The ailerons are connected to the servomotors within the central body of the drone through this connection mechanism. 

• Propeller: Used to generate thrust while it is in flight. 

Caution: When attached to the motor the propeller spins at high 

speeds and can be potentially dangerous if it comes into contact with 

exposed skin. Be sure to always keep your hands clear of the propeller 

when the battery is attached to the eBee . 

• Battery compartment: The eBee is powered by a LiPo (Lithium Polymer) 

battery stored within the battery compartment. 

Caution: Proper care of your battery is essential. Please read section 

'Proper battery care' on page 135 before using your drone for the first 

time. 

• Camera compartment: The eBeefeatures a built-in camera for taking aerial 

images stored within the camera compartment. 

• Data Link Antenna: Used by the drone to communicate with the eMotion 

software through the USB ground modem. 

• Pitot probe: This is the sensor used by the eBee to detect airspeed, wind 

and altitude. It must be kept clean and clear of obstructions to function 

properly. 

• Status LED: This coloured LED displays the current state of the eBee. It is 

housed underneath the pitot probe and thus illuminates the entire transparent probe in various colours depending on the drone's state . 
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• Ground sensor: The ground sensor, composed of a high-speed optical 

sensor and lens assembly, is used to detect the proximity of the ground. 
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Software features 

The eBee package allows for the download and use of eMotion * and Postflight 

Terra 30 *at no extra cost. 

eMotion 2 

senseF/y 

eMotion is the integrated software package that allows you to interact with your 

eBee. Its easy-to-use interface allows you to plan a mapping flight intuitively from 

the comfort of your office or directly in the field. Once the drone is launched, you 

can use eMotion's wireless connection with your eBee to track its position, monitor 

the progress of your mapping flight and send commands if desired. 

Postflight ,. t 11:' 

Terra .. Powered by Pix4D ..,... 

Once your eBee returns after an aerial mapping flight it is the turn of Postflight 

Terra 30 to process the captured images fully automatically. Postflight Terra 30 is 

a full-featured mapping solution: with just a few mouse clicks it can create highquality gee-referenced 20 and 3D orthomosaics and digital elevation/surface models (DEM/DSM). While you are still in the field Postflight Terra 30 analyses the quality of the captured images and generates an easy to understand report, letting you 

know immediately if the data you captured meets your mapping requirements. 

* Software access terms and conditions apply. Postflight Terra 3D is limited to eBee images only. 
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Contents 

Quick start guide 17 

1 Planning and simulating a flight 18 

1.1 Installing eMotion, Postflight Terra 30, and the ground modem 

drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

1.2 The eMotion interface ... 

1.3 Creating a new flight plan 

1.4 The mission phase of a flight . 

1.5 Simulating your flight ... 

1.6 Getting ready for a mission 

2 Executing a flight 

2.1 Weather check 

2.2 Preparing the eBee for flight . 

2.3 The setup phase of a flight .... . 

2.4 Take-off .............. . 

2.5 In-flight monitoring and control .. 

2.6 Landing . . . . . . . . . 

2.7 Potential in-flight errors 

3 Processing image data 

3.1 Importing images and flight data 

3.2 In-field image quality check ... 

3.3 Creating advanced mapping products 

19 

21 

22 

24 

25 

27 

27 

28 

37 

41 

44 

46 

46 

48 

48 

51 

53 
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II Advanced functionalities 

4 Understanding aerial mapping with the eBee 

4.1 Waypoints and their properties ..... . 

4.2 Advanced polygonal mission area .... . 

4.3 30 mission planning using elevation data ... . 

4.4 Flight visualization in Goog/e EarthTM ..... . 

4.5 Autonomous controller and modes of flight .. . 

4.6 Linear landing ................. . 

4.7 Flying multiple drones at the same time ... . 

4.8 Individual photo targets and oblique imagery 

5 eMotion in-depth guide 

5.1 Toolbar .. 

5.2 Simulator . 

5.3 Control Bar 

5.4 Flight Monitoring tab 

5.5 Setup Phase tab .... 

5.6 Mission Planning tab .. 

5.7 Mission Waypoints tab . 

5.8 Camera tab ...... . 

5.9 Flight Parameters tab 

6 Manual control of the eBee 

6.1 

6.2 

6.3 

Enabling manual control . 

Pre-flight testing of the remote control 

Full Manual mode .......... . 

