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Draganfly Draganflyer X4-ES User Manual

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X4-ES USER MANUAL
Draganflyer X4-ES Helicopter
Version 2.1

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Summary of Contents for Draganfly Draganflyer X4-ES

  • Page 1 X4-ES USER MANUAL Draganflyer X4-ES Helicopter Version 2.1...

  • Page 2: Operator Notice

    Operator Notice The responsibility to operate in a safe manner, prevent injury to persons or damage to property, and to take no unnecessary risks falls upon the owner and those whom the owner authorizes to pilot and operate the Draganflyer X4-ES helicopter. Furthermore the onus is upon each owner/authorizer/pilot to comply with all regulations pertinent to the use of the Draganflyer X4-ES helicopter and associated components at the location of operation with regards to the use of airspace as well as radio...
  • Page 3 Warning The Draganflyer X4-ES helicopter is a precision machine that is vulnerable to misuse and can prove to be dangerous if not properly maintained or used in an inappropriate manor. Special notice: Throughout this manual, look for and pay special attention to these information boxes for tips, tricks, safety information, or serious warnings and risks, associated with this product.
  • Page 4 DO NOT PLACE YOUR HANDS OR ARMS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE ROTORS OR ATTEMPT TO STOP SPINNING ROTORS WITH YOUR HANDS AS SERIOUS INJURY COULD RESULT FROM CONTACT. THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS CHEMICALS WHICH ARE KNOWN BY THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO CAUSE CANCER, BIRTH DEFECTS AND/OR OTHER REPRODUCTIVE HARM.

  • Page 5: Safety Precautions

    Safety Precautions As the pilot in command you are responsible for the safety of yourself and others whether it be in the immediate takeoff and landing area, or the general flight path area. Please take safety very seriously. • Always wear protective eyewear. •...
  • Page 6 Meet your Draganflyer X4-ES Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the Draganflyer X4-ES helicopter system. Both you, and your new X4-ES helicopter will have many adventures together. We believe this amazing aerial tool will provide you with a new perspective in your work, and edge to your creativity.
  • Page 7 Contents Chapter 1: Draganflyer X4-ES Setup This is probably the most fun chapter of all. In this chapter you will unfold the frame, the landing gear, install the props, better understand the LiPo battery, discuss operating the aircraft safely, and get the helicopter ready for flight. Chapter 2: Battery Safety and Charging One of our more serious chapters but extremely important.
  • Page 8 Chapter 1 Page 7...
  • Page 9 X4-ES Helicopter Setup We had a great time building and flight testing your aircraft. In this section we’ll go over the steps required to assemble the aircraft in preparation for launch. Because the aircraft can be equipped with several different payload packages, please refer to the individual payload manual for details about the payload set-up and how to get the most from it.
  • Page 10 Extend Landing Gear There are several helicopter systems on the market but we think you’ll be hard pressed to find an aircraft where so much effort and design was involved to create a lightweight and incredibly strong airframe. In addition to it’s strength, the airframe design allows the aircraft to quickly fold into a small package;...

  • Page 11: Install Rotor Blades

    Install Rotor Blades We put some effort into making this a simple, fast process, to best ensure the correct prop gets on the correct motor. Your helicopter flies with two props spinning in a clockwise (CW) direction, and two spinning in a counter clockwise direction (CCW). To get you started we color coded the props and mounts but we didn’t stop there.
  • Page 12 Remove Canopy You really want to do this right or you can damage the canopy. The canopy removal process is as simple as 1, 2, 3. Position your hands as shown. Using one finger pull the latch pin forward, then start to lift using the carbon fibre tabs, and rotate the canopy while sliding it back and off the aircraft.

  • Page 13: Install Flight Battery

    Install Flight Battery The Draganflyer X4-ES main power source is a removable, rechargeable, lithium-polymer battery. We put extra effort into designing a battery system that was safe, powerful and optimized to provide maximum flight performance. The Draganflyer X4-ES helicopter system has been designed and precisely tuned for this battery.
  • Page 14 Battery position is important so please pay close attention to centering the battery under the GPS antenna flap. Also be very careful to make sure the battery doesn’t make contact with the electronics directly in front of the battery. Double check and make sure you have a gap between battery and electronics.

