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Everything you need to know to maintain a safe and functional aircraft
Before performing any maintenance, ensure that Astro is not connected to any power source, battery or otherwise. Leaving Astro powered while performing any work on it can result in a potentially dangerous situation.
Keep your aircraft clean of dust and debris after each use- this will ensure that moving parts are not damaged/warn/jammed and also helps prevent and contamination from hiding structural damage that must be identified during visual preflight inspections.
Clean Astro's exterior with a non-abrasive soft cloth, microfiber towel or similar with a plastic-safe soap or detergent. Graduate the solvent potency when removing contamination, as shown below:
Water
Soap and water
General cleaner (like Simple Green)
Isopropyl Alcohol
Avoid anything that has bleach in it, or aggressive solvents like Acetone. If operating in a salt environment, wipe down Astro after use with a clean rag wet with tap water.
Always follow the preflight checklist items to ensure that each flight is safe and achieves the mission goals.
Astro is rated to 1500 flight hours! If an item is not specifically listed under any preventative maintenance schedule below, then the item is rated for the lifetime of the aircraft. This does include all aircraft electronics and motors.
At any point if you are concerned about something on the aircraft you can contact Freefly Support or purchase a Preventative Maintenance Checkup.
Note- it is key to keep both your aircraft and controller firmware up to date. Review the Software Release Notes or review the software updates page in the Auterion Suite to maintain your vehicle firmware.
Perform a full visual inspection of the drone, controller, batteries, and payloads before each flight.
Look for any missing screws or hardware, any new damage or cracks, or anything that looks out of the ordinary or has changed.
Check that motors spin freely and with no grinding/interference
Developing this mental model of your drone is key to catching issues before they become a possible in-flight emergency.
In addition to phase PM1:
Perform a detailed visual inspection of the aircraft:
Propeller blades and fasteners
Motor mounting fasteners are present and not loose
Propeller blades are flight ready. Reject if chips, cracks, or deep scratches are visible. Replace as necessary with spare parts.
Vibration Isolators:
Visually check for any cracks, gel leaks, visible stretching. Replace as necessary with spare parts
Propeller blade washers (between blade and hub):
Visually check if they are present and not severely deformed. Replace as necessary with with spare parts
Inspect Landing Gear
Look for: Loose hinges, Hinge pin migration, no longer latching, any visible cracks or damage
Clean aircraft
Wipe down any dust/debris from chassis
Clean any contamination from battery connectors
Ensure no debris in or around the boom motors
Clean off any debris on propellers
Check Propeller Tension
Propeller tension is within acceptable tightness range (not clamping the propeller to tight or too loose on the propeller)
Verify Boom Latch Tightness
Verify each boom fully latches
The safety hinge has a solid over-center force
The hinge latch fully seats behind the latching post
If the hinge does not have enough tension, use a driver to adjust the hinge set screw to increase the latch tension
Ensure that any battery storage is conforming to the Maintenance Guidelines in the battery user manual
Visually inspect each battery:
Verify housings are intact and have no structural damage
Verify the battery connector has no major damage
Note: It is possible for the connector to get small minor chips from high force insertion on the Astro. This is OK as long as no connector metal is exposed from the damage.
If you have any questions, send a photo of the connector to Freefly Support
Verify that the battery does not have any errors displayed on the OLED screen
In addition to phases PM1 and PM2:
Inspect all fastener locations to verify fasteners are present, not damaged, and are not loose
To check fasteners, apply a slight tightening torque (Clockwise direction) to each fastener on the chassis using the supplied hex drivers. The fasteners should not slip. Do not try to tighten the fastener, only check if it is loose
If a fastener does slip, tighten it using the methods described in the "Replacing Components - Fastener Specifications" section. Do not apply additional thread locking compound unless the fastener has repeatedly come loose.
Motor mount bolts (attaches motor mount to boom)
Propeller Mount bolts (attaches props to motor)
Prop Tension (see prop tension)
Top and bottom chassis bolts
Payload Isolation Mount
Compass mounting bolts
GPS antenna tightness
Landing Gear bolts
Any payload fasteners
Freefly recommends to perform this maintenance every year even if the aircraft has not hit 750 flight hours, especially if the aircraft has missed other PM intervals or if the drone operates in harsh or abusive conditions
Send Astro in for a Freefly Service Inspection and Overhaul
Freefly drone service team will perform a full visual inspection and functional test of your aircraft with specific emphasis on:
Wear/fatigue items
Updated/improved/revised components
Confirm performance thresholds
Motors
Sensors
Any payload stabilization metrics
The service will include:
Historical flight log review for any errors or trends that need to be addressed (shared via Auterion Suite)
Service bulletin and firmware updates.
