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ATC clearance is required days or weeks before flying.
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Engage GPS mode – Double purple flash when the throttle is down.
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Switch to Course Lock flight mode if required. Purple flashes are replaced with green flashes.
Flying in course lock is not required, but helpful in many instances.
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Announce loudly: “CLEAR PROP”
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Move both of the sticks to the bottom left corners to engage the motors. Within 1 second
move the throttle up 1/8 – 1/4. The copter should not lift off until about ½ stick is reached.
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Verify data and video links before lifting off. If anything is not working properly, move the
throttle stick to low to disengage the motors and determine a solution.
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If all flight checks are passed, announce loudly: “TAKING OFF”
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Advance throttle to about 3/4. Copter must jump off of the ground to avoid one skid coming
up before the other skid, and the skid on the ground getting caught and flipping the copter
over sideways.
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Ascend to 3 meters. Then decrease throttle to ½ to engage the GPS hold.
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Verify links, GPS, Attitude, etc. Should be single purple flash.
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Verify that the copter is holding position within .5m in all directions.
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Verify camera operation
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Verify course lock is operational by rotating 90 degrees and pushing forward on stick.
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Verify copter stability. If unstable, land and reset gains, recalibrate, or retest as necessary.
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Proceed with manual mission or
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For autopilot operation
Ascend to 10 meters
Command AVO to proceed with mission.
Pilot should say “It’s yours”
Response from AVO “I have it”
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Manual pilot/observer must monitor the informational LED and be ready to take over in
manual mode when necessary.
White flashes indicates flight controller issue
Amber flashes indicates low battery
Red flashes indicate loss of GPS or severe battery condition
Quick decisions are required when red flashes are indicated
10 seconds or more of loss of GPS signal will stop waypoint guidance and any
GPS hold and put into manual mode.
Red indicator light battery warning requires immediate landing
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Manual pilot to request copter flight battery voltage readout from AVO periodically.
Reset the first and second indicator lights as required for your set up.
When recharging the batteries, the goal is to put 4,000 mah into a 5,000 mah battery
pack. Adjust the voltage warnings to your style of flying.
Also use the countdown timer on the transmitter. This gives a good indication of
battery level because the current used is fairly constant from flight to flight.
POST LANDING
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Note flight time from transmitter. Write this down in the log book.
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Note battery power used during the flight. Write this down in the log book.
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ALWAYS disconnect the main power to the AV first, then turn off the transmitter.
