Parrot ANAFI Thermal User manual

User Guide v3.0– published on May 14, 2019 3
With Thermal, you have chosen the finest, quietest, and most portable flying 4K HDR
and thermography camera, you can use everywhere on the go, anytime.
We strongly recommend you read the following information and instructions thoroughly
before you get Thermal in the air, to make the most of your first 26-minute flight.
The indispensable prerequisites, on the next pages, will not occupy more than 5 minutes of
your time: Thermal requires the FreeFlight 6 v6.5 (or a more recent release) app to fly,
and to make sure your drone and controller are fully up-to-date with the latest features.
As you discover the world of possibilities that Thermal opens to you, you will fully
understand the importance of mission planning in your workflow.
Have a great read, and many productive hours flying Thermal.
-Read entirely at least once: it answers most questions that most users encounter
when they discover Thermal.
-Keep it for reference and stay alert for updates: they will be advertised on all Parrot
websites and social media.
-The Table of contents, on page 7, is active. Click a title to access the corresponding
section.
-This online user guide has no index: use [ctrl]-F (Windows) or [command]-F (Mac) to
browse all occurrences of any keyword ( flight , preferences , gimbal , thermography
photo , EV , ISO , and so on).

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You want Thermal up in the air as soon as possible, so do we. Refer to the enclosed
Super Quick Start Guide (SQSG) if you need illustrated guidance to get these quick
prerequisites out of the way.
1. Wake your Thermal’s smart battery up. Charge the battery using the enclosed
USB-A to USB-C cable and a USB-A power adapter. The battery’s LEDs start flashing:
it is awake. Let it charge while you read. Parrot recommends you always run a full
charge of your smart battery before flying Thermal
2. Download FreeFlight 6 on your iOS or Android smartphone: Thermal requires
FreeFlight 6 to fly. The app will enable you to update your Parrot Skycontroller 3 and
Thermal when you power them on for the first time.
Android FreeFlight 6 QR code iOS FreeFlight 6 QR code
When you have downloaded and installed FreeFlight 6, unfold the central arm of
Parrot Skycontroller 3 to power it on.
Use your device’s USB cable to connect it to Parrot Skycontroller 3 USB-A port, and
install it on the device holder, as shown in the enclosed SQSG.
A prompt appears on your screen, which invites you to allow the communication
between your device and the controller.
Tap “Allow” (iOS) or “OK” (Android): FreeFlight 6 runs. After your device displays the
app’s splash screen, you get to FreeFlight 6 homepage.

User Guide v3.0– published on May 14, 2019 5
If the prompt does not appear on your screen when you connect your device to your Parrot
Skycontroller 3, launch FreeFlight 6 manually, as any other app.
iOS FreeFlight 6 homepage
3. Tap the green “FLY” box on the homepage of FreeFlight 6 to launch the initial
updates. FreeFlight 6 automatically updates the Parrot Skycontroller 3 first, and
Thermal second.
4. Parrot Skycontroller 3 update: tap the green “CONTINUE” box to proceed. FreeFlight 6
displays an animation and a progress circle on a screen labelled “Preparing your
controller”. When the update is finished, the screen displays “Your controller is ready”.
Tap “CONTINUE” to access the update of Thermal (screenshots below are
Android).

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5. Thermal update: tap the green “CONTINUE” box to proceed. FreeFlight 6
displays an animation and a progress circle on a screen labelled “Preparing your
drone”. When the update is finished, the screen displays “Your drone is ready” and a
“CONTINUE” box. Tap this “CONTINUE” box to come back to FreeFlight 6 homepage
(screenshots below are iOS).
6. All systems are ready for flight.

