dji S?1000, Zenmuse Operating Handbook

PILOT OPERATING HANDBOOK

DJIS‐1000/Zenmuse

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Author:GenePaysonRevised:6/05/2014

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http://www.troybuiltmodels.com

© 2014 Troy Built Models, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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PILOT OPERATION HANDBOOK

DJI S-1000/Zenmuse

This book is offered in a format so that pilots can customize the checklists to their exact needs. Please print
out this handbook, make notes while watching the video regarding the checklist, then change the wording
and order to suit your needs. Then print out the revised form and laminate it in plastic. Carry it you’re your
aircraft. Then use it every time you operate your aircraft. Keep the log books regarding the following:

1) Pilot flight time

2) Aircraft flight time

3) Aircraft maintenance and updates

4) Battery usage, date put into service, voltage, mah vs time

Print out and make readily available the error message legend of various flashing lights. Know what to do
without hesitation should you observe warnings.

Insurance is a must! Not only will it be expensive to repair your aircraft in the event of an incident, if you
injure bystanders or damage other people’s property you are liable for damages which could run into the
millions of dollars. One insurance company which currently writes policies on sUAS is

www.Transportrisk.com

Errors & Omissions should be sent to [e-mail]. We will promptly update the
POH for everyone to have the latest updates available.

KEY PARAMETERS

Max Takeoff Weight: 24 lbs
Weight with Zenmuse and all other equipment – no camera, no battery: 13.4 lbs
Weight of Nex5/6/7 camera: 1 lb
Weight of Canon 5D camera: 1.75 lbs
Max Battery Weight with Zenmuse/Nex Camera: 9.5 lbs
Max Battery Weight with Zenmuse/Canon 5D: 9 lbs
Flight Times using 90% of battery:
16,000 mah battery Nex 7: 17 min
20,000 mah battery Nex 7: 20 min
32,000 mah battery Nex 7: 22 min

Flight times using the Canon 5D or other cameras similar in weight will reduce the flight times by about 1
minute. These times are averages in our tests. You may get longer or shorter flight times based on weight and
flying style, though these numbers should be fairly accurate.

© 2014 Troy Built Models, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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DJI S-1000/Zenmuse

CHECKLISTS

 DJI S-1000 BENCH SET UP & TESTS

o All screws/bolts are tight
o Timer alarm for flight time to not exceed 80% battery capacity set properly
o Batteries are secure
o Antennas are secure
o Props balanced
o Props aligned
o Props not chipped

o Check blades, arms, etc. for cracks/damage

o Wiring Tight
o No excessive flexing of motors or booms
o Booms/motors will not twist
o Center of gravity is correct
o Warning lights set for low battery if used
o Batteries charged. Replace any battery which cycles below 80% of rated capacity

 Laptop Battery
 Flight Battery
 Handheld Rx Battery
 RC Tx Battery
 Video Rx Battery
 Spare Laptop Battery

 DJI S-1000 INVENTORY CHECKLIST

o Load Flight plan
o Aircraft
o Camera with SD card
o Spare parts/tools
o Spare batteries
o Two RC transmitters
o Laptop
o Battery Charger
o Flight Controller Cable
o Video monitor, stand, battery, antennas
o Goggles
o Datalink & cable
o Battery Y-harness

© 2014 Troy Built Models, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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 DJI S-1000 PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST

o Check area to fly on Google maps
o Confirm walkie talkie and ATC coms operation
o Inform ATC of your flight plan if required
o Determine emergency flight plan and alternate landing zones avoiding power lines and obstacles
o Check wind direction
o Set a perimeter of 50-100 meters – area must be clear of people
o All antennas (9?) installed and all pointing in correct directions
o Engage GCS, monitor, laptop, goggles, etc. (bring up flight plan)
o Remove lens cap / Clean lens
o Camera On
o Ensure camera has SD card installed.
o Check battery voltage
o Install battery on copter.
o Check CG
o Level copter with front pointing in correct direction for course lock – do not turn on
o On Copter TX - Set switches - Throttle Down, Return to Home switch Off, Manual Flight Mode

