ParaZero SafeAir Phantom User Manual

Phantom Parachute Manual

ASTM Version

General Safety Instructions
System Package
Installation
Ports & Switc hes
System Operation
System Removal
Deployment
Repacking
System Status and Troubleshooting
Other Specifications
Compliance Information
ASTM Add-on Installation

4
6

7
20
21
26
31
32
45
46
47
48

Table of Contents

Important Notice

Copyright © 2019 ParaZero Drone Safety Systems. All rights reserved.
This document and the information contained herein are proprietary and
commercially confidential to ParaZero Ltd. Any use, disclosure, reproduction or
copy by any method of this document or parts thereof is not allowed, except by
the prior written authorization of ParaZero, and then only to the extent authorized.

3

Congratulations on your purchase of the SafeAir Phantom
Safety System!

This manual explains how the SafeAir Phantom system works and
how to properly operate the system on the ground and in the air.
Be sure to take the time to read this manual carefully, in order to
increase your safety and the safety of those around you.
The SafeAir Phantom system is a smart-parachute system that
deploys autonomously after detecting a critical failure in your drone.
The parachute slows the descent rate of your drone and reduces the
kinetic energy upon impact.

Note – Using the SafeAir Phantom System does not eliminate all risk

of drone operation. Please fly responsibly and in accordance with
the rules and regulations defined by authorities in the area where
you are operating.
Visit the ParaZero website (www.parazero.com) on a regular basis
for the latest information and updates.

4

General

ParaZero’s SafeAir Phantom is a low altitude, autonomous
parachute-based safety system.
The SafeAir Phantom is designed to protect the drone and the payload.
The SafeAir Phantom System is designed to work on all versions of
DJI’s Phantom 4 series (excluding RTK).
The average measured descent rate of the Phantom with an open
parachute is 5.12 meters per second (16.8 feet per second).
The Minimum Flight Altitude as defined by ASTM F3322-18
is 19.02 meters (62.4 feet).

Main Features

- Unique parachute deployment system that opens in a fraction of a
second, even at zero speed.

- Autonomous emergency identification and activation capabilities.

- Electro-mechanic flight termination system.

- Audio-warning buzzer to alert bystanders of falling drone.

- Remote control manual triggering capabilities.

- Access data logs from black box via the desktop application.

5

Caution

Caution

Do not move the drone or system while the system is
armed (green LED).
An angle breach may cause the system to deploy.
The parachute and cover will be projected at high speed
and may cause injuries.
Turn the system off immediately after landing.

Using the SafeAir Phantom System is not recommended
in Sport mode.

Safety Instructions

The ParaZero SafeAir Phantom is a drone safety system, designed to
deploy instantaneously by using a powerful spring-based mechanism.
Be careful not to lean against, press or drop the system

6

System package

includes the following parts:

B. Spring insert

C. Placement stamp

E. USB-C cable

D. Placement tool

A. SafeAir Phantom System

and connected safety catch

7

Step

Installation

Place the drone with the battery facing towards you and
remove the rotors. Unfold the placement tool so that
the arms are fully extended with the battery side facing
towards you.

1

follow installation instructions carefully.
Systems that are not installed correctly may
interfere with the spinning rotors

Caution

8

Step

Installation

1. Place the placement tool on the drone with the four

circular holes around the four motors.

2

2. Reconnect the four rotors in order to verify the

placement tool’s correct position.

9

Step

Installation

Remove the sticker cover from the placement stamp.

3

10

Step

Installation

4

Stick the placement stamp to the center of the drone by
placing it carefully through the hole in the placement tool.

11

Step

Installation

5

Remove the rotors and the
placement tool and verify
that the placement stamp is
still securely in place.

12

Step

Installation

Remove the safety catch from the bottom of the system
and store it in a safe place for reuse during transport.

6

13

Step

Installation

Place the harness cord around the landing gear of the
drone with the SafeAir Phantom System placed upside­down to the left of the drone, while the string holder is
adjacent to the drone.

7

14

Step

Installation

Place the SafeAir Phantom System by matching the
three plugs at the bottom of the system inside the
corresponding sockets of the placement stamp

8

See close-up on the next page

15

Step

Installation

Match plugs to sockets.

8

16

Step

Installation

2

1

9

1. Slide the tension ratchet to the battery side of the

drone.

2. Lift the harness cord and hang it on the hook on the

right side of the system.

17

Step

Installation

Tighten the harness cord by turning the tension ratchet
clockwise. Make sure that the cord is being wrapped
around the center of the ratchet. Once the harness cord is
firm, lock it using 2 opposite teeth of the tension ratchet.
Throughout the whole tightening process verify that the
system is still placed correctly on the placement stamp.

10

18

Step

Installation

11

To verify that the harness cord is tight enough, hold the
SafeAir Phantom System, lift it together with the drone
and swing gently. The system and drone should move as
one unit without movement between them.

19

Step

Installation

12

Reconnect the four rotors and verify that they are able to
spin freely without any contact with the SafeAir Phantom
System.

