Maxwell Tubman

Gryphon Dynamics

Pilot Operating Handbook (POH)

For Closed Set Procedures

Gryphon Dynamics 1000 Frame

Key Operating Parameters 

• Max	Take	off	weight:	40	lbs

• Dry	weight	of	aircraft	7.5	lbs

• Wet	weight	(16ah	x	2)	17.8	lbs

• Payload	Capacity	25	lbs	

• Primary	gimbal	Freefly	M15
CHECKLISTS 

• Gryphon Dynamics BENCH SET UP & TESTS 

o All screws/bolts are tight 

o Timer alarm for flight time to not exceed 80% battery capacity set 

properly 

o Batteries are secure 

o Antennas are secure 

o Props balanced 

o Props aligned 

o Props not chipped 

o Check blades, arms, etc. for cracks/damage 

o Wiring Tight 

o No excessive flexing of motors or booms

o Booms/motors will not twist 

o Center of gravity is properly set

o Warning lights/ Telemetry set for low battery if used 

o Batteries charged. Replace any battery, which cycles below 80% of 

rated capacity 

§ Laptop Battery

§ Flight Battery 

§ Handheld Rx Battery 

§ RC Tx Battery 

§ Video Rx Battery 

• Gryphon Dynamics INVENTORY CHECKLIST 

o Load Flight plan 

o Aircraft 

o Camera with lenses and media/ corresponding reader

o Spare parts/ props/ tools 

o All batteries and back ups 

o RC transmitter/ Movi Controller 

o Laptop 

o Battery Charger/ Generator (if using)

o Flight Controller Cable 

o Video monitor, stand, battery, antennas 

o Goggles (if using)
• Gryphon Dynamics PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST

o Check location on Google maps

o Confirm radio communication and ATC coms operation

o Inform ATC of your flight plan if required

o Determine emergency flight plan and alternate landing zones

avoiding power lines and obstacles

o Check wind direction and speed

o Set a perimeter of 50-100 meters area must be clear of non 

participating personnel

o Antennas installed and all set to optimal performance position 

o Engage GCS, monitor, laptop, goggles, etc. (bring up flight

plan) 

o Confirm payload is operational and wireless signal is 

functioning with gimbal tech and gimbal operator.

o Check battery voltage 

o Install flight battery

o Confirm CG 

o Level and position aircraft, confirm orientation 

o On Copter TX - Set switches - Throttle Down, Return to Home 

switch Off, Manual Flight Mode Switch On

o Copter Transmitter On 

o Check Model Selection on Tx and confirm TX link

o Check Tx battery voltage (above 6.4v) 

o On Gimbal Tx – set switches, pan lock on, voltage set.

o Plug in flight packs. 

o Calibrate GPS/Compass if necessary 

o If calibrated, cycle battery with correct heading for course lock

o Do not move the Copter until 30 seconds after full GPS Lock

o Check Copter Voltage from GCS 

o Engage Attitude Mode, confirm mode switch 

o Engage GPS Mode, confirm mode switch

o Verify camera operation with gimbal operator and gimbal tech

o Set flight TX timer 
• TAKEOFF CHECKLIST

o Declare intentions for takeoff with ATC 

o Engage intended flight mode and verify on GCS

o Announce loudly: “CLEAR PROP” 

o Arm the aircraft motors by position the sticks in the lower left 

hand corners, then immediately raise the throttle 2 clicks, and 

center the right stick. 

o Advance throttle to 1⁄4 power for 5 seconds. Assure all motors 

are operating and in correct rotations

o Verify that left/right and forward/back stick movement engages 

the proper motors 

o Verify data and/ or video links are still operational

o Announce loudly: “TAKING OFF” 

o Advance throttle to proper rotation speed. 

o Ascend to 3 meters. Center throttle stick. Verify proper flight 

controls and gimbal operation. Verify copter stability. If 

unstable, land and reset gains, recalibrate, or retest as necessary. 

o Raise landing gear is using 

o Proceed with manual mission 

• QUICK PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST 

o Landing zone clear 

o Level copter with correct heading

o Battery cells 4.1 + full, 3.8 depleted 

o Camera on, media loaded. 

o Both TX – all switches down or in proper position.

