Draganfly HHC User manual

HHC USER MANUAL
Handheld Controller
Version 2.1

Operator Notice
The responsibility to operate in a safe manner, prevent injury to persons or damage to
property, and to take no unnecessary risks falls upon the owner and those whom the
owner authorizes to pilot and operate the Draganflyer helicopter.
Furthermore the onus is upon each owner/authorizer/pilot to comply with all regulations
pertinent to the use of the Draganflyer helicopter and associated components at the
location of operation with regards to the use of airspace as well as radio
communications.
Draganfly Innovations Inc. does not accept any responsibility for damages or financial
compensations which may arise as the result of an owner/authorizer/pilot failing to
comply with any regulations which would lead to a claim against the user.
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Warning
The Draganflyer aircraft is a precision machine that is vulnerable to misuse and can
prove to be dangerous if not properly maintained or used in an inappropriate manor.
Helicopters by their nature are not positively stable. Although the Draganflyer can
maintain an attitude and a position relative to wind movement without constant control
input; operators should always be aware of its position and be able to take immediate
control of the helicopter to recover from an unwanted position and avoid any mishaps.
Please completely read and understand all Draganflyer aircraft instructional information
before attempting to fly the Draganflyer system.
To provide optimum performance, a Lithium Polymer battery powers your Draganflyer
aircraft and controllers. The same properties that make these batteries extremely
powerful and lightweight also make them dangerous if handled incorrectly. Please read
and understand all information pertaining to the battery before attempting to use or
charge it.
IF MISUSED THIS AIRCRAFT IS CAPABLE OF CAUSING SERIOUS BODILY HARM
TO THE OPERATOR AND SPECTATORS AS WELL AS PROPERTY DAMAGE. ANY
DAMAGE OR INJURY OCCURRING DUE TO MISUSE OF THIS PRODUCT IS
SOLELY THE OPERATOR’S RESPONSIBILITY.
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Special notice:
Throughout this manual, look for and pay special attention to these information
boxes for tips, tricks, safety information, or serious warnings and risks,
associated with this product.

DO NOT PLACE YOUR HANDS OR ARMS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE ROTORS
OR ATTEMPT TO STOP SPINNING ROTORS WITH YOUR HANDS AS SERIOUS
INJURY COULD RESULT FROM CONTACT.
THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS CHEMICALS WHICH ARE KNOWN BY THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA TO CAUSE CANCER, BIRTH DEFECTS AND/OR OTHER
REPRODUCTIVE HARM.
Many common materials such as metals, plastics, glues, lubricants and other coatings
contain chemicals in varying amount and concentrations which will cause harm if
introduced into the human body. For further information on toxic or dangerous
chemicals please refer to California’s Health and Safety Codes Sections 25249.5-13
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Special notice:
Please out of curiosity do not disassemble the aircraft. If you ever have a
system problem do not hesitate to contact us and we’ll be more than
happy to assist you or get the system serviced. Meanwhile enjoy the
helicopter, the amazing performance, and let your imagination soar with
this incredible aerial tool.
- Understand there is no need to lubricate the motors and if you do, there
is a strong possibility you will damage them.
- Please also understand that each motor is coded to a specific position on
the aircraft so don’t move or swap motors. The motors must remain in their
assigned position.
If you are experiencing a problem with the aircraft please call our support
line at 1-800-979-9794 or drop us an e-mail to support@draganfly.com.

Safety Precautions
As the pilot in command you are responsible for the safety of yourself and others
whether it be in the immediate takeoff and landing area, or the general flight path area.
Please take safety very seriously.
•Always wear protective eyewear.
•Do not use batteries other than those specifically designed for the Draganflyer
aircraft; doing so may cause erratic flight performance and void warranty.
•Do not fly the Draganflyer aircraft in excessive winds.
•Do not fly the aircraft system in rain.
•Do not fly near people on the ground or objects in the air.
•Do not fly near pets or other animals.
•Do not fly near high-tension lines, electrical substations, high structures or
communication facilities.
•Be careful where you place the controller and aircraft during flight
preparations, be sure that they will not be dropped or suffer a fall as this may
cause serious damage.
•Never fly this aircraft where damage to property or injury to persons may
result if loss of control occurs.
•Never leave the Draganflyer system unattended with the battery connected.
Make it a habit to always disconnect the battery when not flying.
•When possible fly with a spotter or observer
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Meet your Draganflyer HHC
This is the original Draganfly Handheld Controller with special attention paid to the
ergonomic layout of switches, controls, the feel, and overall balance of the controller.
The rubber grip and feel reinforces control of the aircraft while the direct sunlight
viewable OLED display, provides easy to read, real-time, aircraft telemetry.
Below you see/learn more about the HHC layout and controls.
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Pitch/Roll
Pitch/Roll trim
Power on/off
Yaw trim
Motor engage and
disengage switch
Throttle/Yaw
Camera zoom
Camera tilt
Camera shutter
Flight mode
control
SD flight log
memory

Along the backside of the controller within easy reach is the spring loaded trainer switch
and the battery charger connections. As the name implies the trainer switch is used in
conjunction with another handheld controller connected using a wireless link between
instructor and student. When the instructor depresses the switch, it instantly passes the
instructor designated controls over to the student. Letting go of the switch immediately
resumes instructor control.
The HHC battery is a 3 cell LiPo that is easily charged using the balance port and main
power charge plugs. Later in this manual charging is discussed in more detail.
Below you see the backside components and connectors.
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LiPo balance
connector
Main LiPo battery
charge plug
Spring loaded
trainer switch
Datalink
antenna

The HHC can be used as a standalone controller or it can be fitted with a Nexus digital
display. The display can be used as a handheld device by your observer, client, or if you
prefer having the display attached it quickly locks into the HHC using two 1/4 turn spring
loaded pins.
The Nexus display is used in conjunction with Draganfly digital video downlink payloads,
digital base station, and comes pre-configured with the DraganView Lite APP.
The APP and network are set-up and configured at the factory so all you need to
remember is that when you’re out flying, you always turn-on the base station first to
establish a network, then power-on the helicopter, controller and Nexus. For more
detailed set-up instructions for the digital video downlink network, refer to the “Digital
Video Downlink” manual.
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Display is attached using 1/4 turn
spring loaded plungers or it can be
used as a handheld display by
your observer or client.
Nexus digital
video display

Contents
Chapter 1: Understanding the HHC
This is one of the more interesting and important chapters
because we’ll go over each and every screen that makes up
the handheld controller. It’s technical, in-depth, and we’ll do
our best to make it fun too.
Chapter 2: Battery Safety and Charging
The HHC is powered by a Lithium Polymer battery so please
take time to read this chapter. Lithium Polymer (LiPo) battery
technology has improved greatly over the years; but if not
cared for properly, the batteries can be very dangerous.
Chapter 3: Ready for flight
At this point you know where all the switches are, what they
do, and you’re more than ready to get out flying so wait no
more; in this chapter we’ll run through preparation for your
first flight and a typical mission scenario.
Chapter 4: HHC technical data
Here you’ll find the specifications and technical data
required to answer many of the questions asked by your
agency responsible for the National Air Space (NAS) or
neighbor down the street.
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Chapter 1
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