User Guide v3.0– published on May 14, 2019 7
............................................................................................................. 3
........................................................................................................................................... 3
.............................................................................................................................................. 4
......................................................................................................................................... 7
................................................................................................................................................. 10
About Thermal........................................................................................................................ 10
About lens cap and camera calibration ............................................................................................. 10
About Wi-Fi ........................................................................................................................................ 10
About 4K video formats..................................................................................................................... 10
About the smart battery ................................................................................................................... 10
About auto-RTH (return home) .......................................................................................................... 11
About devices .................................................................................................................................... 11
About My.Parrot accounts.................................................................................................................. 11
................................................................................................................................................ 12
.............................................................................................................................. 13
...................................................................................................................................... 14
................................................................................................................... 15
Ready to store or carry...................................................................................................................... 15
Ready to fly ....................................................................................................................................... 15
....................................................................................................... 16
Ready to store or carry...................................................................................................................... 16
Ready to pilot .................................................................................................................................... 16
Camera and gimbal controls.............................................................................................................. 17
LED status indicator color codes........................................................................................................ 17
.................................................................................................................................... 18
Equipment.......................................................................................................................................... 18
Regulations........................................................................................................................................ 18
Flight conditions ................................................................................................................................ 18
.......................................................................................................................................... 19
................................................................................................................................................. 20
Ground take-off.................................................................................................................................. 20
Hand launch....................................................................................................................................... 20
...................................................................................................................................................... 21

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........................................................................................................................................ 22
Precise Home Setting ........................................................................................................................ 22
................................................................................................................................................ 22
.................................................................................................................................................... 23
..................................................................................................................................... 24
Battery removal ................................................................................................................................. 24
Battery installation............................................................................................................................ 25
Battery charging ................................................................................................................................ 25
Battery care and safety..................................................................................................................... 26
......................................................................................................................................... 28
Extracting the microSD card .............................................................................................................. 28
Retrieving photos and videos ............................................................................................................ 28
Installing the microSD card................................................................................................................ 28
Compatible microSD cards................................................................................................................. 29
Direct media retrieval (drone to computer) ....................................................................................... 29
FreeFlight 6 Gallery............................................................................................................................ 29
............................................................................................................................ 30
Presentation of the iOS HUD (video mode view) ............................................................................... 31
Presentation of the Android HUD (photo mode view) ....................................................................... 33
.............................................................................................................................................. 34
Interface............................................................................................................................................. 34
Thermal .............................................................................................................................................. 34
Piloting............................................................................................................................................... 35
Safety ................................................................................................................................................ 36
Camera .............................................................................................................................................. 36
Network ............................................................................................................................................. 36
............................................................................................................. 38
Making videos .................................................................................................................................... 38
Taking photos .................................................................................................................................... 40
Creating Panoramas.......................................................................................................................... 43
..................................................................................................................... 47
Gimbal tilt control .............................................................................................................................. 47
Zoom control...................................................................................................................................... 47
Camera Calibration: Correct horizon (exceptional procedure) ........................................................... 50
Camera Calibration: Gimbal calibration ............................................................................................. 52

User Guide v3.0– published on May 14, 2019 9
.................................................................................................................................. 53
Exposure value (EV) ........................................................................................................................... 53
Shutter speed (s)............................................................................................................................... 53
ISO value (ISO) ................................................................................................................................... 54
White balance (WB) ........................................................................................................................... 54
HDR .................................................................................................................................................... 56
NATURAL Style ................................................................................................................................... 56
P-LOG Style ........................................................................................................................................ 56
INTENSE Style .................................................................................................................................... 56
PASTEL Style...................................................................................................................................... 57
ADJUSTMENT...................................................................................................................................... 57
Lock AE............................................................................................................................................... 58
Lock AE Touch .................................................................................................................................... 59
........................................................................................................................................ 60
About Thermal Imaging ..................................................................................................................... 60
Presentation of the Thermal HUD...................................................................................................... 60
Relative Thermal mode ...................................................................................................................... 61
Spot Thermal mode ........................................................................................................................... 63
Absolute Thermal mode..................................................................................................................... 64
................................................................................................................. 66
................................................................................................................................................. 69
360°.................................................................................................................................................... 69
Reveal ................................................................................................................................................ 69
Spiral.................................................................................................................................................. 70
Epic .................................................................................................................................................... 70
.......................................................................................................................................... 71
Manual flight...................................................................................................................................... 71
Cameraman ....................................................................................................................................... 71
Follow Me........................................................................................................................................... 72
Smartdronies ..................................................................................................................................... 74
Touch & Fly: Waypoint ....................................................................................................................... 74
Touch & Fly: POI ................................................................................................................................. 75
Flight Plan.......................................................................................................................................... 76

