SKYCATCH Explore 2 Aircraft User Manual
- October 28, 2023
- SKYCATCH
Table of Contents
SKYCATCH Explore 2 Aircraft
Mounting the Gimbal and Camera
- Press the Gimbal Detachment button to remove the cover.
- Align the white and red dots and insert the gimbal.
- Align the white and red dots and insert the gimbal.
WARNING
- After installation, make sure that the gimbal lock is locked in place.
- Make sure to press down the Gimbal Detachment button when rotating the gimbal lock to remove the gimbal and camera. The gimbal lock should be fully rotated when removing the gimbal for the next installation.
Mounting the Flight Batteries / Checking the Battery Level
Insert a pair of batteries.
Press the battery level button once to check the battery level.
Turning On the Aircraft
- Turn on / off: Press the power button on the aircraft, within 3 seconds press again and hold to turn on / off the aircraft, with the power indicator solid on.
- Link: Press and hold the aircraft’s power button at least five seconds to link the aircraft and Secure Controller. The power indicator will blink during linking.
WARNING
- If for any unforeseeable circumstances, that only one battery is available during flight, land the aircraft immediately and replace the batteries as soon as possible.
- The payload SDK and onboard SDK ports have built-in temperature sensors. If the device temperature is too high due to too large payload power, the aircraft will automatically power off the payload for protection.
- Make sure to use the included batteries. DO NOT use any other type of batteries.
Aircraft Diagram
- FPV Camera
- Forward Infrared Sensing System
- Forward camera sensing System
- Gimbal Connector
- Gimbal Detachment Button
- Frame Arms
- Motors
- Propellers
- ESC LEDs
- Transmission Antennas
- Landing Gears
- Air Filter
- Left and Right Infrared Sensing System
- Left and Right camera sensing System
- Flight Batteries
- Battery Level Indicators
- Battery Level Button
- Antennas
- Aircraft Status Indicators
- Upward Beacon
- Power Button / Indicator
- Upward Infrared Sensing System
- Top Auxiliary Light
- Upward camera sensing System
- Update Port
- SDK Port
- SDK Port*
- Downward Infrared Sensing System
- Downward camera sensing System
- Bottom Auxiliary Light
- Downward Beacon
- Backward Infrared Sensing System
- Backward camera sensing System
- Battery Locker
- Gimbal and Camera
The two SDK ports on the bottom of the aircraft also serve as 1st gimbal port and 2nd gimbal port. Please note that the single downward gimbal must be connected to st gimbal port.
Remote Controller Diagram
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Antennas
-
Back Button / Function Button
Press once to return to the previous page and press twice to go back to the homepage. Hold to view a guide to using button combinations. Refer to the Button Combinations section for more information. -
Control Sticks
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Stick Covers
-
RTH Button
-
Flight Pause Button
-
Flight Mode Switch
-
Position for Mounting Bracket (with built-in
GPS module under it) -
Status LED
-
Battery Level LEDs
-
5D Button
The default configuration is listed below. The functions can be set in the app.-
Up: Camera zoom in
-
Down: Camera zoom out
-
Left: Decrease EV value
Right: Increase EV value -
Go to Settings > Control Stick Navigation to enable this function
-
-
Power Button
-
Confirm Button
-
Touch Screen
-
Charging Port (USB-C)
-
Lanyard Hooks
-
Handle
-
Gimbal Pitch Control Dial
-
Record Button
-
HDMI Port
-
microSD Card Slot
-
USB-A Port
Use to connect external devices, or connect to your PC for firmware update. -
Focus / Shutter Button
Half press to focus, and then press to take a photo. -
Gimbal Pan Control Dial
-
Air Vent
-
Sticks Storage Slot
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Spare Sticks
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Customizable Button C2
-
Customizable Button C1
-
Battery
-
Battery Release Button
-
Dongle Compartment Cover
Aircraft
This section describes the features of the Flight Controller, camera sensing System, and the Flight Battery.
Profile
The Explore2 aircraft includes a flight controller, a communication system, camera sensing systems, a propulsion system and a Flight Battery. This section describes the functions of these components.
Flight Mode
The following flight modes are available for the aircraft:
-
P-mode (Positioning) :
P-mode works best when the GNSS signal is strong. The aircraft utilizes the GNSS module and camera sensing Systems to locate itself, automatically stabilize, and navigate between obstacles. When the obstacle sensing is enabled and lighting conditions are sufficient, the maximum flight attitude angle is 25°. When the GNSS signal is weak and lighting conditions are too dark for the camera sensing Systems, the aircraft will only use its barometer for positioning to control altitude. -
S-mode (Sport):
The aircraft uses GNSS for positioning. Aircraft responses are optimized for agility and speed making it more responsive to stick movements. As obstacle avoidance functions are disabled, the aircraft will not be able to sense and avoid obstacles when in Sport Mode. Only the vision positioning functions are available. -
T-mode (Tripod):
T-mode is based on P-mode and the flight speed is limited, which makes the aircraft more stable during shooting. -
A-mode (Attitude):
When neither the GNSS nor the camera sensing Systems are available, only the aircraft barometer is used for positioning to control the altitude.
WARNING
- The obstacle avoidance function is disabled in S-mode (Sport), which means the aircraft will not be able to automatically avoid obstacles in its flight path. Be vigilant and stay clear of nearby obstacles.
- The aircraft’s maximum speed and braking distance are significantly increased in S-mode (Sport). A minimum braking distance of 164 feet (50 meters) is required in windless conditions. The aircraft’s responsiveness is significantly increased in S-mode (Sport), which means a small stick movement on the remote controller will translate into a large travel distance of the aircraft. Be vigilant and maintain adequate maneuvering space during flight.
Use the Flight Mode switch on the remote controller to select aircraft flight modes.
Attitude Mode Warning
DO NOT switch from P-mode to either S-mode or T-mode unless you are
sufficiently familiar with the aircraft’s behavior under each flight mode. You
must turn on the “Multiple Flight Modes” setting in the app before you can
switch from P-mode to other modes.
The aircraft will automatically enter Attitude mode when both of the following
conditions are met:
- the camera sensing system is unavailable and
- either there is weak GNSS signal or the compass experiences interference.
Users can also manually switch to the attitude mode, and the T/P/S mode can be set to A/P/S mode in the app.
In Attitude mode, the camera sensing System and some advanced features are disabled. Therefore, the aircraft cannot position or auto-brake in this mode and is easily affected by its surroundings, which may result in horizontal shifting. Use the remote controller to position the aircraft. Maneuvering the aircraft in Attitude mode can be difficult. DO NOT fly the aircraft too far away as you might lose control and cause a potential hazard. Avoid flying in areas where GNSS signal is weak, or in narrow and confined spaces. The aircraft will otherwise be forced to enter Attitude mode, leading to potential flight hazards, please land it in a safe place as soon as possible.
Flight Status Indicator
The aircraft features Front LEDs, and Aircraft Status Indicators. The
positions of these LEDs are shown in the figure below:
- The Front LEDs show the orientation of the aircraft.
- The Aircraft Status Indicators communicate the system status of the flight controller. Refer to the table below for more information about the Aircraft Status Indicators.
Aircraft Status Indicator Description
Warning
Documents / Resources
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SKYCATCH Explore 2
Aircraft
[pdf] User Manual
Explore 2, Aircraft, Explore 2 Aircraft
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