# Mission Start Action
{% hint style="info" %}
A **VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) Takeoff** refers to a vehicle's ability to lift off vertically, eliminating the need for a runway. Once airborne, the drone transitions from **Multirotor Flight (Hover)** to **Fixed-wing Flight (Aero)**, enabling more efficient forward flight and greater range. The **transition** is a critical phase where the vehicle switches from vertical lift, using rotors, to forward thrust, using its wings to generate lift, optimizing performance for long-distance travel.
{% endhint %}
1. First, enter the **Plan View** via the **AMC Menu**.
2. When the **Plan View** is selected the **Mission Editor** appears on the right side of the screen.
3. Click on **Add VTOL Takeoff**. When the DeltaQuad Evo is connected to **AMC**, the **VTOL Takeoff** and **Transition** **item** is automatically placed at the vehicle's current location. The transition direction is also planned automatically, aligning with the vehicle’s nose to ensure a takeoff and transition into the wind. The **Transition Direction** item can be adjusted by dragging it to the desired location on the map.
{% hint style="warning" %}
The **Transition Direction** item must be planned so that the vehicle performs the **Takeoff** and **Transition** into the wind.
{% endhint %}
4. If the vehicle is not connected to **AMC**, a dialog window will appear. Click on the map to set the planned launch location, and adjust the **Transition Direction** item to the desired position.
{% hint style="info" %}
If the vehicle is not connected to AMC during mission planning, make sure to select **VTOL** for the **Vehicle Type**.
{% endhint %}
5. After the **VTOL Takeoff** and **Transition** **Direction** item is placed, the **VTOL Takeoff Altitude** must be set.
{% hint style="warning" %}
The minimum **VTOL Takeoff Altitude** is **15 meters** above any obstacle in the takeoff area. For example, if the average tree height in the takeoff area is 10 meters, the **VTOL Takeoff Altitude** must be set to at least 25 meters.
{% endhint %}
6. Set the **VTOL Takeoff Altitude** by adjusting the **Altitude Slider** or by typing in the desired altitude.
{% hint style="info" %}
In **Multirotor Mode (Hover)**, the DeltaQuad Evo uses up to 12 times more energy compared to **Fixed-wing Mode (Aero)**. The **VTOL Takeoff Altitude** cannot be set higher than **100 meters**, as this will impact the total flight time. As a rule of thumb, every additional minute ascending in **Hover Mode** will reduce the total mission length by 10 km, while every extra minute descending in Hover Mode will reduce it by 7 km.
{% endhint %}
The **Altitude Frame** is set to **HGT** by default. For standard operation, it is recommended to leave this setting as it is.
7. Always verify ground elevation using the **Terrain Altitude Indicator**. A ground collision is indicated when the **orange line turns red** in the Terrain Altitude Indicator and is also visible on the map.
## Altitude Frame Options
Symbol
Meaning
HGT
Height (Heights are referenced to the takeoff location)
MSL
Mean Sea Level (Altitude Above Mean Sea Leve)
AGL
Above Ground Level (Altitude Above Ground Level)
In the **Initial Mission Settings**, the default value for the **Default Waypoints Altitude** can be set. This altitude will be applied to all waypoints during the planning stage but can be changed for each waypoint individually. A new waypoint will take over the altitude of the previous waypoint.
The **Default Waypoints Altitude** value and the available range of the slider can also be set in the **AMC Menu** under **Settings -> General -> Plan View**.
---
# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.
Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:
```
GET https://docs.deltaquad.com/tac/flight/planning-a-mission/mission-start-action.md?ask=
```
The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.
Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.