Intel FALCON 8+ Technical specifications

INTEL®FALCON™ 8+
Unmanned Aircraft System
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Aircraftflightmanual

© 2017 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.
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Maintenance manual
INTEL® FALCON™ 8+ UAS
© 2017 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.
Copyright
This publication is protected by copyright. No part of the publication may be used, reproduced,
or translated, in any form, without the prior written consent of Intel Corporation.
AscTec, Ascending Technologies, the Ascending Technologies and Falcon logos are trademarks
of Intel Corporation.
© 2017 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.
Intel and the Intel logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation.
Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
Disclaimer
The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. All statements,
information and recommendations contained herein do not constitute a warranty of any kind,
express or implied. Please review this product guide thoroughly, paying particular attention to
any safety sections, to make sure that you use your unmanned aircraft system safely.
Intel Corporation reserves the right to change, amend or update all available documents,
including this User Manual, at any time and without notice regarding the Intel Falcon 8+
Unmanned Aircraft System. Contact your Intel Corporation representative or go to at
http://intel.com/FalconDownloads to obtain the latest documentation for this product.
The features and benefits of the unmanned aircraft system depend on system configuration
and may require enabled hardware, software, or service activation. Technical results may have
been estimated or simulated using internal analysis or architecture simulation or modeling of
any one or more of the following companies, and provided to you for informational purposes:
Intel Corporation, Ascending Technologies GmbH, which became an Intel Corporation
subsidiary after acquisition by Intel Corporation, or Intel Deutschland GmbH, the Intel
Corporation subsidiary into which Ascending Technologies GmbH merged after Intel
Corporation acquired it. Any differences in your system hardware, software or configuration
may affect actual performance.
Learn more at http://intel.com/FalconDownloads
The products described may contain design defects or errors known as errata which may cause
the product to deviate from published specifications. Current errata are available on request.
Except for the Limited Warranty in the Terms and Conditions for sale of this product.
Intel Corporation (Intel), and its subsidiaries, disclaim all other warranties, of any kind, express,
implied, statutory, or otherwise, including, without limitation, warranties of merchantability,
fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement, as well as any warranty arising from
course of performance, course of dealing, or usage in trade.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, Intel disclaims all liability for any damages, direct or
indirect, arising from the use of the unmanned aircraft system (UAS) outside of its intended use,
in breach of Intel Corporation’s Safety Guidelines, Safety Precautions or any other
documentation for this product, in violation of any applicable laws or regulations, or in violation
of any of the operating limitations of the aircraft, or from any error of the Operator.

© 2017 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.
No license of any kind, whether express, implied, statutory, by estoppel or otherwise to any
intellectual property rights, technology, software, in each case whether in whole or part, is
granted by Intel, or any of its subsidiaries, in this User Manual.
For permission requests, write to the licensee, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator
(RE: ISBN 978-1-945746-94-9) at the address below.
Printed in the United States of America.
First Printing, 2017
ISBN 978-1-945746-94-9
INTEL CORPORATION
2200 MISSION COLLEGE BLVD
SANTA CLARA, CA 95054
USA
© 2017 Intel Corporation.
All rights reserved.

RECORD OF REVISION
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REVISION NUMBER
REVISION DATE
REVISION NUMBER
REVISION DATE
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TABLEOFCONTENTS
RECORDOFREVISION...............................................................................................................................................................1
TABLEOFCONTENTS...............................................................................................................................................................3
SECTION1 GENERAL..........................................................................................................................................................9
INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................9
1.1.1 Intended use..............................................................................................................................................9
1.1.2 Safety............................................................................................................................................................9
1.1.3 Copyright Notice...................................................................................................................................10
1.1.4 Manual Organization...........................................................................................................................10
1.1.5 Page Layout ............................................................................................................................................10
1.1.6 Model Applicability..............................................................................................................................11
1.1.7 Manual Revisions..................................................................................................................................11
1.1.8 Request for Change or Correction ................................................................................................11
THREE VIEW –NORMAL GROUND ALTITUDE FIGURE .............................................................12
1.2.1 Aircraft Dimensions.............................................................................................................................12
DESCRIPTIVE DATA .................................................................................................................................13
1.3.1 Aircraft ......................................................................................................................................................13
1.3.2 Battery System ......................................................................................................................................13
1.3.3 Propulsion System...............................................................................................................................14
1.3.4 Communications...................................................................................................................................14
SYMBOLS, ABBREVIATIONS AND TERMINOLOGY.....................................................................15
SECTION2 LIMITATIONS...................................................................................................................................................17
INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................................17
AIRSPEED LIMITATIONS........................................................................................................................17
SERVICE CEILING ......................................................................................................................................17
PROPULSION LIMITATIONS.................................................................................................................17
WEIGHT LIMITS .........................................................................................................................................18
CENTER OF GRAVITY LIMITS...............................................................................................................18
FLIGHT AND MANEUVER LIMITATIONS..........................................................................................18
2.7.1 Minimum Crew Requirement...........................................................................................................19
ENERGY LIMITATIONS............................................................................................................................20

