### DECOULOS & COMPANY

ENVI RONMENTAL ENGINEERING & LAND PLANNING

185 ALEWIFE BROOK PARKWAY, CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS 02138 TEL: 617.489.7795 FAX: 877.842.9629 WWW.DECOULOS.COM VIA PUBLIC DOCKET UPLOAD

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Docket Management System
Federal Aviation Administration U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE Washington, DC 20590

Dear Sir or Madam:

Pursuant t o Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 201 2, Decoulos & Company, LLC seeks exemption from the requirements of 14 CFR §§ 45.23(b), 61.23(a) and (c), 61.101(e)(4) and (5), 61.113(a) and (b), 91.7(a), 91.9(b) (2) , 91.103, 91.109, 91.119, 91.1 21, 91.151(a ), 91.405( a), 91 .407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) and (2), and 91.417(a) and (b)

.

The exemption request s detailed on the following pages will allow the firm to provide aerial data
collection services in the New England area that provide improved benefi ts to protecting public health, safety and the environment

.

Because the requested exemption would not set a precedent, there is good cause to not require publishing a summary of this petition in the Federal Register.

We appreciate your consideration and would be glad to address any questions or concerns regarding the request.

Respectfully submitted,

James J. Decoulos, PE, LSP jamesj@decoulos.com2 

## TABLE OF CONTENTS

SUMMARY AND PURPOSE OF EXEMPTION REQUESTS

Contact Info rmation

................................ ................................ ................................ ..................... 3 Proposed Services

................................ ................................ ................................ ........................ 3
Public Benefits

................................ ................................ ................................ ............................. 3

UAS COMPLIANCE AND OPERA TION

Safety and Compliance

................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 4 Preflight Procedure s and Inspection

................................ ................................ ........................... 5

EXTENT AND REASONING OF EXEMPTI ON R ELIEF

14 CFR 45.23 ( b ) : Marking of the Aircraft

................................ ................................ .................. 6

14 CFR 61.23(a) and (c) : M edical Certificates

................................ ................................ .......... 6 14 CFR 61.101(e)(4) and (5) : Re creational Pilot Privileges and Limitations

............................ 6

14 CFR 61.113( a) & (b ) : Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations: Pilot in Com mand

.............. 6

14 CFR 91.7 ( a) : Civil Aircraft Airworthiness

................................ ................................ ............ 6

14 CFR 91. 9(b) (2) : Civil Aircraft Flight Manual in the Aircraft

................................ ................ 7

14 CFR 91.103 : Preflight Action

................................ ................................ ................................ 7

14 CFR 91.109 : Flight Instruction

................................ ................................ .............................. 7

14 CFR 91.119 : Minimum Safe Altitudes

................................ ................................ .................. 8

14 CFR 91. 121: Altim eter Settings

................................ ................................ ............................. 8

14 CFR 91.151( a ) : Fuel Requirements for Flight in VFR Conditions

................................ ........ 8

14 CFR 91.203 ( a) (1) and b : Carrying Civil Aircraft Certification and Registration

................... 9

14 CFR 91.40 5(a) ; 91.407( a )(1); 91.409( a ) (1) and (2); and, 91.417( a ) and (b) : Maintena nce, Preventive Maintenance and Alterations

................................ ....................... 9



### APPENDICES

A

– UAS Operation Manual

................................ ................................ .............................. 11

B

– UAS Flight Checklist

................................ ................................ ................................ .. 483 

### SUMMARY AND PURPOSE OF EXEMPTION REQUEST S

Contact Information

James J. Decoulos Decoulos & Company, LLC 185 Alewife Brook Parkway

Cam bridge, Massachusetts 02138

Office : (617) 489

- 7795
Email: jamesj@decoulos.com

Web: www. decoulos.com

Proposed Services

Decoulos & Company , LLC (D&C) proposes to use a 3DRobotics X8+ Unmanned Aircraft System ( UAS ) to support its environmental engineeri ng and land planning business. If relief is granted in this exemption request, t he general services that will be provided are aerial data

collection services

. The services may include environmental and hazardous was te assessments; investigation of hazardous waste and petroleum releases; inspection of construction projects; evaluation of building energy performance; aerial view analysis of existing properties and proposed structures; investigations and three

- dimension al mapping of vacant lands and developed properties, coastal shorelines, wetlands and waterways, stormwater flooding, solid waste facilities, endangered species habitats, archaeological sites, excavation and filling of construction sites and quarries, hist oric properties, telecommunication facilities, utilities, vegetation, accident reconstruction and forensics.

