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This section discusses the technical specifications of the DeltaQuad Evo Tactical and the DeltaQuad Evo Performance Calculator.
To calculate the expected performance of the DeltaQuad Evo based on specific payloads and conditions, please refer to the DeltaQuad Evo Performance Calculator.
Dimensions:
Wingspan
269 cm
Length
75 cm
Height
33 cm (landing gear extended)
Wing area
84 sq. dm.
Payload bay
20 x 20 x 11 cm
Flightcase dimensions
112 x 82 x 46 cm
Flightcase weight
~ 30.4 kg
Weight and Payload:
Empty weight
4.8 kg
Empty weight including 1 battery
6.8 kg
Maximum takeoff weight
10 kg
Payload capacity
3 kg
Flight Characteristics with Dual battery:
(Measured at 0 m AMSL takeoff location, at 100 m flight altitude, and 20 degrees Celsius.)
Flight speed
16.73 m/s (60 km)
Payload capacity
1 kg
Maximum flight time
244 minutes / 4 hours 4 minute
Range through air
245 km (152 mi)
Power
Battery type
Semi Solid State Lithium-ion
Battery cells
6
Battery capacity
22 Ah per battery
Tolerances *
Maximum takeoff/landing wind
12.5 m/s (45 km/h)
Maximum wind cruise flight
14 m/s (50 km/h)
Maximum precipitation
7 mm/h (Drizzle)
Operating temperature
Between -20 and +45 Celsius
Maximum takeoff altitude AMSL
4000 m (13123 ft)
Maximum flight altitude AMSL
5500 m (18044 ft)
All flight characteristics are based on optimized settings at sea level.
These values assume 90% battery usage, and low wind conditions and include a low-altitude vertical takeoff and landing at sea level.
* The tolerances are provisional and subject to change
The following section describes what Auterion Suite is and how to use its services.
Auterion Suite is a web application that allows you to monitor every detail of your DeltaQuad Evo fleet, operations, and pilots in real-time, on a laptop or tablet.
With every mission, data is automatically transferred into the cloud-based Auterion Suite to provide real-time information captured by the vehicle while it’s still operating, without any manual intervention.
All flight logs are automatically uploaded for every vehicle and every pilot, and log data are analyzed and available to download as compliance reports.
Auterion Suite enables holistic and scalable fleet management by providing updated information on vehicle health status, and predictive maintenance actions.
Real-time data for quick decision-making
The UAVs can send operational data and live video automatically to the Suite, while they are still in the air, without even pushing a button.
Data and automated workflows
Enable end-to-end automated workflow, from the vehicle operating, over the air to the cloud, and into third-party applications to process the captured data.
Holistic and scalable fleet management
Manage your complete fleet of drones, assets, operators, and missions.
Analysis and predictive maintenance
The platform tracks every vehicle for predictive maintenance and monitors components to flag when you need a replacement.
The following section describes how to activate your DeltaQuad Evo Tactical.
Activating your vehicle will connect it to Auterion Suite. This will allow you to access cloud features and manage your vehicle remotely.
To activate a vehicle:
Power your vehicle.
Connect your vehicle to your computer via USB-C.
Navigate to the vehicle's WebUI. Open a browser on your computer.
To activate a vehicle make sure your vehicle is connected to the Internet using Auterion Mission Control -> Connectivity tab.
Click on Activate Now or Scan the QR code.
You will be directed to Auterion Suite, where you'll see this pop-up window to activate your Skynode.
Click on Activate and your vehicle will be visible under Fleet Management -> Vehicles.
Select a vehicle from the All Vehicles list.
Click on Rename vehicle in the top bar.
Enter the new vehicle name and click on Rename Vehicle.
A vehicle is a collection of parts. An airframe, a Skynode, a flight controller, and more. These various pieces of the vehicle make up the complete "vehicle identity."
To view the serial numbers and IDs of the components associated with a given vehicle, click the "fingerprint" button near the vehicle's name on the Vehicle Page.
On this page, all abbreviations used throughout this manual and their full forms can be found.
This section will discuss how the DeltaQuad Evo Tactical and its accessories are stored in the flight case. It gives an overview of the package contents.
ADS-B
Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast
AGL
Above Ground Level (Altitude Above Ground Level)
AMC
Auterion Mission Control
APDS
Aerial Payload Deployment System
AS
Air Speed
ATAK
Android Team Awareness Kit
BLOS
Beyond Line of Sight
BVLOS
Beyond Visual Line of Sight
CG
Center of Gravity
EO
Electro-Optical (Visible Light)
FW
Fixed-wing
GCS
Ground Control Station
GPS
Global Positioning System
GS
Ground Speed/Horizontal Speed
GUI
Graphical User Interface
HGT
Height (Heights are referenced to the takeoff location)
IMU
Inertial Measurement Units
I/O board
Input/Output board
IR
Infra-Red
ISR
Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
LAT
Latitude
LED
Light-Emitting Diode
LI-ION
Lithium-ion
LON
Longitude
LOS
Line of Sight
MGRS
Military Grid Reference System
MR
Multirotor
MSL
Mean Sea Level (Altitude Above Mean Sea Level)
OLED
Organic Light-Emitting Diode
POI
Point of Interest
RC
Radio Control
RF
Radio Frequency
SR
Slant Range (Direct Distance)
UAV
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
USB
Universal Serial Bus
VLOS
Visual Line of Sight
VS
Vertical Speed
VTOL
Vertical Take-off and Landing
XT(90)
Extreme
Upper compartment
Dual battery charger
Right compartment
Upper layer: Silvus radio and GCS controller, two omnidirectional Silvus antennas
Lower layer: Chargers for Toughbook and Silvus radio, Silvus charging dock, Silvus breakout cable
Lower compartment
4 DeltaQuad Evo lithium-ion batteries
Left compartment
Payloads: Can hold up to 4 single payloads or 2 dual payloads.
Bottom compartment
Toughbook - Ground Control Station (GCS)
This section describes how to properly store the DeltaQuad Evo Li-ion baterry.
The battery should be stored in a safe, dark location at temperatures between 5 and 30 degrees Celsius.
If the battery is fully discharged or fully charged, perform a storage charge (approximately 50% charge or 3.7V per cell) before long-term storage. Use the Storage mode on the charger for this purpose. Storing batteries at 50% charge helps reduce stress on the cells, which can significantly extend the battery’s overall lifespan.
During long-term storage (3+ months), it is recommended to cycle charge the batteries at least once. Fully charge the battery to 100%, then discharge it to a storage charge level of 50%.
Keep the battery out of reach of children and animals. Avoid placing it near heat sources, such as furnaces or heaters.
Always keep the battery dry and do not expose it to water or any other fluids.
Remove the battery from the UAV when it is not in use.
The lifespan of Li-ion batteries is often measured by the number of charge-discharge cycles they can undergo before their capacity degrades to a certain point, usually around 80% of the original capacity. The DeltaQuad Evo Li-ion battery is rated for 600 or more cycles before noticeable degradation occurs.
This chapter will cover how to properly handle the DeltaQuad Evo Li-ion battery.
The DeltaQuad Evo is compatible with the DeltaQuad Evo Li-ion battery. Using other batteries is not recommended and will impact your warranty.
Use only the DeltaQuad Dual Battery Charger to charge the DeltaQuad Evo Li-ion battery. Do not use a NiCd or NiMH charger. Failure to follow this guidance may result in a fire, which could cause personal injury or property damage. DeltaQuad assumes no responsibility or liability for damages resulting from the use of third-party chargers.
Charge the batteries only at ambient temperatures between 5°C and 30°C (41°F and 86°F).
Never charge batteries unattended unless you are using a Battery Safe. When charging Li-ion batteries, always remain in constant observation to monitor the process and respond to any potential issues.
Ensure the battery is charged under supervision and away from flammable materials or surfaces.
Disconnect the battery from the charger once it is fully charged.
Do not use a damaged charger.
If you notice a battery starting to balloon or swell, discontinue the charging process immediately. Disconnect the battery and dispose of it safely. Continuing to charge a swollen battery can result in a fire. Similarly, never use a battery that is swollen or ballooned.
Since delayed chemical reactions can occur, it is best to observe the battery as a safety precaution. Battery observation should take place in a safe area outside of any building or vehicle and away from combustible materials.
Wire lead shorts can cause a fire! If you accidentally short the wires, place the battery in a safe area for observation for approximately 1 hour. Additionally, if a short occurs and makes contact with metal (such as rings on your hand), severe injuries may result due to electrical conductivity.
A battery can still ignite even after 1 hour. A battery that emits a hissing sound is almost certain to ignite. Prioritize your safety and that of your surroundings before taking any action.
In the event of a crash, wait 10 minutes to ensure the battery was not compromised before removing and safely disposing of it.
Do not use a battery that has been involved in a crash or sustained any significant impact.
Do not expose the batteries to water. If a battery pack is exposed to water, replace it immediately.
Only place the battery in the vehicle before the flight, and remove it immediately after the flight. Always transport the battery in the dedicated compartment of the flight case or a safe transportation unit, such as a fireproof bag or storage container.
In this section, we cover the steps for assembling and disassembling the DeltaQuad Evo.
For the initial hardware setup, make sure you have ample room to work. Carefully unpack all components from the flight case and inspect them for any damage. If there is any damage to your vehicle, please document and report it to [email protected].
Take the DeltaQuad Evo out of the flight case and place it on a flat surface with the landing gear deployed.
The wing has a large spar near the leading edge and a smaller spar near the trailing edge. In front of the large spar is a keying mechanism in the form of a cuboid.
This keying mechanism prevents mounting the wings on the wrong side.
The wings of the DeltaQuad Evo must be mounted with the wingtips pointing downwards.
Slide the carbon spars of the wings into the corresponding blind holes in the fuselage.
When fully locked, a clicking sound from the wing lock mechanism should be audible, and the wing lock must sit flush with the fuselage.
The wing is not properly installed if the wing lock does not make a clicking sound or does not sit flush with the fuselage.
To disassemble the DeltaQuad Evo, follow the assembly steps in reverse order.
Press down on the wing lock mechanism with your thumb while using the same hand to hold the fuselage in place. With your other hand, pull the wing away from the fuselage.
When storing the fuselage inside the flight case, ensure the landing gear is deployed. It is recommended to transport the DeltaQuad Evo in the flight case.
This chapter provides an overview of Field Deployment Kits 1 and 2.
The DeltaQuad Evo Tactical Edition is available in two different field deployment kits. These kits are fully operational, with all necessary parts for immediate deployment.
The two Field Deployment Kits differ only in their antenna options. Kit 1 includes a tripod sector antenna with a maximum range of 40 km, while Kit 2 includes an automatic tracking pedestal with a maximum range of 80 km.
This section describes how to create an Auterion Suite account.
To use Auterion Suite you need to create an account. Ignore the following steps if you already have an Auterion Suite account.
Please follow this link: https://suite.auterion.com/login
Click on Register for an Auterion account.
Follow the given instructions and fill in all necessary information.
Accept the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy by checking the box. Continue by clicking on Create Organization.
Please check your email for an invitation.
Follow the link by clicking on Create account.
Add a name and click on Next.
Choose a password and click on Activate Account.
Log into your account.
You created successfully your Auterion Suite account.
For further documentation about Auterion Suite please follow this link here.
This document describes how to set up, operate, and maintain your DeltaQuad Evo series VTOL UAV.
Document status: DRAFT
The DeltaQuad Evo is intended for tactical or defense use only and must be operated in strict accordance with local, national, and international laws and regulations. Operators are responsible for ensuring compliance with all relevant legal requirements.
The vehicle may not be operated or flown near or over people, roads, vehicles, buildings, or any other area where it could pose a risk to people, property, or the environment.
The DeltaQuad Evo can autonomously land in case of system failure. Operators must ensure a suitable landing area throughout the mission. Warranty claims for damage during an emergency landing may be denied if a safe landing zone is unavailable, such as over water.
Operators must obtain all necessary licenses and permits for the use of radio or video transmitters associated with this vehicle.
DeltaQuad and its affiliates cannot be held responsible for any damage, injury, or legal consequences arising from the operation or maintenance of the vehicle that does not comply with the guidelines set forth in this manual, or from modifications made to the vehicle by the user.
This operations manual is provided "As-Is" with no warranties or guarantees. No rights can be obtained from the contents of this manual.
The original language of this document is English; in case of discrepancies, the English version shall prevail. If this document is read in a translation to any other language, the interpretation of the English version takes precedence.
The software used in conjunction with the vehicle is provided under their respective licenses and warranties. Users must comply with all software license terms.
The vehicle is provided in accordance with the DeltaQuad Warranty and under the DeltaQuad Terms & Conditions. Non-compliance with operational and maintenance procedures may void the warranty and release DeltaQuad from any associated liabilities.
The DeltaQuad Evo is not a toy and is not suitable for individuals under the age of 16. Proper training and understanding of the vehicle's operation are mandatory before use.
Users agree to indemnify and hold harmless DeltaQuad and its affiliates from any claims, damages, or liabilities arising from the misuse or unauthorized use of the vehicle.
The vehicle and its associated technology may be subject to export control regulations. It is the operator's responsibility to obtain the necessary government authorizations for any export or re-export of this product.
Please carefully review and follow the instructions outlined in this document. DeltaQuad products are intended for professional use only. By purchasing a DeltaQuad product, you accept the terms and conditions, which are available at www.deltaquad.com. These terms and conditions outline policies regarding liability and warranty. DeltaQuad B.V. reserves the right to update specifications and product descriptions in this manual at any time without prior notice.
The DeltaQuad Evo Tactical Edition VTOL UAV is an innovative aerial solution designed for security and defense applications.
Version number of this document: v3.1 - 7.12.2024
The Evo Tactical edition is designed for tactical use with a wide range of anti-interference systems. It is equipped with MANET Interference Avoidance enabled S-BAND radio with up to 80 km range, a 4 array CPRA Anti-Jamming GPS or 8 array, and a stealth switch system that allows full autonomous navigation without any radio emissions. The Advanced Data Safety software (ADS) prevents data disclosure of critical data, even with physical access to the vehicle.
The following is an overview of the main features.
Max. flight time*
244 min
Max. flight range*
245 km/ 152 mi
Max. radio range
80 km
Ground control
Panasonic Toughbook
Radio options
Silvus-IA 2.2-2.5 GHz
ATAK compatible
ADS Software
Stealth switch
Interference Avoidance
Inertial Navigation
Resume mission
GNSS system
Anti-Jamming L1 GPS
*Measured at 0 meters Above Mean Sea Level (AMSL) at the takeoff location, 100 meters flight altitude, and 20 degrees Celsius with an auxiliary battery installed.
The DeltaQuad Evo Tactical is available with two optional GPS systems. Please refer to the following list for a comparison.
GNSS bands
GPS, GALILEO, BEIDOU, SBAS
GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BEIDOU, SBAS
Simultaneous Independent Nulling
Against 3 jammers
Against 7 jammers (in 2 different frequency bands)
Signal Suppression
>40 dB
>50 dB
Environmental Tests
MIL-STD-810G
MIL-STD-810G
EMI / EMC
MIL-STD-461F
MIL-STD-461F
The DeltaQuad Evo Tactical manual is a comprehensive guide that delivers clear instructions, guidance, and essential information for users. This manual serves as an indispensable reference for covering the utilization, operation, assembly, and troubleshooting aspects of the DeltaQuad Evo Tactical. It presents detailed, step-by-step insights to ensure users gain a thorough understanding and can effectively implement the features of the DeltaQuad Evo Tactical.
This chapter explains how to connect to the DeltaQuad Evo simulator in Auterion Suite.
The DeltaQuad Evo simulator can be used to get familiar with the Auterion Mission Control interface and to use the pilot controls before actually flying the Evo for the first time.
Requirements:
A registered Auterion Suite account.
A computer running either Linux, Windows 10/11, macOS, or any Android device.
An installation of AMC.
A stable internet connection.
The simulator has some limitations to be aware of:
The simulator does not accurately simulate battery usage.
The simulator uses always a wind direction coming from the east. Therefore all the missions flown in the simulator will take off and transition in that direction.
The simulator is limited to three locations to choose from.
The available ISR payload is limited in its functionality.
To use the DeltaQuad Evo simulator, please follow the instructions:
If you haven't done so yet, please register an account in Auterion Suite. Instructions can be found .
Log in to your Auterion Suite account.
Download and install AMC (v1.22.3) on a computer or Android device of your choice.
Go to the Downloads tab on the left side of the screen. Click on Additional Releases.
Click on Download 1.22.3 and select the operating system of your choice. The download will start.
After the installer has been downloaded, run the executable. On Windows, a window might pop up saying Windows protected your PC. Click on More info and Run anyway.
Follow the instructions to install AMC.
Create a simulator session in Auterion Suite.
In Auterion Suite, click on the Simulations tab on the left side of the screen. Click on Start Simulation.
Choose a name for the simulation, and DeltaQuad Evo (VTOL) as the vehicle.
Choose one of the three available locations.
Set the Simulation Run Time.
For full functionality, we recommend selecting Software Version 2.5.1.
Click on Creating simulation.
As the simulation is cloud-based, the process of creating one may take several minutes.
After the simulation is created, copy the given IP address to the clipboard and remember the Port, which is always 5790 for the simulator.
Creating a Comm-Link in Auterion Mission Control.
On the secondary device, open AMC. Navigate to AMC menu -> Comm Links. Click on Add at the bottom of the Screen.
Enter a Name of your choice and choose Type: TCP.
Copy the IP address of the simulation into the field of the Host Address, and add 5790 as the TCP Port. Click OK.
Choose the comm link you created and click on Connect.
A connection with the simulator should be established within seconds.
This section will cover the correct placement of the auxiliary battery.
To extend the flight time and overall mission range of the DeltaQuad Evo, the auxiliary battery can be installed in the payload bay alongside the main battery.
Always fly with batteries that are at least 95% charged, and ensure that both batteries have the same charge level.
Flying with two batteries of differing charge levels connected to the same circuit is dangerous, as the batteries will attempt to equalize their charges rapidly. This can cause excessive current flow, leading to overheating and potential failure. The resulting heat may cause the batteries to overheat and possibly catch fire, creating serious safety hazards
Never attempt to fly using only the auxiliary battery, as this will result in an incorrect center of gravity (CG). The main battery must always be installed.
Every DeltaQuad Evo includes an auxiliary battery payload box.
Similar to the main battery tray, the auxiliary battery holder is shaped to match the bottom plate of the battery.
The auxiliary battery must be positioned to fit properly on the tray. The thicker power cables should exit from the top of the battery and run over it towards the XT90 socket of the DeltaQuad Evo.
The auxiliary battery holder features a latch mechanism that secures the battery in place. After positioning the battery, rotate the latch 90 degrees until it is aligned above the battery.
The auxiliary battery payload box must always be installed in Payload Slot 1, located at the rear end of the fuselage, as it is the heaviest payload.
Each payload box features two arrows displayed on top of each handle.
There are corresponding arrows on the left and right sides of the DeltaQuad Evo's payload bay.
The arrows on the payload boxes must be aligned with the arrows in the payload bay.
Proper orientation of the payload box is crucial, as its I/O board must align with the corresponding I/O board in the payload slot.
Slide the payload box into the slot.
Push both handles of the payload box down until you hear a click from the locking mechanism, ensuring that the box is securely seated in its slot.
The frame of a properly installed payload box should be flush with the frame of the payload bay.
Each payload box has handles with two locking pins positioned opposite each other. To remove the payload box, grasp the handles with both hands, press the locking pins inward, and pull the payload box out.
This section will cover the proper placement of the main battery.
Always fly with a fully charged battery (at least 95%).
The DeltaQuad Evo has a battery bay (blue), a payload bay (green), and an avionics bay (red).
The main battery needs to be placed on the tray in the battery bay which is located at the front of the fuselage.
The tray has the same form and shape as the underside of the battery.
The battery must be placed in such a way that it fits on the tray.
The thicker power cables must exit the bottom of the battery and lead over the top of the battery toward the XT90 socket of the DeltaQuad Evo.
The battery tray will move forward or backward to correct for the center of gravity depending on which payload is installed.
Always make sure that no battery cable is located between the battery and the back wall of the battery bay.
This section will discuss the empty payload box and its functionality.
Every DeltaQuad Evo comes with an empty payload box.
Before takeoff, the payload bay must be fully loaded with either two single payload boxes or one double payload box. Otherwise, the OLED screen above the avionics bay will display one of the following messages:
If payload slot 1 is occupied by, for example, the Raptor 360, then payload slot 2 must be filled with the empty payload box that comes with every DeltaQuad Evo.
The vehicle will not initialize if the payload bay is either not fully loaded or incorrectly loaded.
In this chapter, we will cover the DeltaQuad Evo Li-ion battery, including how to handle it, install it in the DeltaQuad Evo, and power up the vehicle.
This chapter will discuss how to properly charge and store the DeltaQuad Evo Li-ion battery.
The DeltaQuad Evo Li-ion battery can be charged within 1 hour at 20 amperes. Charging at this rate may limit the battery’s durability. It is recommended to charge the battery at no more than 15 amperes to maximize its lifetime.
Power on the DeltaQuad Evo Dual Charger.
Plug the yellow XT90 connector from the battery's power cables into the charger.
Take the balance lead, which is the smaller group of cables with the white connector, and plug it into the corresponding balance port on the charger.
With the DeltaQuad Evo Dual Charger, you can charge two batteries simultaneously. Therefore, make sure to connect the cables of each battery to the appropriate channel.
Each channel has two buttons: one for Current and one for Mode.
Set the mode to Charge by pressing the mode button.
We recommend charging the DeltaQuad Evo batteries at a rate of 10 to 15 amperes. You can adjust the charging current by cycling through the available values using the current button.
Press Start.
Your DeltaQuad Evo battery is now charging.
The higher the charging current, the greater the impact on the battery's life expectancy; conversely, the lower the charging current, the longer the battery's life expectancy.
When not using the battery for an extended period, it is recommended to store it with the provided DeltaQuad Dual Battery Charger. This will ensure the battery is charged or discharged to 3.7V per cell, which equals 50% of its capacity.
Plug the power and balance cables of the battery into one of the channels on the charger.
Set the mode to Storage by pressing the Mode button.
Press Start.
If the battery is fully charged when using the Storage mode, the charger will discharge the battery to 50% of its capacity. This process can take longer as the discharge power per channel is only 40W.
If the battery is below 50% capacity when using Storage mode, the charger will bring it up to 50% capacity at the set current value.
More information about the simulator can be found .
In this section, we will explain how to power on the DeltaQuad Evo.
After placing the main battery as described in the chapter Main Battery Placement, connect the XT90 connector of the battery to the XT90 socket in the battery bay.
The XT90 socket is located on the right side of the battery bay (standing in front of the vehicle).
The XT90 connector and socket have key features that facilitate easy identification and proper alignment during connection. The interlocking shapes at the ends of the connector and socket must align to ensure correct placement. This design ensures that the connectors can only be plugged in one way.
Insert the XT90 connector of the battery into the XT90 socket of the Evo until it is fully seated.
Be sure to push the connector in fully to ensure a secure connection. If the connectors are not fully joined, the vehicle may still power on, but the connectors could overheat. During flight, vibrations might cause the battery plugs to come loose, which could result in the vehicle losing power.
An anti-spark plug, often found in XT90 connectors, is designed to prevent electrical arcing and spark formation when connecting or disconnecting the plug. This is particularly important in high-current applications, like those involving Li-ion batteries.
When you hear a crackling or popping sound while powering up the DeltaQuad Evo, it is likely that the initialization will not be completed due to sparking. Simply unplug the XT90 connector from the socket and then reconnect it. Ensure the movement is quick and avoid wiggling the XT90 back and forth.
When powering up the DeltaQuad Evo, it will go through an initialization routine that can be monitored on the OLED display located above the avionics bay.
After the successful initialization, the OLED will read Ready to fly.
If the initialization cannot be completed due to an error, the OLED will display information on how to resolve it.
Below is a complete list of messages and their explanations.
Ready to fly
The vehicle has found no errors and is ready to fly.
Left wing not detected
The left wing is not detected. Please attach the left wing.
Right wing not detected
The right wing is not detected. Please attach the right wing.
Reverse payloads
The heaviest payload should be in the rear (slot 1). This message indicates that the payloads should be reversed. The payload in slot 1 should be installed in slot 2 and vice versa.
No payloads found
The software has not found any payloads. When flying without payloads the empty payload boxes (placeholders) need to be installed.
Slot 1: No payload
No payload was found in slot 1 (rear payload). Both payloads should be occupied. With a dual payload, this message should not appear.