o Both TX on o Copter on 

o Check GPS lock 

o Video check 

o Timers ready 

o Takeoff 

o Raise Landing Gear 

o Unplug flight batteries upon landing 
ERROR MESSAGES

• White flashes

o IMU malfunction. Land and determine cause. Possibilities: 

§ GPS/Compass not pointing forward 

§ IMU not pointing forward or not set

§ Set up of X, Y, Z for location of IMU and Compass is 

incorrect 

• Excessive rocking/instability possible causes:

o Weak motor

§ Bad bearing, esc, prop, loose screw

o Structure flexing from fatigue or cracks 

§ Motor mount 

§ Main frame 

§ Booms 

o Loose Bolts causing flexing or misalignment 

o Props out of balance 

o Props misaligned 

o Excessive wind speeds or gusts 

o Excessive Gains 

o Excessive motor power. Motor thrust should be between 50%-

65% of total available power at hover.

o Red Flashes (1, 2 or 3 flashes with pauses) – GPS loss (3 is 

more serious). Land if loss lasts for more than 30 seconds if you 

are GPS dependent for mission.

o Possible causes:

§ Clouds

§ Structures

§ GPS mal-function 

§ GPS too close to electrical components or batteries 

§ GPS vibration 

LANDING CHECKLIST

• Landing area clear 

• Lower landing gear

• Note obstacles in flight path 
• Announce loudly: “LANDING” 

• Cut power to the aircraft when props have stop

• Note elapsed time of flight 

• Turn power off to transmitters 

• Check motors temps to verify equal across motors 

• Complete flight log 

o Date and time of flight 

o Batteries used 

o Time of Flight 

o Contact ATC 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

• Section 1: General 

• Section 2: Limitations 

• Section 3: Emergency Procedures 

• Section 4: Normal Procedures 

• Section 5: Performance 

• Section 6: Weight and Balance/Equipment List 

• Section 7: Air Vehicle and Systems Description 

• Section 8: Handling, Service and Maintenance 

• Section 9: Supplements 

SECTION 1 GENERAL 

NOTE: In an effort to minimize costs and maximize spare parts 

availability, many COTS (commercial off the shelf) components have 

been utilized. Some may have slight modifications to better suit this 

application. Most COTS products have separate data sheets, assembly 
manuals and instruction manuals. They are reference in this 

document, with key factors being emphasized. As with all high 

technology products utilizing constantly evolving software, it is 

important to periodically check for online upgrades to the COTS 

components, including hardware, firmware and software. 

WARNING: Great care must be taken with the batteries. Much of 

this manual and supplemental information is devoted to the use and 

care of the batteries, especially the flight batteries. They are less 

volatile than gasoline, though they should be treated with the same 

respect. Become very familiar with proper techniques of their use. 

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS 

• Primarily for ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance)

• Economical due to extensive use of COTS products 

• Low Visual Signature 

• Low Aural Signature 

• Quick Launch and Recovery 

• Short Training Period 

• Simple Operation 

• Waypoint Navigation

• Easy transport 

• VTOL 

• Quick Repairs 

• Redundant Flight Systems 

• Safety Return to Home during lost link or low battery 

• High Degree of Mission Success 

• GPS navigation aid 

• Various sensors for flight stability 

• 40 lb max takeoff weight 

• Operating Temp Range: -5°C to +60°C 

• Flight Modes: Manual and GPS aided waypoint navigation 

• Maximum Operating Altitude: 1000 meters 

• Maximum Operation Wind Conditions: 10 m/s 

• Propulsion System: LiPoly batteries Brushless motor

• Takeoff: Manual or Automatic

• Landing: Manual or Automatic 

• Takeoff/Recovery Area: 5m square 
IMPORTANT DIMENSIONS 

• Distance rotor to rotor across the center: 40” 

• Height with GPS/Compass folded down: 21” 

• Height with GPS/Compass up: 25” 

• Length of landing gear skids: 18” 

• Distance between landing gear skids: 23”

