Aeroma ~ - Aeromapper UAV Manual - www_aeromao.cors3 

AEROMAPPER 300 USER MANUAL 

Version 3. 

Change log: 

- New recovery procedure 

- Updated pre-flight checklist 

- Miscellaneous updates 

- More details on the Flight Modes 

Congratulations for choosing the Aeromapper 300 as your mapping and multipurpose 

unmanned system! 

NOTICE: all instructions and other collateral documents are subject to change at the sole 

discretion of Aeromao and its partners. For up to date literature email us at info:aaeromao.com. 

WARNING: read the ENTIRE instruction manual and its collateral documents to become familiar 

with the features of the product before operating. Failure to understand & operate the product 

correctly can result in damage to the product, damage to property or cause serious injury! 

This Manual will guide you through the process of familiarization with the aircraft and the 

autopilot. Please note you'II require and internet connection while reading this manual. 

First, a few facts to get familiar with the Aeromapper 300; 

- The Aeromapper 300 comes comes with the ArduPilot Mega V2.6 (APM 2.6) installed and 

preset. For basic information on the latest APM and for future reference, the following links 

contains all the information you will need regarding the autopilot: 

http: (lplane.ardupilot.coml 

This Manual will guide you through the process of familiarization with the aircraft and the 

autopilot. Please note you'II require and internet connection while reading this manual. 

- The Aeromapper 300 is setup so that two batteries can be connected in parallel to power up 

both motor and avionics. Two 6s 4500 mAh can be plugged in parallel for a total of 90-100 mins 

of flight endurance. 
Ae roma 

Aeromapper UAV Manual - www.aeromao.c oraa 

- The Aeromapper 300 comes with it's parameters and gains already set from factory to fly 

perfectly well. DO NOT change any parameter unless you know exactly what you are doing or 

unless an update is being sent by Aeromao Inc. 

- Batteries provided, if included on your order, require charging prior to use. Please refer to the 

battery section on this manual, below. 

- Your RC transmitter is already preset and has 5 different flight modes configured with the 

autopilot. Camera control and parachute are bypassed from the autopilot so are not autopilot 

commanded. More details will be explained further. ALWAYS power up the system with the 

transmitter set in MANUAL mode, and start by powering up the transmitter first, 

airplane second! To power ofP, reverse this order (Airplane first, then transmitter). 

- You can nudge the plane at any moment and in any flight mode during flight. So ultimately 

the human pilot has always some degree of control over the airplane. Although some RC 

experience will help, it is not strictly necessary to fly the UAV. During autonomous flight, don't 

move the sticks unless you need to and know what you are doing. 

- The Aeromapper Talon tolerates winds of up to 22 km/h maximum. We don't recommend 

attempting to fly in stronger winds. 

- The Specktrum DX8 transmitter has been labeled for quick familiarization with the switches. 

Please get familiar with them. 

-WARNING: The UAV is equipped with a servo operated lens cover door on the bottom of the 

fuselage. This protective cover is automatically operated via the mission script. It is - 

extremely important that this servo is able to move freely AT ALL TIMES after power has been 

connected to the UAV. Every time power is applied the door will move to its center position 

automatically. For that, always lift the UAV a bit when connecting power to it or when 

activating the switch to open-close. Stalling the servo may cause it to fail, and a potential 

short circuit may occur, cutting off power to the entire system. 

- VLlARNING: When powering up the system always do so WITHOUT the propeller mounted on 

the motor! Only install the prop after you are familiar with the system, its flight modes and 

overall operation and just before takeoff. Not doing so can result in serious injury. 

- IMPORTANT: Battery charging and care of Lipo batteries: 

- NEVER charge the batteries while mounted on the aircraft. Remove them for charging. 