55 

56 

56 

60 

61 

64 

66 

70 

75 

81 

83 

84 

87 

89 

92 

96 

100 

109 

111 

116 

120 

120 

122 

123 
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6.4 Assisted Manual mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 
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Maintenance, Repair and Troubleshooting 127 

Maintenance and repair of the eBee 128 

7.1 Updating the eBee software ... 128 

7.2 Cleaning and storage ....... 131 

7.3 Full airframe and sensor inspection 131 

7.4 Repairing the eBee airframe 135 

7.5 Proper battery care . 135 

Troubleshooting 137 

8.1 Pre-flight errors . 138 

8.2 Take-off vetoes . 141 

8.3 In-flight warnings 143 

8.4 Critical failures .. 155 

8.5 Resetting default camera settings 158 

8.6 Improving radio signal communication 158 

8.7 Losing and locating your eBee in the field 159 

8.8 Reporting a problem with your eBee . . . 160 

Specifications 161 

Software requirements 162 

Drone specifications 163 
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Part I 

Quick start guide 

The first part of this document introduces you to the eBee and contains the basic 

information you will need to plan and execute a simple mapping project. A typical 

mapping project can be divided into three main phases: 

1. Planning and simulating a flight: Every project begins with careful planning, whether it is a quick flight over a small area or a multi-stage flight 

in complex terrain. Section 'Planning and simulating a flight' on the next 

page describes how to use the Mission Planning feature to quickly generate 

a flight plan and to test it using the built-in simulator. 

2. Executing a flight: Once planning is complete, it is time for the drone to 

perform its flight. In section 'Executing a flight' on page 27 you will learn 

how to prepare your drone for flight, connect it to eMotion, and to monitor 

it in flight while it gathers images. Though the eBee can complete a flight 

fully autonomously from take-off to landing, you can also modify its flight 

plan at any point during flight. 

3. Processing image data: The last step in a project is converting the images 

taken by your eBee into usable products such as precise gee-referenced orthomosaics or 30 terrain models. section 'Processing image data' on page 48 

leads you through the process of transferring images from the drone to a 

computer, checking if the image quality suits your needs while still in the 

field and producing advanced 20 and 30 maps. 
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Quick start guide 

1 Planning and simulating a flight 

Goal of this section: This section introduces the eMotion software 

used to interface with the eBee. It describes the steps required to 

plan, simulate, and save a simple mapping flight. A more detailed 

description of eMotion and its advanced functions is presented in section 'eMotion in-depth guide' on page 83. 

1.1 Installing eMotion, Postflight Terra 30, and the ground modem drivers 

You can download the latest version of eMotion and Postflight Terra 30 at: 

www.sensetly.com/support/download 

Use the password provided with your eBee to access the download section. 

We recommend that you download and install Google EarthTM to take full advantage of the features of eMotion. You can find more information at the following 

address: 

www.google.com/earth/ 

To install eMotion on Windows, simply execute the provided installers for eMotion 

and Postflight Terra 30 and follow the on-screen instructions. The eMotion and 

Postflight Terra 30 software will be available in the 'Start' menu. Drivers for the USB 

ground station ground modem will automatically be installed along with eMotion . 

In case a problem arises after connecting the ground modem to the computer for 

the first time you can find the drivers in one of the following directories (depending on your version of Windows): 

18 

C:\Program Files\senseFly\eMotion 2\usb_driver\ 

C:\ProgramFiles (x86)\senseFly\eMotion 2\usb_driver\ 
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Planning and simulating a flight 

See section 'Updating the eBee software' on page 128 if you have any difficulty 

with software installation. 

1.2 The eMotion interface 

Thanks to the powerful tools available within eMotion, designing a mapping flight 

for your eBee is a simple process. To get started, launch eMotion and choose what 

you would like to do ... 

Process lt~g.htdata. 

I OK: 

• To run a simulation, select the simulator, choose the drone you want to 

simulate and click OK . 

• To fly a drone, connect your ground modem to your computer and select 

Drone. If you have more than one USB device connected to your PC, choose 

the ground modem you want to connect to from the list and click OK. Otherwise, just click OK. 

• To process flight data you already created, select the Flight Data Manager 

and click OK . 

We recommend that you plan flights using a simulated drone. Once connected to 

a real or simulated drone you will see the main screen of eMotion. 

The main screen of eMotion is split into four sections: 

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Quick start guide 

20 

Map Area 

Flight Parameters tab -----, 

Camera tab ------. 

