# Multirotor Flight Training

• New Pilot Tendencies



# • Maneuvers

• Set up and flight around structures

1 © Alfred A. Gates, 2014

# New Pilot Tendencies

• No established procedure

• No memorized or written down check list of go/ no go decision making

• Forgets to check props, frame, bat voltage, GPS lock, security of electronics wire connections

• Forgets the mode on start up

• Orients multicopter in wrong direction



### • Takes off in wind conditions beyond pilots or multicopters capabilities

• Wants to keep the aircraft close to pilot

• Wants to land the multicopter ASAP (you have to get it away and up and fly it around)

• Flips incorrect mode switch and it crashes or flies away



### • Gets disoriented while flying multicopter

• Does not have the experience to detect when an aircraft is starting to go out of control. Example flight in wind shear zone.

2 © Alfred A. Gates, 2014

# Manned Aircraft Flight Procedures

• Process of doing procedures with same 

# sequence of operations

• This aids in producing the same outcome (a successful flight)



# • The procedures will identify problems early on which can be resolved

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© Alfred A. Gates, 2014Transmitter Set up for fixed

wing aircraft similar to a multicopter

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© Alfred A. Gates, 2014Yaw Pitch and roll axis

Front of aircraft YAW

PITCH

ROLL

5 © Alfred A. Gates, 2014Throttle:

Up and down Yaw rotate about a vertical axis Pitch Forward and backward

Roll left and right

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# Takeoff and Landing

• Set up T/O point such that flight will not be over 

# people or roadway traffic. Turn on the aircraft at the takeoff point. The autopilot will remember that point as the home point.

• Landing point can be at another point. The 

# aircraft should be landed in ATT mode or manually.

7 © Alfred A. Gates, 2014

# Flight Training

• Use a flight simulator



# • Buy a cheep quad and fly it

• Fly at different locations

• Fly at different heights/distances

• Fly next to trees

• Fly different patterns

• Practice in front of other people

• How can you tell if the aircraft is facing you when 

# you can’t tell since its too far away

• Flip modes while flying

8 © Alfred A. Gates, 2014Aircraft Hover Height: 6 to 10 ft

Aircraft Position: Facing forward Flight: Box pattern clockwise and counter clockwise

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© Alfred A. Gates, 2014Aircraft Hover Height: 6 to 10 ft Aircraft Position: Facing forward Flight: Diagonals on box

10 © Alfred A. Gates, 2014Aircraft Hover Height: 6 to 10 ft

Aircraft Position: Facing towards you Flight: Box pattern clockwise and counter clockwise

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© Alfred A. Gates, 2014Aircraft Hover Height: 6 to 10 ft Aircraft Position: Facing you Flight: Diagonals on box

12 © Alfred A. Gates, 2014Aircraft Hover Height: 6 to 10 ft

Aircraft Position: Roll 90 and hold position Flight: Box pattern clockwise and counter clockwise Flight: Diagonals

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© Alfred A. Gates, 2014Aircraft Hover Height: 6 to 10 ft

Aircraft Position: Keep the aircraft facing in the direction of flight Flight: Box pattern Flight: Diagonals

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© Alfred A. Gates, 2014Aircraft Hover Height: 6 to 10 ft

Aircraft Position: Facing away, toward and sideways, fly aircraft like a plane Flight: Figure 8

15 Do maneuvers at higher altitudes, different distances and in LTR mode

© Alfred A. Gates, 2014

# Official Flight Equipment

• Main aircraft

• Spare aircraft/ parts/ battery's

• Tools

• Carpet or platform

• Check list

• Documents



### • Phone number of near by airport

16 © Alfred A. Gates, 2014

# Flying Site Evaluation

• Locate T/O point direction of flight location of hovering and photos You want to be down wind, not always possible



### • Size: How big is the landing and take off area

• Shape: Is it set up to easily fly in and out of

• Surface: Sand, grass, pavement

• Slope: Is it flat, required for camera gimbal

• Surroundings: What are the obstructions that could cause a problem like 

### trees buildings power lines. Is there anything that helps show the direction of the winds. Anything that could cause a GPS signal loss or autopilot failure. (High tension power lines building over hangs)

• Forced landing Area: Locate areas next to where you will be hovering taking your pictures to land or crash. Can you see the ground at the forced landing area.

17Preferred takeoff and Landing Point Based on Winds

If possible fly from a down wind position:

• If you lose orientation the winds will blown the aircraft towards you

• Flight back to you will be faster Winds Take off and landing point Direction of flight

18 Forces landing locations around the building Next to building GPS signal loss possible

# Winds and Up Drafts

• Do not fly the aircraft in winds over 15 to 20MPH

• Wind velocity will increase between building

• Thermal up drafts will occurs over parking lots and fields

• Aircraft will get hit by winds over tree canopies, above buildings

• Wind shear (turbulence) will occur next to trees, buildings 

## etc.

• Trying to get the aircraft down from up drafts and turbulent air, move it to a different position. Do not put throttle at lowest position there may be a timed shut off. In open 

## areas fly a circular pattern with a reduce throttle.

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# Weather Evaluation

• Tweed New Haven Airport weather. Example



# • WX ASOS: Phone 203 466

- 6205 Guilford

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# Weather Evaluation

• Tweed New Haven Airport weather

• WX ASOS: Phone 203 466

- 6205



### • Winds Direction, Velocity, Gust Velocity

• Example

• Winds 240 at 05 Gust 10

• Winds are coming out of the south west at 5 KTS and gusting to 10KTS N 360

90

180 270

21 © Alfred A. Gates, 2014Aircraft Set Up Put carpet down to prevent dirt ingestion into the motors and electronics Ground needs to be level Procedure: perform check list

22 © Alfred A. Gates, 2014In Flight Check List

• Preflight check list complete

• Start timer

• Set ATT or LTR mode

• Lift of to a 4 foot or more hover

• Control response check

• Yaw aircraft left and right

• Pitch aircraft forward and back

• Roll aircraft left and right

• Move aircraft to 10 feet or more

• Set in LTR mode

• Check hold position. How much does the aircraft move around

• Fly aircraft

23 © Alfred A. Gates, 2014

# Pilot Decision M aking

• Is the aircraft flying correctly

• Are the winds and updrafts moving the aircraft around

• Yes looks good continuing flying

• No aircraft is drifting off position

– Are winds to high: Yes flip into LTR mode and control aircraft hold position

– Winds are ok: Let the aircraft move back into position after gust dies down or over ride with control



### • Aircraft moving off position more than 9 feet in calm winds

– Possible GPS signal loss flip into ATT mode (show video)

– Compass may need calibration

– Continue flight in ATT mode



### • You will have a few seconds to determine action

• Aircraft moving off position in ATT mode and not responding as expected

– Yell to bystanders to look out (aircraft landing)

– Reduce throttle and land



### • Aircraft moving rapidly off position in ATT mode and not responding

– Yell to bystanders to look out (aircraft landing)

– Anticipated direction of flight identify a safe crash location

– Cut throttle and allow aircraft to crash

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### Pilot: Always 

### watching the aircraft Observer: O perating the camera and advising the pilot on 

### the surroundings Landing pad

Spare aircraft

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