5-027-735-12(1) Airpeak S1 Startup Guide Mobile app “Airpeak Flight” installation/initial setup Setup Gimbal and camera mounting Flights Web app “Airpeak Base” After use Flight Information and Specifications ARS-S1
Table of contents WARNING.............................................................4 Compliance Information.............................................. 7 Introduction............................................................... 10 Package contents...................................................... 12 Guide to parts and controls....................................... 14 Mobile app “Airpeak Flight” installation/ initial setup Installing the “Airpeak Flight” app.............................
Owner’s Record Record the model and serial number (which are located on the product) in the space provided below. Refer to these numbers whenever you call your Sony dealer regarding this product. • Aircraft: Model No. Serial No. • Remote Controller: Model No. Serial No. WARNING • No user serviceable parts inside. Do not disassemble or modify. This may cause a fire, electric shock, or malfunction. For repair or maintenance services, contact Sony Customer Support.
• Do not place this unit close to medical devices. – This unit has magnet(s) which may interfere with pacemakers, programmable shunt valves for hydrocephalus treatment, or other medical devices. – Do not place this unit close to persons who use such medical devices. Consult your doctor before using this unit if you use any such medical device. Remote Controller WARNING • Use only the power cord supplied or recommended by Sony.
Battery Charger WARNING • A damaged power cord may cause a fire or electric shock. Observe the following cautions to avoid damaging the power cord. – Do not pinch the power cord between the unit and a table, wall, or other object. – Do not modify or damage the power cord. – Do not place heavy objects on the power cord or pull on the power cord. – Keep the power cord away from heaters and other heat sources. – When you disconnect the power cord, always hold it by the plug.
Battery Pack CAUTION Risk of Fire and Burns. Do Not Open, Crush, Heat Above 70 °C (158 °F) or Incinerate. Follow Manufacturer’s Instructions. • Do not short-circuit the battery terminals. • Do not disassemble or modify the battery pack. • Do not place the battery pack in a fire, in direct sunlight, near a stove, inside a hot vehicle, or heat it in a microwave oven, conventional oven or any other heat source.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Introduction This product is an aircraft system that realizes dynamic and stable remote photography and videography. With a full-frame mirrorless Sony Alpha camera (sold separately; hereafter, “camera”) equipped, you can capture high-quality images in aerial photography and videography.
Note ”Airpeak Flight,” “Airpeak Base,” “Airpeak Plus,” and any other Airpeak or third-party network services, content, operating systems, or software are subject to terms and conditions and may be changed, interrupted, or discontinued at any time. Fees, registration, and credit card information may also be required. Supported mobile devices Make sure the supported mobile devices and system versions on following site. https://electronics.sony.
Package contents Contact the place of purchase or Sony Customer Support if any components are missing. Quantities are indicated in parentheses. Please retain the cushionings as they will be used when assembling the aircraft.
AC adapter for battery charger (1)/power cord (1) Cables • Power cable (aircraft — gimbal) (1) • Control cable (aircraft — gimbal) (1) Landing gear (2) • USB Type-C® cable (aircraft — gimbal) (1) Propeller (CW: clockwise rotation) (2)* Hub: silver • Micro USB cable (gimbal — camera) (1) Micro USB * Not capable of being folded Propeller (CCW: counterclockwise rotation) (2)* Hub: black • USB Type-C® cable (gimbal — camera) (1) USB Type-C® * Not capable of being folded Calibration board (1
Guide to parts and controls Aircraft Front Upward infrared range sensor Propellers Motors Flight status LEDs (Front LEDs) Antennas (built-in) FPV gimbal camera Forward-facing stereo camera Frame arms Camera (sold separately) Landing gear Gimbal (sold separately) Side-facing stereo cameras GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) antenna (built-in) Rear (Power) button LINK button BATTERY RELEASE levers Power status
Remote controller Status LED (Power) button Power port (Automated flight pause) button (MOVIE) button Battery level LEDs Control sticks Lever heads Mobile device holder HDMI port USB port (USB-A) Micro USB port (USB-B) Handle bar Control lever Air vent Flight mode switch C1 (Custom 1) button C2 (Custom 2) button Control dial Antennas (built-in) C3 (Custom 3) button Air inlet C4 (Custom 4)
Mobile app “Airpeak Flight” installation/ initial setup Installing the “Airpeak Flight” app Before using this product, you will need to download and install the dedicated app “Airpeak Flight” on your mobile device. The “Airpeak Flight” app is available for downloading and installation as shown below. https://electronics.sony.com/airpeak/mobileapp Notes • To use the “Airpeak Flight” app, you must accept the terms of use and privacy policy.