IMPORTANT WEIGHTS 

• Aircraft Dry Weight: 7.5 lbs

• Movi M15 Weight: 5.4 lb

• Maximum Camera Payload 15lbs

• Maximum Takeoff Weight: 40 lbs

• Battery Weight: 8.5 lbs 

Power Plant

• Manufacturer: Tiger Motor

• Number of motors: 8 

• Motor Model Number: U7 v2

• KV: 420

• Configuration: 12N14P

• Shaft Diameter: 6mm

• Motor Dimension (Dia.*Len): Φ60.7×39.5mm

• Weight (g): 255g

• Idle current (10)@10v(A): 0.9A

• No. of Cells (Lipo): 3-8S

• Max Continuous current (A) 180S: 40A

• Max Continuous Power (W) 180S:1180W

• Max Efficiency current (10-21A): >83%

• Internal resistance33mΩ

Electronic Speed Controllers 

• ESC 80A

• Output: Continuous 80A, Burst 100A up to 10 Secs.

• Input Voltage: 2-6 cells lithium battery or 5-18 cells NiCd/NIMh 

battery.

• BEC: 3A / 5V (Switch mode).
• Max Speed: 210,000rpm for 2 Poles BLM, 70,000rpm for 6 poles 

BLM, 35,000rpm for 12 poles BLM. (BLM: BrushLess Motor)

• Size: 70mm (L) * 31mm (W) * 14mm (H).

• Weight: 62g.

Flight Controller 

• Manufacturer: DJI-Innovations 

• Autopilot Model Number: DJI WKM 

• Components: GPS/Compass, IMU, Master Controller, LED Indicator 

Lighting System, Data Transceiver, GCS Software.

• Power Consumption: 5W 

• Operating Temp Range: -5°C to +60°C 

• Software Compatible: Windows XP sp3 / Windows

• Hovering Accuracy: Vertical: ± 0.5m; Horizontal: ± 2m 

FUEL/FLIGHT BATTERY 

• Manufacturers: Various COTS suppliers 

• Battery chemistry: Lithium Polymer 

• Battery Capacity: 16,000 x 2 mah 

• Battery cell count required: 6S (6 cells in series) 

• Battery Voltage: 21V minimum during hover, 22.2V nominal, 

25.2V maximum 

• Battery Rated Discharge Rate: 20C Maximum

• Battery Max Charge Rate: 2C 

• Battery Rest Time between discharging and charging: 0-30 

minutes 

• Batteries used simultaneously: 2

• Recommended Battery Discharge Amount: 80-90% 

FLIGHT PARAMETERS 

• Flight Time: up to 30 minutes 

• Payload Max: 25 lbs 

• Power Consumption in a Hover: 2400 Watts, 96 amps 
• WARNINGS 

• Never power a video transmitter or receiver without an antenna 

connected or overload failure will occur.

• Read all information regarding batteries contained in this 

manual and supplements. 

• Batteries are highly flammable and can explode, especially 

when fully charged. Improper charging, vibration, impact, high 

discharge, etc. can lead to explosion and fire. Batteries must be 

charged under constant supervision and using proper 

precautions. 

• Batteries fully charged must be handled with extreme care. 

• Batteries must not be stored above 50% charged state. o Store 

batteries between 20% - 50% charged state. Fully charge just 

before use. 

• Fully charged batteries which are not to be used within 24 hours 

should be discharged to 20% - 50% charged state. 

• Discharging LiPoly batteries in excess of 80% of their rated 

capacity can cause harm to the batteries. 

• Using more than one battery at a time requires the proper 

wiring harness so that the voltage is no more than 25.2V. Over 

voltage will cause serious damage to electrical equipment. 

• Using more than one battery at a time requires weight and 

balance checks. Proper CG is critical to performance. Airframe 

must not be overloaded. o Propellers must be balanced to avoid 

excessive vibration. 

• GPS/Compass must be facing forward. 

• Do not use GPS Mode without GPS lock. 

• Use low strength thread locking compound on all screws. 

