Skydio Parachute for Skydio X10: Operator Manual

Skydio Parachute for Skydio X10 is an attachment built to enable compliant operations over people for Part 107 customers and to keep people on the ground safe in the extremely rare case where Skydio X10 flights are terminated outside of intentional landing.

[warning] Your Skydio X10 or Dock for X10 Flight System must be updated to the X10 Controller Battin version 41.34.13 (or later) or X10 Drone Battin version 40.273 (or later) before operating with Parachute installed. Connecting a Parachute to a prior version of the Battin software may permanently render the Parachute inoperable, requiring hardware replacement. This applies to all Skydio X10 system configurations, both Dock-based and controller-based systems. If the Parachute is rendered inoperable, a critical error is displayed on the X10 Controller and in Skydio Cloud, and Parachute functionality is unavailable. Failure to follow this guidance may increase the risk of serious bodily injury and/or property damage. Prior to operating or performing maintenance, review the safety information at skydio.com/safety. [/warning]

[warning] Please note that the content in this Guide is not a substitute for your judgment and common sense when flying your Skydio drone. You are solely responsible for ensuring your Skydio flights are managed safely and in accordance with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations to avoid serious injury and/or damage. Failure to follow the recommendations in this Guide may lead to serious injury or damage and will void any applicable warranty coverage under the Skydio Limited Warranty. [/warning] 

[note] This manual applies to the Skydio X10 family of small unmanned aircraft systems, including: Skydio X10, Skydio X10D, and Skydio Dock for X10. [/note] 

Table of Contents

• Safety
• How to install your Parachute attachment
• How to uninstall your Parachute attachment
• Parachute Status Light Indicators
• Preflight and Launch
• Inflight and Deployment
• Parachute Notifications 
• Disabling Parachute
• Landing and Postflight
• Maintenance and Storage
• Repacking or Replacing Parachute 
• Specifications 
• Aviation Regulatory Compliance
• Operating Limits
• FAQ

Safety

[warning]

• The Skydio Parachute for X10 attachment (“Parachute”) is not a replacement for safe flying practices.
• Your Skydio X10 or Dock for X10 Flight System must be updated to the X10 Controller Battin version 41.34.13 (or later) or X10 Drone Battin version 40.273 (or later) before operating with Parachute installed. Connecting a Parachute to a prior version of the Battin software may permanently render the Parachute inoperable, requiring hardware replacement. Update your system before operating with Parachute installed. Failure to adhere to this guidance may increase the risk of serious bodily injury and/or property damage. Failure to maintain the Skydio X10 may result in system performance failures. Prior to engaging in any maintenance activity, refer to skydio.com/safety
• Do not modify the Parachute, as it can affect performance leading to property damage or injury and also void the limited warranty.
• Always prioritize the safety of people on the ground. The Parachute must remain enabled unless mission requirements make operation outside its limitations unavoidable. 
• The Parachute uses a compressed gas cartridge for deployment. Maintain a clear area of at least 6.5 ft (2 m) when Parachute is powered on and armed (the light on Parachute is blinking green).
• When landing or hand landing with a Parachute on, please ensure the motors on the drone have completely stopped spinning, and the Parachute displays a solid green light (standby) before moving, handling, or rotating the drone. You may need to wait a few seconds after the drone has landed to observe the solid green light. Failure to do so may result in an inadvertent Parachute deployment. Read and follow all guidance around hand launching and hand landing Skydio X10 in How to return and land Skydio X10. 
• The Remote Pilot must not operate the sUA (small unnamed aircraft) below an altitude of 100 ft (30.5 m) above the ground except for launch and landing and must ensure that launch and landing occurs sufficiently away from persons on the ground to prevent near or actual impact into them.
• Parachute is only compatible with Rev 2 X10 propellers. Please reference the Operating Limits section for more information about system limitations.

[/warning]

[note] The Parachute light will blink green when it is armed. When the Parachute light is not blinking green (it is solid green, solid red, or off), the Parachute is not armed and is safe to handle. [/note]

How to install your Parachute attachment

[caution] Handle Parachute with care. If the Parachute is dropped and the lid becomes detached, you will need to send your Parachute back to Skydio for repacking. [/caution]

Step 1 - Unfold your Skydio X10 drone. 

[note] Parachute is only compatible with Rev 2 X10 propellers. Please reference the Operating Limits section for more information about system limitations. [/note]

Step 2 - Align the Parachute with the left-side attachment bay of your drone. 

