Operation ManualEasy Drone

easyaerial.com

Easy DroneRead before

IMPORTANT

Contents

01 This is Easy Drone03 Parts04 Charger06 Frame Assembly

07 Learn to Fly11 Safety12 Altitude Hold Mode13 First Flight18 Stabilize Mode18 Loiter Mode 19 Return-to-Launch Mode19 Autonomous Mode and Missions

21 Speci�cations and Resources22 Learn More and Support

01

This is Easy Drone

Congratulations on getting your Easy Drone!

Easy Drone is an autonomous quadcopter powered by open-source hardware, software, and mware. Please read this manual carefully before yo r t and pay close attention to safety information .

Happ !

! Important note : When using a GoPro always ensure that the WiFi on the GoPro is turned OFF .

02

Flybot

Frame

Video transmitter

Easy Drone consists of two components

Gimbal and camera ports

Safety but

GPS + Compass

ton

Micro USB Port

Foldable landing gear

03

Parts

RC transmitterYour direct link to Easy Drone

Telemetry

GPS + Compass

Radio Wirelessly change settings from computer or tablet Also used for “Follow me” mode

Battery kit4S Battery, charger, and contacts

Video receiver kit Plug your screen or head mounted display to get video feed from your camera(requires 12V power source)

Quick snap-on adapters for gimbal and GoPro camera

04

ChargerEasy Drone is powered by a rechargeable lithium polymer (LiPo) battery. Store battery at half charge then charge fully before �ying. Batteries must ship at half charge, so please charge before your �rst �ight. Each full battery provides 10 to 13 minutes of �ight time.

Connect charger to the power adapter cable and a wall outlet.

Connect the red cable to the + port and the black cable to the - port.

Set the charger to LiPo and 3A.

Connect the white connector to the 4S port. Join the two yellow connectors together.

1

2

+–

LiPo 3A

3

05

Charge until the status indicator displays green.

Charging Complete

4

Protect battery from extreme heat, extreme cold, puncturing, and �ammable surfaces.

Charge battery using a designated LiPo balance charger only. Always monitor battery while charging.

Flying with a low battery is a safety risk and can render the battery unusable. Always discontinue use when you receive a low battery noti�cation, and always �y with a fully charged battery.

you observe any swelling of the package or the battery ceases to function, locate your local battery recycling center to dispose of the battery. In the US and Canada, visit call2recycle.org to �nd a location. Do not dispose of the battery in the trash.

! Battery Safety

06

Easy Drone frame consists of four color coded arms with motors and propellers. Follow the easy steps below to assemble the frame.

Frame Assembly

Repeat the process with the other two arms.

Take the two sub-assemblies and put them together to �nish your frame. Look at it from the side to make sure it’s straight and hand-tighten theblack thumbscrews.

Take the left arm in your left hand and the (same color) right arm inyour right hand and plug the end of the right arm into the ring on the left arm.

1

2

3

07

Control Easy Drone ight using the transm s’rettileft and right sticks.

left stick right stick

Lower stick to decrease altitude.

Before tak t stick fully down.

To maintain altitude, set stick to center posi tion (50%).

Take o by raising stick halslowly nudge over 50%.

fway to center and

To increase altitude, raise stick slowly.

left stick

Move the left stick forward and backward to control altitude and acceleration.Throttle

Learn to Fly

Land by setting stick fully down once Easy Drone is a few inches above the ground.

08

Flight TipWhen adjusting orientation, move the left stick horizontally without changing its vertical position.

Move stick to the left to rotate counterclockwise.

Move stick to the right to rotate clockwise.

left stick

Release stick to stop rotating and maintain current orientation.

Move the left stick horizontally to rotate Easy Drone and change orientation. For a slow rotation, move the stick slightly away from the center in either direction. Moving the stick farther from the center crea seta faster rotation.

Yawef Stick

09

Move stick forward t y forward.

right stick

Move stick back to kward.

