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APOLLO A1

QUADCOPTER OPERATOR’S MANUAL

Thank you for purchases the Idea-Fly Apollo A1 GEN2 quadcopter. The Apollo A1 is a ready-to-fly quad-rotor 

heli designed for quadcopter enthusiasts and amateur photography/video hobbyists alike. The integrated 

flight-control system includes GPS that provides precise Position-Hold, Fail-Safe, Semi-Autopilot and 

Return-to-Home functions. Equipped with high-performance brushless motors, ESCs and carbon fiber propellers, 

the Apollo A1 is a top-of-the-line, fully-featured advanced quadcopter. Advanced performance has never been 

so easy!
Ready to take amateur video and images? The Apollo A1 includes a 2-axis, auto-stabilization camera mount 

ready for any GoPro, Boscam or similar-sized action video camera (not included). The Apollo A1 puts you in 

control too. While flying in auto-hover mode, you’ll not only have stabilization of the camera, you’ll have tilt 

control directly from the transmitter.

It’s very important that you read through all of the information included with your quadcopter and fully 

understand not only how to operate your quadcopter, but also to fully understand the responsibility you 

have for its proper use - both for your safety and the safety of others.

APOLLO A1

Operator’s Manual

Quadcopter Rotor-Drone

If you have any questions about setting up or flying your quadcopter after you’ve read this Operator’s Manual and 

viewed the included How-To videos, please contact the Authorized Hobby People/Affiliates service department 

using the information in the Service and Support section on page 2 before trying to fly your quadcopter.

Summary of Contents for apollo A1

Page 1: ...Pro Boscam or similar sized action video camera not included The Apollo A1 puts you in control too While flying in auto hover mode you ll not only have stabilization of the camera you ll have tilt con...

Page 2: ...ing the Apollo A1 Quadcopter 13 Propeller Safety 13 Arming the Motors 14 Flight Controls 14 Manual Flight Mode Flying Tips 15 Manual Flight Mode Flying Basics 15 Flight Trimming the Quadcopter 16 Usin...

Page 3: ...ormation included and fully understand not only how to operate your quadcopter but also to fully understand the responsibility you have for its proper use both for your safety and the safety of others...

Page 4: ...u don t push the throttle control stick forward within 5 seconds or if you re flying and pull the throttle control stick all the way back to turn the motors OFF after landing you will need to re arm t...

Page 5: ...Good Visibility Custom Programming and Updateable Firmware Replacement Parts and Option Parts Available Mini USB cable required for PC or laptop connection The following items are required to fly you...

Page 6: ...ht performance Exposure to moisture or excessive heat can result in damage that will not be covered under warranty Just because the quadcopter is powered by electric motors doesn t mean that you shoul...

Page 7: ...y that is on the verge of exploding or is starting to show signs of exploding Do Not Handle Directly The material spitting out if it comes to that is spitting out at as much as 2000 F Try to Contain t...

Page 8: ...ll away from the operating area during use Never charge the LiPo battery if it appears swollen or damaged in any way Never leave the LiPo battery unattended during the charging process If any malfunct...

Page 9: ...transmitter to the integrated receiver in the quadcopter Camera Gimbal Control Dial Controls the Pitch axis of the camera gimbal during flight Flight Mode Switch Used to change Flight Modes Choose fro...

Page 10: ...en using the camera gimbal we strongly suggest balancing the quadcopter before flight by moving the LiPo battery forward or backward This will improve flight performance increase flight times and incr...

Page 11: ...tter batteries each of these steps must be completed in the order described in this section unless otherwise noted PREPARiNg fOR fLigHT iNiTiALiziNg THE gyROS AND fLigHT CONTROLLER 1 Install the LiPo...

Page 12: ...could interfere with the calibration process You should perform the compass calibration process in the location that you will be flying the quadcopter at The LED Condition Indicator should illuminate...

Page 13: ...itter during this time When the calibration settings are saved the LED Condition Indicator will go out then flash Red and Green No GPS lock or flash Green GPS lock indicating the quadcopter is ready f...

Page 14: ...wn in the photo then release the control sticks The motors are now armed 2 Within 5 seconds push the throttle control stick forward to turn the motors ON Left Control Stick Move the left control stick...

Page 15: ...e gyros and flight controller Make sure to wait 10 seconds before moving the quadcopter Calibrate the compass This only needs to be done before your first flight or under any of the circumstances desc...

Page 16: ...ch is centered a longer audible tone will sound Re arm the motors and continue flying Land and let the quadcopter s center points reset on their own automatically by landing on a flat level surface an...

Page 17: ...If the quadcopter moves forward push the Pitch Trim Switch BACKWARD several times until the quadcopter stops moving forward USiNg THE gPS fLigHT MODE The Apollo A1 quadcopter features a GPS Flight Mod...

Page 18: ...the forward direction is a defined direction other than the nose of the quadcopter For example if you spin the quadcopter right or left then fly forward the quadcopter will fly forward in the defined...

Page 19: ...d Manual Set Altitude to the Flight Mode Switch GPS Mode 2 Position For more information see the Autopilot Configuration Programming section on pages XX through XX The GPS Flight Mode is designed to k...

Page 20: ...ion to close to you or spectators or if there are any objects such as trees buildings etc between the Home Point and the quadcopter When you switch to the Return to Home function the quadcopter will s...

Page 21: ...figuration this is Return Land We don t suggest using the Land or AutoHover options In the default configuration the quadcopter has a maximum range of 328 feet 100 meters altitude and 300 feet 985 met...

Page 22: ...nnect the quadcopter to your PC or laptop Windows will automatically install a USB Input Device This is normal Do not cancel this process 2 Place the quadcopter right side up on a flat level surface t...

Page 23: ...make the quadcopter more sensitive and may result in it being more difficult to control Using a lower value will make the quadcopter feel more stable but less reactive to pitch control input SHAKE COM...

Page 24: ...is at an altitude of less than 65 feet 20 meters When Rise is selected the quacopter will first rise above 65 feet 20 meters then execute the Return to Home maneuver If No Rise is selected the quadco...

Page 25: ...fly apollo a1 gen 2 rtf quad copter w carbon props drone html 1 With the quadcopter connected to your PC or laptop open the Autopilot Configuration program 2 Press the Open USB button The Update Firm...

Page 26: ...ll input ports on the quadcopter making sure the polarity is correct The negative wires brown should face up as indicated by the sticker on the side of the connection port cover 1 Carefully push each...

Page 27: ...ormance increase flight times and increase motor and ESC life 1 Using a C G Machine or one finger placed on either side of the quadcopter at the C G location essentially between the E and A in the Ide...

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