Procedures
Flight Prep:
Setup Power Source
Ensure power source provides single phase 220-240V AC with a minimum of 5kW power.
Check power source shutdown condition, make sure it won't shut down midflight!
Make sure that you know locations of breaker if using shore power
Make sure you have sufficient fuel if using a generator
Make sure your vehicles state of charge is sufficient for the duration of flight you plan
Setup Flying Sun 500
Place FS500 at least 5m away from Ground Unit.
Install Air Unit on FS500 on right side battery interface.
Connect FS500 XT-90 plug to XT-90 port on right side of Air Unit.
Confirm SL8 state of charge is above 90% and install on FS500.
Setup 3kW Tether
Turn on Pilot Pro and allow it to boot up
Connect power cable to tether ground unit.
Connect power cable to power source. (Electric Vehicle, Generator, or Shore Power)
Attach tether cable strain relief to strain relief loop on underside of FS500
Connect tether cable XT-60 plug to Air Unit XT-60 port.
Check tether cable to ensure no possibility of prop strike on any portion of the cable
Pull out at least 2m of additional tether cable.
Open Flying Sun app on Pilot Pro
Connect app to tether via Bluetooth.
Enable dual screen. (AMC + Flying Sun App)
Check Environmental Conditions
Rain
Water and High Voltage do not mix!
High Winds
Tether can be whipped by the wind, potentially causing a crash
Obstacles adjacent to operation area
Trees, equipment and structures can cause tether entanglement
Take off
Make sure all persons are clear of drone and tether.
When ready for takeoff enable high voltage (HV) on flying sun app
Take off in position mode or use auto take off feature in AMC.
Hovering for extended amount of time should be with tether cable taut
During Flight
Monitor Tether Power:
Things that draw more power during flight:
Ascending
Reducing rate of descent
Turning up the lights
Hovering at high altitude (Increased payload of additional tether cable)
Avoid climbing with lights on 100% if possible as that will draw close to the limit of the tether system. Tether ground unit may shut down if power draw exceeds the system's limit, please see Safety section for more info.
Pilot should never walk away during flight.
Always know where and how to turn off the power source for the tether.
Always keep a fire extinguisher (Class D) handy during operations.
Avoid hovering at tether zero point.
The Ground Unit actively keeps tension on the tether cable, tether zero point is the length of cable initially pulled out by the user while the tether is powered down. This point is where the tether will cease retracting cable.
The tether may oscillate when held at or close to the tether zero point by the aircraft's altitude set point. This should be avoided.
Over extension warning
The Ground Unit is equipped with 110m (~360ft) of tether cable.
The Ground Unit will sound a beeper alarm when tether extends over 90m (~300ft).
Landing and pack up
Land in position mode.
Disable High Voltage in FS app on Pilot Pro after disarming.
Turn off Ground Unit breaker switch and backup power switch.
Disconnect main power cable from power source.
Disconnect tether XT-60 plug and strain relief clip from FS500.
Turn on Ground Unit backup power and connect to flying sun app.
Press take up button in FS app to retract the tether cable.
It can be helpful to release this prior to the plug assembly reaching the Ground Unit to avoid damage to the plug.
Please ensure the cable isn't bent, kinked or knotted anywhere, this can result in damage when retracted into the Ground Unit. Please see Maintenance section for more information.
General Tips:
Avoid flying directly above a crowd of people.
Maintain line of sight with the aircraft and tether cable.
Control/limit access to tether ground unit.
Notify other pilots to be aware of your tether.
Be prepared to shut down power source of the tether.
Avoid flying in high/gusty wind conditions if possible.
Do not fly in rain.
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