- To learn how to use the battery charger: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvr-25yGeVk&feature=related 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8lNTKtf2vw 

To monitor the battery voltage (important: don't let the voltage go below 3.OV per cell 

!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMav-si9ZPY&feature=related 

WARNING: Lipo batteries can be dangerous! PLEASE READ COMPLETELY THE GUIDE 

OF HOW TO PROPERLY CHARGE AND CARE LIPO BATTERIES LOCATED AT THE END OF 

THIS MANUAL! 
A eroma 

Aeromapper UAV Manual - www.aeromao.corrs 

First, install Mission Planner on your computer 

You need to install the latest SAFEST version tested for the Aeromappers. For this go to our 

website - Resources page and see what is the current safest & tested version we use for the 

Aeromappers: 

http://www.aeromao.com/resources 

Now, from the following link, scroll down until you find the same Mission Planner version and 

click in the .msi link to download it: 

http://firmware.diydrones.com/Tools/MissionPlanneri 

When the Mission Planner starts it may ask you if you want to upgrade to a newer version if its 

available. Before upgrading, ALWAYS double check our page of Resources to see if the newest 

version has been already tested by us and is safe. We don't recommend upgrading to a newer 

version if we haven't tested it yet. 

The mission planner version is shown in the..upper left corner: 

Airplane assembly: 

Install the wings: Insert the wings with the carbon fiber spar provided and connect the 

cables. Use duct tape or hockey tape when temperature is below 10 degrees C to keep them 

in place. 

WARNING: Be extremely careful when passing the carbon fiber wing spar through the fuselage 

from one side to the other. Make sure there are no cables in its way, otherwise it can 
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accidentally cut or damage the cables. Since the cables are inside the fuselage this won't be 

easy to spot and you may realize that a cable has been cut only when a servo fails! 

When installed, the wings should look like this: 

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Installing tail surfaces: 

Follow the link to the video below to see how to install and remove the V tail surfaces. 

Pease remember to secure the surfaces with tape before flight, just like the wings do. 

Always check the aluminum surface horns, make sure they are not loose or bent. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDB55k7cqvI&feature=youtu.be 

Installing and connecting the batteries: 

Start by removing the front cover to access the battery tray. Remove the three thumb screws. 

While connecting the batteries leave the plane motionless on the ground, I e a v i n g t h e 

lens cover door free to move. 

Make sure the front Velcro strap passes between the cables and batteries are pushed back to 

the stopper. They should be tight and firmly held. 
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Make sure they are very well secure with the velcro straps: 

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Make sure the back portion of the batteries rest entirely in the rear velcro strap! (yellow in this 

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Aeroma pper UAV Manual - www.aerrsmao.corn 

After this, put back the frontal cover and secure with the nylon knob screws: 

Checking for proper flight control surface alignment: 

When the system is powered up and the remote control is in Manual the ailerons should stay 

Imm to 1.5mm HIGHER than the flaps as show on the picture. 
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The flaps are meant to be 2mm down, permanently. They are not servo operated: 

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V-tail: 

When the UAV is powered and elevators installed and connected, both elevators should be 

NEUTRAL or a maximum of 0.5 mm UP measured at the tip, with the DX8 in manual mode, trims 

and sticks neutral (including rudder stick) as shown in the picture: 
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Agroma 

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Anything that does not match with these theresolds must be corrected before flight. 

How to use the DX8 transmitter and long range system: 

The amazing Dragon Link 433 Mhz Long Range system comes installed, tuned and preset on 

your Aeromapper UAV if it was added on your order. 

To properly turn the system ON just connect first the 3.5 mm plug into the back of the 

transmitter, with the transmitter turned OFF (on its frontal siwtch). Once you plug in the jack, it 

should turn on in SLAVE mode. Always before every flight session, ensure the battery of your 

transmitter is fully charged and keep monitoring it. You don't want to run out battery on your 

transmitter during the middle of a flight! Please note you have two batteries on your control 

system, the Dragon Link battery and the transmitter battery. Make sure both are fully charged 

prior to use. 