• Skydio recommends performing the installation with the X10 battery installed. 
• The button labeled Battery Release will move when the Parachute is aligned and makes contact with the X10.

[caution] Parachute has a battery retention latch that helps prevent the battery from ejecting during parachute deployment. The battery cannot be removed without depressing the Battery Release button.[/caution]

Detached from drone:  It is expected that the battery release button may rotate past its normal stop point when unattached.

Aligned against drone:  The battery release button will move into place when correctly seated on the drone.

Step 3 - Using the provided torque tool (torqued to 28 cNm), tighten the three captive screws until you hear a click. Usage of the torque tool is required to properly secure the Parachute. 
 

Step 4 - Gently lift the rubber gasket on the drone labeled ‘A4’ and rotate 180° down.
 

[note] Do NOT pull or tear off the gasket, as that could result in water ingress and damage to the drone [/note]

Step 5 - Plug in the Parachute cable, ensuring that it is pushed in all the way.
 

[caution] If the USB-C cable is not securely attached, the Parachute will not function. In addition, the cable may interfere with the propellers in flight and result in a crash. [/caution] 

Step 6 - Verify that the battery retention latch is engaged.

• Successful installation: the button labeled Battery Release will be flush with the outside edge of the Parachute bracket and no red will be visible.
• Pressing the button will disengage the retention latch and allow the battery to be removed.

Improper engagement: Red is visible from above

Proper engagement:  No red is visible from above

Step 7 - Power on your drone.

Step 8 - Check Parachute status.

When Parachute is in “Standby” mode (i.e. enabled but not yet armed):

• The Parachute will display a solid green light
• The controller screen and/or Remote Flight Deck screen will display a parachute icon with a yellow indicator

How to uninstall your Parachute attachment

[caution] Handle Parachute with care. If the Parachute is dropped and the lid becomes detached, you will need to send your Parachute back to Skydio for repacking. [/caution]

Step 1 - Unplug the USB-C cable from the drone.

Step 2 - Gently lift the rubber gasket on the drone labeled ‘A4’, rotate 180°, and press to cover the USB-C port. Make sure the gasket is flush with the body of the drone. 

[note] Do NOT pull or tear off the gasket, as that could result in water ingress and damage to the drone. [/note]

Step 3 - Using the provided torque tool, or any 2mm Hex driver, loosen the three captive screws. The screws will be retained on the Parachute enclosure.

Step 4 - Store the Parachute in its original box or another safe location where it will not be damaged before the next use (review Maintenance and Storage below).

Parachute Status Light Indicators

Status	Color and Pattern
Parachute is in “Standby” mode (enabled but not yet armed)	Solid green
Parachute is armed	Flashing green
Parachute is disabled	Solid red
There is no power to Parachute, OR Parachute has been deployed	Light is off

Preflight and Launch

Step 1 - Conduct a visual preflight inspection to ensure the parachute will function correctly.

• [Hand-flown] Ensure Parachute is properly secured and all screws are fully seated.
• [Hand-flown] Verify that the red battery latch indicator is not visible on the Parachute; if red is visible, the battery retention latch is not engaged.
• [Hand flown and Dock-based] Verify that the USB-C cable is securely in place (for Dock-based drones, conduct the inspection via the Dock inspection camera).

[caution] If the USB-C cable is not securely attached, the Parachute will not function. In addition, the cable may interfere with the propellers in flight and result in a crash. [/caution]

Step 2 - Verify Parachute is in “Standby” mode (enabled but not yet armed).

• Parachute should enter “Standby” mode by default.
• Parachute will display a solid green light.
• The controller screen and Remote Flight Deck screen will display a parachute icon with a yellow indicator.

Step 3 - Establish a clear launch area of at least 10 ft (3 m) in all directions.

Step 4 - Launch the drone and verify that the Parachute is armed.

• The Parachute will display a flashing green light to indicate that it is now armed.
• The controller and/or RFD will now show the Parachute with a green icon.

Step 5 - Ascend to the minimum deployable altitude of  100 ft (30.5 m). 

Inflight and Deployment

[caution] Fly in a controlled manner in accordance with all laws and regulations and avoid unnecessary flights over people. [/caution]

[note] Rapid Descent is disabled when Parachute is attached to the drone. [/note]

[note] The System is designed to orient the sUA so that it is most likely to impact an object landing-gear first. [/note]

Parachute can either be deployed automatically (using detectors on the Parachute and drone) or manually.