The inspections and mapping shall use high

- resolution mirrorless cameras, high

- definition video cameras, laser scanners, light detection and rangi ng sensors, thermal imaging devices or multispectral imaging equipment attached securely to the undercarriage of the Unmanned Aircraft ( UA )

.

Public B enefits

Traditional methods for land and aerial surveillance require large fixed or rotary

- wi nged flight

. Operation of a multirotor UA in accordance with the rules outlined herein will be safer than these

traditional methods

.

The use of a UAS on construction and hazardous waste sites can significantly reduce risk to workers of unnecessary exposure to hazard ous contaminants and accidental falls while inspecting, sur veying or monitoring sites. A UAS can inspect, photograph, analyze and collect data on hard to reach areas that otherwise would require direct worker inspection. Falls and dangerous personal inspe ctions are a leading source of workplace fatality and injury on construction sites, and reducing accidents through utilizin g a UAS can protect worker health and

save lives.4 F ollowing procedure s recommended by 3DRobotics , there is minimal concern for an ad verse scenario arising that would endanger the general pub lic or operators from the UAS. The

o peration of the UAS will a llow for more affordable, quiet and energy efficient means to pursue

aerial mapping

, inspection and monitoring

. Additionally, use of ele ctric powered UAS over gas

powered

, fixed and rotary

- winged aircraft will reduce environmental impact and emission of greenhouse gases. UAS operation will allow for more expedient completion of projects

, and

allow for more immediate attention to address pu blic health, safety and environmental risks at job sites

.



### UAS COMPLIANCE AND O PERATION

Safety and Compliance

All operating procedures, including preflight, flight, and maintenance, will be in accordance with

attached manuals

. See UAS Operation Manual, Appendix A and Flight Checklist, Appendix B.

The specifications and operational protocols for the UAS shall be as follows:

1. The UA will weigh less than 25 pounds ;

2. Flights will ope rate at a maximum flight speed o f 3 0 m/s, although typical flight speeds

w ill not exceed speeds of 6 m/s during visual or thermal mapping ;

3. Maximum mission flight will be 4 5 minutes or less or whe n battery reserve drops below

3DRobotics’ minimum recom mended level for safe operation ;

4. Operations will occur only under daytime and sa tisfactory visual flight rules;

5. Prior to flight, the Pilot in Command ( PIC ) must inspect the UAS for proper operation in accordance with proc edures outlined by 3DRobotics ;

6. In the event the UAS has undergone recent maintenance, a test flight must be perform e d prio r to commercial operation;

7. The UAS will be programmed to return to a pre

- determined location and land in the event

the UAS lo se s communication or requires emergency landing ;

8. T he PIC will keep the UA within his visual line of sight at all tim es. One or more Visual

Observer s (VO s ) may also be present for operations, if determined necessary by the PIC;

9. The PIC and VO will be able to communicate by voice or radio at all times of flight operation ;

10. The PIC will be trained in flight operations and safety pr ocedures as detailed in the

3DRobotics’ flight operations and procedures manual s ;5 11. Prior to proposed operations, the PIC shall have completed at least ten successful takeoff s and landing s before commercial operation of the UAS; and,

12. UAS operations conducte d over private property shall be undertaken with permission from the property owner. Permission shall be obtained for each flight to be conducted.

Preflight Procedures and Inspection

UAS missions shall be conducted autonomously with the flight path pre

- pr ogrammed into the

UAS prior to flight. This UAS mission planning software also includes a geofence, prevent ing

the UA from exceeding the maximum range of communication from the central controller. The autonomous missions will prevent pilot

- induced errors d uring the mission, greatly reducing the likelihood of an accident during flight. Estimated flight time from the planning software will be

verified with the maximum flight duration time of the specific UAS

. Additionally, proper landing and takeoff distances and clearance will be taken into consideration to ensure adequate safety for the PIC and any VO’s involved in the flight.