Slot 2: No payload
No payload was found at slot 2 (front payload). Both payloads should be occupied. With a dual payload, this message should not appear.
Slot 1 not Configured
The payload printed circuit board (PCB) for the payload in slot 1 has not been programmed.
Slot 2 not Configured
The payload printed circuit board (PCB) for the payload in slot 2 has not been programmed.
Balancing Error XXmm
The payload makes the vehicle to nose or tail heavy and cannot offset the center of gravity (CG) with the nose battery (between -5 and +35 is ok).
Automatic balancing
The system is balancing the vehicle by moving the nose battery fore or aft.
Arming denied: XX
Arming UAV is denied because of reason XX.
Battery not fully charged
Battery level below 80%.
Nose battery moved XX mm
The vehicle moved the nose battery XX mm to offset the imbalance caused by the payloads.
Payload to heavy
The total payload weight is above 3000 grams. This is not within vehicle specifications.
Updating params
The vehicle parameters are being updated to accommodate the payloads.
Writing parameters failed
There was an error while writing the parameters.
Each payload box carries information about its weight and weight distribution. This information is stored on the I/O board of the payload box.
Depending on the installed payloads, the DeltaQuad Evo will automatically balance itself by moving the main battery tray either forward or backward.
The DeltaQuad Evo can compensate more effectively for tail heaviness than for nose heaviness. This is why the main battery tray can move further forward than backward. As a result, the heavier payload must always be installed in Payload Slot 1, the aft-most slot near the pusher motor.
As the Silvus air unit and the hardened GPS add extra weight, a counterweight in the nose is required to balance the vehicle. This is achieved using a short cable, zip-tied to the power loom in the battery compartment of the vehicle.
This open cable is not under load and does not pose any safety hazard.
Make sure the batteries are correctly seated in their respective compartments and payload boxes. The circuit of the DeltaQuad Evo does not recognize each battery individually, so it is not important which battery is connected or disconnected first.
Always ensure that both batteries are connected and that the XT90 connectors are fully seated in their respective sockets.
This chapter discusses the GCS, its components, and how to assemble it.
A Ground Control Station (GCS) refers to a centralized system or interface that allows operators to communicate with and control unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones. The GCS serves as a command center where operators can monitor the drone's telemetry data, receive real-time video feeds from its cameras, and send commands for navigation, flight parameters, and other operational tasks.
The transmission and control system of the DeltaQuad Evo Tactical includes three essential components: a radio modem and antenna(s), and a Toughbook with a hand controller.
There are two antenna options available:
This section describes how to attach the antennas to the radio modem.
Remove the two protective caps from the RF ports (G).
Remove the Silvus antennas from the upper right compartment of the flight case, and connect the two antennas to the RF ports (G).
To disconnect the antennas, follow the steps above in reverse order.
The following chapter gives a basic overview of the Silvus StreamCaster 4240-EP.
The DeltaQuad Evo TAC/TAC+ comes with the Silvus StreamCaster 4240-EP, which consists of a handheld radio modem, two omnidirectional antennas, and a detachable battery. A breakout cable is included to establish the connection to the DeltaQuad Toughbook.
At the top of the radio modem, you find the following connections:
For operation with the DeltaQuad Evo TAC/TAC+, only the RF Ports (G), the Primary Port (A), and the Battery Port (E) will be used.
This section describes how to attach the Silvus battery to the radio modem.
Take the Silvus StreamCaster 4240-EP and the Silvus battery out of the upper right compartment of the flight case.
Connect the top of the battery to the bottom of the radio modem.
Align the battery in a 45-degree angle.
Connect both units and turn to align them. The battery locking mechanism will make an audible click sound.
To detach the battery for storage or charging, pull up the battery release latch on the side of the radio modem and turn the battery until it is released.
This section will explain how to access the Silvus StreamCaster GUI for optional changes.
All Silvus radios come preconfigured and are ready for immediate use. Changing the settings is recommended only for advanced users.
Each Silvus radio modem has a dedicated IP address consisting of four octets separated by periods. For example 172.20.123.123.
The individual IP address of each Silvus StreamCaster is marked on the back of the radio module.
To access the Silvus StreamCaster GUI, ensure that the Toughbook is connected to the Silvus StreamCaster and both units are powered on.
On the Toughbook, open a browser. In the address bar, enter the IP address of the radio modem and press Enter.
If you encounter issues with the Google Chrome browser while using the GUI, try switching to an incognito window, which may help resolve the problem.
The battery level of the radio modem is displayed in the top right corner of the GUI's menu bar.
Critical battery levels are indicated by the radio modem's LED. For more information, please refer to the following section.
After a few seconds, the browser should display the Silvus StreamCaster GUI. Navigate to the tab Local Radio Configuration -> RF -> Basic to access the basic radio frequency settings. Here, you can configure parameters such as Frequency, Bandwidth, and Total Transmission Power.
To ensure proper functionality, all changes must be applied to both the handheld radio and the DeltaQuad Evo. To save and apply changes to both devices, make sure they are powered on and connected. Selecting SAVE AND APPLY TO NETWORK will store the changes in both devices, preserving them even after a reboot. Using APPLY will only apply the changes temporarily until the next reboot.
The DeltaQuad Evo Tactical includes an Interference Avoidance License. In areas with RF jamming, the system will employ frequency hopping to maintain the strongest possible link. The frequency set in the Basic Configuration acts as the starting point for the system's operation.
Under the tab Network Management -> Network Topology, you can view the individual nodes along with their signal strength.
Under the tab Security -> Encryption, you can configure the security keys.
During factory setup, we generate random keys that are not stored for security reasons. When changing these keys, ensure you save and apply the changes to both the handheld radio and the DeltaQuad Evo.
Under the tab Security -> White/Black List, you can create either a white list or a black list. A black list can block specific nodes from accessing the network, while a white list specifies which nodes are allowed to access the network.
For more information, please follow this link.
The following section describes how to establish a connection between the GCS and the DeltaQuad Evo Tactical.
Before connecting the GCS to your UAV, the Silvus StreamCaster must be connected to the Toughbook, and both items must be switched on.
Follow the instructions in the chapter Silvus StreamCaster 4240-EP on properly setting up the radio module.
Connect the Ethernet plug from the Silvus breakout cable to the Ethernet port on the Toughbook.
Open the Toughbook, and turn it on.
Start the application Auterion Mission Control (AMC).
Before launching AMC, connecting the Toughbook to a mobile hotspot or Wi-Fi network is recommended. The Toughbook uses internet connectivity to load satellite maps and for LTE communication with the UAV.
Pull out the rotary knob on top of the Silvus radio modem and set it to 1.
Do NOT set the dial of the rotary knob to Z, as this is resetting the radio to its default settings. This makes the radio unusable.
The Silvus StreamCaster 4240-EP is configured and set up properly in our factory. There is no need for further configuration. The system is plug-and-play ready.
Switch on the DeltaQuad Evo. Follow the steps described in the chapter Powering the Vehicle.
During initialization, the GCS and the DeltaQuad Evo automatically establish a connection. The bi-color Status LED on the Silvus radio modem should change from red to green.
The following list provides an overview of the possible LED color codes and their corresponding meanings.
Red
The radio is in the process of booting up.
Flashing Green
The radio is fully booted but not wirelessly connected to the vehicle.
Green
Spectrum Scan is in Progress. Connection to the vehicle has been established.
Flashing Red
Radio has recovered from a bad state and has reverted to factory default settings.
Rapid Flashing Red for 1 second
The battery is less than or equal to 20%. LED will blink red rapidly for 1 second then go back to normal. This will repeat every 5 seconds.
Rapid Flashing Green
When the multi-position switch is rotated to a new position, the LED will rapidly flash green while the new settings are being applied. The LED will return to normal indication once the settings have been applied.
In the upper left corner of AMC, the vehicle status indicator will show the connection status to the DeltaQuad Evo. When the indicator is green (Ready to Fly), the vehicle is ready for takeoff.
The connection between the GCS and the DeltaQuad Evo has been established.
The following section provides a basic overview of the DeltaQuad Toughbook, and the handheld controller.
The DeltaQuad Evo Tactical comes with the DeltaQuad Toughbook, which has Auterion Tactical Mission Control pre-installed. This software provides the communication link between your UAV and the ground systems. The DeltaQuad Military Toughbook is a MIL-STD ruggedized touch-screen laptop, built using the Panasonic TOUGHBOOK FZ-55 with a magnesium chassis, flexible configurations, and a universal bay.
To charge the Toughbook, please use the provided power adapter.
The handheld controller enables manual override, precision landing, and camera gimbal control during fixed-wing flight.
To connect the handheld controller to the Toughbook, plug the USB connector of the controller to any of the USB ports of the Toughbook.
Number
Type
Function
1
Left joystick
In hover mode
Stick up: climb
Stick down: descend
Stick left: yaw left
Stick right: yaw right
In fixed-wing mode (payload dependent)
Stick up: gimbal up
Stick down: gimbal down
Stick left: gimbal left
Stick right: gimbal right
2
Right joystick
In hover mode
Stick up: move forward
Stick down: move backward
Stick left: move left
Stick right: move right
In fixed-wing mode
Stick up: descend (nose down)
Stick down: climb (nose up)
Stick left: bank left
Stick right: bank right
3
Shoulder buttons L1 and R1
Gimbal zoom for ISR payloads
The following section outlines the basic assembly and operation of the tripod-mounted sector antenna.
The tripod-mounted sector antenna extends the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) range by up to 40 km. It has a horizontal field of view (beamwidth) of 120 degrees and a vertical field of view of 12 degrees. For standard operation, the antenna requires a Silvus StreamCaster 4240-EP.
Mount and secure the sector antenna on the provided tripod.
At the top of the tripod pole, there are ridges that fit the antenna holder, providing more stability for the antenna mount.
Extend the antenna away from the tripod pole during the radio installation.
The Tripod-Mounted Sector Antenna comes with two coaxial antenna cables. Connect the smaller coaxial plugs to the RF Ports (G) of the Silvus StreamCaster.
Velcro is attached to the back of the Silvus handheld radio. Install the radio onto the corresponding Velcro on the backside of the sector antenna.
Connect the other end of the antenna cables to the RF ports of the sector antenna.
Special care must be taken when connecting the antenna cables to the Silvus handheld radio and the sector antenna. Ensure that the connection is secure and that the plugs are fully seated.
The optimal angle for a sector antenna to operate effectively with a drone depends on several factors, including the antenna’s beamwidth and the drone’s flight path. A sector antenna typically has a directional beam covering a specific angular range, known as the beamwidth.
The provided tripod-mounted sector antenna has a horizontal beamwidth of 120 degrees and a vertical beamwidth of 12 degrees.
The vertical angle of the sector antenna can be changed by adjusting the lower extender arm. It features a degree scale for precise adjustments.
Consider the following:
Antenna Beamwidth: Sector antennas have a defined beamwidth within which the main lobe of the radiation pattern operates. Align the antenna so that the main lobe covers the area where the drone is expected to operate most frequently.
Drone Flight Path: Take into account the expected flight path of the DeltaQuad Evo Tactical. If the drone will operate within a specific sector, align the antenna to cover that sector. It’s common to point the sector antenna slightly upward, depending on the drone’s altitude.
Altitude Changes: If the drone is expected to fly at various altitudes, adjust the tilt of the sector antenna to ensure consistent coverage across different heights.
Here is a table showing the necessary elevation angles (in degrees) for the antenna at different altitudes (HGT - relative to the takeoff location) and distances from the GCS, assuming that the GCS and antenna are placed close to each other near the takeoff location (values can be rounded up or down):
This table gives the required vertical alignment for the sector antenna to cover the vehicle flying at altitudes between 500 meters and 5500 meters at varying distances (10 km, 20 km, 30 km, and 40 km).
The following is a graph representing the necessary antenna elevation angles for different altitudes and distances from the GCS. The x-axis shows the distance from the GCS, and the y-axis shows the corresponding elevation angles in degrees for various altitudes ranging from 500m to 5500m. Each line represents a specific altitude and shows how the required elevation angle changes as the UAV moves farther from the GCS.
Obstructions: Be aware of any potential obstructions between the antenna and the drone. Adjust the antenna angle to avoid obstacles and maintain a clear line of sight.
Coverage Area: Determine the desired coverage area and adjust the sector antenna’s angle accordingly. Sector antennas are typically used to cover specific sectors of a 360-degree area.
The following section explains how to change the encryption settings for the Silvus radio network.
This guide will help you configure the encryption settings for the Silvus radios in the DeltaQuad Evo Tactical to meet your needs. Following these steps will ensure secure communication and protect your data from unauthorized access and cyber threats.
The Silvus radio in the DeltaQuad Evo Tactical comes with encryption enabled by default. DeltaQuad uses randomized encryption keys that are not recorded. It is the operator's responsibility to modify the radio encryption to meet the specific operational requirements.
Encryption is crucial for securing data transmitted between drones and ground stations. It protects sensitive information, such as video feeds and control commands, from unauthorized access. By employing encryption, you can guard against cyber threats, eavesdropping, and tampering, thereby maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of your communications.
The DeltaQuad Evo Tactical supports several encryption protocols, each offering varying levels of security:
AES 56-bit
AES 128-bit
AES 256-bit
These protocols utilize Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), with higher bit numbers providing stronger security. For instance, AES-256 is highly recommended for the highest level of security.
Access the Configuration Interface:
Connect to the Silvus radio through a web browser using the radio's IP address. A connection guide can be found .
Navigate to the Security Settings:
Locate the security settings tab and click on Encryption.
Select the Encryption Protocol:
Choose the desired AES encryption level (56, 128, or 256-bit) from the dropdown menu or selection box.
Generate a Wrapping and HMAC key and input Encryption key:
Click on the respective fields to generate a Wrapping and HMAC key. The system does not store these keys for security reasons. They are randomly generated based on the chosen encryption method.
Click on the field to input the Encryption key. Enter your encryption key, ensuring it meets the protocol requirements for length and complexity. The system does not store this key for security reasons.
Save and Apply Settings:
After configuring the encryption settings, ensure that you save and apply these settings not only on the device you are currently configuring but also across the entire network. This means applying and saving the settings for all radios, both ground and air units, to ensure uniform encryption across all communication links.
Testing and Verification:
Perform a communication test to ensure that the encryption is working correctly. Verify that data transmission is secure and that there are no connectivity issues.
Additional Considerations
Random Key Generation: The system can generate random keys based on the encryption method, enhancing security by preventing predictable patterns.
Non-Storage of Keys: For cybersecurity, encryption keys are not stored. This practice mitigates the risk of unauthorized access to the keys.
Regularly update and manage encryption settings to adapt to evolving security needs and maintain robust protection against cyber threats.
Connect the battery to the Silvus StreamCaster as described.
Connect the Silvus breakout cable to the Silvus StreamCaster as described .
Please follow to establish a connection between the GCS and the vehicle.
For general information and tips on radio range and line-of-sight operation, please read .
500
2.86°
1.43°
0.95°
0.72°
1000
5.71°
2.86°
1.91°
1.43°
1500
8.53°
4.29°
2.86°
2.15°
2000
11.31°
5.71°
3.81°
2.86°
2500
14.04°
7.13°
4.76°
3.58°
3000
16.70°
8.53°
5.71°
4.29°
3500
19.29°
9.93°
6.65°
5.00°
4000
21.80°
11.31°
7.59°
5.71°
4500
24.23°
12.68°
8.53°
6.42°
5000
26.57°
14.04°
9.46°
7.13°
5500
28.81°
15.38°
10.39°
7.83°
This section covers the Return to Home settings.
Return to Launch altitude (HGT) is the predetermined minimum height at which the DeltaQuad Evo will ascend to when initiating a return-to-launch (RTL) procedure. This altitude ensures the vehicle clears obstacles and maintains safe separation from the ground while returning to its landing location.
Default: 100 m
The Return to Launch altitude value should be set at least 25 meters above the highest obstacle in the mission area. If the vehicle is below this altitude when an RTL command is triggered, it will climb to the set altitude and then proceed to return. If the vehicle is already above the set altitude, it will continue at its current altitude.
The Return to Launch altitude is referenced to the takeoff location (HGT), not above ground level (AGL). Special care must be taken when operating in an area with varying ground elevations.
When an RTL command is triggered, the DeltaQuad Evo will return in a straight line to the designated landing location. Therefore, the vehicle must be capable of flying directly back to the landing point from any point in the mission or flight path.
The DeltaQuad EVO can perform an autonomous Return to Launch when instructed via the Ground Control Station, initiated from a mission, or triggered by a failsafe event.
This section covers the Low Battery Failsafe Trigger settings.
It is recommended to leave these settings unchanged.
The Low Battery Failsafe Trigger defines what the vehicle does when reaching low battery levels.
Default Failsafe Action: Return at critical level, land at emergency level
Default Battery Warning Level: 15%
Default Battery Critical Level: 10%
Default Emergency Level: 3%
The following Failsafe Actions are available:
Failsafe Action
Warning. Warn (notification only) if capacity drops below Battery Failsafe Level.
Return Mode. Return mode and warn if capacity drops below Battery Failsafe Level.
Land Mode. Land mode and warn if capacity drops below Battery Failsafe Level. (Only available in AMC's Advanced Mode.)
Return mode at critically low level, land mode at current position if reaching dangerously low levels. Triggers warning, return mode, and land mode at the respective levels.
Battery Warning Level: The percentage where the vehicle will give a visible and audible warning to the Ground Control Station (GCS).
Battery Critical Level: The level at which the vehicle is expected to have already returned to the landing site after the critical battery level action has been triggered.
Emergency Level: The level at which the vehicle initiates the emergency battery action (land).
The levels are those estimated to be reached when the vehicle has flown to the landing site. This means that the further the vehicle is from its intended landing location, the sooner these actions will be taken.
It is the operator's responsibility to plan missions in a way that ensures the vehicle has sufficient energy reserves to return to the landing site. The Low Battery Failsafe Actions serve as the final safety measure, and all necessary precautions should be taken by the operator to prevent these actions from being triggered.
If the Default Emergency Level action is triggered, no warranty claims will be accepted for any resulting damages or issues.
This section provides important information on how to properly store the Silvus StreamCaster 4240-EP.
When disassembling and storing the Silvus StreamCaster, it is best practice to detach the Silvus battery from the radio modem and store both items separately in their designated flight case compartments.
Important Guidelines for Storing the Silvus StreamCaster 4240-EP:
Never store the Silvus StreamCaster in the flight case while powered on and with the antennas detached. The high transmission power can cause significant damage to the radio module, particularly when the antennas are not installed.
Reflected Power and Overload: When a radio modem transmits, the energy must be radiated through the antenna. Without an antenna, the transmitted power has nowhere to go and reflects back into the radio’s circuitry, especially the transmitter. This can lead to overheating or damage to critical components, particularly the power amplifier.
Impedance Mismatch: Antennas are designed to match the radio modem's impedance. Without an antenna, a significant impedance mismatch occurs, preventing the efficient transfer of RF energy. This mismatch causes high voltage standing wave ratios (VSWR), which can result in damage to the modem.
The Silvus StreamCaster 4240-EP is equipped with advanced features like automatic power control, designed to protect the system in situations where the antennas are not properly connected. This feature, known as power throttling, reduces transmission power to prevent damage to internal components in the event of an antenna connection issue. Additionally, the device may issue warnings or errors if it detects that the antennas are not attached, further reducing the risk of damage due to reflected power.
However, even with these safeguards in place, it is still best practice to avoid powering on the radio without the antennas properly installed.
While power control features help protect the device, they are not a guarantee against potential damage if the issue persists.
This section describes how to charge the Silvus battery.
Take the Silvus charging dock and the charging cable out of the lower right compartment of the flight case.
Connect the power adapter to the charging dock.
Connect the power adapter to a power outlet.
The Silvus battery can be charged either while assembled with the radio modem and antennas or by charging the battery alone. Place the unit in one of the available charging slots (A or B) in the charging dock.
When charging the radio in its fully assembled state, make sure to power down the radio before charging.
While charging, the LED indicators will blink yellow. When charging is complete, the LEDs will be solid green.
The Silvus charging dock can be used as a stand-alone stand during field operations when a flat and stable surface is not available. Do not charge the battery while using the dock as a stand and when the Silvus radio is powered on.
This section describes how to connect the breakout cable to the radio modem.
The Silvus StreamCaster comes with a breakout cable.
Remove the protective cap from the Primary Port (PRI).
Connect the end of the cable with one plug to the PRI Port on the radio modem.
To properly connect the plug to the socket, ensure that the red dots on both are aligned.
To detach the cable for storage, simply pull the plug out of the PRI socket by gripping the base of the plug and pulling it upward.
The following section explains how to connect and set up an ATAK device.
ATAK stands for Android Team Awareness Kit. It is a mobile geospatial platform that facilitates real-time collaboration and communication among teams, particularly in military and emergency response scenarios. ATAK provides a map-based interface on Android devices, enabling users to share location data, mark points of interest, and communicate with team members in the field. It is designed to enhance situational awareness and coordination by leveraging geospatial information in a user-friendly mobile application.
Ground Control Station (GCS)
Data-Link
Ethernet Switch
Android device with ATAK installed (Application is available in the Google PlayStore)
Connect the Ground radio to the Ethernet switch.
Connect the tablet/phone running ATAK to the Ethernet switch
Connect the Ethernet switch to the GCS
Power the Ethernet switch
Scroll down to Team Awareness (Smartphone Integration) section.
Turn on Enable Team Awareness and Enable on startup. In Fly View, the Team icon will be highlighted in blue, indicating that ATAK functionality is enabled.
Set Controller Callsign to Mission Control.
Set Destination Address to 172.20.255.255.
Set Destination Port to 4242.
Set Destination Protocol to UDP.
Set Incoming Port to 8089.
Set Incoming Protocol to UDP.
Click on the three dots on the top right. A menu will open.
Choose Settings -> Network Connections. Click on Network Connections in the pop-up window.
Go to the Input/Output Management section and click on Manage Inputs.
Edit the default connection (click on the pencil icon) and set the address to 0.0.0.0.
Tick the advanced options.
Select Input Protocol to UDP.
Set Server Port to 4242.
Confirm changes.
The checkbox next to the default entry must be checked.
Go back to Input/Output Management. Click on Manage Outputs.
Click on the three dots in the top right and select Add.
Set name to AMC.
Set address to 172.20.1.1.
Tick the advanced options.
Select Input Protocol to UDP.
Set Server Port to 8089.
Confirm changes.
The checkbox next to the AMC entry must be checked.
Click on the video symbol in the top toolbar. Click on the + in the menu.
Change Type to rtsp in the popup window.
Add 172.20.110.10:8553/stream1
Optionally: Stream can be named (e.g. "Vehicle 1")
Click on Add. The stream will appear in the left menu.
Make sure to go through AMC-Settings, ATAK-Settings and Video-Settings first.
Connect the vehicle to AMC.
In ATAK, click on the three dots in the top right. A menu will appear. Click on Settings and then Network Connections. A popup will appear. Click on Network Connections. Check that the Primary IP Address is in the range 172.20.XX.XX.
If the Primary IP Address is in a different range, disconnect from the WiFi or cellular network.
As soon as the vehicle has GPS lock, the position as well as the sensor point of interest will appear on the map.
If the vehicle is on the ground, the sensor point of interest may not be visible.
Click on the video icon and select the stream previously configured in the ATAK configuration.
Select the marker icon in the ATAK top toolbar.
A menu with four different markers will appear on the right side.
Select the desired marker and click on the map to place the marker.
Click on send in the bottom right menu. You can either send the marker to a particular device or broadcast it.
The markers will appear on the map in AMC (Fly View only).
Select -> Settings -> General.
This chapter covers the flight controller's safety features.
Safety features are crucial to ensure the safe operation of the DeltaQuad Evo and to prevent accidents or damage.
To access the safety features configuration screen, you must turn on the vehicle and establish a connection between the Ground Control Station (GCS) and the vehicle.
To modify the parameters click on the Vehicle Status icon in the upper left corner of Auterion Mission Control (AMC).
The Vehicle Overview screen will open. Click on Safety at the bottom of the screen. The Safety screen will open.
This section covers the RC Loss Failsafe Trigger settings.
This setting can be ignored. The RC Loss Failsafe Trigger can remain unchanged, as the DeltaQuad Evo Tactical uses only a virtual RC link, not a physical one.
To configure the Failsafe Action for a loss of communication, the appropriate actions must be selected for the Data Loss Failsafe Trigger.
The RC Link Loss Failsafe Trigger controls the behavior of the vehicle when the RC link is lost.
Default Failsafe Action: Return mode
Default RC Loss Timeout: 5 s
This chapter explains how to swap the radio air units in the DeltaQuad Evo.