Then, plug the Dragon Link battery to the Dragon Link module. The status LED should turn and 

keep green. Never turn on the transmitter module without the antenna connected! 

DO NOT FLY if you suspect the system has been powered without the antenna even for a few 

seconds. You may realize only during flight that your range has been seriously shortened. 
Ae roma 

Aeromapper UAV Manual - www.aerarnao.c om 

IMPORTANT: The Dragon Link transmitter module has a red button on top of it. Make sure it 

is not nressed accidentalv! Pressing it for more than 2 seconds while the system is on will 

re-set the failsafe, which has been properly set from factory. 

Always remember when finishing using the long range system to disconnect the battery AND 

the 3.5mm jack from behind the transmitter. 

The receiver antenna goes from the payload bay module down to the vertical stabilizer of the 

UAV. The piece of wire that hangs from it must be left hanging and not be cut or taped to the 

UAV. 
Agromao,l 

~ - Aeromapper UAV Manual - www.aerorrta~a.cor~ 

I 'ING: Do not turn on your Dragon Link transmitter without the antenna attached, this 

can burn out the transmitter. Also NEVER over-tighten the Dragon Links antenna on its 

connector. Tightening it more will not improve performance, and only damage it over time. 

Powering up the system 

Power up first the DX8 and Dragonlink, then connect one or two batteries inside the UAV, 

connect the Ground Telemetry Module to the computer (via USB port) and in the Mission 

Planner select the COM port it is being assigned to (you can see this on the Control Panel or 

wait until Mission Planner recognize it automatically after a few minutes) and select 56700 as 

the baud rate. Click on "connect" and you should have a wireless link with the Mission Planner. 

When connecting the avionics battery leave the plane motionless for the first 30-40 seconds, 

while the autopilot sets and calibrates the gyros and interna) sensors. 

Telemetry 

To get the maximum range the antennas on the ground telemetry radio should be set at 90 

degrees. Also, try to locate the ground radio high from the ground (a tripod and USB extension 

cable comes handy). 
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~ - Aeromapper UAV Manual - www. aeromao.com 

Failsafe: 

The Failsafe has been preset for you. If the aircraft looses RC link with your transmitter it will 

automatically switch to RTL mode (Return to Launch location = HOME, which you will have to 

set on the Mission Planner later on). 

We'II go through how to set home location later, when learning to create a flight mission. 

You can trigger a failsafe by: 

- removing power from the Dragonlink transmitter or DX8 

- Breaking the connection between Dragonlink and DX8 (disconnecting the jack) 

- Switching "on" the DX8 while the Dragonlink is still connected 

How to setup the battery voltage on Mission Planner: 

Use the included Lipo battery volt meter to check the voltage of the batteries: 

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Now double click on the checkbox "MP alert on Low Battery" and select the thresholds for 

minimum battery voltage and percentage remaining on battery. The Mission Planner will alert 

every time these levels are reached. Follow the following video link as an example: 

For the Aeromapper 300 with 6s batteries (22V of nominal capacity) the minimum battery 

voltage should be 22V. When the batteries reach this level you have only about 2 minutes or 

less of battery for flying. You should land immediately. 

NEVER trust the percentage! This value can be interpreted erroneously by the Mission Planner.. 

During flight keep monitoring the battery voltage continuously. Remember, the critical voltage 

is 22V. 

The battery voltage entered is displayed in the Flight Data window of Mission Planner. Make sure 

it matches the values entered. 
Agroma 

Aeromapper UAV Manual - 

- How to pack the parachute: 

Here is a VIDEO on how to pack the parachute properly 

http: //www.youtube.com/"watch?v=PBNiODA7BmA 

First lay the parachute flat and open up all the gores. Keep the lines parallel together. 

Next, roll one side toward the center. 
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Press firmly to deflate as much as possible. 