The right stick allows you to control Easy Drones’ position in the air. Move the right stick to tell it to move in that direction: forward, back , left or right. Further the stick is from the center faster the Easy Drone will move.

Pitch and Roll

Move stick left left.

Move stick right to ight.

Flight Tip

means it will always go forward and back based on its original orientation.In this mode you can spin the craft around while maintaining innitial direction.

10

left

left mode switch

up downcenter

right mode switch

Mode switches

up down

right

Use the two switches above the right stick to select a �ight mode. There are six di�erent combinations each triggering a di�erent mode (Up/Up, Down/Up, etc.) and they are customizable through MissionPlanner. Default modes are illustrated on the next pages it is recommendedthat you learn about each before trying to use them in the �eld.

Both switches must be set to the correct position to select a mode. In this manual, the position of the left switch is speci�ed �rst, followed by the position of the right switch. For the example center/down, set the left switch to center and the right switch to down.

Flight Modes

11

Easy Drone has powerful motors and carbon �ber propellers. Never place your hands near propellers while the craft is armed.

Always �y in an open area away from people and buildings; do not attempt to �y indoors or in a con�ned space. Do not �y over people, near airports, or in any situation that could pose a hazard to those around you. Always �y within your line of sight and in compliance with local regulations. Easy Drone will not avoid obstacles on its own. As the operator, it is your job to recognize and avoid obstructions while �ying. Always follow the pre�ight and post�ight steps in the order described in this manual, and remain attentive at all times while �ying.

Environmental factors, such as wind and GPS irregularities, can cause instability in �ight. Easy Drone will attempt to compensate for these factors by automatically landing if it detects an unsafe �ying condition due to loss of RC signal, loss of GPS signal, or low battery. To avoid potential hazards due to environmental factors, identify the boundaries of your �ying area before takeo�, and recover Easy Drone manually by switching into stabilize mode if it moves outside your designated �ying area.

Always use an RC transmitter as a primary or backup control system when �ying. Ensure that the transmitter is turned on any time Easy Drone is powered. If contact with the transmitter is lost during �ight, it will land and display a blinking yellow light. If Easy Drone is more than 2 meters (6 5 feet) from the launch point, it will return to launch (RTL) before landing. (See page 19 for more information about RTL.)

Loss of RC signal

Autopilot-positioned �ight modes (loiter, autonomous, and return to launch) require an active GPS signal. If GPS signal is lost during �ight, Easy Drone will land and display a blinking blue and yellow light with a high-high-high-low tone. Always choose an unobstructed �ying area to improve signal strength.

Loss of GPS signal

When the battery reaches 25% of its remaining charge, it will land and display a blinking yellow light with a quick repeating tone. If Easy Drone reaches the low battery limit during a mission, it will return to the launch point before landing.

Low battery

! Flight Safety

12

On

Make sure you have enough room to the side and the front and switch theright switch down to innitiate Circle Mode. Your Easy Drone will make a large circle around a point 30 ft directly in front of it keeping that point in sight at all times.

ce you feel comfortable itude hold, try out other t modes for GPS-positioned and autonomous ight.

Altitude Hold Mode

Circle Mode

(ALTH)

(CIRC)

ALTH

Set both sticks up, and craft will hover at the current altitude. Adjust altitude and orientation with the left stick, and navigate with the right stick.

Altitude hold (ALTH)up/up

up/down

» Autopilot-assisted altitude control »

Circle Mode (CIRC)»»

Autonomous Circle Mode

13

First FlightSelect an open area for �ying, away from people and buildings, and remember to bring the Flight Checklist and a fully charged battery. Determine the boundaries of your �ying area before takeo�, and select a level, unobstructed space as a launch point. Follow these pre�ight and post�ight steps in the order shown here and on the Flight Checklist every time you �y.

1

L

Pre�ight

Check Easy Drone

Check that transmitter antenna is oriented horizontally for the strongest signal.

Check that the frame and the propellers are tight. Tighten if necessary.

Set the switches to select a �ight mode. For your �rst �ight, select altitude hold mode (shown here).