When operating the DeltaQuad Evo Tactical Edition, it is possible to swap the air unit for an H30 radio module. The application is plug-and-play, allowing for an easy switch between radio systems with the provided Ground Control Stations.
The same is true for the DeltaQuad Evo Stealth Edition, where the H30 radio air unit can be swapped for a Silvus air unit.
Find a flat surface like a table big enough to fit the DeltaQuad Evo's fuselage.
Take the fuselage of the DeltaQuad Evo out of the flight case.
Put the fuselage on its landing gear on the table.
Remove the hatch.
Remove the two top screws of the avionics bay hatch.
Slightly lift the avionics bay and pull it forward.
The air unit is installed at the back of the Flight Management Unit (FMU). First, detach the two SMA antenna cables by unscrewing the SMA plugs."
Loosen the two screws attaching the air unit to the FMU.
Detach the air unit from the FMU by pulling it upwards. At the bottom of the air unit is a connector that fits into the corresponding connector on the FMU.
Install the new air unit by following the steps above in reverse order. Connect the new air unit to the FMU by sliding it downwards onto the FMU. Reconnect the two SMA antenna connectors.
Install the two screws on top of the air unit and apply threadlocker to the tip of each screw.
To install the avionics bay hatch, catch and align its clamps with the rear edge of the avionics bay. Follow step 2 in reverse order to achieve this.
Close the avionics bay by tightening the two top screws. Please use threadlocker for these screws.
The new radio air unit is now installed. Double-check that all screws are snug but not overtightened to avoid any damage.
If you should encounter problems during the installation process please contact [email protected] for further assistance.
This section explains how to connect a secondary GCS to the primary GCS.
You can connect a secondary GCS to the primary GCS using a Wi-Fi network, a hotspot, or a USB connection. A secondary GCS on-site is useful when both a camera operator and a pilot are needed.
DeltaQuad Evo and the GCS must be powered on.
A connection between the vehicle and GCS must be established.
A laptop or any other device with AMC installed.
The primary and secondary GCS must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network or hotspot.
On the primary GCS, open the Evo Control Panel app located on the desktop.
The Evo Controller window will open. Copy the WiFi IP address—in our case, 192.168.2.105.
On the secondary GCS, open AMC. Navigate to AMC Menu > Settings > Comm Links. Click on Add.
Enter the following items and click OK.
Name: Enter any name
Type: UDP
Listening Port: 14550
Target Host: <Wi-Fi IP adress>:5760
In our case 192.168.2.105:5760
Click on the newly created comm link and Connect.
After a few seconds the secondary GCS connects to the primary GCS. The vehicle status should be indicated in the upper left corner of AMC.
DeltaQuad Evo and the GCS must be powered on.
A connection between the vehicle and GCS must be established.
A laptop or any other device with AMC installed.
The primary and secondary GCS must be connected via a USB cable.
On the primary GCS, open the Evo Control Panel app located on the desktop.
The Evo Controller window will open. Copy the USB IP address—in our case, 192.168.42.129.
On the secondary GCS, open AMC. Navigate to AMC Menu > Settings > Comm Links. Click on Add.
Enter the following items and click OK.
Name: Enter any name
Type: UDP
Listening Port: 14550
Target Host: <USB IP adress>:5760
In our case192.168.42.129:5760
Click on the newly created comm link and Connect.
After a few seconds the secondary GCS connects to the primary GCS. The vehicle status should be indicated in the upper left corner of AMC.
This section covers the Data Link Loss Failsafe Trigger settings.
The Data Link Loss Failsafe Trigger controls the behavior of the vehicle when the telemetry link is lost.
Default Failsafe Action: Return mode
Default Data Link Loss Timeout: 60s
Failsafe detection can trigger one of the following actions.
Disabled
No action (the failsafe will be ignored).
Hold mode*
The vehicle will enter Hold mode and orbit at the location where the failsafe action was triggered.
Return mode
The vehicle will enter Return mode and fly directly to the designated landing location at the set return altitude, then land.
Land mode*
The vehicle will enter Land mode and land immediately.
Terminate*
Turns off all controllers and sets all PWM outputs to their failsafe values. The failsafe outputs can be used to deploy a parachute, landing gear, or perform another operation.
Lockdown*
Kills the motors (sets them to disarmed).
(*only available in AMC's Advanced Mode)
By default, when a loss of communication occurs, the DeltaQuad Evo Tactical will continue its mission if a mission plan is being executed.
This behavior is inherent to the Evo Tactical, as a loss of communication is expected during missions with the stealth switch enabled.
The settings for the Data Link Loss Failsafe Trigger should be checked before pausing the vehicle mid-flight.
If the trigger is disabled and the data link is lost while the vehicle is paused and in Hold mode, the pilot will be unable to issue new commands. The DeltaQuad EVO will remain in Hold mode until the data link is re-established. If the data link cannot be restored, the vehicle will remain in Hold mode until the Low Battery Failsafe Trigger activates.
Many local laws and regulations require the Failsafe Action to be set to Return mode.
This section covers the Land Mode Settings.
It is recommended to leave these settings unchanged.
The Land Mode Settings control the landing behavior of the DeltaQuad Evo.
Default Landing Descent Rate: 0.6 m/s
Default Disarm After: 2 s (enabled)
In windy conditions, the vehicle will automatically adjust to a lower descent rate to improve stability.
The DeltaQuad Evo goes through three stages during the descent in multirotor mode:
Stage 1: The vehicle descends from the set landing altitude to 8 meters above ground at a maximum of 1.5 m/s.
Stage 2: The vehicle descends from 8 meters to 2 meters, reducing its descent speed to 0.6 m/s at 2 meters above the ground.
Stage 3: The vehicle continues its descent from 2 meters to 30 cm above the ground, reaching a descent speed of 0.3 m/s. From 30 cm until touchdown, the DeltaQuad Evo enters crawl speed to ensure a soft landing. This is achieved using the distance sensor in the DeltaQuad Evo.
This section covers the Geofence Failsafe Trigger settings.
The Geofence Failsafe Trigger can be set to limit the vehicle's radius and/or altitude. When these parameters are breached, the vehicle will perform the defined action.
Default Action on breach: Hold mode
Default Max Radius: Disabled
Default Max Altitude (HGT): Disabled
Failsafe detection can trigger one of the following actions.
(*only available in AMC's Advanced Mode)
The Max Altitude is referenced to the takeoff location (HGT), not above ground level (AGL). Special care must be taken when operating in an area with varying ground elevations.
None
No action
Warning
A warning message will be displayed/announced.
Hold mode
The vehicle will enter Hold mode and orbit at the location and altitude where the failsafe action was triggered.
Return mode
The vehicle will enter Return mode and fly directly to the designated landing location at the set return altitude, then land.
Terminate*
Turns off all controllers and sets all PWM outputs to their failsafe values. The failsafe outputs can be used to deploy a parachute, landing gear, or perform another operation.
Land mode*
The vehicle will enter Land mode and land immediately.
Max Radius
The horizontal radius of the geofence cylinder around the Home Position. Alternatively, a circle can be drawn and freely positioned in the Plan View. The horizontal geofence is disabled if set to 0.
Max Altitude
Height of geofence cylinder. Altitude geofence disabled if 0.
This section explains the purpose and functionality of the optional ADS-B receiver.
The DeltaQuad Evo Tactical and Stealth Edition can be optionally equipped with an ADS-B receiver.
This receiver detects signals from nearby aircraft equipped with ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) transmitters. By doing so, the DeltaQuad Evo operator gains awareness of surrounding air traffic, enhancing situational awareness and safety while helping to avoid potential collisions.
No further steps are needed if an ADS-B receiver is installed in your DeltaQuad Evo. The receiver is active by default, allowing it to receive broadcasts from nearby aircraft.
Nearby aircraft will be displayed on the map in AMC's Fly View, accompanied by audio feedback and notifications.
This section covers the High Wind Failsafe Trigger settings.
The High Wind Failsafe Trigger is a safety feature that activates when the vehicle detects wind speeds exceeding 14 m/s. When triggered, it initiates a predefined action, such as returning to home or landing, to prevent the vehicle from being adversely affected by high winds.
Default Failsafe Action: Return
Failsafe detection can trigger one of the following actions.
Disabled
No action (the failsafe will be ignored).
Return mode
The vehicle will enter Return mode and fly directly to the designated landing location at the set return altitude, then land.
Land mode*
The vehicle will enter Land mode and land immediately.
(*only available in AMC's Advanced Mode)
This section explains the top bar indicators in AMC.
At the top of the screen, the top bar displays various items that convey information and offer additional options when clicked.
The following is a list of all icons and indicators along with their functionalities.
Menu Icon
App menu (navigate to Fly, Plan, Vehicle Overview, Advanced, Controller, Photos, Analyze, User Account, Settings) Enable/disable Advanced Mode.
High Level Status Indicator
High-level status description:
Green - Ready to arm and take off. Orange - The vehicle is not ready to take off due to a known reason, displayed with the status.
Red - An unknown fault is preventing takeoff.
The selected vehicle is displayed.
The VTOL mode is also shown: Hover for multirotor mode, and Aero for fixed-wing mode. Transition indicates the switch from Hover to Aero mode, and vice versa.
Mode
Displays the current flight mode (VTOL Takeoff, Hold, Altitude, Position, Return, Land, Mission) Select to enable Altitude or Position mode.
Armed/Disarmed State
Displays the armed state.
The states are Armed - motors spinning, Disarmed - motors stopped.
When airborne the indicator switches to Emergency Actions.
LANDING will command the vehicle to transition back to Hover mode and land at its current location.
SHUTDOWN will stop all motors in flight, causing the vehicle to crash.
Link Selector
When you click on the Radio icon, you'll be given the option to switch between the Radio link and the VPN link. Click on your preferred link. The active link will be outlined in green and displayed in the Top Bar. (For the VPN link to work, the vehicle must have a sufficient LTE connection, and the GCS must be connected to the internet via a hotspot or Wi-Fi network.)
GPS Status
Displays information about the GPS lock and count. When clicking on the icon, more information becomes available: Geolocation, HDOP, VDOP, and Course over Ground.
If applicable, GPS Fusion can be disabled.
Link Quality
The bars represent the Data Link signal strength. The more lines there are, the stronger the signal.
Cellular Indicator
The bars represent the cellular signal strength. When selecting the icon, more information becomes available, such as Status, Signal Strength in %, Uplink rate, and Downlink rate.
Vehicle Battery Status
The Vehicle Battery Indicator shows the remaining percentage of the vehicle's battery. When two DeltaQuad Evo batteries are in use, the system recognizes them as a single unit.
The indicator changes color—green, orange, and red—marking the different stages of depletion.
When clicking on the icon, more information becomes available, such as Voltage, Percentage, Accumulated Consumption, Current, Time Remaining, and Power.
GCS Battery Status
The GCS Battery Status shows the remaining percentage of the vehicle's battery.
The indicator changes color—green, orange, and red—marking the different stages of depletion.
At the bottom of AMC´s top bar, you will find a bar that represents the remaining flight time of the vehicle. This same bar also visualizes the RTL point, indicating where the vehicle will perform an autonomous Return to Launch due to a Battery Failsafe.
The calculation of the remaining flight time is dynamic and changes based on weather conditions, the mission area, and flight characteristics. The farther the vehicle is from its intended landing location, the sooner the autonomous Return to Launch (RTL) will be triggered.
This section provides an overview of all available options and settings in the AMC menu.
Auterion Mission Control offers two main views. In the Fly View, you execute and monitor missions.
The Plan View is used to plan autonomous missions for your vehicle. Once the mission is planned and uploaded to the DeltaQuad Evo, you switch to the Fly View to perform the Pre-flight Checks and execute the mission.
The AMC Menu gives access to the following sub-menus and settings.
For ease of use, all presented sub-menus and settings are those accessible when operating AMC in Advanced Mode and when the vehicle is powered on and connected to the GCS. If you cannot find a menu, switch to Advanced Mode and connect the vehicle to the GCS.
This section provides an overview of the operational modes of Auterion Mission Control (AMC).
It is recommended to operate AMC in Normal Mode, as Advanced Mode provides operational options and settings that fall outside the typical drone operator's scope. Operating AMC in Advanced Mode means operating the drone outside of warranty coverage.
AMC can run in Normal and Advanced Mode. Enter Advanced Mode by clicking five times on the menu iconin the upper left corner of the screen. A window will pop up, providing the option to switch modes.
The menu icon will change from filled to hollow.
Operating AMC in Advanced Mode adds more options and settings to choose from. These settings are not relevant for typical drone operators and should not be changed by end users. The following list provides an overview of some key items:
Pilot Commands: Land and Transition commands are available in the Fly View Toolbar.
Arming: The vehicle can be manually armed via the Emergency Action button.
Analyze: The option to manually download log files is available in the Analyze tab. The MAVLink Console/Inspector is also accessible for development tasks; however, these settings and menus are not relevant for typical drone operators and should not be changed by end users.
MAVLink and Console: These are available in the Settings tab for development tasks. Similar to the Analyze tab, these settings and menus are not intended for modification by drone operators.
Safety Tab: In the Safety tab, RC Loss Failsafe Trigger and Land Mode Settings are accessible.
To access the Land and Transition commands via the Fly View Toolbar, AMC must be running in Advanced Mode.
In the AMC Menu -> Settings -> General -> Miscellaneous, the option to always start AMC in Advanced Mode is available. This option is only accessible when AMC is running in Advanced Mode.
This section explores the various elements of the Plan View.
In the Plan View, you can create, edit, and save missions that can be uploaded to the DeltaQuad Evo.
To plan a mission, the DeltaQuad Evo does not need to be connected to Auterion Mission Control (AMC).
An internet connection is needed for AMC to access the necessary map and elevation data. When operating in offline mode, map and elevation data can be downloaded beforehand through the AMC Menu -> Settings -> .
When starting AMC, the Fly View is selected by default. To switch to Plan View, click the AMC Menu icon in the upper left corner of the screen and open the Plan View tab.
The image below shows a simple mission that starts with a VTOL Takeoff (Start and a Transition Direction item). The mission continues to fly through three waypoints, followed by a Landing Pattern.
The following list outlines all the elements of the Plan View.
AMC Menu
Vehicle Status Indicator
Flight Mode Selector and Indicator
Emergency Actions and Arm/Disarm Status
Radio Link Indicator/Selector
GPS Status/GPS Fusion
Data Link Signal Strength Indicator
LTE Status and Signal Strength Indicator
Vehicle Battery Status/Energy Consumption
GCS Battery Status
Mission Editor
Terrain Visualization/Terrain Altitude Indicator
Toggle Button - Terrain Visualization
Measurement Tool
Plan Tools
Mission Statistics
Map, Mission Items, Vehicle Location (blue arrow), and Home Location
When zooming in and out, a Scale Indicator appears above the Measurement Tool to show the current zoom scale. To use the zoom function, you can either use the mouse wheel or the touchscreen. It indicates the scale of the map based on the zoom level.
The Plan Tools offer quick access to essential items for planning autonomous missions, such as adding waypoints, inserting survey or scan patterns, and saving, loading, uploading, or downloading mission plans.
Clicking the arrow opens the sidebar, revealing the title next to each icon.
Only valid options are enabled (e.g., Download is grayed out if there is no mission on the vehicle).
Under AMC`s Top Bar, the Mission Statistics are displayed.
The Mission Statistics give information about the Total Mission Distance, the Maximum Telemetry Distance, and the Total Mission Time.
The Upload Button uploads the current mission to the vehicle. It appears at the top of the screen when a new item has been added to the mission that hasn't been uploaded yet. The button disappears once the upload is complete and reappears when a new unsaved item is added to the mission.
The Mission Editor on the right side enables the operator to adjust the settings of mission items.
The settings are organized into four sections, each focusing on a specific aspect of the mission:
Start: In this tab, you can edit the values of the Mission Start Action, which consists of the Start and Transition Direction items.
Mission: The Mission tab allows you to edit and change the Waypoint commands and provides access to a list of all Waypoint items.
End: In this tab, you can edit the values of the Mission End Action. The Mission End Action can be an Orbit Land Pattern, a Straight Land Pattern, or a Loiter.
Extras: In this tab, you can add or remove GeoFence definitions and select the current GeoFence region for editing on the map.
The distance between two points can be measured, or the area can be calculated as a selectable polygon. Selecting Clear All will delete all Measurement Tools on the map.
Coordinates can be entered manually, and specific points can be removed.
The Terrain Altitude Indicator is located at the bottom of the screen.
A red line indicates a Ground Collision!
In the upper left corner of the Terrain Altitude Indicator, you can choose from three different altitude measurements.
Simply tap the letters next to the three dots to switch between the different altitude measurements:
This section discusses the options available in the Vehicle Overview and its sub-menus.
The Vehicle Overview can be accessed via the AMC menuor by clicking the Vehicle Status Indicator.
The Notifications window provides in-flight information for pilots. A more detailed log is uploaded to the Auterion Suite for analysis if the cloud functionality is enabled.
Notifications can be deleted by clicking on the trash bin in the lower right corner of the window.
Do not attempt to calibrate any of the available sensors except the Compass when indicated. DO NOT perform a Factory reset, as this will render your vehicle unusable.
The Wi-Fi connection is used to establish a wireless link to the flight controller. It facilitates Vehicle Activation and enables minor background updates for the software running on the DeltaQuad Evo.
Hotspot Mode (Default): The flight controller creates a Wi-Fi access point (Hotspot) that a device can connect to for Wi-Fi telemetry. The default SSID (Network) is: skynode-<serialnumber>.
Station Mode (Disable Hotspot Mode): The flight controller automatically connects to an existing local Wi-Fi network using the supplied credentials. If this Wi-Fi network also provides internet access, the vehicle will connect to the Auterion Suite.
Wi-Fi: Select to enable Wi-Fi.
Hotspot Mode: Select to enable Hotspot mode.
Network (SSID): skynode-<serialnumber> (default)
Password: 1234567890 (default)
Status:
Green: Connected
Red: Disconnected
Reset to Hotspot: Resets credentials to the default Hotspot settings.
Connect: Connects to the selected Wi-Fi network.
When Hotspot mode is disabled, the vehicle attempts to connect to the selected Wi-Fi network. Network credentials can be entered in the respective Network and Password fields.
The options presented in this menu are:
LTE: Select to enable LTE connectivity.
APN (Access Point Name): The APN name for your cellular data plan, which depends on your service provider.
Allow Roaming: Select to enable roaming if you want to allow connections to a cellular network that is not your primary service provider.
Enable PIN: Select to use a SIM card PIN. Note that the PIN is not stored and must be entered on every boot when enabled.
Status:
Green - Connected
Red - Disconnected
Submit: Confirm changes.
The DeltaQuad Evo comes with a pre-installed Orange (US, Canada, Europe) SIM card, with a data limit of 10 GB. Additional data can be purchased through Auterion. Alternatively, a SIM card from a local provider can be installed and used with the associated APN.
The table below lists typical Access Point Names (APNs) for existing DeltaQuad Evo users. If your carrier is not listed, please contact their support or check their website to obtain the correct settings.
LTE must be enabled for VPN Link functionality.
The Active Tasks window is an interface that displays ongoing activities, which is particularly important when conducting surveys. After touchdown, the photos and collected metadata are processed.
The Safety page is used to configure the most important failsafe settings. To access these settings, click on the Safety icon at the bottom of the Vehicle Overview window.
Auterion Suite provides advanced connected vehicle features for the DeltaQuad Evo. To access these settings, click on the Cloud icon at the bottom of the Vehicle Overview window.
Current Features Offered
Live Telemetry: View the vehicle's position and status on a live map.
Live Video: Watch a live video feed from the connected camera.
Picture Upload: Automatically upload all photos taken during a flight.
Getting Started
Before using these connected features, each vehicle must be registered with the Auterion Suite.
Prerequisites
Ensure the vehicle is connected to a network, either via cellular or an internet-enabled Wi-Fi connection.
Wi-Fi Setup from AMC
Connect your computer or device to the vehicle via USB-C.
Once the features are enabled in the vehicle's dashboard, the cloud options available in AMC can be configured.
The More tab provides access to GPS Advanced Settings and the About tab.
To access GPS Advanced Settings, click the More icon in the lower-right corner of the Vehicle Overview window.
The following three settings can be toggled on or off:
The About tab displays information about the software versions.
You can switch between the two views by clicking on the AMC Menu icon.
The following two chapters will explain in detail the and the layout.
Vehicle Overview: In the Overview tab, additional sensors are accessible for calibration, along with more options within specific sensor categories. Only Compass Calibration may be necessary in some circumstances. For more information about Compass Calibration, please read .
For a detailed overview of AMC's Top Bar items, please revisit the chapter .
The Plan Tools provide quick access to essential features for planning autonomous missions, such as adding waypoints, inserting survey or scan patterns, and saving, loading, uploading, or downloading mission plans.
Select the Waypoint Tool to enable adding new waypoints to the map.
Select the Point Of Interest (POI) Tool to enable adding a point of interest on the map. The camera gimbal will point toward the last POI created.
Select the Cancel POI Tool to cancel the last point of interest on the map.
Select the Pattern Tool to add or load a Survey or Corridor pattern. Additionally, a KML/SHP file can be loaded.
The Center Tool gives multiple options to center the map.
The Measurement Tool button opens a menu.
The Terrain Altitude Indicator is used to ensure that the mission is set above ground level. It can be toggled to be visible or hidden using the button (Terrain) next to the Measurement Tool.
The Sensors tab provides access to all sensors and their calibration screens. The DeltaQuad Evo's sensors come pre-calibrated, no additional calibration is needed. In some cases, a Compass Calibration may be required. For more information about Compass Calibration, please read .
The interactive Preflight Checklist in AMC can be accessed by clicking the icon in the lower-left corner of the Vehicle Overview window. This checklist must be completed before every flight, as it is an integral part of the Pre-flight Checks outlined in this .
Read to learn more about the Safety Features and failsafe settings.
Navigate to the vehicle's dashboard by visiting in your web browser and enable features.
These settings are intended for intermediate pilots and apply specifically to GPS-Denied Operations. For more information about GPS-denied Operations, please refer to the section in this manual.
Open...
Open a plan file from storage or clear the current mission in the Ground Control Station. This will not affect the plan on the vehicle.
Save
Save previously opened or saved plans under the same name.
Save as...
Save the current plan under a new name.
Save Mission Waypoints as KML ...
Save the current mission as a KML file, which is used by Google Earth.
Recent Missions
Open a menu to access recently created or loaded mission plans.
Upload
Upload the mission plan to the vehicle. Existing plans on the vehicle are cleared.
Download
Download the current plan from the vehicle. The current plan on the Ground Control Station is cleared.
Clear
Clear the mission plan on the Vehicle and AMC. Disabled if no vehicle is connected.
Mission
Center or zoom the map to include all mission waypoints.
All items
Center or zoom the map to include all plan items (missions, geofences, rally points)
Launch
Center the map at the point where the vehicle arms and takes off.
Vehicle
Center the map on the vehicle location. Disabled if no vehicle is connected.
Your Location
Center the map on the location of the Ground Control Station (AMC). Disabled if Ground Control Station does not have location or GPS.
Specified Location
Center the map on a specified location.
Enter geographic, UTM, or MGRS position information, to make it the new map center.
HGT
Height (Heights are referenced to the takeoff location)
MSL
Mean Sea Level (Altitude Above Mean Sea Level)
AGL
Above Ground Level (Altitude Above Ground Level)
Orange (global)
orange.m2m.spec
T-Mobile (US)
fast.t-mobile.com
AT&T (US)
NXTGENPHONE
Verizon (US)
vzwinternet
Bell (CAN)
pda.bell.ca
Telus (CAN)
sp.telus.com
Rogers (CAN)
ltemobile.apn
Freedom Mobile (CAN)
internet.freedommobile.ca
Digitalrepublic (CH)
dr.m2m.ch
Sunrise (CH)
internet
This sections outlines how to prepare a mission plan.
Before the mission plan can be created, the following steps should be taken to ensure safe execution:
A mission plan should only be executed after thoroughly inspecting the entire mission area. All altitude variations and obstacles must be identified and accounted for. Google Earth can be used to gain a clearer understanding of the ground elevation.
Missions must comply with local laws and regulations.
The mission path should be free of obstructions for at least 200 meters in all horizontal directions.
During fixed-wing flight (Aero), the vehicle should maintain an altitude of at least 50 meters above ground level. Toward the end of the mission, it is required to maintain an altitude of 25 meters above obstacles to reduce landing energy consumption and ensure a safe distance from the ground and any obstacles below the flight path. For example, if there are trees in the landing area that are 10 meters tall, the landing altitude should be set to 25 meters above the height of the trees.