Mission Waypoints tab -----, 

Mission Planning tab ----, 

Setup Phase tab 

Flight Monitoring tab 

Sidebar 

• Map Area: The Map Area of eMotion displays a map with the drone's current position, indicated by the ~ symbol. A small Status Panel floats beside the symbol, indicating important status information including the eBee's 

current altitude (both Above the Take-off Altitude, marked as ATO, and Above 

Mean Sea Level, marked as AMSL), battery level, flight time, and status. The 

Status Panel can be hidden by clicking on the drone. Moving around the 

map is done by clicking and dragging at any place not occupied by a symbol (such as a waypoint or the drone symbol). 
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Planning and simulating a flight 

• Control Bar: The Control Bar is used to issue various commands to the eBee 

while it is in flight, such as starting the mission phase or holding position. 

It is also used to display and acknowledge warnings that may occur either 

before or during a flight. 

• Tool bar: The Tool bar contains buttons to control the layers, sources or map 

information and other display options related to the Map Area. eMotion can 

use many sources of mapping information. 

• Sidebar: The Sidebar is split into several tabs, each with a particular function. The Flight Monitoring tab is used for monitoring the drone while in 

flight. The Setup Phase tab controls the take-off and landing portions of 

a flight plan (referred to as the 'setup phase') whereas the Mission Planning tab defines the image acquisition portion of the flight plan (referred 

to as the 'mission phase'). The last three tabs are used for advanced waypoint planning and parameter setting. You can hide the Sidebar by clicking 

on its left edge. The Sidebar also contains controls for the simulator when 

connected to a simulated drone. 

1.3 Creating a new flight plan 

Every mapping flight requires a flight plan, which is a path defined by a set of 

waypoints, or points in 30 space, and a set of actions that can be performed at or 

in between waypoints, such as taking images, proceeding to the next waypoint 

or landing. A flight plan is shown in the Map Area using circles to represent waypoints, lines to represent the flight path and arrows to show the direction of flight. 

The large circle with a thick border illustrates the working area boundaries within 

which the eBee will always remain. See section 'Waypoints and their properties' 

on page 56 for more information on waypoints and the various symbols presented 

in the Map Area. 

A complete flight plan for an eBee is divided into two separate phases: the setup 

phase and the mission phase. The mission phase includes waypoints and actions 

related to mapping and capturing images. The setup phase includes waypoints 

and actions related to take-off and landing. This phase is usually planned directly 

21 
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Quick start guide 

in the field and is explained in detail in section The setup phase of a flight' on 

page 37. 

1.4 The mission phase of a flight 

The easiest way to create a mapping flight for the systematic coverage of an area is 

to use the automatic mission planning feature of eMotion. By simply positioning a 

rectangle around the area you would like to cover, eMotion will generate a mission 

plan optimised for the ground resolution that you desire. 

Step 2: 

Step 1: open tab and select 

correct camera 

:-... -- / 

·/ ;;;:;:;;;;..: ·- Step 3: 

choose 

params 

:--- ' ~=---.. --- _ .. _.,.. ... ---... - "= •,) ~ ; ::... ... ""' ...... ~·~· ... ... ~-

~~- · ·- • Ste 4: •. ,.... :::J p 

rotate,~~ .-'\ __ "r~ . resize, .,/,.., f /~ \ 

move ! ;i/ l urmoo:oo 

' -...;.-_ .... i~-1-·";;~-] 

·=::::;-- · upload 

=~;; ~ 

>. ?ih'~ • ,.,. ... ,. ... '"''"""'' ~ 

0 Note: For more complex terrain and missions, eMotion has the ability to set polygonal mission areas of any size and shape, and to automatically adjust waypoint altitudes based on elevation data. These 

powerful features are described in more detail in section 'Advanced 

polygonal mission area' on page 60and section '3D mission planning 

using elevation data' on page 61, respectively. 

Follow these steps to automatically setup waypoints for a mapping mission: 

22 

1. Select the Mission Planning tab from the Sidebar. A grey zone will appear 

in the Map Area to designate the mission area to cover. Information such 
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Planning and simulating a flight 

as size and position is overlaid on the area. A mission plan, including the 

required waypoints, is automatically calculated and displayed to preview 

the mission plan that will be created . 

2. Adjust the location, size, and shape of the mission area. The area can be 

relocated by dragging the gray zone. The four square handles on the edges 

of the area can be used to resize it and the round handles on the corners of 

the area can be used to rotate it. As you adjust the area the mission plan 

preview is continuously updated. 

