Vision Aerial SwitchBlade-Elite Technical specifications

SwitchBlade-Elite
FLIGHT MANUAL
REVISION C.0 | MAY 2021

REVISION HISTORY
Revision
Date
Description
A.0
March 2017
Initial Release
B.0
January 2018
Updated Images & Flight Modes
C.0
May 2021
Updated for Mark 2 Release
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CONTENTS
REVISION HISTORY 2
CONTENTS 3
SwitchBlade-Elite Overview 5
DISCLAIMER AND WARNING 6
SAFETY 7
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY 8
VISION AERIAL LIMITED WARRANTY 9
INTRODUCTION 11
ITEMS INCLUDED 11
SPECIFICATIONS 12
SwitchBlade-Elite Setup 16
SETTING UP THE SWITCHBLADE-ELITE 17
GROUND CONTROL STATION (GCS) 23
CONTROLS 23
SwitchBlade-Elite Flight Modes 29
FLIGHT MODES 30
Operating Procedures 34
PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST 35
ARMING / TAKEOFF 35
FLIGHT 36
LANDING / DISARMING 36
POST FLIGHT AND STORAGE 36
BATTERY SAFETY 40
Emergency Procedures 41
INTRODUCTION 42
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES 42
Maintenance & Support 48
SUPPORT 49
MAINTENANCE 49
APPENDIX 52
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SwitchBlade-Elite Overview
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DISCLAIMER AND WARNING
Please read this disclaimer and warning carefully and review the SwitchBlade-Elite manual prior
to flight.
By using the SwitchBlade-Elite, you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to
this disclaimer. You agree that you are solely responsible for your conduct while using
SwitchBlade-Elite, and for any direct or indirect consequences that may result from its use. You
agree to only use the SwitchBlade-Elite for proper purposes that are in accordance with all local,
state, and federal rules and regulations.
The SwitchBlade-Elite is not a toy and should be operated with extreme care, as improper
operation can cause damage to property, serious personal injury, or death.
As with any multi-rotor aircraft, the SwitchBlade-Elite is a precise and technical machine. Novice
pilots should invest sufficient time on a flight simulator and seek training from an experienced
pilot before operation. The SwitchBlade-Elite manual and a flight simulator are no substitute for
training with an experienced pilot, particularly when it comes to learning how to safely operate
the SwitchBlade-Elite. Novice pilots should never fly without the supervision of an experienced
pilot.
✔ Always check the SwitchBlade-Elite and its components prior to operation (see PREFLIGHT
section).
✔ Always maintain a safe distance from the SwitchBlade-Elite when in use.
✔ Never attempt to touch the SwitchBlade-Elite when the rotors are moving.
✔ It is strongly recommended not to fly the SwitchBlade-Elite over or around people, near
power lines, or any other difficult to see obstacles.
✔ Never fly the SwitchBlade-Elite near manned aircraft of any kind.
✔ Never fly with any rotors that have visible imperfections or damage.
✔ Always keep children and animals a safe distance away from the SwitchBlade-Elite when in
use.
✔ Only use rotors supplied by Vision Aerial that are designed for use on the SwitchBlade-Elite.
✔ Always remove the rotors when making a hardware change to prevent rotor strikes in the
event of unintentional motor starts.
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SAFETY
It is your responsibility to learn how to safely operate the SwitchBlade-Elite and to adhere to all
applicable rules and regulations.
Fly at your own risk.
The SwitchBlade-Elite is a tuned system with custom components selected for each application.
Modification to, removal, or substitution of SwitchBlade-Elite components will void the warranty
and can lead to unsafe operating conditions.
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LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
IN NO EVENT SHALL VISION AERIAL BE LIABLE TO BUYER FOR ANY INDIRECT,
CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL DAMAGES, OR ANY DAMAGES
WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THE SWITCHBLADE-ELITE OR FOR LOSS
OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS (HOWEVER CAUSED AND UNDER ANY THEORY OF
LIABILITY), EVEN IF VISION AERIAL HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
DAMAGES. IN NO EVENT SHALL VISION AERIAL’S LIABILITY FOR A PRODUCT
(WHETHER ASSERTED AS A TORT CLAIM, A CONTRACT CLAIM OR OTHERWISE)
EXCEED THE AMOUNTS PAID TO VISION AERIAL FOR SUCH PRODUCT.
NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN, IN NO EVENT SHALL VISION AERIAL’S
LIABILITY FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT
EXCEED THE AMOUNTS PAID BY BUYER TO VISION AERIAL FOR PRODUCT IN THE
LAST TWELVE (12) MONTHS. IN NO EVENT WILL VISION AERIAL BE LIABLE FOR COSTS
OF PROCUREMENT OR SUBSTITUTE GOODS BY BUYER. THE LIMITATIONS SET FORTH
HEREIN SHALL APPLY TO ALL LIABILITIES THAT MAY ARISE OUT OF THIRD-PARTY
CLAIMS AGAINST BUYER. THESE LIMITATIONS SHALL APPLY NOTWITHSTANDING ANY
FAILURE OF ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OF ANY LIMITED REMEDY.
Vision Aerial shall not be liable for damages or injuries incurred directly or indirectly from the use
of the SwitchBlade-Elite including, but not limited to, the following situations:
● Failure of the pilot to follow proper instructions and safety warnings.
● Failure of the pilot to follow and comply with local rules and regulations.
● Failure of the pilot to inspect the SwitchBlade-Elite and its components prior to operation.
● Failure of the pilot to properly maintain and/or service the SwitchBlade-Elite through an
authorized Vision Aerial service center with genuine Vision Aerial parts.
● Use of third-party products on the SwitchBlade-Elite.
● Use of the SwitchBlade-Elite in a physically or mentally impaired capacity.
● Use of the SwitchBlade-Elite without sufficient training.
● Use of the SwitchBlade-Elite in unsafe conditions, including but not limited to, bad or
severe weather, such as rain, wind, snow, lightning, dust storms, etc., or in areas of
magnetic or radio interference, such as power stations, broadcasting and cell phone
towers, government prohibited airspace, etc.
● Improper operation, misjudgment, or risky behavior while using a SwitchBlade-Elite.
● Infringement of third-party data, audio, or video rights recorded when using the
SwitchBlade-Elite.
7

VISION AERIAL LIMITED WARRANTY
Vision Aerial Inc. (“Manufacturer”) warrants to the original end user (“Purchaser”) that for one
year following the date of delivery of our Product (“Warranty Period”), the Product (excluding (i)
any third party made products and (ii) any third party software) will be free from defects in
materials and workmanship when properly installed and used for its intended purpose and in its
intended operating environment. This warranty does not apply to any Product that has been: (i)
altered, repaired or modified or (ii) damaged or destroyed by accidents or similar events or by
any intentional, reckless or negligent acts or omissions of any party other than Manufacturer. In
the event of a defect, return the Product to the original place of purchase or Manufacturer, but
only after instructed to do so by the Manufacturer. Purchaser shall ship and bear the cost of
shipping the Product to Manufacturer and Manufacturer shall bear the cost of shipping the
Product back to Purchaser after the completion of service under this limited warranty.
Purchaser’s exclusive remedy and Manufacturer’s entire liability under this warranty will be for
Manufacturer at its option to repair or replace the Product or refund purchase price less any
rebates. Purchaser assumes all liability, and as such releases Manufacturer from any liability, for
any accident, injury, damage, death, loss, illegal activity or any other claim that may occur
resulting from or during use of the Product, whether or not such use is foreseeable by
Manufacturer.
MANUFACTURER HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING,
WITHOUT LIMITATION, OF MERCHANTABILITY, NON-INFRINGEMENT, OR FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE LIMITED TO THE DURATION OF THE APPLICABLE
EXPRESS WARRANTY. Some jurisdictions do not allow limitations on how long an implied
warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not apply to Purchaser. This warranty gives
Purchaser specific legal rights, and Purchaser may also have other rights which vary by
jurisdiction.