The takeoff altitude can be set to 15 meters above any obstacles in the takeoff area. For example, if there are trees in the takeoff area that are 10 meters tall, the takeoff altitude should be set to 15 meters above the height of the trees.
The takeoff and landing sites must consist of a level, flat surface that is free of obstructions for at least 5 by 5 meters.
The takeoff altitude should be set high enough to allow the vehicle to perform a transition in any direction.
The weather conditions must fall within the maximum allowed conditions.
Both the front and back transition paths must be planned in such a way that the vehicle is pointing with its nose into the wind while performing the transition.
The intended mission should not consume more than 85% of the total available energy.
At any point in the mission, the vehicle must be able to return to its takeoff point in a straight line at its current altitude.
At any point in the mission, the vehicle must be able to initiate an unscheduled landing without causing damage to itself or its environment.
For a takeoff that cannot transition directly into the wind, the flight path may be adjusted to the desired transition direction, considering the following guidelines:
The procedure should only be performed in wind conditions below 5 m/s.
The vehicle should be facing into the wind during takeoff. It will automatically adjust its heading toward the transition direction upon reaching the transition altitude.
If the vehicle is not aligned with the wind, it may drift in the wind direction during both forward and backward transition paths. Special care must be taken to avoid any obstacles.
During takeoff and landing, the vehicle will automatically attempt to align its nose into the wind.
Fly
Fly View is used for all operations related to monitoring and controlling vehicle flight. It is the default view displayed on application start.
Plan
Plan View is used to plan autonomous missions, which may include Survey Scans, Corridor Scans, and Geofences.
Vehicle Overview
The Vehicle Overview offers operators an easy way to access the Sensors, Connectivity, and Active Tasks tabs. At the bottom of the window, the automated Preflight Checklist, Safety, and Cloud features are accessible. Under the More tab, GPS Advanced Settings are available if applicable (Tactical and Stealth Editions only).
Advanced
Provides a summary of the vehicle settings and access to sub-menus such as Storage and Parameters. These settings and menus are not relevant for typical drone operators and should not be changed by end users, except when instructed.
Controller
This menu provides the option to test and set up a traditional remote controller or a USB joystick, such as the DeltaQuad Evo handheld controller.
Photos
View photos and videos downloaded from the vehicle. The file location on the GCS can be accessed with a single click.
Analyze
Gives access to Log Download, GeoTag Images, MAVLink Console, and MAVLink Inspector. These settings and menus are not relevant for typical drone operators and should not be changed by end users, except when instructed.
User Acount
Log in or log out of your Auterion account. This associates pilots with flights on the Auterion Suite and is only relevant when using the cloud service.
Settings
Gives access to the Application Settings.
Enable this setting to display the vehicle's raw GPS location (indicated by a gray arrow) on the map, toggle GPS Fusion on or off, and manually reset the vehicle's position.
Permit takeoff without a GPS lock.
Enable this setting to manually set the vehicle's Home Position.
This section provides an overview of the Advanced tab and the items relevant to the operator.
The Advanced tab can be accessed via the AMC menu.
The first tab is the Summary menu, which displays the vehicle settings. The tabs on the left side are the menus for configuring each of the displayed components.
These settings and menus are not relevant for typical drone operators and should not be changed by end users, except when instructed.
The Storage Setup is crucial for missions where the collected data must remain confidential under all circumstances.
For more information about recording Flight Logs and the available options to disable log recording, please read here.
In the Parameters tab, you can apply under-the-hood changes to the vehicle settings. This is relevant only for special operations that fall outside the standard user profile, such as Offshore or GPS-denied Operations. For more information on which parameters can be changed, please refer to the Advanced Flight chapter.
This section provides an overview of the Photos menu.
The Photos tab can be accessed via the AMC menu.
In the Photos tab, all snapshots taken during a mission are displayed for easy review.
In the lower-right corner of the screen, two buttons are available for quick access to the storage location of the photos and videos stored on the GCS.
When clicking one of the buttons, a File Manager window opens, displaying the storage location and file path.
Snapshots are always stored directly on the Toughbook. The video storage location can be selected in the ISR payload settings in AMC. The Onboard Storage can be enabled, allowing videos to be stored on a Micro SD card in the ISR payload, or disabled, in which case videos are stored directly on the Toughbook.
The following section outlines the options available in the Controller tab.
The Controller tab can be accessed via the AMC menu.
The DeltaQuad Evo Tactical Edition does not utilize a traditional radio controller. Instead, the DeltaQuad Evo handheld controller functions as a joystick. Consequently, all controller settings can be configured under the Joystick tab. The Radio tab is irrelevant for the DeltaQuad Evo Tactical.
The DeltaQuad Evo handheld controller comes pre-configured and works as a plug-and-play device. For more information about stick and button assignments, please read here.
Changing the settings in the Joystick tab is recommended only for experienced operators with sufficient knowledge of the subject matter.
To verify stick input and assign actions to controller buttons, ensure the handheld controller is connected to the Toughbook. Both the GCS and the vehicle must also be powered on and connected.
In the General tab, the joystick can be enabled, and the stick input can be verified by moving the controller sticks.
In the Button Assignment tab, commands can be applied to the available buttons on the handheld controller. When you press a button on the controller, the corresponding field will light up, and an action can be assigned.
Actions or commands will be executed immediately upon being triggered by the controller buttons. Assign actions to the controller buttons with caution, as commands like Emergency Shutdown are irreversible. When triggered in mid-air, a crash is imminent.
By default, only the controller's shoulder buttons are assigned for the zoom functionality of the ISR payloads.
If required, the controller sticks can be calibrated. After clicking Start, you will be guided through the process.
The Settings tab provides additional options for configuring the controller. We recommend leaving these settings at their default values. These options may become relevant when using a traditional remote controller as a USB input device.
This chapter provides an overview of Auterion Mission Control, the ground control software for the DeltaQuad Evo.
The DeltaQuad Evo utilizes Auterion Mission Control (AMC) as its primary ground control software, optimized for touchscreen devices. The DeltaQuad Evo Toughbook features a touchscreen that can be operated with either fingertips or the pen located on the right side.
Start the application by clicking on the AMC icon on the Desktop or the Taskbar at the bottom of the screen.
The Fly View is displayed as the default view upon starting the app.
The following section provides an overview of the sub-menus within the Analyze tab."
The Analyze tab can be accessed via the AMC menu.
The Log Download tab allows for manual log file downloads. For more information on how to manually download the log files, please read here.
The GeoTag Images tab is not relevant for the DeltaQuad Evo Tactical Edition, as it withholds geolocation data by default. Therefore, mapping payloads such as the Sony A7R Mark 4 cannot be operated with the DeltaQuad Evo Tactical.
The MAVLink Console and MAVLink Inspector menus are not relevant for typical drone operators and should not be modified by end users unless specifically instructed.
The following section explains how to log in to your User Account in AMC.
The User Account tab can be accessed via the AMC menu.
Pilots can log into their Suite account directly from AMC, enabling automatic tracking of flight hours in the Auterion Suite. Utilizing the Auterion cloud service is a prerequisite.
When logging in or out you'll be directed to your default browser.
Log in to your Auterion account.
Authorize access to Mission Control if prompted.
Open Mission Control (it should now display you as logged in).
You’re now successfully logged in!
This section explores the various elements of the Fly View.
In the Fly View, missions are executed and monitored. The operator has two layouts available: by default, the Map is the Primary View, while the Video Feed is the Secondary View. You can change the layout by clicking the small window in the lower-left corner.
Primary View - map, Secondary View - video feed:
Primary view - video feed, Secondary View - map:
The smaller Secondary Window in the lower-left corner can be resized by clicking the two arrows in the upper-right corner. Drag the window to adjust it to your desired size.
The following list outlines the actions that can be performed within the Secondary Window.
Minimize or maximize the window.
Adjust the size of the window.
Detach the window from the lower-left corner.
The available Fly Tools change depending on whether the map or video feed is the Primary View. When the map is the Primary View, all Fly Tools are accessible. Conversely, when the video feed is the Primary View, the payload controls on the right side of the screen become available.
Map is the Primary View: All Fly Tools, Flight, and Map Tools are available (when running AMC in Advanced Mode) on the left side of the screen.
Video Feed is the Primary View: Payload controls, if applicable (in this example, ISR payload), are available on the right side of the screen, while Fly Tools (selection), Flight, and Map Tools are accessible on the left side.
The available payload controls depend on the mounted payload. The different payload controls will be discussed separately in their dedicated sections.
The following list outlines all the elements of the Fly View.
For a detailed overview of AMC's Top Bar items, please revisit the chapter AMC Top Bar.
AMC Menu
Vehicle Status Indicator
Flight Mode Selector and Indicator
Emergency Actions and Arm/Disarm Status
Radio Link Indicator/Selector
GPS Status/GPS Fusion
Data Link Signal Strength Indicator
LTE Status and Signal Strength Indicator
Vehicle Battery Status/Energy Consumption
GCS Battery Status
Telemetry Dashboard
Video Feed (payload-dependent)
Map Tools
Flight Tools
Fly Tools (Quick Access)
Estimated Flight Time Remaining
Geo-Tracking Dashboard (ISR payload)
Map, Mission Items, Smart Actions, Vehicle Location (blue arrow), and Vehicle Track (red trail)
When zooming in and out, a Scale Indicator appears at the bottom of the screen to show the current zoom scale. To use the zoom function, you can either use the mouse wheel or the touchscreen. It indicates the scale of the map based on the zoom level.
The Telemetry Dashboard is located in the lower-right corner of the screen. It is available in both layouts, whether the Map or the Video is the Primary View.
Time Since Armed (approximate flight time)
Distance Between Vehicle and Ground Station
Compass (includes vehicle heading, camera field of view, and direction towards the Ground Control Station)
Roll Index
Wind Direction and Wind Speed
Pitch Index
Altitude Display - Tap the letters above the three dots to switch between different altitude measurements
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)
Vertical Speed
Calibrated Airspeed
Ground Speed/Horizontal Speed
Basic flight operations are initiated by pressing the appropriate button in the Fly Tools. Fly Tools are useful even during manual flight, as they streamline tasks such as Takeoff and RTL. Only the valid tool options for the current vehicle state are displayed, while invalid options are either hidden or grayed out.
Clicking the arrow opens the sidebar, revealing the title next to each icon.
The following Fly Tools are available on the left side of the screen when the Map is in Primary View.
Takeoff
Commands for (Quick) Takeoff—Altitude, Transition Direction, Loiter for Takeoff, and Approach Sectors—can be set.
Return
Return to Launch – The vehicle will return using the approach feature if at least one green sector is set. If no green sector is available, the planned landing pattern will be used.
Hold
Pauses the mission or any ongoing action. The vehicle will loiter at its current location.
Mission
Starts or resumes the planned mission.
All of the above actions will require user confirmation before execution.
The following Flight Tools are available on the left side of the screen when the Map is in Primary View and AMC is running in Advanced Mode.
POI
Orbit
Sets an Orbit with selectable altitude, radius, and loiter direction.
Figure of 8
Sets a Figure-8 with selectable size and altitude. The Figure-8 automatically realigns to keep the POI in view when a POI is set.
Change Airspeed
Enables the operator to change the Airspeed. When clicked, the Airspeed Slider appears on the right side of the screen, with values ranging from 14 m/s to 23 m/s available.
Land
Multirotor Mode (Hover): Land the vehicle at the current location and disarm (option visible if flying).
Fixed-wing Mode (Aero): Transition to Multirotor Mode (Hover) and land at the current location.
VTOL Transition
VTOL Transition is used to toggle a transition between VTOL Fixed-wing (Aero) and Multirotor (Hover) modes. (Only available in AMC Advanced Mode).
Target
Following
The vehicle actively follows a tracked target. To engage in Target-Following mode, you must first track a target.
All of the above actions will require user confirmation before execution.
When using the Orbit or Figure-8 command, the Altitude Slider is presented on the right side of the screen with a fixed minimum and maximum altitude. The operator can choose an altitude between these values.
These values can be changed in AMC menu -> Settings -> General -> Fly View.
The following Map Tools are available on the left side of the screen when the map is in Primary View and AMC is running in Advanced Mode.
Center Map
Centers the map on the vehicle or GCS location, if available.
Marker
Place markers to enhance situational awareness.
Clear Path
Delete the flight path to clear the map.
Map Layers
Switch between map layers.
Load KML overly
Import a KML file to the map.
Measure
Opens the Measurement Tools.
Different Marker Tool categories can be selected by color and shape. Click on the map to set the marker.
On the right side of the screen, an option will be available to set coordinates for the specific marker.
To delete a marker, select it on the map and click on the small Trash Bin.
To delete all markers, click on the Trash Bin icon in the Marker Tool menu.
The distance between two points can be measured, or the area can be calculated as a selectable polygon. Selecting Clear All will delete all Measurement Tools on the map.
Coordinates can be entered manually, and specific points can be removed.
The Fly View presents important warnings in a highly visible popup, alerting you to any unexpected behavior or issues. When possible, the notification will also provide the cause of the problem and suggest any required actions. Less critical messages, along with any missed warnings, are logged and can be accessed in the Vehicle Overview.
This section provides practical tips for mission planning.
An internet connection is needed for AMC to access the necessary map and elevation data. When operating in offline mode, map and elevation data can be downloaded beforehand through the AMC Menu -> Settings -> Offline Maps.
The altitude calculations in AMC and any Geographic Information System (GIS) software, such as Google Earth, do not account for the height of trees and obstacles. However, Google Earth has a higher resolution in terms of altitude calculation. In challenging conditions, it is recommended to consult Google Earth and verify the correct altitudes of the mission area. Mission plans can be exported as a KML file by navigating to File -> Local Storage -> Save as KML and then imported into Google Earth. By moving the mouse around, you can see the absolute altitudes in the bottom right corner. Note: these are ground altitudes, not tree-top heights.
The flight path can be extended to the ground to visualize the space between the mission altitude and the ground. In Google Earth, select the Flight Path -> Properties -> Altitude -> check Extend path to ground.
The indicated Orbit in the case of a loiter down is only an estimate. Based on wind conditions and the vehicle’s position, the DeltaQuad Evo may drift outside this circle by up to 100 meters. Therefore, be sure to thoroughly inspect the entire landing area and its surroundings.
In most cases, the Straight Land Pattern is a better approach and is the recommended standard for the landing pattern.
Planning altitudes should always be done relative to the Landing Point (HGT), and altitude differences between the Landing Points and the location of the Landing Orbit should be checked to ensure a safe landing.
A vertical takeoff or landing in Multirotor Mode (Hover) consumes significantly more energy than a Fixed-Wing (Aero) flight. For maximum efficiency, an altitude between 25 and 35 meters above the highest obstacles in the landing area is recommended for landing.
At every stage in the Fixed-Wing portion of the flight, a vertical separation of at least 25 meters above the highest obstacle must be maintained.
Most wind forecasts are based on ground-level wind. Even 10 meters above the ground the wind can be significantly stronger.
During the transition phase of the Transition Direction item, the vehicle has limited navigational abilities and could drift from its intended direction. The transition should therefore always be performed at an altitude where it is safe for the vehicle to perform the transition in any direction.
When planning a mission in the Plan View, a simulated flight path prediction is available if the DeltaQuad Evo is connected to the GCS. The simulated flight path, represented in blue, helps plan smoother directional and altitude changes between waypoints by indicating a loiter at a new waypoint if the climb rate is too high for the vehicle. The simulated flight path is enabled by default and can be accessed through AMC Menu -> Settings -> Plan View.
This section explains how to properly plan waypoints.
Waypoints are pre-set GPS coordinates that guide the aircraft along a specific path. Each waypoint includes information like altitude, action commands, and other flight parameters. As the DeltaQuad Evo flies autonomously, it follows these waypoints in sequence, adjusting its position to stay on course. This allows for precise navigation during missions such as surveying, mapping, inspections, and cargo drops.
After the Mission Start Action has been planned, Waypoints can be added by clicking anywhere on the map. Select the Waypoint Tool from the Plan Tools on the left side of the screen.
Click anywhere on the map to designate a location for the waypoint.
After placing the Waypoint on the map, the Mission tab in the Mission Editor on the right side of the screen will open.
When clicking on the waypoint number, the Waypoint Summary opens, where all planned waypoints, survey and corridor items, and custom actions are available. Click on any of them to jump to the selected item.
Waypoint type changes the waypoint command. The following Waypoint Commands are available in AMC's Normal Mode.
The vehicle will fly to the User-specified Location and Altitude, and once there, continue on to the next mission item. If there is no mission item after the waypoint, the vehicle will orbit in place at the waypoint’s location.
The vehicle will travel to the User-defined Orbit Location and Altitude. Once it arrives, the vehicle will Orbit the area until the specified orbit time expires, then it will proceed to the next mission item.
If the altitude of an Orbit (time) or Waypoint mission item is different from the vehicle’s current altitude, the vehicle will fly directly to the mission item in a straight line. It will not first ascend or descend to match the mission item’s altitude before proceeding forward.
If the vehicle’s climb or descent rate isn’t sufficient to reach the destination mission item on a direct path, it will orbit at the mission item’s horizontal position until it completes the climb or descent to the required altitude.
Orbit Time defines the duration of the Orbit Command, while Orbit Radius determines the size of the Orbit. Exit orbit from provides two choices for where within the Orbit the vehicle will exit.
The vehicle will fly to the Orbit (altitude) point at its current mission altitude. Only after reaching the horizontal location of the Orbit (altitude) will the vehicle begin climbing or descending to the user-specified altitude. This behavior differs from that of the other mission items described above. When using Orbit (altitude), be especially cautious about terrain collisions.
Orbit (altitude) is suitable for reaching a specific altitude before the flight path continues. This is necessary to avoid terrain collisions if the vehicle cannot achieve the required climb or descent rate directly on route.
Altitude defines the final height of the Orbit Command, while Orbit Radius determines the size of the Orbit. Exit orbit from provides two choices for where within the Orbit the vehicle will exit.
A waypoint that becomes a Custom Action attaches itself to the former Waypoint. This Custom Action can be used, for example, to enable or disable the Stealth Switch or to plan a Cargo Drop. The Stealth Switch and the Cargo Drop will be discussed in a later chapter in this manual.
The Altitude Frame is set to HGT by default. For standard operation, it is recommended to leave this setting as it is.
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)
Set the Altitude of the Waypoint using the Altitude Slider or by typing in the desired value. The Default Waypoints altitude is set in the Mission Start Action and can be adjusted for each Waypoint individually. The following Waypoint automatically inherits the altitude of the previous Waypoint.
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.
The Waypoint can be deleted by clicking the Red Trash Bin in the lower right corner of the Mission Editor window. By clicking the Three Dashes in the lower left corner of the Mission Editor window, Geographic Coordinates can be inserted for the Waypoint. Insert the values for the coordinate system of your choice and click Set to confirm the coordinates. Set From Vehicle Position will set the Waypoint to the current vehicle position.
Select the POI Tool from the Plan Tools on the left side of the screen. Click on the map where you want to set the POI location. The camera gimbal will automatically point towards the most recently created POI.
In the Mission Editor, located on the right side of the screen, the POI menu displays the following settings.
For the POI the Altitude Frame is set to AGL by default. It is recommended to leave this setting as it is.
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)
The altitude of the POI can be set using the Altitude Slider. In most cases, it is recommended to leave this value at 0 m.
The POI can be deleted by clicking the Red Trash Bin in the lower right corner of the Mission Editor window. By clicking the Three Dashes in the lower left corner of the Mission Editor window, Geographic Coordinates can be inserted for the POI. Insert the values for the coordinate system of your choice and click Set to confirm the coordinates. Set From Vehicle Position will set the Waypoint to the current vehicle position.
To cancel the POI, select the Cancel POI tool from the Plan Tools.
This section explains how to plan a mission that facilitates the stealth switch.
The Stealth Switch is a feature that allows the DeltaQuad Evo to turn off all radio emissions, making it undetectable to interception systems. When activated, the vehicle disables all radio transmissions, ensuring it operates in complete stealth mode.
The operator can plan missions with predefined stealth operation phases using Auterion Tactical Stack Avionics. The drone autonomously executes these stealth phases and then reconnects with the operator at a designated point in the mission.
To ensure a successful stealth operation, the settings for the Data Link Loss Failsafe Trigger are always ignored and set to disabled by default during mission plan execution. This prevents the stealth mission from being aborted (e.g., by initiating Return-to-Launch) if radio transmission is cut.
To use the Stealth Switch, a mission plan must be created. Plan a VTOL Takeoff and Transition, along with Intermediate Waypoints, up to the location where you wish to engage the Stealth Switch. Please review the instructions for planning a , and
To engage the Stealth Switch, an additional waypoint must be planned, which will be set as a Custom Action Command.
Create a waypoint at the location and altitude where the Stealth Switch should be engaged. In the example below, the Stealth Switch should be engaged at waypoint 3.
Create a waypoint anywhere on the map.
In the Mission Editor, on the right side of the screen, click on the Waypoint type (Waypoint).
A menu will open, allowing you to Select a Waypoint Type, choose Action.
As soon as the Waypoint Type is set to Action, Waypoint 4 will be attached to Waypoint 3 as a Custom Action.
In the Mission Editor, the Action tab is available on the right side of the screen. When you click on it, a drop-down menu will appear. Select Turn radio off.
We have now planned for the Stealth Switch to engage at Waypoint 3. From that point onward, all subsequent waypoints will be flown without any radio emissions, meaning no radio connection to the GCS. Now, let’s plan the next waypoint where the Stealth Switch will disengage. We will place this at Waypoint 4, just beyond the riverbed.
If we now click on the Waypoint Summary at the top of the Mission Editor, the Custom Action attached to Waypoint 3 is listed as Action.
Since Custom Actions are not displayed on the map, the only way to access and change their settings is through the Waypoint Summary.
We create another Waypoint anywhere on the map, which will be set as the Custom Action to disengage the Stealth Switch. In the Mission Editor, on the right side of the screen, click on the Waypoint type (Waypoint).
A menu will open, allowing you to Select a Waypoint Type, choose Action.
As soon as the Waypoint Type is set to Action, Waypoint 5 will be attached to Waypoint 4 as a Custom Action to disengage the Stealth Switch.
In the Mission Editor, select Turn radio on from the drop-down menu in the Action tab.
After a few seconds, the Radio Connection with the GCS should be re-established. From this point, the mission can continue with another Stealth Switch activation or a landing at the home position.
In fixed-wing UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), the acceptance radius refers to the radius around a waypoint within which the UAV considers itself to have reached that waypoint and can proceed to the next. It’s a tolerance value, typically measured in meters, that allows for slight deviations due to wind or other factors affecting flight path accuracy.
For fixed-wing UAVs, the acceptance radius is usually larger compared to rotary-wing UAVs because fixed-wing aircraft can’t make sharp turns and require a smoother, more gradual transition between waypoints.
Typical acceptance radius values for fixed-wing UAVs range from 5 to 50 meters, depending on factors like mission type, aircraft speed, and waypoint precision required. If the UAV enters this radius, it will consider the waypoint achieved and adjust its heading toward the next one.
This chapter covers the key aspects of mission planning.
The DeltaQuad Evo is designed for autonomous flight, accomplished through the planning and execution of missions. Missions can be planned using the Ground Control Station and can be created and sent directly to the vehicle, loaded from existing mission plans, or saved for future use. The following sections provide an overview of the fundamental steps involved in planning a mission for the DeltaQuad Evo.
The following section outlines the options available in the Settings menu.
The Settings menu can be accessed via the AMC menu.
The General Settings serve as the primary location for application-level configuration. Configurable options include display units, miscellaneous settings, fly view settings, plan view settings, and storage. These values can be adjusted even when no vehicle is connected. Settings that require a vehicle restart are indicated in the user interface.
The following list outlines the most frequently used settings for day-to-day operations.
Units
Switches between the metric and imperial systems.
Miscellaneous
Color Scheme: Switches between Indoor and Outdoor color profiles.
UI Scaling: Adjusts the scaling of the user interface.
Always Start AMC in Advanced Mode: Ensures AMC opens in Advanced Mode by default.
Fly View
Use Preflight Checklist: Enforces the interactive Preflight Checklist.
Enable Terrain Collision Checks: Keep this enabled for safety!
Display MGRS Coordinates: Toggles MGRS coordinates; when disabled, the Lat-Lon decimal system is active.
Altitude Mode (HGT/MSL/AGL): By default, set to HGT, which measures altitude relative to the Home Location.
