When something fails in flight — transcript

00:00:00.400 --> 00:00:05.416 When something fails in flight: motors, fire, birds, and the last-resort tools.

00:00:06.400 --> 00:00:12.259 Whatever fails, the order is the same. Aviate: keep it under control. Navigate:

00:00:12.259 --> 00:00:16.213 know where it is, and where it can land. Communicate:

00:00:16.213 --> 00:00:19.069 then tell the people who need to know.

00:00:21.400 --> 00:00:25.524 Make those decisions before launch. Pick a clear area for an emergency landing,

00:00:25.524 --> 00:00:27.689 away from people. And find the auto-land,

00:00:27.689 --> 00:00:31.039 return-to-home and termination functions on your own controller.

00:00:31.039 --> 00:00:32.946 You won't have time to look them up.

00:00:36.400 --> 00:00:39.412 Motor failure is one of the most serious.

00:00:39.412 --> 00:00:43.285 A quadcopter that loses a motor will typically crash.

00:00:43.285 --> 00:00:48.592 A hexacopter can often lose one and keep flying, degraded. An octocopter,

00:00:48.592 --> 00:00:51.891 one or even two. Know what yours can survive.

00:00:53.400 --> 00:00:57.257 A hexacopter loses a motor over the park. The pilot keeps control,

00:00:57.257 --> 00:00:59.330 and steers it away from the people.

00:01:02.400 --> 00:01:08.207 The response depends on when and where. Just after launch: land straight away.

00:01:08.207 --> 00:01:13.721 On approach: a controlled descent into an open area. Over a built-up area:

00:01:13.721 --> 00:01:19.234 steer away from structures and people. In controlled airspace: follow ATC.

00:01:19.234 --> 00:01:22.175 Then investigate before it flies again.

00:01:22.525 --> 00:01:27.801 Quick check. One motor fails over a built-up area. What's your first action?

00:01:28.625 --> 00:01:30.662 Steer it away from buildings and people.

00:01:33.025 --> 00:01:39.183 Fire on the aircraft? Land as quickly and safely as you can, and run your fire plan.

00:01:39.183 --> 00:01:44.255 For a LiPo fire, the course says sand or a fire blanket, never water.

00:01:44.255 --> 00:01:48.385 Keep people back, and notify emergency services and ATC.

00:01:50.025 --> 00:01:51.963 A raptor dives at the drone.

00:01:51.963 --> 00:01:55.772 Eagles and hawks can attack drones they see as a threat.

00:01:58.025 --> 00:02:02.735 Climb or descend to get out of its way. Notify ATC if you're in controlled airspace.

00:02:02.735 --> 00:02:05.783 Then land, check for damage, and record it in the log.

00:02:10.025 --> 00:02:13.219 When it has to come down now, use your last-resort tools.

00:02:13.219 --> 00:02:17.239 Immediate landing comes straight down where it is, so check below first.

00:02:17.239 --> 00:02:21.810 Flight termination ends the flight in a controlled way. It isn't a motor shutdown,

00:02:21.810 --> 00:02:25.279 which cuts all power. A parachute must be armed before flight,

00:02:25.279 --> 00:02:26.821 and the area below cleared.

00:02:32.025 --> 00:02:37.447 Once it's down: stabilise, make safe, preserve the evidence, notify, and review.

00:02:37.447 --> 00:02:40.392 Your operator's procedures set the details.

00:02:40.392 --> 00:02:43.806 And it doesn't fly again until the cause is found.

00:02:45.025 --> 00:02:49.645 Recap: aviate first, plan a landing area, steer clear of people,

00:02:49.645 --> 00:02:51.137 and know your tools.

00:02:52.025 --> 00:02:56.988 Final check. A hawk dives at your drone. What should you do?

00:02:59.025 --> 00:03:02.212 Climb or descend, away from it. Then land, and check for damage.