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2.8.1 Maximum Mission Endurance .........................................................................................................20
OTHER LIMITATIONS ..............................................................................................................................20
2.9.1 GPS Mode................................................................................................................................................20
2.9.2 Height Mode...........................................................................................................................................22
2.9.3 Manual Mode..........................................................................................................................................22
PLACARDS ...................................................................................................................................................24
2.10.1 Registration Numbers.........................................................................................................................24
2.10.2 Remote Controller ...............................................................................................................................24
SECTION3 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES.............................................................................................................................26
INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................................26
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES CHECKLIST ........................................................................................26
PROPULSION FAILURES ........................................................................................................................26
3.3.1 Propulsion Failure on Takeoff ........................................................................................................26
3.3.2 Propulsion Failure during Flight ....................................................................................................26
FIRES ..............................................................................................................................................................26
3.6.1 During Start on Ground .....................................................................................................................26
3.6.2 Electrical Fire in Flight........................................................................................................................27
MAGNETIC FIELD WARNING ................................................................................................................27
LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER............................................................................................................28
3.8.1 Battery Weak..........................................................................................................................................28
WARNING/ CAUTION LIGHTS AND ALARMS ................................................................................28
3.9.1 Battery Warnings..................................................................................................................................28
LOST LINK....................................................................................................................................................29
3.10.1 Loss of Navigation System ...............................................................................................................30
3.10.2 Loss of Automated Flight Control System (AFCS)..................................................................30
3.10.3 Loss of Ground Control Station .....................................................................................................31
SECTION4 NORMALPROCEDURES...................................................................................................................................34
INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................................34
SITE SETUP PROCEDURE......................................................................................................................34
ASSEMBLING THE UAS...........................................................................................................................36
4.3.1 Installing the Camera Mount ...........................................................................................................36
4.3.2 Payload and Compass Calibration................................................................................................37
CHECKLIST PROCEDURES ....................................................................................................................39

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PREFLIGHT INSPECTION .......................................................................................................................40
4.5.1 Daily Checks ...........................................................................................................................................40
4.5.2 Initial Preflight .......................................................................................................................................41
4.5.3 Preflight....................................................................................................................................................42
BEFORE STARTING MOTORS ..............................................................................................................42
SYSTEM START .........................................................................................................................................43
MOTOR START...........................................................................................................................................45
BEFORE TAKEOFF ....................................................................................................................................46
TAKEOFF/CLIMB .......................................................................................................................................46
4.10.1 Controlling the Intel®Falcon™ 8+ UAS from the Intel® Cockpit GCS................................47
CRUISE...........................................................................................................................................................47
DESCENT......................................................................................................................................................48
BEFORE LANDING.....................................................................................................................................48
LANDING.......................................................................................................................................................48
AFTER LANDING........................................................................................................................................49
4.15.1 Engine Shutdown.................................................................................................................................49
4.15.2 System Shutdown................................................................................................................................49
4.15.3 Post-Flight Check.................................................................................................................................50
SECURING AIRCRAFT ..............................................................................................................................50
SECTION5 PERFORMANCEPLANNING.............................................................................................................................52
INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................................52
FLIGHT PLANNING ...................................................................................................................................52
SECTION6 WEIGHTAND BALANCE/EQUIPMENTLIST.......................................................................................................56
INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................................56
AIRCRAFT WEIGHING PROCEDURES................................................................................................56
WEIGHT AND BALANCE .........................................................................................................................56
COMPREHENSIVE EQUIPMENT LIST................................................................................................56
SECTION7 AIRCRAFT AND SYSTEMSDESCRIPTION.........................................................................................................64
AIRFRAME ....................................................................................................................................................64
7.1.1 Central Unit.............................................................................................................................................65
7.1.2 Carbon Cross..........................................................................................................................................66
7.1.3 MOTOR RAILS AND PROPELLERS.................................................................................................66
7.1.4 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM .........................................................................................................................67