Guided Minimum/Maximum Altitude: Affects the values displayed on the Altitude Slider in Fly View when adjusting altitude.
Guided Maximum Distance: Indicates the maximum orbital distance relative to the vehicle's location.
Plan View
Default Waypoints Altitude: Sets the default altitude for waypoints, which can also be adjusted in the Plan View.
Waypoints Maximum Altitude: Specifies the maximum waypoint altitude, typically set to the altitude ceiling permitted by laws and regulations.
VTOL Transition Distance: Defines the distance at which the vehicle transitions from multirotor mode (Hover) to fixed-wing mode (Aero).
Missions Do Not Require Takeoff Item: Important for quick takeoffs, mission planning, and uploading in mid-air.
Display Simulated Path During Mission Planning: A helpful tool that simulates the flight path of the Evo based on the programmed mission items.
Enable Mission Cloud Sync: When utilizing Auterion’s cloud features, mission plans can be synchronized with the Auterion Suite.
Telemetry Logs from Vehicle
Save Log After Each Flight: Basic telemetry logging in AMC is enabled by default. To disable it, uncheck the checkbox. This setting is relevant for missions where no telemetry data should be recorded, not even on the GCS.
Team Awareness
The Comm Links feature enables you to manually create and connect to communication links. To add a new Comm Link, simply click the Add button. This menu is relevant when connecting a Secondary Control Terminal or when connecting to the Auterion Suite to use the simulator.
This feature allows you to cache maps for offline use.
At the bottom of the screen, options to import and export map data are available. Options provide additional caching choices and allow you to enter the Mapbox Access Token.
When you select Add New Set at the top of the screen, you can choose map tiles for download.
On the right side of the screen, options for Name, Map Type, Elevation Profile, and Zoom Levels are available. After making your selections, the Tile Count and Estimated Size (storage) are displayed. Click Download to commence the download.
In the Maps & Terrain tab, you will find three submenus:
Third-PartyThird Party Licensing: Enter your personal access token for maps.
Imagery: Customize your map provider and map type, and set custom imagery.
Terrain: Select an elevation provider.
These settings and menus are generally not relevant for typical drone operators and should not be modified by end users unless specifically instructed.
This section provides an overview of how to plan a survey pattern.
A corridor Scan is a flight pattern designed to survey or monitor a long, narrow area, such as roads, pipelines, coastlines, or borders. In ISR operations, Corridor Scans are particularly useful because they can efficiently cover vast stretches of terrain while maintaining a high altitude. This allows for continuous monitoring of infrastructure, moving targets, or environmental changes over long distances, with minimal fuel or energy consumption.
For mapping, Corridor Scans are valuable when creating detailed maps of linear features like roads or utility lines, where precision and consistency over narrow, extended areas are required.
Payload-specific corridor scans are discussed in their respective sections within this manual.
Once the Mission Start Action has been created, a Corridor Scan can be placed anywhere on the map to autonomously cover an area by flying a predefined path. To do this, click on the Pattern Tool in the Plan Tools located on the right side of the screen and choose Corridor Scan.
A Corridor Scan item will be created and the Mission Editor on the right side of the screen will display the Corridor Scan Settings.
For ISR operations, it is recommended to choose Manual (no camera specs) as this provides direct access to the Corridor Scan Altitude and Spacing without the need to set the Overlaps.
Survey settings for specific mapping payloads are covered in their respective chapters.
The Survey area selector offers tools to create shapes for the Survey Pattern.
Creates a rectangular corridor on the map. Use the vertices to shape the form and to reposition it. Clicking the plus sign in the green survey area adds additional vertices.
The Trace Tool lets the operator draw a Corridor Scan by clicking anywhere on the map. Use the vertices to shape the form and to reposition it. Clicking the plus sign in the green survey area adds additional vertices.
Click on a vertex with the left mouse button to remove it or enter geo-coordinates for that specific point.
During tracing, the map can be dragged by holding down the Ctrl key on the keyboard and dragging the map with the right mouse button.
Once tracing is complete, confirm by clicking the Done Tracing button in the Mission Editor.
This provides the option to import KML or SHP files for the survey pattern.
Altitude sets the altitude of the Corridor Scan, which is usually relative to the Home Position.
Spacing determines the distance between the transects (trajectories within the green survey area). Spacing on the left side is 180 meters, and spacing on the right side is 50 meters.
The Trigger Distance can be ignored. Payload-dependent survey planning will be discussed in the dedicated chapters.
The Corridor tab provides additional settings.
Set the Width of the Corridor Scan by using the slider or entering a value. On the left side, the Width is 200 meters, and on the right side, it is 50 meters.
The Turnaround Distance refers to the horizontal distance the drone travels beyond the survey area's edge at the end of a transect before making a turn to start the next parallel transect. This buffer provides the drone with enough space to turn, and align itself accurately for the next pass, ensuring smooth transitions between flight lines. Set the Turnaround Distance by moving the slider or entering a value. On the left side, the Turnaround Distance is 50 meters, and on the right side, it is 300 meters.
The Options tab provides two additional settings for the Corridor Scan.
The Images in turnarounds option is important for Corridor Scans using a mapping payload, such as the Sony A7R Mark IV. This option will be discussed in the dedicated payload chapter and is not relevant to ISR operations.
Relative altitude: When enabled, altitudes are relative to the home point. When disabled, altitudes are measured above mean sea level (AMSL).
Be cautious and always double-check ground elevation.
Rotate Entry Point determines the vehicle's entry and exit locations for the Corridor Scan. Click the button to toggle through all possible positions.
The Corridor Scan can be deleted by clicking the Red Trash Bin in the lower right corner of the Mission Editor window.
By clicking the Three Dashes in the lower left corner of the Mission Editor window, the option Edit Position appears. Insert the values for the coordinate system of your choice and click Set to confirm the coordinates.
Always verify the ground elevation using the Terrain Altitude Indicator. A ground collision is indicated when the orange line turns red in the Terrain Altitude Indicator.
This section explains how to properly plan a VTOL takeoff and transition.
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.
First, enter the Plan View via the AMC Menu.
When the Plan View is selected the Mission Editor appears on the right side of the screen.
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.
The Transition Direction item must be planned so that the vehicle performs the Takeoff and Transition into the wind.
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.
If the vehicle is not connected to AMC during mission planning, make sure to select VTOL for the Vehicle Type.
After the VTOL Takeoff and Transition Direction item is placed, the VTOL Takeoff Altitude must be set.
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.
Set the VTOL Takeoff Altitude by adjusting the Altitude Slider or by typing in the desired altitude.
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.
The Altitude Frame is set to HGT by default. For standard operation, it is recommended to leave this setting as it is.
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.
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.
This section provides an overview of how to plan a survey pattern.
A Survey Pattern is a pre-planned flight path designed to systematically cover a specific area, essential for missions such as aerial mapping, inspections, and agricultural monitoring. In Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations, using survey patterns offers several key benefits:
Maximized Coverage: Survey patterns like grid or spiral paths ensure that all areas of interest are fully covered, leaving no gaps in data collection. This is crucial in ISR operations for monitoring large areas, tracking enemy movements, or surveying infrastructure.
Improved Efficiency: Pre-programmed flight patterns optimize the UAV’s flight time, allowing for efficient data collection over large areas without unnecessary overlap. This ensures quicker intelligence gathering, which is vital in time-sensitive ISR missions.
Accurate Intelligence: By maintaining consistent flight paths, UAVs can collect high-resolution imagery and sensor data. This enhances situational awareness, enabling decision-makers to assess threats, gather battlefield intelligence, or monitor border areas with precision.
Reduced Human Error: Automated flight patterns reduce the need for constant manual control, minimizing the risk of human error during data collection. This is particularly beneficial in high-risk ISR missions where focus on data analysis is critical.
Adaptability: Survey patterns can be adapted for different terrains or mission needs, such as contour-following for topographic analysis. This versatility is crucial in ISR operations, where varied environments and mission parameters are common.
In ISR missions, the systematic, automated coverage offered by survey patterns ensures comprehensive surveillance, rapid intelligence collection, and enhanced operational decision-making, contributing to mission success.
Payload-specific survey patterns are discussed in their respective sections within this manual.
Once the Mission Start Action has been created, a Survey Pattern can be placed anywhere on the map to autonomously cover an area by flying a predefined path. To do this, click on the Pattern Tool in the Plan Tools located on the right side of the screen and choose Survey.
A Survey item will be created and the Mission Editor on the right side of the screen will display the Survey Settings.
For ISR operations, it is recommended to choose Manual (no camera specs) as this provides direct access to the Survey Altitude and Spacing without the need to set the Overlaps.
Survey settings for specific mapping payloads are covered in their respective chapters.
The Survey area selector offers predefined shapes for the Survey Pattern.
Creates a rectangular survey on the map. Use the outer vertices to shape the form and the green vertex in the middle of the pattern to reposition it. Clicking the plus sign on the survey edge adds additional vertices.
Creates a circular survey on the map. Use the outer vertex to expand or contract the shape, and the green vertex in the middle of the pattern to reposition it.
The Trace Tool lets the operator draw a survey form by clicking anywhere on the map. Use the outer vertices to shape the form and the green vertex in the middle of the pattern to reposition it. Clicking the plus sign on the survey edge adds additional vertices.
Click on a vertex with the left mouse button to remove it or enter geo-coordinates for that specific point.
During tracing, the map can be dragged by holding down the Ctrl key on the keyboard and dragging the map with the right mouse button.
Once tracing is complete, confirm by clicking the Done Tracing button in the Mission Editor.
This provides the option to import KML or SHP files for the survey pattern.
Altitude sets the altitude of the Survey Pattern, which is usually relative to the Home Position.
Spacing determines the distance between the transects (trajectories within the green survey area). Spacing on the left side is 50 meters, and spacing on the right side is 150 meters.
The Trigger Distance can be ignored. Payload-dependent survey planning will be discussed in the dedicated chapters.
Pattern Options provide additional settings for the Survey.
Set the Pattern angle by moving the slide or entering a value. On the left side, the Pattern angle is 90 degrees, and on the right side, it is 180 degrees.
The Turnaround Distance refers to the horizontal distance the drone travels beyond the survey area's edge at the end of a transect before making a turn to start the next parallel transect. This buffer provides the drone with enough space to turn, and align itself accurately for the next pass, ensuring smooth transitions between flight lines. Set the Turnaround Distance by moving the slider or entering a value. On the left side, the Turnaround Distance is 50 meters, and on the right side, it is 300 meters.
Rotate Entry Point determines the vehicle's entry and exit locations for the survey. Click the button to toggle through all possible positions.
The Options tab provides four additional options for the survey item.
Refly at a 90-degree offset adds vertical trajectories to the horizontal ones. This is typically used for mapping missions, as it collects twice the amount of data, which is useful for creating a 3D map, for example. This tool can also be useful for ISR operations, as it covers the area in question twice.
The Images in turnarounds option is important for survey missions using a mapping payload, such as the Sony A7R Mark IV. This option will be discussed in the dedicated payload chapter and is not relevant to ISR operations.
Fly alternate transects - When not selected the vehicle is flying the exact pattern line after line.
The DeltaQuad Evo has less space between the two lines to perform the turnaround and re-enter the survey area. When Fly alternate transects is enabled the vehicle will fly constantly skipping one line. When reaching the end, the DeltaQuad Evo will fly back and follow the lines it previously skipped. This option will be discussed in the dedicated payload chapter and is not relevant to ISR operations.
Relative altitude: When enabled, altitudes are relative to the home point. When disabled, altitudes are measured above mean sea level (AMSL).
Be cautious and always double-check ground elevation.
The Survey item can be deleted by clicking the Red Trash Bin in the lower right corner of the Mission Editor window.
By clicking the Three Dashes in the lower left corner of the Mission Editor window, the option Edit Position appears. Insert the values for the coordinate system of your choice and click Set to confirm the coordinates.
Always verify the ground elevation using the Terrain Altitude Indicator. A ground collision is indicated when the orange line turns red in the Terrain Altitude Indicator.
The Vehicle follows terrain option allows the aircraft to maintain a constant distance from the ground. If the ground elevation changes, the vehicle adjusts its altitude accordingly. This option will be discussed in the dedicated payload chapter and is not relevant to ISR operations.
A fixed-wing aircraft has limited capabilities to follow ground elevation due to its need for constant forward movement to generate lift. This continuous motion restricts its ability to make quick altitude adjustments. Additionally, fixed-wing aircraft have a limited climb and descent rate, meaning they cannot rapidly adapt to sudden changes in terrain elevation, unlike multirotor drones that can hover and change altitude more quickly.
The Presets tab allows you to save settings as a preset for frequent use and load existing presets.
This section explains how to properly plan a transition and VTOL landing.
The DeltaQuad Evo is a VTOL UAV capable of Fixed-wing Flight (Aero Mode) and Vertical Takeoff and Landing (Hover Mode). Unlike traditional UAVs requiring a landing runway, the DeltaQuad Evo transitions seamlessly from Fixed-wing Mode to Multirotor Mode for VTOL landings. During this transition, the aircraft switches from using its forward thrust for horizontal flight to relying on its rotors for vertical lift, allowing it to hover and land precisely.
This capability offers several advantages:
No runway required: It can land in confined spaces, making it suitable for urban, mountainous, or remote areas.
Versatile operations: The vehicle can fly long distances in efficient Fixed-wing Mode and switch to Multirotor Mode for precise VTOL landings.
Reduced risk: VTOL landings reduce the risk of damage from hard landings or rough terrain.
After all Intermediate Waypoints have been planned, click the End tab in the Mission Editor on the right side of the screen. Three options for the Mission End Action will be displayed.
By choosing either Add Orbit Land Pattern or Add Straight Land Pattern, the following two options will be available if the vehicle is connected to the AMC.
It is recommended to choose Move land to vehicle, as it will set the touchdown of the landing to the takeoff location. If the vehicle is not connected to AMC, choose Click on map to set landing location and set the landing location manually.
When choosing Add Orbit Land Pattern, AMC automatically creates the Landing Pattern as shown on the map.
An Orbit Land Pattern involves the vehicle flying in an Orbit around a designated location while gradually descending to a set altitude. Once it reaches the predetermined altitude, the vehicle leaves the Orbit and heads toward the landing location, where it transitions from Fixed-wing Mode to Multirotor Mode, slowing down and hovering directly above the designated landing area. From there, it performs a vertical descent for a precise VTOL landing. This method allows for controlled, safe landings, especially in confined or challenging environments.
The minimum Landing Altitude the vehicle descends to needs to be set at least 25 meters above the highest obstacles in the landing area. For example, if the average tree height in the landing area is 10 meters, the Landing Altitude must be set to at least 35 meters.
At every stage in the fixed-wing portion of the flight, a vertical separation of at least 25 meters above the highest obstacle must be maintained.
When choosing Add Orbit Land Pattern, the following window appears on the right side of the screen, providing options for the Orbit of the Landing Pattern.
The Altitude Frame is set to HGT by default. For standard operation, it is recommended to leave this setting as it is.
Set the Altitude (Land Altitude) to at least 25 meters above any obstacle in the landing area.
It is recommended to leave the Radius at 100 meters. 75 meters is possible in calm winds.
The indicated Orbit in the case of a loiter down is only an estimate. The DeltaQuad Evo may drift outside this Orbit by up to 100 meters based on wind conditions and the vehicle's position. Therefore, thoroughly inspect the entire landing area and its surroundings.
The Orbit Direction will be clockwise by default. This option can be disabled, allowing the Orbit position to be set to the north, which enables a counter-clockwise Orbit Direction.
The direction of the Landing Pattern will be automatically set to match the Takeoff and Transition Direction, assuming that the Transition Direction was planned so that the vehicle can perform the Takeoff and Transition into the wind. The Orbit and, therefore, the Landing Direction can be repositioned if a crosswind landing is necessary. This procedure should only be performed in wind conditions below 5 m/s. The Set to takeoff heading button can be used to realign the landing direction to the vehicle's heading.
The Move land to vehicle option sets the Landing Location to the vehicle’s position when the vehicle is connected to AMC. This can be convenient if the mission was initially planned without the vehicle being connected.
The Mission End Action can be deleted by clicking the Red Ttrash Bin in the lower right corner of the Mission Editor window. By clicking the Three Dashes in the lower left corner of the Mission Editor window, the option Move to vehicle position appears. This option is the same as Move land to vehicle.
When choosing Edit Land Position, a window will open where geographic coordinates can be inserted for the Landing Location. Insert the values for the coordinate system of your choice and click Set to confirm the coordinates. Set From Vehicle Position will set the Landing Location to the current vehicle position.
When choosing Add Straight Land Pattern, AMC automatically creates the Landing Pattern as shown on the map.
A Straight Land Pattern involves the vehicle descending from a set Land Start altitude to the Transition altitude in a straight line. Once it reaches the predetermined Transition altitude, the vehicle heads toward the landing location, where it transitions from Fixed-wing Mode to Multirotor Mode, slowing down and hovering directly above the designated landing area. From there, it performs a vertical descent for a precise VTOL landing. This method allows for controlled, safe landings, especially in confined or challenging environments.
The minimum Transition altitude or Landing Altitude the vehicle descends to needs to be set at least 25 meters above any obstacles in the landing area. For example, if the average tree height in the landing area is 10 meters, the Landing Altitude must be set to at least 35 meters.
When choosing Add Straight Land Pattern, the following window appears on the right side of the screen, providing the following Settings.
The Altitude Frame is set to HGT by default. For standard operation, it is recommended to leave this setting as it is.
Set the Land Start altitude. This is the altitude the vehicle starts its descent to the set Transition altitude.
Set the Transition altitude to at least 25 meters above any obstacle in the landing area.
The direction of the Straight Land Pattern will be automatically set to match the Takeoff and Transition Direction, assuming that the Transition Direction was planned so that the vehicle can perform the Takeoff and Transition into the wind. The Straight Land Pattern can be repositioned if a crosswind landing is necessary. This procedure should only be performed in wind conditions below 5 m/s. The Set to takeoff heading button can be used to realign the landing direction to the vehicle's heading.
The Move land to vehicle option sets the Landing Location to the vehicle’s position when the vehicle is connected to AMC. This can be convenient if the mission was initially planned without the vehicle being connected.
The Mission End Action can be deleted by clicking the Red Trash Bin in the lower right corner of the Mission Editor window. By clicking the Three Dashes in the lower left corner of the Mission Editor window, the option Move to vehicle position appears. This option is the same as Move land to vehicle.
When choosing Edit Land Position, a window will open where geographic coordinates can be inserted for the Landing Location. Insert the values for the coordinate system of your choice and click Set to confirm the coordinates. Set From Vehicle Position will set the Landing Location to the current vehicle position.
The Land start item can be dragged in every direction. If the Land start item is too close to the Transition item where the vehicle is not able to reach the set Transition altitude, a warning will appear on the upper screen, and the orange flight path will turn red. To solve this, lower the Land Start altitude or drag the Land start item further away from the Transition item.
After the mission plan has been created, make sure to verify the ground elevation. The Terrain Altitude Indicator displays the mission height (orange top line) and the ground elevation (green ground profile).
After the mission has been planned and all necessary items thoroughly checked, the mission plan can be uploaded to the vehicle by clicking on the Upload Mission button.
This section outlines the steps involved in planning the Land Approach.
To plan a Quick Takeoff, the DeltaQuad Evo must be connected to the GCS.
Position the vehicle at the desired takeoff location.
Ensure the nose of the vehicle is pointed into the wind.
In the Fly View, click on the Takeoff command.
An Octagon is positioned around the vehicle, divided into 8 red sectors called Pizza Slices.
The first step is to assign the sectors where the vehicle can loiter, transition, and land. This is done by clicking on the relevant sectors. These sectors must be free of obstacles, and since the vehicle should take off and transition into the wind, sectors behind the vehicle should be selected. The vehicle will place the Loiter Down Orbit within the dedicated green area
Grab the vertex at the top of the octagon and move it around for more granular control.
The vehicle places the Loiter Down Orbit within the dedicated Approach Zones (green) so the vehicle can transition and land into the wind. If this is not possible, the vehicle will choose a Loiter Down Orbit as close as possible to this direction, given the limitations of the selected sectors.
Set the altitude for the Back Transition using the Altitude Slider on the right side of the screen. The Altitude Frame is HGT, Height (Heights are referenced to the takeoff location).
The minimum Back Transition/Landing Altitude to which the vehicle descends must be set at least 25 meters above the highest obstacles in the landing area. For example, if the tallest tree in the landing area is 10 meters high, the Landing Altitude must be set to at least 35 meters.
When using the Quick Takeoff, only the Orbit Land Pattern is available as a landing option. A Straight Land Pattern is not available.
Hold to Confirm the settings for the Land Approaches.
This section describes the use and functionality of geofences.
A geofence is a virtual boundary set around a specific geographic area. It restricts where the UAV can fly, often for safety, regulatory compliance, or privacy reasons. If a UAV approaches this boundary, it can trigger automated actions, like alerting the operator, pausing, or returning to a safe area. Geofencing helps prevent UAVs entering restricted zones, such as airports, military areas, or other sensitive locations.
One or more geofences can be placed in the Plan View and uploaded to the vehicle. This is possible with or without a takeoff, waypoint, or landing item being present. This is beneficial when operating the vehicle with the Quick Takeoff functionality while requiring complex geofencing.
A faster and simpler way to create a geofence is to use the Geofence Failsafe Trigger option in the Safety tab, as explained in the following section.
Navigate to the Geofence option in the Safety tab: AMC Menu -> Vehicle Overview -> Safety -> Geofence Failsafe Trigger.
When AMC is running in Normal Mode, the Action on breach tab provides the following four options to choose from. Set the action required for the planned operation.
When enabling Max Radius, a geofence will be placed with the DeltaQuad Evo at its center. Set the values for Max Radius and Max Altitude (HGT) in the respective fields.
Go to the Plan View and navigate to the Extra tab in the Mission Editor on the right side of the screen: AMC Menu → Plan View → Extra.
In the Extra tab, two geofence options are available: Polygon Fences and Circular Fences. Add a geofence by clicking the plus sign next to the desired geofence shape. A geofence will be positioned at the center of the map.
The Polygon Fence can be repositioned by dragging the geofence while holding the inner vertex (green point). Clicking on the outer (white) vertices gives the option to remove a vertex or enter the geocoordinates for that specific point. The outer vertices can also be dragged in any direction to shape the polygon into the desired form.
Clicking any of the plus signs on the geofence adds another vertex.
Hold and drag any of the vertices to shape the polygon.
Hold and drag the inner green vertex to reposition the fence in any direction.
The geofence can be set to be inclusive or exclusive. By default, the Type is set to Inclusion. Change the Type by selecting Exclusion in the respective tab.
Inclusionary geofence: A geofence where the vehicle stays within the defined area; an action is triggered before breaching and leaving the area.
Exclusionary geofence: A geofence that defines an area the vehicle shall not enter; an action is triggered before breaching and entering the area.
The Max Altitude is referenced to the takeoff location (HGT), not above ground level (AGL). Special care must be taken when operating in an area with varying ground elevations.
When adding a Circular Fence, it will be placed at the center of the map.
The radius can be adjusted by holding and dragging the outer vertex left or right. Alternatively, a value for the radius can be set in the Radius tab in the Mission Editor on the right side of the screen.
The Circular Fence can be repositioned by holding and dragging the inner vertex in any direction.
As with the Polygon Fence, the Circular Fence Type can be set to either inclusive or exclusive.
The Max Altitude is referenced to the takeoff location (HGT), not above ground level (AGL). Special care must be taken when operating in an area with varying ground elevations.
When an inclusive geofence is planned with the DeltaQuad Evo outside the geofence, the following two scenarios can occur:
The vehicle will not be able to arm while on the ground, as it is outside the geofence.
The vehicle will trigger the Action on breach when airborne, as it is outside the geofence.
When a exclusive geofence is planned with the DeltaQuad Evo inside the geofence, the following two scenarios can occur:
The vehicle will not be able to arm while on the ground, as it is inside the geofence.
The vehicle will trigger the Action on breach when airborne, as it is inside the geofence.
In Altitude and Position Mode, the vehicle will breach both inclusionary and exclusionary geofences for a small distance until the RTL command is triggered. The system has a delay in responding to a geofence in these modes because the system needs to verify for a longer period that it has breached the geofence.
Rally Point and Breach Return Point are not supported by the DeltaQuad Evo.
(When AMC is running in Advanced mode, Rally Points are available in the Plan Tools on the left side of the screen, and the option to set a Breach Return Point is available in the Mission Editor on the right side of the screen. These options are not supported on the DeltaQuad Evo.)
