Draganfly Draganflyer X4-ES User manual

X4-ES USER MANUAL
Draganflyer X4-ES Helicopter
Version 2.1
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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 X4-ES helicopter.
Furthermore the onus is upon each owner/authorizer/pilot to comply with all regulations
pertinent to the use of the Draganflyer X4-ES 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 X4-ES 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.
Helicopters by their nature are not positively stable. Although the Draganflyer X4-ES 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 X4-ES instructional information
before attempting to fly the Draganflyer X4-ES.
To provide optimum performance, a Lithium Polymer battery powers your Draganflyer
X4-ES. 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:
We are always shocked, and you might also find it hard to believe, that
upon getting their new helicopter system many people want to take it apart
to see how it works.
Often to their dismay, all they learn is the helicopter is as beautiful on the
inside as it is on the outside but more times than not, they mix-up the
motors or break something so our advice is please, just 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 often people
that don’t listen to us and do it anyway, end up damaging them.
- Please also understand that each motor is coded to a specific position on
the aircraft so don’t get the wild idea to move a motor from the back up to
the front. If you are experiencing a problem with the aircraft please just 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
X4-ES; doing so may cause erratic flight performance and void the warranty.
•Do not fly the Draganflyer X4-ES 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 helicopter during flight
preparations, be sure the equipment will not be dropped or suffer an
accidental 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 X4-ES 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 X4-ES
Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the Draganflyer X4-ES helicopter system.
Both you, and your new X4-ES helicopter will have many adventures together. We
believe this amazing aerial tool will provide you with a new perspective in your work, and
edge to your creativity. Here’s a quick look at the helicopter:
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Quick release carbon fiber
props and powerful custom
made brushless motors provide
amazing power and flight
performance
Carbon fiber landing gear
retracts to quickly provide a
compact package for transport
Powerful custom designed
LiPo battery pack and GPS
receiver
Auto stabilization with 11
on-board sensors.
• 3 gyros
• 3 accelerometers
• 3 axis magnetometer
• 1 barometric sensor
• 1 GPS
High intensity
programmable
navigation LEDs
Folding carbon fiber airframe for
easy setup and transportation
Draganflyer X4-ES System

Contents
Chapter 1: Draganflyer X4-ES Setup
This is probably the most fun chapter of all. In this chapter
you will unfold the frame, the landing gear, install the props,
better understand the LiPo battery, discuss operating the
aircraft safely, and get the helicopter ready for flight.
Chapter 2: Battery Safety and Charging
One of our more serious chapters but extremely important.
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
You have the helicopter fully assembled, batteries charged
and you’re excited to get it in the air, so now what? This
chapter discusses some of the first flights and covers
several flight training exercises.
Chapter 4: Aircraft technical data
Here you’ll find all the specifications and technical data
required to answer many of the questions asked by your
agency responsible for the Air Space or the neighbor down
the street.
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Chapter 1
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X4-ES Helicopter Setup
We had a great time building and flight testing your aircraft. In this section we’ll go over
the steps required to assemble the aircraft in preparation for launch. Because the aircraft
can be equipped with several different payload packages, please refer to the individual
payload manual for details about the payload set-up and how to get the most from it. To
attach the various payloads is simple ... just twist and lock using the quick release
system.
Extend helicopter booms
Start by unfolding the helicopter booms and snapping them into position. As they are
unfolded, the front booms will “pass thru” the rear clips. Continue to bring the booms
forward until firmly snapped in their front position. The rear booms will “lock” into the
rear clips and with all four booms extended the frame is ready for the next step.
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Swing booms one-at-a-time
towards the front.
Front booms pass through rear
clips and rear booms will lock in
place.
Snap front booms into clips
and make sure they lock

Extend Landing Gear
There are several helicopter systems on the market but we think you’ll be hard pressed
to find an aircraft where so much effort and design was involved to create a lightweight
and incredibly strong airframe. In addition to it’s strength, the airframe design allows the
aircraft to quickly fold into a small package; light weight improves overall performance
and folding, reduces transport case size making it easier to get out on scene or out
working on that next project.
To extend the landing gear, simply
pull them down and rotate forward
until you feel and hear them snap
into position. Double check and
make sure they are locked and
that’s all that’s required.
To retract the landing gear, pull
down on the leg and allow the
spring to rotate and pull the leg
back parallel to the helicopter
boom.
Fast, simple, lightweight, and very
strong.
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To extend landing gear pull
down and rotate forward
until they snap in place.
Landing gear will lock into this
position. To retract the landing
gear, pull down to unlock the
leg and let the gear rotate
back parallel to the boom.