  • Page 15: Install Canopy

    Install Canopy Installing the canopy is the reverse process. Start by inserting the canopy through the slot at the rear of the aircraft. Bring the front of the canopy forward and line-up the canopy pin with the helicopter latch assembly. Rear canopy tab Gently squeeze the front of the canopy to “latch”...
  • Page 16 Helicopter assembled The helicopter is now fully assembled and ready for flight. Even if you have been through our flight training program, we recommend that for your first few flights you fly in very light wind conditions and without a payload to test the system and get reacquainted with the aircraft.
  • Page 17 Install helicopter payload system Draganfly offers several different payload options for the Draganflyer X4-ES system and each payload features an easy to use quick release system. All electrical connections pass through the quick release eliminating messy cables or the possibility of inadvertently not connecting something before take-off.
  • Page 18 Chapter 2 Page 17...
  • Page 19 Lithium Battery Safety Instructions and Warnings Please read and fully understand all of the instructions and warnings below before using Lithium Polymer (LiPo) batteries are or charging your lithium polymer batteries. volatile; improper use or failure to follow these instructions and warnings may result in fire, personal injury and/or damaged property.
  • Page 20 Do NOT leave a battery indoors for the thermal strip attached to your observation even if in a flame battery. retardant container. • Do not short the battery; shorts Charging: can cause fires. If you • Before charging visually inspect accidentally short the battery it the battery and connectors for must be placed in a safe...

  • Page 21: Storage And Transport

    • Never charge batteries • Only use a good quality charger unattended. rated for LiPo batteries, such as the charger including in your • Always keep the battery in a Draganflyer system. A low quality flame retardant container for charger may damage the battery charging.
  • Page 22 • Do not expose batteries to regulations regarding temperatures in excess of 76 transportation of LiPo batteries. degrees C (170 F). Exposure for • If shipping batteries, always longer than 2 hours may cause discuss safe packaging and fire. shipping procedures with the •...

  • Page 23: Battery Charging System

    Battery Charging System Please fully read and understand the Lithium battery safety instructions and warnings section of this manual before using or charging your batteries. The operator assumes full responsibility for all risks associated with the use of this product. AC power cord LiPo Charge[sel]...

  • Page 24: Setup And Operation

    Your Draganflyer X4-ES system comes equipped with a complete charging kit for the helicopter and controller batteries used with the X4-ES system. The charging system has been designed for ease of use, portability, safety, and convenience, to keep your systems charged and flying. Included with the Draganflyer X4-ES charging system is: 1 –...
  • Page 25 • Setting Data Mode • Data View Mode The ENT/STOP button allows you to select and validate values/settings for options that can be changed (using the +/– buttons to change) before and during charging/ discharging. Pressing and holding the ENTER button also allows you to start and stop charging/discharging.
  • Page 26 Balance port Main power connector With the battery connected simply press and hold the ENT/STOP button for 3 seconds and the battery will start charging. At this default charger setting a full charge will take approximately 2 hours for a depleted battery. For a faster charge time, you can adjust the current(C=) up to 5.45A for the helicopter batteries only.
  • Page 27 Charging the Handheld Controller batteries Included with your system is the handheld Ground Control System (GCS) and a standard handheld controller. The GCS is powered by a smaller capacity 4 Cell LiPo battery and the standard handheld controller is powered by a 3 Cell LiPo battery. Handheld Ground Control System (GCS) Standard Handheld Controller (HHC) Charger setting = 4sPACK @1.7 Amps...
  • Page 28 Summary: The battery charger provided has been preset at the factory to charge the helicopter LiPo battery pack. The charger connects to the batteries or controllers using two cables. One cable is a cell balancer cable, and the other is the main charge cable. When charging the GCS you need a lower charge current setting and with the standard HHC, both the cell count and the charge current must be adjusted.

