Freefly ALTA User manual

SETUP GUIDE
REVISION A | 7.24.2015

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
04 Disclaimer and Warning
07 Introduction
12 Unfolding ALTA
13 Folding ALTA
14 Installing a Radio Receiver
16 Failsafe and Loss of Signal
18 Installing a Battery
20 Status Light
21 Orientation Lights
22 Configuration Jumper
23 ALTA App
24 Mapping Channels
25 Arm Enable Switch
26 Compass Calibration
27 Control Modes
30 Arming and Starting ALTA Motors
32 Tuning ALTA
33 Setting Hover Throttle
34 Attaching a MōVI

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DISCLAIMER AND WARNING
IMPORTANT - Please read this disclaimer and warning carefully
and review the ALTA User Manual prior to flight. If you have any
questions, please contact support@freeflysystems.com prior to
using the ALTA. You can review the most current version of this
Setup Guide at www.freeflysystems.com/software-manuals/.
By using ALTA, you acknowledge that you have read, understand
and agree to this disclaimer. You agree that you are solely
responsible for your conduct while using ALTA, and for any
direct or indirect consequences that may result from its use.
You agree to only use ALTA for proper purposes that are in
accordance with local and airspace rules and regulations.
»ALTA is not a toy and should be operated with extreme care, as
improper operation can cause damage to property, serious
personal injury or death.
»As with any multi-rotor, ALTA is a complex and technical machine.
Novice pilots should invest sufficient time on a flight simulator and
seek training from an experienced pilot prior to operation. A flight
simulator is no substitute for training with an experienced pilot,
particularly when it comes to learning how to safely operate ALTA.
Novice pilots should never fly without the supervision
of an experienced pilot.
»Always check ALTA and its components for proper
and complete installation prior to operation.
»Always maintain a safe distance from ALTA when in use.
»Never attempt to touch ALTA when the propellers are moving.
»Never fly ALTA over or around people, power lines or other aircraft.
»Always keep children and animals a safe distance away from ALTA
when in use and when changing ALTA’s configurations.
»Only use propellers supplied by Freefly Systems
that are designed for use on ALTA.
»Always remove the propellers or power ALTA using a low-power
source when making a change to the configuration of ALTA to prevent
propeller strikes in the event of unintentional motor starts.
»Always remove the Configuration Jumper when making changes to the
configuration of ALTA.
»Always test ALTA with the propellers removed to make sure that
the motors are spinning in the correct direction and that the motor
assignment is correct with respect to the Synapse Flight Controller. If
either of these conditions are not met, ALTA will be
uncontrollable and dangerous.
»It is your responsibility to perform a full system
check of ALTA prior to every flight.
»It is your responsibility to learn how to safely operate ALTA and to
adhere to all applicable rules and regulations.
»Fly at your own risk.

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LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
IN NO EVENT SHALL FREEFLY BE LIABLE TO BUYER FOR ANY INDIRECT,
CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, OR
ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM THE USE OF ALTA OR
FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS (HOWEVER CAUSED AND UNDER
ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY), EVEN IF FREEFLY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF
THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. IN NO EVENT SHALL FREEFLY’S
LIABILITY FOR A PRODUCT (WHETHER ASSERTED AS A TORT CLAIM,
A CONTRACT CLAIM OR OTHERWISE) EXCEED THE AMOUNTS PAID TO
FREEFLY FOR SUCH PRODUCT. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN,
IN NO EVENT SHALL FREEFLY’S LIABILITY FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT
OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT EXCEED THE AMOUNTS PAID BY
BUYER TO FREEFLY FOR PRODUCT IN THE LAST TWELVE (12) MONTHS.
IN NO EVENT WILL FREEFLY BE LIABLE FOR COSTS OF PROCUREMENT
OR SUBSTITUTE GOODS BY BUYER. THE LIMITATIONS SET FORTH HEREIN
SHALL APPLY TO ALL LIABILITIES THAT MAY ARISE OUT OF THIRD-
PARTY CLAIMS AGAINST BUYER. THESE LIMITATIONS SHALL APPLY
NOTWITHSTANDING ANY FAILURE OF ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OF ANY
LIMITED REMEDY.
Freefly shall not be liable for damages or injuries incurred directly
or indirectly from the use of ALTA including, but not limited to, the
following situations:
»Failure of operator to follow proper instructions and safety warnings
found at www.freeflysystems.com/software-manuals/.
»Failure of the operator to follow onboard safety
warnings while using ALTA.
»Failure of the operator to follow and comply
with local rules and regulations.
»Failure of the operator to inspect ALTA and its
components prior to operation.
»Failure of the operator to properly maintain and/or service
ALTA through an authorized Freefly Service Center
with genuine ALTA parts.
»Use of third-party products on ALTA.
»Use of ALTA in a physically or mentally
impaired capacity.
»Use of ALTA without sufficient training.
»Use of ALTA in unsafe conditions, including, but not limited to, bad or
severe weather, such as rain, wind, snow, lightning, dust storms, etc.,
or in areas of magnetic or radio interference, such as power stations,
broadcasting and cell phone towers,
government prohibited airspace, etc.
»Improper operation, misjudgment or risky behavior
while using ALTA.
»Infringement of third-party data, audio or video
rights recorded when using ALTA.

