Skycat DJI INSPIRE 2 User manual

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SKYCAT PARACHUTE SYSTEM
USER MANUAL v2.1 - 1/2018
DJI INSPIRE 2
Thank you for choosing Skycat.pro!
We want to offer uncompromised customer service to all our old and new
customers. Our team has years of experience in various fields of the UAV
industry and based on this experience and feedback from our clients, we
recognize the importance of customer-oriented approach. Our first goal is to
stand out from the crowd, in a positive way.
Please read and follow the instructions carefully. This manual is updated
regularly. In case you have any questions, ideas or feedback, please don’t
hesitate to contact us at www.skycat.pro/contact
Fly safe!
Skycat team

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Contents
Introduction and important knowledge............................................................3
How does Skycat.pro parachute system work?...............................................4
Safety ...............................................................................................................5
General safety ..............................................................................................5
Skycat launcher unit.....................................................................................6
Skycat trigger unit........................................................................................6
Everyday operation..........................................................................................7
Powering on the parachute system ..............................................................7
Charging the battery.....................................................................................8
Preparing the parachute system.......................................................................9
Creating a fuse .............................................................................................9
Launcher arming........................................................................................10
Parachute folding.......................................................................................11
Extension cord and parachute shroud lines...............................................11
Mounting to Inspire 2 ....................................................................................12
Parachute system........................................................................................13
Harness.......................................................................................................14
Rescue radio...............................................................................................16
Trigger unit ....................................................................................................17
Rescue Radio .................................................................................................18
Recommended testing before first flight.......................................................19
Check procedures...........................................................................................20
Before-flight checklist ...............................................................................20
After-launch checklist................................................................................20
Trigger functionality..................................................................................20
Basic maintenance .........................................................................................21
How and when to use skycat.pro parachute system......................................22
System specifications.....................................................................................23
Disclaimer......................................................................................................24

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Introduction and important knowledge
Please read and follow these instructions carefully to ensure successful
operation and to stay within warranty limits.
This user manual aims to describe how to operate and maintain the pre-
assembled Inspire 2 bundle package. Not all steps of assembly are included.
We recommend launching your Skycat system a few times as an exercise,
before using in-flight. Careful installation is essential in order to achieve best
possible performance.
In case of any uncertainty, please don’t hesitate to contact us for assistance.
Latest manuals and videos are available at: www.skycat.pro/downloads-1

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How does Skycat.pro parachute system work?
Parachute is folded into a compact package and slid into the Skycat launcher.
Skycat Trigger connects the launcher to power and control sources. Trigger is
controlled via the PWM channel of Skycat Rescue Radio receiver, or any other
standard RC PWM source.
Launcher’s spring-loaded piston is armed with a wire fuse. After the trigger
receives a launch signal, it allows current flow to the fuse.
The fuse heats and snaps in a fraction of a second, releasing the piston and
ejecting the parachute away from the propellers.

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Safety
General safety
•Only launch Skycat towards free airspace. Never point or launch towards
people or animals.
•Do not expose Skycat system to rain or use near flammable materials.
•Don’t try to repair damaged components. Contact Skycat for repair and
spare part services.
•Only use to protect stable aircraft. Not suitable for aerobatic flying.
•Use reliable, digital RC control systems to reduce risk of unwanted eject.
•Use of excessive force should not be required at any point of arming,
loading and installation process.

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Skycat launcher unit
•Do not trigger Skycat launcher empty. Piston may slide out and break.
•Do not eject on grass, sand or other loose materials. Airflow generated by
the piston can lift debris into the launcher.
•Only use Skycat launcher to eject a parachute and not other items.
•Use of safety goggles is recommended while arming the launcher.
•If launcher stays loaded over two months without launching, it is
recommended to open and refold the parachute. This may decrease
deployment time in an emergency .
•Do not swing loaded launcher around. G-forces can slide the parachute
out accidentally.
•Only use original Skycat cloth for parachute folding.
•Mount Skycat launcher without applying pressure to the launcher tube to
avoid jamming of the piston.
•Use high leverage pliers to squeeze Fuse locks properly. Incorrectly
squeezed fuse can cause an unwanted launch!
Skycat trigger unit
•Do not connect a fuse directly to the trigger output.
•Only use trigger to conduct current through an armed Skycat launcher.
•Handle and mount trigger carefully, components are not protected against
mechanical impact.
•Incorrect connections may damage the trigger (wrong polarity).

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Everyday operation
Powering on the parachute system
1. Power on Skycat Rescue radio.
2. Connect battery to the parachute system. Close battery compartment lid
securely. System is now ready to use. Yellow LED indicates system status
(page 17).

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Charging the battery
Follow charger instructions. Supplied charger is a common, balancing LIPO
charger. Charger type may vary.
Rescues Radio and launcher batteries are typical LIPO batteries and can be
charged with any LIPO charger.
Stock battery specifications
Aircraft battery: LIPO 3 cell 800 mAh. XT60 connector.
Skycat Rescue Radio: LIPO 3 cell 800 mAh. JST connector.

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Preparing the parachute system
Creating a fuse
1. Measure and cut fuse wire. X48-CF launcher: 120 mm long fuse wire.
2. Loop both ends of the wire through the fuse locks. Leave 3mm gap
between wire ends!
3. Carefully squeeze fuse locks in place, using high leverage pliers.
Two correctly crimped locks offer required strength to operate in any condition.
However, our recommendation is to use four locks, when parachute system is
used in-flight.
Important
Only use genuine Skycat FUSE® wire. Using other wire may damage the system.