3. Adjust the mapping and mission parameters in the Mission Planning tab to 

suit your terrain and quality requirements1

• As a first step, eMotion provides 

two predefined set of parameters; 'Easy terrain' are the default parameters 

designed for simpler terrain, such as mines or agriculture, whereas 'Difficult 

terrain' is designed for complex areas, such as forests, and provides higher 

image overlap at the cost of a lower resolution. Be sure to include an estimated wind speed and direction, as this has an effect on the area that can 

be covered in a single flight. Once again, the mission plan preview will be 

continuously updated as you modify the parameters. 

4. Check the resulting flight characteristics in the tab. Once you are satisfied, 

upload the mission plan to the simulated drone by clicking the 'Upload' 

button. 

5. Click the~ button in the Tool barto open the flight plan in GoogleEarthTM2

• 

Review the flight plan to ensure that there is sufficient clearance between 

the flight plan and the ground. Any updates to the flight plan that you 

make within eMotion will be reflected directly in Google EarthTM. 

1 see section 'Mission Planning tab' on page 100 for a complete description of available parameters 2 see section 'Flight visualization in Goog/e Earth TM' on page 64 

23 
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Quick start guide 

Caution: eMotion as well as the automatic mission planning tool are 

not aware of any obstacles that may exist in the area. In addition, 

when not using elevation data, the mission planning tool assumes 

that the mission area is flat and at the same altitude than the take-off 

location. It is also not aware of any legal restriction (such as minimum 

or maximum altitude) that may exist in your region. The resulting 

flight plan should be carefully reviewed in order to avoid any collision 

with uneven terrain or tall objects such as buildings, and to comply 

with local regulations. 

The final step after you have prepared a flight plan is to save it to a file that you 

can load into the eBee when you are in the field. Select the Setup Phase tab from 

the Sidebar, click on 'Save flight plan to file .. :, choose a filename and location and 

click 'Save'. 

1.5 Simulating your flight 

Simulating your flight gives you an idea of the position and size of images that 

will be taken during the flight. In addition, it allows you to learn to use advanced 

functions, such as in-flight waypoint editing and camera control, without putting 

your eBee at risk3

• When eMotion is connected to a simulated drone an extra set 

of buttons appear in the Sidebar: 

fast-forward --------,~~ r-------re-position take-off location 

play ---..., initiate take-off 

pause --, r-instant recharge of battery 

:a -·----·--'~,r ,,·--·~·--'··- ·ll---·--.. 

... 'I Q ''..., li liD ~--"- ~~~·-------;~ ;--~-----·- _____ 11., _____ ~ ____ }• ~--- -- ---~<-

WHld: r~Ii~~T~! ~~~~:J~·: 

You can set the take-off location of the eBee by clicking on the 0 icon and placing 

the point on the map. This simulates the action of switching on the real drone 

3 see section 'Simulator' on page 87 for a complete description of the simulator 

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Planning and simulating a flight 

and letting it acquire GPS signals. You can test your flight plan by clicking the .., 

icon, simulating a take-off manoeuvre. The eBee will then go through its flight 

plan in the same way it would in the field. You can pause, play or speed up the 

simulation by clicking the corresponding buttons in the Toolbar. You can monitor 

the state of the drone while in flight using the Flight Monitoring tab and the Status 

Panel4

• You may also monitor the flight in 3D in Google EarthTM by clicking on the 

Q button in the Tool bar. 

Caution: The simulator is a tool designed to aid with flight planning 

and to familiarise you with the advanced functions of your eBee. The 

simulated physics, however, are basic and do not always accurately 

reflect the true behaviour of the drone in flight. In particular, estimates of battery level and reactions to wind are difficult to simulate 

with high accuracy. You should in no case depend on behaviours 

seen with a simulated drone to be reproduced exactly in real flight. 

1.6 Getting ready for a mission 

Before leaving for the field to perform a flight, be sure to fully charge all your eBee 

batteries5

• When delivered, the eBee battery may not be fully charged. 

power cable LiPo Balance 

~-~~~ Charger 

balance LEDs 

eBee battery pack 

status LEOs (not to scale) 

To charge an eBee battery pack, connect it to the battery charger as illustrated 

above. During charge, the status LED on the charger is solid red. Charging is complete when the status LED turns green. 