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7.1.5 LIGHTING SYSTEMS - EXTERIOR LIGHTING.............................................................................73
INTEL® COCKPIT GROUND CONTROL STATION.........................................................................74
7.2.1 Intel® Cockpit GCS Control Unit ......................................................................................................75
7.2.2 Overview of the Status Display Controls....................................................................................77
7.2.3 Normal Operation: Preparing the Intel® Cockpit GCS............................................................80
7.2.4 Flight Modes...........................................................................................................................................81
7.2.5 Camera Controls...................................................................................................................................83
7.2.6 Special Functions .................................................................................................................................84
CAMERA MOUNT AND GIMBAL ..........................................................................................................95
7.3.1 Camera Mount Exchange ..................................................................................................................96
PAYLOADS...................................................................................................................................................96
7.4.1 Overview ..................................................................................................................................................96
7.4.2 Inspection Payload ..............................................................................................................................97
7.4.3 Sony Alpha 7R Full Frame Camera ............................................................................................ 101
SECTION8 HANDLING,SERVICING andMAINTENANCE.................................................................................................106
INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................................... 106
IDENTIFICATION PLATE...................................................................................................................... 106
INTEL®FALCON™ 8+ UAS OWNER ADVISORIES....................................................................... 106
FLIGHT LOGS........................................................................................................................................... 106
INITIAL SET UP........................................................................................................................................ 108
8.5.1 Initial Setup of the Intel® Cockpit GCS....................................................................................... 108
8.5.2 Initial Setup of the Intel® Cockpit GCS Tablet ........................................................................ 109
REMOTE PILOT CONDUCTED PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE.............................................. 110
8.6.1 Life-Limited Parts.............................................................................................................................. 111
8.6.2 Continued Airworthiness Inspection......................................................................................... 111
OPERATIONAL CHECKS...................................................................................................................... 113
8.7.1 Overview ............................................................................................................................................... 113
8.7.2 Camera Horizon ................................................................................................................................. 115
ALTERATIONS OR REPAIRS............................................................................................................... 115
8.8.1 Firmware and Desktop Software ................................................................................................ 115
8.8.2 Field Repair.......................................................................................................................................... 116
GROUND HANDLING ............................................................................................................................ 119
8.9.1 Transport.............................................................................................................................................. 119

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8.9.2 Packing .................................................................................................................................................. 120
8.9.3 Unpacking............................................................................................................................................. 124
8.9.4 Storage................................................................................................................................................... 124
8.9.5 Batteries ................................................................................................................................................ 124
CLEANING AND CARE .......................................................................................................................... 126
8.10.1 Surfaces................................................................................................................................................. 126
8.10.2 Sony Alpha 7R Full Frame Camera General Care................................................................. 127
8.10.3 Inspection Payload General Care ............................................................................................... 127
8.10.4 Intel® Cockpit GCS Care ................................................................................................................... 127
SECTION9 SUPPLEMENTS............................................................................................................................................. 130
INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................................... 130
SUPPLEMENT1:INDEPENDENTCAMERACONTROL..............................................................................................................132
SECTION 1 –GENERAL ....................................................................................................................................... 132
SECTION 2 –LIMITATIONS. ............................................................................................................................... 132
SECTION 3 –EMERGENCY PROCEDURES .................................................................................................. 132
SECTION 4 –NORMAL PROCEDURES.......................................................................................................... 132
SECTION 5- PERFORMANCE............................................................................................................................ 132
SECTION 6- WEIGHT AND BALANCE............................................................................................................ 132
SECTION 7- AIRCRAFT AND SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION.......................................................................... 133
SECTION 8- HANDLING, SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE.................................................................. 134
SECTION 10- SAFETY.......................................................................................................................................... 134
SECTION10 SAFETY.....................................................................................................................................................136
INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................................... 136
10.1.1 Intended Use....................................................................................................................................... 136
10.1.2 Safety Guidelines............................................................................................................................... 136
10.1.3 Weather................................................................................................................................................. 139
10.1.4 Terrain.................................................................................................................................................... 139
10.1.5 Accident/Incident Reporting ........................................................................................................ 140