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About Thermal
Thermal was designed and optimized to fly as is. Parrot therefore strongly
discourages the use of any add-on or accessory which could be mounted on, or attached to
Thermal (motor covers, feet extensions, buoys, hulls, etc.). In addition to the
overweight they carry for the drone and its motors, they can indeed magnetically disturb
Thermal and impair its communications.
About lens cap and camera calibration
Always remove Thermal’s lens cap before you power the drone on. The calibration of
the camera cannot be achieved with the lens cap on, and furthermore, leaving the lens cap
on the camera for the calibration can damage the mechanism of the gimbal.
About Wi-Fi
Parrot asks you to switch off your smartphone’s Wi-Fi connection when flying Thermal
with both the Parrot Skycontroller 3 and your phone: with this configuration, the drone and
the controller communicate through Thermal’s Wi-Fi network and activating your
phone’s Wi-Fi can only result in interferences.
Therefore, your phone’s Wi-Fi should only be activated –and connected to Thermal’s
Wi-Fi network –when you want to fly the drone using your smartphone as its sole controller.
About 4K video formats
4K video formats are professional grade media which may not be read natively by slower
computers. Shoot in 1080p or use a video converter to turn your Thermal’s 4K videos
into a more manageable format (like 1080p) if they do not read properly on your equipment.
This is especially true for Parrot’s 4K Cinema format, which can only be handled by
professional editing equipment.
About the smart battery
Thermal’s smart battery is preinstalled on your drone. Always install it the same way
and never attempt to install it upside down as it could expose your battery and your drone
to irrecoverable electrical damage. As you will find out by reading this guide, Thermal’s
battery is smart enough to enter a wintering mode when you are not using it for ten days in
a row. This also means you need to wake it up and charge it completely before you fly
Thermal for the first time.

User Guide v3.0– published on May 14, 2019 11
About auto-RTH (return home)
By design, when synchronized to GPS and Glonass satellites and when short on power,
Thermal will always attempt to come back to its most recent take-off point, at
minimal height over this take-off point, which is configurable through FreeFlight 6 (between
20 meters and 100 meters) and is set by default at 30 meters.
For this reason, Parrot recommends Thermal pilots to take extra care when moving
away from the take-off location of their drone (for example to follow Thermal). In such
cases, pilots must cancel the auto-RTH from the orange 1-minute alert which appears on the
screen of their device, and keep piloting Thermal while monitoring closely its battery
level, until it runs out of power and lands.
About devices
In the following pages, the word "device" refers to the smartphone or tablet, either iOS or
Android-based, on which FreeFlight 6 is installed.
About My.Parrot accounts
Parrot strongly recommends that you use your My.Parrot account (or create one if
Thermal is your first Parrot drone) to let Parrot store your Thermal flight data. Sharing
your data, even anonymously, benefits the community, as it enables us to improve our
products. It also directly benefits all identifiable users in case they need to contact Parrot
support teams.