Install Rotor Blades
We put some effort into making this a simple, fast process, to best ensure the correct
prop gets on the correct motor. Your helicopter flies with two props spinning in a
clockwise (CW) direction, and two spinning in a counter clockwise direction (CCW).
To get you started we color coded the props and mounts but we didn’t stop there.
The props have a keyed locking ring so only a CCW prop can be installed in a CCW
mount, and we even included arrows on the mount to indicate the direction of prop
rotation for that given motor.
To install the rotor blades, place the prop on the
corresponding rotor mount, press down to
seat the prop and while holding the
mount, rotate the prop ¼turn until the
blade clicks into place. To help
make this a little easier, there is a
nice serrated thumb grip to help
latch and unlatch the props.
Please install all four props on
the helicopter and give them
a good spin once they are
seated.
When you have completed
your work and it’s time to pack
up the system, gently push
down on the locking tabs of the
rotor mount and twist in the
opposite direction to unlock each
prop.
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The props are keyed so
there is no mixing up what
prop goes where.
No we didnʼt do this to
trick you, these arrows
indicate the prop
rotation in flight.

Remove Canopy
You really want to do this right or you can damage the canopy. The canopy removal
process is as simple as 1, 2, 3. Position your hands as shown. Using one finger pull the
latch pin forward, then start to lift using the carbon fibre tabs, and rotate the canopy while
sliding it back and off the aircraft.
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1
2
3
Canopy removal is as simple as 1, 2, 3. Pull the release pin, lift the
canopy nose and slide the canopy off the back of the helicopter.

Install Flight Battery
The Draganflyer X4-ES main power source is a removable, rechargeable, lithium-polymer
battery. We put extra effort into designing a battery system that was safe, powerful and
optimized to provide maximum flight performance.
The Draganflyer X4-ES helicopter system has been designed and precisely tuned for this
battery. Only use Draganflyer X4-ES batteries with this aircraft or you will void your
warranty.
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LEDs indicate charge
Balance port
Not currently used
Main power connector
Press button to test
battery charge level
Special notice:
The helicopter autopilot expects to be flying with this battery. If you get the idea
to try and use something else, please keep in mind the autopilot will “log” the
error and you will void the system warranty for the life of the aircraft.

Battery position is important so please pay close attention to centering the battery under
the GPS antenna flap. Also be very careful to make sure the battery doesn’t make
contact with the electronics directly in front of the battery. Double check and make sure
you have a gap between battery and electronics.
To install, lift the GPS antenna
mounting flap and place the
battery on the helicopter deck
plate.
Ensure the battery is not
touching the GPS module
located in front of the battery
and double check to make
certain the Velcro is secure.
Once the battery is seated,
allow the GPS antenna flap to
rest on top and wrap around
the battery. Attach the flap to the Velcro mount along the side of the battery.
Before you’re ready to fly, connect the main power cable from the helicopter to the
battery. The connector is polarized so it will only connect in one orientation.
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Leave a gap between
battery and electronics
Special notice:
We know you’re excited to get out flying but only connect the main power
cable when you’re ready to get up in the air. Leaving it plugged in for any length
of time even when powered off, will slowly drain the battery.

