3D Robotics RTF-Y6 User manual

Y6
Unfold arms and legs1
travel position
Remove the bolts and thumb nuts outside the blue arms. Rotate
the blue arms into position, insert the bolts through the plates and
the arms, and secure the arms in place with the thumb nuts.
Rotate the legs into place and secure through the
inner hole with the provided bolt and nut.
remove
secure with bolts
flight position
rear arm
(black)
front arms
(blue)
slide arms into position
flight positiontravel position

SF
SFP
+
–
Attach propellers2
Remove the rings from the propeller
packages. Select the ring with the
smaller internal diameter, and insert
it into the back of the propeller hub.
Remove the nuts and washers from the
motors. Add SFP propellers to top
motors and SF propellers to bottom
motors with the writing on the
propellers facing towards the sky.
Charge battery3
Place the washer over the propeller, and
secure the nut tightly on top. Always
ensure that the propellers are fastened
tightly to the motors before flying.
LiPo 3A
Connect the 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.
red
black
SF
SFP
SF
SFP

4S
Charging Complete
Connect the white connector to
the 4S port. Join the two yellow
connectors together.
Secure battery inside the guard
bag while charging. Charge until
the status indicator displays green.
red green
guard bag
Protect battery from extreme heat, extreme cold, puncturing,
and flammable surfaces. Always transport, charge, and store
battery in the guard bag.
Charge battery using a designated LiPo balance charger only.
Always monitor battery while charging.
Flying with a low battery is a safety risk and can render battery
unusable. Always discontinue use when you receive a low
battery notification, and always fly with a fully charged battery.
Inspect battery for damage before takeo and after landing.
If you observe any swelling of the package or battery ceases
to function, locate your local battery recycling center to dispose
of battery. In the US and Canada, visit call2recycle.org to
find a location. Do not dispose of battery in the trash.
!Battery safety

Flight modes4
If you did not order
an RC transmitter
with your copter,
visit 3dr.com/learn
for instructions.
GPS
X
Spektrum FlySky
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
Your copter’s flight modes determine how it will behave in
the air. Select a flight mode using the two-position switch
and the three-position switch on the RC transmitter.
The three-position switch has the available positions forward (away
from you), center, and back (towards you). The two-position switch
has the available positions forward and back. Both switches must be
set to the correct position to select a mode.
three-position
switch
two-position
switch
three-position
switch
two-position
switch
Stabilize mode
Stabilize is your copter’s manual flight mode. It
allows full manual control of altitude, position,
and orientation without autopilot assistance.
Use stabilize for acrobatic flying and to recover
your copter.
Loiter mode
In loiter, the autopilot automatically controls
altitude, position, and orientation. Just release
the sticks and the copter will hover in place.
Loiter is the easiest way to fly.
position of switch:
forward/forward
forward/back
no GPS lock required
position of switch:
center/forward
GPS lock required
before takeo
GPS
GPS
X
position of switch:
center/back
no GPS lock required
Altitude hold mode
Altitude hold mode maintains altitude
automatically. Set the left stick to center, and
the copter will hover at the current altitude.
Adjust altitude and orientation with the left
stick, and navigate with the right stick.