The charger provided independently balances the voltage of each of the 3 cells 

contained in the battery pack to ensures optimal performance and battery life. If 

4 see section 'In-flight monitoring and control' on page 44 5 Consult your payload user manual to know if the payload battery is necessary for the flight 

25 
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any ofthe cells is unbalanced, its associated LED will be solid red during charging 

until it is re-balanced. Charging can take up to an hour, depending on the charge 

level of the battery and the required cell balancing work. See section 'Proper battery care' on page 135 for more information on maintaining your drone's batteries. 

If you plan on performing a flight away from an Internet connection it is useful to 

preload map tiles by selecting 'Download maps .. : from the &il File menu. More 

details on how to take advantage ofthe various map sources available in eMotion 

can be found in section 'Tool bar' on page 84. 

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2 Executing a flight 

0 

Goal of this section: This section describes how to prepare your eBee 

for flight, launch, monitor and control from the air, and initiate an 

autonomous landing. 

Note: We recommend that you perform your first flight in a large 

obstacle-free area and limit the length of the mission in order to familiarise yourself with the eBee in flight. 

2.1 Weather check 

Before each flight, you should be aware of the weather conditions. The eBee is 

a small drone that cannot fly in heavy rain or strong wind conditions. In case of 

doubt, make sure to check a weather bulletin including wind estimations in the 

flight area. Note that wind is often stronger at higher altitudes and that the wind 

perceived at the surface is not always a good reference to estimate the wind at 

flight altitude. Cloud velocity or tall tree movements can help you to estimate the 

wind speed once you are out in the field. 

Weather forecasts may use various units to measure wind speed. As a reference, 

1 m/s = 3.6 km/h = 2.24 mph = 1.94 kts. 

Caution: The eBee should not be launched if the wind speed exceeds 

12 m/s (in other units: 43.2 km/h, 26.8 mph, 23.3 kts). 

Caution: The eBee is not designed to fly in temperatures above 35° C. 

Avoid exposing the drone to high temperature for prolonged periods 

of time. In particular, leaving the drone exposed to the sun or in a car 

should be avoided . 

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2.2 Preparing the eBee for flight 

The eBee's simple design means it can go from the box to being ready for flight 

in minutes. We recommend that you perform the following 6 steps before every 

flight to ensure that the platform is best prepared for flight. 

0 Note: Remove the red warning sticker from the motor before your 

first flight. 

6 

Central body 

top view 

0 

Central body 

bottom view 

3 

Wing -detached 

Step 1: Perform a general inspection 

Visually inspect the drone for damage or wear using the following steps: 

28 

1. Check the foam central body and wings for cracks or other damage. 

2. Verify that the pitot probe is properly attached to the airframe and that the 

holes in the probe are free of obstructions. 

3. Verify that the ground sensor is free of obstructions and that the sensor's 

lens is clean. 
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4. Verify that the wing struts are not split or damaged in any way. 

5. Verify that the tubes within the Central Body that hold the wing struts are 

not cracked or damaged in any way. 

Caution: It is vital to carefully inspect the wing struts and tubes 

within the Central Body before every flight, as they may cause a crash 

if they are damaged in any way. This is particularly important if the 

wings were found separated from the Central Body after a previous 

flight. 

6. Verify that the power cables within the battery compartment are well insulated and not damaged . 

0 Note: A general inspection should be performed before every flight. 

It is also good practice to perform a full airframe check regularly to 

keep your eBee in good shape. See section 'Full airframe and sensor 

inspection' on page 131 for more details. 

29 
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~~ 

propeller@ 

attachment ~ 

rubber bands 

Step 2: Install the propeller 

Mount the propeller on the motor axis. Secure the propeller using two attachment rubber bands as illustrated above. Ensure that the propeller is lying flat 

against the motor mount, and that the rubber bands do not show cracks or any 

other sign of aging. 

0 

30 

Caution: Failure to use two rubber bands may result in the loss ofthe 

propeller in flight! 

Note: After extensive use, the rubber bands may develop cracks. This 

is normal and is caused by the ageing of the rubber material. For maximum security, inspect the rubber bands regularly and discard them 

if they show cracks. 10 spare rubber bands are included in the package. 
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insert camera into 

compartment 

Step 3: Install the camera 

plug in camera connector to camera plug 

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close camera 

compartment lid 

Install the camera into the payload bay6 within the eBee and close the camera 

compartment lid. If the camera connector is not already connected, plug it into 

the connector with the dl icon on the eBee . 