Switch On, Flight Path Switch Off – Not Course or Home Lock

o Copter Transmitter On
o Check Model Selection on Tx
o Check Tx battery voltage (above 7.4v)
o On Photo Tx – set switches - HDMI switch Off, Freestyle switch On
o Photography Transmitter On
o Check Model Selection on Tx
o Check Tx battery voltage (above 7.4v)
o Plug in battery black lead first.
o Calibrate GPS/Compass if necessary
o If calibrated, cycle battery with correct heading for course lock.
o Do not touch the Copter until 30 seconds after full GPS Lock. Initial 3 red blinks is normal meaning

no GPS lock. Wait until no flashes. Continue with checklist.

o Check Copter Voltage from GCS
o Engage Attitude Mode – Must Achieve Double Amber Flash
o Engage GPS Mode – Must Achieve Double Purple Flash
o While in GPS mode engage “Course Lock” mode. Must achieve green Flash
o Do not engage motors. Set throttle to center position. Must achieve single amber flash in Attitude

Mode and single purple flash in GPS mode

o HDMI switch On (video on camera itself should go off)
o Freestyle switch On (FPV Off)
o Verify camera operation (If problems, check Drive Mode – Remote Cmdr must be “on”, manual focus,

intelligent auto)

o Verify data link if installed – rolling copter manually should change gauges
o Upload flight plan
o Verify altitude is about 0 via gauge on computer/GCS/video monitor/goggles
o Timers set properly

© 2014 Troy Built Models, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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 TAKEOFF CHECKLIST

o Declare intentions for takeoff with ATC
o Engage GPS mode – Double purple flash
o Engage Course Lock mode (double green flash)
o Announce loudly: “CLEAR PROP”
o Position the sticks in the lower left hand corners, then immediately raise the throttle 2 clicks,

and center the right stick.

o Advance throttle to ¼ power for 5 seconds. Assure all motors are operating.
o Verify that left/right and forward/back stick movement engages the proper motors
o Verify data and video links are still operational
o Announce loudly: “TAKING OFF”
o Advance throttle to full. Copter must jump off of the ground.
o Ascend to 3 meters. Center throttle stick. Should be single green flash. Verify wireless link,

GPS hold, camera operation, gauges, etc. are working properly.

o Verify course lock is operational by rotating 90 degrees and pushing forward on stick.
o Verify copter stability. If unstable, land and reset gains, recalibrate, or retest as necessary.
o Raise landing gear

o Proceed with manual mission
o For autopilot operation

 Ascend to 10 meters manually
 Engage autopilot

o Manual pilot/observer must monitor the informational LED and be ready to take over in

manual mode when necessary.

o Manual pilot to request copter flight battery voltage readout from camera operator

periodically.

 QUICK PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST

o Landing zone clear
o Level copter with correct heading
o Battery 4.1+ full, 3.8 depleted
o Camera on. SD card in.
o Both TX – all switches down
o Both TX on
o Copter on
o Check GPS and Course lock checks
o Video check
o Photo check
o Timers ready
o Takeoff
o Raise Landing Gear
o Unplug 6 batteries upon landing

© 2014 Troy Built Models, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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 ERROR MESSAGES

o White flashes

 IMU malfunction. Land and determine cause. Possibilities:

 GPS/Compass not pointing forward
 IMU not pointing forward
 Set up of X, Y, Z for location of IMU and Compass is incorrect

o Excessive rocking/instability possible causes:

 Weak motor
 Structure flexing from fatigue or cracks

 Motor mount
 Main frame
 Booms

 Loose Bolts causing flexing or misalignment

 Props
 Mounts

 Props out of balance
 Props misaligned
 Excessive wind speeds or gusts
 Excessive Gains
 Excessive motor power. Max motor power must a little more than typical ascent

power.

o Red Flashes (1, 2 or 3 flashes with pauses) – GPS loss (3 is more serious). Land if loss lasts

for more than 30 seconds. Possible causes:

 Clouds
 Structures
 GPS mal-function
 GPS too close to electrical components
 GPS vibration

 LANDING CHECKLIST

o Landing area clear
o Lower landing gear
o Note obstacles in flightpath
o Announce loudly: “LANDING”
o First cut power to the aircraft
o Note elapsed time of flight
o Adjust any parameters (camera servo speed, exponential, etc)
o Turn power off to transmitters, camera, goggles, monitors, Rxs, etc.
o Touch motors to verify temperatures are similar
o Complete flight log

