ActionDrone, Inc. – All Rights Reserved 

PILOT TRAINING GUIDE

V1.0
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Table of Contents

1.0 Fly Smart, Fly Safe ............................................................3-4

	 1.1 	 	 Guidelines before flying..............................................................................3

1.2 Precautions .......................................................................................................3

	 1.3	 	 Responsibility...................................................................................................3

	 1.4 	 	 Pre-flight checklist.........................................................................................4

	 1.5 	 	 Starting sequence..........................................................................................4

2.0 Beginner H Basic Flight Maneuvers............................5-7

	 2.1	 	 Take off and landing (Altitude) ..............................................................5

	 2.2 		 Hover (Pitch/Roll) ........................................................................................5

	 2.3	 	 Rotate heading (Yaw)..................................................................................5

	 2.4-2.6	 Forward and backward movement.......................................................6

	 2.7	 	 Left and right ..................................................................................................7

	 2.8-2.9	 4-point box formation.................................................................................7

 

3.0 Intermediate H H Skilled Flight Maneuvers..............8-9

3.1-3.3 Practice rotations...........................................................................................8

	 3.4	 	 Circle formations............................................................................................9

	 3.5	 	 Intermediate hover........................................................................................9

4.0 Advanced H H H Flight Maneuvers .........................10-12

	 4.1 	 	 Advanced circle formations....................................................................10

	 4.2-4.3	Advanced 4-point box formations......................................................10

4.4-4.5 Directional rotation.......................................................................................11

	 4.5	 	 Camera pin-spot orbit turn.......................................................................11

	 4.6-4.8	Figure-8 formations.....................................................................................12

5.0 Practice Emergency Situations ...................................... 13

	 5.1 	 	 Fail-safe “Return to Home” Mode........................................................ 13

	 5.2 		 Intercept RTF Mode.................................................................................... 13

6.0 Information & Support......................................................14

	 6.1	 	 YouTube, Facebook, Email Support....................................................14

	 6.2	 	 Terms and Conditions................................................................................14
ActionDrone, Inc. – All Rights Reserved | 3

1.0 FLY SMART. FLY SAFE!

WARNING!

Rotating parts may cause injury

AGES 18

Not suitable for children

Before using the AD1, please carefully read the Quick Start Guide (and video), Manuals, Terms and Conditions.

Pilots should make every effort to practice flying regularly in order to improve their flight skills as an advanced

level pilot. Please fly safe. Fly smart!

Never work on your drone model with mounted propellors!

Scout for large open areas:

	 • Be sure there are no distractions when you are flying.

	 • Be aware of your surroundings.

	 • Avoid flying in areas with obstacles, traffic and people.

	 • National Parks are prohibited in the U.S.A.

	 Always turn on Remote Controller before plugging in battery on AD1 drone. Toggle all switches up (off).

	 Before take off, calibrate your compass for full GPS satellite reception (slow continuous green flashing).

	 Never fly over 500 feet. Never fly within 5 miles near an airport. Check your government’s airspace regulations.

	 When in doubt - Do Not Panic - gently pull down throttle stick and toggle Fail-Safe “Return to Home” switch.

The AD1 quadcopter nose (camera) should always face AWAY from the pilot before takeoff.

DO NOT fly within a radius of 2 meters.

DO NOT TOUCH propellors after motors have started.

1.1 Guidelines before flying

1.2 Precautions

1.3 Responsibility

NOSE

TAIL

LEFT RIGHT

By using this product, it’s website and/or products

manufactured by Action Drone, Inc., you automatically

agree to the Policies, Terms & Conditions, laid out by

Action Drone Inc. all other revised versions set forth. The

user will not hold Action Drone Inc. responsible for any

damages whatsoever. See last page.
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1.0 FLY SAFE. FLY SMART!

1 Frame

	 Fully open & lock arms; ensure all screws are tightened

	 Mount propellors (plate is “sandwiched” on top of propellor) with correct orientations

	 Check for hanging loose parts

2 Battery

	 Check LiPo battery life is 100% charged

	 Inspect for punctures or severe puffing (if so, discontinue use)

	 Secure battery with velcro straps/surfaces to bottom of AD1 (do not plug in yet)

3 Radio

	 Check radio battery life is fully charged

	 Inspect knobs, switches, and sticks for full range of motion

	 Orient antenna to receiver (folded recommended)

	 Check if timer is working correctly

4 Camera

	 Check camera battery life is fully charged

	 Make sure memory card has sufficient space for recording footage

	 Inspect camera is securely fastened to gimbal mount

5 FPV (if applicable)

	 Check screen/goggles battery life is fully charged

Inspect antennas are fastenend 

	 Tune FPV equipment to the same channel

	 Check if FPV equipment on AD1 are plugged into onboard camera(s)

1.4 Pre-flight Checklist

1.5 Starting sequence

M1:

CCW

M3:

CCW

M2:

CW

M4:

CW

Propellor orientations

Always start with the tail-end of the AD1 pointing directly towards you.

Left joystick = thrust and yaw (altitude and heading).

Right joystick = the roll and pitch (left/right and forward/backward) movement.

