Draganfly DRAGANFLYER X8 User manual

DRAGANFLYER X8
USERS MANUAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS
.......................................................................................................OPERATOR NOTICE 5
.......................................................................................................................WARNINGS 6
....................................................................X8 OVERVIEW AND SPECIFICATIONS 7
FEATURES .........................................................................................................................7
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................................8
.............................................................................................SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 12
.............................................................................................................MAINTENANCE 12
......................................................................................ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS 13
...................................................................................................................Side Arms 14
.............................................................................................................Landing Gear 14
.........................................................................................................................Rotors 15
.......................................................................................................................Canopy 17
........................................................................................................................Battery 18
WIND..............................................................................................................................20
DRAGANFLYER X8 HELICOPTER/CONTROLLER RANGE TEST ........................................21
RECOMMENDED OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES ..................................................................21
......................................................................................................................General 21
PREFLIGHT PREPARATION ...............................................................................................22
..............................................................................................Control Systems Check 23
............................................................................................................Before Takeoff 23
.....................................................................................................Launch Helicopter 24
..................................................................................................................Post Flight 24
MAINTENANCE ...............................................................................................................25
SPOTTERS .......................................................................................................................26
TELEMETRY AND CALIBRATION......................................................................................26
....................................................................................................Telemetry Program 26
HANDHELD CONTROLLER ..............................................................................................27
......................................................................................................................Battery: 28
...........................................................................................................Control Sticks: 29
....................................................................................................................Switches: 29
.........................................................................................................................Trims: 30
..........................................................................................................Trainer Button: 30
.......................................................................................................Camera Controls 30
...........................................................................................Dual Video Output Jacks 31
............................................................................................Data log Micro-SD Port 31
....................................................................................Draganflyer X8 Touch Screen 32
WARNINGS AND CONFIRMATIONS ..................................................................................45
..........................................................................................................................Visual 45
.......................................................................................................................Audible 46
ACTIVATING THE DRAGANFLYER ..............................................................................X8 47
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......................................................................................................Arming Procedure 47
........................................................................................................................Takeoff 48
......................................................................................................................Landing 48
DISARMING THE DRAGANFLYER ...............................................................................X8 48
.............................................................................DRAGANFLYER X8 GPS SYSTEM 49
GPS LOCK QUALITY ......................................................................................................49
POSITION HOLD ACCURACY...........................................................................................50
FLIGHT MODES...............................................................................................................51
.........................................................................................Altitude-Hold Flight Mode 51
...........................................................................................GPS Position Hold Mode 51
MAGNETOMETER HEADING............................................................................................52
...........................................................................................................CALIBRATIONS: 53
MAGNETIC DECLINATION...............................................................................................53
VERTICAL MAGNETIC FIELD ..........................................................................................: 54
..........................................................................Vertical Magnetic Field Calibration 54
TRANSMITTER RF POWER ..............................................................................................55
................................................................................BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM 56
SET UP AND OPERATION .................................................................................................56
.....................................................................................................CAMERA SYSTEMS 58
................................................................Quick Release Camera Mount Installation 60
STILL DIGITAL CAMERA .................................................................................................61
HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO................................................................................................62
LOW LIGHT BLACK AND WHITE VIDEO..........................................................................63
THERMAL INFRA-RED VIDEO .........................................................................................64
.......................................................................GROUND CONTROL BASE STATION 65
.............................................................................................................VIDEOGRAPHY 68
..............................................................PRE-TRAINING FOR DRAGANFLYER X8 69
.........................................................................................................Flight Simulator 69
............................................................Indoor Electric Coaxial Helicopter Training 70
.......................................................................................................FLIGHT TRAINING 72
TRAINER .......................................................................................................FLIGHT 72
............................................................................................Master Controller Setup 73
...............................................................................................Slave Controller Setup 74
FLIGHT .......................................................................................................LESSONS 75
.................................................................Lesson 1: Familiarization and Trimming: 75
..........................................................................................Lesson 2: Basic Hovering 76
.................................................................................................Lesson 3: Movements 77
................................................................................................Lesson 4: Orientation 78
.................................................................................Lesson 5: Climbs and Descents 78
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.................................................................Lesson 6: Introduction to Forward Flight 79
.........................................................................Lesson 7: Advanced Forward Flight 79
..................................................................................FLIGHT TROUBLESHOOTING 80
......................................................................MY DRAGANFLY SUPPORT CENTER 82
................................................................................................GLOSSARY OF TERMS 84
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Operator Notice
The responsibility falls upon owners operating or authorizing the
operation and pilots operating the Draganflyer X8 helicopter for
operation of the helicopter in a safe manner that ensures no
injury to persons or damage to property occurs by taking
unnecessary risk in its operation.