• Wireless Video and Data ranges vary considerably on many 

factors including weather, equipment, and obstructions. Be 

prepared for com failures. 
SECTION 2 LIMITATIONS 

• AIRSPEED LIMITATIONS

o Vne – Velocity to Never Exceed: 15 m/s 

o Va – Typical Maneuvering Speed – 5 m/s

• POWER & POWERPLANT LIMITATIONS

o 40 Amps max per motor 

o 80 Amps max per speed control 

o 320 Amps max total 

o Do not exceed 80-90% discharge of rated battery 

capacity

o Do not charge batteries which are warmer than air 

temperature 

o Allow batteries to cool after use before charging 

o Leave an air gap between batteries when multiple 

batteries are used simultaneously 

• WEIGHT LIMITS 

o Takeoff Weight Max: 40 lbs 

§ Must be checked prior to takeoff if any change in 

equipment is made 

• CENTER OF GRAVITY LIMITS 

o 3mm from the center of thrust 

o Must be checked before every flight to ensure batteries 

were installed in the proper location.

o Check all both pairs of arms before flight

• MANEUVER LIMITS 

o This aircraft is intended for non-aerobatic operations 

o G-loading maximum: 2G 

• TEMPERATURE LIMITS 

o Operating Temp Range: -10°C to +40°C 

o In cold temperatures keep IMU at room temperature if 

possible before the flight

o Keep Batteries above 5°C before flight 

o Do not fly with any frost or ice on the propellers
o In warm temperatures batteries heat up faster when 

discharged, the higher the discharge rate the higher the 

temperature increase during use 

o At temperatures above 45°C, use of 2 or more batteries is 

required to lower the load on any one battery pack to 

keep it cooler. 

• WEATHER LIMITS 

o Light dust and light rain require the use of a shield for the 

electronics in the center section. 

o Light dust and light rain are acceptable for the unshielded 

motor and ESC.

• RANGE LIMITS 

o FUEL

§ Fuel capacity is a primary limiting factor. 

§ Flying into the wind will use more battery power 

to travel the same ground distance. Higher air 

speeds will be required to penetrate the wind,

which used more battery power. Take this into 

account when flying a mission. 

§ Where possible, fly upwind at the start of a 

mission and downwind at the end to avoid 

depleting the battery before returning to base. 

Have alternative landing sites available in case of 

emergency landing. 

• WIRELESS LINK

§ Wireless links will be stable in LOS (line of sight) 

in most conditions

§ Wireless links are always susceptible to shorter 

ranges due to atmospheric conditions, other 

transmission devices in the area, jamming,

Antennas not aligned properly, improper 

voltage Antenna blockage from AV in certain 

positions, multipath – reflection off buildings or 

ground which cause multiple signals to arrive at 

different times and/or phase. 

SECTION 3 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES 
MOTOR FAILURE 

• Operation is possible with one motor/ESC/propeller failure. 

• In the event of motor out, two adjacent motors/ESCs will be 

increased in thrust automatically by the flight controller to 

overcome the loss

• In cases where the airframe is highly loaded the maximum 

rating of 40 amps may be exceeded by these two motors/ESCs 

• Operation should be terminated as soon as possible to reduce 

the possibility of damage to the remaining motors 

COMMUNICATION FAILURE 

• Video link failure 

o 5.8 Ghz being the shortest wavelength in general AV use 

has the least ability to penetrate. This link should be the 

first to be lost. 

o 5.8 Ghz can lose link with little warning. 

o Ensure that the GCS station antennas are perpendicular to 

the AV. Do not point the antenna at the AV. 

o Yaw the AV to change the antenna position 

o Return back to the GCS until link is restored.

• Transmitters produce heat when in operation. When overheated 

they may have thermal protection which interrupts use 

temporarily. Use of a heat sink or fan may be required 

especially with high ambient temperatures. 

• Higher gain antennas may be used, but do so with caution. High 

gain antennas are directional. 

• Multiple antennas using “diversity” receiver can be used. 

Diversity RX is a device which determines the best signal, 

automatically selects the strongest automatically. 

LOW BATTERY POWER 

• Fail-safes can be set such that in the event of low battery power, 

either due to a failure or too long of a flight, the warning light 

on the AV will constantly flash amber. This is the first level of 

warning. 

• The second warning level is red flashing lights 

• Auto landing will occur when battery power is low. It may land 
in a tree or a lake, so this is not desirable.

• Landing with 80-90% of battery depleted is best. Therefore 

landing with 17,000 mah used and 3,000 mah remaining of a 

20,000 mah battery is desirable. Batteries should be drawn 

down equally when in use if they are both charged equally and 

both in relatively the same condition/age. 