Full airworthiness inspection
Full cleaning and fastener replacement (as needed)
System level test and re-qualification
First step is to evaluate if the problem can be fixed- Things that can be fixed by the user typically are:
Dirty or contaminated hardware
Loose fasteners (Ensure you have the correct type of Loctite Threadlocker)
Missing fasteners (If you have the correct replacement parts)
Any replacement parts that you bought from the store or have specific directions from Freefly Customer Support
If you have a failure and cannot fix using our general guidelines or the spare parts provided in the kit or on the store, please reach out to support@freeflysystems.com or submit a direct ticket for any questions, specific replacement needs or issues! We are here to help you get safely and quickly back into the air!
If you need to purchase spare or replacement parts, please go to store.freeflysystems.com to purchase our standard parts.
Here is a guide to get your issues resolved faster:
Reach out to support by emailing us at support@freeflysystems.com or via our website. Texting or sending social messages will take longer.
Share as much detail as possible and provide Astro's serial number.
Share your flight logs from the Auterion Suite.
Include photos or videos in your contact in order to get us up to speed as quickly as possible.
Include pilot statement and notes of any incident or details
Ensure rotation direction is correct. Always replace propellers with a set intended to rotate in the same direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise). We suggest replacing one propeller assembly at a time to minimize potential for mix-ups, rather than removing all propellers at once.
Always replace both propeller blades as a set. They are a matched and balanced pair, with matching serial numbers. This is to reduce vibration.
Remove fasteners between the prop hub and the motors: (x4) M3x10 bolts.
Remove the old propeller assembly.
Fit the new propeller assembly.
Apply Loctite 243 or equivalent to all screws before installing. torque to 1.5 Newton meters.
Reinstall (x4) M3x8 bolts.
The correct direction of the propellers is shown below. Please note the arrow indicating the front of the Astro, which is easily identified by the cylindrical antenna.
Each blade of the propeller assembly should move freely with a small amount of resistance. It should not be difficult to fold the prop manually, and the force of gravity should be enough to pivot the blade at the bolt if the aircraft is rotated.
Select nano SIM card and carrier of your choice which falls in the RF Bands Astro supports.
AT&T and Verizon are recommended. T-Mobile has also been tested and proven functional.
Ensure Astro is powered down and flip it over so it is resting on its prop-protectors
Using a 1.5mm hex driver open the SIM access port and remove the rubber cover.
Insert your SIM card and ensure that it has latched into the SIM slot.
Reinstall the SIM card cover making sure that the cover seals out the SIM port fully. Then flip Astro back over so it is standing on its landing gear.
Note: Only North American SIM cards are currently supported by Astro.
Browse to http://suite.auterion.com and navigate to the 'Vehicles' page.
Under 'Vehicles' find the vehicle that matches the Astro's serial number.
Select your Vehicle, proceed to the Data tab, and then click “Associate SIM Card” .
Type in the SIM card number and select 'Associate'. Wait until the Suite refreshes and the SIM is associated with Astro
Turn on Astro and the Herelink controller.
Navigate to the Cellular setup menu under 'Vehicle Setup' on AMC.
Ensure that the screen resembles the one shown in the image.
If everything is greyed out, make sure the Astro has had time to fully connect to the Herelink and then try restarting the AMC app on the Herelink controller.
Check the box to enable a cellular connection and then enter in your SIM card's APN address.
Once both fields are completed hit 'Submit' and wait for the 'Connection to Modem' indicator to turn GREEN.
If there is an error in the APN or the SIM cannot reach service the modem connection may still indicate RED.
You only need to setup the SIM card once! The Cellular menu on AMC will reset on each power cycles and show a RED indicator but the settings will have been saved to the aircraft and data will flow when Astro is located in an area where there is cell service..
Customers have reported that these SIM cards have worked with Astro on the specified cell phone network. Please keep in mind that these claims have not been verified or tested by Freefly. For more information, see the LTE section of our Network and Connectivity page.
Astro is compatible with the following LTE bands: B2, B4, B5, B12, B13, B14, B25, B26, B66, B71
You may get a warning that data is not yet available, this may happen if the SIM has just been activated or no data has been transmitted to the Suite via LTE.