Check that the left stick on the transmitter is set fully down.

Altitude hold

(ALTH)up/up

14

2 Power on transmitter.

If the left stick is not fully down, the transmitter will display an alert message.

3 Connect battery.

Insert battery underneath the frame. Make sure the cable on the battery is closer to the yellow connector on the FlyBot.

Connect battery and hold the Safety Switch.

You will hear two musical tones - one for the autopilot check and another for the motor controllers.

Place Easy Drone at the launch point with the side with the lights facingtowards you and remember that the motors form a square that should inform the orientation.

.tcennoC tceles ,etagivan ot noitats dnuorg a gnisu era uoy fIFor Mission Planner or APM Planner, select COM or USB and set the rate to 57600 before connecting. To learn about

.com.

!

Ensure the transmitter is alway sturned on while Easy Drone is powered. If communication with the transmitter is lost, it will initiate an automatic recovery landing.

15

Do not handle Easy Drone while the safety button is solid color and it is live. It should only be connected when you are ready

!

!

Autopilot ready, GPS locked

Autopilot ready, no GPS

Initializing, please wait.

Easy Drone is ready to be armed

Safety button should be solid color (red or blue)

Stand back!

Check LED.

Check the LED to view the status of Easy Drone. Wait to proceed until you see the blinking blue light

use loiter, RTL, or autonomous modes during your

indicating that the craft has acquired GPS lock.

Error, disconnect battery and restart

6

5

4

To activate the motors, hold the left stick down-right until the motors spin.

L

Arm motors.

Easy Drone will NOT start spinningpropellers when armed.Only when throttle is raised. Ensure that the launch point is clear of obstructions before arming. Always disarm the motors before approaching.

Inactive, motors beeping Active, ready to arm

!

RTL, loiter, and autonomous modes

unless you observed a blinking green

a few minutes to acquire GPS lock

16

Flight

L

Take o� by raising the left stick halfway to center.

L

Nudge it over thecenter line to take o�.

R

L

R Fly forward, backward, left, or right by moving the right stick in the direction you want to �y.

Release the right stick to level.

R

Slowly lower the left stick to descend.

L

Hover by setting the left stick to center.

Rotate counter-clockwise and clockwise by moving the left stick left and right.

!

Easy Drone is a powerful �ier. Move the sticks in small increments until you feel comfortable with how itresponds in each �ight mode.

L

Set the left stick fully down to land once drone is a few inches above the ground.

L

17

L

1 Disarm motors.

After landing, hold the left stick down-left until you hear a double, disarming tone.

2 Disconnect battery. 3 transmitter.

Tips for New Fliers:

Skill 1: Hover (Simple Mode)

oriented away from you. Use Stabilize mode for this exercise (center/up) overing altitude, and keeping in place

without allowing for any changes in orientation or position. If it drifts forward, backward, left, or right, or rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, use the corresponding stick controls to correct.

Skill 2: Box (Normal Mode) gnirevoh tnetsisnoc a niatniam ot ytiliba ruoy htiw elbatrofmoc leef uoy nehW

Use the left stick to rotate Easy Drone knowing that the lights are always back.

Skill 3: Figure Eight (Normal Mode)

eight in front of you and not around you. Use the right stick to create a smooth

18

Stabilize Mode (STB)Stabilize mode (STB) is the most acrobatic �ight setting. In stabilize, the autopilot provides basic stabilization while allowing full manual control of both sticks. In this mode, you’ll need to make continuous, small adjustments to the left and right sticks to maintain a hovering altitude, navigate, and maintain orientation without autopilot assistance.

Select stabilize mode by setting left switch to center and right switch up like in the illustration below.

Stabilize ( STB )center-up » Manual �ight

» Acrobatic �ying » Recovery

Flying con�dently in stabilize mode is required for �ying your �rst mission. To practice, try the exercises on page 17.

