Vision Aerial SwitchBlade-Elite 2.3 Caractéristiques techniques
SwitchBlade-Elite
FLIGHT MANUAL
REVISION D.0 | December 2022
REVISION HISTORY
Revision
Date
Description
A.0
March 2017
Initial Release
B.0
January 2018
Updated Images & Flight Modes
C.0
May 2021
Updated for Mark 2 Release
D.0
December 2022
Updated for Mark 2.3 Release
SwitchBlade-Elite 2.3 Release Notes
Overview
Release Date: 12/15/2022
Starting Serial Number: 20161
SwitchBlade-Elite 2.3 is now available for general use. This minor update includes equipment for FAA Remote
ID compliance and improvements to various components for reliability, durability, performance, supply chain
stability, transport case aesthetics, and user experience.
What’s New
Drivetrain
Drivetrain upgrades improve reliability, flight performance and flight time, as well as increase supply
chain stability for these components.
Modified motor mounts and cradles with updated bolt patterns.
General
Maximum payload capacity recommendations reduced to 2.0 kg to compensate for additional vehicle mass.
Remote Identification (RID)
Added Remote ID capabilities to meet FAA requirements. Equipment includes a computer & antenna
mounted on the ventral side of the airframe to broadcast the drone and operator’s location.
Update flight computer firmware to Arducopter 4.3.0 (See below)
Gimbal Control
Dual operator control support added.
Added ability to pan and yaw gimbal using a single scroll wheel and using the A button to select between
functions.
Long press on the A button centers the gimbal so it points forward.
Optional Camera Control Support
Optional feature to support camera control using Airpixel AIR Commander ENTIRE R3.
Functions user can control include:
For Sony A7X and A9X: Trigger Photo, Trigger Video, Zoom (motorized zoom only), Aperture,
Shutter Speed, ISO, Exposure correction, Trigger AF, Camera power toggle.
For the Sony A6xxx, A5xxx series, RX1 series: Trigger Photo, Trigger Video, Zoom, Trigger AF,
Camera power toggle.
Support for in-image geotagging and location of gimbal angle.
Ground Control Station
Upgrade to Herelink 1.1
Brighter screen (600 nit to 1000 nit)
Removed joystick jack screws to prevent occasional physical jamming
Updated Herelink firmware for Remote ID support.
Remote ID status indicator
Ability to enter Remote ID operator information
Retractable Landing Gear
Landing gear retracts are now field serviceable. Users can also upgrade their retracts from manual to
powered at their discretion without the need for Vision Aerial Service assistance.
Provisional wire routing added to allow for field servicing.
Larger and more powerful servo improves retract reliability and lifting power.
Foot attachment geometry has been standardized between aircraft.
All sheet metal parts have been updated for servo compatibility.
Linkages, servo horn, and servo have been updated for supply chain stability and longevity.
Transport Case
Denser foam will help prevent damage during violent shipping handling.
Payload compartment has been converted to accept a standardized, interchangeable insert for a wide
variety of payload options.
Serial numbers now laser engraved to improve damage tolerance.
Battery Charge Indicator: Colored rubber bands changed to blue, green, and red connector caps. Added a
battery cap rack inside the case. Changed for aesthetic purposes.
Electronic Payload Connection System (EPCS)
Added a magnetic housing to the primary (Gecko) connector to provide an easier and more robust
connection. Removed snap fit feature.
Altered HDMI cable slot geometry to improve connection ergonomics.
XT-30 pack power connection added to support high power demand payloads
Added SMA connector for Remote ID antenna.
Created adapter kit for modifying old payloads to work with the new EPS.
Mechanical Payload Connection System (PCS)
Ridges added to base to remove play.
Cover plate changed to aluminum for improved damage tolerance..
Bump stop added to base to retain PCS lock ring when in open position. Prevents the ring from rattling
when there is no payload.
Wire Payload Safety Strap added to catch the payload in the event that the PCS fails.
Payload Damping
Ventral cover, ventral dust plate, and floating plate modified to increase the quantity of damper balls and
range of vibration frequency absorption. This will reduce / eliminate the amount of “Jello” seen in video
feeds.
Tail Mechanism
More durable servo horn and linkages have been added.
Updated keel to improve ground handling damage tolerance.
Tail light geometry now a vertical slot shape for aesthetic purposes.
Electrical
Nav lights, wiring, and connectors updated for compatibility and reliability.
Voltage level shifter added to navigation light circuitry to improve voltage level to the first LED assembly,
for Blue Cube compatibility.
Voltage level shifter added to retract circuitry to increase drive voltage to retract servos.
Upgraded voltage regulator to improve power-up speed with certain voltage sensitive Gremsy gimbals.
Provisional 5 volt wiring ran to nose mount for provisional accessories.
Battery connector strain relief added to improve user ergonomics.
Firmware
Upgrade to the latest flight computer firmware: ArduCopter 4.3.0
Includes new parameters and tuning for drivetrain and Remote ID updates.
NMEA data fix for better GPS position tagging to convert decimal GPS to degrees.
See ArduCopter Release Notes:
https://github.com/ArduPilot/ardupilot/blob/master/ArduCopter/ReleaseNotes.txt
Software
Updated to Flight Deck 2.3 (See Release Notes)
Top Resolved Issues
FAA Remote ID compliance added.
Android OS updates no longer uninstall Flight Deck software on the Herelink.