Clicking the Flight Tools button in the lower-left corner of the screen will open an extra set of commands for controlling the vehicle. When the button is blue, it is active, and the additional commands will be visible. When the button is gray, it is inactive, and the extra commands will be hidden.
Depending on the payload, a Point of Interest can be set. The camera (gimbal) will follow the specified location while the vehicle remains on its flight path. The Point of Interest can be removed by clicking on Cancel PIO:
Clicking the Map Tools button in the lower-left corner of the screen opens the Map Tools. When the button is blue, it is active, and an extra set of commands will be visible. When the button is grey, it is inactive, and the extra commands will be hidden.
The Marker Tool can be used to increase situational awareness. The set markers will also be displayed in the video feed. When clicking on the Marker Tool button, a menu will open.
The Measurement Tool button opens a menu.
This menu is necessary for setting up ATAK. For more information, please read .
The Comm Links menu can be accessed via the AMC menu.
The Offline Maps menu can be accessed via the AMC menu.
The MAVLink and Console menus can be accessed through the AMC menu.
The Mission End Action can be set to a Loiter. This is useful when using the Quick Takeoff functionality, where a mission plan is created and uploaded to the vehicle after takeoff. These mission plans do not use a traditional Takeoff and Transition item, as the Quick Takeoff is used. After the mission plan has been executed, the vehicle will loiter at the planned Orbit location, awaiting the next commands. For more details about the Quick Takeoff, please read .
A ground collision is indicated in the Terrain Altitude Indicator by the orange line turning red. On the map, the orange flight path will turn yellow. For more information about the Terrain Altitude Indicator, please revisit the dedicated section .
It is recommended to double-check the terrain altitudes in Google Earth. For more information, please revisit the Best Practices and Tips section .
The Max Altitude is referenced to the takeoff location (HGT), not above ground level (AGL). Special care must be taken when operating in an area with varying ground elevations. For more information, please read the chapter .
If a height limit for the geofence is required, this can be set in the tab in the Safety settings. Enable Max Altitude (HGT) and set the desired value. The Action on breach will be triggered when the vehicle crosses the set altitude.
When the Extra tab (Geofences) is selected, two Plan Tools on the left side of the screen are available. The full functionality of these tools can be reviewed in the chapter . The File option allows you to save the geofence(s), and the Center option provides multiple ways to center the view.
If a height limit for the geofence is required, this can be set in the tab in the Safety settings. Enable Max Altitude (HGT) and set the desired value. The Action on breach will be triggered when the vehicle crosses the set altitude.
When the Extra tab (Geofences) is selected, two Plan Tools on the left side of the screen are available. The full functionality of these tools can be reviewed in the chapter . The File option allows you to save the geofence(s), and the Center option provides multiple ways to center the view.
As stated in this , when an RTL command is triggered, the vehicle will return in a straight line to its designated landing point. If an exclusionary geofence or the boundary of a complex inclusionary geofence lies between the vehicle and the landing point, the vehicle will ignore the geofence and pass through it during its return.
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)
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)
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)
None
No action
Warning
A warning message will be displayed/announced.
Hold mode
The vehicle will enter Hold mode and orbit at the location and altitude where the failsafe action was triggered.
Return mode
The vehicle will enter Return mode and fly directly to the designated landing location at the set return altitude, then land.
Max Radius
The horizontal radius of the geofence cylinder around the Home Position. Alternatively, a circle can be drawn and freely positioned in the Plan View. The horizontal geofence is disabled if set to 0.
Max Altitude
Height of geofence cylinder. Altitude geofence disabled if 0.
This section describes how to properly plan a Quick Takeoff.
A Quick Takeoff refers to a rapid and efficient method of launching the DeltaQuad Evo. The Quick Takeoff process is designed to minimize the time spent on the ground, enabling faster deployment, especially in situations requiring prompt action.
The Quick Takeoff consists of a VTOL Takeoff and Transition item and a Landing Pattern. The Landing Pattern consists of a Loiter Down Orbit, a Transition, and a Land item. These items are planned by the operator.
Before performing a Quick Takeoff, the following steps should be taken to ensure safe execution:
A Quick Takeoff should only be conducted after thoroughly inspecting the intended mission area. All altitude variations and obstacles must be identified and accounted for. Tools like Google Earth can help provide a clearer understanding of ground elevation.
The intended flight must comply with local laws and regulations.
Ensure the takeoff location is free from obstructions up to the transition altitude, with at least 500 meters of clearance in the transition direction and 200 meters in every horizontal direction.
Set the VTOL takeoff orbit with at least 25 meters of clearance above obstacles. The standard orbit’s altitude is 80 meters relative to the takeoff location.
During fixed-wing flight (Aero), the vehicle should maintain an altitude of at least 50 meters above ground level. At the start and toward the end of the mission, the vehicle must maintain an altitude of 25 meters above obstacles to reduce energy consumption and ensure a safe distance from the ground and any obstacles below the flight path. For example, if there are trees in the landing area that are 10 meters tall, the landing altitude should be set to 35 meters (25 meters) above the height of the trees.
The takeoff altitude should be set to 15 meters above any obstacles in the takeoff area. For example, if there are trees in the takeoff area that are 10 meters tall, the takeoff altitude should be set to 25 meters (15 meters) above the height of the trees.
The takeoff and landing sites must consist of a level, flat surface that is free of obstructions for at least 5 by 5 meters.
The takeoff altitude should be high enough to allow the vehicle to perform a transition in any direction.
Weather conditions must be within the maximum allowed limits for safe flight.
Both the front and back transition paths must be planned so that the vehicle is facing into the wind while performing the transition.
The intended flight should not consume more than 85% of the total available energy.
At any point in the flight, the vehicle must be able to return to its takeoff point in a straight line at its current altitude, assuming a minimum altitude as stated in the Safety Settings.
At any point in the flight, the vehicle must be able to initiate an unscheduled landing without causing damage to itself or the surrounding environment.
For a Quick Takeoff that cannot transition directly into the wind, the flight path can be adjusted to the desired transition direction by following these guidelines:
Landing Approach: Ensure that obstacle-free sectors are selected for the landing approach. The vehicle will automatically perform the back transition to multirotor mode into the wind, or as close as possible to this direction, given the limitations of the selected sectors.
Wind Conditions: This procedure should only be performed when wind speeds are below 5 m/s.
Takeoff Orientation: The transition direction can be set towards a safe direction. The vehicle should still be placed facing its nose into the wind during takeoff. Upon reaching the transition altitude, it will automatically adjust its heading toward the transition direction.
Drift Considerations: If the vehicle is not aligned with the wind, it may drift in the wind's direction during both the forward and backward transitions. Special care must be taken to avoid obstacles during these phases.
Automatic Wind Alignment: During both takeoff and landing, the vehicle will automatically attempt to align its nose into the wind for optimal performance.
In certain situations where launch and landing sites pose significant restrictions and obstacles, utilizing the Takeoff and Approach functionalities in Fly View becomes impractical. In such instances, it is advisable to employ the Plan View for comprehensive mission planning. The planned mission may be interrupted with reposition commands for performing the mission, and the RTL behavior will follow the landing as planned in the mission.
This chapter discusses how to execute and monitor a mission.
Please read the following text carefully, as it contains crucial instructions for safely and successfully operating the DeltaQuad Evo, including essential emergency procedures.
Before executing a mission, the following conditions must be met:
The mission must be planned in accordance with the guidelines outlined in Planning a Mission.
If applicable, the Quick Takeoff must be planned following the guidelines provided in Quick Takeoff.
The Pre-flight Checks must have been performed and passed.
The vehicle should be positioned with its nose pointing into the wind.
All flights must begin with a fully charged battery.
The operator and any observers must maintain a safe distance from the vehicle, with a minimum of 10 meters recommended.
Before attempting the first flight, the operator must be thoroughly familiar with Auterion Mission Control (AMC). Be sure to review the chapter Auterion Mission Control (AMC) Overview, and memorize the location and functionality of all indicators, commands, and important settings.
The following items must be known and understood:
AMC Modes (Normal, Advanced)
AMC Top Bar's indicators
Emergency Actions
Mode button and indicator
Vehicle Status indicator
AMC Menu (including all tabs)
Remaining Flight Time indicator
Fly Tools, Flight Tools, Map Tools
Telemetry Dashboard
Using the DeltaQuad Evo simulator provided in the Auterion Suite can assist with this process. For more information on how to use the simulator, please read here.
An internet connection is needed for AMC to access the necessary map and elevation data. When operating in offline mode, map and elevation data can be downloaded beforehand through the AMC Menu -> Settings -> Offline Maps.
The following should be monitored directly after takeoff while the vehicle is ascending vertically to its transition altitude.
Operator Action: LAND or ALTITUDE
The vehicle should take off in a straight line after the first few meters. If the vehicle starts "toilet bowling" (circling up), the mission should be aborted and a sensor calibration must be performed. If an autonomous landing does not stop the toilet bowling behavior, ALTITUDE mode should be engaged for a manual landing.
Operator Action: LAND or ALTITUDE
The vehicle should take off in a straight line. If the vehicle starts drifting from its position by more than a few meters, it should be commanded to LAND. Contact support to have your log files analyzed. If an autonomous landing cannot safely be performed, ALTITUDE mode should be engaged for a manual landing.
When operating in GNSS-Denied mode, some drift is expected above 10 meters.
Operator Action: DISARM (Emergency Action -> SHUTDOWN)
If the vehicle fails to take off or only one-half of the vehicle rises, the VTOL propellers are likely damaged, mounted incorrectly, or upside down. The operator should disarm the vehicle and review the propeller configuration as described in the manual.
This section outlines the emergency procedures for the different flight stages.
It is essential that the following section be read and comprehended thoroughly to ensure a clear understanding of the emergency scenarios and the appropriate actions to be taken. Proper understanding guarantees prompt, effective, and correct responses in these situations, thereby enhancing safety and minimizing risks.
The following should be monitored during fixed-wing flight.
Operator Action: TRANSITION to fixed-wing mode or LAND
There are some conditions where the vehicle can switch to multi-rotor mode. This can happen if the fixed-wing flight is unsustainable, wind conditions result in a breach of maximum bank angles or accidental mode switching by the operator. In these events, it is usually prudent to attempt to resume fixed-wing flight by switching to HOLD mode and pressing the VTOL Transition mode switch. If this fails for any reason, the vehicle must be landed.
When the vehicle is higher than 300 meters, it will not engage the automatic QuadChute failsafe until it drops below this altitude. In the event of a QuadChute, the vehicle will initiate a LAND procedure unless instructed otherwise. It is the pilot’s responsibility to ensure a safe landing can be performed.
After such an event, the cause must be determined before a new flight is attempted. Please contact DeltaQuad support for assistance in analyzing the cause of the failsafe event.
The vehicle is designed to maintain a maximum of 90 seconds of hover flight. If the vehicle exceeds this threshold, it will force a landing. For operations above sea level, this limitation may be disabled at the operator's own risk.
Operator Action: Return (RTL) or LAND
During and shortly after transition, the vehicle may lose some altitude, generally not more than 5 meters. In extreme cases (high payload, strong wind), this can be up to 8 meters. The vehicle should recover from this loss quickly and regain and maintain altitude. Some altitude gain or loss may occur when banking (changing direction). This should not exceed 5 meters.
If the vehicle does not maintain altitude, or if the altitude error exceeds 10 meters and the vehicle does not recover from this error, an RTL should be commanded. If the vehicle does not adequately perform the RTL procedure (continues to lose altitude or fails to navigate back), a LAND instruction should be given. After a LAND instruction is given and the vehicle is performing a landing in quadcopter mode, the RTL instruction can be given again to have the vehicle return in quadcopter mode.
This should only be attempted when the vehicle is less than 1 km from the takeoff site and more than 50% of the battery capacity is available.
The reason this can occur could be related to weight, balance, or a problem with the servos or pusher drive. A thorough inspection of the vehicle is required. If the problem cannot be found and resolved, you should contact DeltaQuad support.
Operator Action: Return (RTL) or LAND or ALTITUDE
During the transition, if the vehicle does not fly in the direction expected:
When the transition phase completes, the vehicle should fly towards its first waypoint or orbit. If the vehicle does not follow its intended path after the transition phase, an RTL should be commanded. If the vehicle does not adequately perform the RTL procedure (continues to lose altitude or fails to navigate back), an attempt can be made to return the vehicle in ALTITUDE mode. If this also fails, a LAND instruction should be given. After a LAND instruction is given and the vehicle is commencing a landing in quadcopter mode, the RTL instruction can be given again to have the vehicle return in quadcopter mode.
This should only be attempted when the vehicle is less than 1 km from the takeoff site and more than 70% of the battery capacity is available.
The reason this can occur could be related to a failure of the servo actuation or if a mission is incorrectly loaded.
Operator Action: Return (RTL)
The battery level percentage indicated in the top bar of the flight screen should be monitored throughout the flight. The percentage should always be higher than the relative distance the vehicle still has to travel. For example, if only 50% battery remains, more than 50% of the mission should have been completed. The CURRENT and CONSUMED values will also help determine this; these values become visible when tapping the Battery Level Indicator. The DeltaQuad Evo should draw between 5 and 15 amperes of current on average during cruise flight. This value increases:
If the vehicle is flying significantly above sea level
If the vehicle is flying with maximum payload
As the battery percentage drops
When the vehicle is climbing or banking
When the cruise throttle is set higher
When the LiPo battery gets older
When a power-consuming payload is active
The following should be monitored when the vehicle transitions from vertical flight to horizontal flight.
After reaching transition altitude, the vehicle will commence the transition to fixed-wing flight. The pusher motor will engage 5 meters below the target altitude (switching from quadcopter to fixed-wing). It will transition in the direction planned for takeoff, but wind can affect the direction, especially if the vehicle is not positioned with its nose directly into the wind.
The vehicle will engage high thrust using its pusher motor until it reaches the target airspeed. After this period, it should navigate towards the hold pattern or first waypoint.
If any malfunction occurs with the airspeed sensor, the vehicle will abort the transition after a timeout of 25 seconds. During this period, the vehicle can cover a long distance at the transition altitude. LAND mode must be engaged before the vehicle is at risk of colliding with any obstacles.
Operator Action: LAND
If the vehicle is not moving forward or is drifting with the wind and does not seem to transition towards fixed-wing, there is likely a problem with the pusher motor or propeller. The operator should review the propeller configuration as described in the manual.
Operator Action: LAND
If the vehicle starts flying backward with increasing speed, the pusher propeller is likely mounted in the wrong direction. The transition should be aborted, and the pusher motor should be inspected.
The following should be monitored during the landing sequence.
Depending on the mission plan or flight mode, the Evo can perform a straight-line, loiter-down, or manual landing. When the Evo is executing a landing sequence, it will significantly lower the altitude. Special care must be taken during the descent stage to avoid collision with obstacles. When a collision seems imminent, the pilot must take control of the drone and increase altitude either by switching to a manual control mode and pulling the pitch stick down (nose up) or by repositioning the vehicle and increasing altitude. In such an occurrence, it is advised to either change the mission plan and execute an RTL after the change or land the vehicle manually.
Operator Action: None
If the vehicle becomes unstable during landing, the landing speed, as indicated in the Safety features, is likely set too high.
Operator Action: DISARM (Emergency Action -> SHUTDOWN)
The DeltaQuad Evo should disarm automatically 5 to 10 seconds after touchdown. If the vehicle does not disarm automatically, the disarm command (Shutdown) should be sent. This command can be sent by selecting Emergency Actions - Shutdown. The reason for this could be related to landing on a significantly uneven surface or slope. It can also indicate that the sensors need calibration.
Operator Action: None or reposition above soft ground
If one of the landing gear legs does not deploy during descent, do not interfere, as the DeltaQuad Evo is designed to balance itself on the ground even with only three legs deployed.
If two legs or more do not deploy during descent, position the vehicle above soft ground (NUDGING), such as grass, and avoid hard ground, such as concrete.
After an incident or crash wait 10 minutes as the battery may become unstable. Take pictures of the vehicle from every direction. Try to document the crash and crash site as thoroughly as possible.
This chapter discusses all items of the pre-flight checklist.
The pre-flight checklist is a comprehensive list of tasks and inspections performed before taking off to ensure that the DeltaQuad Evo is ready for safe and efficient operation. It typically includes verifying equipment functionality, checking battery levels, confirming GPS signals, inspecting hardware for damage, and reviewing flight plans.
The pre-flight checklist is crucial because it helps prevent mechanical failures, ensures that all systems are operational, and minimizes the risk of in-flight issues. By systematically verifying each item, operators can enhance safety, improve flight performance, and reduce the likelihood of accidents or operational disruptions.
Mission Compliance: Ensure the mission conforms to all local laws, regulations, and airspace restrictions.
Mission Plan: Verify the mission was planned according to the guidelines outlined in the Plan section of this manual.
Terrain Altitude: Verify that altitudes are set appropriately against terrain height for the entire flight path.
Obstacle Clearance: Maintain a vertical separation of at least 25 meters above the highest obstacle at every stage in the fixed-wing portion of the flight.
Path Clearance: Verify the mission path is free of obstructions for at least 200 meters in each horizontal direction.
VTOL Operations: Confirm proper application of VTOL takeoff and landing procedures.
Takeoff: Ensure the takeoff location is free from obstructions up to the transition altitude for 500 meters in the transition direction and 200 meters in every horizontal direction. In case of a failed airspeed sensor, the vehicle will fully engage the pusher motor for 25 seconds and fly in a straight line before aborting the transition due to a failure to achieve the transition airspeed.
Landing Site: Verify the landing site is free of obstacles and structures taller than the transition altitude.
Orbit Land Pattern: Ensure the orbit and landing approach are clear and maintain at least 25 meters above any obstacle.
Wind Direction: Align the vehicle’s takeoff and landing paths against the wind, pointing the vehicle in the direction from which the wind is coming.
Land Approaches: Ensure obstacle-free sectors are selected for the landing approach. The vehicle will automatically perform the back transition to multirotor mode into the wind, or get as close as possible to this direction given the limitations of the selected sectors.
VTOL Operations: Plan takeoff altitude to be 15 meters above obstacles and landing altitude 25 meters above obstacles.
Holding Pattern: Set VTOL takeoff orbit with at least 25 meters of clearance above obstacles. The orbit's altitude is always 80 meters relative to the takeoff location.
Takeoff: Ensure the takeoff location is free from obstructions up to the transition altitude for 500 meters in the transition direction and 200 meters in every horizontal direction. In case of a failed airspeed sensor, the vehicle will fully engage the pusher motor for 25 seconds and fly in a straight line before aborting the transition due to a failure to achieve the transition airspeed. Strong winds can shift the orbit in any direction, altering its shape. For example, due to wind influence, a circular orbit may change in its shape to become more oval.
Wind Direction: Align the vehicle’s takeoff and transition against the wind, pointing the vehicle in the direction from which the wind is coming.
Maintenance Cycles: Ensure the vehicle is within preventive maintenance intervals.
Regulatory Compliance: Confirm the airframe complies with all local rules and regulations and is permitted to fly the intended mission.
Parts Inspection: Check for damage, dirt, secure mounting, and fastening:
Fuselage: Undamaged and clean.
Skid Antennas: Undamaged.
Propellers: Correctly mounted, securely fastened, and free of damage and dirt.
VTOL Arms: Properly mounted and fastened.
VTOL Motors: Spinning freely, no play in the bearings.
Pusher Motor Pod: Correctly mounted, securely fastened.
Pusher Motor: Spinning freely, no play in the bearings.
Wings: Mounted securely, undamaged, and clean.
Wing Tip LEDs: Clean and operational (if applicable).
Elevons: Moving freely, undamaged, and clean.
Payloads: Correctly mounted, and payload-dependent checks completed (SD cards/USB sticks installed if required).
Battery Check: Ensure the flight batteries are undamaged, with no dents or swelling, and that all cables and connectors are intact. When flying with two batteries, ensure both are fully charged and have the same charge level.
Pitot Tube: Clear of damage, dirt, and water. After flights in rain, store the DeltaQuad Evo in a dry space for 24 hours to dry the airspeed sensor and tubes.
Landing Gear: Free of damage and dirt. The vehicle should be launched from a solid surface free of mud as the landing gear can collect mud and add weight to the vehicle.
Hatch: Free of damage and dirt.
Ice, Snow, or Mud: Ensure the landing gear is free from ice, snow, or mud as this can result in the landing gear legs freezing onto the VTOL arms not being able to deploy during landing.
Solid Surface Launch: The vehicle should be launched from a solid surface free of snow or mud.
Pitot Tube Icing: Verify the pitot tube is ice-free.
Battery Temperature: Batteries must be heated above 10°C before takeoff.
Sunlight Exposure: Avoid exposure to direct sunlight when idle for more than 5 minutes to prevent overheating.
Flight Batteries: Ensure batteries are properly installed, power connectors securely connected, and fully seated. When operating with an auxiliary battery, ensure the locking latch is rotated 90 degrees to secure the battery.
Payloads: Verify payloads are installed and detected. Custom payloads must not exceed 3 kg in total.
APDS Payload: Ensure APDS cargo cannot move excessively during flight. (If applicable, use compartment dividers.)
System Status: The DeltaQuad Evo status OLED reads Ready to fly.
Hatch Security: Ensure the hatch is secured, with the closing mechanism pushed down, locked, and sitting flush with the fuselage.
Vehicle Positioning: Position the vehicle on the designated takeoff/landing zone, facing into the wind.
Weather Conditions: Ensure weather conditions are within mission tolerances. Verify that wind speed and gust limits are within safe VTOL and fixed-wing operation parameters.
Communications Check: Confirm communication between UAV and GCS is reliable. If in use, check the VPN connection.
GCS Warnings: Verify no warnings appear on the GCS.
GPS Lock: Ensure stable GPS lock with at least 10 satellites.
Vehicle Status: Confirm “Ready to Fly” status (green label) in AMC. If Position not available, do an in-field compass calibration. (Oscillate the drone around its three axes by approximately ±30 degrees.)
Failsafe Settings: Confirm safety features are set correctly, and failsafe settings are properly configured in case of communication loss or low battery.
Physical Orientation: The vehicle's current physical orientation should match the heading observed on GCS.
Battery Check: Verify in AMC that the flight battery indicator shows a full charge (greater than 95%).
Complete AMC Preflight checklist: Ensure all items are completed, including:
Ground Equipment Charge: Ensure ground equipment has sufficient charge to perform the mission.
Airspeed Sensor: Verify positive airspeed in telemetry. To test provide airflow in front of the pitot tube.
Control Surfaces Check: Perform control surfaces functionality check.
Mission Upload: If applicable confirm the mission plan is uploaded.
Clear Takeoff Area: Check for a clear takeoff area and airspace.
To access the interactive Preflight checklist in AMC, click on the Vehicle Status Indicator in the screen's upper left corner.
The Vehicle overview window opens. Click on the Preflight checklist tab in the lower-left corner of the window.
Go through each step of the Preflight checklist. The checklist can be reset to start over by clicking on the reset icon on the upper-right side of the screen.
You can enforce the Preflight checklist. Navigate to AMC menu -> Setting -> General -> Fly View.
Before each flight, the pre-flight checklist from the manual needs to be completed. The interactive Preflight checklist in AMC is part of that checklist, as the actuators will be checked, for example. It is NOT sufficient to only go through the interactive Preflight checklist in AMC.
Line of sight (LOS) is a crucial consideration for drone radio systems, as it directly impacts communication reliability and performance.
Line of sight refers to the unobstructed path between two points, such as between a drone and its remote control or between two communication devices. Maintaining a clear line of sight is essential for reliable communication regarding radio systems on drones.
Signal Strength:
Radio signals, including those used for drone communication, travel in straight lines. Any obstacles, like buildings or trees, can weaken or disrupt the signal.
LOS minimizes signal interference, ensuring a strong and stable connection between the drone and the remote control.
Reliability and Stability:
A clear line of sight enhances the reliability of communication. This is particularly crucial for real-time control of drones, where a delay or loss of signal could lead to accidents or loss of the drone.
Range Limitations:
The effective range of radio signals is limited. Maintaining LOS allows the drone to operate within its specified range, ensuring that commands from the remote control reach the drone and vice versa.
Physical Obstacles:
Buildings, hills, and other physical structures can obstruct the line of sight. It's essential to fly the drone in areas with minimal obstructions for optimal communication.
Environmental Conditions:
Weather conditions, such as heavy rain, fog, or snow, can also affect LOS. In adverse weather, LOS may decrease, leading to potential communication issues.
Frequency and Wavelength:
The frequency of the radio signal used by the drone affects its ability to penetrate obstacles. Higher frequencies may have more difficulty passing through obstacles, emphasizing the need for LOS.