Install Canopy
Installing the canopy is the reverse process. Start by inserting the canopy through the
slot at the rear of the aircraft. Bring the front of the canopy forward and line-up the
canopy pin with the helicopter latch assembly.
Gently squeeze the front of the canopy to “latch” in place. After latching be certain to
test and make sure the canopy is securely fastened. Give the canopy a little tug and
double check that it’s fastened before flying.
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Rear canopy tab
Gently squeeze the
canopy to latch in place

Helicopter assembled
The helicopter is now fully assembled and ready for flight. Even if you have been through
our flight training program, we recommend that for your first few flights you fly in very
light wind conditions and without a payload to test the system and get reacquainted
with the aircraft.
In this manual we will discuss flying the helicopter and provide some tips and tricks to
get the most from the aircraft. The actual mechanics of flying, such as details to arm the
motors, engage motors, describe telemetry data and setting up live streaming video are
discussed in the handheld Ground Control System (GCS) manual and also the standard
Handheld Controller manual (HHC).
Most importantly we thank you for selecting the Draganfly product, hope you enjoy your
flying, and believe the helicopter will prove to be an excellent aerial tool for you.
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Install helicopter payload system
Draganfly offers several different payload options for the Draganflyer X4-ES system and
each payload features an easy to use quick release system. All electrical connections
pass through the quick release eliminating messy cables or the possibility of
inadvertently not connecting something before take-off.
All payloads attach in the same fashion, using the quick release payload system. With
the payload facing forward position and twist the quick release mount in place and make
sure the locking pin is fully seated.
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Special notice:
The helicopter battery MUST be disconnected before you either plug-in or
un-plug the the payload cable to the helicopter. Failure to do so, can damage
both your payload or helicopter system.
Rotate the quick release plate
into the spring loaded retainer
until seated and front retaining
pin is locked in place.

Chapter 2
Page 17

Lithium Battery Safety Instructions and
Warnings
Please read and fully understand all of the instructions and warnings below before using
or charging your lithium polymer batteries. Lithium Polymer (LiPo) batteries are
volatile; improper use or failure to follow these instructions and warnings may
result in fire, personal injury and/or damaged property. Draganfly Innovations and its
affiliates assume no liability for the improper use of this battery, or failure to comply with
these instructions and warnings.
General Guidelines and Warnings
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• Your batteries are not fully charged
upon receiving them, the batteries
must be charged before use.
•Use Lithium Polymer specific
battery chargers only, such as the
charger provided in your
Draganflyer package. Use of any
other type of charger can result in a
fire which may result in personal
injury and damage to property.
•Always keep batteries in a flame
retardant container, such as the
LiPo Sack included in your
Draganflyer package during
charging, storage and
transportation.
•Never leave charging batteries
unattended. When charging LiPo
batteries you must constantly
monitor the charging process and
be there to react to any undesired
results.
•If at any time the battery becomes
swollen, immediately discontinue
use or charging; disconnect the
battery and place it in a safe
observation area for 15 minutes.
Charging a battery that has
become swollen may result in fire.
•A safe observation area should be
outdoors away from any property,
vehicles or combustible material.

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Do NOT leave a battery indoors for
observation even if in a flame
retardant container.
•Do not short the battery; shorts
can cause fires. If you
accidentally short the battery it
must be placed in a safe
observation area for 15 minutes.
Be cautious of potential shorts
and burns that may occur due to
jewellery, such as rings or
bracelets.
•Chemical reactions are not
instantaneous; a battery that has
been shorted or damaged will not
ignite immediately; this may take-
up to or longer than 15 minutes.
Any battery that has been
damaged or shorted, must be
observed in a safe area for a
minimum of 15 minutes.
•Any battery involved in a crash,
whether deformed or not, must
be placed in a safe observation
area for 15 minutes.
•Discontinue use if the battery has
been exposed to temperatures in
excess of 170 F as indicated on
the thermal strip attached to your
battery.
Charging:
•Before charging visually inspect
the battery and connectors for
any damage, signs of swelling, or
any other irregularities.
•Before charging, press the battery
test button on your flight battery
to check the status and voltage
level. One or more of the status
LED’s should turn on and remain
on while the button is held. Any
other flashing pattern on the
status LED’s may indicate
damage to the battery; please
contact Draganfly Innovations
Technical support.
•If you are unaware of the battery
voltage, check the voltage of the
battery before charging.
•Do not attempt to charge a
battery with a voltage less than
3.3V per cell. For a flight battery
and GCS this would be 13.3V and
9.9V for the standard style
handheld controller battery.