leptron RDASS HD Technical specifications

Part # 27670003
Revision 09-06-2016
Aircraft Flight Manual
RDASS HD

ii

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 DX9 Radio Controller Switchology ................................................12
2.3 HD Video Monitor.........................................................................16
3. PC Ground Control Station..............................................................17
3.1 Ground Control Station Components ...........................................17
3.2 Ground Control Station Procedures..............................................17
3.2.1 Link Ground Control Station to the Aircraft....................17
3.2.2 Create a Flight Plan Using Photogrammetry Tool...........18
3.2.3 Create a Flight Plan Using a Template ............................18
3.2.4 Edit, Save, and Recall a Flight Plan..................................20
4. Battery Procedures .........................................................................21
4.1 Battery Safety................................................................................21
4.2 Charging the Radio Controller.......................................................23
4.3 Charging the GoPro.......................................................................24
4.4 Testing LiPo Battery Voltage.........................................................24
4.5 Charging Sony α6000 Battery .......................................................24
4.6 Charging LiPo Flight Batteries .......................................................25
4.7 Charging the Video Monitor .........................................................26
4.8 Lipo Battery Storage Procedures ..................................................27
5. Cameras ..........................................................................................28

iv
5.1 GoPro Hero4 .................................................................................28
5.1.1 Common GoPro Operations............................................29
5.1.2 Take Time Lapse Photos..................................................29
5.1.3 GoPro Camera Specifications..........................................29
5.1.4 GoPro Hero4 Menus .......................................................30
5.1.5 GoPro Status Screen........................................................31
5.2 FLIR Vue and FLIR Vue Pro ............................................................32
5.2.1 FLIR Vue and FLIR Vue Pro Specifications .......................32
5.3 Sony α6000 ...................................................................................33
5.3.1 Sony α6000 Camera Specifications.................................34
5.4 MicaSense RedEdge ......................................................................35
5.4.1 MicaSense RedEdge Camera Specifications....................35
6. GeoReferencer................................................................................36
6.1 GeoReferencer Components ........................................................37
6.2 Configuring the GeoReferencer....................................................37
7. Flight Procedures ............................................................................39
7.1 Course Lock Procedure .................................................................39
7.2 Point of Interest Procedure...........................................................40
7.3 Go-Home Procedure .....................................................................41
7.4 Remote Control Take Back Procedure ..........................................42
7.5 Operating the Navigation Lights ...................................................42
8. HD Flight Checklist ..........................................................................43
8.1 Crew Brief................................................................................45
8.2 LED Autopilot Status Lights.....................................................46
9. Performance and Limits..................................................................48
9.1 Aircraft Specifications .............................................................48

v
9.2 Flight Time Calculation............................................................48
10. User-Level Maintenance .............................................................49
10.1 Rotor Removal ........................................................................49
10.2 Rotor Installation ....................................................................50
10.3 Compass Calibration ...............................................................51

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.

3
(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 flightcrew 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.

4
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: 27670006) 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 iPad in direct sunlight. The iPad can
overheat and will not be usable until the temperature
of the iPad 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

5
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
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.
Always give right of way to manned aircraft.
CAUTION
CAUTION
CAUTION
CAUTION
CAUTION
CAUTION
CAUTION
CAUTION
WARNING
WARNING

6
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

7
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
57605018
B
1
HiTec Charger
57605021
C
2
Flight Battery
57605014
D
C
Anti-Crush Tubes
27606044
B
C
D
E
F
G
H

8
Item
Qty
Description
Part
Number
E.1
1
Camera Gimbal
and Power
Cable
17606420
17606431
E.2
1
Camera
17606099
E.3
1
HDMI Ribbon
Cable
17606427
E.4
HD-2
SD-1
Video Antenna
17606701
F
1
Radio Controller
with Charger
17606135
G
1
Video Monitor
57605017
H
1
Tripod, Video
Monitor
17606401

9
Table 2: RDASS Maintenance Kit (Part # 57605029)
Item
Qty
Description
Part
Number
-
1
Laminated
Checklist
27670006
B.1
1
Wattmeter
17606022
-
1
Dynamite Driver
toolkit
17606091
-
1
10mm
Open/Closed End
Wrench
17606176
F.1
1
Spare Battery,
DX9 Radio
27606155
E.5
2
Spare e-Props
(Right)
17606024
E.5
2
Spare e-Props
(Left)
17606025
G.1
1
Spare Remote
Tether
57606010

10
Table 3: Optional Equipment
Qty
Description
Part
Number
1
PC Ground
Control Station
87600008
1
Tablet/PC
1
Sony α6000
17606716
1
GeoReferencer
17606826
1
Gyro Stabilized
Dual Camera
Gimbal
17606769
1
FLIR Camera
17606639
1
RedEdge
Multispectral
Camera
17606602
1
Red, Green,
White Navigation
Lights
57606006

11
Table 3: Optional Equipment (Continued)
Qty
Description
Part
Number
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

12
2.2 DX9 Radio Controller Switchology
+0
+0
+0
+0
7.9V
TX
Yaw Trim
Throttle Trim
Pitch (Fore)/Aft Trim
Lateral Trim
Intelligent Orientation Switch
GPS Position Hold Switch
Go-Home Switch or
Camera Select (for dual camera)
Count-Down Timer Switch
On/Off Switch
10:00
Count-Down Timer
Gimbal Position
Select

13
Aircraft Orientation Mode
Throttle
Climb
Descend
Yaw Control
Yaw Left
Yaw Right
Pitch Control
Fly Forward
Fly Rearward
Roll Control
Fly Right
Fly Left
Motor Startup
Combined
Stick
Command(CSC)
to start motors
Note: If the operator
holds the CSC for
longer than 2 seconds the
motors will shut off
Motor Shutdown
Hold 6
seconds to
shutoff motors
Warning: Releasing the
Throttle prior to 6
seconds can result in
unintentional flight
0
1 E
2

14
Course Lock Mode
Throttle
Climb
Descend
Yaw Control
Yaw Left
Yaw Right
Pitch Control
Fly in
direction that
aircraft nose was
pointing during
boot-up
regardless of
current aircraft
orientation
Fly in
direction that
aircraft tail was
heading during
boot-up
Roll Control
Fly in
direction that
aircraft right wing
was heading
during boot-up
Fly in
direction that
aircraft left wing
was heading
during boot-up
0
1 E
2
Current aircraft heading
Orientation during boot-up
Current aircraft heading
Orientation during boot-up
Current aircraft heading
Orientation during boot-up