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GENERAL
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SECTION1 GENERAL
INTRODUCTION
Thank you very much for choosing The Intel®Falcon™ 8+ Unmanned Aircraft System!
The Intel®Falcon™ 8+ Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) is the first-choice multi-rotor for the
most challenging professional UAS inspections and surveying operations. Small and portable
with a maximum take-off weight of only 2.8 kg, but with a payload weight of 0.8 kg, the Intel®
Falcon™ 8+ UAS can carry professional cameras like the Sony Alpha 7R, offering the full quality
of an airborne image studio. The in-house developed AscTec Trinity Control Unit - the world's
first triple redundant, fully adaptive control unit for multi-rotor aircrafts - makes the Intel®
Falcon™ 8+ UAS the most advanced and reliable unmanned aircraft system. Thanks to the
modular concept, Remote Pilots can spontaneously exchange the payload at any time, and get
the very best out of each project by using the most suitable camera.
1.1.1 Intended use
This Aircraft Flight Manual is intended to provide comprehensive description and operating
instructions for the aircraft, controllers, and systems. The Intel®Falcon™ 8+ UAS is purposely
built for professional use. It is not intended for consumer use. Remote Pilots should already
have experience flying a UAS which requires control of the drone with a ground control similar
to the one included with the Intel®Falcon™ 8+ UAS.
The Intel®Falcon™ 8+ UAS is an unmanned aircraft system that is intended for commercial use
only, such as for visual inspection of infrastructure. It is not intended for any consumer or
recreational use.
Use the Intel®Falcon™ 8+ UAS only as intended. Always operate in accordance with the
operating limitations stated in the next sections of this Aircraft Flight Manual.
Operating the system while ignoring these guidelines and warnings might be illegal and subject
to penalty.
1.1.2 Safety
Sections 8 and 10 of this Manual contains important safety information.
The Remote Pilot operating the Intel®Falcon™ 8+ UAS must read, understand and accept all
warnings and guidelines outlined throughout this manual before using the Intel®Falcon™ 8+
UAS.
By using the Intel®Falcon™ 8+ UAS, the Remote Pilot certifies he or she has read and
understands all of the material in this document and all user documentation and agrees to
follow documentation warnings and guidelines.

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1.1.3 Copyright Notice
This manual contains information obtained from authentic and highly regarded sources.
Reasonable efforts have been made to publish reliable data and information. The author and
publisher cannot assume responsibility for the validity of all materials or the consequences of
their use. The authors and publishers have attempted to trace the copyright holders of all
materials produced and apologize to copyright holders if permission to publish in this form has
not been obtained. If any copyright material has not been acknowledged, please write to Intel
Corporation.
All content is used by permission within this publication. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including printing,
photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written
permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews
and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law
Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for
identification and explanation without intent to infringe.
1.1.4 Manual Organization
This manual is organized in the following manner:
SECTION 1 –INTRODUCTION
SECTION 2 –LIMITATIONS
SECTION 3 –EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
SECTION 4 –NORMAL PROCEDURES
SECTION 5 –PERFORMANCE
SECTION 6 –WEIGHT AND BALANCE
SECTION 7 –AIRCRAFT AND SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION.
SECTION 8 –HANDLING, SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
SECTION 9 –SUPPLEMENTS
SECTION 10 –SAFETY
1.1.5 Page Layout
Footer
The Footer identifies the current Chapter, Page Number, Document Revision Number and Date
of Last Revision for each page.
Page Numbering
Each Chapter of this Aircraft Flight Manual is numbered and contains numbered sub-sections.
For example, the General Chapter is Section 1 (one) and the Descriptive Data Subsection is
Subsection 1.3. .

