Alpha Unmanned Systems ALPHA 800 User manual

PILOT’S OPERATING HANDBOOK ALPHA 800
Alpha Unmanned Systems S.L.
Av. Fuente Nueva, 14
28703, San Sebastián de los Reyes, Madrid. SPAIN
CIF B86928009
www.alphaunmannedsystems.com
All rights reserved.
Note: All UAV Maintenance and operation documentation is designed to supplement the training given on Alpha Unmanned Systems'
comprehensive UAV Operator Course. UAV Maintenance must only be carried out by persons qualified on that Course; failure to comply may
invalidate the UAV warranty and may lead to accidents. For further information and the latest updates contact
[e-mail].
Accomplished
Revised
Approved
Cosme Arin
Alejandro Madrid
Álvaro Escarpenter
Signature
Signature
Signature
Date:
Date:
Date:
31/03/2020
31/03/2020
31/03/2020

COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
OPS-M-POH A800 V2.1
Pilot Operating Handbook
www.AlphaUnmannedSystems.com
1 of 110
Version Record
Version
Date
Description
1.0
09/01/2015
Initial Version
1.1
20/04/2015
Manual updating and rebuild
1.2
10/04/2017
ALPHA 800 and fiscal address update
1.3
31/05/2017
Fixed mistake in rotor diameter
1.4
04/12/2018
General Update with new software capabilities
1.5
24/05/2019
Manual flight limitations and disclaimer
1.6
02/08/2019
General Manual update & new GCASE included
1.7
14/10/2019
Included release to service procedure after maintenance or
storage & Annexes. Minor changes.
2.0
06/11/2019
General update with V8 software capabilities
2.1
27/03/2020
Single operator proccedure update

COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
OPS-M-POH A800 V2.1
Pilot Operating Handbook
www.AlphaUnmannedSystems.com
2 of 110
PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
OPS-M-POH A800 V2.1
Pilot Operating Handbook
www.AlphaUnmannedSystems.com
3 of 110
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 0: SYMBOLS, ABBREVIATIONS AND TERMINOLOGY ........................................................... 5
SECTION 1: GENERAL ........................................................................................................................ 7
SECTION 2: LIMITATIONS ................................................................................................................ 13
SECTION 3: EMERGENCY PROCEDURES........................................................................................... 17
SECTION 4: NORMAL PROCEDURES ................................................................................................ 35
SECTION 5: PERFORMANCE............................................................................................................. 52
SECTION 6: WEIGHT AND BALANCE ................................................................................................ 57
SECTION 7: SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................ 59
SECTION 8: SERVICE & MAINTENANCE............................................................................................ 73
SECTION 9: SUPLEMENTS................................................................................................................ 97
ANNEX 1: PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST..................................................................................................... 99
ANNEX 2: SINGLE OPERATOR PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST .................................................................... 101
ANNEX 3: RELEASE TO SERVICE PROCEDURE ................................................................................ 103

COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
OPS-M-POH A800 V2.1
Pilot Operating Handbook
www.AlphaUnmannedSystems.com
4 of 110
PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
OPS-M-POH A800 V2.1
Pilot Operating Handbook
www.AlphaUnmannedSystems.com
5 of 110
SECTION 0: SYMBOLS, ABBREVIATIONS AND TERMINOLOGY
AHRS
Attitude and Heading Reference System
ADS
Altitude Determination Sensors
AGL
Avobe Ground Level
AP
Autopilot
BWRD
Backward
BLOS
Beyond Line Of Sight
BVLOS
Beyond Visual Line Of Sight
CG
Center of Gravity
CCW
Counter Clockwise
CFRP
Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer
CHT
Cylinder Heat Temperature
CPU
Central Processing Unit
CW
Clockwise
EGT
Exit Gust Temperature
FOV
Field Of View
FWD
Forward
GCS
Ground Control Station
GDT
Ground Data Terminal
GNSS
Global Navigation Satellite System
GRP
Glass reinforced Plastic
HC
Helicopter
IAS
Indicated Air Speed
IPC
Illustrated Parts Catalog
KIAS
Indicated Air Speed in Knots
LiPo
Lithium Polymer battery
LiFe
Lithium Iron phosphate battery
LOS
Line Of Sight
LUT
Look Up Tables
MTOW
Maximum Take-off Weight
MMEL
Master Minimum Equipment List
NSEW
Nort, South, East & West
PCM
Power & Communications Module
PEP
Peak Envelope Power
PFD
Primary Flight Display
PLL
Phase Locked Loop
PTU
Pan Tilt Unit
PWM
Pulse Width Modulation
PY
Payload
RMS
Root Mean Square
RX
Receiver
SN
Serial Number
SW
Software
TX
Transmitter

COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
OPS-M-POH A800 V2.1
Pilot Operating Handbook
www.AlphaUnmannedSystems.com
6 of 110
TO
Take Off
UAV
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
VTOL
Vertical Take-off and Landing
WP
Waypoint
FP
Flight Plan

COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
OPS-M-POH A800 V2.1
Pilot Operating Handbook
www.AlphaUnmannedSystems.com
7 of 110
SECTION 1: GENERAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................... 8
1.2 The ALPHA 800 UAV........................................................................................................... 8
1.2.1 Alpha 800 dimensions ................................................................................................ 9
1.2.2 Engine ........................................................................................................................ 9
1.2.3 Rotors ...................................................................................................................... 10
Main Rotor ........................................................................................................... 10
Tail Rotor.............................................................................................................. 10
1.2.4 Fuel and Oil .............................................................................................................. 10
1.2.5 Weights.................................................................................................................... 10
1.2.6 The VECTOR ............................................................................................................. 10
1.2.7 The GCS.................................................................................................................... 11

COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
OPS-M-POH A800 V2.1
Pilot Operating Handbook
www.AlphaUnmannedSystems.com
8 of 110
1.1 Introduction
This handbook contains 8 sections and gives the operator a general overall description of the
Alpha 800 UAV.
1.2 The ALPHA 800 UAV
The Alpha 800 is a rotary wing unmanned aircraft that operates as a helicopter with the
possibility of vertical take-off and landing, hovering and navigating in automatic flight
according to a previously-loaded flight plan. The operation is monitored by a Ground Control
Station (GCS) and communications between the UAV and the GCS are in real time, allowing
the ground operator to observe the images captured by the video camera installed on-board
or the data from any other client-specified payload, as well as to have full manual UAV control
by means of a joystick.
The ALPHA 800 can be used for a wide range of applications where an onboard operator’s
presence is not necessary. Avoiding risk to humans, unmanned aerial vehicles can be used for
military or civilian applications, such as aerial surveillance and reconnaissance, fire detection,
monitoring of law enforcement, etc.
The ALPHA 800 is a tactical, automatic VTOL UAV. It is suitable for day or night, non-military
or “Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance” (ISTAR) missions. The
ALPHA 800 can provide, depending on the configuration, from 2 to 3 hour endurance missions
with multiple payload capabilities.
Avoiding the need for highly qualified personnel, ALPHA 800 can complete its entire mission
automatically, from take-off to landing by means of a compact, redundant flight control
system.

COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
OPS-M-POH A800 V2.1
Pilot Operating Handbook
www.AlphaUnmannedSystems.com
9 of 110
1.2.1 Alpha 800 dimensions
Figure 1-1 - ALPHA 800 dimensions
1.2.2 Engine
Number of Engines
1
Number of Cylinders
1
Cylinder material
Aluminum
Piston displacement
29 cc
Fuel Metering
Carburetor
Engine Type
Two-stroke gasoline engine
Power Rating
2 KW @ 13000 rpm
Table 1-2 - Engine features

COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
OPS-M-POH A800 V2.1
Pilot Operating Handbook
www.AlphaUnmannedSystems.com
10 of 110
1.2.3 Rotors
Main Rotor
Blades material
GRP, reflex
Number of blades
2
Aerodynamic profile
Asymmetric
Diameter
1800mm
Table 1-3 - Main rotor features
Tail Rotor
Blades material
CFRP
Number of blades
2
Aerodynamic profile
Symmetric
Diameter
260mm
Table 1-4 - Tail rotor features
1.2.4 Fuel and Oil
Total Capacity
3.6l
Total Usable
3.4l
Table 1-5 - ALPHA 800 fuel capacity
Approved Fuel Grades:
- Mix of 95 octane non-leaded gasoline with 2.5% synthetic lubricant oil. Whenever possible
use 98 octane fuel.
1.2.5 Weights
Maximum Takeoff Weight
14kg
Maximum Landing Weight
14kg
Standard Empty Weight
8.5kg
Maximum Useful Load
3kg
Table 1-6 - ALPHA 800 weight
1.2.6 The VECTOR
The VECTOR is a fully integrated autopilot with manual override and payload control
capabilities. It includes sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometer and static and
dynamic pressure gauges), a GPS, single processor, an interface to control servos and
payloads.

COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
OPS-M-POH A800 V2.1
Pilot Operating Handbook
www.AlphaUnmannedSystems.com
11 of 110
The VECTOR makes the ALPHA 800 capable of fully automatic take off and landing, as well as
flight plansfollowing. A manual override mechanism allows the ground operator to have full
manual UAV control by means of a joystick,similar to the ones used for R/C airplanes or
helicopters, requiring no extra training or adaptation.
In terms of safety, the VECTOR Auto Pilot is an exceptionally robust and dependable system.
It uses advanced estimation algorithms that greatly enhance the navigation accuracy and
make the VECTOR capable of surviving several sensor failures. Upon radio-link loss, the
VECTOR returns home and lands automatically. Automatic autorotation feature allows
autonomous landing in the event of an engine or tail rotor failure. The VECTOR provides
redundant servo outputs and prevents exceeding the UAV’s flight envelope.
Aside from providing flight control, the VECTOR can perform payload control functions, such
as a gyro stabilized camera for observation UAVs.
NOTE: For more information please refer to the VECTOR User Manual.
1.2.7 The GCS
A complete two-screen Ground Control Station is housed in a compact and robust Pelicase. It
includes the communication systems, a rugged PC for GCS software, several communication
interfaces and the joystick for calibration and manual flight.
NOTE: For more information please refer to the GCase User Manual.(DEV-M-GCSUM GCase
User Manual V1.2)

COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
OPS-M-POH A800 V2.1
Pilot Operating Handbook
www.AlphaUnmannedSystems.com
12 of 110
PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
OPS-M-POH A800 V2.1
Pilot Operating Handbook
www.AlphaUnmannedSystems.com
13 of 110
SECTION 2: LIMITATIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2.1 Airspeed limitations ......................................................................................................... 14
2.2 Power plant limitations .................................................................................................... 14
2.3 Maximum weight............................................................................................................. 14
2.4 Maneuver Limits .............................................................................................................. 14
2.5 Flight Load Factor Limits................................................................................................... 14
2.6 Minimum Flight Crew....................................................................................................... 15
2.7 Icing................................................................................................................................. 15
2.8 Runway surface................................................................................................................ 15
2.9 Altitude Limits.................................................................................................................. 15
2.10 Environmental Conditions................................................................................................ 15
2.11 Manual Flight Limitations................................................................................................. 15
2.12 Carburetor Icing............................................................................................................... 16

COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
OPS-M-POH A800 V2.1
Pilot Operating Handbook
www.AlphaUnmannedSystems.com
14 of 110
2.1 Airspeed limitations
Speed
IAS
Remarks
VNE
90 km/h
Never Exceed Speed is the speed limit that
must not be exceeded at any time.
VNO
65 km/h
Maximum Structural Cruising Speed is the
speed that should not be exceeded except in
smooth air, and then only with caution.
Vcruise
45 km/h
Maneuvering Speed is the maximum speed at
which full control travel may be used. Is
equivalent to Cruise Speed.
Table 2-1 - Airspeed limitations
Warning: VNE above Hover Ceiling (reference POH 5.7) is reduced to Vcruise (45km/h
IAS) while horizontal or ascending flight and reduced to VNO (65km/h IAS) while in
descending flight.
2.2 Power plant limitations
Engine Type
Two stroke gasoline piston engine
Power Rating
2KW @ 13000 rpm
Maximum Rotor RPM
1500rpm
Approved Oils
2T Synthetic oil
Fuel Grade
95 Octane gasoline
Table 2-2 - Power plant limitations
2.3 Maximum weight
Maximum Takeoff Weight
14Kg
Maximum Landing Weight
14Kg
Standard Empty Weight (no payload-no fuel)
8.5Kg
Maximum Useful Load
3Kg
Table 2-3 - Maximum weight limitations
2.4 Maneuver Limits
Aerobatic maneuvers, including spins, are prohibited.
2.5 Flight Load Factor Limits
+3g / -3g

COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
OPS-M-POH A800 V2.1
Pilot Operating Handbook
www.AlphaUnmannedSystems.com
15 of 110
2.6 Minimum Flight Crew
The minimum flight crew is one Operator for the UAV and one operator for the
payload. If the payload does not require any type of control the UAV can be flown with
only one operator.
2.7 Icing
Flight into known icing conditions is prohibited.
2.8 Runway surface
This UAV may be operated on any clear solid surface.
Recommended minimum size of the take-off area: 10x10 m
2.9 Altitude Limits
Maximum Takeoff Altitude ASL
7.220ft (2200 m)
Maximum Operating Altitude ASL
10.000ft (3048 m)
Table 2-4 - Altitude limits (ISA)
2.10 Environmental Conditions
Temperature range
-10 ºC to +50 ºC (14º F to 122ª F)
Table 2-5 - Environmental conditions
2.11 Manual Flight Limitations
Maximum horizontal speed IAS
90 Km/h
Maximum Vertical ascend
speed
3m/s if horizontal speed is between 0 and 55 km/h
IAS 1.5m/s if horizontal speed is between 55 and
90 km/h IAS
Maximum Vertical descend
speed
4.5 m/s
Maximum Pitch and Roll.
30º
Table 2-6 –Manual flight limitations
WARNING:When on MANUAL MODE (MANUAL HOT) the external pilot has full control over
the UAV, there is no limitation in terms of speed, maximum angles or any logic from the
autopilot to maintain the UAV within the flight envelope. Therefore, when flying in manual
mode,the EP is completely responsible for the flight. The AP will only stabilize the aircraft and

COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
OPS-M-POH A800 V2.1
Pilot Operating Handbook
www.AlphaUnmannedSystems.com
16 of 110
will switch to SAFE in case of communication loss. Governor, RPMs protection and
Autorotation logics are also deactivated on while on MANUAL FLIGHT.
2.12 Carburetor Icing
Under mild temperatures and high air humidity, water vapor can freeze on the surfaces of the
carburetor throat, causing the engine to reduce output power or even stop it completely.
Carburetor icing can be identified by the internal pilot by periodically checking the rotor RPMs
and the throttle percentage applied by the Autopilot. During icing formation,rotor RPMs will
start to decrease and throttle percentage will start to increase from normal levels. If any of
these phenomena are observed, please land the aircraft immediately.
Table 2-7 –Carburetor icing probability

COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
OPS-M-POH A800 V2.1
Pilot Operating Handbook
www.AlphaUnmannedSystems.com
17 of 110
SECTION 3: EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3.1 MASTER MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST............................................................................... 18
3.2 Emergency Procedures..................................................................................................... 21
3.2.1 Emergency Flight Modes: ......................................................................................... 22
3.2.2 Warning ................................................................................................................... 24
Alarms.................................................................................................................. 24
Gauges ................................................................................................................. 28
3.2.3 Caution..................................................................................................................... 28
Alarms.................................................................................................................. 29
Gauges ................................................................................................................. 32
3.2.4 Advisory ................................................................................................................... 33

COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
OPS-M-POH A800 V2.1
Pilot Operating Handbook
www.AlphaUnmannedSystems.com
18 of 110
3.1 MASTER MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST
➢IMU (Inertial measurement unit failure)
1. CHECK condition of shock-absorbing mounts
2. REPLACE shock-absorbing mounts if necessary
3. CHECK ALPHA 800 airframe, blade tracking, or AP wires
IMU Alarm OFF GO
…………………………
IMU Alarm still ON NO GO
➢INT (Internal autopilot failure. Autopilot has detected one/ multiple failures)
1. CHECK all connections
2. CHECK power supply
INT Alarm OFF GO
…………………………
INT Alarm still ON NO GO
➢GPS (No accurate GPS fix. GPS not used for navigation)
1. CHECK GPS antenna connection
2. CHECK GPS antenna has clear view of sky
3. WAIT up to 15 minutes for GPS to acquire fix
GPS Alarm OFF GO
…………………………
GPS Alarm still ON NO GO
➢UAV VOLT CRITICAL (System voltage critical)
1. If RPMS are low this alarm will be triggered
2. Back up battery reading must be between 14-16.5 V
V1 Alarm OFF when RPMS are at flying level GO
…………………………
V1 Alarm ON when RPMS are at flying level NO GO (ABORT TAKE OFF)
➢LAPTOP FAILURE (NOT AN ALARM. Laptop or Visionair failure)
1. RESTART LAPTOP
2. LAUNCH Visionair
LAPTOP and VISIONAIR functioning GO
…………………….
LAPTOP and VISIONAIR not functioning NO GO

COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
OPS-M-POH A800 V2.1
Pilot Operating Handbook
www.AlphaUnmannedSystems.com
19 of 110
➢LUL (Long Uplink Loss)
1. CHECK UAV / GTRACK antenna connections
2. CHECK UAV / GTRACK power supply
3. CHECK GTRACK antenna correct aiming direction
4. Check Total Bandwidth used (lower video quality if needed)
LUL Alarm OFF GO
…………………………
LUL Alarm still ON NO GO
➢RPM NOT USED (Engine RPM below threshold)
When rotor is launched this alarm must disappear and RPM gauge must show a coherent
reading. It starts reading from 300 RPM.
In case of sensor redundancy, both sensors must fail for this alarm to be triggered.
1. INSPECT the RPM sensor or sensors in case of redundancy
RPM Sensor failure NO GO
………………….
Engine running rough NO GO
➢UAV VOLT LOW (System voltage low)
1. CHECK batteries voltage manually
2. REPLACE batteries if needed
3. CHECK for Alternator transition when T/O rpms are reached by the rotor.
V1 Alarm is OFF GO
…………………………
V1 Alarm still ON NO GO
➢SUL (Short Uplink Loss)
1. CHECK UAV / GTRACK antenna connections
2. CHECK UAV / GTRACK power supply
SUL Alarm OFF GO
…………………………
SUL Alarm still ON NO GO