leptron RDASS HD2 Technical specifications

Part # 27670012
Revision 05-25-2017
Aircraft Flight Manual
RDASS HD2

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iii
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ......................................................................................1
1.1 Documentation Conventions ..........................................................1
1.2 Abbreviations and Terms................................................................2
1.3 Notes, Cautions, and Warnings.......................................................4
2. RDASS System Description................................................................7
2.1 List of Components .........................................................................7
2.2 Remote Control Switchology ........................................................12
2.3 GO App Tablet Display ..................................................................13
3. GO App............................................................................................14
3.1 Aircraft Status Menu.....................................................................14
3.2 Intelligent Orientation Control (IOC) Menu..................................15
4. Ground Station Pro .........................................................................18
Ground Station Pro Procedures ....................................................18
4.1.1 Link Ground Station Pro to the Aircraft ..........................18
4.1.2 Create a Mapping Flight Plan:.........................................18
4.1.3 Create a WayPoint Flight Plan:........................................19
4.1.4 Create a Virtual Fence Flight Plan...................................20
5. Battery Procedures .........................................................................22
5.1 Battery Safety................................................................................22
5.2 Charging the Radio Controller.......................................................24
5.3 Charging the GoPro.......................................................................25
5.4 Testing LiPo Battery Voltage.........................................................25
5.5 Charging Sony α6000 Battery .......................................................25
5.6 Charging LiPo Flight Batteries .......................................................26

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5.7 Lipo Battery Storage Procedures ..................................................27
6. Cameras ..........................................................................................28
6.1 GoPro Hero4 .................................................................................28
6.1.1 GoPro Camera Specifications..........................................29
6.1.2 Common GoPro Operations............................................29
6.1.3 Take Time Lapse Photos..................................................29
6.1.4 GoPro Hero4 Menus .......................................................30
6.1.5 GoPro Status Screen........................................................31
6.2 FLIR Vue and FLIR Vue Pro ............................................................32
6.2.1 FLIR Vue and FLIR Vue Pro Specifications .......................32
6.3 Sony α6000 ...................................................................................33
6.3.1 Sony α6000 Camera Specifications.................................34
6.4 MicaSense RedEdge ......................................................................35
6.4.1 MicaSense RedEdge Camera Specifications....................35
6.5 Additional Ethernet Out................................................................36
7. GeoReferencer................................................................................37
7.1 GeoReferencer Components ........................................................37
7.2 Configuring the GeoReferencer....................................................37
8. Flight Procedures ............................................................................38
8.1 Remote Control Power On/Off ...............................................38
8.2 Compass Calibration ...............................................................39
8.3 Gimbal Procedure ...................................................................40
8.4 GPS Mode................................................................................41
8.5 Course Lock Procedure ...........................................................42
8.6 Course Lock Mode...................................................................43
8.7 Home Lock Procedure.............................................................44

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8.8 Home Lock Mode....................................................................45
8.9 Return-to-Home Procedure ....................................................46
8.10 Remote Control Take Back Procedure....................................47
9. Flight Checklist ................................................................................48
9.1 Crew Brief................................................................................50
9.2 LED Autopilot Status Lights.....................................................51
10. Performance and Limits..............................................................53
11.1 Aircraft Specifications .............................................................53
11.2 Flight Time Calculation............................................................53
11. User-Level Maintenance .............................................................54
11.1 Rotor Removal ........................................................................54
11.2 Rotor Installation ....................................................................55
11.3 IMU Calibration.......................................................................56

1
1.INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of the Leptron RDASS. The
Leptron RDASS offers a superior aerial data collection platform.
Leptron provides this manual to support safe, effective, and legal
operations of our small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS). You
can ensure that you are getting the maximum benefit from your
sUAS by strictly observing all operating procedures and practices
outlined in this manual. You should regularly check leptron.com
for updates to this manual, as this manual is subject to change
without notice.
1.1 Documentation Conventions
An operating procedure, condition, etc.,
which is essential to highlight.
An operating procedure, practice, etc. which,
if not strictly observed, could result in
damage to or destruction of equipment.
An operating procedure, practice, etc., which,
if not correctly followed, could result in
personal injury or loss of life.
SHALL:
Used to indicate a mandatory requirement.
WILL:
Used to express a declaration of purpose.
SHOULD:
Used to indicate a nonmandatory but
preferred method of accomplishment.
MAY:
Used to indicate an acceptable method.
NOTE
CAUTION
WARNING

