dji Phantom 1 User manual

DJI Phantom 1 & FC40 setup – Getting Started Guide
Copyright - Droneflyers.com - 2016
DJI Phantom 1 & FC40 setup – Getting Started Guide
Note – the following is for new users or buyers of the Phantom FC40 or Phantom 1 models.
These models can be identified by the single round LED on the quadcopter read and the
battery compartment door on the front. The FC40 includes a camera while the plain Phantom
1 comes with a GoPro holder.
Have you recently acquired a Phantom FC40 or Phantom 1? The Holiday season often ends
with the unboxing of thousands of new Quadcopters!
If so – and if you have limited experience with the DJI Phantoms and advanced Quadcopters –
please read and understand the following before taking to the air.
Before taking your Phantom outside to fly!
Read the manual at least twice. You can download the newest electronic version at:
http://www.dji.com/product/phantom-fc40/download
Basic Definitions:
NAZA – the flight controller box (F/C) inside your Phantom which contains the hardware and
software which makes your quadcopter work.
NAZA Assistant – the software, windows or mac, which allows you to upgrade, test and
change various settings on your Phantom.
Transmitter or TX – the remote control (usually a white box with two “sticks”) which you use
to control your Phantom.
S1 and S2 (called X1 and X2 in the Assistant program!) – the switches on the upper right (S1)
and left (S2) of your TX. These set the “modes” which the Phantom responds to and can be
programmed in the NAZA assistant software.

DJI Phantom 1 & FC40 setup – Getting Started Guide
Copyright - Droneflyers.com - 2016
RTH – Return to Home – Failsafe programming of the Naza
ATTI – Altitude hold mode on the NAZA F/C – this does away with the use of the GPS and
gives you semi-manual control.
Assemble Quadcopter and Install Camera on FC40
Insert microSD card. Download the DJI app, turn on and connect to camera. Note – the plain
Phantom 1 does not come with a camera, so this step should be ignored for that model.
Charge the camera using the microUSB connector on it.
Here is a basic assembly video:
The propeller guards are a highly recommended accessory – especially for those without a lot
of Phantom experience.
NOTE: The FC40 will work and fly fine without the camera attached or turned on. Newbies
may want to start this way to avoid crashes which could damage the cam.
Phantom Software Installation and Upgrading
(for safety, do this with the propellers removed – see picture below)

DJI Phantom 1 & FC40 setup – Getting Started Guide
Copyright - Droneflyers.com - 2016
USB and Battery Connection for Upgrades and Settings
1. Download and install the any drivers (windows only, none needed for mac) and the NAZA
Assistance programs from DJI install them – drivers first, then the Assistant program.
2. Connect your Phantom USB to your computer – open the battery compartment of your
Phantom (no battery installed) and locate the USB cable inside – pull it out and connect it to
your computer. Now turn on the DJI remote (transmitter) – put the S1 and S2 switches in the
UP position – and connect the battery to the DJI Phantom – leaving the battery hanging
outside the quadcopter. The LED on the FC40 should turn solid green when connected to

DJI Phantom 1 & FC40 setup – Getting Started Guide
Copyright - Droneflyers.com - 2016
Naza Asst.
Open the NAZA assistant and check for and install any suggested Phantom firmware updates.
Under the “Advanced” tab, choose the “IOC” tab and activate it.
Under “F/S” (failsafe), make sure it is set to “Go-Home and Landing”
Under “Limits”, set them at something reasonable. 2000 yards is useless. You can use these
to keep it close to you while you learn. Something like 100 meters would be better at first.
Under the “Basic” tab, click on “R/C”. At the bottom you will see a horizontal line. At the right
end of it is an arrow that will bringup a pull down menu. Change it to “Failsafe”
You have to hit the return button on your computer to save some of the changes. You can
always double check by quitting the NAZA assistant and opening it again and then seeing
whether the Assistant software has the new settings.
Now when you put the right hand switch(S1) to the bottom, it will activate the”Return to
Home, Fail Safe” function. Now you will notice that when you move the S2 (left side) switch
down on your remote, the corresponding action will appear in the Naza Assistant.
When you set the left hand switch(S2) to the bottom (Home Lock), the quad will fly the
direction you move the right stick, regardless of which way it is facing. Some people call this
“headless mode” . When in the middle position you will be in Control lock, which corresponds
to the remotes position, and the FC40s compass position. These modes can be confusing so
be sure to watch a video which explains them. Most pilots only use the Home Lock – it’s
handy when you lose orientation and want to bring the Phantom back closer to your position.

DJI Phantom 1 & FC40 setup – Getting Started Guide
Copyright - Droneflyers.com - 2016
One of many screens in the DJI NAZA Assistant Software
Now do an advanced IMU calibration. The software may tell you there is no need for
this..which means it is already set and ready.
Close the DJI assistant software and disconnect the Phantom battery and USB cord. Turn off
the transmitter.
NOW – TAKE THE PHANTOM OUTDOORS. THESE ARE NOT DESIGNED FOR INDOOR FLIGHT OR
CALIBRATION.