  • Page 29: Things You Need To Know

    Things you need to know Special notice: You might think that we’re exaggerating the issue but no, LiPo battery safety is something to be taken seriously. If you want to see examples of what can go wrong just search YouTube for LiPo fire examples. It’s common to think “this will never happen to me”...
  • Page 30 Chapter 3 Page 29...

  • Page 31: Your First Flight

    Your first flight One of the great things about a helicopter is that you can fly it a quarter-of-an-inch at-a- time. And even better, you have the flexibility to fly in a wide open area, more restricted space, and if you have enough room, you can even fly indoors. If you haven’t taken the Draganfly certified flight training we highly encourage you to get the proper training.
  • Page 32 Understand the environment If you think of your helicopter as if it were a balloon, you can quickly get an idea of the issues involved when flying in windy conditions. As you get more comfortable flying in wind, under certain circumstances letting your helicopter “float” with the wind is a good technique to shoot both smooth video or get crisp photos.
  • Page 33 weather. Always keep in mind that no matter what the project, as the pilot you determine when it’s safe to fly. The helicopter and wind: Although the helicopter system is actually very sophisticated there are times when you might think it’s not. For example, let’s assume we’re flying in a 16kph (10mph) steady wind from the north.
  • Page 34 circumstances our ground speed is 0mph. If we begin to yaw the helicopter clockwise 90 degrees, we know that through the rotation of the aircraft, we’ll need to introduce left roll, and reduce forward pitch, as the aircraft rotates to maintain the hover position. WIND 16kph (10mph) WIND 16kph (10mph) WIND 16kph (10mph)
  • Page 35 When the helicopter reaches the 90 degree clockwise position, the nose of the aircraft is now pointing east. To maintain a steady hover, we’ll need to control the aircraft with roll “left” because the helicopter is now broadside to the wind, flying sideways at 16kph (10mph).
  • Page 36 hover. When you’re happy the helicopter is behaving properly, you increase throttle to gain altitude and move pitch even more forward and fly away into the wind. When you have flown the aircraft into the desired position, slow the aircraft into a good stable hovering position, double check your aircraft GPS position accuracy and switch the aircraft into a GPS position hold.
  • Page 37 When you’re flying in strong gusty winds whether you’re in a GPS position hold or flying manually, you will see some variation in altitude resulting from sudden pressure changes. Even flying indoors on very windy days you will see changes in altitude because of the varying air pressure inside the building.
  • Page 38 The best way to recover from this situation is to “fly out” of the thermal. When you hear or see this take place your first instinct is to increase throttle and assist the autopilot, but at the same time, try to turn away and fly forward out of the thermal. Does this happen very often? No, but we take the time to point this out because it’s one of the dangers flying in very hot conditions mid-day or later in the afternoon hours.
  • Page 39 Helicopter preflight Just like a real aircraft it is very important to pre-flight the Draganfly helicopter to make sure it’s airworthy. We recommend a static on-the-ground pre-flight as illustrated below, and once you have taken off, we suggest a second flight check in a hover to make sure the aircraft and system are behaving properly.
  • Page 40 Pre-flight system checks: As illustrated above it’s very important to pre-flight your aircraft before every flight. The system pre-flight is a quick but important procedure to follow even between flights. Never take anything for granted because more times than not, when you “assume” something is okay, that is the day you experience a problem.
  • Page 41 Landing gear Make certain each landing gear strut is extended and locked firmly in place. Also take this time to look them over carefully for any cracks or possible damage from a hard landing. Aircraft payload If you are flying with a payload, make certain all four of the payload quick release is firmly secured.
  • Page 42 Variable aircraft and GCS settings: And what we’re referring to is aircraft settings that are most often used such as Navigation LED brightness, Altitude limit, GCS display brightness, GCS volume and your camera gimbal tilt angles. You want to double check these settings to make sure they are to your personal or mission specific preferences before getting in the air.
  • Page 43 Included with your system is a Draganfly Systems Log Book and we highly recommend that you get into the habit of using it. The log book will detail flight times, any problems encountered, what batteries were flown and most importantly it’s a good place to “match-up”...
  • Page 44 Flight drills After your flight training it’s important to keep flying and hone your flying skills. We have seen instances where people have come back for the training of two, three or four pilots but they only have one helicopter system. Over time it works out that one or two people are the primary pilots and the others are not able to fly often.