20

Ports & Switches

LED

USB-C

port

System

button

Power switch

ASTM

port

System Operation

21

Step

Verify that the batteries are charged before each flight. To
charge the SafeAir’s battery, use the USB-C port.
The minimum charging time before first flight is one hour.

Warning

Batteries that are not fully charged may not
be able to operate towards the end of a long
flight. Be sure to charge your system for at
least 20 minutes before each flight.

1

System Operation

22

Step

Prior to takeoff, verify that the system is placed firmly in
the center of the drone and that the drone’s propellers can
spin freely without touching the flight termination rings.

2

System Operation

23

Step

To activate the system, verify that the system is on a level
surface and turn the power switch to the ON position.
If it is already ON, turn it OFF and then ON again.
A starting sequence initiates, and the LED turns green and
then yellow for about 20 seconds.
If the yellow LED is flashing, then the system is not on a
level surface. After the system is on and ready in Standby
mode, a blue LED appears.

3

System Operation

24

Step

The system is now ready for flight. The system
autonomously detects takeoff, switches to Armed mode
and the LED turns green.
Note: Systems that are configured for manual RC
triggering will not switch to Armed mode unless an RC
receiver is properly connected and configured.

4

System Operation

25

Step

After landing, the system autonomously disarms and the
LED turns blue. Turn off the rotors and switch the power
switch to the OFF position before moving the drone.

5

Warning As a precaution, always turn the system off

before moving it. Failure to do so could
initiate system deployment.
Inspect your system. Verify that the system is
not damaged and that the rotor stoppers
are intact.

26

Step

System Removal

Unlock the tension ratchet by removing the cord from
between the teeth.

1

Warning

Verify that the SafeAir Phantom System is off
before removing it from the drone.

27

Step

System Removal

Unhook the cord from the metal hook.

2

28

Step

System Removal

3

Remove the system from the drone.

29

Step

System Removal

4

Release the cord from the drone.

30

Step

System Removal

Insert the safety catch and store the system in a clean,
dry place for reuse.

5

31

Installing

Deployment

The SafeAir Phantom includes an Autonomous Triggering
System (ATS) that identifies critical failures and triggers
the system autonomously. Should an emergency situation
occur, the system deploys the parachute, stops the rotors
and sounds an audio-warning buzzer to alert bystanders
of the falling drone.

In addition to the ATS, the SafeAir Phantom may also be
triggered manually by an external 3rd party RC.

The system can only deploy when it is in Armed mode
(green LED). Following a deployment, the LED turns red.
To switch to Standby mode, reset the system by turning
the power switch OFF and then ON again. The LED
should turn blue after approximately 20 seconds.

32

After the system has deployed, make
sure to turn the power switch to the OFF
position. Inspect your system to make
sure that the parachute is not damaged,
that rotor stoppers are intact and that the
general condition is good. Ensure that you
have all the parts listed in Step 1, and then
follow the steps described in this chapter.

Important – The SafeAir Phantom System withstands
significant force during deployment. Systems that have been
deployed five times must not be repacked and reused, and
should be replaced.

Repacking

Caution

For professional SafeAir Phantom Systems that
comply with ASTM F3322-18 and are intended
for flight over people, parachutes must be packed
and repacked by ParaZero (or by an entity that
has been certified by ParaZero). For shipping
instructions to ParaZero, contact the retailer from
which you purchased the system or email ParaZero
Support at [e-mail].

33

Step

Repacking

1

Place all system components in front of you on a clean, dry
surface.

A. Main canister and

parachute

B.Top cover

F. Inner stage

E.Safety insert

D.Safty catch

C.Parachute

34

Step

Repacking

2

45

While holding
the main canister
upside down,
rotate the base unit
clockwise by 45°
until the base is held
in its new po sition.

35

Step

Repacking

3

Place the Safety insert on the activation lever, in order to
avoid unintentional activation.

36

Step

Repacking

Push down the two main
springs and secure them in
place on the hooks in the
base of the system.

2

1

4

37

Step

Repacking 5

Place the Inner stage on top of the folded springs.
Ensure that the parachute strings are guided through the
indented gap between the platform and the system, as
shown below.

38

Step

Repacking

6

Verify that the parachute strings are not tangled, twisted,
knotted or damaged in any way.
With one hand, hold the parachute from the center of
the canopy, with the other hand in a ring shape, slide
downwards along the parachute until you reach the
parachute strings, so that the parachute is closed.

Check the strings

Fold parachute

1 2

39

Step

Repacking

7

Fold the parachute and strings back and forth until
they fit in your hand. The folded parachute should be
approximately the length of the parachute platform.

Zigzag fold

One loop Fold strings in an

Eight shape

Combine the strings

with the parachute

40

Step

Repacking

8

Place the folded parachute inside the platform with the
strings facing downwards. Keep the parachute compressed
tightly in the platform. Take out the safety insert and
store it.

41

Step

Repacking

9

Verify the cover's orientation based on the label
underneath. Begin with inserting the two corners on the
parachute side. This will allow you to keep the parachute
compressed in place with the other hand.

