3D R IRIS-M Pro User manual

Operation Manual
Read before
flying!
IMPORTANT

Contents
01 Meet IRIS-M
03 Parts
04 Charging the Battery
05 Battery Safety
06 Attaching Propellers
07 Camera Operation
07 DroneDeploy Account Setup
08 Safety
10 Quickstart: 1-Click Map
12 Learning More about DroneDeploy
13 Manual Flight
16 Modes
18 Return to Launch
18 Controller Flight Data
19 Manual Flight Procedure
24 Camera Setup
25 Specifications and Resources
26 Learn More and Support

01
Thank you for purchasing IRIS-MPro.
IRIS-MPro is a professional aerial survey platform powered by 3DR
autonomous technology and DroneDeploy mapping software.
Please read this manual carefully before your first flight and pay
close attention to safety information.
Happy flying!
Meet IRIS-MPro

02
Front
Rear
Status LED
Battery
compartment
USB port
Front arms
(blue)
Safety button
(safety switch)
Rear arms
(black)
DroneDeploy
CoPilot
Gimbal

03
Parts
Controller
Your direct link to IRIS-M
Ground station radio
with USB and Android adapters
Battery kit
Three batteries, guard bag, and charger
with international travel adapters
Propellers and tool kit
Four propellers and four spares with propeller
tool and small, medium, and large hex keys
(1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, and 3 mm)
Tablet
Verizon®Ellipsis 7
Camera
GoPro® HERO4 Silver
Spare short legs
for lightweight flying without gimbal
IRIS-M quadcopter
with Tarot Gimbal

04
Charging the Battery
IRIS-M includes three rechargeable lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries. Store
the batteries at half charge then charge fully before flying.
Batteries ship at half charge, so please charge before your first flight.
Each full battery provides up to 10 minutes of flight time.*
Connect charger to the
power adapter cable and
a wall outlet.
Connect the red cable to the
+ port and the black cable
to the - port.
Set the charger to
LiPo and 3A.
Connect the white
connector to the 3S port.
Join the two yellow
connectors together.
1
2
+
–
LiPo 3A
3S
3

05
Battery Safety
Secure battery inside the guard bag
while charging. Charge until the status
indicator displays green.
Charging Complete
4
Protect the batteries from extreme heat, extreme cold, puncturing,
and flammable surfaces. Always charge the batteries in the guard
bag.
Charge the batteries using the designated LiPo balance charger
only. Always monitor the battery while charging.
Flying with a low battery is a safety risk and can render the batteries
unusable. Always discontinue use when you receive a low battery
notification, and always fly with a fully charged battery.
Inspect the battery for damage before takeo and after landing.
If you observe any swelling of the package or the battery ceases
to function, do not use the battery. Locate your local battery
recycling center to dispose of the battery. In the US and Canada,
visit call2recycle.org to find a location. Do not dispose of the
battery in the trash.
*Flight time varies with payload, wind conditions, elevation,
temperature, humidity, flying style, and pilot skill. See the Flight
Checklist for instructions on managing battery levels during flight.

06
IRIS-M uses four propellers: two with black nuts and two with silver
nuts. Attach the propellers with black nuts to the motors with black tops
and the propellers with silver nuts to the motors with silver tops.
Attaching Propellers
For propellers with black nuts:
Spin clockwise to attach.
Spin counterclockwise
to remove.
For propellers with silver nuts:
Spin counterclockwise
to attach.
Spin clockwise to
remove.
Each propeller has locking and unlocking direction symbols. To attach, spin
the propeller in the direction of the locking symbol. The propellers will
automatically tighten onto the motors before takeoff.
To remove, hold the motor in place with
the propeller tool, and spin the propeller
in the direction of the unlocking symbol.

