Sirius Pro: Data Collection

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Sirius Pro: Data Collection

UAS Launch Checks

  • {VO/FA} Select the Flight button in MAVinci Desktop. 
  • {PIC} Verify the UAV display screen shows RC to AP. 
  • {PIC} Switch the RC controller into full automatic:
    • Confirm the right throttle stick is fully down.
    • Confirm the yellow toggle switch is set to Automatic.
    • Confirm the red toggle switch is set to Auto.
  • {PIC} Verify the UAV display screen shows Launch.
  • {VO/FA} Verify on the Map View in MAVinci Desktop that the UAV icon displays in Automatic mode.
  • {PIC} Confirm that all the servos for the UAV control surfaces are working properly. 
  • Gently place your fingers on the ailerons as well as the horizontal and vertical stabilizers to see if there is resistance.
  • {PIC} Confirm the movements of the ailerons as well as the horizontal and vertical stabilizers: 
    • Roll the UAV left and right and confirm that both the ailerons are moving. 
    • Pitch the UAV up and down and see if the horizontal stabilizer pitches up and down. 
    • Roll the UAV in the yaw direction (heading) and see if the vertical stabilizer moves left and right.

Launching the UAV

  • {PIC} Remove the motor security lock band from the UAV and extend the propellers. 
  • {PIC} Confirm all personnel in the field are behind the UAV propellers. 
  • {PIC} Confirm that the airspace in the project area is clear of all other aircraft, birds, weather conditions, etc. 
  • {PIC} Hold the UAV securely and verify the launch direction is into the wind, away from the sun and free of any obstructions.
  • {VO/FA} Confirm all UAS status items are green in MAVinci Desktop:
    • UAV battery level – 100%
    • Connector battery level – 100%
    • GPS and GLONASS satellites are being tracked.
    • GNSS Solution Quality – RTK Fixed
    • Compass – Ok
    • The altimeter graph on the left side of the screen should be updating in real-time. 
  • {PIC} In the launch direction, pitch up the UAV 30 degrees into the wind. 
  • {PIC} Press and hold the blue UAV engine start switch on the fuselage until the progress bar on the UAV display screen reaches 100%, then release. The motor will then power on and begin to spin.
    • Allow the motor to spin for approximately 3 seconds so it can come up to full power prior to launch. 
    • Once finished, gently lift up the UAV to launch. 

 

Monitoring UAV Status during the Mission

  • {PIC and VO/FA} After launching the UAV, confirm the UAV reaches the safety altitude and performs the initial safety circle. Once the safety circle is completed, confirm that the UAV proceeds to the first flight line. 
  • During the mission, the PIC is to maintain visual contact with the UAV at all times and monitor the surrounding airspace for other aircraft, birds, weather conditions, any other obstructions, etc. 
    • If the airspace does contain any hazards to the aircraft throughout the mission, the PIC is to switch the aircraft into Assisted flight mode and avoid the hazard as necessary or land the aircraft if necessary. 
  • During the mission, the VO/FA is to monitor all UAS status information in MAVinci Desktop, including:
    • UAV location on the map view
    • UAV and WLAN Connector battery status
    • GNSS Solution Quality
    • UAV altitude and velocity
    • Percentage of mission completion

 

Performing Assisted Mode Glide Landing

  • Once all flight lines in the mission have been collected by the UAV successfully, the UAV will then return to the initial safety circle around the home position. The UAV will remain in the safety circle until the PIC switches the RC controller into Assisted Flight mode
  • {PIC} Switch the RC Controller into Assisted Flight mode to take control of the UAV for landing. 
  • {VO/FA} Verify on the Map View in MAVinci Desktop that the UAV icon displays in Assisted Flight mode.  
  • {PIC} While controlling the UAV using the RC controller in Assisted Flight mode, slowly and steadily descend the UAV and approach the LZ. Confirm that the UAV will be landing into the wind.
  • {PIC} Achieve a safe landing altitude (approx. less than 3 meters AGL) near the LZ and then turn off the UAV engine via the Landing switch on the RC controller.