You can find the APN by inserting the SIM into your cellphone and checking the APN address under the Cellular or Carrier Network Settings. If the APN is not listed in your phone settings you may need to contact the service provider for the address.
SIM Card | Location |
---|---|
T-Mobile
United States
TELUS
Canada
Improper installation of this seal can allow water entry to the Herelink Air Unit, which has little internal water resistance. Failure of the Herelink Air Unit would result in a loss of radio link. Repair of this unit requires the entire Astro to be sent to Freefly.
Invert Astro. Remove 3x M2.5 x 5 BHCS and remove Herelink Cover with Seal from the Astro Chassis underside.
Install Rubber Grommet
2. Use 3x M2.5 x 5 BHCS to mount Herelink Cover to Astro Chassis underside. Apply Loctite 222 to fasteners. Torque to 0.2 newton meters (finger tight).
If you need to purchase spare or replacement parts, please go to store.freeflysystems.com to purchase our standard parts.
For any specific replacement needs or issues, please contact support@freeflysystems.com or submit a direct ticket with your request.
Use Of Thread locker
Bolts and screws used in the daily use of this aircraft do not require threadlocking compound. This includes the screws securing the vibration isolation system and the landing gear parts.
However, for the structural fasteners described in parts of this section, blue Loctite 243 compound or equivalent is required. Apply sparingly to the threads before insertion.
Fastener Installation
The Freefly hex drivers included with Astro are designed to limit the torque that can be applied to each bolt or screw and help prevent stripping the fastener head.
Thread all fasteners into their respective holes until snug (when the fastener head bottoms out and lightly clamps the two mating parts together).
To prevent excessive tightening and damaging the fastener or parts, twist the driver from the smaller diameter knurled section of the tool between your thumb and index finger for small fasteners (under size M3) or with your thumb and two forefingers for larger fasteners (size M3 and larger).
Maintenance information relating to Freefly's implementation of the Herelink into Astro.
While Herelink is a product available for purchase outside of Freefly, please keep in mind that the Astro implementation of Herelink is uniquely tailored for optimal performance and functionality. We don't recommend accessing any of the ports available on the Herelink Air Unit, as it may interfere with some of these optimizations or may even be disabled. The Herelink wiki can be helpful for some questions, but may not provide accurate information in the context of Astro. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out to contact@freeflysystems.com or Contact Us through our website.
Only one Herelink can be paired with Astro at a time. If another remote is paired, it breaks the connection with the previous remote, even after the second remote has been powered off.
Prepare non-metallic tweezers or toothpick.
Remove the Herelink cover and seal.
Install one battery on Astro and activate.
Turn on the Herelink Pilot Handset.
Use your finger to pull down from the top of the screen and select the Herelink Radio Status message.
On the Herelink Radio page, tap “Pair”.
Using tweezers, press and hold the Herelink Air Unit "Pair/Reset" button until LED2 blinks (hold approximately 3 seconds).
Verify the Herelink Pilot Handset shows a status of "PAIRED" and the uplink rate is non-zero.
Open the AMC app on Herelink Pilot Handset and verify connection to the aircraft. Power off Astro and Herelink Pilot Handset.
Please do not format Herelink to factory settings! All of Freefly's configurations to make Herelink work optimally with Astro out of the box will be lost. If you are experiencing issues with Herelink, please reach out to us at contact@freeflysystems.com for assistance.
Use the Freefly Updater app for managing app updates on your Herelink controllers. If the Freefly Updater app is not installed, follow these instructions. Ensure your controller is connected to the internet to install the latest apps and receive update notifications.
To update your apps, go through the following steps.
Connect your controller to the internet.
Open the Freefly Updater app.
Either refresh the Your Apps page or wait for it to auto-refresh.
This page will display a comprehensive list of all apps available for installation or update. Apps with the latest version will be marked as LATEST.
To update or install apps, simply tap on the desired app and follow the prompts to INSTALL or UPDATE, granting any necessary permissions.
Revisit this page anytime to confirm you have the latest versions of your apps.
This process is rendered obsolete for most customers by the Freefly Updater.
Connect your Herelink to the internet through WiFi.
Swipe down from the top of the screen to pull down the Android quick menu.
If there are any updates available, you will see them here. Follow the instructions to get your software updated. Alternatively, go to Android Settings > About phone > System Updates.