07
Camera Operation
To power on the camera, press
and hold the power button on the
front of the camera until it triple-
beeps, flashes red and displays
the startup screen.
To enable the camera’s WiFi, hold the button with the wrench icon on
the side of the camera until the WiFi icon appears on the display. This
indicates that the camera’s WiFi is active.
1
2
Before creating a map, power on the camera and enable the WiFi. The
camera’s WiFi allows it to communicate with the CoPilot during flight.
DroneDeploy Account Setup
Power on the tablet and select the DroneDeploy icon on the main home screen.
Select “Not signed up yet” and create an account. Enter the DroneDeploy acti-
vation code included with your IRIS-M.
Retrieve the confirmation link from your email to activate your account and set
your password. Once you’re inside the DroneDeploy dashboard, take the tour
and get to know DroneDeploy.
Hold to power
Hold to enable WiFi
Charge the tablet fully before your first flight.
DroneDeploy Sign in/Sign up DroneDeploy Dashboard

08
Familiarize yourself with these safety instructions before your first flight.
Safety
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)
visual line
of sight 400 ft
(120 m)
100 ft (30 m)
5 miles (8 km)
visual line
of sight
400 ft
(120 m)
100 ft (30 m) 5 miles (8 km)
visual line
of sight
400 ft
(120 m)
100 ft (30 m) 5 miles (8 km)
visual line
of sight 400 ft
(120 m)
100 ft (30 m) 5 miles (8 km)
Power Management
Environmental conditions, payload, and flying style can
affect power consumption. Use the DroneDeploy flight
data display to monitor the battery voltage during flight.
If the battery reaches 25%, IRIS-M lands automatically at
the current position, indicated by a blinking yellow status
LED and a quick repeating tone. If IRIS-M reaches the
low battery limit during a mission, it returns to the launch
point before landing.
Injury Prevention
IRIS-M has powerful motors and high-speed propellers. Never
place your hands near propellers while IRIS-M is armed or the
safety button displays solid red. Always press the safety button
until it displays blinking red before handling the copter. Always
follow the preflight and postflight steps in the order described
in this manual, and remain attentive at all times while flying.
Environmental Awareness
Don’t fly in low light, high winds, rain, or other conditions that might impede
visibility. Before you fly, assess the features of your flying area. Determine
the boundaries of the safe flying area, and be prepared to recover the copter
manually if it goes outside this area. Be aware of any risks at your location,
including bodies of water, structures, trees, etc. Designate a few areas as safety
zones where you can safely land the copter in case of an unsafe situation.
Location
Always fly in an open area away from
people and buildings; do not attempt to
fly indoors or in a confined space. Do not
fly over people, near airports, or in any
situation that could pose a hazard to those
around you. Always fly within your line
of sight and in compliance with local
regulations. IRIS-M does not avoid
obstacles on its own. As the operator,
it is your job to recognize and avoid
obstructions while flying.

09
RC Signal Management
Always use the controller as a primary or backup control system when flying.
Ensure that the controller is turned on any time IRIS-M is powered. Flying
behind solid objects, like buildings and trees, blocks radio signals. Always
maintain visual contact with the copter to ensure that the radio signal is
unobstructed. Radio towers, cell phone towers, and nearby WiFi signals can
also cause interference with the radio system and decrease its range. Avoid
flying in populated areas to avoid sources of interference. If contact with the
controller is lost during manual flight, IRIS-M returns to the launch point
automatically. (See page 18 for more information about RTL.) If the controller
signal is lost during a mission, IRIS-M continues with the mission.
GPS Management
IRIS-M requires an active GPS signal for AUTO (missions), LTR, and RTL. If
IRIS-M loses GPS signal in flight, it lands at the current position, indicated by a
blinking blue and yellow LED with a high-high-high-low tone. Always choose
an unobstructed flying area to improve GPS signal strength.
Safety (cont.)
visual line
of sight 400 ft
(120 m)
100 ft (30 m) 5 miles (8 km)
visual line
of sight 400 ft
(120 m)
100 ft (30 m) 5 miles (8 km)
400 ft
(120 m)
Emergency Recall
If IRIS-M moves outside your designated flying area or displays instability in
flight, initiate a recall command by selecting RTL or land using the controller.
See pages 17 and 18 for more information on these commands.
Regaining Manual Control
Always be prepared to regain manual control of IRIS-M at any time while flying
in AUTO mode. To switch to manual control during a mission, switch the mode
on the controller from AUTO to LTR (recommended) or STD mode. See page
13 for manual fight control instructions.