Setup Charging the batteries First charge the aircraft battery packs and built-in remote controller battery. [1] Charging the aircraft battery packs The battery level LEDs flash during charging and go off when the battery pack is fully charged. The battery charger can hold two battery packs and will charge the second one after the first one is charged. Both cannot be charged at the same time.
To check the battery level You can check the battery level by pressing the (Power) button on the remote controller once. Assembling the aircraft You can view an animation of the assembly procedure in the “Airpeak Flight” app. [1] Connecting cables to the aircraft 1 Place the aircraft upside down. After removing the aircraft from the outer box, place the top cushioning on a flat surface. Holding the aircraft securely by the frame arms, place it upside down on the cushioning.
2 Connect the cables to the aircraft. Connect the cables to the connection hub on the aircraft. USB Type-C® cable (aircraft — gimbal) Power cable (aircraft — gimbal) Control cable (aircraft — gimbal) Setup Front of aircraft Connect the control cable (aircraft — gimbal) to the control port. Rear of aircraft Connect the power cable (aircraft — gimbal) to the POWER port. Connect the USB Type-C® cable (aircraft — gimbal) to the USB port.
[2] Attaching the damping plate to the aircraft The damping plate (with the quick-release pre-installed), hex wrench, and hex screws are included in the gimbal set (sold separately). 1 Confirm the orientation of the damping plate and place it on the aircraft. With the quick-release arrow surface face-down and the arrow pointing toward the front of the aircraft, place the damping plate on the attachment points of the aircraft. Quick-release arrow 2 Attach the damping plate to the aircraft.
[3] Connecting cables to the quick-release Insert the plugs at the other ends of the cables connected to the aircraft in the corresponding quick-release ports. USB Type-C® cable (aircraft — gimbal) Power cable (aircraft — gimbal) Control cable (aircraft — gimbal) Setup Front of aircraft Connect the control cable (aircraft — gimbal) to the control port. CTRL Rear of aircraft Connect the power cable (aircraft — gimbal) to the POWER port.
[4] Attaching landing gear to the aircraft 1 Press in the ball detent and insert the landing gear. Make sure that the ball detent is fully engaged. Ball detent 2 Turn the lever to lock the landing gear. Turn both landing gear levers below the dotted line as shown below. Lever 3 Attach the other landing gear the same way. 4 Turn the aircraft over. Holding the aircraft securely by two frame arms, turn it over.
Attaching a mobile device to the remote controller [1] Attaching a mobile device On the remote controller, mount the mobile device (tablet or smartphone) on which you have installed the “Airpeak Flight” app. 1 Extend the mobile device holder. 2 Mount and secure the mobile device. 3 Stabilize the mobile device holder. Raise the lever on the back and extend the mobile device holder.
Mounting smartphones Raise the smartphone holder in the middle of the mobile device holder, and then mount the smartphone. Smartphone holder Note Mobile devices may fall off unless they are correctly secured with the lever. [2] Connecting the cable Connect the cable included with your mobile device or another compatible cable to the remote controller USB port (USB-A) and the mobile device port.