• Do not mix partially charged batteries. Only use completely 

charged batteries. 

• Over discharging a battery below 19.8V can permanently 

damage the battery. 

GCS FAILURE 

• Takeover by the external pilot should happen ASAP using the RC link. 

• Most often happens due to a low battery. 

• Keep a spare 3 cell LiPoly battery with the appropriate plug to plug into 

the charge jack for emergency use. Most chargers are 19V output, 

which is roughly equivalent to a 4-cell battery. 3-cell batteries may 

work. 

COMPASS CALIBRATION ERROR 

• If the compass is out of calibration the warning light will flash 

red. This is the same signal as low voltage. If the voltage is 

correct, there is a calibration error

• Recalibrate the compass following the instruction manual 

FIRE 

• Fires can occur due to a short circuit or battery failure

• Disconnect the battery ASAP unless there is danger in doing so if 

there is any electrical issue. 

• The only way to extinguish battery fire is through smothering in sand 

or other not flammable substrate, it is often better to let the battery 

vent away from people or property if at all possible 
FORCED LANDINGS 

• If alternate emergency landing zones should be chosen ahead of time. 

• Be sure that the LZ is clear of persons or property to avoid any 

incidents.

• Land in the nearest practicable LZ 

• Announce your intentions of landing as loud as necessary to alert 

anyone in the area 

SECTION 4 SET UP SUGGESTIONS 

ELECTRONICS BURN IN 

We recommend that secure to copter on the ground and run the 

copter at about 70% throttle for about 2 hours to burn in the 

electronics. Most electronic failures occur in the first 2 hours of 

operation. 

GPS/COMPASS MAST LENGTH 

The higher the mast, the better the GPS reception 

RADIO SET UP 

Follow the instructions in the manual. We prefer the switch 

assignment as shown in the checklists above though feel free to 

modify to your liking 

COPTER COMMAND AND CONTROL 

• We recommend the use of a dual rate switch for main copter 

operation. 

• High rate – used to initialize the motors. The flight controller will not 

engage unless it sees full down throttle, full left rudder, full left cyclic 

and full back cyclic. However, these may be too high for normal 

flying. On high rate it is helpful to utilize fairly high exponential to 
make the stick feel soft around center. Adjust to your preference. 

• Low rate – used for typical flying. Set the end point adjustments such 

that full stick deflection offers the maximum speed required in normal 

flying. If conditions require higher flight speeds, switch to high rate. 

On low rate it is also helpful to utilize a small amount of exponential 

to make the stick feel soft around center. Adjust to your preference. 

TIMERS 

• Use of the countdown timer is a good backup method to ensure 

landing with battery power. 

• Set the timer for 15 minutes (or what you deem appropriate) and have 

it start when the throttle is over 1⁄4. Then adjust the timer upwards 

until the amount of battery used is about 80-90% of the total available. 

If using 20,000 mah batteries, a total of 17,000 mah would be the 

target. Set the timer such that you have a minute or so to land after 

• The alarm sounds so that you have adequate time to return to base. 

Adjust to your preference. 

BATTERIES 

• Replace the transmitter standard battery with a Lipoly battery to 

extend use times to 8 hours. Supplied batteries often last about 2 

hours. 

NORMAL PROCEDURES 

• PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST 

o Confirm all communication radios are operational

o Radio with ATC 

o Radios with others in the group 

o Set a perimeter of 100 meters 

o Area must be clear of people to avoid risk of injury

o Check for overhead power lines and other obstacles to avoid 

o Check structural integrity 

o In event of prior crash, inspect all booms, props and motor 

mounts for excessive flex indicating structural fatigue/failure 

o Have a manual flight plan avoiding obstacles. 

o Load auto flight plan if using one 
AIRCRAFT FLIGHT LOG BOOK 

• Keep a log of all flights. 

o Date 

o Time of Day 

o Time in Operation (in hours) 

o Battery serial numbers 

o Mah used in flight 

o Location 

o Pilot, Observer, Sensor Operator Names

o Flight Objective 

o Remarks 

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE LOG BOOK 

• Keep a log of significant inspections, tests, repairs, alterations, 

equipment changes. 