DJI Phantom 1 & FC40 setup – Getting Started Guide
Copyright - Droneflyers.com - 2016
Calibrate the Compass
Now, take you FC40 outside into an area where there is a decent amount of sky (access to
GPS satellites) and face it forward (battery facing front), turn TX on, plug the battery in and
WAIT. You will hear several ascending tonebeeps and the LED flashing, this is normal. Then
you will see a blinking green LED followed by blinking red LEDS. This is when the FC40 is
acquiring satellites. As the FC40 acquires satellites the number of red LEDs becomes less and
less. Eventually you will have nothing but a slow flashing green LED.
Flip your S1 switch all the way down and back up 4-6 times rapidly. The LEDlight on your
FC40 will turn solid yellow, indicating it is ready for compass calibration. Make sure the S1
switch is up before proceeding.
Now grab your FC40s landing gear from the back, lift it up and extend your arms Turn your
body in a 360 degrees in a counter clockwise circle. The yellow LED light should turn green
when you get back to the starting point (facing again forward). Now turn the FC40 facing
down towards the ground so the LEDlight is facing up towards the sky. Hold it like this and
rotate your body again 360 degrees. When you get back to the starting point the green LED
shouldstart blinking slowly again.
Put your FC40 back on the ground and facing forward. The slow flashing greenLED should
now be facing you.
DO NOT FLY UNLESS YOU HAVE A SLOW FLASHING GREEN LED.
It may help to unhook the battery – then reconnect it and allow it to go through the GPS
acquisition phase once more.
NOTE: once the compass is calibrated properly you do not have to do this again unless you
suspect something is wrong with the quadcopter (getting errors LED messages – not getting
slow flashing green on GPS mode, etc.) However, if you transport your Phantom 100’s of
miles, compass calibration at the new location would be of benefit.

DJI Phantom 1 & FC40 setup – Getting Started Guide
Copyright - Droneflyers.com - 2016
Here is a basic compass calibration video:
Time to fly!
MAKE SURE YOUR S1 AND S2 SWITCHES ARE BOTH IN THE UP POSITIONS.
Move both the Rt and Lft joysticks down and towards the inside or outside corners of the TX.
This will start your Phantom’s motors and they will idle at a low RPM. Now, move your left
joystick all the way up to full throttle. Your FC40 should take off. Let go of the joystick (it will
return to center automatically) once it’s about 10-15 feet up. Let it hover a bit. Use your right
joystick and move slightly left, right,forward and back. Just a little at a time, testing the
movement and response.
Practice makes perfect, so spend some time getting the hang of how the FC40 reacts to your
stick movements.
Landing
Bring your Phantom down toward the ground by pulling down on the left stick (throttle)-
making sure you slow the rate of descent when you get within 5 feet of the landing area.
Then use small movements of the stick to slowly make it touch down. Then turn the motors
off.
There are two ways to turn your motors off. These are the same moves used to start the
motors and are described in the manual. It will help to practice turning the motors off and on
before you fly – that is, turn them on to idle position and then turn them off. This will make
certain you don’t panic or over-react when you actually start real landings.
ALWAY DISCONNECT THE PHANTOM BATTERY BEFORE TURNING OFF THE TX. Turning off the

DJI Phantom 1 & FC40 setup – Getting Started Guide
Copyright - Droneflyers.com - 2016
TX first could cause your FC40 to go into “return to home” or “failsafe” mode, which would
cause it to fly on it’s own!
Orientation – learning not to panic or lose your Phantom!
Once you are familiar with the basics, you’ll likely start flying further away from your home
point. It’s easy to lose orientation at distance, so you should check and confirm that your
“Home Lock” function works correctly. Some pilots also like to test their RTH (failsafe – return
to home) function, although you should not do this without knowing how the modes work. For
example, don’t activate RTH when the quadcopter is close to you or close to the ground.
Become familiar with these functions in the manual and test them in a large field. You should
also become VERY familiar with ATTI mode (it’s non-GPS semi-manual control) – use of this
mode may allow you to save your quadcopter if the GPS or compass malfunctions.
FC40 Camera – the use of the camera and app is simple – the DJI quickstart guide explains
the settings and various error and status codes. You should have a printed copy in your DJI
box – if you prefer an electronic version, you can download it at the DJI support page:
http://www.dji.com/product/phantom-fc40/download
This relatively short guide should get you started. Although some of the instructions seem
complicated, they will soon become second nature to DJI pilots. Refer to your manuals,
helpful videos and other sources of information to continue your piloting education.
Note – Course Lock was mentioned above – as not being used much by most pilots. However,
if you want a demonstration of how it works, see the video below.
One particular use of Home Lock might be to have your quadcopter following alongside of a
runner or bike headed straight away from you – whilst still having the camera lock on him or
her from the side.

DJI Phantom 1 & FC40 setup – Getting Started Guide
Copyright - Droneflyers.com - 2016
In summary, Home Lock is best for bringing the Phantom back toward you when it is too far
away to determine which way it is facing or heading.
(Credit for layout, some quotes and idea from jnnevins at the DJI corporate forum)
Final Note – the Phantom 1 and Phantom FC40 are no longer in production as of the end of
2014 – however, many are still in dealers inventory and these fine quadcopters can last a
long time. Those considering a purchase can rest assured that they still represent a great
value for the $$.
An Amazon link to the FC40 is below – the regular Phantom 1 (without camera) as well as
other models can also be found on Amazon.
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