The Fresnel zone, in the context of drone radio systems, is a critical concept related to the propagation of radio waves between the transmitter (typically the remote control) and the receiver (the drone). It plays a significant role in ensuring reliable communication by accounting for potential obstacles that might impact the signal's path.
Key points about the Fresnel zone in drone radio systems:
Elliptical Zone:
The Fresnel zone is an elliptical region that surrounds the direct line of sight (LOS) between the transmitter and the receiver. It extends both horizontally and vertically, forming an elongated shape.
Importance for Signal Propagation:
The Fresnel zone is crucial because it represents the area through which radio waves travel as they propagate between the transmitter and the receiver. An obstruction within this zone can cause signal diffraction, leading to signal weakening or disruption.
Factors Influencing Fresnel Zone:
The size of the Fresnel zone depends on several factors, including the distance between the transmitter and receiver, the frequency of the radio signal, and the terrain along the path.
Clearance for Unobstructed Signal:
For optimal signal strength and reliability, it is essential to ensure that the Fresnel zone is relatively free of obstructions. Obstacles within this zone, such as buildings, trees, or hills, can cause signal degradation.
Interference Avoidance:
Understanding the Fresnel zone is crucial for avoiding interference from obstacles and maintaining a robust communication link between the drone and the remote control. Interference can lead to signal loss, reduced control range, and potential safety hazards.
Choose Open Spaces:
Fly drones in open areas with fewer obstructions to ensure a clear line of sight.
Monitor Environmental Conditions:
Be aware of weather conditions that could impact LOS. Avoid flying in heavy rain or foggy weather.
Adhere to local regulations that may require maintaining visual line of sight with the drone. These regulations are often in place to ensure safety and prevent accidents.
In summary, maintaining a clear line of sight is crucial for the effective operation of radio systems on drones. It ensures reliable communication, stable control, and compliance with regulations, contributing to a safer and more efficient drone flight experience.
This section outlines the steps involved in planning the VTOL Takeoff.
In the next step, the VTOL Takeoff and Transition must be planned. A flight path from the vehicle to an orbit is shown. This orbit can be dragged within a confined space defined by AMC by grabbing the white vertex.
The VTOL Takeoff and Transition items must be planned in such a way that the vehicle can perform these into the wind.
Place the VTOL takeoff orbit with at least 25 meters of clearance above any obstacles. The orbit’s altitude is by default 80 meters (HGT) relative to the takeoff location.
The Transition Altitude must be set by adjusting the slider on the right side of the screen. The Altitude Frame is AGL, Above Ground Level (Altitude Above Ground Level).
The minimum VTOL Takeoff Altitude is 15 meters above the highest obstacle in the takeoff area. For example, if the tallest tree in the takeoff area is 10 meters high, the VTOL Takeoff Altitude must be set to at least 25 meters.
Before confirming the takeoff, the operator must review the Pre-flight Checklist.
Hold to Confirm the VTOL Takeoff.
After the VTOL Takeoff command has been given, the vehicle will arm its VTOL motors and ascend in Multirotor Mode to the set Transition Altitude. Once reached, the vehicle will engage the pusher motor and commence forward movement until enough lift can be generated with the wings. As soon as sufficient airspeed is reached to allow fixed-wing flight, the VTOL motors will be turned off. The transition phase is over, and the DeltaQuad Evo is flying in fixed-wing mode (Aero).
In the next stage, the vehicle will climb to the default 80 meters altitude (HGT) as fast as possible while moving towards the Orbit location. Once there, the vehicle will loiter clockwise with a radius of 100 meters at 80 meters altitude (HGT).
The vehicle can now be commanded to change location via the Orbit Command. The orbit can be adjusted in position, radius, direction, and altitude.
How to execute and monitor a mission will be addressed in the following chapter.
This section explains the process of executing the Return.
To land the vehicle, click on the Return command on the left side of the screen.
The Pizza Slices reappear, and the Return command can now be confirmed.
Clicking on the Pen icon at the top of the octagon allows changes to be applied to the sectors and the Transition Altitude. This is useful after extended flight periods, especially if weather conditions have changed.
Hold to confirm after making changes.
Hold to Confirm the Return command.
The vehicle will automatically place the Loiter Down item within the available sectors. It will then perform the back transition to Multirotor Mode into the wind, or as close as possible to this direction, depending on the limitations of the selected sectors.
This section explains how to effectively monitor a mission.
Throughout the mission, both the telemetry data and the vehicle should be closely monitored. While this task can be performed by a single operator, it is recommended to have both an operator and an observer. The observer should continuously watch the vehicle and its surroundings, alerting the operator to any issues or nearby traffic.
The Telemetry Dashboard provides relevant information about altitude, speed, distance, flight time, heading, wind direction, and wind speed.
The remaining flight time at the top of the screen should be monitored closely, as this indicator is dynamic and adjusts based on various factors, such as weather conditions and flying style.
The Fly View displays important warnings in a highly visible popup. These notifications inform you of unexpected behavior and issues. Whenever possible, the notification will also indicate the cause of the problem and any necessary actions you should take unless they are obvious.
Less important messages, as well as any missed warnings, are logged and can be viewed in Vehicle Overview -> Notifications.
This section explains how to manually control the DeltaQuad Evo.
Once the vehicle is launched and has transitioned to fixed-wing mode, you can control it using the following methods.
While the vehicle is in flight, you can select the or Fig 8 command from the Flight Tools on the left side of the screen.
Tap anywhere on the map to choose the location for the Orbit or Fig 8.
When issuing an Orbit or Fig 8 command, the altitude can be adjusted. The Altitude Slider will appear on the right side of the screen, allowing you to select a new altitude.
After confirming the command, the vehicle will change course to the chosen location and adjust to the selected altitude.
If a loss of connection occurs during repositioning the vehicle with the Orbit and Fig 8 command, the Data Link Loss Failsafe Action will be activated after the timeout. When disabled the vehicle will remain in Hold mode until the data link is re-established. If the data link cannot be restored, the vehicle will remain in Hold mode until the Low Battery Failsafe Trigger activates. If the failsafe action is set to Return mode, the vehicle will return to the designated landing location.
When the vehicle is following a mission path, it will always maintain the altitude defined in the mission plan. When resuming a mission, the vehicle will immediately adjust its altitude to match the currently active waypoint.
At any point during the flight, the Return command can be issued to bring the vehicle back to the designated landing location.
Airspeed can be changed with the Change Speed command.
For inexperienced pilots, joystick controls can feel counterintuitive. It is recommended to practice joystick operation nearby while maintaining a safe altitude.
For joystick (manual) control, the flight mode must be changed. Press the Mode button in AMC's Top Bar. Two options will be offered: Altitude and Position mode.
Altitude mode - The DeltaQuad Evo will automatically hold its altitude and direction until changed by the stick input. For flight stabilization and navigation, it will only rely on the IMU and not make use of the compass and GPS.
Position mode - The DeltaQuad Evo will automatically hold its altitude and direction until changed by the stick input. For flight stabilization and navigation, it relies on the IMU and makes use of the compass and GPS.
After activating either Altitude or Position mode, the vehicle will fly in a straight line at its current altitude until stick input is given.
If the vehicle loses connection to the GCS while flying in Altitude or Position mode, it will automatically initiate a Return command after a 5-second timeout to prevent a flyaway, regardless of the Safety settings.
Altitude Mode and Position Mode can be paused using the Hold command. The Return command can be issued to bring the vehicle back to the planned landing location.
In fixed-wing mode, the vehicle can be controlled with the right joystick input.
Moving the right joystick left or right will cause the vehicle to change direction.
Moving the joystick forward or backward controls the vehicle's altitude.
Pushing the joystick forward decreases altitude.
Pulling the joystick backward increases altitude.
Under NO circumstances attempt to fly the DeltaQuad Evo in Manual Mode! Do not assign the Manual Mode to any of the available buttons on the controller.
Nudging refers to making small manual adjustments to an automated flight path, typically during the landing descent. This feature allows operators to slightly alter the course or trajectory of the DeltaQuad Evo without fully taking over manual control. It's commonly used to ensure smoother landings, especially in cases where minor corrections are needed due to environmental factors like wind or obstacles
After the Evo transitions from fixed-wing mode to multirotor mode, the vehicle will deploy the landing gear and descend to the planned landing point.
The operator can halt the descent by pushing the left joystick forward.
The vehicle will maintain its altitude and position. The right joystick controls the vehicle's position. Moving the joystick forward, backward, left, or right changes the vehicle's position relative to its current heading.
The left joystick controls the vehicle's descent and heading. Moving the joystick up will halt the descent while returning returning the joystick to the middle position or moving it down will resume the descent. Moving the joystick left or right changes the vehicle's heading (yaw).
The maximum default hover time of the DeltaQuad Evo is 90 seconds. After 90 seconds the vehicle will force-land at its current location.
For joystick (manual) control, the flight mode must be changed. Press the Mode button in AMC's Top Bar. Two options will be offered: Altitude and Position mode.
Altitude Mode: The DeltaQuad Evo will automatically maintain its altitude while the pilot controls the horizontal direction. It relies solely on the IMU for stabilization and navigation, without utilizing the compass or GPS. During Altitude mode, drift can occur due to wind influences.
Position Mode: The DeltaQuad Evo will hold both its altitude and position until adjusted by stick input. For stabilization and navigation, it uses the IMU along with the compass and GPS for enhanced accuracy.
Altitude mode provides faster movement in multirotor mode compared to Position mode.
After activating either Altitude or Position mode, the vehicle will hover in place until stick input is given. In Altitude mode, more drift can be expected.
The left joystick controls the vehicle's altitude and heading.
Moving the joystick forward will increase the altitude.
Moving the joystick backward will decrease the altitude.
Moving the joystick left or right changes the heading (yaw) of the vehicle.
The right joystick controls the position of the vehicle. Moving this joystick, forward, backward, left, or right changes the position of the vehicle relative to its current heading.
The maximum default hover time of the DeltaQuad Evo is 90 seconds. After 90 seconds the vehicle will force-land at its current location.
When the handheld controller is unplugged from the Toughbook in-flight while using Altitude or Position mode, the vehicle will enter Failsafe mode. By default, this is set to Return to Launch.
Plug the handheld controller back in to the Toughbook and reselect Altitude or Position mode to continue. Alternatively, you can pause the Failsafe action and reposition the vehicle using an Orbit command.
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.
It is recommended to practice the following commands in the simulator several times before operating the vehicle.
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.
Always set the Return to Launch altitude (HGT) higher than any obstacles in the mission area, such as trees or man-made structures. The Return to Launch altitude (HGT) is referenced to the takeoff location. For more information, please review the Safety Features here.
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.
This applies as well if a Return command is initiated by the failsafe system.
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.
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.
Always set the Return to Launch altitude (HGT) higher than any obstacles in the mission area, such as trees or man-made structures. The Return to Launch altitude (HGT) is referenced to the takeoff location. For more information, please review the Safety Features here.
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.
When using the approach sectors instead of the planned Landing Pattern, ensure the Approach Altitude is set 25 meters above the highest object in the landing area.
When executing a mission, using Return should be a last resort. The recommended method for returning the vehicle in fixed-wing mode during a mission is detailed in the section Returning the Vehicle During a Mission.
Return can be stopped by using the Hold Command.
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.
After a QuadChute event occurs, the following guidelines must be followed:
Switch the Flight Mode to Position using the mode selector in the AMC’s Top Bar.
If the vehicle's altitude is below or at the height of obstacles, ascend to a safe altitude by pushing the left joystick forward on the handheld controller.
When a safe altitude is reached, change the vehicle's heading so that its nose faces into the wind by using the left joystick to turn it left or right.
The wind direction can be viewed in the Fly View on the Telemetry Dashboard, indicated by the arrow in the top left corner of the compass.
When the correct heading is reached, use the Transition Command from the Flight Tools menu on the left side of the screen.
After the vehicle has transitioned from multirotor mode to fixed-wing mode, return and land it by either using the planned Landing Pattern, if applicable, or the approach sectors in the Fly View. After the landing thoroughly check the vehicle for damage and fly-worthiness. When in doubt contact [email protected].
If the transition from multirotor mode to fixed-wing mode fails, land the vehicle immediately in a suited location by issuing the Land Command. During landing, the vehicle can be repositioned using the Nudging function on the handheld controller.
If more vertical control is needed, the vehicle can be landed manually in Position or Altitude mode. Please note that the maximum default hover time is 90 seconds. After the timeout, the vehicle will force-land at its current location. For more information, please read here.
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.
Strong winds can push and distort the orbit in any direction. Therefore, when issuing the Hold command, it's crucial to ensure there is at least 200 meters of clear space in all directions.
Before issuing a Hold command, the operator must verify the Data Link Loss Failsafe Trigger Action. When disabled, if the vehicle loses connection to the GCS after the Hold command is issued, the operator will be unable to issue any new commands. The vehicle will continue to deplete the battery until the Low Battery Failsafe Action is triggered, resulting in either a Return or Land command. Therefore, it is recommended to set the Data Link Loss Failsafe Trigger Action to Return mode.
In multirotor mode, the vehicle will hold its current position and altitude. Extra caution is required, as the DeltaQuad Evo's default maximum hover time is limited to 90 seconds. After the timeout, the vehicle will force land at its current location.
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.
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.
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 orbit's altitude is by default referenced to HGT (heights relative to the takeoff location). Special caution should be taken when operating in areas with varying ground elevations.
The altitude frame and the available range of the Altitude Slider can be changed in AMC Menu -> Settings -> Fly View.
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 Fig 8`s altitude is by default referenced to HGT (heights relative to the takeoff location). Special caution should be taken when operating in areas with varying ground elevations.
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.
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 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.
Changing the airspeed affects battery consumption, so the estimated flight time must be monitored carefully.
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.
Do not issue the LANDING Command at high altitudes. The multirotor mode consumes up to 12 times more energy compared to the fixed-wing mode. First, reduce altitude in fixed-wing mode and issue the Land Command at 100 meters or below.
Please note that the maximum default hover time is 90 seconds. After the timeout, the vehicle will force-land at its current location.
The landing process can be stopped by using the Hold Command.
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
Before the Transition Command is issued, the vehicle must be aligned into the wind. At altitudes higher than 100m above ground, or in strong winds, it is not recommended to switch from fixed-wing to multi-rotor mode.
Important Items During a VTOL Mode Change:
Altitude and Positioning
Ensure the vehicle is at a safe altitude to transition modes without risk of collision or terrain interference.
Monitor the vehicle’s current position relative to obstacles.
Battery Level
Check the battery status to ensure there is sufficient power for the transition and subsequent flight.
Plan for a safe landing if battery levels are critically low.
Flight Mode Confirmation
Verify that the current mode (VTOL, fixed-wing, or multirotor) is correctly displayed in the control interface.
Ensure the Transition Command is initiated correctly.
Environmental Conditions
Assess wind conditions and weather factors that could affect stability during the transition.
Be aware of any potential changes in the environment that could influence flight performance.
Post-Transition Monitoring
Continuously monitor the vehicle’s performance after the mode change, including responsiveness and stability.
Check telemetry data for any anomalies immediately following the transition.
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.
Do not issue the LANDING Command at high altitudes. The multirotor mode consumes up to 12 times more energy compared to the fixed-wing mode. First, reduce altitude in fixed-wing mode and issue the LANDING Command at 100 meters or below.
Please note that the maximum default hover time is 90 seconds. After the timeout, the vehicle will force-land at its current location.
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.
Using this function during flight will crash your vehicle and void your warranty.
The MODE Indicator displays the current flight mode (VTOL Takeoff, Hold, Altitude, Position, Return, Land, Mission). Select to enable Altitude or Position mode.
Switching Flight Modes will not require slider confirmation. When a new flight mode is selected this will be activated immediately. For more information, please read here.
This section explains how to start a mission and how to return the vehicle during the mission.
You can start the mission when all checks are performed and everything is set up and working properly.
A mission plan or a Quick Takeoff can be started by holding the dedicated button to confirm the action.
After confirmation, the vehicle will arm its multirotor motors and perform the VTOL Takeoff and Transition as planned by the operator. When executing a mission plan, the vehicle will autonomously follow the programmed flight path. In the case of a Quick Takeoff, the vehicle will orbit at the designated location after VTOL takeoff and transition, awaiting further commands from the operator.
When the vehicle needs to return during a mission, the recommended method is to direct it toward a waypoint that provides a clean entry into the pre-defined landing sequence.
You can change the active waypoint the vehicle is following by selecting the desired waypoint on the map and confirming the change request.
In the example below, the vehicle is flying toward waypoint 3 (green - active).
When you click on waypoint 4, a confirmation window will appear, setting waypoint 4 as the new active waypoint (green).
When changing the active waypoint, the vehicle will immediately adjust its altitude to match that of the selected waypoint. It will not gradually climb or descend but will reach the new altitude as quickly as possible.
Therefore, it is recommended to select a waypoint with an altitude that allows the vehicle to safely return from its current position. If no waypoint with a safe altitude is available, it is advised to first reposition the vehicle to a safe location by setting an orbit on the map. During this repositioning, the UAV will maintain its current altitude.
Using the simulator is recommended to practice returning the vehicle during a mission, following the method described in this section.
After a Quick Takeoff has been executed and no mission plan is available, the vehicle is controlled using the Orbit command to reposition it. Once the operation is complete, an RTL command needs to be issued. It is recommended to first reposition the vehicle closer to the available sectors, where it will autonomously plan the landing pattern. This is especially important in challenging areas, as the vehicle will return in a straight line at the set return altitude toward the available sectors.
This chapter covers how to operate in GPS-denied areas and perform offshore operations.
Advanced flight operations encompass GPS-denied environments, manual flying, and offshore operations. These scenarios require skilled piloting without GPS assistance and demand a deep understanding of the DeltaQuad Evo and its controls. Only experienced pilots should attempt these maneuvers, as they involve navigating without GPS, which can complicate situational awareness and precision. A deep understanding of the chapter is essential for maintaining stability and control in challenging conditions. Always prioritize safety and preparedness in such operations.
The following parameters can be adjusted for special operations in AMC Menu (Advanced Mode) -> Advanced -> .
Search for the parameter that needs to be changed.
Set the value and save it.
MPC_MAX_HOVER_T
Default: 90 Max: 150
The DeltaQuad Evo's default maximum hover time is 90 seconds, but this can be extended to a maximum of 150 seconds. After the timeout, the vehicle will automatically force-land at its current location. Adjusting this value may be necessary for offshore operations.
COM_WIND_MAX
Default: 14 Max: -1 (off)
By default, the DeltaQuad Evo can tolerate a maximum windspeed of 14 m/s. This limit can be disabled if a mission must be completed regardless of wind conditions.
COM_WIND_MAX_ACT
Default: Return Optional: Warning
The maximum windspeed action can be changed to a warning. By default, the vehicle will return if the windspeed exceeds the tolerance limits.
If arming without GPS is not possible, set the following parameter to Allow arming without GPS.
COM_ARM_WO_GPS
The warranty will be void if any incident occurs as a result of changes made to the parameters.
This section will describe the steps required for GPS-denied operations.
Thoroughly review the chapter on .
A good knowledge of the mission area is required to fly in GPS-denied areas, as the vehicle’s position will be estimated based on visual identification of landmarks and other prominent features.
To navigate in GPS-denied areas, the use of an ISR payload is mandatory, as it enables visual identification of landmarks. Refer to the dedicated payload manual for proper use and handling of .
The takeoff and landing area should have sufficient space with as few obstacles as possible.
Power up the DeltaQuad Evo and the GCS (AMC).
Set AMC to .
Complete the .
The functions to disable GPS Fusion, set the Home Position manually, and allow takeoff without GPS lock, must be enabled in AMC Menu -> Vehicle Overview -> More -> GPS Advanced Settings.
GPS Fusion - GPS data is combined with other sensor data to enhance the accuracy and reliability of the drone's navigation and positioning systems. When GPS Fusion is disabled, the vehicle position based on the raw GPS data will be displayed as a grey arrow in AMC. The blue arrow shows the estimated vehicle position based on the IMU, compass, and wind speed sensor.
If no GPS signal is available, only the blue arrow will be displayed.
When operating in GPS-denied areas, it is recommended to disable GPS Fusion before takeoff.
Click the GPS icon in the menu bar and Disable GPS Fusion.
If a GPS signal is available during the start-up of the vehicle, the DeltaQuad Evo will set the Home Position automatically before disabling GPS Fusion. If no GPS signal is available, the Home Position must be set manually. When the function to set the Home Point manually is enabled, simply click on the waypoint displaying an H (Home Point). The option will be provided to set a new Home Point.
If GPS spoofing is prominent at the mission site, the raw GPS data will be false and therefore unusable. If the vehicle sets the Home Position automatically, it is recommended to reference the Home Point against the vehicle’s actual location before taking off. If the Home Position set by the system does not align with reality, set the Home Position manually as described above.
If a Quick Takeoff is not preferred, follow these steps for a manual takeoff.
Select Position Mode via the Mode button.
Position mode must be selected for the optical flow sensor to work. The sensor is not available in Altitude mode and will function up to 10 meters above ground level. When the vehicle is higher than 10 meters, it will automatically switch to Altitude mode.
Optical flow sensors provide real-time information about the drone's movement relative to the ground, enabling precise control and stabilization even in challenging environments where GPS signals may be unreliable or unavailable.
While optical flow sensors are versatile and effective in many scenarios, they may not provide reliable navigation or stabilization on surfaces where challenges are present, such as plain and featureless surfaces, highly reflective or transparent surfaces, moving surfaces, extreme lighting conditions, and irregular or unpredictable textures. In such cases, drones may rely on alternative sensors or navigation methods, such as GPS (if available), and IMUs to maintain stability and control.
Press Disarmed at the top of the menu bar.
Arm the vehicle by pressing and holding the confirmation button.
The VTOL motors will spin up. In multirotor mode, the left control stick manages the throttle, regulating the drone's altitude.
Press the left stick upwards to ascend.
Continue the ascent. At approximately 10 meters altitude, the vehicle will switch to Altitude Mode, and the optical flow sensor will no longer be available. The vehicle may start to drift.
Correct the drift with stick input. The right joystick controls the position of the vehicle. Moving this joystick forward, backward, left, or right changes the vehicle's position relative to its current heading.
The left joystick controls the vehicle's altitude and heading. Moving the joystick up will increase the altitude while moving it down will decrease the altitude. Moving the joystick left or right changes the vehicle's heading (yaw).
When a safe transition altitude is reached, transition to fixed-wing mode.
A safe transition altitude should be higher than any nearby object, specifically 15 meters above the highest obstacle in the takeoff area. The transition should be performed into the wind. Use the left stick for yaw control to point the vehicle’s nose into the wind.
After the vehicle has transitioned to fixed-wing mode, continue ascending to a safe altitude. Moving the right joystick forward and backward controls the vehicle's altitude. Pull the right joystick backward to increase altitude.
Stay close to reset the vehicle's position based on a nearby landmark, such as a tall tree or something similar.
Or reset the vehicle position based on the camera’s center field of view.
As soon as the vehicle's position has been reset with the Set Position feature, it will switch from Altitude to Position mode.
The vehicle uses inertial navigation with sensors to track the drone's motion and orientation by measuring its acceleration and rotation.
When using inertial navigation, several factors such as wind gusts, turbulence, and magnetic interference can affect the drone's motion and introduce errors in the inertial navigation system.
Consider flying at a higher altitude, as altitude readings depend solely on barometer readings.
Once the vehicle is in Position mode, a Return command can be initiated. Depending on wind speeds, direction, and gusts, the accuracy of the Return can vary significantly.
Bring the DeltaQuad Evo back toward the Home Point and align the vehicle with its nose into the wind.
When above the landing site press Land.
The DeltaQuad Evo will do a back transition, overshoot, and initiate the landing.
As soon as the Land command has been given, the vehicle will lose its position estimate and go into Land Descent mode.
The optical flow sensor will work as soon as the vehicle is 10 meters above ground.
The DeltaQuad Evo will switch to Position Mode.
When the optical flow sensor is working, let the landing process happen. Do not interfere!
This section describes the steps required for offshore operations.
Thoroughly review the chapter on .
Inspect the ship from which you plan to take off.
Identify the most suitable takeoff and landing area that offers sufficient space and is as far as possible from any metallic objects.
Determine the optimal position for the Ground Control Station and any optional antennas, if applicable.
Ensure that a clear line of sight between the vehicle and the antennas can be maintained at all times.
Power up the DeltaQuad Evo and the GCS (AMC).
Set AMC to .
Determine the wind direction and position the vehicle so its nose faces into the wind.
