How to use Skydio X2E GPS Night Flight

  1. Skydio
  2. Skydio X2 Enterprise
  3. Flying Skydio X2E

Overview

GPS Night Flight mode is initiated in low-light conditions and poor visibility. When this mode is engaged, Skydio X2E uses GPS sensors in place of the obstacle avoidance navigation. An alert will prompt you to engage the GPS Night Flight mode when required.  

CS_Warning_callout_icon.jpg

 Obstacle avoidance is disabled in GPS Night Flight mode. Fly with extreme caution!

X2-user_guide-gps_night-1.png

Quick Steps

Step 1 - Enable GPS Night Flight

    • select the Settings menu icon
    • select the Drone tab and scroll down
    • select GPS Night Flight
    • toggle on
    • navigate back to the fly screen
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Step 2 - Toggle Hand Wave Motion on

    • select the Settings menu
    • select the Drone tab and scroll down
    • select GPS Night Flight
    • toggle Hand Wave On

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Hand Wave Motion Calibration

For use in environments containing magnetic interference such as cars, buildings constructed with rebar, metal bars, power lines. You will need to calibrate each time you enable GPS Night Flight.

Step 1 - Hold Skydio X2 with the camera facing away from your body

Step 2 - Rapidly wave drone side to side

Step 3 - Set Skydio X2 down and launch

 CS_X2E_hand_wave_calibrate_ill.png

 

6-Point Rotation Calibration

For use in open areas where there is no potential magnetic interference. Not required every time GPS Night Flight is enabled, however, you will occasionally be prompted to recalibrate when necessary.

Step 1 - Toggle Hand Wave Motion OFF

    • select the Settings menu
    • select the Drone tab and scroll down
    • select GPS Night Flight
    • toggle Hand Wave OFF

 

When you enable GPS Night Flight you will be prompted to calibrate the magnetometer prior to takeoff:

Step 2 - select Calibrate

 X2-user_guide-gps_night-4.png

Step 3 - Rotate X2 following the diagrams

    • you will be prompted to rotate X2E one time on each axis following the diagrams until each rotation is marked complete 
    • hold X2E horizontally right-side-up in front of you and turn around in a clockwise direction to begin the calibration
 X2-user_guide-gps_night-5.png
    • select Done when the calibrations are marked complete
 X2-user_guide-gps_night-6__1_.png

Step 4- Toggle lights

When flying at night or in low-light conditions enable infrared or external strobe lights. 

To access the lights on your Skydio X2E:

    • Settings menu icon
    • select the Dronetab and scroll down
    • Lights
    • RGB(red/green/blue) running lights are on by default
    • toggle on Infrared or Strobe
 X2-user_guide-gps_night-7.png
CS_Note_callout-icon.jpg Note: Infrared and strobe lights cannot be on at the same time.

Step 5 - Launch

    • select and hold the Launch button on the screen or the hard button on the controller
    • X2E will take off and rotate 360° to establish a heading

CS_Warning_callout_icon.jpg

Obstacle avoidance is disabled in GPS Night Flight, regardless of Skydio X2E height above ground. Adjust return height in the Settings menu to return home above any potential obstacles.

 

CS_connection_status_icon.png You can monitor the GPS signal strength and the signal connection. Select the Connection Status icon to display the connected drone status, signal strength, GPS quality, and satellite count. CS_S2PE_connection_status_menu_UI.jpg

In-depth

Failure to disengage GPS Night Flight may be due to low-light conditions. Wait 10-20 seconds and if the issue persists, land, power off and on again.

Visibility: enable infrared or visible strobe lights to meet the FAA minimum requirement for weather visibility of three miles from your control station.

Landing: if X2E loses GPS while flying in GPS Night Flight mode, it will initiate an emergency landing and descend quickly using only the barometer; you should expect lateral drift. If the GPS reconnects during the emergency landing, you will regain control of X2E.

CS_Warning_callout_icon.jpg

Never hand launch or land Skydio X2 when in GPS Night Flight mode.

 

Explore More

If you have questions or need additional support—feel free to reach out! Skydio Support

 

 

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