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3D Robotics Aero Instruction Manual

3d robotics aero autonomous aircraft instruction manual
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Congratulations on your purchase of an Aero!
Please read the following sections of this manual to get
started with your new autonomous aircraft.
1 Meet the Aero
2 Safety
3 Charge battery
4 Setup
5 Manual mode
6 Stabilize mode
Meet the Aero
left wing
AERO
tail boom
7 Fly-by-wire mode
8 Command modes
9 Missions
10 Preflight steps
11 Takeoff & landing
12 Postflight steps
nose
body
motor
tail
right wing
1

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Summary of Contents for 3D Robotics Aero

  • Page 1 AERO Congratulations on your purchase of an Aero! Please read the following sections of this manual to get started with your new autonomous aircraft. 1 Meet the Aero 7 Fly-by-wire mode 2 Safety 8 Command modes 3 Charge battery 9 Missions...
  • Page 2 If the terms above are unfamiliar to you, visit 3dr.com/learn, and dive into the exciting world of planes with our Introduction to Flying Fixed-Wing Aircraft. RC transmitter Spektrum FlySky If you did not order an RC transmitter with your Aero, visit 3dr.com/learn for instructions.
  • Page 3 Aero moves outside the designated area or exhibits instability in flight, switch to fly-by-wire mode and land the plane manually. The Aero will not avoid obstacles on its own, including during missions. As the operator, it’s your job to recognize and avoid obstructions while flying.

  • Page 4: Charge Battery

    Charge battery The Aero is powered by a rechargeable lithium polymer (LiPo) battery. Store the battery at half charge, then charge fully before flying. Batteries must ship at half charge, so please charge before your first flight. Each full battery provides approximately 40 minutes of flight time.

  • Page 5: Battery Safety

    Connect the white connector to the 4S port. Join the two yellow connectors together. Secure the battery inside the guard bag while charging, and charge until the status indicator displays green. Charging Complete guard bag Battery safety Protect the battery from extreme heat, extreme cold, puncturing, and flammable surfaces.
  • Page 6 Setup Follow these instructions to take the Aero from travel configuration to flight configuration. Slide the horizontal stabilizer into the vertical stabilizer along the orange groove. Make sure not to stress any of the components on the tail. horizontal stabilizer...
  • Page 7 Insert the pegs on the clasp into the open space in the servo horn, and close the clasp. servo horn Slide the blue rubber ring over the clasp to secure it in place. Turn the plane over and insert the provided tail screw into the horizontal and vertical stabilizers.
  • Page 8 AILE cables wing AILE cables Place the wings over the body of the Aero with the foam squares fitted into the matching space in the electronics compartment. Make sure not to pinch the AILE cables.
  • Page 9 Locate the four large rubber bands. Use the bands to secure the wings to the body of the Aero by the four orange knobs on the body around the wings. Attach two of the bands to the two knobs on one of the short sides and opposite knobs on the opposing side.
  • Page 10 Locate the rings inside the propeller package. Remove the ring with the second-largest internal diameter, and insert it into the back of the propeller hub. Remove the nut and the washer from the motor, add the propeller with the writing on the propeller facing towards the nose of the plane, add the washer and the nut over the propeller, and tighten the nut.
  • Page 11 The tail boom arrives attached to the Aero. Follow these instructions to remove the tail boom for travel. Disconnect the RUDD and ELEV cables inside the electronics compartment. Remove the screws on the body and the tail indicated below. body tail Pull out the tail boom to remove.
  • Page 12 Setting flight modes On 3DR transmitters, use the two-position switch and the three-position switch shown below to select a flight mode. Spektrum mode switches two-position switch marked GEAR/MIX three-position switch marked FLAP/GYRO available positions 0, 1, 2 FlySky mode switches three-position switch marked F MODE available positions N, 1, 2...
  • Page 13 (stabilize and fly by wire), autonomous mission mode, and two command modes (loiter and return to launch). The following sections of this manual describe the behavior of each mode. The Aero’s six modes are assigned to your transmitter’s mode switches according to model.

  • Page 14: Manual Mode

    Manual mode Fly with fine-tuned manual control without autopilot assistance. Manual mode gives you the most direct input to the control surfaces, resulting in precise in-flight adjustment. Try manual mode if you’re an experienced RC plane operator. no GPS lock required Manual mode RC controls throttle pitch...
  • Page 15 Left Stick Yaw left Turn left. Left Stick Yaw right Turn right. Pitch up Pitch up. Pitch down Pitch down. Roll left Roll left. Roll right Roll right.