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1. Thermal IS NOT A TOY and should not be used or handled by a person under
the age of 18 years.
2. BEFORE USING Thermal:
(A) CAREFULLY READ the user manual and all information and documentation
available on www.parrot.com, which is susceptible to be updated at any time and
without prior notice (hereinafter referred to as "Parrot Documentation"). SPECIAL
ATTENTION must be given to the paragraphs marked with the symbol ;
(B) ENSURE YOU ARE AWARE OF THE REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO THE USE OF DRONES
AND THEIR ACCESSORIES (hereinafter referred to as "Applicable Regulations");
(C) REMEMBER that Thermal may expose others and yourself to EQUIPMENT
DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, OR BOTH, which could result in serious harm or death.
3. Be aware that videos and photos that are promoted and advertised by Parrot Drones
SAS and its affiliates have been made by and with experienced professionals and
drone pilots. IN CASE OF DOUBT RELATING TO THE USE OF YOUR Thermal DRONE
AND ITS ACCESSORIES, ALWAYS REFER TO THE MOST RECENT VERSION OF THE PARROT
DOCUMENTATION.
4. TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, PARROT DRONES SAS, ITS
SUBSIDIARIES, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRIBUTORS AND RETAILERS SHALL NOT BE
LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES ARISING FROM, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE NON-
COMPLIANCE OF PARROT WITH THE DOCUMENTATION OR THE APPLICABLE REGULATIONS
BY YOURSELF OR ANY PERSON USING YOUR Thermal.

User Guide v3.0– published on May 14, 2019 13
DRONE
• Size folded: 218x69x64mm
• Size unfolded (propellers unfolded):
242x315x64mm
• Weight: 315g
• Max transmission range: 4km with
Parrot SkyController 3
• Max flight time: 26min
• Max speed: 55km/h
• Max vertical speed: 4m/s
• Max wind resistance: 50km/h
• Service ceiling: 4.500m above sea level
• Operating temperature: -10°C to 40°C
SENSORS:
• GNSS: GPS + GLONASS
• Barometer and magnetometer
• Vertical camera and ultra-sound sensor
• 2x6-axis IMU
• 2x3-axis accelerometers
• 2x3-axis gyroscopes
CONTROLLER
• Size folded: 94x152x72mm
• Size unfolded: 153x152x116mm
• Weight: 386g
• Transmission system: Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n
• Operating frequencies: 2.4GHz – 5.8GHz
• Max transmission range: 4km
• Live streaming resolution: 720p (HD)
1280x720
• Battery capacity: 2,500mAh 3.6V
• Supported mobile devices:
- Without tablet holder: screen size up to 6.2’’
- With tablet holder: screen size up to 10”
• USB ports: USB-C (charge), USB-A
(connection)
RGB CAMERA
• Sensor: CMOS 1/2.4", 21MP
• LD-ASPH lens:
- Aperture: f/2.4
- Focal length: 26mm (equivalent 35mm)
• Depth of field: 1.5m to infinity
• Video format: MP4 (H264)
• Video resolution:
- 4K Cinema (4096x2160 24fps)
- 4K UHD (3840x2160 24/25/30fps)
- FHD (1920x1080 24/25/30/48/50/60fps)
- HD (1280x720 96/100/120fps)
• Video HFOV: 69°
•HDR: 4K UHD, 2.7K and 1080p videos, JPEG
photos
• Digital zoom:
- Lossless: up to x2.8 (FHD), up to x1.9
(2.7K), up to x1.4 (4K UHD)
- Standard: up to 3x (all resolutions)
• Photo formats: JPEG, DNG (RAW)
• Photo modes: single, burst, bracketing, timer
and panorama
• Photo resolution:
- Wide: 21MP (5344x4016) / 4:3 / 84° HFOV
- Rectilinear: 12MP (4000x3000) / 4:3 / 75.5°
HFOV
• Shutter speed: 1 to 1/10000s
• ISO: 100 to 3200
• EV compensation: [-3, +3]
• Max video bitrate: 100Mbps
IMAGE STABILIZATION
• 3-axis hybrid stabilization:
- Mechanical: 2-axis (roll & pitch)
- Electronic (EIS): 3-axis (roll, pitch & yaw)
- Controllable tilt range: -90° to +90°
(nadir to zenith)
THERMAL CAMERA
• Sensor: microbolometer FLIR Lepton® 3.5 (radiometric)
• Resolution: 160x120
• HFOV: 57°
• Pixel pitch: 12μm
• Spectral band: 8-14μm
• Photo format: JPEG
• Photo resolution: 3264x2448 (4/3)
• Photo modes: Single / Timelapse / GPS Lapse
• Video format: MP4 (H264)
• Video recording resolution: 1440x1080, 9fps
• Precision: ±5% max. (High-gain) or ±10%
max. (Low-gain)
• Scene Dynamic Range: -10° à +140°C
(High-gain) or -10° à +400°C (Low-gain)
• Video: MP4
SMART BATTERY
• Type: LiPo 2S
• Capacity: 2700mAh
• Voltage: 7.6V
• Weight: 124 g
• Temperature range: -20°C / 60°C
• Charging time: 1h15
• Max charging power: 26.1W (3A * 8.7V)
CHARGER
• Power: 52 W
• Input AC: 100–240 V, 50–60 Hz, 1,5A (Max)
• Output:
- 4x USB: DC 5V/6.8A (each 2.4A Max)
- USB quick charge 3.0: DC 3.6V-6.5V/3A,
6.5V-9V/2A, 9V-12V/1.5A
• Energy efficiency: Level VI
• Dimensions: 95x28.8x61mm
• Weight: 200g
• AC Power Cords: US, EU, UK

