Always announce the emergency to the flight team involved.
Emergency Checklists
Engine failure - Loss of Power
Description
In this scenario, the battery reading dropped to 0 V.
Steps
1 - Activate the parachute system and prepare to take action.
System failure(s)
Description
Defined as an event or condition that prevents the Firebird™ from performing its intended function or mission safely and reliably.
Causes
Structural or Mechanical Failure due to .
Lost Link
Description
In this scenario, the ground control station loses a direct connection with the Firebird™. The operator is warned with a “Connection lost” message.
Steps
1 - Check the ground transmitter power supply, if an issue is detected, attempt to reconnect it.
2 - Expect the aircraft to execute the “RETURN TO LAND (RTL)” command automatically.
3 - Clear the landing site, be aware of the incoming aircraft, and inform on-site personnel.
4 - Start a stopwatch and calculate the expected time for the aircraft to return.
5 - If telemetry is regained, confirm that the RTL mode is engaged, if that is not the case, engage the RTL mode.
6 - If the aircraft is confirmed not to be executing RTL, activate the parachute system and prepare to take action.
Loss of Navigation Systems
Description
In this scenario, the Firebird™ has lost its GPS signal. The operator is warned with a message "Global Positioning Signal Invalid".
Steps
1 - Expect the aircraft to execute the "Land" command automatically as its first safety mechanism. However, the operator must switch the aircraft to "Position" or "Altitude" mode. Either one will fall back to "Altitude" mode regardless since there will be no GPS connection.
2 - Confirm that the Firebird™ has transitioned to "Altitude" mode.
3 - Manually control the aircraft in "Altitude" mode, allowing it to loiter until either the GPS signal is restored, X minutes have passed, or the battery level reaches X%.
4 - Was the GPS signal regained?
Yes - Execute RTL command.
No - Continue checklist.
5 - Is the aircraft equipped with cameras to determine the aircraft's location?
Yes - Continue checklist.
No - Activate the parachute system and prepare to take action
6 - Use the camera to locate a suitable landing location before the aircraft reaches X% of its battery level.
7 - Was a suitable landing location found before the aircraft reached X% of its battery level?
Yes - Continue checklist.
No - Activate the parachute system and prepare to take action
8 - Execute the "Land" command. The land command uses inertial to determine the aircraft's position relative to the ground.
Control station failures
Description
In this scenario, there has been an issue with the Control Station that has rendered it inoperable (e.g. Laptop computer froze, broke, etc).
Steps
1 - The aircraft will trigger the parachute system automatically.
2 - Prepare to take action.
Flyaway
Description
If the Aircraft Remains Unresponsive but Departs the Mission Area
1 - Note the time, battery power, heading, and remaining flight time.
2 - Will the aircraft enter the controlled airspace?
Yes – Contact the Air Traffic Control (ATC).
No – Continue checklist.
3 - Will the aircraft potentially cause injury or property damage?
No – Continue checklist.
Object/Bird Strike
Description
In this scenario, the Firebird™ has collided with a fixed object or bird of any size.
Steps
1 - Did the impact cause a Lost Link?
No - Continue checklist.
2 - Execute RTL command and continuously monitor if the aircraft is performing the correct RTL path.
3 - Is the aircraft following the correct RTL path?
Yes - Clear the landing area and wait until the aircraft reaches the land location.
No - Continue checklist.
4 - Is the aircraft equipped with cameras to determine the aircraft's location?
Yes - Continue checklist.
5 - Use the camera to locate a suitable landing location before the aircraft reaches X% of its battery level.
7 - Was a suitable landing location found before the aircraft reached X% of its battery level?
Yes - Continue checklist.
8 - Execute the "Land" command.
Post-impact
Description
In this scenario, the Firebird™ has already collided with the ground.
Steps
1 - Does the last known location of the aircraft endanger life or property?
No – Continue checklist.
2 - Engage “EMERGENCY STOP (E-STOP)” to power down the aircraft.
3 - Power down the control and communication systems.
No – Continue checklist.
5 - Is the aircraft on fire?
No – Continue checklist.
7 - If deemed stable, store the battery in a battery-safe container to avoid further damage.
Reference
(1) t = d/v
t = Time to return
v = 80 km/h
d = Last known location relative to the RTL location.
(2) Fire gloves and personal protective equipment (PPE) glasses.
(3) Flammable, highly populated areas, etc.
It is not possible to determine if the aircraft has caught on fire during the flight with certainty. The only indication of potential fire is a warning provided by the Auterion Mission Controller stating that the temperature of the autopilot has reached critical levels, which does not necessarily imply that the aircraft is on fire.
In this scenario, the Firebird™ is not responding to the pre-assigned flight plan or commands. If this scenario is caused due to a Lost Link the operator is warned with a “Connection lost” message, in that case, follow the steps under . If that is not the case, then it is due to a GPS signal loss, and the operator is warned with a message "Global Positioning Signal Invalid", therefore, follow the steps under .
Yes – Immediately contact the Fire Department.
4 - Follow the procedures for a or depending on the emergency type as determined per the aforementioned.
Yes - Follow the procedure under .
No - Activate the parachute system and prepare to take action
No - Activate the parachute system and prepare to take action
Yes – Contact the fire department and continue the checklist.
4 - Is the aircraft in a hazardous location?
Yes – WAIT emergency responders.
Yes – WAIT emergency responders.
6 - Equip fire safety gear and check battery conditions.
The only possible way to identify that a fire occurred is through visual analysis when the aircraft has reached visual line of sight. However, follow the procedures if a fire occurs after impact.