Loading battery packs in the aircraft Load the two battery packs in battery slots 1 and 2 at the rear of the aircraft. 1 Load the battery packs in the aircraft. Insert firmly until the battery packs click and lock into place. ASE ERY RELE BATT Setup 2 Confirm that the battery packs are loaded correctly. Battery packs are not loaded correctly if a yellow line is visible and the BATTERY RELEASE lever has not returned to the original position. Firmly insert battery packs all the way in.
Linking/setting up the remote controller and aircraft Follow the on-screen instructions in the “Airpeak Flight” app to link the remote controller and aircraft and set up the aircraft. Preparation • Confirm that the mobile device mounted on the remote controller is connected to the internet. • Charge the built-in remote controller battery sufficiently (page 17). • Charge both aircraft battery packs sufficiently (page 17). 1 Turn on the remote controller.
4 Press and hold the LINK button on the aircraft. Within 2 min., press and hold the LINK button on the aircraft for 2 sec. to link it and remote controller. Successful linkage is indicated by a remote controller blue status LED (in purple when linked as [Sub] in dual operation mode) and the message [Aircraft and remote controller connected] on the “Airpeak Flight” app screen. If linkage fails, check for obstacles between the aircraft and the remote controller.
Gimbal and camera mounting Preparing a camera Prepare the camera before mounting it on the gimbal. (Both the camera and gimbal are sold separately.) [1] Inserting a battery pack and memory card Insert a battery pack and memory card in the camera in advance. (ILCE-7SM3 is used in this example.) Battery pack Memory card Notes • During flights, cameras consume battery power as you shoot. Always charge the camera battery sufficiently before mounting on the gimbal.
Mounting the gimbal on the aircraft WARNING 1 Carefully follow these instructions. Errors in set-up may cause the camera to detach and fall from the aircraft when in flight, which could result in injury or property damage. Make sure the aircraft is off. Confirm that the power status LED of the aircraft is off. ASE ERY RELE BATT Power status LED Mount the gimbal on the aircraft. With the marks on the gimbal and quick-release aligned, attach the gimbal.
Mounting a camera on the gimbal The camera plate, hot shoe adapter, and top camera screw are included in the gimbal set (sold separately). [1] Attaching the camera plate and hot shoe adapter to the camera 1 Attach the camera plate to the camera. Attach the camera plate to the tripod socket on the bottom of the camera. Tighten the thumbscrew to secure it firmly. Tripod socket 2 Camera plate Attach the hot shoe adapter to the camera.
[2] Mounting the camera on the gimbal 1 Place the camera in the gimbal. Loosen the locking screws on both sides of the gimbal frame, extend the tilt top bar to make it higher, and place the camera in the gimbal from the front. Slide the camera plate attached to the camera into the groove on the bottom part of the frame. Tilt top bar Locking screw Locking screw Secure the camera in the gimbal.
[3] Connecting cables between the camera and gimbal Use the included USB cable to connect ports on the camera and gimbal. 1 Connect the USB cable to the camera. 2 Connect the USB cable to the gimbal. Insert the plug of the included USB Type-C® cable (gimbal — camera) or micro USB cable (gimbal — camera) in the camera USB port. Connect the USB cable that matches your camera port. Insert the other end of the USB cable connected to the camera in the gimbal USB port.
[4] Adjusting the balance of the gimbal Adjust the balances of the tilt, roll, and pan axes. Preparation • • • • • Confirm that the camera lens cap is removed. Confirm that the camera and gimbal are connected using the USB cable (page 32). Turn on the camera to avoid movements of the focus unit in the lens. Confirm that the aircraft is turned off. Confirm that you have installed all the accessories you want to use. Roll axis Tilt axis Roll axis 1 Adjust the balance of the tilt axis.
Vertical balance adjustment of the tilt axis Rotate the gimbal tilt frame to aim the camera lens upward. Loosen the levers on both sides and slide the tilt frame back and forth to adjust the balance. Adjust so that the left and right adjusters are at the same level. After adjusting the balance, firmly tighten the levers on both sides. Rotate the tilt frame by about ±45° to check if the balance is adjusted properly. If properly adjusted, the tilt frame will stay still.