• Date maintenance is performed 

• Accumulated hours of operation 

• Remarks PILOT LOG BOOK 

• Keep a log of all flights. Include the following: 

o Aircraft flown 

o Aircraft serial number 

o Date 

o Time of Day 

o Time in Operation (in hours)

o Location 

o Flight Objective 

o Remarks 

SECTION 5 PERFORMANCE 

• FLIGHT TIMES 

o The AV is designed to hover at high efficiency. Hovering is 

much less efficient than flying on a wing, thus flight times are 

low compared to fixed wing aircraft. 

o All the weight of the AV is supported by power from the 
batteries. As the batteries are used in a flight, the amount of 

power available decreases. Therefore the power reserve is 

constantly decreasing as the battery is being used. Thus loading 

a rotorcraft above its limit is not recommended. While the AV 

may have enough power to lift off initially on a full charge, the 

power reserve at partial charge may be too low to allow for 

maneuvering and will result in a crash. 

o High lateral speeds will add lift to slightly improve efficiency. 

The rotors act similar to fixed wings at higher speeds. This 

increase in efficiency may be negated by the increased power 

consumption of forward flight. 

o High winds or gusts decrease efficiency/flight time. The 

motors work harder to hold position. 

o As weight increases flight times decrease. 

WIRELESS TRANSMISSION 

Refer to the specific manuals for performance ratings. Wireless 

communications utilized provide acceptable communication for LOS. 

In general: 

• LOS is required 

• The higher the GCS antennas, the better the range 

• Any freq. may have severe degradation due to location to other 

admitters such as cell towers 

• RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication) should be monitored for 

indication of communication drop out.

SECTION 6 WEIGHT AND BALANCE 

EQUIPMENT LIST 

• CG is critical to the efficient operation of any AV

• When components are shifted, the CG will be altered. 

• The main components which are moved on a regular basis are the 

sensors and the batteries. 

• The sensors are typically in the front of the AV, and the batteries are 
located in the correct position to offset all the components on the AV. 

• The CG must be tested after any change to the components or their 

placement. o The CG should be tested by lifting the UV with fingers 

on the bottom of the arms. Check both pairs of arms. The CG should 

be no more than 2mm off in any on the 3 checks. The closer the CG is 

to the centerlines of the arms the more efficient and the more stable 

the AV will be.

• WEIGHT 

o Weight is critical to the operation of any aircraft 

o Weight is especially critical to a rotor wing aircraft. At full 

throttle the motors have a finite amount of thrust. All the weight 

is lifted by the battery power, there is no wing to assist in 

providing lift. 

o As the batteries are operated, they lose power. At full charge 

they have about 25v. At 20% remaining capacity they have 

about 21v. This is a loss of 8% of the power available which is 

significant. 

o Do not overload the aircraft or there will not be sufficient 

reserve power to maneuver at low battery levels. 

SECTION 7 AIR VEHICLE AND SYSTEMS 

DESCRIPTION 

FUEL/BATTERY REQUIRED 

• Manufacturers: Various COTS suppliers. 

• Refer to manufacturer data sheet. 

• Battery chemistry required: Lithium Polymer 

• Battery Capacity: 16,000 mah 

• Battery cell count required: 6S (6 cells in series) 

• Battery Voltage: 21V minimum at hover, 22.2V nominal, 25.2V 

maximum 

• Battery Max Rated Discharge Rate: 20C minimum 

• Batteries used simultaneously: 1-2 typical 

• Recommended Battery Discharge Amount: 80-90% 

WERELESS COMMUNICATIONS 

• Refer to the specific manuals for performance ratings. 
• Never power a video transmitter or receiver without an antenna 

connected or overload failure will occur. 

• Wireless communications utilized provide acceptable 

communication for LOS. 

• In general: 

o LOS is required. 

o Lower frequencies penetrate objects such as trees better than 

higher freqs. 

o Lower freqs have longer range than high freqs 

o Higher freqs can transfer more data than lower freqs 

o Higher freqs use smaller/shorter antennas 

o The higher the GCS antennas, the better the range and 

reception 

o Any freq at may have severe degradation due to location to 

other admitters such as cell towers 

o Range must be constantly monitored. 

o Alternate antenna types may be utilized to improve 

link/range. Patch, helical, omni, etc. can be substituted. They 

must be verified before use. 

o Alternate freqs may be utilized to improve link/range.

