Controlling the Vehicle

This section explains how to control the vehicle in-flight.

During operation, the vehicle can be commanded using the Fly and Flight Tools on the left side of the screen, as well as the Emergency Actions from the top menu bar.

When the vehicle is powered on but still grounded, only a limited number of commands are available. Instead of the Return command, the Takeoff command is available.


Return

Return - Quick Takeoff Operation

When the Return command is given, the vehicle will fly in a straight line to the selected approach sectors at its current altitude or ascend to the minimum set return altitude while en route.

The DeltaQuad Evo will place the loiter-down orbit within the selected sectors, descend to the set landing altitude, exit the orbit in the direction of the landing location, transition, and land in multirotor mode at the planned location.

The available sectors and the Back Transition altitude can be modified mid-flight by clicking on the Pen Tool at the top of the octagon. For more information, please read here.

Return can be stopped by using the Hold Command.


Return - Mission Plan execution (no Quick Takeoff)

When executing a mission plan, if the Return command is given by the operator or initiated by the failsafe system, the DeltaQuad Evo will return in a straight line to the planned landing pattern at its current altitude or ascend to the set minimum return altitude while en route.

The advantage of using the planned Landing Pattern is that it ensures a smooth entry into the pre-defined landing sequence and performs the transition and landing into the wind.

After reaching the Land altitude, the vehicle will fly in the planned direction toward the landing location, perform a back transition upon reaching the takeoff location, and land in multirotor mode. This is true whether an Orbit Land Pattern or a Straight Land Pattern has been planned.

In addition to the planned Landing Pattern, the operator can select available approach sectors in the octagon for landing during a Return command. When the Return command is initiated, the red octagon appears around the takeoff location.

If no sectors are selected, the vehicle will follow the planned Landing Pattern.

If at least one sector is selected and confirmed (green), the vehicle will place the loiter-down orbit within the selected sector(s), descend to the set Back Transition altitude, exit the loiter toward the landing location, perform a back transition upon reaching the takeoff location, and land in multirotor mode.

Return can be stopped by using the Hold Command.


QuadChute

The QuadChute is a safety feature that triggers an automatic transition from fixed-wing mode to multirotor mode in emergencies.

This typically happens if the vehicle detects a critical issue, such as loss of control, significant deviations from the flight path, or insufficient airspeed to continue safe fixed-wing flight.

When the QuadChute is activated, the DeltaQuad Evo stops flying as a fixed-wing aircraft and switches to multirotor mode, enabling it to hover and safely descend and land at its location.

This feature ensures the vehicle avoids dangerous situations, like crashing or uncontrolled descent, by leveraging its VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) capability to stabilize and land.

The QuadChute will only engage at altitudes of 300 meters and below. If a critical issue is detected above this altitude, the vehicle will first attempt to descend to 300 meters in fixed-wing mode before engaging the QuadChute.

This feature serves as an essential fail-safe mechanism for maintaining safety, particularly during complex flights or in challenging conditions.


Hold

When the Hold command is issued, the vehicle will maintain its current position and altitude. In fixed-wing mode, it will circle the current location with a 100-meter radius.


Mission

The Mission command becomes available once a mission plan is uploaded to the vehicle. After confirming the mission start, the vehicle will begin or resume the mission from the active waypoint (green). The active waypoint can be changed by clicking on the desired waypoint and confirming the new selection.

After selecting the new waypoint, Hold to Confirm and continue the mission from the selected waypoint.

The mission will continue from waypoint 2 instead of waypoint 1.

If a mission plan includes a Landing Pattern, the vehicle will execute the mission and land at the designated location. When using Quick Takeoff, and if a mission plan is uploaded and executed, the vehicle will fly through the waypoints consecutively and orbit at the final waypoint until a new command is received.

The execution of a mission plan can be interrupted using the Hold command and resumed with the Mission command. By selecting a different waypoint as the active waypoint, the mission can be advanced or restarted from an earlier waypoint.


Orbit

To access the Orbit command, the Flight Tools must be enabled in the lower-left corner of the screen .

Once the vehicle is in fixed-wing mode, the Orbit command can be issued. Click anywhere on the map to select the orbit location.

The green flight path toward the new orbit represents the vehicle's estimated trajectory.

