Automated Flight Modes

Automated Flight Modes

• Orbit
• Above Ground Level (AGL) Lock
• Direct Flight

Tag Pilot currently has three automated flight modes to aid in safe and convenient navigation and documentation. All of these flight modes required the remote to be switched into programmed flight mode ('F' on the P3 and Inspire 1 and 'P' on the Phantom 4). A warning is presented if it is done improperly.

Switching the remote out of the programmed flight mode is the fastest way to cancel the automated operation.

These modes are accessed by pressing the "Flight Control" button on the left side menu. This button is only enabled when the aircraft is at least 5 m in the air from the takeoff point. Each of the individual flight modes are enabled and disabled according to the thresholds defined below and in the messages you get when pressing the buttons while they are disabled. 

Orbit

Lots of apps have Orbit functions. Tag Pilots Orbit feature is a bit different since it has knowledge of the relative distance and elevation of the center of the camera's field of view. As long as the gimbal angle is not modified the location that was in the crosshairs will remain in the center throughout the orbit operation.

When the Orbit control button is pushed an additional Orbit Selection Menu is displayed. The Orbit Selection Menu allows you to select between clockwise and counterclockwise rotation or cancel the operation.

Once an orbit direction is selected a blue circle is shown to display the proposed flight path and a message will appear to let the pilot agree to its safe operation and commence orbiting. Orbiting will continue until the "Cancel" button is pressed or the flight mode is changed on the remote.

The speed of the orbit can be adjusted by using the Roll control (right stick, left and right). Aircraft Yaw control (left stick, left and right) and gimbal pitch will work as normal.

Orbiting is not available when other flight modes are active, when flying under 20 m AGL and when the gimbal's pitch angle is down less than 30 degrees (twice as far away as the aircraft is above ground).

AGL Lock

AGL Lock (Above Ground Level lock) fixes the aircraft at the current height above ground and allows for lateral motion while Tag Pilot automatically adjusts the altitude to stay an equal amount above the ground below. When engaged, Tag Pilot is in control of all vertical motion so the pilot can concentrate on navigation without having to worry about changes in terrain. 

The AGL Lock feature can be canceled by press the orange highlighted AGL Lock button again or but switching out the remote's programmed flight mode. The AGL Lock feature will cancel itself in the event that the vertical adjustment cannot keep up with the horizontal speed and elevation change. The aircraft is limited to 4 m/s vertically so keep that in mind when going towards steep terrain at a high speed.

AGL Lock is not available below 15 m AGL or during other programmed flights.

Direct Flight

The Direct Flight mode allows the pilot to automatically fly directly to a highlighted marker at the current AGL altitude. Travel will occur at 15 m/s (33 mph).

Caution: The flight will occur at the greater or the current and the target altitudes. For example, if the destination elevation is 30 meters higher than the current location, the aircraft will ascend 30 meters before proceeding to the destination. This travel will occur in a straight line at a fixed altitude. If there is terrain in the way it will not be detected and the aircraft will crash.

Direct Flight is only available when a marker within 2000 m is highlighted and the aircraft's altitude is over 40 m AGL.