Loiter (LTR)down-up » Automatic positioning

» Easy �ying

Loiter Mode (LTR)Loiter mode (LTR) uses GPS positioning to hold Easy Drones’ current position and altitude automatically. Just release the sticks and it will hover in place. Use the left stick to adjust altitude and orientation; use the right stick to navigate and change position.

To select loiter mode, set the left switch to down position and the right switch to the up position (down-up).

Loiter mode requires GPS lock (�ashing green LED) and an HDOP value lower than 2.0 prior to takeo�.

19

Return-to-Launch Mode (RTL)

Return to launch (RTL)down-down

command. RTL automatically returns drone to the launch point, and can be used any time you would like to land quickly. RTL requires GPS lock.

When commanded to RTL, Easy Drone will:1 Achieve minimum altitude of 15 m (50 ft) or maintain current altitude if above 15 m.2 Move to launch point and loiter for 5 seconds.3 Land at launch point. launch point

15 meters1 2

3

hover 5 seconds

» First, achieve altitude of 15 m » Next, return to launch point » Then, land

a

t

Re ur

To RTL, set both switches to the down position (down-down). Ensure the launch point is clear to allow Easy Drone to land safely.

Autonomous Mode (AUTO) and MissionsFly a fully autonomous mission using a computer or Android device as a ground station. When switched into autonomous (AUTO) mode, Easy Drone will automatically perform the mission and report data back to the ground station. For instructions on setting up your ground station, planning a mission, and saving it to Easy Drone, visit www.easyaerial.com.

and HDOP value lower than 2.0.

autonomous mode.

Autonomous (AUTO)middle-down

» Fly a planned mission »

A titud Hold

20

!

To avoid sudden changes in altitude when switching from autonomous mode to stabilize mode, ensure that the left stick is set to the center position.

stabilize mode to verify that all controls (throttle, yaw, roll, and pitch) are responding normally.

Use the ground station to view your drones’ status on the Flight Data screen. For more information about using a ground station, visit www.easyaerial.com .

Easy Drone will

begin the mission.

1 Perform a pre-mission

Set the switches to stabilize

steps shown on page 13 and the Flight Checklist. Wait to arm until you see the blinking green light.

2 Arm in altitude hold mode.

3 Switch to autonomous mode (AUTO). 4 Raise the left stick slightly

to initiate the mission.

When the mission is complete and Easy Drone has landed, use the transmitter to switch to alt-hold mode before disarming and proceeding

5 Switch to alt-hold mode before disarming.

To recall it during a mission, use the transmitter to switch to stabilize mode and land manually. Or switch to RTL, and automatically return to the launch point.

AUTO

ALTH

With the motors armed, switch to AUTO by setting the left switch up and the rightswitch down.

middle-down

ALTH

ALTH

Missions

up-up

up-up

up-up

21

Autopilot hardware: PixhawkFirmware: APM:Copter 3 2GPS: uBlox GPS with Compass (LEA-6H module, 5 Hz update)Telemetry radio: Radio Telemetry V2 (915 mHz or 433 mHz)Motors: 900 kV (L frame) or 810 kV (XL frame)Frame type: XPropellers: 10 x 4.5 Slow Flyer - L Frame 11 x 4.7 Slow Flyer - XL Frame

Battery: 4 cell 15.1 V 3.5 Ah lithium polymerLow battery voltage: 14.5 VMinimum voltage: 13.2 V 4 cellMaximum voltage: 16.8 V 4 cell

Payload capacity: 1 lbs (453gr) - L frame or 2lbs (906gr) - XL frameRadio range: 1 km (.6 miles)Flight time: 10-13 minutes

Resources

Hardware: www.easyaerial.com Firmware: copter.ardupilot.comSoftware: planner.ardupilot.com and planner2.ardupilot.comStore: www.easyaerial.comCommunity:

YouYube Channel:

diydrones.com

https://www.youtube.com/easydrone

The layout of this manual has been borrowed from 3D Robotics Iris Manual as there is a lotof the same informations regarding the autopilot inside the drone.

Speci�c design and functional details, as well as �igth mode selection of the Easy Drone have been edited in to this document.