Prior to enabling the UAS for flight, the UAS undergoes a series of pre

- flight checks that ensure proper hardware and software opera tion has been established. These include checks of the compass (hardware, calibration, offsets, magnetic field), barometer, accelerometer, gyro, GPS, board voltage, transmitter, and receiver

. Additionally

, a visual inspection of the UA will be performed be fore every flight to inspect the rot ors for any cracks or indications of fatigue, the camera and battery for secur e and proper mounting to the UA

, the frame for any cracks or loose bolts, or any other physical sign that would indicate a fault in the UA

.



### EXTENT AND REASONING OF EXEMPTI ON RELIEF

Decoulos & Company, LLC seeks relief from the following regulations promulgated by the FAA

for the reasons set forth

.

14 CFR 45.23 (b): Marking of the Aircraft

Sectio n 45.23 (b) requires visual marking of an aircraft with the Roman capital letter “N” followed by the registration number, no smaller than 2 inches or larger than 6 inches near the entrance to the cabin, cockpit or pilot station

. The UAS will not have an en trance to a cabin, cockpit or pilot station on which such markings could be placed. Official marking systems for small UAS have not yet been established for operations inside the National Air Space

.

T he registration number shall be placed on the undersid e of the UA body

, along with a card approximately 2 inches by 3 ! in ches indicating the name, address, phone number, and email of the owner. The markings will provide the necess ary registration information, in the event the UA

is lost and found by others , for it to be properly identified

. The FAA has issued similar exemptions to this regulation

. S ee FAA Exemption Nos. 8738, 10167, 10167A and 10700.6 14 CFR 61.23(a) and (c) : Medical Certificates

Section 61.23(a) and (c) requires a PIC to hold fir st

- class medical certificates. Given the small size of the UAV, the lightweight structure, the limited flight area and the safety features integrated into the 3DRobotics firmware , t he PIC can achieve an equivalent level of safety if he is healthy and holds a valid driver’s license.

14 CFR 61.101(e)(4) and (5) : Recreational Pilot Privileges and Limitations

The regulation requires that no person who holds a recreational pilot cer tificate may act as pilot in command of an aircraft for compensation or hire or in furtherance of a business. D&C submits that an equivalent level of safety can be maintained in this rule because the PIC shall
operate in a responsible manner consistent wi th the operations specifications as set forth herein, including evasive and emergency maneuvers, as well as maintaining appropriate distances from people, vessels, vehicles, and structures. Further, D&C submits that the additional airmanship experience of a commercially certified pilot would not correlate to the airmanship skills necessary for D&C ’s specific proposed operations.

14 CFR 61.113 (a) and (b): Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations: Pilot in Command

Section 61.113 (a) and (b) limit private pilots to non

- commercial operations . Section 61.11 3 (a) requires an individual with a commercial pilot’s license to be pilot in command of an aircraft for compensation or hire.

UA operation doe s not allow for manned flight of pilot or passengers, and only contains payload

of a digital camera or electronic sensor to complete its mission . Completion of appropriate pre

commercial test flights and flights in accordance with the operational manuals w ill render safer operation of the UAS than traditional aircraft. The UA flies a pre

- programmed mission, allowing for a high degree of safety, including autonomous landing in the event of emergency or low

power. Commercial operation of a UAS system provides a valuable service to the general public

and therefore should be exempt from 14 CFR 61.1 1 3.

14 CFR 91.7 (a): Civil Aircraft Airworthiness

The regulation requi res that no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it is in airworthy

condition.

As there will be no airworthiness certificate issued for the aircraft, an exemption is needed for 14 CFR 91.7 (a). As per 14 CFR 91.7 (b), the PIC of the UAS will bear th e responsibility to ensure the UAS is airworthy prior to each flight. Given the minimal size of the UA and the safety

checklists that shall be completed prior to each flight, an equivalent level of safety will be

achieved

.7 14 CFR 91.9(b) (2): Civil Aircraft Flight Manual in the Aircraft

Section 91.9(b) (2) provides that no person may operate a U. S. registered civil aircraft unless

there is available in t he aircraft a current approved airplane or rotorcraft flight m anual, approved manual material, markings, and placards, or any combination thereof.