1 Frame and propellor preparation (pre-flight).

2 Mount the battery (do not plug in). Power on FPV screen/goggles.

3 Radio - make sure all switches are in off position (pushed away from you) and throttle stick down.

4 Place AD1 on ground, tail-end towards you, plug in battery and listen for 7-beep chime.

5 Wait for full GPS lock (flashing green lights); compass calibration may apply.

6 Power on GoPro camera and set the record button.

7 Step 2 meters back. Initiate start sequence to turn on motors. Move both joysticks

	 downwards and towards the center. Motors will turn on.

*Refer to Quick Start Guide for Flight Mode, radio details and basic calibration tips.
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2.0 BEGINNER BASIC FLIGHT MANEUVERS

Take off and land with tail-end facing toward you. Slowly push up on

left joystick throttle (Altitude) at 50% thrust then slowly gain altitude.

Hover in one spot keeping tail-end towards you, using right joystick

to adjust left/right/forward/backward (Roll/Pitch) movement.

Turn left/right (Yaw) keeping tail-end towards you, practicing your

heading, using left joystick.

1

2

3
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Slowly fly forward/back/left/right, keeping tail-end towards you, using 4 right joystick to practice the (Roll/Pitch) movement.

2.0 BEGINNER BASIC FLIGHT MANEUVERS

Practice forward and backward. Fly forward to a spot 20-30 feet

5 away, then fly back keeping the tail-end towards you.

Mark a spot (B) on the ground 10 feet away from take-off point (A).

Hover and fly towards spot B. Land at spot B, then take off and

return to original take off point. Keep tail-end towards you.

6

A

B

1

2
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Practice flying left and right. Fly left 10 feet away from your take-off

point, then fly right, 10 feet from your take-off point. Keep tail-end

towards you.

7

2.0 BEGINNER BASIC FLIGHT MANEUVERS

Practice flying a 4-point square box formation, in clockwise direction,

keeping the tail-end towards you. Control in hover position at each

point before proceeding to the next point.

Now in reverse, practice flying 4-point box in counter-clockwise

direction, keeping the tail-end towards you. Control in hover position

at each point before proceeding to the next point.

10 ft 10 ft

8

9

A

B

B

A

C

D

D

C
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Practice rotating. In a hover, starting with the tail-end pointing 1 towards you, rotate 360 degrees clockwise.

3.0 INTERMEDIATE SKILLED FLIGHT MANEUVERS

Now in reverse, maintain hover, starting with the tail-end pointing

towards you, rotate 360 degrees counter-clockwise.

Start with tail-end pointing towards you, maneuver into a hover. Then

rotate the AD1 quadcopter 90 degrees facing left (keep facing same

direction), and fly a 4-point box in clockwise formation. Control in

hover position at each point before proceeding to the next point.

2

3

B A

C D
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Now in counter-clockwise direction, with tail-end pointing towards

you, maneuver into a hover. Then rotate the AD1 quadcopter 90

degrees facing right (keep facing same direction), and fly a 4-point

box. Control in hover position at each point before proceeding to the

next point.

4

3.0 INTERMEDIATE SKILLED FLIGHT MANEUVERS

Fly in a circle keeping the tail-end pointed towards you. Try to keep

the altitude and circle, as uniform as possible. Practice both directions.

Hover the camera pointed towards yourself and try to keep the AD1

quadcopter in one place.

5

6

A B

D C
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Fly in a circle with the camera front (nose) pointing towards

you. Try to keep the altitude and circle, as uniform as possible.

Practice both directions.

1

4.0 ADVANCED FLIGHT MANEUVERS

Fly clockwise in a 4-point square box keeping the camera facing

towards you.

Now fly counter-clockwise in a 4-point square box keeping the

camera facing towards you.

2

3

B A

C D

A B

D C
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Practice directional rotation. Fly a 4-point square box clockwise

and rotate the AD1 quadcopter in the direction of travel. Control

in hover position at each point before proceeding to the next

point. Next, practice flying counter-clockwise direction.

4

4.0 ADVANCED FLIGHT MANEUVERS

Fly in a circle, clockwise and keep the camera pointed in the direction

of travel. Try to keep the altitude and circle, as uniform as possible.

Next, practice flying counter-clockwise direction.

Camera pin-spot orbit turn. Fly a circle counter-clockwise with the

camera pointed at the center of the circle. Try to keep the altitude and

circle, as uniform as possible.

5

6

B A

C D
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Fly a figure-8 without rotating the AD1. Keep the tail-end facing

7 towards you. Try to keep the altitude and circle, as uniform as possible.

4.0 ADVANCED FLIGHT MANEUVERS

Now, fly a figure-8 and keep the camera pointed in the direction of

travel. Try to keep the altitude and circle, as uniform as possible. Next,

practice flying counter-clockwise direction.

Fly figure-8 patterns while experimenting with different orientations.

For example, camera pointed towards direction or opposite/ left/

right the direction of travel, etc. Try to keep the altitude and circle, as

uniform as possible.

8

9
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5.0 PRACTICE EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

5.1 Fail-Safe “Return to Home” Mode

	 • 	Scout for a large open area.