42

Step

Repacking

10

While removing the hand that was compressing the
parachute, fully close the cover. Press gently on the
center of the closed cover to secure it in place.

43

Step

Repacking

11

Ensure that parachute fabric is not sticking out of the gap
between the cover and the system (up to 2mm is
acceptable).

44

Step

Repacking

12

Insert the safety catch and store the system in a clean, dry
place for reuse.

45

LED System Status Corrective Action

1 Green Power up

2 Orange Power up Should charge battery

3 Red Power up Low battery, must charge battery

4 Steady Yellow System initiation

sequence

5 Blue Standby mode

6 Steady Green Armed mode

7 Steady Red System has

deployed

Turn the power switch to the OFF position and follow
the repacking instructions

8 Flashing Red Low battery Recharge the system for at least 20 minutes.

(The red flashing LED may be accompanied by other
colors)

9 Flashing Yellow

once

Remote Control
(RC) error

Make sure the RC cable is connected to the
predefined RC channel

10 Flashing Yellow

2 times

System not level
uring initiation
sequence

Ensure that the system is level

System Status and Troubleshooting

46

Other Specifications

Service Life (before repack required)

2 years

Maximum Altitude Above Sea Level

6000 meters (19,700 feet)

Maximum Speed

72 kilometers per hour (43.5 miles per
hour)

Maximum Wind Speed

10 meters per second (19.5 knots)

Temperature (°C)

0-40

Weight

200 grams (0.44 lbs.)

Max Number of Deployments

5

Average Descent Rate

5.12 meters per second (16.8 fps)

Minimum Flight Altitude

19.02 meters (62.4 feet)

Average Expected Kinetic Energy

21 Joules (15.5 foot-pounds)

LED System Status Corrective Action

11 Flashing

Yellow 3 times

Onboard
storage erro

Erase onboard storage using the ParaZero
Desktop Application

System Status and Troubleshooting continued

47

Installing

Compliance information

FCC Compliance Notice

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device
must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital
device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed
and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in
a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of
the following measures:

- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.

- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
The FCC Compliance Statement is available online at parazero.com/FCC-compliance

EU Compliance Statement

The EU Declaration of Conformity is available online at parazero.com/EU-compliance

48

System Package

The package you received includes the following parts:
A. Main ASTM Add-on (including enclosed buzzer, RC
cable and ASTM cable)
B. Dual Lock placement stamp
C. Placement tool
D. DANGER stickers X2

A.

B.

C.

D.

49

Common Supported Receivers

For compliance with ASTM F3322-18, manual triggering
capabilities are required. Make sure to configure your
system for manual triggering capabilities through the
Para Zero Desktop App. 3rd party RC (and receiver) are
required for this capability.

Maximum dimensions for the receiver unit are:
35mm x 52.5mm x 15mm (1.38in x 2in x 0.6in)

Installation

50

Step

1

Unbox your ASTM package and place it next to the drone
together with the SafeAir Phantom.

Installation

51

Step

2

Remove the drone’s rotors and place the placement tool
on the drone with the four circular holes around the
four motors.

Installation

52

Step

3

Fold down the placement tool’s flap onto the drone’s
arm, remove the sticker cover from the Dual Lock
placement stamp and stick the placement stamp, by
placing it carefully through the gap in the flap. Remove
the placement tool and verify that the placement stamp is
securely in place.

Installation

53

Step

4

Place the SafeAir Phantom on the drone, as seen in the
installation steps on page 13. Verify that the cord is not
overlapping the placement stamp.

Installation

54

Step

5

Unhook the elastic band on the Add-on device and place
your 3rd party receiver unit on the Add-on device, while
maintaining the orientation shown in the photo. Fasten
the elastic band to keep the receiver unit in place, verify
it is secured.

Installation

55

Step

6

Connect the RC cable to the receiver’s predefined RC
channel socket.

Installation

56

Step

7

Connect the ASTM cable of the Add-on device to the
SafeAir Phantom’s ASTM port. Maintain the orientation on
the drone as seen in the photo.

Installation

57

Step

8

ASTM cable connected.

Installation

58

Step

9

Firmly attach the Add-on device to the placement stamp.
Secure the receiver’s antenna to the hook on the Add-on
device (see arrow). Reconnect the rotors and verify that
they can rotate freely.

Installation

59

Step

10

Place the DANGER sticker in the orientation shown
below, so that it covers the ParaZero logo.

System Removal

60

Remove the Add-on device from the drone and then
unplug the ASTM cable from the SafeAir Phantom.
Unplug the RC cable from the receiver and remove the
receiver unit. Refasten the elastic band back and store
the Add-on unit in a safe place.

61

System Operation

The Add-on device operates seamlessly once it is
connected to the SafeAir Phantom. Follow SafeAir
Phantom normal operation instructions on page 21.

GRIZIM STUDIO/6871

Warning

Make sure the Add-on device is firmly
connected to the drone, and its cables are
connected to both the SafeAir Phantom and
the receiver unit before flight.