Given the limited size of the UAS and the inabili ty for manned flight, an onboard flight manual would be unwieldy in size, jeopardizing the operational safety of the UAS, and unnecessary . T he operational manuals will be available at the ground control point and accessible to the PIC during f light , achieving an equivalent level of safety

.

14 CFR 91.103: Preflight Action

This regulation requires each pilot in command to take certain actions before flight to ensure safety of flight. An exemption is requested because t he nature of UAS operatio n does not necessitate need for runway information or traffic delays, although proper clearance space for takeoff and landing will be maintained. The PIC shall determine , before each flight, proper weather conditions and necessary power reserves for each m ission

. Additionally

, a s detailed in the section above labeled ‘Preflight Procedures and Inspections’, preflight safety inspections will

be ta ken in accordance with flight manuals for the UAS, providing a comparable level of safety.

See Appendix A.

14 CFR 91.109: Flight Instruction

Section 91.103 provides that no person may operate a civil aircraft that is being used for flight

instruction un less that aircraft has fully functioning dual controls.

By design, a UAS do es not have dual controls because they are unnecessary for safe operation. Flight control is accomplished through the use of a preprogrammed mission using a G lobal Positioning S yst em (GPS) , with a backup of a remote control system that communicates with the aircraft via radio communications. Adequate safety is provided by the fact that neither a pilot nor passengers will be carried in the aircraft. Additionally, other safety measure s as described herein and in the operational manual provides for safe autonomous landing in the event of emergency.8 14 CFR 91.119: Minimum Safe Altitudes

Section 91.119 establishes safe altitudes for operation of civil aircraft. Specifically, 91.119(c ) limits aircraft flying over areas other than congested areas to an altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, ve hicle, or structure.

To accomplish the commercial services listed herein, aerial work must be accomplished at relatively low altitudes, an exemption from Section 91.119(c) is needed. Compared to aerial survey operations conducted with aircraft or rot orcr aft weighing far more than 2 5 pounds and carrying flammable fuel, any risk associated with these operations will be far less than those currently allowed with conventional aircraft operating at or below 500 feet AGL. The low

altitude operations of the UA w ill maintain ample separation from the operations of conventional aircraft that must comply with 14 CFR 91.119.

14 CFR 91.121: Altimeter Settings

This regulation requires each person operating an aircraft to maintain cruising altitude by

reference to an altimeter that is set “...to the elevation of the departure airport or an appropriate altimeter setting available before departure.”

The UA will not have a barometric altimeter, but instead will use on onboard GPS for horizontal and vertical positioning

. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by confirming the altitude

from the GPS with the altitude of the launch site prior to each flight

.

14 CFR 91.151 (a): Fuel Requirements for F light in VFR Conditions

This regulation prohibits an individual from beginning “a flight in an airplane under VFR conditions unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing and, assuming normal cruising speed

– (1) During the day, to fly after that for at least 30 minutes; or (2) At night, to fly after that for at least 45 minutes.”

Due to the limited flight time, the minimum reserve requirements as established by 14 CFR

91.151 would not allow for appropriate flight times to conduct missions. Missions will be preplanned with a define d flight path , with a threshold of safety below the maximum flight time to ensure sufficient energy to complete the mission. In the event the energy drops below minimum manufacturer’s recommended levels, it will conduct a safe and c ontrolled autonomous landing. Due to the small size and operating area of the UA, this will provide an equivalent level of safety.9 14 CFR 91.203(a)(1) and (b): Carry ing Civil Aircraft Certification and Registration

The regulation states in part that :

(a) Except as provided in § 91.715, no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it has within it the following: (1) An appropriate and current airworthiness certifica te. . .

and,

(b) No person may operate a civil aircraft unless the airworthiness certificate required by paragraph (a) of this section or a special flight authorization issued under §91.715 is displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance so that it is le gible to passengers or crew.