Ships are typically constructed with large amounts of metal, especially steel, in their hulls and superstructures. This metal composition can significantly impact the performance of UAV magnetometers.
A magnetometer is a sensor that detects magnetic fields and is often used in UAVs for navigation or other specialized applications. When a UAV operates near a large metal object, like a ship, the metal can create distortions in the Earth's magnetic field. This distortion can cause the magnetometer to give inaccurate readings, which may affect the UAV’s navigation systems, especially if they rely on magnetic heading for orientation.
For this reason, Altitude mode is the preferred flight mode for manually taking off from a ship. In Altitude mode, the UAV does not rely on its compass or GPS, making it less susceptible to these magnetic interferences. This allows for more stable manual control during takeoff in environments with strong magnetic disturbances, such as a metal ship.
Select Altitude Mode via the Mode button.
Press Disarmed at the top of the menu bar.
Arm the vehicle by pressing and holding the confirmation button.
Press the left stick upwards to ascend.
Continue the ascent to 15 meters altitude or above the highest point of the ship's structures. This value also needs to be adjusted based on the height of the ship's deck. Once exposed to the wind, the vehicle will begin to drift.
Correct the drift with stick input until the ship's structures are fully cleared. The right joystick controls the vehicle's position. Moving the joystick forward, backward, left, or right adjusts the vehicle's position relative to its current heading.
The left joystick controls the vehicle's altitude and heading. Moving the joystick up will increase the altitude while moving it down will decrease the altitude. Moving the joystick left or right changes the vehicle's heading (yaw).
During the ascent, it is crucial to keep the nose aligned into the wind, as this provides the most stability for the vehicle during takeoff and transition.. This alignment also allows the Transition command to be executed into the wind without needing to realign the vehicle.
There are two possibilities to proceed from this point.
Once the ship's structure is cleared and there is sufficient distance between the ship and the vehicle, switch to Position mode via the Mode button.
Position mode provides enhanced navigational accuracy and stability by utilizing GPS and the magnetometer. However, a disadvantage is that the ship's metal can still create interference in the magnetometer.
This mode provides enhanced navigational accuracy and stability by utilizing GPS and the magnetometer. However, a disadvantage is that the ship's metal can still create interference in the magnetometer.
When in Position mode and the vehicle is aligned with its nose into the wind, verify for the last time that the transition path is free of obstacles, then issue the transition command.
Once the transition is complete, typically after 2 to 3 seconds, ascend to a safe altitude by pulling the right joystick backward, as it controls altitude during fixed-wing flight.
Altitude
Windspeed and direction
Groundspeed and airspeed
Once a safe altitude and location are reached, issue the Hold command. The vehicle will orbit its current location at the present altitude with a radius of 100 meters.
If magnetic interference is strong, it is recommended to transition to fixed-wing mode while in Altitude mode, as this mode primarily relies on the IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) without using the compass or GPS.
In Altitude mode, special care must be taken with regard to altitude readings, as accuracy will vary in this mode. Altitude mode relies heavily on barometric sensors (altimeters) and sometimes the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) for estimating altitude. These sensors can be affected by environmental factors, such as temperature and air pressure changes.
Once the ship's structure is cleared and the vehicle is aligned with its nose into the wind, verify for the last time that the transition path is free of obstacles, then issue the transition command.
Once the transition is complete, typically after 2 to 3 seconds, ascend to a safe altitude by pulling the right joystick backward, as it controls altitude during fixed-wing flight.
Altitude
Windspeed and direction
Groundspeed and airspeed
Once a safe altitude and location are reached, issue the Hold command. The vehicle will orbit its current location at the present altitude with a radius of 100 meters.
Select Position mode via the Mode button, as the vehicle has sufficient clearance and should be outside the ship's magnetic interference.
Set an Orbit with a clear line of sight.
Identify the landing trajectory aligned into the wind, with a safe bailout option.
Reposition the orbit to align with the identified landing trajectory.
Lower the orbit’s altitude to a safe landing height of at least 15 meters above the ship's deck.
When the DeltaQuad Evo is facing the direction of the landing trajectory, switch to Altitude mode.
Guide the vehicle to the landing zone while maintaining its altitude with the right joystick.
Transition to Multirotor Mode at a safe distance from the landing zone (between 200m and 25m). Higher wind speeds require a shorter distance to complete the transition.
When positioned above the landing zone, account for the deck's tilt and movement.
Adjust the vehicle's heading so that its wings are positioned to avoid hitting the deck due to its rolling.
Time the landing with the waves to ensure touchdown occurs at the deck's lowest point.
After touchdown, be prepared to manually disarm the vehicle through emergency actions if necessary. If the ship's movements are minimal, the vehicle will disarm itself within 2 seconds after touchdown.
To access the Orbit command, the Flight Tools must be enabled in the lower-left corner of the screen .
To access the Fig 8 command, the Flight Tools must be enabled in the lower-left corner of the screen .
To access the Change Speed command, the Flight Tools must be enabled in the lower-left corner of the screen .
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 .
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 .
Once disabled, the GPS symbol in will turn red.
The DeltaQuad Evo is equipped with an optical flow sensor. A can be used to take off and transition autonomously. The optical flow sensor will work up to 10 meters. The transition altitude can be set to 15 meters. In strong winds, drift can be expected for the last 5 meters.
If Allow takeoff without GPS lock is enabled, manually arming the vehicle is available and the reads Ready to Fly.
Manual arming is only possible in .
The vehicle will drift with the wind, the operator needs to !
Complete the .
The VTOL motors will spin up. In Multirotor mode, the left control stick manages the throttle, regulating the drone's altitude. If you have any doubts, please review the stick controls for Multirotor mode .
Throughout the entire process, closely monitor the for:
From this point on, the vehicle can be controlled as described in .
Throughout the entire process, closely monitor the for:
From this point on, the vehicle can be controlled as described in .
After the transition to Multirotor mode, lower the altitude while moving toward and above the landing zone. Higher wind speeds require a lower descent speed. If you have any doubts, please review the stick controls for Multirotor mode .
This section describes the essential steps to take after the vehicle has landed.
When the DeltaQuad EVO has completed operations it should be switched off, inspected, dismantled, and stored. Flight logs should be retrieved and registered.
Before approaching the vehicle to switch it off note the following;
The vehicle should never be approached when the motors are spinning.
In the unlikely event of a crash, the vehicle should not be approached within 15 minutes. The battery could have been damaged and may ignite.
Always stay clear of the propellers until the vehicle has been powered off by disconnecting the main flight battery.
To switch the vehicle off open the canopy and remove the lid. Then disconnect the main battery connector and remove the battery. The battery should be stored directly and safely.
After a landing, specifically a hard landing or a grass landing, the DeltaQuad EVO should be inspected for damage. Inspecting the vehicle visually at the landing site can help in determining the cause of any problems that might arise in the future. It is recommended, specifically when in doubt or with visible damage, to take pictures of the vehicle before dismantling it.
If there is any dirt on the vehicle or the propellers this should be removed with a damp cloth. Dirt on the wings, fuse, or propellers will significantly impact the performance.
Special care must be taken to inspect the propellers both before and after every flight. If there is any visible or palpable damage to a propeller it should be replaced directly in accordance with the preventative maintenance section.
Dismantle the vehicle in accordance with the assembly section. If you are able to transport and store the vehicle safely with only the wings detached this is recommended as it will reduce the risk of assembly problems.
The DeltaQuad EVO should be transported and stored inside the DeltaQuad EVO Flightcase.
When a sim card is installed inside the UAV, the logs will be uploaded automatically to your Auterion Suite account. Logs can also be manually retrieved through the Analysis section of the Ground Control Station.
This section discusses the steps to be taken to keep your DeltaQuad Evo in proper condition.
Preventative maintenance is crucial for ensuring the reliable and safe operation of the DeltaQuad Evo. It involves regular, scheduled inspections and servicing of the Evo's components. Given their design and functionality, components like the VTOL arms, pusher motor pod, and wingtips feature moving parts and require lubricants to ensure optimal performance. The goal is to identify and address potential issues before they lead to failures or accidents.
Regular maintenance helps in detecting wear and tear, preventing equipment malfunctions, and ensuring all systems function optimally. By adhering to a preventative maintenance schedule, operators can extend the lifespan of the DeltaQuad Evo, reduce the risk of unexpected breakdowns, and maintain high performance and safety standards. This proactive approach ultimately enhances mission reliability and operational efficiency.
Follow the Post-flight Checks stated in this manual.
Clean the propellers of any dirt and inspect for damage.
Clean the fuselage and wings, this will improve performance.
To keep your vehicle in the best condition and safe to operate beyond this point scheduled maintenance should be performed. A maintenance kit can be ordered from DeltaQuad. The installation can be performed by the operator. Instructions for the installation can be found in this chapter.
The DeltaQuad Evo has been designed to allow easy replacement of components. The following components are available as replacement parts.
Maintenance kit
4 VTOL arms with propellers installed
Pusher motor po with propeller installed
2 wingtips
2 elevons
Landing gear legs
Complete set of propellers (4 VTOL propellers, 1 pusher propeller)
The maintenance chapters provide detailed instructions on keeping the DeltaQuad Evo at peak performance.
The following section describes the components of the maintenance kit, their installation, and the benefits of using them for optimal performance.
Scheduled Replacement of DeltaQuad Evo maintenance kit components
To maintain the peak performance and reliability of your DeltaQuad Evo, it is crucial to adhere to scheduled maintenance practices, including the replacement of components from the Maintenance Kit. All motorized parts on the Evo use bearings, which contain lubricants to keep them running. Over time, this fluid can dry out, regardless of use, and moving parts are subject to wear and tear, increasing the likelihood of failure. Additionally, these components are prone to corrosion as most contain metal parts.
Critical moving parts such as the VTOL arms, pusher motor pod, and wingtips should be replaced within a recommended time frame to ensure continued safe operation. Components may experience wear after 12 months, affecting overall performance, flight stability, and longevity. Replacing these parts proactively helps mitigate potential issues before they impact your drone’s performance during missions.
Not adhering to the maintenance cycle voids the warranty, as failures beyond this point—though unlikely—could have been prevented.
It remains the client’s choice to perform these cycles at their own risk.
The DeltaQuad Evo maintenance kit includes the following components:
VTOL Arms
The kit includes four VTOL arms:
Two VTOL arms with clockwise rotating motors and propellers
Two VTOL arms with counter-clockwise rotating motors and propellers
These VTOL arms come pre-assembled with landing gear, ESC (Electronic Speed Controller), motors, and propellers balanced by DeltaQuad to achieve the lowest vibration profile, ensuring smooth and stable flight performance.
Pusher Motor Pod
A fully assembled pusher motor pod is included in the kit. This pod comes with:
A housing for the ESC, motor, and propeller
Pre-installed and balanced for optimal thrust and minimal vibration, the pusher motor pod provides the forward propulsion necessary for fixed-wing flight. It complements the VTOL arms' vertical lift, aiding during both ascent and descent by holding the vehicle's position.
Wingtips
The maintenance kit also contains a pair of interchangeable wingtips. Each wingtip includes:
One servo for precise control of the drone's elevon
One LED for enhanced visibility and status indication
The wingtips are designed to be easily attachable and interchangeable, allowing for quick replacements or repairs. Either wingtip fits on both sides of the drone.
Pre-installed and Balanced Propellers
It is important not to remove the installed propellers, as this would negate their pre-installed and balanced state, designed to achieve the lowest vibration profile.
All propellers in the kit are pre-installed on their respective motors and balanced by DeltaQuad. This balancing process minimizes vibration, crucial for maintaining flight stability and extending the lifespan of both the motors and the drone's structural components.
The following section describes how to replace a DeltaQuad Evo VTOL Arm.
Find a flat surface like a table big enough to fit the DeltaQuad Evo's fuselage.
Remove the hatch, as this gives more stability when the fuselage is lying upside down on the table.
Take the fuselage of the DeltaQuad Evo out of the flight case.
Put the fuselage upside down on the table.
To remove the VTOL arm, two screws need to be loosened. To access the screw heads, the landing gear leg must be fully deployed. If the landing gear is retracted, it can be gently deployed manually.
Use a size 2 hex key to loosen the two long screws located under the landing gear leg when it is retracted.
After removing the two screws, the VTOL arm can be detached. Hold the opposite VTOL arm with one hand for stabilization and pull the lower VTOL arm towards you in a straight line. Avoid wiggling from side to side or up and down.
The maintenance kit comes with four VTOL arms: two with clockwise (CW) propeller rotation and two with counter-clockwise (CCW) propeller rotation. Each VTOL arm has an inscription inside its hollow end. The inscription inside the VTOL arm must match the inscription on the respective T-section mount that holds the VTOL arm to the fuselage.
Hold the opposite VTOL arm with one hand for stabilization.
The T-section mount has an alignment groove for the VTOL arm on each side.
Align the VTOL arm so that it catches the alignment groove, then push it forward in a straight line. Avoid wiggling from side to side or up and down.
Push until the VTOL arm is fully aligned and set.
Apply a small amount of threadlocker to the tip of the screw.
Insert and tighten the first screw with moderate force until it is firmly in place. Avoid using excessive force to prevent overtightening and potential damage.
Repeat step 9. and 10. for the second screw.
The VTOL arm is now installed. Ensure that it is securely aligned and properly set in place. Double-check that both screws are snug but not overtightened to avoid any damage. Repeat the process for the remaining VTOL arms if necessary.
If you should encounter problems during the installation process please contact [email protected] for further assistance.
The following section describes how to replace the DeltaQuad Evo Pusher Motor.
Find a flat surface like a table big enough to fit the DeltaQuad Evo's fuselage.
Take the fuselage of the DeltaQuad Evo out of the flight case.
Put the fuselage on its landing gear on the table.
Remove the hatch.
Remove the two top screws of the avionics bay hatch.
Slightly lift the avionics bay and pull it forward.
On the lower left side of the avionics bay, you will find the gray Pusher Motor Pod connector. Unplug the connector.
There are two top screws and two bottom screws holding the Pusher Motor Pod in place.
First, remove the two bottom screws.
Remove the two top screws while supporting the Pusher Motor Pod with your other hand.
Pull the Pusher Motor Pod slightly towards you and then down, away from the opening. Take the connector of the Pusher Motor Pod and guide the cable through the fuselage opening.
Remove the Pusher Motor Holder (bracket).
The Pusher Motor Holder sits inside the fuselage, securing, and aligning the Pusher Motor Pod. Install the new Pusher Motor Holder (bracket).
The bracket has two mounting points which need to sit in their respective mounting holes and flush with the fuselage.
For the installation of the Pusher Motor Pod, four screws are required: two short screws for the top of the Pusher Motor Pod and two long screws for the bottom.
Ensure to apply threadlocker to the tip of each screw.
To install the new Pusher Motor Pod, guide the cable of the Pusher Motor Pod through the fuselage opening.
Align the front screw holes of the Pusher Motor Pod with those in the fuselage, as well as the screw holes of the Pusher Motor Holder.
Insert and tighten the two short screws at the top of the Pusher Motor Pod.
Insert and tighten the two long screws at the bottom of the Pusher Motor Pod.
Connect the Pusher Motor Pod connectors and store the cable in the lower left corner of the fuselage.
To install the avionics bay hatch, catch and align its clamps with the rear edge of the avionics bay. Follow step 2 in reverse order to achieve this.
Close the avionics bay by tightening the two top screws. Please use threadlocker for these screws.
The Pusher Motor Pod is now installed. Ensure that it is securely aligned and properly set in place. Double-check that all screws are snug but not overtightened to avoid any damage.
If you should encounter problems during the installation process please contact [email protected] for further assistance.
The following section describes how to replace a DeltaQuad Evo wingtip.
Find a flat surface, such as a table, large enough to accommodate one of the DeltaQuad Evo's wings.
Take a wing of the DeltaQuad Evo out of the flight case.
The wingtips are interchangeable and can be installed on either side.
Position the wing on a table with the wingtip pointing upward to easily access the two screw holes.
Use a Torx tool size 10 (T10) to remove the two screws from the wingtip.
When removing the second screw, the wingtip should begin to loosen from its position where it was secured. Hold and remove the wingtip with the other hand.
Before attaching the new wingtip make sure to use threadlocker on each tip of a screw.
Take the new wingtip and attach it to the wing by aligning the connectors and servo arm with the mounting hole on the side of the elevon.
Tighten both screws. Avoid using excessive force to prevent overtightening and potential damage.
Ensure the wing is properly attached and secured. Test the elevon by carefully moving it upwards. The motor of the wingtip servo should produce a sound and offer slight resistance to the movement.
The wingtip is now installed. Ensure that it is securely aligned and properly set in place. Double-check that all screws are snug but not overtightened to avoid any damage.
If you should encounter problems during the installation process please contact [email protected] for further assistance.
The following section describes how to change a DeltaQuad Evo landing gear leg.
Find a flat surface like a table big enough to fit the DeltaQuad Evo's fuselage.
Remove the hatch, as this gives more stability when the fuselage is lying upside down on the table.
Take the fuselage of the DeltaQuad Evo out of the flight case.
Put the fuselage upside down on the table.
The VTOL arm does not need to be removed from the fuselage to change the landing gear leg, which can be done with the VTOL arm installed.
The landing gear leg is held in place by two screws located at the base of the landing gear. If the landing gear is retracted, manually deploy the landing gear leg by slowly moving it upwards by hand.
Loosen and remove the two screws with the Torx tool (T10).
After removing the screws, move the leg slightly toward the VTOL arm and pull it upwards.
The landing gear leg has a knee joint that needs to be inserted into the corresponding mounting hole on the VTOL arm.
Ensure that the knee joint of the landing gear leg is properly inserted into the mounting hole on the VTOL arm, as this connects to the servo mechanism that moves the leg. If not properly installed, the landing gear leg will not deploy or retract correctly.
Install the new landing gear leg by connecting the knee joint of the leg with the mounting hole of the VTOL arm.
Move the leg into the deployed position. Ensure that the landing gear latch properly connects to the latch opening on the base of the motor mount.
Reinsert the two screws into the corresponding holes and tighten them with the Torx tool (T10).
Before attaching the new landing gear leg make sure to use threadlocker on each tip of a screw.
The landing gear leg is now installed. Ensure that it is securely aligned and properly set in place. Double-check that all screws are snug but not overtightened to avoid any damage.
If you should encounter problems during the installation process please contact [email protected] for further assistance.
This section explains the landing gear leg feature.
The landing gear mechanism includes a feature designed to prevent damage to the landing gear servo during a frontal impact on the landing gear leg. A clothespin-like mechanism with a predetermined breaking point separates the connection between the servo and the landing gear leg, preventing the transfer of impact energy to the servo.
To fix this, slowly deploy the landing gear until you hear a click, indicating the connection has been restored.
The following section describes how to replace the elevons on the DeltaQuad Evo.
Find a flat surface, such as a table, large enough to accommodate one of the DeltaQuad Evo's wings.
Take a wing of the DeltaQuad Evo out of the flight case.
Position the wing on a table with the wingtip pointing upward to easily access the two screw holes.
Use a Torx tool size 10 (T10) to remove the two screws from the wingtip.
When removing the second screw, the wingtip should begin to loosen from its position where it was secured. Hold and remove the wingtip with the other hand.
With the wingtip removed, the elevon should hang loosely. Hold the leading edge of the wing with one hand. Align the loose elevon with the trailing edge of the wing and move the elevon outward to where the wingtip was installed.
After moving the elevon slightly outward from the wing, pull it toward you. The elevon should come loose.
To install the new elevon, follow the steps described above in reverse order. The elevon hinges have 4 hooks that need to be inserted into the corresponding holes in the wing.
Align the 4 elevon hinges with the 4 holes in the wing.
Lock the elevon hinges by moving the elevon toward the wing base.
Before attaching the new wingtip make sure to use threadlocker on each tip of a screw.
Take the new wingtip and attach it to the wing by aligning the connectors and servo arm with the mounting hole on the side of the elevon.
Tighten both screws. Avoid using excessive force to prevent overtightening and potential damage.
Ensure the wing is properly attached and secured. Test the elevon by carefully moving it upwards. The motor of the wingtip servo should produce a sound and offer slight resistance to the movement.
The elevon and the wingtip is now installed. Ensure that it is securely aligned and properly set in place. Double-check that all screws are snug but not overtightened to avoid any damage.
If you should encounter problems during the installation process please contact [email protected] for further assistance.
This section will discuss how to share log files via Auterion Suite.
The DeltaQuad Evo records onboard logs that contain vast amounts of information regarding the flights. These onboard logs will be uploaded to Auterion Suite through cloud connectivity. The log files can be reviewed and shared via Auterion Suite if the following criteria are met:
Registered Auterion Suite account
Vehicle must be activated in Auterion Suite
Vehicle is connected to the cloud
For registering an Auterion Suite account and vehicle activation, please read here.
Log in to your Auterion Suite account and navigate to Fleet Management -> Vehicles on the left side of the screen.
Select the vehicle you want to download a log file from.
On the Vehicle Summary page, all registered flights are listed. Scroll down and select the flight from which you want to access the log file.
On the Flight details page, you can access the log analytics by clicking the button on the right side of the screen.
To share a log file with DeltaQuad for analysis, please enable the option Share with Manufacturer.
A message window will pop up, where you can leave your email address and a message. Fill in the form and click on Share.
After you share the log files with DeltaQuad, the support team will review them and provide you with an analysis.
The following section describes how to change the propellers on the DeltaQuad Evo.
The DeltaQuad Evo comes with 5 propellers: 1 composite pusher propeller and 4 carbon fiber VTOL propellers. When replacing the propellers, please follow these guidelines.
The VTOL propellers include 2 Clockwise (CW) propellers and 2 Counterclockwise (CCW) propellers.
On the top of the VTOL propellers, there is a marking indicating the propeller's rotational direction.
The bullet-type nut on the propeller adapters is self-tightening, meaning it tightens by turning in the opposite direction of the motor and propeller's rotation. This design ensures that the propellers do not become detached as the motor spins up.
Therefore, to undo the nut on motors 1 and 2, turn it left, and for motors 3 and 4, turn it right.
Mount the propellers in the following positions noting the direction of the propeller as indicated below:
The propellers are attached by removing the motor nut and washer, sliding the propeller on the shaft, sliding the washer on top of the propeller, and fastening the nut.
For the vertical motors (VTOL motors), please make sure to install the washer in the right orientation. The washer has a wider side at the bottom.
After changing the pusher propeller, a test flight is necessary to verify that the vibration profile is within tolerances. Please contact [email protected] and share the log file for review.
The DeltaQuad Evo pusher propeller is an APC 15x10E propeller, which includes a modified ring for proper mounting on the DeltaQuad Evo pusher motor.
This small ring inside the propeller's mounting hole ensures a snug fit around the motor shaft.
Always ensure the centering ring is present and the propeller fits tightly around the shaft.
Only use DeltaQuad-approved and balanced pusher propellers.
The pusher propeller should be mounted so that it produces thrust towards the rear. This means the top of the propeller (the side with the engraved text) should face the motor, as shown in the diagram below.
All propellers are balanced in our factory by hand. This can leave scratch marks on the propeller blades. This does not indicate damage or that the propellers are used. A sign of damage can be structural weakness such as a bent propeller blade. If you find gouges or missing parts anywhere at the tip, the outboard region, or the trailing edge of the blade you need to replace the propeller.
This chapter discusses flight logs and outlines three methods for retrieving log files from the DeltaQuad Evo.
The DeltaQuad Evo records onboard logs containing extensive information about each flight.
These logs serve multiple purposes, including flight performance analysis and troubleshooting. By examining them, you can assess the drone’s operational efficiency, identify potential issues, and make data-driven decisions to enhance future flights. The following three sections discuss how to retrieve the log files.
Basic telemetry logging in AMC is enabled by default. To disable it, open AMC, go to AMC Menu -> Settings -> General. Under Telemetry Logs from Vehicle disable Save log after each flight.
On the DeltaQuad Evo TAC/TAC+, more detailed logging on the flight controller is set by default to log without location data and is not encrypted. To turn this logging off or to set it to also log location-related data AMC must run in Advanced Mode (click 5 times on the AMC Menu to get the option).
Go to AMC Menu -> Advanced -> Storage while AMC is connected to the vehicle. Note that this setting persists through vehicle reboots.
Log Location Data can be set to Enabled, Disabled, and Only Local Position.
Warranty claims will only be considered valid and processed if accompanied by the relevant log files documenting the incident in question. Failure to provide the necessary log files may result in the denial of the warranty claim. By submitting a warranty request, you acknowledge and agree that the presence of log files is a mandatory requirement for warranty evaluation and potential fulfillment.