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BOOM NUMBERING AND PROP ROTATION (OVERHEAD VIEW)
BOOM 1 – Clockwise
BOOM 2 – Counter-Clockwise
BOOM 3 – Clockwise
BOOM 4 – Counter-Clockwise
BOOM 5 – Clockwise
BOOM 6 – Counter-Clockwise
FORWARD

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INTRODUCTION
ALTA is a professional multi-rotor aircraft designed
for demanding cinematic, television, and photographic
applications. Within five minutes, ALTA can unfold from
its carrying case to flying some of the most advanced
cinema cameras on either the top or bottom of the
aircraft. The Synapse Flight Controller is purpose-built
for cinema use, yielding precise yet smooth control.
This Setup Guide has been prepared to highlight the
operation of basic airframe and flight control systems.
It is supplemental to the ALTA User Manual, which
contains all the information required to set up, operate
and maintain an ALTA system safely. Do not operate
ALTA without completely reading the User Manual
found at www.freeflysystems.com/software-manuals/.
WARNING
Warnings are used to call attention to operating procedures which,
if not strictly observed, may result in personal injury or loss of life.
CAU T ION
Cautions are used to call attention to operating procedures which,
if not strictly observed, may cause damage to equipment.
NOTE
Notes are used to highlight specific operating conditions or steps
of a procedure.

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ALTA OVERVIEW
1. GPS/Compass/Wi-Fi Module/microSD Card
2. Propeller
3. Boom
4. Boom Latch
5. Inverted Landing Gear
6. Boom Retention Clip
7. Isolator Cartridge
8. Motor
9. Battery Pack (Not Included)
10. Battery Retention Strap
TOP MOUNT CONFIGRATION

11. Status Light
12. Orientation Light
13. Toad In The Hole Adapter
14. MōVI & Camera (Not Included)
15. Landing Gear (Not Included)
16. FPV Camera Mount
17. Handle
18. Power Leads
16
17
18
BOTTOM MOUNT CONFIGRATION
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UNBOXING ALTA
1. Case
2. ALTA
3. Case Lid Foam
4. Isolator Cartridges
a. (6) Teal (Installed)
b. (6) Black
c. (6) Red
5. Documentation
6. USB-Futaba Power Cable
7. Inverted Landing Gear
8. Antenna Tubes
9. FPV Cables
a. Skyzone/BOSCAM
b. ImmersionRC/Fat Shark
c. Ready Made RC
10. Fasteners
a. (4) M3 × 8 Socket Head for
Toad In The Hole Male Adapter
b. (2) M3 × 8 Flat Head for Accessory Mount
11. Toad In The Hole Male Adapter
12. 5.5mm Wrench
13. Hex Drivers (1.5mm, 2.0mm, 2.5mm)
14. Accessory Mount
15. Double-Sided Tape

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UNFOLDING ALTA
1. Remove ALTA from case
2. Fold down all six boom retention clips
3. Open ALTA booms
4. Snap shut all six boom latches until they “click”
6. Visually confirm all latches are seated properly
5. Remove prop protectors
234 6
5

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FOLDING ALTA
1. Secure props with prop protectors
2. Unlatch all six booms
3. Close ALTA booms
4. Fold up all six boom retention clips to secure booms
3
12 4

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INSTALLING A RADIO RECEIVER
1. Locate the noted closeout panels used for receiver
installation (between booms 1 & 2 and 5 & 6)
2. Remove side closeout panel with radio
wires using a 1.5mm hex driver
3. Identify required wire
4. Feed wire through grommet
5. Replace side closeout panel
6. Plug in receiver/satellite to wire
per the radio manufacturer’s
installation instructions
23 4 5
1
DSM2/DSMXS.BUS/S.BUS2
PPM
NOTE
Refer to the user manual for Futaba
voltage telemetery installation
instructions.