Further more the onus is upon each owner authorizing the
operation of the Draganflyer X8 helicopter, and each pilot
operating the Draganflyer X8 helicopter, to comply with all
regulations pertinent to the use of the Draganflyer X8 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
the damages or financial compensations which may arise there
of as the result of an owner operating or authorizing a pilot to
operate and failing to comply with any of the respective
regulations and which leads to a claim of a third party against
the user.
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Warnings
The Draganflyer X8 helicopter 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.
Throughout this manual, look for this symbol, which will be used to remind
you about safe operating procedures.
Helicopters by their nature are not positively stable. Although the Draganflyer X8 will
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 X8 instructional information
before attempting to fly the Draganflyer X8.
To provide optimum performance, a Lithium Polymer battery powers your Draganflyer
X8. 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.
DO NOT PLACE YOUR HANDS OR ARMS IN CLOSE PROXIMATY 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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X8 Overview and Specifications
With experience gained through the production of the Draganflyer X6 helicopters as well
as feedback from customers, Draganfly Innovations has utilized the talents of skilled
engineers, designers and technicians to bring you the Draganflyer X8. This collaboration
has resulted in a more powerful, highly stable flying platform that requires minimal
training to effectively fly. The Draganflyer X8 can be equipped with a variety of cameras
allowing for video or still pictures to be taken with live feed to enable one-person
operation.
Features
Eight High Efficiency Carbon Fiber Rotors:
direct drive
custom designed
optimized for maximum efficiency
Eight Brushless Motors:
high performance, high efficiency
Auto stabilization with 11 Sensors and Onboard Processor:
3 Gyros: Monitor the rate of rotation around the x, y, and z axis.
3 Accelerometers: Monitor the rate of acceleration in the x, y, and z
directions.
3 Magnetometers: Allow the helicopter to orient itself relative to the
Earth’s magnetic field.
1 Barometric pressure sensor: Measures Altitude.
1 GPS Receiver: Measures absolute position with a resolution of under
one meter.
Advanced Stabilization Software: over 10000 lines of programming
instruction achieve full stabilization and allow the helicopter to be
flown in an intuitive manner, by anyone even without training.
Collapsible carbon fiber frame
Antenna for GPS Position Hold
Rechargeable lithium polymer battery
Easily removable carbon fiber landing gear
Revolutionary software and sensor package combine to produce an aerial
flying platform that is easier to fly than any previous model.
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Technical Specifications
Helicopter Size
•Dimensions
oWidth: 87cm (34in)
oLength: 87cm (34in)
oTop Diameter: 106cm (42in)
oHeight: 32cm (13in)
•Dimensions
(Without Rotors)
oWidth: 54cm (21in)
oLength: 54cm (21in)
oTop Diameter: 70cm (28in)
oHeight: 32cm (13in)
•Folded Dimensions
oWidth: 35cm (14in)
oLength: 70cm (28in)
oHeight: 25cm (10in)
•Folded Dimensions
(Without Landing Gear)
oWidth: 18cm (7in)
oLength: 70cm (28in)
oHeight: 13cm (5in)
•Folded Dimensions
(Without Rotors or Landing Gear)
oWidth: 13cm (5in)
oLength: 51cm (20in)
oHeight: 13cm (5in)
RF Communications
•2.4GHz Data Link
oLink Type: Helicopter to Ground & Ground to Helicopter (Two-Way)
oHelicopter Antenna: Wired Whip Antenna
oController Antenna: Omni-Directional
oTransmission Power (North America): 50mW (+18dBm)
oTransmission Power (International): 10mW (+10dBm)
oRF Data Rate: 250kbps
oReceiver sensitivity: -100dBm
oTransmission Technique: DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum)
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oFrequency band: 2.4000 - 2.4835 GHz
oCertifications: CE, FCC, IC, ETSI
oData Link Channel Selection: Automatic (13 Channels)
•5.8GHz Video Link
oLink Type: Helicopter to Ground (One-Way)
oTransmitter Antenna: Omni-Directional