3 Adjust the balance of the pan axis. Loosen the lever and slide the pan frame back and forth to adjust the balance. After adjusting the balance, firmly tighten the lever. With the gimbal stationary, tilt the aircraft forward, backward, left, and right to check if the balance is adjusted properly. If properly adjusted, the pan frame will stay still. Lever Pan frame Gimbal and camera mounting Note Do not adjust the gimbal balance with the aircraft upside down.
Adjusting the gimbal parameters The gimbal parameters need to be adjusted. Visit the support site for details on adjustment. http://electronics.sony.
Flights Operating an aircraft in the United States is regulated by federal law, regulations and ordinances. State and local ordinances may also apply to certain operations. When operating an aircraft, it is the remote pilot’s responsibility to always comply with applicable law, regulations and ordinances. Attaching the propellers The aircraft uses two types of propellers: clockwise (CW) and counterclockwise (CCW) propellers, which rotate in different directions.
3 Attach the propellers (CCW). Place the propeller on the propeller attachment point and turn the propeller clockwise until it clicks into place. Propeller (CCW) Black Propeller (CCW) Hold the motor firmly in place with your other hand to prevent it from turning. Notes • Attach the propellers carefully to avoid injury from the edges. • Before each flight, confirm that the propellers are securely attached.
Checking settings before flights [1] Checking error messages in the flight screen Error messages can be checked by accessing the flight screen from the “Airpeak Flight” app home page. 1 2 Tap [Start flight] in the “Airpeak Flight” app home page. Confirm that no error messages are displayed on the flight screen. Confirm that no warnings, cautions, or dialogs are displayed. [2] Checking settings and status Settings and status can be checked from the setting menu on the flight screen.
Flying and shooting video 1 Bring the aircraft to the take-off site. 2 3 Start the “Airpeak Flight” app and tap [Start flight]. Regarding the flight environment, see “Flight environment” (page 46). Launch the aircraft. Manual takeoff Tilt the left and right control sticks of the remote controller either inward and downward or outward and downward at the same time. The motors will start and the propellers will rotate. Operate the control sticks on the remote controller to make the aircraft ascend.
Web app “Airpeak Base” “Airpeak Base” features “Airpeak Base” is a dedicated web application for managing Airpeak products, creating mission flight paths, viewing flight logs, and more. It is available from browsers on a computer or iPad. https://base.airpeak.sony.com/ You can also take advantage of the “Airpeak Plus” cloud service for greater convenience. For detailed information on the cloud service, visit the product page. https://electronics.sony.
After use Removing the propellers 1 Make sure the aircraft is off. Confirm that the power status LED of the aircraft is off. ASE ERY RELE BATT Power status LED 2 Remove the battery packs from the aircraft. While pressing the BATTERY RELEASE levers (), push out the projecting parts on the sides of the battery packs in the directions of the arrows to remove both battery packs ().
3 Remove the propellers (CW). Press the propeller hub against the metal part of the motor and turn the propeller clockwise to remove it. Propeller (CW) Propeller (CW) Turn the propeller while pressing it against the metal part. Hold the motor firmly in place with your other hand to prevent it from turning. Remove the propeller (CW). 4 Remove the propellers (CCW). Press the propeller hub against the metal part of the motor and turn the propeller counterclockwise to remove it.
Removing the gimbal Hold down the gimbal detach button on the quick-release and turn the ring toward the unlock icon ( gimbal from the quick-release. ) to remove the Gimbal detach button Ring Notes • Hold the gimbal with both hands when removing it. The gimbal or camera may be scratched or damaged if the gimbal rotates or drops. • Be sure to remove the gimbal after use. Leaving it attached to the aircraft may damage the damping rubber of the damping plate.