10
Quickstart: 1-Click Map
Choose your Location
1
Before you start, make sure:
- You have one fully charged battery. (See page 4.)
- You’ve attached the propellers to IRIS-M. (See page 6.)
- The camera is powered and the WiFi is turned on. (See page 7.)
- You’ve created a DroneDeploy account, logged in, and familiarized yourself
with the DroneDeploy app. (See page 7.)
- You’ve reviewed the safety information on pages 8 and 9, and the
environmental conditions at your mapping location are suitable for flight.
2
The 1-click map covers a 10-acre square area around the launch point at an altitude
of 328 feet (100 meters). Launch IRIS-M from the center of the 10-acre area you
want to map, and ensure that there are no obstacles above 300 feet.
Power IRIS-M
Press the sides
of the battery
compartment
together and
rotate the door
down.
Squeeze the door, and
rotate up until it clicks
into place. Ensure that
the battery cables do not
interfere with the LED
cables.
Insert battery, and
attach the yellow
connectors.
If you see a flashing yellow status LED, it’s likely that the sensors did not calibrate correctly during
startup. Re-connect the battery and keep IRIS-M absolutely still and level during the blue-and-red
LED indicator.
Power on the
controller.
Stabalize
Altitude Hold
Loiter
Full Autonomy
Return to Launch
Set the controller
to AUTO mode.
Wait 10 seconds before
closing the battery door or
moving IRIS-M at all while
the internal sensors
calibrate and the status
LED shows blue and red.

11
3Set Camera to Face Down
Turn the tilt knob fully to the left
to tilt the camera straight down.
4Start Mission
When powered, IRIS-M and DroneDeploy
CoPilot automatically connect to your
DroneDeploy dashboard. On your
dashboard, select 1-Click Map to start
the mapping mission. DroneDeploy Dashboard
Mission Pre-Flight Checks
Now you’re ready to fly!
Stand back and select “Auto Launch”
from your DroneDeploy dashboard.
Do not touch the gimbal while it is starting up. Ensure that the camera
is powered on with the WiFi enabled. (See page 7 for instructions.)
DroneDeploy automatically runs the pre-flight checklist. When all the checks are
passed, press and hold the safety button on the IRIS-M until it displays solid red. The
DroneDeploy pre-flight check reminds you to press the safety button before takeo.

12
Learn More about DroneDeploy
5See Map
Monitor the mission using the DroneDeploy dashboard. As the IRIS-M captures
images, DroneDeploy overlays the map onto the satellite image as it processes.
After landing, press and hold
the safety button until it
displays blinking red before
picking up IRIS-M.
In addition to the 1-click map, Drone-
Deploy lets you create custom planned
maps using the Ortho Map and
Custom Map options. You can also
create NDVI maps, 3D models, and
digital elevation models. To learn
more about DroneDeploy, visit the
Documentation link by selecting the
menu icon on the dashboard.
When the map is completely processed, select the Map button next to
your flight from the main dashboard to view the completed map.
Mission Imagery View
DroneDeploy Dashboard
DroneDeploy Menu
View map

13
Maneuver IRIS-M in flight
using the controller sticks.
left stick:
throttle
& yaw
right stick:
pitch
& roll
Left Stick
Left Stick
Lower 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 up and down to control altitude.
Throttle
Manual Flight
Set the throttle stick
fully down to land
once IRIS-M is a few
inches above the
ground.
Left Stick
To take off and to
gain altitude, raise the
throttle stick slightly
above center position.
Left Stick
Left Stick