2
1.2 Abbreviations and Terms
(AGL) Above
Ground Level
Altitude measured with respect to the
ground surface. This is as opposed to
altitude measured above mean sea
level (MSL).
(ATC) Air Traffic
Control
The ground-based personnel and
equipment concerned with monitoring
and controlling air traffic within a
particular area.
(COA) Certificate of
Waiver or
Authorization
An authorization issued by the Air
Traffic Organization to an operator for a
specific unmanned aircraft activity.
(FOV) Field of
View:
The area in front of a camera or sensor
that can be observed instantaneously.
(FPV) First Person
View
A method used to control a radio-
controlled aircraft looking from the point
of view of an on-board camera.
(FTF) Functional
Test Flight:
A series of flight maneuvers used to
verify functionality controllability of the
aircraft and associated flight equipment
throughout various flight regimes.
(IOC) Intelligent
Orientation
Control:
IOC modes consist of Course Lock (CL)
and Point-of-Interest (POI). CL fixes the
directional orientation of the aircraft in
reference to the aircraft heading during
boot-up. POI adjusts the aircraft
heading to maintain a nose-in
orientation on a recorded point.
(LiPo) Lithium
Polymer:
A rechargeable battery consisting of a
single or multiple cells containing lithium
ion polymer chemistry.
(MTR) Military
Training Route:
Aerial corridors across the United States
in which military aircraft can operate
below 10,000 feet faster than the
maximum safe speed of 250 knots that
all other aircraft are restricted to while
operating below 10,000 feet.
Night
The time between the end of evening
civil twilight and the beginning of
morning civil twilight, as published in the
Air Almanac, converted to local time.

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(NOTAM) Notice to
Airmen:
A written notification issued to pilots
before a flight, advising them of
circumstances relating to flying.
(PIC) Pilot in
Command:
The person who has final authority and
responsibility for the operation and
safety of the flight; has been designated
as PIC before the flight.
(RDASS) Rapidly
Deployable Aerial
Surveillance
System
A UAS designed to be easily
transportable and rapidly deployable.
(TFR) Temporary
Flight Restriction:
An area restricted to flight due to a
hazardous condition, a special event, or
a general warning for the entire
airspace.
(UA) Unmanned
aircraft:
Any aircraft that is operated without the
possibility of direct human intervention
from within or on the aircraft.
(UAS) Unmanned
Aircraft System:
Unmanned aircraft and associated
elements, including communication links
and the components that control the
unmanned aircraft, that are required for
the PIC to operate safely and efficiently
in the national airspace system.
(VLOS) Visual Line
of Sight:
Unaided (corrective lenses and/or
sunglasses excepted) visual contact
between a pilot in command and an
unmanned aircraft sufficient to maintain
safe operational control of the aircraft,
know its location, and be able to scan
the airspace in which it is operating to
see and avoid other air traffic or objects
aloft or on the ground.
(VO) Visual
Observer:
A person acting as a flight crew member
who assists the small UA remote PIC
and the person manipulating the
controls to see and avoid other air traffic
or objects aloft or on the ground.

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1.3 Notes, Cautions, and Warnings
Read the entire manual before operating the
RDASS.
This manual shall be immediately available to the
operator at all times during operation of the
RDASS. Check leptron.com regularly to ensure the
most up-to-date version of this manual is used.
Always use the Flight Checklist provided herein
during flight. For convenience, a laminated Flight
Checklist (P/N: 27670011) is provided to meet this
requirement.
Maintain a Pilot Log and an Aircraft Log (P/N:
27670002) for all flights. Additional log sheets are
available on leptron.com (FAA 14 CFR 61.51 (b).
Comply with all FAA (or similar aviation authority)
and local regulations.
Before flying, check for Temporary Flight
Restrictions (TFRs), Military Training Routes
(MTRs), and Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs) that may
affect your planned flight.
If you experience any issue not covered in this
manual, please contact a Leptron Authorized
Dealer. A list of dealers can be found at
leptron.com.
Do not leave tablet in direct sunlight. The tablet can
overheat and will not be usable until the
temperature of the tablet drops sufficiently.
Do not fly within 500 feet below or within 2000 feet
horizontally of any cloud.
ONLY use Leptron provided propellers and
batteries.
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE
CAUTION
CAUTION

