Freefly ALTA Setup Manual
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Freefly ALTA Setup Manual

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SETUP GUIDE
RE V ISION B | 10.7.2015
| SETUP GUIDE

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Summary of Contents for Freefly ALTA

  • Page 1 SETUP GUIDE RE V ISION B | 10.7.2015 | SETUP GUIDE...
  • Page 2 WWW.FREEFLYSYSTEMS.COM...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    31 ALTA App 18 Status Light 32 Mapping Channels 19 Orientation Lights 34 Failsafe and Loss of Signal 21 Compass Calibration 36 Installing a Battery 22 Arming and Starting ALTA Motors 38 Attaching a MōVI 24 Setting Hover Throttle | SETUP GUIDE...

  • Page 4: Disclaimer And Warning

    » Never fly ALTA over or around people, power lines or other aircraft. prior to using the ALTA . You can review the most current version of » Always keep children and animals a safe distance away from ALTA this Setup Guide at www.freeflysystems.com/software-manuals/.
  • Page 5 E XCEED THE AMOUNTS PAID BY BU YER TO FREEFLY FOR PRODUCT » Use of ALTA without sufficient training. IN THE L A ST T WELVE (12) MONTHS. IN NO E VENT WILL FREEFLY BE » Use of ALTA in unsafe conditions, including, but not limited to, bad...
  • Page 6 BOOM NUMBERING AND PROP ROTATION (OVERHEAD VIEW) BOOM 1 – Clockwise BOOM 2 – Counter-Clockwise BOOM 3 – Clockwise BOOM 4 – Counter-Clockwise BOOM 5 – Clockwise BOOM 6 – Counter-Clockwise WWW.FREEFLYSYSTEMS.COM...

  • Page 7: Introduction

    It is supplemental to the ALTA Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM), which contains all the information required to set up, operate and maintain an ALTA system safely. Do not operate ALTA without completely reading the AFM found at www.freeflysystems.com/software-manuals/.
  • Page 8 ALTA OVERVIEW 1. GPS/Compass/Wi-Fi Module/microSD Card 6. Boom Retention Clip 2. Propeller 7. Isolator Cartridge 3. Boom 8. Motor 4. Boom Latch 9. Battery Pack (Not Included) 5. Inverted Landing Gear 10. Battery Retention Strap SK Y VIE W CONFIGR ATION (TOP MOUN T) WWW.FREEFLYSYSTEMS.COM...
  • Page 9 11. Status Light 16. FPV Camera Mount 12. Orientation Light 17. Handle 13. Toad In The Hole Adapter 18. Power Leads 14. MōVI & Camera (Not Included) 15. Landing Gear (Not Included) GROUNDVIE W CONFIGR ATION (BOT TOM MOUN T) | SETUP GUIDE | SETUP GUIDE...
  • Page 10 WWW.FREEFLYSYSTEMS.COM...
  • Page 11 UNBOXING ALTA 1. Case c. Ready Made RC 2. ALTA 11. Fasteners 3. Case Lid Foam a. (4) M3 × 8 Socket Head for Toad In The Hole Male Adapter 4. Isolator Cartridges b. (2) M3 × 8 Flat Head for Accessory Mount a.

  • Page 12: Weight Limitations

    As altitude and temperature increase, the density of the air decreases. Consequently, ALTA’s thrust will decrease. The following table describes As altitude and temperature increase, the density of the air decreases. Consequently, ALTA’s thrust will decrease. The follow- maximum gross weight limits with respect to altitude and temperature.

  • Page 13: Control Modes

    Always neutralize control inputs when switching between control modes. ALTA has three primary flight control modes: Manual Mode, Height Mode, and Position Mode. They are selected with the Mode Switch. ALTA also has two emergency control modes, Return-To-Home and Autoland, which are available NOTE only during certain situations.
  • Page 14 During an LOS event, ALTA will first check its current altitude against ground speeds. Pitch and roll stick deflection will command fore/ Safe Height. If it is lower, it will climb to Safe Height, and if ALTA is aft and left/right ground speeds respectively. Controlling altitude in above Safe Height, it will remain at its current altitude.