Given the limited size of the UA and the inability for manned flight, an onboard copy of the certification and registration would be unwieldy in size, jeopardizing the operational safety of the

UAS. Pursuant to the exemption request of 14 CFR 21.171

– 21.199 , the aircraft will not have

an airworthiness certi ficate, and therefore will not be available for display. In its place, aircraft registration will be placed on a card fi xed to the body of the UA as described in section 14 CFR 45.23(b): Marking of the Aircraf t

.

14 CFR 91.405 (a); 91.407 (a)(1); 91.409(a)(1) and (2); 91.417 (a) and (b): Maintenance,

Preventive Maintenance and Alterations

Section 91.405(a) requires that an ai rcraft operator or owner “shall have that aircraft inspected as prescribed in subpart E of this part and shall between required inspections, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, have discrepancies repaired as prescribed in part 43 of this c hapter ...” Section 91.407 similarly makes reference to requirements in Part 43; Section 91.409(a) (1)

and (2) requires an annual inspection for the issuance of an air worthiness certificate. Section 91.417(a) and (b) requires the owner or operator to keep records showing certain maintenance

records.

The UA requires minimal maintenance by design and has many measures in place to prevent operation of a damaged aircraft. An equivalent level of safety will be provided by performing

pre

- flight checks as detaile d above in the section titled ‘Preflight Procedures and Inspections’ to ensure the UAS is operating normally. Automatic checks which cannot be done by the UAS, namely physical inspection of the UA, will be performed by the PIC prior to each flight. Proper maintenance will be scheduled and conducted in accordance with the operation manuals for the UAS. There is generally limited maintenance required, although if required, the UAS will undergo testing before used in commercial operation. All maintenance will be documented as per

91.417.