All third party software provided with the Product is provided “AS IS”. Purchaser assumes the
entire risk as to the quality, performance, accuracy and effect of such software, and should it
prove defective, Purchaser, and not Manufacturer, assumes the entire cost of all necessary
servicing or repair. TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY LAW, IN NO EVENT WILL
MANUFACTURER BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOST DATA, REVENUE OR PROFIT, OR FOR
SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES,
HOWEVER CAUSED REGARDLESS OF THE THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATED TO THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE PRODUCT, INCLUDING DAMAGE
TO PAYLOAD, EVEN IF MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
SUCH DAMAGES. IN NO EVENT WILL MANUFACTURER’S LIABILITY EXCEED THE
AMOUNT PAID BY PURCHASER FOR THE PRODUCT (EXCLUDING PAYLOAD OR OTHER
COMPONENTS NOT MANUFACTURED BY MANUFACTURER).
The foregoing limitations will apply even if any warranty or remedy provided under this
Agreement fails of its essential purpose. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or
limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not
apply to Purchaser.
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Manufacturer Disclaimer: All purchasers, users, and any or all parties involved or engaging in
the use of Products agree to the following:
● Manufacturer does not promote or endorse high risk, careless and/or dangerous actions
when using its products.
● Manufacturer is not liable for any use or misuse of its products.
Governing Law and Arbitration. This Limited Warranty shall be governed by the laws of the
State of Montana without giving effect to any conflict of laws principles that may provide the
application of the law of another jurisdiction. Any claim or dispute in connection with this Limited
Warranty shall be resolved in a cost effective manner through binding non-appearance-based
arbitration. The arbitration shall be initiated through an established alternative dispute resolution
provider mutually agreed upon by the parties. The alternative dispute resolution provider and
the parties must comply with the following rules: a) the arbitration shall be conducted by
telephone, online and/or be solely based on written submissions, the specific manner shall be
chosen by the party initiating the arbitration; b) the arbitration shall not involve any personal
appearance by the parties or witnesses unless otherwise mutually agreed by the parties; and c)
any judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court of competent
jurisdiction. If the foregoing arbitration clause does not apply for any reason, you agree to
submit to the personal jurisdiction of the state courts located within Gallatin County, Montana for
the purpose of litigating all such claims or disputes, which courts shall have exclusive
jurisdiction of such claims or disputes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Manufacturer may seek
injunctive or other equitable relief to protect its intellectual property rights in any court of
competent jurisdiction.
CAUTIONS AND WARRANTY
Warning: Failure to follow these safety instructions could result in injury or damage.
Repairing or Modifying: Never attempt to repair or modify any Product yourself. Disassembling a
Product, including the removal of external components, may cause damage that is not covered
under the warranty. The Product does not contain any user-replaceable parts.
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INTRODUCTION
The SwitchBlade-Elite is a tri-rotor drone with an articulating tail, powerful and efficient electric
motors, and cutting-edge flight components. Not only is the SwitchBlade-Elite fast and easy to
fly, it is also capable of flying for over 30 minutes on a single charge. With an articulating rear
rotor, the SwitchBlade-Elite has substantially better yaw authority than a typical quad-rotor and
can therefore achieve faster, more precise turns. Better aerodynamics and a high
power-to-weight ratio mean that the SwitchBlade-Elite is fast. Whether in a car, on an ATV, or on
foot, the SwitchBlade-Elite is light and folds up small so you’ll never be unprepared. When you
need to fly, you can transition from case to in the air in less than two minutes.
This manual intends to inform and educate the user on how to properly and effectively control,
fly, and utilize the full functionality of the SwitchBlade-Elite. It is ill-advised to operate and fly the
SwitchBlade-Elite without first reading and understanding the information and guidelines
presented in this document.