oReceiver Antennas: Omni-Directional & Flat Patch
oTransmission Power: 12dBm
oTransmitter Power Consumption: 500mW
oNTSC and PAL Compatible
o7 Selectable Channels: 5740MHz, 5760MHz, 5780MHz, 5800MHz,
5820MHz, 5840MHz, 5860MHz
11 Onboard Sensors
•3 Solid State MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) Gyros
•3 Solid State MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) Accelerometers
•3 Magnetometers (Magnetoresistive Sensors)
•1 Barometric Pressure Sensor
•1 GPS Receiver
oGPS Battery Backup: 75mAh Lithium Polymer
GPS
•GPS Used For: Position Hold, Location & Velocity Data
•Maximum Satellites Tracked Simultaneously: 16
•Position Update Rate: 4 Hz
•GPS Antenna: Ceramic Patch
•Battery Backup: Lithium Polymer
Black Box Data Recorder
•Flight Data Recording: On-Board
•Stored To: Removable 2Gb MicroSD Memory Card
•Data Recorded: Onboard Sensor Flight Data (Link quality, Orientation, Altitude,
Speed, Direction)
Weight & Payload
•Helicopter Weight: 1,700g (60oz)
•Payload Capability: 1200g (42oz)
•Maximum Gross Take-Off Weight: 2,900g (102oz)
Flight Characteristics:
•Climb Rate: 2m/s (6.5ft/s)
•Descent Rate: 2m/s (6.5ft/s)
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•Turn Rate: 90°/second
•Maximum Speed: 50km/h (30mph)
•Minimum Speed: 0km/h (0mph)
•Launch Type: VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing)
•Maximum Flight Time: approx 20 minutes (no payload)
•Sound at 1m (3.28ft):72dB
•Sound at 3m (9.84ft):62dB
Rotor Blades
•Four Counter-Rotating Pairs (Eight Rotors Total)
•Rotor Blade Material: Molded Carbon Fiber
•Upper Rotor Diameter: 40cm (16in)
•Lower Rotor Diameter: 38cm (15in)
•Upper Rotor Weight: 20g (0.71oz)
•Lower Rotor Weight: 19g (0.67oz)
Electric Motors
•Brushless Motors: 8
•Configuration: Direct Drive (One Motor per Rotor)
•Ball Bearing: 2 per Motor
•Rotor Mounting Points: Integrated
Camera Attachments
•12.3MP (Mega-Pixel) Digital Still Camera with Remote Controlled Tilt and
shutter
•18MP (Mega-Pixel) Digital Still Camera with Remote Controlled Tilt, Zoom &
Shutter
•1080p HD (High Definition) Video Camera with Remote Controlled Tilt
•Thermal FLIR (Forward Looking Infra-Red) Camera with Remote Controlled Tilt
& onboard digital video recorder
•Low Light (0.0001 lux) Dusk/Dawn Black & White Video Camera with Remote
Controlled Tilt & onboard digital video recorder
•2MP (Mega-Pixel) Digital IP Day/Night Video Camera with Remote Controlled
Tilt
•
Position Navigation Lights
•Type: 1 Watt LED Variable Brightness Emitters
•Luminous Flux at Full Brightness: 40lm
•Purpose: Helicopter Orientation Confirmation
•Visible Condition Range: Full Darkness to Direct Sunlight
•Standard Aircraft Colors
oRed: Left - Green: Right -White: Both sides Tail/Rear
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Rechargeable Helicopter Battery
•Cell Chemistry: Lithium Polymer
•Voltage: 14.8V nominal
•Capacity: 5400mAh
•Connectors: Integrated Balance and Power
•Recharge Time: 1 hour (after typical flight)
Landing Gear
•Installed Height: 18cm (7in)
•Stance Width: 30cm (12in)
•Skid Length: 30cm (12in)
•Landing Gear Material: Molded Carbon Fiber
Materials
•Carbon Fiber
•Glass Filled Injected Nylon
•Aluminum, Nylon & Stainless Steel Fasteners
•RoHS Compliant
Operating Requirements
•Recommended Pre-Use Temperature: 10° to 35°C (50° to 95°F)
•Maximum Environmental Operating Temperature: -25° to 38°C (-13° to 100°F)
•Relative Humidity: 0% to 90% Noncondensing
•Maximum Wind speed: Varies based on payload and mission
Draganflyer X8 Handheld Computerized Controller
•Width: 22cm (8.7in)
•Height: 12cm (4.7in)
•Depth: 8cm (3.1in)
•Weight: 790g (28.0oz)
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Safety Precautions
•Always wear protective eyewear.
•Do not use batteries other than those specifically designed for the
Draganflyer X8, doing so will interfere with Magnetometer settings.
•Do not fly the Draganflyer X8 in excessive winds – Maximum 30km/h(18
mph) –Wind speed Recommended for Novice Pilots less than 16km/h
(10mph) Wind speed for Optimal Video Recording using GPS Position Hold
less than 10km/h (6 mph)
•Do not fly near people on the ground or objects in the air.
•Do not fly near high-tension lines, electrical substations, high structures or
communication facilities.