Performing Spoileron Landing

  • The spoileron landing method is a variant of the default assisted mode glide landing. The spoilerons are only enabled when the aircraft is in Descending mode (below 20m AGL). 
  • All RC functions when spoileron landing is enabled are the same as when using Assisted Flight mode.
  • {PIC} Follow the same procedure for assisted mode landing once the mission is completed. However, once the UAV is below 20m AGL, the UAV will pitch up. 
  • {PIC} When the UAV pitches up, press and hold the left stick on the RC fully forward, which will slow down the UAV. After losing it’s speed, the aircraft will descend (with the nose pitched upwards) steeply but slowly.
  • {PIC} Achieve a safe landing altitude (approx. less than 3 meters AGL) near the LZ and then turn off the UAV engine via the Landing switch on the RC controller.

Post Flight Checks (UAV)

  • {PIC} After the UAV has landed successfully, proceed to the UAV landing site.
  • {PIC} Disarm the UAV engine by depressing the blue motor activation button once. When the UAV engine is disarmed, the LED on the motor activation button will slowly flash. 
  • {PIC} Switch the RC controller into full manual. Confirm the following:
    • The right throttle stick is fully down.
    • The yellow toggle switch is set to Automatic.
    • The red toggle switch is set to Manual.
  • {PIC} Return the UAV to the launch site. 
  • DO NOT DISCONNECT THE UAV BATTERY! 

Post Flight Checks (Flight and Photo Logs)

  • {VO/FA} On the Session Panel, select FTP.
  • {VO/FA} On the Airplane column, select the photo log from the list and select Send to Local to download to the user’s PC.
  • {VO/FA} On the Airplane column, select the flight log from the list and select Send to Local to download to the user’s PC. 
  • {PIC} After downloading both log files successfully, disconnect the UAV battery.

Post Flight Checks (Generating Matchings)

  • {PIC} Open the UAV camera compartment and remove the camera SD card.
  • {VO/FA} Using the USB SD card reader from the transport case, connect the SD card to the user’s PC. 
  • {VO/FA} To start the photo time tagging of the collected images, select Post-Processing – Generate Matching in MAVinci Desktop.
  • {VO/FA} Navigate to the location of the DCIM folder on the SD card. Once finished, click Ok.

Post Flight Checks (UAV Inspection)

  • {PIC} Perform Post-Flight aircraft inspection.
    • Confirm if there is any noticeable damage anywhere on the UAV fuselage, both wings, horizontal and vertical stabilizers which may affect flight operations.
    • Confirm that the electrical connectors for the horizontal/vertical stabilizers and both wings are securely connected.
    • Inspect the UAV propellers for any cracks or damage. Replace if necessary. 
    • Confirm that the UAV propellers are properly secured to the UAV engine. There should be some resistance when extending/retracting the propellers.
    • Confirm that the UAV engine spins freely when rotating in both directions and there isn’t any grinding noise due to dirt or debris.
    • Confirm that the UAV battery is secured properly in the cockpit.
    • Inspect the internal plastic skeleton inside the cockpit. Confirm that there are no cracks or damage.
    • Confirm that the UAV cockpit canopy is secured. 
    • Confirm that the camera compartment of the UAV is properly secured.
    • Confirm that the GNSS Antenna is firmly attached.
    • Confirm that the cooling vents on both sides of the UAV fuselage are clear of dirt and debris.
  • {PIC} Perform Stabilizer Check. Confirm that both stabilizers are firmly attached and secured to the fuselage. 
    • With the nose of the UAV placed on the user’s shoe, confirm there is little to no movement when moving the horizontal stabilizer back and forth. Adjust the airfoil screws ½ turn at a time as necessary until tightened sufficiently.
    • Confirm there is no gap between the bottom of the horizontal stabilizer and the UAV fuselage.  
  • {PIC} Perform Wing Check. Confirm that both wings are firmly attached and secured to the fuselage. 
    • Pickup the UAV by the leading edge of both wings.
    • With the nose of the UAV facing the user and 2-3 inches away, swiftly twist the aircraft back and forth in the direction of yaw.  
    • Confirm there is very little to no movement between the wing and fuselage assembly. Adjust the airfoil screws ½ turn at a time as necessary until tightened sufficiently.
  • {PIC} Perform UAV Balance Check. To check the current UAV balance: 
    • Pickup the assembled UAV by the leading edges of the wings. 
    • Place only your middle finger on each of the balance marks located on the underside of the wings and hold up the UAV. 
    • The UAV should be appear level with the ground to slightly (approx. 1 degree) nose down.
    • Adjust the position of the LiPo battery inside the UAV cockpit if necessary. Secure the LiPo battery again once completed.
  • Post-Flight checks complete. Proceed to Pre-Flight Checks.