Astro Public
  • Pilot's Operating Handbook
    • Getting Started
    • System Overview
    • Flight Part 1 - Flight Modes
    • Flight Part 2 - Operation
    • Flight Part 3 - Emergency / Advanced
    • Essential Software
      • Auterion Mission Control
        • AMC - Fly
        • AMC - Plan
          • Transfer Mission Plan and KML Files with Herelink
          • Terrain Follow
          • Offline Maps
        • AMC - Vehicle Setup
          • Advanced Vehicle Setup
          • Parameters
        • AMC - Photos
        • AMC - User Account
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          • Advanced Mode
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      • Network and Connectivity
    • Pro Tips and Limitations
      • Travel and Shipping
  • Maintenance
    • FAQ & Troubleshooting
    • Software Updates
      • Updating Firmware
      • Astro Software v2.0 - What's New
      • Astro Software v1.7 - What’s New
      • Astro Software v1.4 - What’s New
      • Astro Software v1.2 - What’s New
    • Standard Maintenance Procedures
      • Getting Technical Support
      • Periodic Maintenance
      • Replacing Components
        • Replacing Propellers
        • Installing a SIM Card
      • Calibration and Tuning
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  • Other User Manuals
    • FREEFLY PAYLOADS
      • LR1 Payload
        • Payload Overview and Setup
        • Expansion Modules
          • LR1 Thermal Module
          • LR1 Distance Sensor
        • Mapping/Inspection/Video Workflow
        • LR1 Lenses and Expansion
          • Changing Lenses
            • Advanced Gimbal Tuning
          • Expansion Ports
        • What changed between A7R4 and LR1 Payload?
        • Technical Specs
        • LR1 Sample Mapping Data
      • A7R4 Payload
        • Packing, Handling, and Setup
        • Camera Controls
        • Mapping/Inspection/Video Workflow
        • Resetting Camera Settings
        • Calibration and Tuning
        • Technical Specs and Lenses
      • Ventus OGI Payload
        • Operating Handbook
          • Setting up Astro with OGI
          • Pre-flight Planning
          • Settings
          • Configure Gas Enhancement Mode
          • Advanced Operation
          • Downloading/Formatting Media
        • Protips, Limitations, and Troubleshooting
        • Technical Specs
      • Wiris Pro Payload
        • Operating Handbook
          • Setting up Astro with Wiris Pro
          • Pre-flight Planning
          • Advanced Operation
          • Inspection Workflow
          • Downloading Media/Example Output
          • Formatting Media
        • Protips, Limitations, and Troubleshooting
        • Technical Specs
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        • Glossary
        • Integration for 3rd Party Applications
          • Mechanical Interface
          • Electrical Interface
          • Operational Limitations
      • Workflows/Maintenance/Updates
        • Installing/Removing Payloads
        • Mapping Workflow and Output
          • Pre-flight Planning
          • Mapping Efficiency Tips
          • Mapping Flight and Post Processing
          • PPK Software
          • Output Specification
          • Sample Mapping Data
        • Inspection Workflow
        • Gimbal Firmware
        • Gimbal Logs
        • USB Formatting
        • Isolation System
        • Precise/Smooth Gimbal Control
      • FPV Camera
    • 3RD PARTY PAYLOADS
      • Hovermap ST-X Lidar
        • Hovermap Setup on Astro
        • Mapping with Hovermap
        • Assisted/Autonomous Flight
      • Gremsy Pixy PE
      • Gremsy Vio
      • Sentera 6X/65R
    • ECOSYSTEM
      • Components
        • Batteries
        • Pilot Pro Controller
        • Herelink Handset (Legacy)
          • Herelink Controller Maintenance
            • Updating Herelink Software
            • Switching to Freefly Updater
            • Removing/Reinstalling the Herelink Cover
        • Vibration Isolators
        • GNSS Base Stations
      • Development Tools
        • MavSDK
        • Software Interfaces
        • Payload Mounting Interfaces
        • Electrical Interfaces
        • Onboard Computer
      • DIU Blue sUAS
      • FAA Remote Identification (RID)
      • Esri ArcGIS Flight (Site Scan)
        • 1 - Setup and Connecting to Astro
        • 2 - Preflight and Mission Planning
        • 3 - Flying a Mission with Astro
        • 4 - Post-Flight and Image Processing
        • Global Settings
      • DroneDeploy
    • SPECS AND INTERFACES
      • Technical Specs
      • Performance
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      • Compliance
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On this page
  • Astro Flight Checklist
  • Before Flight
  • Powering On the Transmitter
  • Powering On the Astro
  • Checking Battery Levels
  • Issues Preventing Arming
  • Arming and Disarming
  • Automatic Disarm Methods
  • Taking off
  • Landing
  • Battery Changes / Hotswaps
  • Battery Changes
  • Hotswap
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  1. Pilot's Operating Handbook

Flight Part 2 - Operation

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Last updated 8 months ago

Make sure you understand Astro's and understand how to operate the drone in before taking flight.