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Launcher arming
Always detach launcher from the aircraft while arming.
Hold the launcher firmly, launcher spring is strong. Use of safety goggles is
recommended.
Make sure that the fuse contacts the pins at both ends, before sliding in the
folded parachute.
Arming Demonstration: www.tinyurl.com/skycat-launcher-arming

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Parachute folding
•Always fold on a clean and dry surface. Wrap Skycat parachute cloth
around the parachute so that black side faces out.
•If launcher stays loaded for over two months, it is recommended to refold
the parachute. This can decrease deployment distance in an emergency.
•Opale Paramodels parachutes can come with a red bag attached. The
bag is not needed with Skycat parachute launcher and should be
removed.
Fruity Chutes IFC-48-SUL with shock cord (extension cord)
www.tinyurl.com/skycat-demo-48sul
Opale Paramodels 1.8sqm without shock cord (extension cord)
www.tinyurl.com/skycat-demo-opale1-8
Extension cord and parachute shroud lines
Optional extension cord (also called “shock cord”) can be added in between
parachute and copter. It reduces the risk of parachute entanglement and
stabilizes descent.
Fruity Chutes IFC-48-SUL allows parachute shroud lines to be folded securely
between the parachute folds, reducing the risk of entangling. Extension cord is
folded into the launcher, below the parachute.
When using an Opale Paramodels parachute, parachute shroud lines cannot be
folded between the parachute folds. Shroud lines and extension cord are folded
into the launcher, below the parachute package.

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Mounting to Inspire 2
Video demonstration: www.tinyurl.com/skycat-inspire2
Attach the launcher to the mount using supplied thumb screws. Check screw
tightness regularly. Do not use thread-locker.

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Parachute system
Skycat parachute system is mounted to the “Extended device mounting” bay of
Inspire 2. For more information, please check page 9 in the DJI Inspire 2
manual.
Use four supplied thumb screws for fastening. Check screw tightness regularly
and use soft thread-locker fluid if necessary.

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Harness
1. Loop harness around the arms and tighten.
2. To prevent sliding, secure harness with cable ties.

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Harness lines and parachute cord are joined with a quick lock.

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Rescue radio
1. Mount Skycat Rescue Radio to the handle of DJI Lightbridge transmitter.
2. Mount external launch button onto a preferred location using double sided
tape.
3. Secure the cable in place with a cable tie (near the launch button, to
relieve strain and to prevent cable failure).

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Trigger unit
LED explanation
•Short blink, long pause Standby, waiting for launch signal.
•Nearly continuously lit Launch activated.
Errors
•Long blink, long pause No signal from receiver.
•Double blink Launch signal detected at power up*
*If launch is activated when battery is connected, parachute will not be ejected.
Trigger will not accept eject command until channel is toggled OFF and ON, i.e
Rescue Radio is switched OFF and ON.

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Rescue Radio
Skycat Rescue Radio supports TBS Crossfire Micro TX (100mW) and TBS
Crossfire TX (500mW) RC transmitter modules. Both versions come pre-
configured to operate in non-limited adaptive power mode (outputs 100mW /
500mW if required).
Please check your country’s regulations and re-configure if required. Do not
operate using illegal power output. Please contact TBS or Skycat for more
information.
TBS Crossfire Micro TX manual (100mW): www.tinyurl.com/crossfire-micro-tx
TBS Crossfire TX manual (500mW): www.tinyurl.com/crossfire-tx
LED explanation
•Continuous green Battery full.
•Blinking green Battery half full.
•Continuous red Battery almost empty, recharge required.
•Blinking red Launch activated. Power cycle to reset.

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Recommended testing before first flight
We recommend launching your Skycat system a few times as an exercise,
before using in-flight. Careful installation is essential, to achieve best possible
performance.
Do not launch on grass, sand, or other loose material. Airflow generated by the
piston can suck debris into the launcher. Do not touch the fuse immediately
after launch, it can remain hot for a while.
1. Support the launcher against a clean surface and point towards free
airspace at a 30 - 45 degree angle.
2. Press Rescue Radio eject button.
What should happen
•Parachute should fly as far as the lines allow it to fly.
•Lines should be untangled.
What should not happen
•Parachute should not get stuck or fall near the launcher.

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Check procedures
Before-flight checklist
Confirm that:
•All components are undamaged.
•Launcher is connected to the trigger unit.
•Trigger unit is in standby mode (short blink, long pause) after powering
Rescue Radio and parachute system.
•Parachute cord is connected to the harness properly.
•All screws are tight.
•Battery compartment lid is securely closed.
After-launch checklist
Check components and functionality after every launch. Confirm that:
•Parachute and harness lines are not damaged.
•Launcher spring is securely connected to the piston and base.
•Launcher tube and base are undamaged.
•Wires are securely fastened and undamaged.
•Trigger functions properly.
Trigger functionality
We recommend testing trigger functionality regularly.
1) Disconnect launcher from the trigger unit.
2) Connect a multimeter or a suitable light bulb to the trigger output.
3) Power on your Rescue radio and parachute system.
4) Press the Rescue Radio eject button.
5) Check that trigger outputs voltage / bulb lights up. Remember to re-
connect launcher before flying!