Caution: The eBee has not been designed to fly without the camera. 

Attempting to fly without the camera may render the drone unstable, 

which may eventually lead to a crash. 

6 Some payloads may require a separate battery or SD card to operate properly. Please refer to the 

User Manual of the camera or other payload for proper installation instructions. 

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ensure servo 

connection 

mechanism is 

aligned 

and engaged 

Step 4: Attach the wings 

insert wing struts into central 

body 

Attach the wings to the central body by inserting the wing struts into the receptacles in the central body. Ensure that the ailerons are properly aligned with 

the servo connection mechanism before pushing the wings fully into the central 

body. 

32 

Caution: Flying with damaged wing struts or a badly engaged servo 

connection mechanism may cause erratic flight and ultimately a 

crash. Be sure to properly inspect and attach the wings before flight. 
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connect battery and 

insert into 

compartment 

close battery 

compartment 

Startup 

process: 

connect battery ~ disconnect battery 

status LEDL -;,,;;,' _ preflight cLcks -~~iled ,pulse I ,.· d •• 1 _,; , re • 

+ status LED: '...~~~~) 

ready for startup 

Step 5: Install and connect the battery 

Lay the eBee horizontally on the ground outside in the vicinity of the take-off location, with the top face up. To install the battery, begin by connecting the power 

cables to the battery. Insert the connectors firmly to the end in order to avoid undesired disconnection when in flight. Once connected, insert the battery into its 

compartment and close the compartment lid. 

Caution: Take care to keep the propeller area clear, in case it suddenly starts spinning . 

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0 Note: Only connect the battery cables to the drone when you are 

ready for start-up. Do not leave the battery connected for extended 

periods of time when the drone is on the ground, as this may discharge the batteries and cause irreparable damage. When connected 

and not in flight, the eBee will briefly move its ailerons up and down 

every minute as a reminder that it is switched on. 

As soon as the battery is connected the eBee will perform an automatic self-check 

of its sensors and acquire GPS signals. Be sure not to move the drone during these 

tests. It is important that the drone is not inclined more than 10 degrees in order to 

start up properly. Pre-flight checks may last from a few seconds to several minutes 

in the case of poor GPS signal reception. As these satellite signals are required for 

the checks to complete, be sure to place the eBee outside with a clear view of the 

sky. 

During the pre-flight checks the status LED will pulse blue. Once the pre-flight 

checks are complete the eBee will flip its ailerons up and down and the status LED 

will turn solid green to indicate it is ready. You may already connect the drone to 

eMotion (Step 6) before pre-flight checks are complete to get a better idea ofthe 

status of the checks. 

0 

34 

Note: If there was any problem during the pre-flight checks performed by the drone this will be indicated by a Pre-flight error in eMotion as well as a by the status LED blinking red. See section 'Pre-flight 

errors' on page 138 for a description of possible Pre-flight errors and 

how to handle them. 
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select eBee I eBee Ag 

select FTDI port 

Step 6: Connect to eMotion 

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Start by connecting the USB ground modem to your computer. Then launch eMotion, which will display the Connection window. Select the eBee connection profile, choose the corresponding FTDI port and click 'OK'. 

0 Note: Every eBee is paired with the ground modem it is delivered 

with, and will only work with that particular modem. The name of the 

FTDI port corresponding to the ground modem is labelled as 'eBeeSERIA~ where SERIAL is the serial number of the drone it is paired 

with. 

When a connection is established eMotion will display a map and the Status Panel 

indicating the current state of the drone. If the eBee has not yet detected its location the Status Panel will appear in the top right corner of the Map Area with the 

text 'GPS: Waiting for signals .. :. During this time the status LED on the drone will 

pulse blue . 

Once your drone has set its position using GPS signals, an icon of the drone will 

appear at its location on the map. If the drone's location is not on the map you can 

click the·~· button from the Tool bar to centre the map on the drone. The drone's 

status on eMotion will be displayed as 'Idle, Ready to take-off' and the status LED 

will become solid green. 

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You can now load a flight plan you prepared earlier by selecting the Setup Phase 

tab from the Sidebar, clicking on 'Load flight plan from file .. : and selecting your 

flight plan file. Alternatively, you can plan the entire mission in the field, following 

the same process outlined in section 'Planning and simulating a flight' on page 18. 