# APPENDIX A

UAS OPERATION MANUALX8+Operation ManualRead beforeflying!IMPORTANTMeet the X8+Thank you for purchasing an X8+!The X8 is a powerful octocopter platform for aerial video.Review this manual in its entirety before your first flight.Additional instructions can be found in the X8 informationportal at3DR.com/X8/info.Happy flying!ContentsParts2Setup4Assembly4Ground Station5Power Management7Charging8Safety8Controller Battery9Powering the X810Connecting to a Ground Station11Flight Basics12Safety12Operating Limits13Controls14Modes17Return to Launch19Failsafes20Status Indicators22Flight Procedures24Takeoff24Landing26Monitoring27Missions28Planning29Saving30Initiating31Ending31Appendix32Troubleshooting32Maintenance32Specs33Resources342PartsUSB adapterGround Station RadioPropeller wrenchAndroid adapterSF propellers (4)SFP propellers (4)Charger and accessoriesGuard bagPixhawk micro-SD cardadapterRC ControllerBattery KitTool KitPropellersFlight ChecklistFlight batteryRadioFlight ChecklistLEDMotors inactive, safe tohandleLow battery, automatic landingLoss of RC signal, automatic landingPre-arm safety check failureLoss of GPS signal, switch to manualInitializing, hold the X8 levelAcquiring GPS, please waitAutopilot ready, GPS lockedArmedSafety ButtonMotors active, deactivate beforehandling (see reverse)Flight ModesReturn to launch**RTL**land at the launch pointStabalizeAltitude HoldLoiterFull AutonomyReturn to LaunchStandard position(altitude hold mode)**STD**fly manuallyStabalizeAltitude HoldLoiterFull AutonomyReturn to LaunchLoiter mode**LTR**hoverStabalizeAltitude HoldLoiterFull AutonomyReturn to Launch!Stand back!46The motors arenow active.Hold left stick down-right until motors spin.21Power on controller;set to STD and RTL OFF.Armmotors.Press and hold safetybutton until solid red.Connectcharged battery.Choose a clear launchpoint, and face the X8away from you.5CheckLED.3Place the X8 atlaunch point.Go outside toan open area!See the OperationManual for completeinstructions.Auto mode**AUTO**fly a missionStabalizeAltitude HoldLoiterFull AutonomyReturn to Launch©2014 3D Robotics. vA. DCT0005 All rights reserved.Control gimbal**TILT**tilt the camera down and upLand**CH7**land at the current positionStabalizeAltitude HoldLoiterFull AutonomyReturn to LaunchStabalizeAltitude HoldLoiterFull AutonomyReturn to LaunchStabalizeAltitude HoldLoiterFull AutonomyReturn to LaunchX8+Hold the X8 stilland level whilepowering on.3Micro-USB port (not pictured, sideof Pixhawk)X8+Front arms (blue)Rear arms (black)GPS mastPixhawk autopilotSafety buttonStatus LEDAntenna4Setup:AssemblyThe X8 arrives in travel configuration. Completethese steps to prepare the X8 for flight.1 Unfold Arms12Remove the bolts and thumbnuts near the two folded black arms (1).Unfold the black arms, re-insert the bolts, and secure with the thumbnuts (2).12X8 Assembly: Unfold Arms52 Unfold LegsRemove the bolts and nuts to the inside of the folded legs (1),unfold the legs, re-insert the bolts, and secure with the nuts (2).3 Attach PropellersThe X8 uses SF and SFP propellers. Labels are found on the individualpropeller packages and on the propellers themselves. The diagrambelow shows which motors require SF or SFP propellers. Accurateassembly of SF and SFP propellers is critical for the X8 to fly correctly.To attach each propeller, remove the nut and washer from the motor,and add the correct type of propellerwith the writing on the propeller facingthe sky. (This is a tight fit; apply pressure and twist the propeller onto themotor.) Replace the washer over the propeller, and use the propellerwrench to tighten the nut on top.12X8 Assembly: Unfold Legstop motor:SFbottom motor:SFPbottom motor:SFtop motor:SFPX8 Propeller Ordertop motor:SFbottom motor:SFPtop motor:SFPbottom motor:SFX8 Propeller Assembly!Ensure that the writing on allpropellers faces the sky.6Ground StationA ground station is a laptop or tablet running an ArduPilot-compatible mission control application.In the field, a ground station helps you monitor the X8 during flight, plan missions, and troubleshoot issues. We recommend using a ground station at all times with the X8.To set up a ground station, choose a platform below and visit3DR.com/download_softwareto installthe application.WindowsMission PlannerOS XAPM PlannerAndroidDroidPlanner 2Important Note About Vehicle Setup in Mission Planner and APM Planner:Your X8 has been pre-configured at the factory and is ready to fly. Re-performing thecalibrations on theInitial Setupscreen, including the mandatory hardware configurationsand setup wizard, can adversely affect the performance of your aircraft.iOS?There are currently no ground station applications available for iOS.7Power ManagementThe X8 is powered by a rechargeable lithium polymer (LiPo) battery. When fullycharged, the battery provides up to 15 minutes of flight time depending on payload,environmental conditions, and flying style. Flying with a gimbal, GoPro, and FPVsystem can reduce flight time by up to 5 minutes. Flying aggressively or in high windscan affect power consumption and reduce flight time. Monitor power consumptionusing the flight data display on the controller (press and hold theDNbutton).When the battery reaches the low voltage limit, the X8 initiates a low battery failsafeand lands automatically at the current position. (See page 20 for more informationabout failsafes.) To avoid a low battery failsafe, regularly check the controller’s flightdata display to monitor battery voltage, and end your flight before the battery reachesthe low voltage limit.ControllerPress and hold theDNbutton to view flight data.flight battery mAh consumed since armedAnother way to monitor power consumption is by using milliamp-hours (mAh).Monitor the mAh on the controller, and ensure that consumption does notexceed 8,000 mAh (80% of the battery’s available capacity). Exceeding 8,000mAh can render the battery permanently unusable.Do not exceed 8,000 mAh for a fully charged X8+ battery.flight battery levelFull battery:16.8 VLow battery limit:14 VEnd your flight at 14.1 V.!Controller Flight Data Display: Screen 1!8ChargingCharge the battery before your first flight!1Connect the charger to the power adapter cableand plug the adapter cable into a wall outlet.Connect the red cable to the + port and the blackcable to the - port.+–2Set the charger to LiPo and 3A.LiPo3A3Connect the battery’s white connector to thecharger’s 4S port, and join the two yellowconnectors together.4S4Secure the battery inside the guard bag,and charge until the status indicatordisplays green.ChargingCompleteCharger with power cable andsplit-wire charging cableCharger settingsFlight battery charging wiringCharging in process!Flying with a low battery is a safetyrisk and can render the batterypermanently unusable. Always flywith a fully charged battery.Charge the battery using a designatedLiPo balance charger only. Alwaysmonitor the battery while charging.Protect the battery from extremeheat, extreme cold, puncturing, andflammable surfaces. Always transport,charge, and store the battery in theguard bag.Inspect the battery for damage beforeand after flying. If you observe anyswelling of the package or the batteryceases to function, do not use thebattery. Do not dispose of the batteryin the trash; dispose of the battery atlocal battery recycling center. In theUS and Canada, visit call2recycle.orgto find a location.Safety9Controller BatteryThe controller is powered by 8 AA batteries (included). The controller’sflight data display allows you to monitor the voltage of the controller.When fully charged, the controller displays 12 V; when completely outof charge, the controller displays 9 V. Replace the batteries when thecontroller displays 9.1 V.ControllerPress and hold theDNbutton to view flight data.controller battery level (9-12 V)Replace controller batteries at 9.1 V.Controller Flight Data Display: Screen 1!10 