ITEMS INCLUDED
The SwitchBlade-Elite package includes:
1. (1) SwitchBlade-Elite Tricopter
2. (1) Controller & Charger
3. (1) Battery
4. (1) Battery Charger & Accessories
5. (1) Hard Transport Case
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SPECIFICATIONS
Storage Configuration Dimensions
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Flight Configuration Dimensions
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Aircraft Specifications
Empennage
Carbon Fiber
Arms
Carbon Fiber
Frame & Hardware
Aluminum / Stainless Steel
Body
Polycarbonate
Motors
360kv (1125W)
Rotors
Carbon Fiber, Folding and Precision Balanced
Flight Controller
Cube
Controller
Herelink
Flight Dimensions
865 mm Diameter
Storage Dimensions
730 mm x 192 mm
Case Dimensions
120 cm x 42 cm x 23 cm
Aircraft Weight (Without Battery)
2.9 KG
Aircraft Weight (With Battery)
4.9 KG
Battery / Charger
Flight Battery Included
16,000 mAh 6S Lithium Polymer
Flight Battery Optional
22,000 mAh 6S Solid State Lithium Ion
Battery Charger
High Capacity AC dual battery charger
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Flight Operations
Direct Control Range
20 km (12.4 miles)
Autonomous Flight Range
(dependant on environmental
conditions)
Over 25 km (16 miles)
Max Operational Wind Speed
Over 40 KPH (25 MPH)
Max Operational Altitude
4500 m (14,800 ft) Above Sea Level
Operational Temperature Range
-15º C to 45º C (5º F to 113º F)
GPS Accuracy non-RTK corrected
±2.5 meters (± 8.2 feet), typically < ±1 meter
GPS Accuracy RTK corrected
(Optional)
±0.1 meters (±0.33 feet)
Payloads
Max Payload
2.3 KG (5 LBS)
Recommended Payload
< 1.5 KG (3.3 LBS)
Payload Mounting:
Vision Aerial - Payload Connection System
M3 Flathead x 20mm circular
M3 Flathead x 25mm square
Electrical Connections
See Payload Connection System Section
Center of Mass
Adjustable Using Battery Positioning
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SwitchBlade-Elite Setup
15

SETTING UP THE SWITCHBLADE-ELITE
Charge Flight Batteries
The SwitchBlade-Elite kit includes a battery charger. Remove the battery from the
SwitchBlade-Elite, attach the charger to a power source, and attach the battery cell balance
connector to the battery charger.
● It is recommended to always use the "balance" charge cycle.
● It is recommended to not charge the pack at a greater rate than its capacity rating.
See Appendix for full instructions.
See Battery Safety for more information.
Extending the Arms
The SwitchBlade-Elite features two arms that fold in and lock for compact travel, protection, and
safety. The arms are secured with red, spring-loaded pull knobs underneath the chassis.
● Remove the SwitchBlade-Elite from its case.
● Select one arm and pull out on the corresponding red knob.
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● Rotate the arm away from the tail.
● Once reaching the stop, release the knob to allow locking.
● Gently move the arm back and forth
to verify the knob is engaged and
seated thoroughly.
● Repeat the process with the other
arm.
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Raise and secure the GPS mast.
Slide the blue pins back to unlock them from the stowed position.
Once the pins are released, gently lift the mast to raise it into an upright position. The blue pins
will lock into place once the mast is properly seated.
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Extend Rotors
Unfold each rotor so the blades point in opposite directions along the long dimension of the
blade mount for all three rotors.
Attach Payloads Using the Payload Connection System (PCS)
If flying with a payload, attach it to the airframe with the Payload Connection System.
Slide the payload into place. The payload mounting bracket on the top slides into the opening
on the payload connection system on the belly of the aircraft. (Note: Payload is not shown in this
illustration for clarity.)
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Once the payload is seated, rotate the red ring to secure it.
NOTE:Payloads cannot be hot swapped. Power shall be removed for payload
changes.
NOTE: If applicable, ground test the payload and associated equipment.
Set Up Additional Equipment
● If using a tablet or PC, launch the mission planning app, and connect to the GCS.
● Ensure battery level of the connected telemetry device if applicable (tablet, phone, PC) is
adequate for the duration of the flight.
Visual PreFlight
Perform a visual survey of all electrical & mechanical connections to ensure proper connection.
See Appendix for Checklists
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