Flight modes:
The Intel® Falcon™ 8+ Drone - Topcon Edition can be operated in three different flight modes:
- GPS-Mode
- Height-Mode
- Manual-Mode Flying
GPS-Mode is easiest, as it provides the highest level of automation. Nevertheless, there will be situations where no GPS signal is available and therefore it is necessary that every pilot is capable to safely control the UAV in Height-Mode. We strongly recommend taking part in an Topcon operator's training for the Intel® Falcon™ 8+ Drone - Topcon Edition, to learn the basics of flying under qualified supervision.
The flight modes can be selected with the two switches on the upper right of the Intel® Cockpit GCS.
- When the button GPS is pushed and is lit, GPS-Mode is active
- When the button HGT is pushed and is lit, Height-Mode is active
- When both buttons are pushed simultaneously and are both lit, Manual-Mode is active
Modes chart
GPS-Mode:
When there is no input from the pilot, the Intel® Falcon™ 8+ Drone - Topcon Edition will:
- Keep its orientation in the air.
- Maintain its position within the limits of the GPS accuracy (approx. 2 – 5 m).
- Keep its height within the limits of the height controller (approx. 1 – 3 m).
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Compensate for wind speeds up to 12 m/s.For safety reasons and to make operation as easy as possible, there are some limitations:
- Roll and pitch angles are limited to 45°.
- Speed in horizontal plane is limited to 4.5 m/s.
- Ascend rate is limited to 3 m/s.
- Descend rate is limited to 3 m/s.
In this mode the inputs via the Intel® Cockpit GCS directly control the speed of the Falcon 8+. For example, moving the right control stick completely to the left (which controls pitch and roll) means the system will fly at 4.5 m/s to the left, independent of the wind strength and direction.
When the GPS quality is insufficient, Height-Mode will automatically be activated.
If the system automatically switches from GPS-Mode to Height-Mode, the GPS-Mode button will be flashing, while the Height-Mode button will be lit permanently. This indicates that the system will switch back to GPS-Mode automatically, when a valid GPS signal will be received.
!!!IMPORTANT!!!
The GPS receiver module of the Intel® Falcon™ 8+ Drone - Topcon Edition is placed directly underneath the canopy of the central unit and is surrounded by an antenna. The canopy of the Intel® Falcon™ 8+ Drone - Topcon Edition is made from a material which does not influence the satellite signals, but anything on the top of the Intel® Falcon™ 8+ Drone - Topcon Edition can potentially disturb the signal. Never cover the GPS receiver module nor the antenna area
Height-Mode:
The system will neither keep its position nor compensate for wind. The position must be held manually by the pilot.
Attitude and height control is active. When there is no input from the pilot, the UAS will only:
- Keep its orientation in the air (system will be leveled).
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Keep its height within the limits of the height controller (approximately 1 – 3 m). For safety reasons and to make operation as easy as possible, there are some limitations:
- Roll and pitch angles are limited to 50°.
- Ascend rate is limited to 3 m/s.
- Descend rate is limited to 3 m/s.
In this mode the inputs, via the Intel® Cockpit GCS, control the roll and pitch angles of the UAS. For example, giving full input to the left (using the right control stick, which controls pitch and roll) means the UAV will roll 50° to the left. With this configuration the wind direction and speed will influence the direction and speed of the UAS.
Manual-Mode:
The UAS will not keep its position and height, nor will it compensate for wind. Controlling the position, and height, has to be done manually by the pilot from the Intel Cockpit GCS.
Only attitude control is active. When there is no input from the pilot, the UAS will:
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Keep its orientation in the air (system will be leveled). For safety reasons and to make it impossible to flip the system:
- Roll and pitch angles are limited to 50°.
The Manual-Mode is for experts only!!!
In this mode the inputs, via the Intel® Cockpit GCS, control the roll and pitch angles and the thrust of the UAV. The direction and the speed of the UAV is influenced by the wind direction and speed.