Your copter has powerful motors and high-speed propellers. Never place your hands near propellers
while the motors are armed or the safety button displays solid red. Always press and hold the safety
button until it displays blinking red before handling.
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. Your copter will not
avoid obstacles on its own. As the operator, it is your job to recognize and avoid obstructions while
flying. Always follow the preflight and postflight steps in the order described in this manual and the
flight checklist, and remain attentive at all times while flying.
Environmental factors, such as wind and GPS irregularities, can cause instability in flight. Your copter will
attempt to compensate for these factors by automatically landing if it detects an unsafe flying condition
due to loss of RC signal, loss of GPS signal, or low battery. To avoid potential hazards due to
environmental factors, identify the boundaries of your flying area before takeoff, and recover the copter
manually by switching into stabilize mode if it moves outside your designated flying area. If you observe
any inconsistent behavior, land, and consult the troubleshooting guide at 3dr.com/learn.
Always use an RC transmitter as a primary or backup control system when flying. Ensure that the
transmitter is turned on any time the copter is powered. If contact with the transmitter is lost during
flight, the copter will land and display a blinking yellow light. If the copter is more than 2 meters (6.5
feet) from the launch point, it will return to launch (RTL) before landing.
Autopilot-positioned flight modes (loiter, autonomous, and return to launch) require an active GPS
signal. If GPS signal is lost during flight, the copter will land and display a blinking blue and yellow light
with a high-high-high-low tone. Always choose an unobstructed flying area to improve signal strength.
When the battery reaches 25% of its remaining charge, the copter will land and display a blinking yellow
light with a quick repeating tone. If the copter reaches the low battery limit during a mission, it will return
to the launch point before landing.
!Flight safety
Stabalize
Altitude Hold
Loiter
Full Autonomy
Return to Launch
Stabalize
Altitude Hold
Loiter
Full Autonomy
Return to Launch
Autonomous mode
Fly a fully autonomous mission using a
computer or Android device as a ground
station. When switched into autonomous
mode, the copter will automatically perform
the mission and report data back to the
ground station.
Return to launch
Return to launch (RTL) commands the
copter to achieve a minimum altitude of 15
meters, return to the launch point, hover for
five seconds, and land. Use RTL to end your
flight automatically.
position of switch:
back/back
GPS lock required
before takeo
GPS
position of switch:
forward/back
GPS lock required
before takeo
GPS
position of switch:
forward/forward
forward/back
no GPS lock required
position of switch:
center/back
no GPS lock required

Flying5
Select an open area for flying, away from people
and buildings, and remember to bring the flight
checklist and a fully charged battery.
Follow these steps every time you fly.
Attach the battery to the underside of the
copter using the velcro straps, and join the
yellow connectors.
Determine the boundaries of your flying area
before takeoff, and select a level, unobstructed
space as a launch point. Place the copter at the
launch point with the blue arms facing away
from you, and stand back.
1Before flying, turn on your RC transmitter.
Set the left stick fully down, and select a flight
mode. Check the copter to verify that the
propellers are tight, antennas are vertical,
the GPS mast is vertical, and all components
are secure.
2
3
LED
Check Pixhawk’s LED. If you plan to fly
only in stabilize or altitude hold modes,
wait to see the blinking blue light.
If you plan to use loiter, autonomous,
return-to-launch, or other GPS-dependent
modes during your flight, wait to see the
blinking green light, indicating GPS lock,
before arming.
4
Flight Checklist
Pixhawk LED
Inactive, safe to handle
Safety Button
Active, press and hold button before handling
Low battery, automatic landing
Loss of GPS signal, automatic landing
Initializing, please wait
System error, see troubleshooting guide
Autopilot ready, no GPS
Loss of RC signal, automatic landing
Autopilot ready, GPS locked
Armed, ready to fly
Preflight
Connect battery.
2
Place copter at
launch point
with the blue
arms facing
away from you.
3
54
»Antennas vertical
»Propellers tight
»Transmitter on
»Throttle down
»Mode set
»Components secure
1Perform checks.
6
Press safety button
until solid red.
Check Pixhawk
LED for blinking
blue (no GPS) or
blinking green
(GPS lock). Hold throttle
down/right
until motors
spin.
GPS
GPS
X

To arm the motors, hold the left stick
down/right until the motors spin.
6
Control your copter in flight using the
transmitter’s left and right sticks. Use the
left stick to control throttle (power) and
yaw (rotation); use the right stick to
control roll (left and right movement) and
pitch (forward and backward movement).
Navigate by orienting the copter with the
blue arms facing forward.
7
After landing, disarm the motors by
holding the left stick down/left until
the motors stop.
8
Once the motors are disarmed, disconnect the
battery. Once the copter is powered off, turn off
the transmitter.
10
Press the safety button until it displays blinking
red to make the copter safe to handle.
9
roll
pitch
yaw
throttle
5The safety button indicates when the
copter is safe to handle. When you’re
ready to fly, press and hold the safety
button until it displays solid red. This
indicates that the copter is now active.
safety button

Happy flying!
Y6 Operation Manual V1 | ©3D Robotics, Inc. | 22 January 2014
Learning more
To learn more about the APM:Copter platform,
including adding new flight modes and flying
autonomous missions, visit copter.ardupilot.com.
Resources
Visit 3dr.com/learn for more instructions on
flying, configuring, and using a ground station
with your copter.
Support
For customer support, contact us at [e-mail]
or call our support line at [phone]
Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm, PST.