Parameter updates can now be pushed to systems deployed in the field.
Resolved issues with some Gremsy gimbals that failed to power on during startup.
Increased flight times and improved stability in corners of the flight envelope. Manual mode top speed
increased from 12.5 m/s to 15 m/s with drivetrain updates.
Altitude Hold mode removed to prevent pilot error (see Flight Deck 2.3 Release Notes).
Issues with intermittent retract failures have been resolved.
Eliminated and/or reduced amount of “Jello” in video feeds.
Increased granular resolution of GPS accuracy.
Case improvements allow for more protection during shipping.
Updates to the mechanical and electronic portion of the Payload Connection System allow users to attach
payloads more easily.
Moving to Herelink 1.1 resolved an issue with HDMI video priority. Allows use of HDM 1 or HDMI 2
regardless of the order.
Open Issues
During flight, battery percentage remaining is sometimes inaccurate. When the drone lands, if it sits, the
battery percentage remaining will climb back up.
Remote ID requires that the user activate the radio status menu in order to wake up the remote ID
functionality.
GoPro FPV cameras have inconsistent user controls between camera generations.
General Advisories
Payload capacity reduced to 2.0 kg.
WARNING: Battery percentage remaining calculation is no longer being supported for legacy
LiPo batteries. Inaccurate battery remaining percentage may occur if a LiPo battery is being used.
Users should use the voltage remaining number instead.
Drone and operator’s location is now viewable to others with Remote ID phone apps.
How to Upgrade Your Unit
Contact Vision Aerial’s Service Department at (406) 518-1302 or email [email protected] to receive an
estimate and schedule an appointment.
The cost to upgrade from a SwitchBlade-Elite 2.0 or higher with Solid State batteries is $4950 and time depends
on the production queue.
How to Use This Manual
This manual intends to inform and educate the user on how to properly and effectively control, fly, and utilize
the full functionality of your Vision Aerial UAS. It is not recommended to operate and fly your Vision Aerial
UAS without first reading and understanding the information and guidelines presented in this document.
NOTE: This manual is a work in progress. Please contact us regarding errors or omissions.
Previous Versions
Previous versions of the manual can be downloaded:
SwitchBlade-Elite Flight Manual Archives
Vector Flight Manual Archives
Use of Special Terms
NOTE: Operating procedure, practice, or condition that is essential to emphasize.
CAUTION: Operating procedure, practice, or condition that may result in damage to equipment if
not followed or observed.
WARNING: Operating procedure, practice, or condition that may result in injury or death if not
followed or observed.
Requirement for Compliance
Shall: Application of a procedure is mandatory.
Should: Application of a procedure is recommended.
May: Application of a procedure is optional.
Will: Indicates futurity.
Requirement for Landing
Land as soon as practicable: Extended flight is not recommended, duration is at the discretion of the operator.
Land as soon as possible: Land at the nearest safe site where a landing can be made.
Land immediately: Execute a landing without delay.
Features & Specs
The SwitchBlade-Elite is a tri-rotor drone with an articulating tail, powerful and efficient electric motors, and cutting-edge flight components. It is easy to fly, and
capable of flying for 50 minutes on a single charge (30 minutes with a typical payload).
The SwitchBlade-Elite is light and folds up compact for easy transport. When you need to fly, you can transition from the case to flight in less than two minutes.
Storage Configuration Dimensions
Equipment: SwitchBlade-Elite 2.3
SwitchBlade-Elite 2.3 in folded, storage configuration
Side view of SwitchBlade-Elite 2.3 in folded, storage configuration.
Bottom view of SwitchBlade-Elite 2.3 in folded, storage configuration.
Flight Configuration Dimensions
Side view of SwitchBlade-Elite 2.3 in take-off configuration with dimensions.
Top view of SwitchBlade-Elite 2.3 in flight configuration.
Aircraft Specifications
Empennage: Carbon Fiber
Arms: Carbon Fiber
Frame & Hardware: Aluminum / Stainless Steel
Body: Polycarbonate
Motors: 340kv (910W)
Rotors: 462 mm x 150 mm (18.2″ x 5.9″) Carbon Fiber, folding, and precision balanced
Flight Controller: Blue Cube
Ground Control Station: CubePilot Herelink Controller
Software: Flight Deck
Flight Dimensions: 865 mm (34 in) Diameter
Storage Dimensions: 717 x 200 x 172 mm (28 x 7.9 x 6.8 in)
Case Dimensions: 120 x 42 x 23 cm (47 x 16 x 9 in)
Aircraft Weight (without battery): 3.35 kg (7.4 lbs)
Aircraft Weight (with battery): 5.3 kg (11.7 lbs)
Max. Takeoff Weight: 7.3 kg (15.4 lbs)
Ground Clearance (Powered landing gear, to bottom of PCS): 220 mm (8.6 in)
Ground Clearance (Powered landing gear, to bottom of RID antenna): 210 mm (8.27 in)
Battery / Charger
Flight Battery Included: 22,000 mAh 6S Solid State Lithium Ion
Battery Charger: High capacity AC dual battery charger
Flight Operations
Max. Flight Time*: 50 min
Flight Time* with 0.5 kg payload and 30% Battery Remaining at Touch Down (RTL): 30 min
Direct Control Range: 20 km (12.4 miles)
Autonomous Flight Range (dependent on environmental conditions): Over 25 km (16 miles)
Table des matières
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