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Your Thermal package contains:
-an Thermal drone
-3 smart batteries, one of which preinstalled on Thermal
-a shoulder bag
-a lens cap, preinstalled on the gimbal
-4 USB-A to USB-C charging cables
-A multi-port USB charger
-a 16GB microSD card, preinstalled in Thermal
-a microSD to SD card adapter
-a Parrot Skycontroller 3
-a tablet holder
-8 spare propeller blades
-a mounting tool
-a Flight Safety Guide
-a Super Quick Start Guide (SQSG)
-a Wi-Fi settings card

User Guide v3.0– published on May 14, 2019 15
Ready to store or carry
Foldable arms
and propellers
Ready to fly
Smart battery Battery extraction button
Charge level LED indicators 180° tilt 4K HDR &
thermography double camera
gimbal
Power button

16
Ready to store or carry
Left control stick Right control stick
Power-on foldable arm and device holder
Ready to pilot
LED status indicator Wi-Fi antenna
RTH (return home) button Take-off/landing button

User Guide v3.0– published on May 14, 2019 17
Camera and gimbal controls
Shutter button
(take photo or
start/stop
filming)
Zoom trigger
(down: zoom in;
up: zoom out)
Optics reset
button
(back to no tilt
and x1 zoom)
Tilt trigger
(down: tilt
down;
up: tilt up)
Charging light USB-C charging port
(red: charging; green: charged) USB-A device port
LED status indicator color codes
When the Parrot Skycontroller 3 is powered on, its LED status indicator gives you an instant
visual indication:
-flashing green: Skycontroller 3 update in progress;
-alternating light blue and dark blue: connecting to Thermal;
-flashing light blue: no drone configured or wrong WPA key;
-steady dark blue: connected to Thermal;
-alternating purple and dark blue: autonomous flight in progress;
-alternating red and any other color: low battery alert ( Thermal,
Skycontroller 3, or both) or RTH alert.

