Skycat XS, User Manual

Page 1: ...rience in various fields of the UAV industry and based on this experience and feedback from our clients we recognize the importance of customer oriented approach Our first goal is to stand out from the crowd in a positive way Please read and follow the instructions carefully This manual is updated regularly In case you have any questions ideas or feedback please don t hesitate to contact us at www...

Page 2: ... loaded catapult ejects the parachute away from the propellers IMPORTANT KNOWLEDGE AND SAFETY Latest manuals and videos available at http www skycat pro downloads 1 Please read and follow these instructions carefully to ensure successful operation and to stay within warranty limits Careful installation parachute folding parachute arming and radio setup is essential in order to achieve best possibl...

Page 3: ...e reliable digital RC control systems to reduce risk of unwanted eject Use of excessive force should not be required at any point of arming loading or installation Skycat XS Launcher Only use Skycat launcher to eject a parachute and not other items Only use original Skycat cloth for parachute folding If launcher stays loaded over two months without launching it is recommended to open and refold th...

Page 4: ...www skycat pro All Rights Reserved 4 ASSEMBLY Attach the spring with zip ties as indicated in the picture locks on the inside Attach hooks to the base with supplied bolts washers and nuts ...

Page 5: ... 4 8 6 0 V Power supply If needed use a regulator to convert power supply voltage to 4 9 6 1 volts A dedicated battery is required if XS launcher operates separated from aircraft electronics as required with Phantom 3 Any small Li Po battery may be used for example 2s 300mAh XS can also be powered through aircraft s receiver or other controlling device ...

Page 6: ...s and velcro straps to fasten components to the back plate Following components are required to operate XS separated from the aircraft electronics as required with Phantom 3 Radio transmitter one free channel Small and light receiver 4 8 6 0 V voltage regulator Power supply ...

Page 7: ...hen you flip the switch parachute is released Motors need to be stopped from DJI radio Please refer to the manual of the DJI Phantom for further instructions Other models 1 Decide which transmitter switch or button and channel you want to use to launch the parachute 2 Connect Skycat XS servo lead to your receiver 3 Configure your transmitter so that when you flip the switch Servo moves to release ...

Page 8: ...le to minimize stress to the servo arm and to guarantee reliable ejection in an emergency situation Servo travel range and loop position is OK when servo does not bind emit high pitch noise Binding will reduce battery life and may damage the servo over time Standby position Release position ...

Page 9: ...ld enter chosen fail safe mode Other models This applies if XS is connected to your aircraft s receiver Please refer to Phantom 3 instructions above if a dedicated transmitter is used Decide what you want to happen if transmitter signal is lost In most cases recommended setting is autopilot failsafe a Autopilot failsafe Setup failsafe so that autopilot enters failsafe mode for example return to ho...

Page 10: ...tages Protects parachute lines and reduces the risk of entanglement Reduces oscillations and swinging especially in windy conditions Instructions 80 cm 31 5 in shock cord is recommended for Skycat XS launcher To achieve this cut 100 cm 39 4 in portion of parachute line 1 Fold 8cm 3 1 in segment of parachute line ...

Page 11: ... Rights Reserved 11 2 Make a figure of eight knot according to the image below 3 Make a figure of eight knot to the other end Shock cord is completed Shock cord is connected to the parachute by joining the loops together ...

Page 12: ... bag attached The bag is not needed with Skycat XS and should be removed If launcher stays loaded over two months without launching it is recommended to open and refold the parachute This can decrease opening distance in an emergency Demonstration videos Opale 1 0 m2 parachute http tinyurl com skycat xs opale 1m2 Fruity Chutes IFC 36 parachute http tinyurl com skycat xs fruity 36SL ...

Page 13: ...www skycat pro All Rights Reserved 13 HARNESS LINES DJI PHANTOM 3 Measure and cut 117cm 46 in portion of supplied parachute line Fold 13cm 5 in ...

Page 14: ...www skycat pro All Rights Reserved 14 Make a knot but don t tighten yet Route the line around the front left boom Slide the free end of the line through the knot and tighten lightly ...

Page 15: ...www skycat pro All Rights Reserved 15 Length it OK when the loop reaches the the center of the frame while the knot is at the side Route the free end of the line under the gimbal wires Be careful ...

Page 16: ...www skycat pro All Rights Reserved 16 Make a basic knot in the middle of the frame Do not tighten yet Fold 18cm 7 in portion of the line and make a knot ...

Page 17: ...www skycat pro All Rights Reserved 17 Route the line around the rear right boom and through the open knot and tighten lightly Slide the second loop through the first loop ...

Page 18: ... the small quick lock as shown in the picture Make sure all lines go through the quick lock Snap the parachute in place and close the quick lock Use tape to secure the harness in place Make sure that harness lines cannot get to the propellers ...

Page 19: ...kycat pro All Rights Reserved 19 Finished installation When flying without the XS route the base line though the quick lock as shown in the picture Make sure lines are tight and cannot get to the propellers ...

Page 20: ...ms Depending on your airframe 3 or 4 harness lines can be used Instructions Decide the optimal length of the harness lines for your model 20 cm 8 in of extra line needs to be added to target harness line length For example cut 60 cm segments for 40 cm target length 1 Fold a 8cm 3 1 in segment at the end of the line 2 Make a figure of eight knot according to the image above and pull it tight ...

Page 21: ...ake sure the location of the loop doesn t change during the knotting otherwise the length will vary Result is a ready to use harness line with fixed length Tip Add some tape to hold the loop while making the knot Connecting harness lines to the airframe Loop the harness line around the boom or other durable location of your airframe and pull the line through the loop ...

Page 22: ...ing harness lines to the parachute If a shock cord is not used harness lines and parachute are joined with a quick lock Shock cord loop and parachute loop are connected without a quick lock Harness lines and shock cord are joined with a quick lock ...

Page 23: ...he opening distance in an emergency Checking servo functionality 1 Turn on your transmitter 2 Power up your receiver 3 Hold the catapult closed with your hand 4 Flip the eject switch Servo should move to open position AFTER LAUNCH CHECKLIST Check components and functionality after every launch Check carefully that Parachute and harness lines are not damaged The frame of the XS launcher is not dama...

Page 24: ...in your control anymore Aircraft with no gliding surface reach very high speed after only a few seconds in freefall We highly recommend regular training to improve reaction time and accuracy in emergency situations Landings can be hard despite the use of Skycat Building a cheap testing platform is recommended for training purposes All training should take place at safe locations away from people a...

Page 25: ...such it can fail to work properly which can result in false activation or no activation at all Such failure can cause injuries or death False activation or intended activation with unappropriate timing can cause your aircraft to glide further and cause more damages than it would have caused had it crashed to the ground in free fall Skycat disclaims all warranties whether expressed or implied inclu...