14
Flight Tip
When adjusting orientation, move the left stick horizontally without changing its
vertical position.
Activate
Hold until propellers
start spinning.
Take-off + Lift
Raise just slightly
for take off
Hover + Land
Lower just slightly
to hover
Left Yaw
Left
Back
Forward
Right
Right Yaw
Deactivate
Hold until propellers
stop spinning
Activate
Hold until propellers
start spinning.
Take-off + Lift
Raise just slightly
for take off
Hover + Land
Lower just slightly
to hover
Left Yaw
Left
Back
Forward
Right
Right Yaw
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 IRIS-M 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.
Yaw
Left Stick

15
Activate
Hold until propellers
start spinning.
Take-off + Lift
Raise just slightly
for take off
Hover + Land
Lower just slightly
to hover
Left Yaw
Left
Back
Forward
Right
Right Yaw
Deactivate
Hold until propellers
stop spinning
Activate
Hold until propellers
start spinning.
Take-off + Lift
Raise just slightly
for take off
Hover + Land
Lower just slightly
to hover
Left Yaw
Left
Back
Forward
Right
Right Yaw
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 IRIS’ position in the air. Move the right
stick to tell IRIS-M 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 IRIS-M how fast to move.
Pitch and Roll
Activate
Hold until propellers
start spinning.
Take-off + Lift
Raise just slightly
for take off
Hover + Land
Lower just slightly
to hover
Left Yaw
Left
Back
Forward
Right
Right Yaw
Deactivate
Hold until propellers
stop spinning
Activate
Hold until propellers
start spinning.
Take-off + Lift
Raise just slightly
for take off
Hover + Land
Lower just slightly
to hover
Left Yaw
Left
Back
Forward
Right
Right Yaw
Deactivate
Hold until propellers
stop spinning
Move the right
stick left to fly
left.
Move the right
stick right to fly
right.
Flight Tip
IRIS-M moves according to its orientation. The blue arms and white lights face
forward, and the black arms and red lights face backward. Before using the right
stick, use yaw to keep IRIS-M facing in outward orientation so that the black arms
face towards you and the blue arms face away from you.

16
Standard (altitude hold mode)
STD
fly manually
Start your flight in standard to select altitude hold
mode, and fly IRIS-M manually using the controller.
Loiter mode
LTR
hover
Select loiter to set IRIS-M to hover in place automatically. Use the
controller to adjust IRIS’ 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.
Modes
Stabalize
Altitude Hold
Loiter
Full Autonomy
Return to Launch
Stabalize
Altitude Hold
Loiter
Full Autonomy
Return to Launch
mode switch
IRIS-M 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.
Advanced Operator Note: If you choose to modify the flight mode configuration to
include Stabilize mode, please fly only with the provided set of tall legs. Flying in Stabilize
with short legs can cause vibrations that may interfere with autopilot calculations and
produce unexpected behavior.

17
Auto mode
AUTO
fly a mission
Select auto mode to fly an autonomous mission. IRIS-M will
automatically fly the series of waypoints saved to the autopilot.
Select AUTO mode to fly a DroneDeploy mapping mission.
Stabalize
Altitude Hold
Loiter
Full Autonomy
Return to Launch
Gimbal control
TILT
tilt the camera up and down
Use the TILT knob to control the angle of the camera in flight.
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 IRIS-M at its
current position. Once you activate land, set the throttle stick fully
down, and IRIS-M will automatically disarm after landing. IRIS-M
will 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 IRIS’ position.

18
land at the launch point
Set the RTL switch to ON to end your flight and return
IRIS-M to the launch point automatically. Ensure that
the RTL switch is set to OFF before takeoff.
RTL returns IRIS-M to the location where IRIS-M was armed.
Always arm IRIS-M in a safe, unobstructed launch point.
When commanded to RTL, IRIS-M will:
1 Achieve minimum altitude of 15 m (50 ft)
or maintain current altitude if above 15 m.
2 Move to launch point and loiter for 5 seconds.
3 Land at launch point. launch point
15 meters
12
3
hover 5 seconds
Stabalize
Altitude Hold
Loiter
Full Autonomy
Return to Launch
Return to Launch (RTL)
Reposition during landing: During landing, use the
right stick on the controller to adjust IRIS’ position.