Automatic deployment

The Parachute will be deployed automatically if any of the following conditions are met:

• The Parachute detects bank angles greater than 110°
• The Parachute detects descent speeds greater than 22 mph (10 m/s)

The motors stop when Parachute is deployed. 

[note] The Parachute has its own onboard barometer, Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), and power supply. The Parachute can always operate for at least 35 seconds without power from the drone. [/note]

X10 Controller displaying a deployed Parachute:

Remote Flight Deck displaying a deployed Parachute:

Manual deployment

You also have the option to deploy the Parachute manually if needed. The motors stop when Parachute is deployed. 

[caution] Be careful pressing these buttons during normal flight to prevent an accidental parachute deployment. [/caution]

If flying via Remote Flight Deck, while holding down the 1 key, press the 8 key three times in quick succession to deploy.

If flying with a Skydio X10 Controller, press the C1 and Play/Pause buttons simultaneously three times in quick succession or until bars are full.

Parachute Notifications

[caution] If an on-screen notification indicates that Parachute is in an off-nominal state, you may not be FAA-compliant for operations over people. [/caution]

Example On-screen Controller Notification

Disabling Parachute

Parachute will be enabled by default and automatically arms on launch. It can, however, be disabled in the event that a situation calls for it. If disabled, the Parachute does not automatically re-enable on subsequent flights.

• The Parachute will only automatically enable again if it was physically powered off and on (e.g., unplugged and reconnected).
• If the Parachute stays connected between flights and you disable it via the Controller or Remote Flight Deck, it will remain disabled until you manually turn it back on. 

[caution] If disabled, the Parachute does not automatically re-enable on subsequent flights. You must power-cycle the Parachute to re-enable it. [/caution]

Example of a situation where the user may, at its sole discretion, want to disable the PRS: 

• Flying near power lines where the risk of drifting and getting tangled in power lines is greater than the risk of dropping directly.

[note] When Parachute is disabled, the aircraft is no longer compliant with aviation regulations related to operations over people. [/note]

To disable Parachute, navigate to Global Settings > Attachments > Parachute and toggle OFF.

In Remote Flight Deck:

On the X10 Controller:

Landing and Postflight

Landing or Hand Landing

[caution] Read and follow all guidance around hand launching and hand landing Skydio X10 in How to return and land Skydio X10. [/caution]

Parachute will auto-sense when the drone is landing, even if its cable isn’t connected to X10, and disarm automatically when it detects it is on the ground or caught by the user.

When landing or hand landing with a Parachute on, please ensure the following before moving, handling, or rotating the drone:

• The motors on the drone have completely stopped spinning
• The Parachute displays a solid green light (standby). You may need to wait a few seconds after the drone has landed to observe the solid green light.

Failure to do so may result in an inadvertent Parachute deployment.
 

Postflight

Ensure the Parachute is disarmed (displays a solid green light) or disabled (displays a solid red light) before handling.

To remove the battery from the drone while the Parachute is installed:

1. Press in on the battery retainment latch
2. While the latch is fully depressed, remove the battery from the drone

If your Parachute was deployed during flight

[warning] Failure to follow the following guidance may result in serious bodily injury and/or harm. [/warning]

If your Parachute was deployed during flight, you must contact Skydio Support to report the incident. The Parachute is designed to protect people, not the drone, so it is likely that part of the aircraft was damaged during the Parachute landing. Do NOT continue to fly your drone if the Parachute was deployed.

Flying with a deployed Parachute will not provide compliance with aviation regulations related to operations over people. 

If you’re able to, please also upload Support logs to help our team investigate the issue.
 

Maintenance and Storage

Maintenance Schedule

[note] The Parachute must be repacked every year by Skydio (subject to change). [/note]

* Subject to change

If a defect is detected on the Parachute, send the attachment back to Skydio for repack or replacement.
 

Repacking or Replacing Parachute

To repack or replace Parachute, contact Skydio Support at support@skydio.com or create a case via https://skydio.com/myrequests.

The Skydio Support team will communicate any return shipping requirements or details needed when shipping Parachutes back to Skydio for repack or replacement.

Storage

You must store the Skydio Parachute for X10 in a dry environment within -40°F (-40°C) to 176°F (80°C).
 

Specifications

Dimensions	83.5mm x 142.5mm x 80mm
Weight	165g / 0.35lbs
Attachment Location	Left side
FAA Certification: FAR Part 107 Subpart D	In Work
Descent Rate	8.9 mph
Reuse Method	Must be returned to Skydio for a repack after one (1) year*
Deployment Technology	Nitrogen Cartridge
Deployment Trigger	Manual and/or autonomous
Product Label

* Subject to change

Aviation Regulatory Compliance

FAA Operations Over People and Moving Vehicles

The FAA Declaration of Compliance (DoC) confirms that the Parachute meets the performance and testing requirements defined in 14 CFR Part 107 Subpart D.