•Be careful where you place the controller during flight preparations, be sure
that it 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 X8 unattended with the battery connected to it.
Always disconnect the battery when not flying.
Maintenance
Maintaining the Draganflyer X8 is very easy since there are so few moving parts,
however there are basic care steps that you should be aware of.
•Clean off any dirt build up using only a soft damp cloth; do not use any
chemical cleaners as they may cause deterioration of some of the
Draganflyer X8’s components.
•Do not attempt to lubricate the motor bearings. Improper lubrication
methods can result in permanent damage to Draganflyer X8 motors.
•Do not interchange motors or swap motor positions. Each of the motors is
specifically coded for operation at their specific location. Installing motors
with out the proper coding will result in a crash of the Draganflyer X8.
•Replace O Rings rotor mounting for after every ten (10) rotor mounts or
after 3 months regardless of the number of flights made.
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Assembly Instructions
Up/Down/Fore/Rear /Left /Right Conventions:
•The helicopter’s back is identified by the snubbed end of the canopy and the two
motor pods showing white lights
•The deck and rounded canopy extending beyond center identify the helicopter’s
front.
•Up is identified by the deck and canopy mounted on top of the frame’s hub.
•Down is identified by the landing gear.
•Left is identified by the left motor pod and with a RED LED.
•Right is identified by the right motor pod and with a GREEN LED.
Draganflyer Parts Required (included):
Draganflyer X8
4 pcs Top clockwise rotor
4 pcs Bottom counter clockwise
rotor
2pcs landing gear halves
Lithium-polymer battery
24 pcs black o-rings
Tools Required: for normal
operation
•3/16” Hex Driver
•3/32” Hex Driver
•1/16” Allen wrench
•.050” Hex driver
•5/64 ” Hex driver
•2.5 mm Hex driver
•¼” Nut driver
•3/16” Nut driver
•Hook tool
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Assembly Steps:
Side Arms
The Draganflyer X8’s frame features a unique ability to collapse and expand quickly and
easily.
Begin by swinging each of the front left and right arms forward and into their clamps.
Next swing the back left and right arms forward and into their clamps. Ensure all the
booms are snug in their clamps.
Landing Gear
The landing gear features the best
compromise between weight, stability, ease
of assembly, camera viewing angle, and
absorption.
Insert landing gear by slightly lifting the H Plate arm Locations (indicated by the red
arrows) and sliding the struts between the H-plate and Boom Assembly. Slide strut into
position until the centre seats onto the mounting washer and it snaps into place. Release
H-Plate arm. Tighten thumb screws. You should not be able to remove the strut without
loosening the thumb screws and lifting the H-Plate arm. Repeat for remaining strut legs.
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Disassembly is reverse of the above procedure.
Rotors
The Draganflyer X8 uses two types of rotors: 4 top - 16 inch long, and 4 bottom 15 inch
long. Rotor tips are swept up when positioned properly. Looking at them from the top
(convex side of the blades facing you), top blades spin clockwise and bottom blades
counterclockwise.
Installation for all eight rotors is identical:
•Position rotor on rotor-mount, with shaft sticking through rotor’s central hole.
Ensure the concave side of each blade is pointing downward.Install one o-
ring. Hook the o-ring under one narrow edge of the mounting bracket, stretch
it over top of the blade’s hub, and then hook it under the other narrow edge of
the mounting bracket. Stretch the o- ring
around the second narrow edge using the
small hook tool provided, but be
careful to avoid damaging the
motor’s exposed wires.
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•Install a second o-ring on the rotor using the same procedure as the first,
placing the second o-ring outside the first.
•Install a third o-ring on the rotor using the same procedure as the second,
placing the third o-ring outside the second.
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Ensure all o-rings are properly secured; failure to secure O-rings could
result in loss of a rotor and subsequent crash of the helicopter. O-rings
should be inspected prior to each flight and any worn cracked or nicked
o-rings should be replaced. In addition o-rings should be replaced after
10 instances of changing rotors or after 3 months of being on the
helicopter.
Canopy
How to Remove the canopy
1. With your thumb and finger on the front canopy carbon fiber tabs, apply slight
pressure toward the center of the canopy while lifting upward. At the same time
pull the tab outward. This will unlatch the canopy and allow you to remove it.
How to Install the Canopy
1. Line up the slot in the back of the canopy with the tab protruding from the back of
the helicopter deck (above where the rear arms meet the body of the helicopter).
2. Slide the canopy slot forward over this tab until the front of the upper and lower
canopy align.
3. Starting at the back of the canopy, apply a slight forward and downward pressure
to slowly wrap the canopy over the circuit board deck.