Astro Flight Checklist

Below is our recommended Astro flight checklist, which covers the main considerations you need to be aware of before, during, and after operation.

We also offer this checklist as a to allow for a more customized experience. For example, you might want to add specific items to better reflect your company's safety procedures, workflow, payload, or region.


Before Flight

Powering On the Transmitter

If you have a Tab 3 (red button on the tablet) press and hold the small black button on the edge of the tablet to turn it on

If you have a Tab 5 (green button on the tablet) press the power button on the Pilot Pro twice

Pilot Pro will automatically open the Pilot Pro App. Once the Astro is running and everything shows as connected, switch over to the AMC app

Press and hold the power button below the screen until you see the Herelink logo appear

Powering On the Astro

The Astro can be powered with either one or two batteries. One battery will put the Astro into Bench Mode to prevent arm for benchtop operations, and two batteries will allow for flight

Bench Mode: Astro will only arm (i.e. spin the motors) if 2 batteries are installed. When powering Astro for non-flying purposes (e.g. benchtop testing), connect only one battery.

Bench mode is not a substitute for the absolute safety of removing propellers.

To power on the Astro, connect at least one SL8 battery by sliding it along the rails on top of the aircraft until you hear two clicks. Once connected, press the button on the battery twice to turn it on. If you have two batteries connected, they will both automatically power on when you turn on one of them.

Checking Battery Levels

Once the transmitter and Astro are connected, the AMC app indicates Astro's battery level and the battery level of the handset in the status bar.

Issues Preventing Arming

You may occasionally encounter issues that will prevent Astro from arming:

Compass Cal

Everything else


Arming and Disarming

Astro's propulsion system has two fundamental states: Disarmed and Armed. These states are displayed on the Astro through the LED's on the boom arms.

State

Definition

Indication

Disarmed

Safe mode, no spinning propellers

Boom LEDS dim

Armed

Aircraft will spin propellers, ready to fly

Boom LEDs bright (100% or user specified level)

Astro can be armed with or without GPS.

Pro Tip: Wait for GPS lock even if you don't plan to use Position Mode because Return Mode relies on GPS.

Before arming, ensure people and other obstacles are clear of the propellers. Be prepared for Astro to take off.

State
Input

Arming (Mode 2)

Hold the throttle stick down and right for 2 seconds.

Disarming

When the aircraft has landed, continue holding the throttle stick down for 2 seconds.

It is not possible to disarm via the normal method while in flight.

Use only the throttle stick to Arm & Disarm. Astro will not respond to two-stick input (i.e. DJI arming gesture).

Missions may Arm and Disarm the aircraft automatically. For example, if a mission is started while the aircraft is disarmed on the ground, the aircraft will arm and take off.

Automatic Disarm Methods

Under these conditions, Astro will automatically disarm.

Method

Astro behavior

Ground timeout before taking off

If Astro sits on the ground at idle throttle for 10 seconds, it will automatically disarm.

Land mode

If Astro is in Land Mode, and detects a landing, it will disarm after 2 seconds. For example, this applies if the last command in a mission is "Land".


Taking off

Position Mode is best for taking off in most cases, as it offers the most stabilization. However, it is certainly possible to take off in Altitude, Manual, and Mission modes as well.

For 5 seconds after takeoff, the maximum pitch and roll angles are reduced to 12 degrees.

After takeoff, promptly climb out of ground effect (i.e. to 3 meters / 12 feet of altitude) to avoid snagging landing gear on the ground.

Takeoff best practices:

After arming, allow the throttle stick to return to the center. The propellers will remain idle. When ready to take off, raise the throttle stick. The propellers will spin up and the aircraft will take off.

After arming, hold the throttle stick straight down with no Yaw input. When ready to take off, raise the throttle stick slowly. The propellers will accelerate as soon as the throttle stick moves. As the throttle approaches the mid-point, there will be enough thrust to take off. Continue raising the throttle to achieve a brisk takeoff.


Landing

Position Mode is best for landing in most cases, as it offers the most stabilization. However, it is certainly possible to land in Altitude and Manual modes as well. The aircraft behaves a little differently in each mode.