It should be looking like this. Keep pressing firmly. 
Aeroma 

Aeromapper UAV Manual - www.aervmac~ .com 

Try to press firmly, slowly squeezing out.as much air as possible. 

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Now start rolling the lines around it. Keep it tight. 
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Roll the lines and all its length. 

: roll the parachute wrap on the lines, NOT the lines around the parachute! 

This distinction is very important to avoid twisting the lines. 

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Keep it tight and don't allow any portion of the lines to come loose on the sides. If this happens 

repeat the wrapping from cero. It should look something like this. 

Now install it inside the plane. 
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When you are sure it is properly installed, put the cap and run the lines through the orifice on 

the upper part of the door. Hold it tight with one hand so that when you activate the switch 

on the remote the servo head doesn't get stuck against the unclosed door. The servo needs 

to be able to rotate freely. 

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While holding the parachute cover door move up the switch on your remote so the servo head 

keeps the cover closed. 

To release, you must hold down the parachute release switch for at least 1 second. 
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Finally, this is how the outer portion of the parachute lines should look like. 

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Flight Modes 

http://plane.ardupilot.com/wiki/

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flying/flight-modes/ 

The following chart illustrates the Flight Modes already preset in your Aeromapper UAV: 

FLIGHT MODE GEAR SWITCH POSITION MODE DETAILS 

SWITCH 

POSITION (on transmitter) 

(on transmitter) 

0 0 MANUAL Used for start up of the system or during pre-Flight checks 

1 0 sTABILIZE Aircraft levels wings and fuselage. Used mostly during pre-Flight 

checks or for manual Flight of the aircraft provided human pilot 

has RC flying skills. Used when aircraft is to be belly landed. 

VrWcP::NG: if selecting STABILIZE mode during Flight the 

aircraft may stall if speed (throttle) is not adequately 

managed by human pilot. Always use some throttle when 

switching to this flight mode. 

2 0 RTL UAV automatically returns to home location and loiters 

indefinitely at the altitude it was when RTL mode was selected 

0 1 LOITER UAV starts to loiter in circles to the right 

1 1 LOITER UAV starts to loiter in circles to the right 

2 1 AUTO UAV executes the mission from beginning or from the portion is 

still pending to be finished 

WAR1VING: if selecting STABILIZE mode during flight the aircraft may stall if speed (throttle) is 

not adequately managed by human pilot. Always use some throttle when switching to this 

flight mode. 
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Aeromapper UAV Manual - ~ ~n?~ _.a_erc~~ aca..cqrLs 

Remember you can see what flight mode is being selected on the UAV by looking at the 

Flight Data window on the Mission Planner. 

It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that the user memorizes the flight modes to be able to switch 

without hesitation from one to another during flight in case it is required. 

One easy way to remember the flight modes switch combination of the most important modes 

used: 

- Switches away from you: MANUAL 

- Switches toward you (opposite of MANUAL): AUTO 

- Switches away from each other: RTL 

These are the combinations you will likely use more often during flight. 

Here is a video of this: https:%/Wwlv.youtube.com/watch?v=YEOofIeB9(8 

Compass calibration (necessary when flying at a new geographical location other than 

~ Canada) 

It may be necessary to re-calibrate the compass when flying on a new Geographical location 

different from Ontario, Canada. Proceed as follows: 

-Power up the remote control and plane. No wings or horizontal stabilized. Take it outdoor (GPS 

fix is necessary). 

-Connect to Mission Planner and go to Initial Setup - Mandatory Hardware - Compass 

- Make sure "Enable" and "Auto Dec Declination" boxes are checked. 

- Select APM with external compass 
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- Select ROTATION ROLL 180 

- Lastly, assuming you have GPS reception and airplane is outdoors, click on Live Calibration 

When click in OK when prompted, move the airplane around every axis, as shown on this 

video: 

httips://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftswlyEibL.c&3F_~itE~fr~~-voLitu _!D__ 

Mission Planner settings