4.With the pin lined up, gently squeeze down on the nose to secure the canopy
in place ensuring the latch mechanism engages. Ensure the top canopy
overlaps the bottom canopy on all sides.
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In its normal position and when properly seated the top canopy will slightly
overlap the bottom canopy, be sure that the bottom canopy edge is not over the
upper canopy otherwise the canopy may fall off.
Battery
The Draganflyer X8’s main power source is a removable, rechargeable lithium-
polymer battery (4 Cell 5400mAh). It has been designed and custom-made to
ensure maximum helicopter performance. The Draganflyer X8 has been precisely
tuned for this battery.
Use of batteries other than the Draganflyer X8 4 Cell 5200mAh battery will
void the Draganflyer X8 warranty.Alternative batteries will severely
degrade performance and will interfere with the operation of the
magnetometer.
The battery sits on the top plate its position and orientations are important.
Duplicate the described battery installation carefully. Velcro loop pads are found
on the bottom of the battery and are set on the Velcro hook pads on the circuit
board plate.
Installing the Draganflyer X8 helicopter battery
1. Remove the canopy.
2. Position the battery so the red connector on the battery is configured to the bottom
of the deck plate on the Draganflyer X8 helicopter.
3. Center the battery on the Velcro strips below the GPS antenna.
4. Connect the red male battery connector from the circuit board to the red female
connector on the battery.
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.
Only mate this connector if you plan on flying immediately. Even while
the board is turned off, it will slowly drain the battery. Don’t leave this
connection mated for more than 10 minutes without flying.
The six-pin balance connector socket on the battery is only used during
charging.
5. Finally, install the canopy. Check that the canopy is securely latched and sitting
well on the deck. The canopy should have equal deck overhang at its rear, left
and right sides. You should not be able to lift it off unless pressure is applied to
the front carbon fiber tabs and the canopy latch is pulled out.
When the low battery voltage warning comes on this does mean "land
now" although it will still provide enough power to get the helicopter
back and land safely, continuing to fly will run the risk of permanent
damage to the battery and also crashing the helicopter
Once the helicopter batteries are drained below 12 volts they become extremely
unsafe to charge or use. Doing so may result in a fire. Batteries in this condition
should be disposed of immediately. To dispose of the lithium battery soak it in
saturated salt water for 48 hours it can then be safely put in with household garbage.
When transporting or temporarily storing Lipo batteries in a vehicle, temperature
ranges should be greater than 20 ° F(-7° C) but no more than 120 ° F (49 °C)
Storing Lipo batteries at temperatures greater than 150° ( 66 ° C) may cause
damage to battery and temperatures greater than 170° ( 77 ° C) may result in fire.
Operator Instructions
Draganflyer X8 flight operations are easy to control, however the
system needs to be prepared and operated in a safe manner. Like
any aircraft preflight checks need to be performed. Failure to
carry out preflight checks and to rectify any identified problems
may result in disastrous consequences that could injure someone,
damage or destroy property including your helicopter.
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This aircraft is not designed for aerobatic manoeuvres or high speed flight. Do not
perform aggressive or erratic manoeuvres at high speeds or fly in high wind
conditions. Failing to abide by this warning and performing such manoeuvres may
cause boom strikes and damage to your helicopter.
Wind
Although the Draganflyer X8 is designed for both indoor and outdoor
flight, care must be taken to ensure you are able to maintain control of
the helicopter in various wind conditions. The Beaufort Scale shown
below indicates wind speeds and visual references which may be
observed around your environment. Also be aware that wind speeds
generally increase with altitude gained. Therefore what you may believe is a light
breeze at ground level may be a gentle breeze at 10-20 meters (32- 64 ft) and a
moderate breeze or stronger at altitudes higher than 20 meters (64 ft) .
Recommended flight wind conditions: Inexperienced operators and flight for video
purposes using GPS Position Hold, should be limited to calm conditions, ground winds
not exceeding 10 kmh (6 mph). For Manual Flight winds should not exceed 16 kmh
(10 mph). As you obtain experience flying the Draganflyer X8 you may want to fly in
slightly increased winds, however even experienced operators should not fly in wind
conditions more than a moderate breeze. The Beaufort Scale below provides for an
estimation of wind speeds based on environmental clues
BEAUFORT SCALE: Specifications and equivalent speeds for use on land
FORCE
EQUIVALENT SPEED
10 m above ground
EQUIVALENT SPEED
10 m above ground
DESCRIPTION
SPECIFICATIONS FOR
USE ON LAND
miles/hour
knots
0
0-1
0-1
Calm
Calm; smoke rises vertically
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