  • Page 16: Stabilize Mode

    Stabilize mode Stabilize mode provides manual control with an added autopilot safeguard: Release the right stick and the Aero will automatically return to a level flying orientation. Use stabilize mode for the freedom of manual control with return-to-level stabilization. no GPS lock required...
  • Page 17 Left Stick Yaw left Turn left. Left Stick Yaw right Turn right. Pitch up Pitch up. Pitch down Pitch down. Roll left Roll left. Roll right Roll right. Roll and pitch center Automatically level.
  • Page 18 Fly-by-wire mode Let the autopilot manage the control surfaces, and navigate based on where you want the Aero to fly. Fly-by-wire mode* (FBW) is the easiest way to fly and is the recommended mode for new fliers. *APM:Plane mode FBWA...
  • Page 19 Left Stick Yaw left Turn left. Left Stick Yaw right Turn right. Pitch up Pitch up. Pitch down Pitch down. Roll left Fly to the left. Roll right Fly to the right. Roll and pitch center Automatically level.

  • Page 20: Command Modes

    GPS lock prior to takeoff. Loiter mode: GPS-positioned circling » The Aero will enter into a circle pattern with a radius of 60 meters at the current altitude. » Move the right stick to adjust the position of the circle.
  • Page 21 3dr.com/learn. laptop ground station with 3DR Telemetry Radio Once you have saved a mission to the Aero, ensure that the autopilot acquires GPS lock during the preflight steps, and take off in manual, stabilize, or fly-by-wire mode. Fly to the approximate altitude of the first waypoint, and switch into autonomous mode to start the mission.
  • Page 22 Safety Button Inactive, safe to handle Active, press and hold button before handling Before flying, examine the Aero to ensure that all components are secured in flight configuration. Check that the wings, tail, and tail boom are fully »...
  • Page 23 Check that the airspeed sensor is secured to the side of the Aero and the tube is free from obstructions. airspeed sensor If any of the components or assemblies in these checks are not secure, tighten the screws or use CA glue (super glue) to secure the components to the foam.
  • Page 24 With the battery connected and the lid secured, check that the Aero is correctly balanced for flight. Hold the Aero with one finger on each of the clear, plastic balancing points shown below. These...
  • Page 25 If the plane balances on your fingers, then the center of gravity is correct. If it won’t balance, adjust the position of the battery until you can balance the plane on two fingers as shown below. Check the LED for the status of the autopilot. If you plan to use loiter, return-to-launch, autonomous, or any other GPS- required modes during your flight, wait to see the blinking green light, indicating GPS lock, before proceeding.
  • Page 26 Place the plane on the ground, and set the mode switches to select manual mode. Move each of the sticks as shown, and check for the corresponding movement of the motor or control surfaces. Raise the throttle slightly until the motor spins, then immediately set the throttle back to fully down position.
  • Page 27 Roll left Left aileron tilts up, right aileron tilts down. Roll right Left aileron tilts down, right aileron tilts up. Left Stick Yaw left Rudder tilts left. Left Stick Yaw right Rudder tilts right.
  • Page 28 Set the mode switches to stabilize, and hold the plane in front of you. Move the plane as shown, and check for the stabilization response from the control surfaces. Test: Tilt the plane left. Result: Left aileron tilts down, right aileron tilts up. Test: Tilt the plane right.

  • Page 29: Takeoff & Landing

    Find a launching area with at least 100 feet of clear space in front of you. Face into the wind, and hold the Aero at the center of gravity. Raise the throttle to center position to start the motor. Be careful not...
  • Page 30 15 to 20 degree down-pitch angle. » When the plane is one meter above the ground, pitch up (flare) to land the Aero on the body of the plane instead of the nose. wind direction...
  • Page 31 Postflight steps To disarm the motor, press and hold the safety button until it displays blinking red. Inactive, motor disarmed safety button Active, motor armed Disconnect battery Turn off transmitter. Your flight is now complete. Always following the preflight and postflight steps described in this manual when you fly.

  • Page 32: Learning More

    For customer support, contact us at help@3dr.com or call our support line at +1 (858) 225-1414 Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm, PST. Happy flying! Aero User Manual A | ©3D Robotics, Inc. | 12 August 2014...

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