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Keep the compass module away from magnets
including car speakers. Magnets can damage the
compass and can cause the aircraft to lose control.
Do not leave LiPo batteries in direct sunlight. This
can reduce the life of the batteries.
Do Not Expose LiPo batteries to temperatures
below 20°F. The internal battery cells can freeze
and rupture.
Store and ship batteries in accordance with local
and federal laws.
Verify the WiFi function is disabled on GoPro to
avoid interference with the Radio Controller, which
may cause the RDASS to execute a Go-Home or
become uncontrollable.
Do not leave LiPo batteries unattended while
charging. An undetected fault in the charger could
cause a fire.
Visual Line of Sight SHALL be maintained at all
times by ether the PIC or VO.
Failure to install antennas can cause permanent
damage to equipment. Always install antennas prior
to powering any equipment that uses an antenna.
Do not fly at night without red, green, and white
navigation lights. Always follow FAA (or similar
aviation authority) and local regulations when flying
at night.
Flight within 5 nautical miles of any airport may
require special permissions, a VHF 2-Way radio,
and coordination with Air Traffic Control (ATC) a
minimum of 24 hours in advance.
CAUTION
CAUTION
CAUTION
CAUTION
CAUTION
CAUTION
CAUTION
CAUTION
CAUTION
WARNING

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Always give right of way to manned aircraft.
Before flying you should seek out flight training from
a qualified instructor. Leptron recommends
receiving flight training from a Leptron factory
trained instructor.
Maintain 500 foot clearance from all persons and
property when conducting a post-maintenance
functional test flight.
Beware of spinning motors and propellers.
All parts must be kept out of the reach of children to
avoid choke hazard; if a child accidentally swallows
any part you should immediately seek medical
assistance.
Motors can be very hot after flight!
Do not alter auto pilot firmware or settings. Flight
stability can be negatively affected.
WARNING
WARNING
WARNING
WARNING
WARNING
WARNING
WARNING

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2.RDASS SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
2.1 List of Components
Table 1: RDASS Basic Components
Item
Qty
Description
Part
Number
A
1
Pelican Case with
Foam
57605033
B
1
HiTec Charger
57605021
C
2
Flight Battery
57605014
D
C
Anti-Crush Tubes
27606044
B
D
G
F
E
C

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Table 1: RDASS Basic Components (Continued)
Item
Qty
Description
Part
Number
E.1
1
Camera
17606099
E.2
1
HDMI Ribbon
Cable
17606427
F
1
iPad Mini
17606856
G.1
1
Remote Control
17606829
G.2
1
Expansion Module
17606958

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Table 2: RDASS Maintenance Kit (Part # 57605029)
Item
Qty
Description
Part
Number
-
1
Laminated
Checklist
27670011
-
1
Wattmeter
17606022
-
1
Dynamite Driver
Toolkit
17606091
-
1
10mm
Open/Closed End
Wrench
17606176
-
2
Spare e-Props
(Right)
17606024
-
2
Spare e-Props
(Left)
17606025

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Table 3: Optional Equipment
Qty
Description
Part
Number
1
Sony α6000
17606716
1
GeoReferencer
17606826
1
Camera Gimbal
and Power
Cable
87606044
1
Gyro Stabilized
Dual Camera
Gimbal
17606769
1
FLIR Camera
17606639
1
RedEdge
Multispectral
Camera
17606602

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Table 3: Optional Equipment (Continued)
Qty
Description
Part
Number
1
Red, Green,
White Navigation
Lights
57606006
1
Additional Video
HDMI Out and
Ethernet Out
87606018
1
SanDisk 64 GB
Card
17606527
1
12 Volt Power
Supply
77610000
1
Red and Blue
Strobe
17606629

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2.2 Remote Control Switchology
On/Off Switch
Return-to-Home
Link Indicator LED
Battery Status LEDs
Charging Port
Inoperative
Inoperative
Flight Mode
Inoperative
Video Source Switch
Gimbal Tilt
USB Port
HDMI Port
SDI Jack
Upgrade Port
Inoperative
Inoperative

2.3 GO App Tablet Display
Exit
System Status
TakeOff/Land
Flight
Telemetry
IOC Menu
Aircraft Altitude
(AGL)
Vertical Speed
Distance from
Home
Horizontal Speed
Distance from
Remote Control
Map
General Settings
Flight Voltage
Video Signal
Remote Control
Signal
Flight Mode
GPS Signal
Strength
Return to
Home

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3.GO APP
The GO App displays flight telemetry data and options during aircraft
operation. In addition to aircraft status indications and location data,
the Go app also allows for the selection of automatic takeoff and
landing, intelligent orientation modes, and the return-to-home function.
3.1 Aircraft Status Menu
In addition to
activating the
compass calibration
via flight mode
switch, the compass
can also be calibrated
by clicking “Calibrate”
in the Aircraft Status
Menu.