If the new orbit is placed beyond the set Guided Maximum Distance, the following warning will appear.

The Guided Maximum Distance can be changed in AMC Menu -> Settings -> Fly View.

The orbit can be adjusted in location, altitude, direction, and size.

  • Click and hold the inner white vertex to move the orbit.

  • Click and hold the outer white vertex to adjust the orbit's radius by dragging it left or right (minimum radius is 100 meters, maximum radius is 2000 meters).

  • Click on the upper or lower green arrow to change the orbit's direction. By default, it rotates clockwise.

The orbit's altitude can be adjusted using the Altitude Slider on the right side of the screen.

The altitude frame and the available range of the Altitude Slider can be changed in AMC Menu -> Settings -> Fly View.


Fig 8

To access the Fig 8 command, the Flight Tools must be enabled in the lower-left corner of the screen .

Once the vehicle is in fixed-wing mode, the Fig 8 command can be issued. Click anywhere on the map to select the orbit location.

The green flight path toward the Fig 8 represents the vehicle's estimated trajectory.

If the Fig 8 is placed beyond the set Guided Maximum Distance, the following warning will appear.

The Guided Maximum Distance can be changed in AMC Menu -> Settings -> Fly View.

The Fig 8 can be adjusted in location, altitude, direction, and size.

  • Click and hold the inner white vertex to move the Fig 8.

  • Click and hold the outer white vertex to adjust the Fig 8’s size and orientation by dragging it in any direction.

  • Click on the upper or lower green arrow to change the Fig 8’s direction; by default, it rotates clockwise.

The Fig 8`s altitude can be adjusted using the Altitude Slider on the right side of the screen.

The altitude frame and the available range of the Altitude Slider can be changed in AMC Menu -> Settings -> Fly View.

Orbits generally provide a more efficient and stable flight path for many drone operations compared to the figure-eight pattern. When using an ISR payload with a 180° gimbal, a figure-eight pattern can be beneficial, as the system positions the pattern in such a way that the gimbal never reaches its limits when a Point of Interest (POI) is selected. This is discussed in the dedicated payload sections of this manual.


Change Speed

To access the Change Speed command, the Flight Tools must be enabled in the lower-left corner of the screen .

The Change Speed Command adjusts the vehicle's airspeed and can be executed using the slider on the right side of the screen.

The maximum airspeed of the DeltaQuad Evo is 23 m/s. This airspeed applies during mission execution as well as during operations without a mission plan.

Airspeed vs. Ground Speed

Airspeed refers to the speed of a UAV relative to the surrounding air. Ground speed is the speed of the UAV relative to the ground. Understanding both airspeed and ground speed is essential for effective navigation and flight planning, especially in varying weather conditions.


Land

To access the Land command, AMC must run in Advanced Mode, and the Flight Tools must be enabled in the lower-left corner of the screen .

The vehicle will land at its current location. If it is in fixed-wing mode, it will first transition back to multirotor mode and then begin its descent until touchdown.

During the landing descent, the vehicle can be repositioned using the Nudging functionality.

The landing process can be stopped by using the Hold Command.


Transition

To access the Transition command, AMC must run in Advanced Mode, the Flight Tools must be enabled in the lower-left corner of the screen .

The Transition Command toggles between the VTOL modes of the vehicle. When the vehicle is flying in fixed-wing mode, it switches to multirotor mode, and vice versa.

The active VTOL mode is displayed in the Vehicle Status Indicator on the left side of AMC's Top Bar.

  • Areo - fixed-wing mode

  • Transition - transitioning from one VTOL mode to the other VTOL mode

  • Hover - multirotor mode


Emergency Actions

The Emergency Actions are accessible via AMC's Top Bar.

LANDING will land the vehicle immediately at its current location. When the vehicle is in fixed-wing mode, it will first transition to multirotor mode and start its descent.

During the landing descent, the vehicle can be repositioned using the Nudging functionality.

The landing process can be stopped by using the Hold Command.

SHUTDOWN will stop all motors IMMEDIATELY. This procedure should only be used while the vehicle is on the ground or as a last resort to avoid damage to people or property.


MODE

The MODE Indicator displays the current flight mode (VTOL Takeoff, Hold, Altitude, Position, Return, Land, Mission). Select to enable Altitude or Position mode.

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