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7. Attach receiver/satellite to exterior using the provided double sided tape:
a. Futaba & PPM receiver
b. Spektrum/JR
8. For Futaba receivers, feed antenna wires into
antenna tubes and zip tie to noted mounting location
9. Repeat 1-7 on opposite side for dual receivers
(only applies to Futaba and Spektrum/JR)
BINDING A RADIO RECEIVER
Refer to the instructions provided with your
radio controller to complete the binding process.
For Spektrum/JR radios, a receiver is required
to bind the satellites to a radio controller.
7b
7a 8

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FAILSAFE AND LOSS OF SIGNAL
FUTABA S.BUS AND SPEKTRUM/JR DSM
When using Futaba receivers with S.Bus or S.Bus2, or using Spektrum
or JR receiver satellites with DSM2 or DSMX, the Synapse Flight
Controller can detect signal strength and a loss of signal event.
Setting failsafes in the receiver is not necessary, as failsafe behavior
is set in the ALTA App. The radio’s failsafe settings will not be used.
PPM RECEIVERS
When using a receiver with a PPM output signal, the Synapse Flight
Controller will not automatically detect loss of signal and will follow
the radio controller failsafe commands typically set during the bind
process. Refer to your radio controller manual for information
on setting up failsafes.
WARNING
Improperly set failsafe settings on P PM radio receivers can cause
unexpected flight behaviors if A LTA loses radio control signal.
After setting radio failsafe settings, ensure they are correct by
viewing the channel mapping parameters in the radio configuration
screen in the ALTA App, or viewing radio charts in the A LTA App.
Ensure that the radio commands behave as expected when the
radio controller is powered off.

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WE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING FAILSAFE SETTINGS:
1. Throttle: Neutral
2. Pitch/Roll/Yaw: Neutral
3. Flight Mode Switch: Position Mode
4. Home Switch: Return to Home
1234
POSITION
HEIGHT
MANUAL
LEFT STICK RIGHT STICK
R.T.H.

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INSTALLING A BATTERY
BOTTOM MOUNT
1. Place battery retention strap studs at the appropriate height for
battery pack(s)
2. Adjust battery stops to fit battery pack(s)
3. Attach the single-hole end of the battery retention straps
to the studs
4. Place battery pack(s) on battery tray below handle
5. Tension and secure battery retention straps.
WARNING
See warning on page 19.
CAU T ION
See cautions on page 19.
1 3 45 2

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TOP MOUNT
1. Adjust battery stops to fit battery pack(s)
2. Attach the single-hole end of the battery retention
strap to a stud on the landing gear
3. Place battery packs(s) in landing gear
4. Tension and secure battery retention straps
WARNING
Always secure battery packs with both battery retention straps.
CAU T ION
When plugging in battery packs, ensure the polarity is
correct. Positive is indicated by a red power lead, and
negative/ground is indicated by a black power lead.
Reversing polarity will damage ALTA’s electronics.
CAU T ION
When installing two battery packs, ensure they are at a similar
state of charge (a full pack voltage difference less than 0.5V).
Plugging in two dissimilarly charged packs could cause one pack
to rapidly discharge into the other and damage the batteries or
cause a battery fire.
CAU T ION
When using two battery packs, only use packs that are
identical in their capacity and at a similar condition. Using
a pack with another that is larger, or has many more
cycles, can damage the battery packs.
1 2 3–4

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STATUS LIGHT
The rear-facing Status Light shows the status of ALTA as it
boots, arms and flies. The following table shows the different
meanings of the light in the various flight phases.
FLIGHT PHASE LIGHT COLOR MEANING
BOOTING Flashing Red + White Flight controller is booting
STANDBY
Flashing White Flight controller is running and ready to arm
Flashing Red Flight controller is running and not ready to arm
Solid Red Flight controller boot unsuccessful
ARMED Off Ready for flight
FLIGHT - ALL MODES Solid Red
A flight controller error has occurred
Battery cell voltage below user-defined levels
FLIGHT - MANUAL MODE
Off Nominal flight status
No errors
Solid White Outside user-defined range, height or speed limits
FLIGHT - HEIGHT MODE
Off Nominal flight status
Height Hold inactive
Slow Flashing White Height Hold active
Flashing Red Battery cell voltage below user-defined levels
FLIGHT - POSITION MODE
Off
Nominal flight status
Height Hold inactive
Position Hold inactive
Slow Flashing White Height Hold or Position Hold active
Fast Flashing White Height Hold and Position Hold active
Flashing Red Battery cell voltage below user-defined levels