Flight Instructions

Overview

This document will go over how to start the system up and fly. You should have already looked at how to install the system as well as the physical components necessary. Please test without propellers to ensure all conventions are correct. As this is an experimental system, please take extreme care.

Startup

First boot up the board with some onboard power supply. We used a 5v converter between the battery and motors to power the board as well as the receiver. When the system comes online, connect over ethernet or WiFi on port 9090 to open Jupyter Notebooks. If you have decided to use the custom Python drivers, create an instance of the HexOverlay which will start all cores and set default values. If you have decided not to use the custom Python drivers, you will need to set the PID constants, PWM constants, and RC Receiver values, then tell each core to autorestart (set the 0th word in each core’s S_AXILITE registers to 0x81). The system should now be running. If it is not, check each component and be sure you have everything connect correctly and each component is configured correctly.

Flight Check

Per FAA Part 107, as well as common sense, you should check that your controller is correctly communicating with the UAV. You should never leave the motors running without load for prolonged periods during these checks.

CHECKS - No Propellers

1. Kill Switch
   1. Ensure that switching the Channel 5 switch on the controller to HIGH stops the motors immediately. There should be no delay.
   2. Now set that switch LOW and make sure the motors start up.
   3. You may need to switch this back and forth a few times to activate all ESCs
   4. Keep the throttle LOW during this step
2. Thrust
   1. Set the kill switch to allow motor output.
   2. Thrust slightly up and ensure motors increase speed.
   3. Thrust down and ensure motors decrease speed.
   4. Try a very short full deflection up to make sure the motors increase speed as expected.
   5. Enable Kill switch
3. Roll
   1. With the Kill switch allowing motor output, make sure moving the stick right leads to the left motors increasing speed.
   2. Test left and then turn off.
4. Pitch
   1. With the Kill switch allowing motor output, make sure moving the stick forward leads to the back motors increasing speed.
   2. Test backwards and then turn off.
5. Yaw
   1. With the Kill switch allowing motor output, make sure moving the stick left leads to the CW motors increasing speed
   2. Test right and then turn off.

CHECKS - With Propellers

1. Kill Switch
   1. Ensure that switching the Channel 5 switch on the controller to HIGH stops the motors immediately. There should be no delay.
   2. Now set that switch LOW and make sure the motors start up.
   3. You may need to switch this back and forth a few times to activate all ESCs
   4. Keep the throttle LOW during this step
2. Thrust
   1. Set the kill switch to allow motor output.
   2. Thrust slightly up and ensure motors increase speed. 3.Thrust down and ensure motors decrease speed.
   3. DO NOT TAKE OFF YET
   4. Enable Kill switch
3. Roll
   1. With the Kill switch allowing motor output, make sure moving the stick right leads to the UAV rolling right.
   2. Test left and then turn off.
4. Pitch
   1. With the Kill switch allowing motor output, make sure moving the stick forward leads to the UAV pitching forward.
   2. Test backwards and then turn off.
5. Yaw
   1. With the Kill switch allowing motor output, make sure moving the stick left leads to the UAV yawing left.
   2. Test right and then turn off.

FLYING

Drop thrust, disable kill switch, and be safe. Stay within your limits.

DISCLAIMER

THE AUTHORS OF THIS SOFTWARE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE OR INJURY TO PERSON OR PROPERTY THAT MAY OCCUR AS A RESULT OF THE USE OF THIS SYSTEM, EITHER PROPER OR IMPROPER. THIS IS AN EXPERIMENTAL SYSTEM AND SHOULD BE TREATED WITH CARE.