3 Remove the landing gear from the aircraft. Press in the ball detent and remove the landing gear. Ball detent 4 Turn the landing gear levers until they are positioned in place. When storing the aircraft in the outer box, turn both landing gear levers below the dotted line as shown below.
Flight Information and Specifications Flight Information Operator’s responsibilities Before flights, read this Startup Guide and the Help Guide carefully to understand all safety features, warnings, and operations. This product is intended for skilled persons who understand the maneuvering of the drone, relevant laws and regulations, and the dangers of exposed rotor blades. • Operators should not fly the aircraft when they cannot recognize risks, such as after drinking or taking medication.
• Confirm that there are no problems with gimbal operation. • Calibrate the compass, IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) and stereo cameras when prompted to do so in the “Airpeak Flight” app. • Do not calibrate the compass in areas subject to strong magnetic interference, such as multi-storey parking facilities or underground steel-reinforced structures. • Do not calibrate the aircraft’s stereo cameras in a dark place or a place that is backlit by the sun or other light sources.
• Since the video transmission signal may be delayed or lost due to interference, the wireless transmission settings of the “Airpeak Flight” app ([Aircraft] — [Sensors/Radio]) should be changed carefully with a full understanding of the changes. • After landing, first stop the motors, turn off the aircraft, and then turn off the remote controller. For safety, be sure to check that the motors have stopped rotating before turning off the aircraft and remote controller.
About the Wireless Transmission Function Cautions when using the remote controller • When using the remote controller to fly an aircraft, turn off the Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth® functions of the tablet or other mobile device mounted on the remote controller. • Take care not to cover the parts containing the built-in antennas with your hand, cables, or other objects.
Remote Controller • This product is designed for use only in the U.S.A. Operation is not guaranteed when used in other countries or regions. • Do not connect the AC adapter to an electronic transformer (travel converter). This may cause heat generation or product failure. • The wireless transmission function of the product is designed for use only in the U.S.A. Use in other countries or regions may be punishable by law. Caution when carrying the unit Carry the unit by the handle bar.
Troubleshooting If you experience trouble with the product, try the following solutions. Cycle the power. Remote controller: Turn off the power and then turn it back on after about 1 minute. Aircraft: Turn off the power and remove both battery packs. After about 1 minute, reinsert the battery packs and turn the power back on. Check the additional information on our Customer Support Website. https://www.sony.com/electronics/support Consult Sony Customer Support.
Specifications Aircraft (ARS-S1) Size Dimensions: Approx. 526.8 mm (20.75 in.) × 591.9 mm (23.38 in.)* × 511.8 mm (20.25 in.) (H × W × D) (Landing position, without propellers) * Approx. 1 010.9 mm (39.88 in.) (W) (Landing gear is up) Diagonal Wheelbase: Approx. 644.6 mm (25.5 in.) (without propellers) Mass Aircraft Mass: Approx. 3.1 kg (6 lb 14.9 oz) (without battery packs) Max Payload: Approx. 2.5 kg (5 lb 9.4 oz) Max Takeoff Mass: Approx. 7.0 kg (15 lb 5.
Battery Pack (LBP-HS1) Capacity 2 518 mAh Voltage 37 V Battery Type 10S Energy 93 Wh Dimensions Approx. 150.1 mm (6.0 in.) × 55.0 mm (2.3 in.) × 74.5 mm (3.0 in.) Mass Approx. 646 g (1 lb 6.8 oz) Operating Temperature -10 °C (14 °F) — 40 °C (104 °F) Storage Temperature -20 °C (-4 °F) — 45 °C (113 °F) Battery Charger (LBG-H1) Remote Controller (RCR-VH1) Transmission Operating Frequency: 2.4 GHz — 2.4835 GHz, 5.15 GHz — 5.25 GHz, 5.725 GHz — 5.85 GHz EIRP: 2.4 GHz — 2.4835 GHz: 24.6 dBm, 5.15 GHz — 5.
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