	 • 	Before taking off, make sure your AD1 has a full GPS lock

	 (flashing green LED lights).

	 •	 Fly the AD1 at least 50 feet away from take off point.

	 •	 Toggle the top right “SG” Fail-Safe RTH switch towards you.

	 • 	The AD1 will enter its Fail-Safe RTH Mode - it will rise/descend to

	 programmed altitude, and will return to it’s original take off point.

5.2 Intercepting Fail-Safe “Return to Home” Mode

	•	 If the AD1 loses radio signal, the AD1 will automatically enter its Fail-Safe function 

until radio signal is attained or reaches its point of origin.

• 	When you can see the AD1 returning and it is safe again to pilot the AD1, you can

intercept the “RTH” Mode by switching off the “SG” switch (toggle away from you).

 “SG” Switch

Fail-Safe

RTH Mode
ActionDrone, Inc. – All Rights Reserved | 14

6.0 INFORMATION AND SUPPORT

6.1 Resources

For more details regarding the information and use of provided equipment, please consult

the printed supplemental documentation provided with your AD1 quadcopter.

YouTube

Useful How To videos are available on our YouTube channel:

www.youtube.com/user/ActionDroneUSA1/videos

Facebook Community

For Q/A or to interact with fellow AD1 enthusiasts, join our official Facebook Group Page:

www.facebook.com/groups/ActionDroneTeam

Email Support

However if further assistance and information is required regarding the use of your AD1,

please contact support@actiondroneusa.com

6.2 Terms & Conditions

By using this product, it’s website and/or products manufactured by Action Drone, Inc., you automatically agree to the terms and policies laid out 

herein, this Quick Start Guide, and all other revised versions set forth. 

GENERAL | Action Drone USA sells multi-rotor platforms, components, and a variety of products made by manufacturers. Action Drone USA requires 

the Purchaser to be familiar with the proper use of multi-rotor technologies. All products are sold as is, without any guarantee that you have the 

right to use it in your country. The Purchaser is fully responsible for ensuring and obtaining the proper radio licensing (in the USA, “HAM” required 

for FPV and/or UHF long range systems or video transmission equipment), adhering to your government’s rules and regulations.

LIABILITY | Action Drone USA will not be held responsible for your actions, injuries, or damages caused by or through any products sold or endorsed 

on this website, by improper or even proper use, under any circumstance whatsoever. Action Drone USA flying platforms and products are for 

recreational and personal video use only.

SAFETY | The Purchaser acknowledges full understanding of the inherent danger involved when operating multi-rotor and other aerial models. 

Spinning propellers can cause severe injury. Warning: Never work on your models with mounted propellers.

WARRANTIES | Action Drone USA provides no warranties of any kind with the use of the systems sold.

LIABILITY | Action Drone USA will not be held responsible for your actions, injuries, or damages caused by or through any products sold or endorsed 

on this website, by improper or even proper use, under any circumstance whatsoever.

SHIPPING | The Purchaser must accept all Mail Carriers used by Action Drone USA (USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc). Each product is carefully packaged 

to prevent shipping damage. Action Drone USA has no control over the internal processes, delays of Mail Carriers, nor will be held liable for any 

damages, mistakes, custom holds, lost packages, or other issues made by the Mail Carriers or the local postal system in your country. For orders 

shipped outside USA, you are fully responsible for any and all import duties your local customs office may impose on your order. If a package is 

returned to Action Drone USA due to the Mail Carrier’s inability to collect customs duties or deliver the package to your provided ship-to address, 

Action Drone USA will not refund shipping costs when and if the package is returned to Action Drone USA.

RETURNS | Each assembled Flying Platform is flight tested and approved. Action Drone USA will only accept returns for items unused and in their 

original packaging, manuals, cables, etc. A 10% restocking fee will be required. The Purchaser is responsible for shipping fees and items packaged 

must be protected with packaging that prevents shipping damage. It may take up to 2-3 weeks for funds to be refunded into the Purchaser’s bank.

If the item is repairable, Action Drone USA can assist in walk-through repair recommendations via phone or email, but will not be responsible for any 

damages further caused by the Purchaser or Mail Carrier. Action Drone USA can repair the items for a negotiable fee. The Purchaser will responsible 

for all shipping fees.

 

IN NO EVENT SHALL ACTION DRONE USA BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RELATED TO THE 

USE OF PRODUCTS SOLD. INDEMNITy: PURCHASER SHALL INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS ACTION DRONE USA, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, 

AGENTS, REPRESENTATIVES, MANUFACTURERS, VENDORS AND EMPLOYEES FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, LIABILITIES, DAMAGES, AND 

EXPENSES (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS FEES ACTUALLY INCURRED) ON ACCOUNT OF DEATH OR INJURY TO ANY PERSON OR DAMAGE TO ANY 

PROPERTY ARISING FROM OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY GOODS SUPPLIED. THIS INDEMNITY SHALL APPLY WITHOUT REGARD TO WHETHER 

THE CLAIM, DAMAGE, LIABILITY OR EXPENSE IS BASED ON BREACH OF CONTRACT, BREACH OF WARRANTY, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, OR 

OTHER TORT.