If you get a "Can't check for updates" message, go to Settings > Date & Time, and ensure the date is correct. If not, manually correct it before trying to update the software again. If you're still unable to update, check your internet connection using Chrome on the Herelink. Occasionally, wifi access points require you to agree to terms and conditions in your browser before an internet connection is fully established. 40% battery is required to update the Herelink firmware.
To find the Herelink firmware version, drag down from the top of the Herelink's touch screen and tap the settings gear in the top-right corner. Scroll all the way to the bottom of this menu and select About phone. On the next screen, look for the OEM build number.
In December 2023, we have enhanced the app update process for Herelink controllers. Previously, updates were delivered via a full Android system over-the-air (OTA) update, which was time-consuming and required updating the entire system even for a single app. Now, with the Freefly Updater app, you can individually manage updates for each app. This app notifies you of available updates or new apps, allowing you to install the latest versions easily. The Freefly Updater also includes a page to view the status of all your Herelink apps, ensuring you're always up to date. (Please note that an internet connection is required to detect new app versions.)
Following is a one time process for switching to the Freefly Updater Workflow on Herelink.
Connect your Herelink to the internet through WiFi.
Swipe down from the top of the screen to pull down the Android quick menu.
If there are any updates available, you will see them here. Follow the instructions to get your software updated. Alternatively, go to Android Settings > About phone > System Updates.
After completing the OTA, note that Herelink will no longer have AMC (Auterion Mission Control) and Skyway apps installed.
Ensure your Herelink is connected to the internet.
Open the new Freefly Updater app, which can be found on your home/launch screen.
Once in the Freefly Updater app, either refresh the page or wait a few seconds for it to automatically check for the latest apps.
Select the apps you need to install (Auterion Mission Control and Skyway) and proceed to installing them both.
Use the refresh button at the top of the page to update the app status if necessary.
Step 3: Finalizing the Installation of Skyway and AMC
Setup Skyway
After installing Skyway, open the app at least once. This ensures it will automatically launch in future startups.
Remember, both AMC (Auterion Mission Control) and Skyway are necessary to connect to the drone.
Locate and Organize Apps
Following installation, you'll likely find the Freefly Updater app and AMC on the Android home screen. If not:
Access your app list by tapping the grid icon at the bottom right of the home screen.
Find the AMC app icon.
To add AMC and Skyway to your Favorites:
Tap and hold on the app icon.
Select "Add to Favorites" from the pop-up menu.
Repeat these steps for the Skyway app.
Enabling Automatic Launch for AMC:
If you wish for AMC to open automatically each time you turn on the controller:
Tap and hold the AMC app icon.
Choose "Enable Launch on Boot" from the pop-up menu.
Herelink controller is now ready for use.
It is not necessary to perform calibrations as a matter of course. Often a calibration will not be required even if the aircraft is relocated a long distance (e.g. by air travel). Compass handling in particular has been improved as compared to past PX4 implementations. For example, shortly after takeoff, the aircraft automatically performs a compass calibration. In general, sensor calibration should be unnecessary. There are times when it may be required:
If the magnetic field strength in the operating area is significantly different than where it was calibrated. If the aircraft appears to have the wrong heading on the ground, makes a large move after takeoff, or flies crooked for a few seconds, those are indicators you should do a compass calibration.
If the drone has a significant ferrous or magnetic payload installed, it may be required to perform calibration with the payload installed to improve performance.
If the operating temperature is very hot or cold, it may be required to do a gyro and accelerometer calibration to get best performance. In those cases, power on the aircraft and allow it to sit for 10 minutes in ambient conditions to allow the electronics to warm up, then do gyro and accel cal as directed by AMC. A warning about high accelerometer bias is an indication to do this.
after doing a full parameter reset, it is usually wise to recalibrate.
Use AMC to calibrate the sensors. See AMC docs for the GUI details.
While performing an Accelerometer Calibration, it is best to fold the arms of the Astro and set it down in each orientation. Accelerometer calibration may result in issues if done without placing the drone on a flat surface.
After recalibrating any sensor, make sure to restart Astro before flying. Some changes may not take effect until you reboot the drone.
In the event of magnetic interference preventing the aircraft from taking off, follow these pro-tips.
Astro is pre-tuned by Freefly, and can be flown without changes.
We recommend against changing low-level control parameters. Changes there could cause instability or control issues which could result in a crash.
Loading default parameters or known-good presets will allow you to quickly return Astro to a functional and safe state if there is ever uncertainty about changes to the tuning properties.
Changing low-level parameters requires activating AMC Advanced Mode. Then, navigate to Vehicle Setup > Parameters.