The FAA website provides the official and most up-to-date version of the DoC.

To view the current approved DoC:

1. Navigate to https://uasdoc.faa.gov
2. Select View Public DOC List, Filter by type: OOP
3. Enter Skydio in the Search field
4. View the declaration for the model and series of your parachute system attachment.

To validate that the serial number of your parachute system attachment has been declared:

1. Navigate to https://uasdoc.faa.gov
2. Select Serial Number Lookup
3. Enter the serial number printed on the label ( omitting the dash “-“)
4. Select Submit 

EXAMPLE
For this label, enter X10PCH1234

Operating Limits

To operate within compliance with the FAA declaration, you must operate within these limitations:

*Operational Limits are based on 2.6 kg max takeoff weight and may not be adjusted based on lower weight configurations

• Parachute can only be used with Rev 2 Propellers
• Operating the drone beyond the recommended wind or altitude limits may not mitigate against serious injury
• If Parachute drops and the fabric of the canopy falls out, it must be returned to Skydio for repack
• Parachute cannot be repacked by customers. If Parachute is deployed, the drone must be returned to Skydio for inspection
• Do not modify the Parachute, as it can affect performance leading to property damage or injury and also void the warranty.
• The Parachute uses a compressed gas cartridge for deployment. Maintain a clear area of at least 6.5 ft (2 m) when Parachute is powered on and armed (the light on Parachute is blinking green).
• The Remote Pilot must not operate the sUA below an altitude of 100 ft (30.5 m) above the ground except for launch and landing and must ensure that launch and landing occurs sufficiently away from persons on the ground to prevent near or actual impact into them.

When Parachute is disabled, the aircraft is no longer compliant with aviation regulations related to operations over people.



 

FAQ

[accordion heading="Can the Parachute attachment operate in precipitation?"]

Yes. Parachute and Skydio X10 are both IP55-rated and can support flight in light to moderate precipitation.

[/accordion]

[accordion heading="Can I use Parachute with other attachments?"]

Yes, you can use Parachute in conjunction with two additional attachments. Supported configurations:

Two attachments

• Parachute + NightSense
• Parachute + Spotlight
• Parachute + Speaker
• Parachute + Fusion+ (coming soon)
• Parachute + RTK/PPK

Three attachments

• Parachute + NightSense +  Spotlight
• Parachute + NightSense + Speaker
• Parachute + NightSense + Fusion+ (Fusion+ coming soon) 

[note] NightSense refers to both top and bottom attachments. [/note] 
 

[/accordion]

[accordion heading="Is the Parachute attachment covered under Skydio Care?"]

No, the Parachute attachment is not covered under Skydio Care.

Parachute is sold as a subscription which includes:

• Parachute attachment hardware
• Unlimited deployment repacks
• Useful life hardware replacements (as determined by Skydio)

[note] The customer is responsible for the replacement of the Parachute attachment on the drone, and must send the used or expired Parachute hardware back to Skydio. [/note]

The Parachute attachment is also covered under the Skydio One (1) Year Limited Warranty which is separate from Skydio Care.

[/accordion]

[accordion heading="Does Parachute impact overall battery life?"]

Yes. Parachute will reduce X10 flight time by approximately 4 minutes due to the added mass.

[/accordion]

[accordion heading="Are there any usage constraints?"]

Yes. Follow all key warnings flagged in this manual. While the Parachute is armed, do not operate the drone below an altitude of 100 ft (30.5 m) above the ground except for launch and landing. Do not operate beyond the wind limits.

[/accordion]

[accordion heading="Are there any restrictions or considerations when shipping or traveling with Parachute?"]

Parachute can be transported by plane in both carry-on and checked luggage but you should always double check any specific airline requirements.

The Skydio Support team will communicate any return shipping requirements or details needed when shipping Parachutes back to Skydio for repack or replacement.

[/accordion]

[accordion heading="What happens if my Parachute deploys?"]

If the Parachute is deployed, please immediately call Skydio at (650) 912-1002 and email your support representative.

[/accordion]

[accordion heading="Will the Parachute protect the drone from damage?"]

Not necessarily. The Parachute is intended to protect people and property, not the drone which may be damaged after a deployment.

[/accordion]

Skydio, Inc. A0592