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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.
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.
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.
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 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
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 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.
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 .
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 .
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.