 Date and time of flight
 Batteries used
 Time of Flight

o Contact ATC

© 2014 Troy Built Models, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 Section 1: General
 Section 2: Limitations
 Section 3: Emergency Procedures
 Section 4: Normal Procedures
 Section 5: Performance
 Section 6: Weight and Balance/Equipment List
 Section 7: Air Vehicle and Systems Description
 Section 8: Handling, Service and Maintenance
 Section 9: Supplements

© 2014 Troy Built Models, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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SECTION 1

GENERAL

NOTE: In an effort to minimize costs and maximize spare parts availability, many COTS (commercial off
the shelf) components have been utilized. Some may have slight modifications to better suit this application.
Most COTS products have separate data sheets, assembly manuals and instruction manuals. They are
reference in this document, with key factors being emphasized.

As with all high technology products utilizing constantly evolving software, it is important to periodically
check for online upgrades to the COTS components, including hardware, firmware and software.

WARNING: Great care must be taken with the batteries. Much of this manual and supplemental information
is devoted to the use and care of the batteries, especially the flight batteries. They are less volatile than
gasoline, though they should be treated with the same respect. Become very familiar with proper techniques
of their use.

 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

o Primarily for ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance)
o Economical due to extensive use of COTS products
o Low Visual Signature
o Low Aural Signature
o Quick Launch and Recovery
o Short Training Period
o Simple Operation
o Waypoint Navigation
o Backpackable
o VTOL
o Quick Repairs
o Redundant Flight Systems
o Safety Return to Home during lost link or low battery
o High Degree of Mission Success
o GPS navigation aid
o Various sensors
o 24 lb max takeoff weight
o Operating Temp Range: -5°C to +60°C
o Flight Modes: Manual and GPS aided waypoint navigation
o Maximum Operating Altitude: 1000 meters
o Maximum Operation Wind Conditions: 10 m/s
o Propulsion System: LiPoly batteries
o Takeoff: Manual or Automatic
o Landing: Manual or Automatic
o Takeoff/Recovery Area: 5m square

 IMPORTANT DIMENSIONS

o Distance rotor to rotor across the center: 41”
o Height with GPS/Compass folded down: 21”
o Height with GPS/Compass up: 25”
o Length of landing gear skids: 18”
o Distance between landing gear skids: 21”

© 2014 Troy Built Models, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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 IMPORTANT WEIGHTS

o Weight including Nex 7 camera, Zenmuse gimbal, A2 autopilot system, landing gear, data

transceiver, RC transceiver, video transmitter, regulators and all wiring – everything except
battery: 13.4 lbs

o Maximum Takeoff Weight: 24 lbs
o Battery Weight: up to 9.5 lbs with Nex camera and Zenmuse Gimbal

 MOTORS

o Manufacturer: DJI-Innovations
o Number of motors: 8
o Motor type: 41mm x 14mm
o Motor Model Number: 4114-11
o Motor KV/RPM: 400
o Motor max @ 25.2V: 10,000 rpm
o Motor Max Power: 500 Watts
o Power rating: 4000 Watts maximum power consumption for all 8 motors
o Current Max: 100 amps
o Amp Draw Typical Average: 65 amps

 PROPELLERS

o Manufacturer: DJI-Innovations
o Material: Composite
o Number of propellers: 8
o Propeller model number: DJI 15 x 5.2
o Number of blades: 2 - folding
o Propeller Diameter: 15”
o Propeller Pitch (fixed): 5.2”
o Max rpm: 10,000 rpm

 ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROLS

o Manufacturer: DJI-Innovations
o Number of speed controls: 8
o Speed control model number: DJI 40A Opto
o Rating in amps: 40 Amps continuous
o Signal Frequency: 30 - 450 Hz
o Drive PWM Frequency: 8 KHz

 AUTOPILOT

o Manufacturer: DJI-Innovations
o Autopilot Model Number: DJI A2
o Components: GPS/Compass, IMU, Master Controller, Power Distribution System, LED

Indicator Lighting System, Data Transceiver, GCS Software

o Power Consumption: 5W
o Operating Temp Range: -5°C to +60°C
o Software Compatible: Windows XP sp3 / Windows 7
o Hovering Accuracy: Vertical : ± 0.5m; Horizontal: ± 2m

© 2014 Troy Built Models, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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