  • Page 45: Training Course

    over a cone for one minute, rotate 90 degrees over the same cone and hold for one minute. With clear goals you will get results. Training course: A typical exercise course is created using 9 small traffic or soccer cones. The spacing between the cones varies on the size helicopter you are flying and the amount of space that you have available.
  • Page 46 Flight exercise #2 - practice roll: During your Draganfly flight training you might recall the term “safety position”. The navigation LEDs on the Draganfly helicopters are very bright and at the rear of the aircraft you see two bright white LEDs. When both of these LEDs are pointed in your direction we call this the safety position because the helicopter heading is pointed in the same direction you are.
  • Page 47 Flight exercise #3 - practice pitch: This exercise is very similar to what we just did in exercise number two except we’re primarily using pitch to change our position moving forward and backwards over the course. • Keep the helicopter at chest height and hover over the center cone •...
  • Page 48 • Hold hover position for thirty seconds • Slide the helicopter left over the far left corner cone • Hold hover position for thirty seconds • Slide the helicopter back over the rear left corner cone • Hold hover position for thirty seconds •...
  • Page 49 Flight exercise #4 - practice combined pitch & roll: It’s now time to keep the helicopter in a safety position but slide the helicopter on the diagonal from corner to corner. To accomplish this you will need to move the helicopter in both pitch and roll to create the diagonal movement.
  • Page 50 always know whether you need to pull roll or pitch one direction or the other, to maintain proper control. Earlier in the manual we also discussed the concept of “staying ahead” of the aircraft. Remember you’re the one that’s in control. Much like an F1 driver, at the speeds they’re traveling the racers adjust their entry speed and start to turn, before they get to a corner.
  • Page 51 With nose-in flying you’ll hear some people say “all the controls are backwards” but honestly don’t fall into that trap. If you think this way, you will struggle with nose-in flight for the rest of your life. It’s a mental leap to get yourself into the cockpit of that aircraft but you can do it.
  • Page 52 Helicopter flight Leading up to this section we’ve talked about wind, temperature, basic pre-flight checks and training exercises. And as we’ve said before, the great thing about a helicopter is that we don’t need to be going 56kph (35mph) to takeoff like an airplane; the helicopter can be flown a quarter-of-an-inch at a time, meaning you can take things at your own pace.