  • Page 15: Radio Loss Of Signal

    RADIO LOSS OF SIGNAL Return To Home S A F E H E I G H T I S U S E R D E F I N E D A L T A A P P > C O N F I G U R A T I O N S > S A F E T Y > S A F E H E I G H T WWW.FREEFLYSYSTEMS.COM | SETUP GUIDE...

  • Page 16: Disarm Safety Switch

    On - Disarming is not possible. The Disarm Safety Switch aids preventing accidental motor disarming while the ALTA is in flight and in manual mode. It may be mapped to Off - Disarming is possible a two position switch. To set up the Lockout Switch, refer to Mapping Channels or the ALTA Aircraft Flight Manual.
  • Page 17 | SETUP GUIDE...

  • Page 18: Status Light

    MEANING BOOTING Flashing Red + White Flight controller is booting The rear-facing Status Light shows the status of ALTA as it boots, arms and flies. The following table shows the different Flight controller is running Flashing White and ready to arm meanings of the light in the various flight phases.

  • Page 19: Orientation Lights

    MEANING BOOTING Blue ESC booting The boom-end mounted Orientation Lights indicate both the orientation of ALTA in flight and the status of the individual S TA NDBY Flashing green ESC booted normally motor Electronic Speed Controllers (ESCs) during other flight phases. The following table shows the different...
  • Page 20 WARNING If ALTA displays an alarm, land immediately. ALTA will notify the pilot of critical alarms using the Status Light. These alarms indicate a serious issue have been observed in the behavior of the ALTA that, if not acted upon immediately, can cause loss of control.

  • Page 21: Compass Calibration

    COMPASS CALIBRATION WARNING Verify ALTA is disarmed prior to performing a compass calibration. To ensure ALTA does not arm, remove the Configuration Jumper, ALTA features a highly sensitive 3-axis magnetometer that measures the set the mode switch to Height or Position, or set the home switch to earth’s magnetic field to infer heading.

  • Page 22: Arming And Starting Alta Motors

    TO ARM ALTA documentation for help determining the controller 1. Ensure ALTA is powered on and is in Standby Mode mode (1 or 2). 2. Select Manual Mode using the radio controller’s Mode Switch 3. Set the Home Switch to the middle position 4.
  • Page 23 Always check the ALTA and its components prior to operation. WARNING CAUTION Always maintain a safe distance from the ALTA when in use. Motors can be disabled in flight if Do not attempt to disarm motors in Height or Never attempt to touch the ALTA when the propellers are moving.

  • Page 24: Setting Hover Throttle

    Adjust the Hover Throttle setting by entering a stable hover in Manual Mode. Note the ALTA is flying. stick position, or have an assistant view the radio chart in the ALTA App to determine stick position. If ALTA hovers with the stick below neutral, decrease the Hover Throttle until ALTA hovers with neutral stick input.

  • Page 25: Tuning Alta

    ALTA comes pre-tuned for a wide variety of payloads and flying conditions. if values are set too high or too low. Only change tuning parameters Generally, additional tuning is not required to fly ALTA, and additional tuning will in small increments and with caution. Always test new tuning only need to take place if more customization of control feel is desired.

  • Page 26: Unfolding Alta

    UNFOLDING ALTA 1. Remove ALTA from case 2. Fold down all six boom retention clips 3. Open ALTA booms 4. Snap shut all six boom latches until they “click” 5. Visually confirm all latches are seated properly 6. Remove prop protectors...

  • Page 27: Folding Alta

    FOLDING ALTA 1. Secure props with prop protectors 2. Unlatch all six booms 3. Close ALTA booms 4. Fold up all six boom retention clips to secure booms | SETUP GUIDE...