Do not hand catch Astro. The aircraft is designed to be landed on hard flat surfaces. Hand catching can result in serious injury or death.

In Position and Altitude Modes, at altitudes below 7 meters, the maximum vertical speed is reduced to 0.7 m/s (from the normal value of 2 m/s).

Astro will disarm automatically after the autopilot detects a landing. Landing detection brings together input from several sensors to determine when it is safe to disarm.

Landing best practices:

Bring the aircraft to a hover > 2 meters over the spot where landing is desired. Pull the throttle stick straight down as far as it goes, without any pitch, roll, or yaw commands. Astro's landing sensor will manage the speed of your descent. After touchdown, hold the throttle stick down until Astro disarms and the propellers stop.

At altitudes below 2 meters, the maximum pitch/roll angle is reduced to 12 degrees. This prevents abrupt maneuvers that might cause a tip-over.

Pitch, Roll, or Yaw commands very near the ground can cause crashes or tip-overs.

Landing in Altitude Mode is different than Position Mode because the pilot is responsible for managing lateral velocity. The autopilot will control the throttle to manage the descent rate.

Bring the aircraft to a hover > 2 meters over the spot where landing is desired. Give minimal pitch and roll commands to minimize both lateral speed and minimize pitch/roll angle. Pull the throttle stick down. After touchdown, hold the throttle stick down until Astro disarms and the propellers stop.

At altitudes below 2 meters, pitch/roll angle limits are reduced to 12 degrees. This reduces the likelihood of abrupt maneuvers that might cause a tip-over.

Landing in Manual Mode is different than Position or Altitude Mode because the pilot is responsible for managing vertical and lateral velocity.

Bring the aircraft to a hover > 2 meters over the spot where landing is desired. Give minimal pitch and roll commands necessary to minimize both lateral speed and minimize pitch/roll angle. Reduce throttle to allow the aircraft to descend slowly.

As Astro nears the ground and enters ground effect, the pilot will often need to reduce the throttle to keep the aircraft descending. Once the aircraft has touched down, the operator should reduce the throttle to zero promptly so that it settles on the ground instead of possibly bouncing or dragging the landing gear. Hold the throttle stick down until Astro disarms and the propellers stop


Battery Changes / Hotswaps

While Astro will recognize that the battery is low and perform a failsafe action (return to launch by default), the aircraft has no context of situations that might prevent a safe landing before the battery is exhausted. For instance, if the aircraft is several miles away from the RTL point when the failsafe is triggered, there is a chance that there won't be enough battery life to return. It is the pilot's responsibility to determine the appropriate time for a battery change and to ensure the aircraft is safely grounded.

Battery Changes

The Astro's batteries can be removed by pushing up on the grey tab on the back of the battery. This will unlock the battery, and allow you to slide it out.

Astro's SL8 batteries do not need to be powered off before removal

Hotswap

During some longer missions, you may find hotswapping batteries easier, which will keep the Astro powered on during the battery changing process. To hotswap batteries, remove one discharged pack from the drone and replace it with a charged pack. Enable the pack by pressing the power button twice, then replace the other discharged pack. Enable the second charged pack if it does not show "Hotswap" on the battery display screen.

Upon landing, AMC will offer an option to "Resume Mission from Waypoint #". This will modify the mission by removing the waypoints already visited.

If AMC asks you to calibrate the compass and won't allow you to take off, follow the in an area without significant magnetic interference (far from large metal structures or magnetic/electric installations).

Check if the AMC message you're encountering is on our and follow the associated instructions. If you're still experiencing the issue, please reach out to support@freeflysystems.com for further troubleshooting.

The transition between Armed and Disarmed can be done either or with the sticks on the pilot handset. (The pilot's handset default configuration is .)

To disarm during flight, perform an .

If Astro does not arm, check .

If the landing is not detected (i.e. the props do not stop after touchdown), perform the .

The pilot may also adjust the to activate Return Mode automatically at a level appropriate for the mission.

Error/Warning Spreadsheet
through AMC
Mode 2
Emergency Stop
Auterion Mission Control (AMC) for errors or warnings
Low Battery Failsafe settings
Emergency Procedures
Google Sheet template
instuctions to recalibrate sensors
Emergency Procedure for Landing Detector Failure
Manual Mode
35KB
Astro Checklists and EPs - v5.pdf
pdf
Astro Checklists and EPs - v5.pdf
Where to find Astro and Handset battery levels in AMC
How to power the Astro