SECTION 8 HANDLING, SERVICE AND 

MAINTENANCE 

PROPELLER CARE

• Propellers must be checked each flight for nicks or cracks 

• Propellers are designed to last indefinitely if they do not impact dust, 

dirt or more. 

BATTERY CARE AND USE 

Refer to instruction sheet included from the battery manufacturer. Typical 

information follows. 

• Batteries are highly flammable and can explode, especially when 

fully charged. Improper charging, vibration, impact, high discharge, 

etc. can lead to explosion and fire. Batteries must be charged under 

constant supervision and using proper precautions.

• Batteries fully charged must be handled with extreme care. 

• Any battery which puffs up is considered damaged and must not be 
used. It is in a dangerous state. Never charge a puffed up battery. 

• Any battery which holds less than 80% of its rated capacity should be 

discarded. 

• Cycle test each battery after every 50 cycles or if a battery is 

suspected to have lost as significant amount of its capacity to 

determine the current capacity.

• Properly dispose of batteries. First discharge the battery fully using a 

battery cycler. Bring to a recycler such as a home improvement store. 

• Always charge flight batteries under “balance” mode. 

• Flight Battery Recommended Charge Rate: 1C which takes 

approximately 1 hour to charge 

• Flight Battery Maximum Charge Rate: May exceed 5C. Charge rates 

higher than 1C will decrease life cycles. Maximum charge rating per 

the manufacturer will provide 300+ cycles. Use the lowest charge rate 

which is practical. 

• Battery Rest Time between discharging and charging: 30 minutes 

minimum, 1 hour maximum. 

• Do not charge if the battery is more than 2°C warmer than ambient, 

especially if the temperature is above 20°C. The outer surface is 

cooler than the inner core after use. Damage will occur when 

charging a warm battery. 

• Recommended Battery Discharge Amount: 80%. Using more of the 

capacity of the battery will decrease the life cycles 

• As battery temperature approaches freezing the capacity of Lithium 

Polymer batteries decrease. Keep warmer than 5°C before installing 

into the UV (unmanned vehicle). 

• Battery capacity decreases at higher discharge rates. Using more 

batteries decreases the discharge rate of each battery thereby 

extending individual battery capacity slightly. 

• Lower discharge rates improve the life cycles.

• Batteries are rated at greater than 300 life cycles. 1,000+ life cycles 

are possible. 

• Batteries must not be stored above 60% charged state for extended 

periods. 

• Batteries should be stored below 25°C for extended periods 

• Store batteries between 40% - 60% charged state. Fully charge just 

before use. 

• Fully charged batteries which are not to be used within 24 hours 

should be discharged to 40% - 60% charged state using the battery 

discharger. 
• Using more than one battery at a time requires the proper wiring 

harness so that the voltage is no more than 25.2V. Over voltage will 

cause serious damage to electrical equipment. 

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE ANNUAL INSPECTION 

(SUGGESTED) 

• If the airframe has in excess of 300 hours in a one year period, an 

annual inspection must be completed by an approved technician. 

• An approved technician should disassemble the AV and inspect all 

components for wear and replace any components as required. 

• Test all batteries for capacity. 

• Upgrade firmware and software to latest revisions 

• 500 HOUR PM (SUGGESTED) 

• An approved technician should disassemble the AV and inspect all 

components for wear and replace any components as required. 

• Replace all 8 motors. 

• Test all batteries for capacity. 

• Upgrade firmware and software to latest revisions. 

SECTION 9 SUPPLEMENTS 

COTS components have been utilized in the construction of this AV. All 

instruction manuals, operating handbooks, warning notices, and more are 

available as separate documents. Components may have separate 

documentation. Print out the significant documents and keep in a notebook 

with the copter at all times. AIRFRAME, AUTOPILOT, 

SYSTEM, BATTERIES, BATTERY CHARGER, GCS, GIMBAL, 

CAMERA MOUNT, GIMBAL CAMERA MOUNT, SERVOS, LAPTOP 

COMPUTER, MOTORS, ONBOARD 

REGULATOR, PROPELLERS, RC/MANUAL, COMMAND & 

CONTROL SYSTEM, SPEED CONTROLS (ESCs)