GENERAL
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Notes, Cautions, Warnings
WARNING: A WARNING INFORMS THE PERSON PERFORMING THE OPERATION THAT
INJURY OR DEATH IS POSSIBLE IF THEY DO NOT FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS.
CAUTION: A CAUTION INFORMS THE PERSON PERFORMING THE OPERATION THAT
DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT IS POSSIBLE IF THEY DO NOT FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS.
Note: A note emphasizes relevant topics or information to the person performing the
operation.
1.1.6 Model Applicability
The information in this manual applies to the Intel®Falcon™ 8+ UAS.
1.1.7 Manual Revisions
Revision Issuance
The content of this manual will be kept current and revisions will be issued as needed. When
revisions are received, review the changes and then insert the revised pages into the manual.
Record of Revisions
The Record of Revisions provides information to allow the manual holder to identify the
Revision Status of the Manual. An updated Record of Revisions will be provided with each
revision.
Revision Marking
Updates, corrections or additions to previously issued pages are identified by a vertical line
(change bar) in the outer margin adjacent to the text that was changed.
1.1.8 Request for Change or Correction
Although Intel Corporation makes reasonable efforts to ensure that its documentation and all
information provided hereunder are current and complete, and contain no errors or
inaccuracies, Intel Corporation makes no representations, warranties or guarantees that said
documentation will be error-free or completely accurate or current at all times or at any time,
and Intel Corporation will correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions as soon as practicable.
Intel Corporation disclaims all liability for any damage arising from the use of this
documentation.
The policies, procedures, and processes detailed within this manual are the responsibility of
Intel Corporation unless otherwise specifically noted. Any comments regarding the contents of

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this manual, including but not limited to errors, omissions, conflicts with other documents,
suggestions for improvement or similar issues, shall be directed to:
INTEL CORPORATION
2200 MISSION COLLEGE BLVD
SANTA CLARA, CA 95054
USA
Intel Corporation reserves the right to change, amend or update all available documents at any
time and without notice. Contact an Intel Corporation representative to obtain the latest
unmanned aircraft specifications and roadmaps.
THREEVIEW–NORMALGROUNDALTITUDEFIGURE
1.2.1 Aircraft Dimensions

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DESCRIPTIVEDATA
1.3.1 Aircraft
TYPE:
V-Form Octocopter
PRPOELLER:
8 in diameter (20.32 cm)
LENGTH:
32.17 in (817 mm)
WIDTH:
30.24 in (768 mm)
HEIGHT:
6.30 in (160 mm)
EMPTY WEIGHT
2.65 lbs (1.2 kg)
MAX PAYLOAD
WEIGHT (CAMERA
AND GIMBAL)
1.76 lbs (0.8 kg)
MAKE TAKE-OFF
WEIGHT
6.17 lbs (2.8 kg)
MAX ASCENT /
DECENT SPEED
MANUAL MODE
22 mph (10 m/s)
HEIGHT MODE
6 mph (3 m/s)
GPS MODE
6 mph (3m/s)
MAX TURN RATE
MANUAL MODE
115º/s
HEIGHT MODE
115º/s
GPS MODE
75º/s
MAX AIR SPEED
MANUAL MODE
40 mph (18 m/s)
HEIGHT MODE
40 mph (18 m/s)
GPS MODE
10 mph (4.5 m/s) up to 22 mph (10 m/s)
MAX FLIGHT TIME
16 –26 min; varies based on payload weight, battery conditions, and
environmental conditions
1.3.2 Battery System
SYSTEM
POWER
ENDURANCE
Aircraft
Intel Powerpack 4000 mAh
26 min

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1.3.3 Propulsion System
MOTOR
Electrical, Brushless (Sensor-Less), with 125 W
Max Power Each
1.3.4 Communications
Operating Frequencies
COMMAND AND CONTROL
2.4 GHz Spread Spectrum
VIDEO
5.8 GHz frequency band
Command Link Range
COMMAND AND CONTROL
4921 feet (1500m)
VIDEO
0.34 mi (550 m)