  • Page 53: Getting Ready

    illustration above is no joke, in operation at altitude, the helicopter gets very small very quickly. In this section we’ll cover flying the aircraft but keep in mind we won’t be covering the detailed interaction with the handheld controllers. We assume that you have already looked over the start-up guide or handheld controller manuals and are familiar with connecting to the aircraft, arming the motors, engaging motors, engaging a GPS hold, and all the steps required to disarm, and disengage motors.
  • Page 54 For your first flights if you’re flying indoors make sure you have looked around the immediate area and along the ceiling, or roof area, to make sure there are no dangling strings, ropes or wires. Quite often people will hang a sign or something but when it comes time to take things down, the sign is gone but the cables or wires are still left hanging there.
  • Page 55 If you’re flying in a public area be aware that people will be curious and often in flight you’ll be happily hovering the helicopter and all of a sudden someone will speak-up and ask you a question. You didn’t even notice them approach you so it can be startling to find you have one or two people with you.
  • Page 56 When you execute an automatic takeoff the prop speed will increase and the helicopter will come up off the ground and settle at an altitude of about 1 meter or 3 feet. In this manual we have talked about “staying ahead” of the aircraft so keep in mind that as soon as the helicopter comes up you’re flying the helicopter.
  • Page 57 helicopter will hit what’s called ground effect, being buffered by the prop downwash and creating a cushion of air. At times it feels like you have to push the aircraft down to the ground so as you get close to the ground keep descending and when the skids touch, pull the throttle all the way back, and disengage motors.
  • Page 58 In this scenario we’ll fly up and away to shoot photos of the estate illustrated below. At the same time, we’ll pass along some tips, and tricks, in an attempt to circumvent problems some people have experienced. Notice the helicopter is quite a bit closer than the graphic at the beginning of this section.
  • Page 59 Before you just takeoff and go, set aside a few minutes to look at the area, get a feel for the weather, wind, and mentally rehearse the shots that you want to capture. In this scenario we are operating in a light breeze blowing from the direction of the estate and the sun is low in the horizon to our back.
  • Page 60 As you near your target destination slow the aircraft and double check your helicopter GPS position accuracy. If everything looks good, bring the aircraft to a stationary hover at 30 meters (98 feet) altitude and switch over to a GPS position hold. At this point the autopilot onboard the aircraft is holding position and altitude for you at the given location.
  • Page 61 Remember that when you turn off the GPS position hold, you’re flying the aircraft again so as we have said over and over, you want to “stay ahead” of the aircraft whenever possible. In this scenario we’re hovering in a wind so the instant the GPS hold is turned off the helicopter will start blowing back towards our location.
  • Page 62 When you get your first battery low alarm, it’s time to start bringing the helicopter back. In this scenario the helicopter is up-wind from your location. Yaw the helicopter to the safety position and when the GPS position hold is turned off, the wind will blow the helicopter back towards you.
  • Page 63 Aggressive flying skills: After weeks and months of developing your flying skills, confidence builds and control inputs become reflex actions versus something you need to process and execute. Instinctive reflex reactions help you “stay ahead” of the aircraft and when this happens, you’re ready to tackle more aggressive flying skills.
  • Page 64 For this first pass bring the aircraft up to about 10 or 15 meters (32-50 feet) and fly off to the right about 20 meters (66 feet) (lets call this an easterly direction) at normal speed. Hover the aircraft and yaw so the helicopter is pointed west. Lets ease into this by making a few runs at medium speed before a high speed pass so to get going, ease pitch forward and fly straight west past your position.
  • Page 65 you’re flying a full size aircraft, RC helicopter or the Draganflyer, it’s a fun, coordinated skill to execute. In a full size aircraft the pilot will pull pitch back and drop collective pitch at the same time to maintain altitude and stop the aircraft. As airspeed drops the aircraft looses transitional lift and the pilot must quickly pull collective to maintain altitude.
  • Page 66 Using the same drag racing circuit we’ll execute the same basic pattern but instead of making a left hand turn, we’ll stop, hover, yaw 180, and come back the opposite direction at a high rate of speed. At the end of the run execute a quick stop, hover, yaw 180 and race back the other way to repeat the exercise.
  • Page 67 throttle all the way back to the maximum descent rate. What you’re doing is “flying the aircraft down” through clean air making for an amazing and impressive descent. As the aircraft gets lower start slowing the aircraft, reducing your descent rate by bringing throttle back up towards the center position until you are in a stable hover at chest height out in front of your starting position.
  • Page 68 Chapter 4 Page 67...

  • Page 69: Maintenance

    Maintenance The Draganflyer X4-ES features a direct drive system requiring minimal maintenance as compared to a tradition style helicopter with servo linkages, gears, drive shafts, clutch, rotor head, swash plate, tail rotor and pitch change mechanisms. However, as the pilot in command, in addition to the health of your batteries, you are responsible for the mechanical integrity of the aircraft, so it’s a good idea to inspect the aircraft on a regular basis for any wear or damage.
  • Page 70 • Inspect canopy mounting latch and slot for tears or cracks Every Year or 300 flight hours: Please contact Draganfly Innovations Customer Service Department for assistance with the following service requirements. • Inspect and clean all electrical connections • Inspect all crimps and solder connections on movable components •...