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2.3 The setup phase of a flight 

The setup phase of a flight includes the waypoints and actions related to the takeoff and landing of the eBee and includes the following locations: 

• Take-off location: The point from which the drone is launched/ automatically set to the location calculated from GPS signals by the drone when 

it is launched. This location defines the altitude of 0 m/ATO (ATO stands 

for above take-off); the altitudes of all other waypoints/ when defined in 

m/ AT01 are referenced to the altitude of this location. 

• Start waypoint: The first point that the drone flies towards when launched 

(once it reaches the take-off transition altitude). 

• Home waypoint: The safe point for the drone to circle in case of emergency/ as well as its landing position at the end of a flight for both Linear 

and Circular landings. 

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It is important to carefully select the take-off location, the Start waypoint and the 

Home waypoint to ensure your drone remains at a safe distance from obstacles. 

The eBee should always be launched against the wind. Select a take-off location 

clear of obstacles (buildings, rocks, power lines, hills, trees, etc.} within a distance 

of at least 40 m in the upwind direction. Immediately after takeoff it will keep 

its wings level and climb in the general direction it was launched until it reaches 

the take-off transition altitude7

, at which point it will start flying towards the Start 

waypoint. 

By default, the Start waypoint is set to a distance of 80 m West of the initial position of the drone and an altitude of 75 m/ A TO. It is good practice to move the Start 

waypoint close to and upwind from the take-off location to allow a smooth transition between take-off and waypoint-directed flight. You can move waypoints by 

clicking on them and dragging them within the Map Area8

• 

The Home waypoint is used both as the landing location and as a safety position 

in case of an In-flight warning. The eBee can perform either a Linear or a Circular 

landing. Linear landing is the default and recommended landing type, especially 

in high winds. To prepare a Linear landing, place the Home waypoint centre at 

a location that is at the same altitude as the take-off location and is clear of obstacles in a 10 m radius. Choose one or several approach sectors that are free of 

obstacles for at least 60 m from the Home waypoint centre. You can drag the approach sector around the Home waypoint and change its width directly in the Map 

Area or from within the Setup Phase tab. Make the approach sector(s} as wide as 

possible to maximize the chance that the drone can subsequently land against 

the direction of the wind. Ensure that the terrain within the approach sector is 

flat and contains visual contrast to allow the ground sensor to function properly 

during landing. 

When a Linear landing is initiated (either automatically or by pressing the 'Go 

Land' button in the control bar} the drone will fly towards the Home waypoint, 

circle the waypoint (at 75 m/ATO by default} to measure the direction ofthe wind 

7 By default the take-off transition altitude is set to 20 m. In difficult launch conditions you can set 

both the take-off heading and the take-off transition altitude in the Setup Phase tab, as described 

in section 'Setup Phase tab' on page 96. 8 see section 'Waypoints and their properties' on page 56 for a more detailed explanation on waypoints and how to modify them 

38 
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at the landing location and choose an approach direction as much against the direction of the wind as possible. It will then fly downwind in the opposite direction 

ofthe approach direction, turn 180°and begin descending in the approach direction until it lands on the ground underneath the centre of the Home waypoint. 

The approach angle is around 20° and the drone will reverse its thrust if needed 

to maintain a suitable airspeed during this phase. 

0 Note: There are a number of requirements that must be fulfilled to ensure a successful Linear landing. Section 'Linear landing' on 

page 70 describes in more detail the Linear landing process and how 

to properly define approach sectors in more complex terrain. In 

particular, in the case of strong-wind conditions, low light or lowcontrast terrain, the precision of the final landing location around 

the Home waypoint is reduced. Therefore, it is safer to plan for more 

clearance, especially along the possible landing axes. 

If there are no suitable approach sectors to perform a Linear landing the drone 

can also perform a Circular landing around the Home waypoint. When initiating 

a Circular landing around the Home waypoint the drone will switch off its motor 

and glide down while circling around the Home waypoint at the waypoint's radius. During the Circular landing procedure the drone uses its ground sensor to 

measure the height above the ground, if the ground is well textured and there is 

enough light. When it reaches an altitude of 25 m above the ground the drone 

will level out, estimate the direction of the wing and resume its descent so as to 

touch down against the wind while remaining on the circle defined by the Home 

waypoint. 

Caution: The ground sensor can only provide usable feedback in 

daylight conditions aboveflatterrain that contains enough visual texture. If these conditions are not met the drone cannot ensure a touchdown against the direction of the wind. Landing in the direction 

of the wind in strong-wind conditions may result in a high landing 

speed and damage to the eBee. 

39