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Equipment
-Make sure you have downloaded the latest version of FreeFlight 6 and that both your
Parrot Skycontroller 3 and your Thermal have been updated with the latest
versions of firmware.
-For the ultimate Thermal experience, make sure you have the right USB-A
cable to connect your Parrot Skycontroller 3 and your device.
-Make sure Thermal is fitted with a microSD card with enough free memory
space.
-Make sure all four foldable arms of Thermal are unfolded.
-Make sure its propellers are clean, intact and unobstructed.
-Make sure both Thermal’s and Parrot Skycontroller 3’s batteries are fully
charged.
-Make sure Thermal’s battery is securely installed on the drone’s body.
-Make sure the lens cap has been removed from Thermal’s gimbal.
-Make sure Thermal’s lenses are clean –if you need to clean them, hold the
gimbal between two fingers so that you do not pressure its mechanism when you
clean the lenses, and gently wipe the lenses with a microfiber cloth.
Regulations
-Make sure the use of Thermal is allowed where you are intending to fly.
-Check for potential restrictions regarding the use of Wi-Fi frequencies in the area
where you are intending to fly.
Flight conditions
-Check that your flying zone is safe and clear.
-Do not fly Thermal at night.
-Do not fly Thermal over urban areas or over restricted airspaces such as
airports, train stations, power plants, national reserves, and so on.
-Check the weather: do not fly Thermal in the rain, fog, snow, or in a wind
exceeding 14 meters per second or 50 km/h.
-Due to the operating mode of its vertical camera and ultrasound sensor, Parrot
recommends you do not fly Thermal over water and other reflective surfaces
(mirrors, glass, and so on).

User Guide v3.0– published on May 14, 2019 19
1. Charge the battery using the enclosed USB-A to USB-C cable and a USB-A power
adapter. Charging times depend on the supply capacity of the adapter. Refer to
the “Battery charging” section of this guide for additional information. Parrot
recommends you always run a full charge of your smart battery before flying
Thermal
2. If you want to use the controller and enjoy the full Thermal experience,
charge Parrot Skycontroller 3.
3. Check that your flying zone is safe and clear.
4. To start the drone, place it on a flat horizontal surface and press the power
button.
5. a) If you use Parrot Skycontroller 3, unfold the central part of the controller to
power it on, wait for the steady dark blue light, then plug your device to the
controller using a USB cable. Parrot recommends you always fly Thermal
with Parrot Skycontroller 3 and a device, for the best flight experience.
b) If you do not wish to use the controller, connect your device to the Wi-Fi
network of Thermal, using the Wi-Fi settings card located inside the
drone’s carrying case - SSID format: AnafiThermal-xxxxx.
6. FreeFlight 6 runs automatically on your device and connects to Thermal
and to Parrot Skycontroller 3.
7. Check for controller and drone software updates.
8. Calibrate your Thermal, your Parrot Skycontroller 3, or both, if required,
following the instructions on the screen of your device.
9. Check that your flying zone is still safe and clear, and that no one (people, animal)
has approached or is approaching Thermal.
10. Stay at least 2m (6ft) clear from the drone, press the button and enjoy the
flight!

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Ground take-off
Position Thermal on a flat, even, and clear surface.
Power it on, move at least 2m (6ft) away from Thermal and check that the
surroundings of the drone are absolutely clear.
Press the button on your Parrot Skycontroller 3, or tap the green “TAKE-OFF” box,
on the screen of your device.
Thermal takes off and stabilizes at 1m (3ft) from the ground, waiting for
commands from the pilot.
Hand launch
Be especially careful when you hand launch Thermal. This procedure is safe
provided you are not distracted or startled by an outside event with a live drone in
your hand: concentrate on what you are doing, but always stay aware of your
surroundings. Upon first opening of FreeFlight 6, from version 6.2, a hand launch
tutorial reminds you the following procedure. You can activate hand launch from this
tutorial page.
You can also activate the hand launch option from the “Interface” menu of
FreeFlight 6 “PREFERENCES” (refer to the “PREFERENCES – Interface” section of this
guide for further information).
Power Thermal on and position the drone on your flat, open hand. On the
screen of your device, the green “TAKE-OFF” box is replaced by a blue “HAND LAUNCH”
box.
Android “Hand Launch” Screen
Press the button on your Parrot Skycontroller 3, or tap the blue “HAND LAUNCH”
box on the screen of your device. The drone’s blades start rotating slowly and the
screen of your device displays a hand-launch animation.
Briefly and briskly lift Thermal up and forward with your open hand: the drone
is airborne. It stabilizes, waiting for commands from the pilot.