## Powering the X8

Follow these steps to power the X8.

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

It is important to establish communication before powering on the X8. Always turn on the controller before connecting the battery. When powering off the X8, disconnect the battery before turning off the controller. 1

Turn on the controller. Ensure that the switches are set to CH 7 OFF, STD, and RTL OFF.

RC controller

Stabalize Altitude Hold Loiter Full Autonomy Return to Launch

Stabalize Altitude Hold Loiter Full Autonomy Return to Launch

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

CH 7 switch Mode switch RTL switch

Initializing, keep still and level

Initializing complete Status LED indicators:

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

X8: Secure battery !11 

## Connecting to a Ground Station

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

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

Mission Planner or APM Planner.

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

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

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

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

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

.

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

throttle & yaw right stick: pitch

& roll

Left Stick Left Stick Move the throttle

stick below center to

decrease altitude. Set the throttle stick

to center to maintain

the current altitude. left stick Left Stick

Left Stick Move the left stick vertically to control altitude.

Set the throttle stick fully down to land

once the X8 is a few

inches above the ground. Left Stick To take off and to gain altitude, push the throttle stick slightly above center position. Left Stick Left Stick 

## Controls

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

### Activate Hold until propellers start spinning.

T

ake-off + Lif t Raise just slightly

for take of f

Hover + Land Lower just slightly

to hover

Left Ya w Left Back Forward

Right

Right Ya w

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

T

ake-off + Lif t Raise just slightly

for take of f

Hover + Land Lower just slightly

to hover

Left Ya w Left Back Forward

Right

Right Ya w

Deactivate Hold until propellers stop spinning Move the stick to

the left to rotate

counterclockwise.

Move the stick to the right to

rotate clockwise. left stick Left Stick

Release the stick to stop rotating and

maintain the current

orientation. Move the left stick horizontally to rotate the X8 and change orientation. For a slow rotation, move the stick slightly away from the center in either direction. Moving the stick farther from the center creates

a faster rotation. Left Stick Yaw16 

### Activate Hold until propellers start spinning.

T

ake-off + Lif t Raise just slightly

for take of f

Hover + Land Lower just slightly

to hover

Left Ya w Left Back Forward

Right

Right Ya w

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

T

ake-off + Lif t Raise just slightly

for take of f

Hover + Land Lower just slightly

to hover

Left Ya w Left Back Forward

Right

Right Ya w

Deactivate Hold until propellers stop spinning Move the right

stick forward to fly forward. right stick

Move the right stick back to fly

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



### Activate Hold until propellers start spinning.

T

ake-off + Lif t Raise just slightly

for take of f

Hover + Land Lower just slightly

to hover

Left Ya w Left Back Forward

Right

Right Ya w

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

T

ake-off + Lif t Raise just slightly

for take of f

Hover + Land Lower just slightly

to hover

Left Ya w Left Back Forward

Right

Right Ya w

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

left.

Move the right stick right to fly right.