  • Page 71: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting Problem: When I try to engage motors, the motors won’t start. Possible cause: • The handheld controller might not be connected to the aircraft • You overlooked first “arming” the motors • The aircraft “hold mode switch” must be in the center “altitude hold” position Solution: Power-on the aircraft and the handheld Ground Control System (GCS).
  • Page 72 Problem: The aircraft will not power-on... nothing happens. Possible cause: • Make certain the helicopter battery is connected • Check the battery charge by depressing the battery selftest button • Possibly one of the motor fuses have blown Solution: At the rear of the X4-ES helicopter, under the deck plate, you will see four fuses.
  • Page 73 position. If you’re not familiar with what we’re describing here, look in your GCS manual to get more information on setting pitch and roll trim. Assuming this is not a wind or trim problem, also inspect your motors and props for any damage.
  • Page 74 Problem: From the time it takes off to the time I get it back on the ground the helicopter is spinning in circles. Possible cause: • Yaw trim adjusted to an extreme limit • Aircraft calibration error Solution: If the problem is the same using either the GCS or the Standard Handheld Controller (HHC) there is a serious calibration problem with the aircraft and you’ll need to contact Draganfly.
  • Page 75 Problem: I wait and wait, but I’m not getting a GPS position lock. Possible cause: • Poor satellite conditions • You are indoors • You are possibly surrounded by large buildings or trees Solution: Even out in wide open spaces on a nice sunny warm day, there will be instances when it takes several minutes to get a solid GPS position lock.
  • Page 76 Problem: It feels like a motor is loose. Possible cause: • Motor mount screws missing • Internal motor mounting has come loose • Broken motor mount • Damaged airframe Solution: DO NOT fly the aircraft until this problem is resolved. The motors are held in place with five small set screws around the top lip of a motor pod.
  • Page 77 Understand that in windy conditions the helicopter will be moving around within limits determined by the GPS position accuracy. If your GPS numbers look good and you’re still having problems, contact Draganfly for more information. Contacting Draganfly Service: When you contact Draganfly Innovations for service before making the phone call or sending the e-mail, it’s best to gather up and write down some information.

  • Page 78: Technical Specifications

    Technical Specifications Airframe Dimensions: (assembled) • Diameter (rotor span): 106cm (42”) • Width: 87cm (34”) • Length: 87cm (34”) • Height: 28cm (11”) • Landing Gear footprint: 63.5cm x 63.5cm (25” x25”) Airframe Dimensions: (folded with rotors) • Width: 35cm (14”) •...
  • Page 79 Video Link RF Communications: • Link Type: 5.8GHz two way • Transmitter Antenna: Wired Whip Antenna • Receiver Antenna: Internal flat patch & external Omni directional whip • Transmission Power: 19dBm • RF Data Rate: 54 Mbps • Transmission Technique: 802.11n •...
  • Page 80 • Maximum Gross Takeoff Weight: 2,550g (90oz) Flight Characteristics: • Climb Rate: 2m/s (6.5ft/s) • Descent Rate: 2m/s (6.5ft/s) • Turn Rate: 90°/second • Maximum Speed: 50km/h (30mph) • Minimum Speed: 0km/h (0mph) • Launch Type: VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) •...
  • Page 81 Navigation Lights: • Type: 1 Watt LED Variable Brightness Emitters • Luminous Flux at Full Brightness: 40lm • Purpose: Helicopter Orientation Confirmation • Visible Condition Range: Full Darkness to Direct Sunlight • Standard Aircraft Colors: Left Front - Red, Right Front - Green, Rear - dual White Rechargeable Flight Battery: •...

  • Page 82: Contact Information

    Contact Information Draganfly Innovations Inc. Product support: Phone: 1-800-979-9794 International: 1-306-955-9907 e-mail: support@draganfly.com Sales information: Phone: 1-800-979-9794 International: 1-306-955-9907 Online: www.draganfly.com e-mail: sales@draganfly.com Mailing address: https://www.draganfly.com Draganfly Innovations Inc. 2108 St. George Avenue Saskatoon, SK S7M0K7 Canada This product and manual are copyrighted by Draganfly Innovations Inc. with all rights reserved.

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