  • Page 28: Installing A Radio Receiver

    INSTALLING A RADIO RECEIVER 1. Locate the noted closeout panels used for receiver installation (between booms 1 & 2 and 4 & 5) 2. Remove side closeout panel with radio wires using a 1.5mm hex driver 3. Identify required wire 4.
  • Page 29 BINDING A RADIO RECEIVER Refer to the instructions provided with your 7. Attach receiver/satellite to exterior using the provided double sided tape: radio controller to complete the binding process. a. Futaba & PPM receiver For Spektrum/JR radios, a receiver is required to bind the satellites to a radio controller.

  • Page 30: Configuration Jumper

    CONFIGURATION JUMPER A small jumper is used to prevent motor operation while configuring radio mapping parameters. With the jumper in place, the motors may operate, but channel mapping is prevented. With the jumper removed, channel mapping may take place, but the motors will be turned off. 1.

  • Page 31: Alta App

    The ALTA App is used to configure ALTA saved automatically. parameters and to monitor ALTA’s status during flight. To download the ALTA App, search for “Freefly ALTA” in the App Store or on Google Play™. | SETUP GUIDE...

  • Page 32: Mapping Channels

    ALTA Aircraft Flight Manual. 1. Remove the Configuration Jumper (see page 22) 2. Power ALTA using a battery pack or by plugging in the included USB-Futaba cable into an available port on a Futaba receiver 3.
  • Page 33 WARNING Always ensure the Configuration Jumper is removed prior to adjusting radio settings to prevent unintentional motor starts. RADIO WARNING Ensure proper channel mapping prior to flight. Incorrect mapping SETUP ADJUSTMENTS can lead to immediate loss of control. CONTROLLER FUTABA CHANNEL MAPPING PITCH ROLL...

  • Page 34: Failsafe And Loss Of Signal

    Setting failsafes in the receiver is not necessary, as failsafe behavior radio controller is powered off. is set in the ALTA App. The radio’s failsafe settings will not be used. PPM RECEIVERS When using a receiver with a PPM output signal, the Synapse Flight...
  • Page 35 WE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING FAIL SAFE SE T TINGS: 1. Throttle: Neutral 2. Pitch/Roll/Yaw: Neutral 3. Flight Mode Switch: Position Mode 4. Home Switch: Return to Home POSITION HEIGHT R.T.H. MANUAL RIGHT STICK LEF T STICK | SETUP GUIDE...

  • Page 36: Installing A Battery

    INSTALLING A BATTERY WARNING See warning on page 19. GROUND VIE W 1. Place battery retention strap studs at the appropriate height for CAUTION battery pack(s) See cautions on page 19. 2. Adjust battery stops to fit battery pack(s) 3. Attach the single-hole end of the battery retention straps to the studs 4.
  • Page 37 Positive is indicated by a red power lead, and negative/ground is indicated by a black power lead. 3. Place battery packs(s) in landing gear Reversing polarity will damage ALTA’s electronics. 4. Tension and secure battery retention straps CAUTION When installing two battery packs, ensure they are at a similar state of charge (a full pack voltage difference less than 0.5V).

  • Page 38: Attaching A Mōvi

    ATTACHING A MōVI A MōVI can be attached to either the top or bottom of the ALTA via the Freefly Toad In The Hole (TITH) Quick Release. ALTA comes pre-configured for bottom mounting a MōVI. GROUND VIE W 1. Prepare your MōVI for bottom-mount flight (see MōVI manual) a.
  • Page 39 CAUTION Top mounting is not supported by the MōVI M10. SK Y VIE W 1. Prepare your MōVI for top-mount flight a. Remove landing gear (see MōVI manual) b. Install TITH receiver on MōVI (see MōVI manual) 2. Connect and secure the supplied inverted landing gear to the bottom Toad 3.
  • Page 40 W W W.FREEFLYSYSTEMS.COM MōVI is a registered trademark in the U.S. Pat. & Tm. Office. FREEFLY, the wing logo, and A LTA are trademarks of Freefly Systems Inc. Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

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