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

outward orientation so that the black arms face towards you and the blue arms and face away from you. Pitch and Roll17 ! Standard (altitude hold mode)

STD

fly manually

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

Loiter mode

LTR

hover

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

Stabalize Altitude Hold Loiter Full Autonomy Return to Launch mode switch

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

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

for more information about failsafes. 

## Modes18 Auto mode

AUTO

fly a mission

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

Altitude Hold

Loiter

Full Autonomy

Return to Launch Gimbal control

TILT

tilt the camera up and down

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

Altitude Hold

Loiter

Full Autonomy

Return to Launch Land

CH 7

land at the current position

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

Reposition during landing: During landing, use the right stick on the controller to adjust the X8’s position. ! Do not activate auto mode unless you have saved a mission to the X8 using a ground station application.19 land at the launch point

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

When commanded to RTL, the X8:

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

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

automatically.

launch point

15 meters 1 2

3 hover 5 seconds Stabalize

Altitude Hold

Loiter

Full Autonomy

Return to Launch 

## Return to Launch

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

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

## Failsafes

visual line of sight 400 ft (120 m)

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

visual line of sight 400 ft (120 m)

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

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

RC Controller Signal Failsafe Physical obstructions and interference from nearby wireless signals can affect

the X8’s connection with the controller.

If the X8 loses contact with the controller, it returns to the launch point and lands automatically, indicated by a blinking yellow status LED.21 GPS Failsafe

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

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

100 ft (30 m) 5 miles (8 km) 400 ft
(120 m) visual line of sight 400 ft (120 m)

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

control

100 m (328 ft)

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

## Status Indicators

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

Pre-arm safety check failure—connect to a ground station

and see the troubleshooting section Loss of GPS signal, switch to standard mode (altitude hold) Initializing, hold the X8 still and level

Acquiring GPS, please wait

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

X8 Status LED LED23 Safety Button

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

Safety button

X8 Safety Button

Motors inactive, safe to handle

Motors active, deactivate before handling24 

## Flight Procedures: Takeoff

Follow these steps to take off.

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

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

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

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

» The X8 is situated at a safe, unobstructed launch point, facing away from you. Checklist25 Arm

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

1 Press and hold the safety button until it displays solid red. This indicates that the

X8 is now active. Stand back!

Motors inactive, safe to handle

Motors active, deactivate before handling

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

Controller left stick: arming position Safety button indicators

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

# APPENDIX B

UAS FLIGHT CHECKLIST

## Flight Checklist

LED

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

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

Acquiring GPS, please wait

Autopilot ready, GPS locked

Armed

Safety Button

Motors active, deactivate before handling (see reverse)

Flight Modes

Return to launch

**RTL**

land at the launch point Stabalize

Altitude Hold

Loiter

Full Autonomy

Return to Launch Standard position
(altitude hold mode)

**STD**
fly manually

Stabalize Altitude Hold Loiter Full Autonomy Return to Launch

Loiter mode

**LTR**

hover

Stabalize Altitude Hold Loiter Full Autonomy Return to Launch 

### !

Stand back! 

# 4 6

The motors are

now active.

Hold left stick down

right until motors spin. 

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

Arm

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

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

# 5 Check

LED. 

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

See the Operation Manual for complete

instructions.

Auto mode

**AUTO**

fly a mission Stabalize

Altitude Hold

Loiter

Full Autonomy

Return to Launch ©2014 3D Robotics. vA. All rights reserved. Control gimbal

**TILT**

tilt the camera down and up Land

**CH7**

land at the current position Stabalize

Altitude Hold

Loiter

Full Autonomy

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

Stabalize Altitude Hold Loiter Full Autonomy Return to Launch



# X8 +

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

# 1 2 Disarm

motors. Press safety
button. 

# 3 Disconnect battery. 

# 4 Power off
controller. Postflight Controller Flight Data

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

Lower left stick below

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

Left Stick Raise left stick above

center to take off and gain altitude. Move left stick left and right to rotate.

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

to maintain altitude.

Left Stick Left Stick

Flight current flight mode

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

satellites

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

current latitude

current longitude

altitude in meters flight time altitude in meters

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

3DR.com/X8/info GPS status

speed in m/s

flight battery mAh

consumed since armed

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

### !