How to use the Waypoints Flight Skill on Skydio X10D

The Waypoints Flight Skill allows you to create and execute an autonomous route consisting of multiple map-based locations. Skydio X10D flies to each waypoint in the configured order using its navigation system and selected obstacle avoidance settings. 

Before You Begin

Before creating or executing a Waypoint Mission:

1. Confirm that the required map for the operating area is available on the controller.
2. Verify that the drone has reliable positioning:
   • Ensure the drone has a sufficient GPS signal during normal operations.
   • When operating without GPS, configure an Anchor Point before creating or executing the mission.
3. Configure the appropriate Return and Lost Connection behaviors.
4. Review the configured Height Ceiling and other flight limits.
5. Ensure the planned altitude provides adequate clearance from terrain and obstacles.
6. Verify that the drone and controller have sufficient battery to complete the mission safely.

Create a Waypoint Mission

Step 1 - Power on and pair 

Step 2 - Select Fly Now

Step 3 - Select the Skills menu in the upper-right corner

Step 4 - Select Waypoints

Step 5 - Open the Map View

• Press and hold the desired location on the map
• Select Add Waypoint
• Continue pressing and holding locations on the map until the route is complete

Step 6 - Select each waypoint to configure:

• Altitude
• Heading
• Gimbal Angle

These settings determine the drone’s altitude, orientation, and camera angle when it reaches the selected waypoint. Review the route between waypoints, not only the waypoint locations. Confirm that each flight segment provides sufficient clearance from terrain, structures, wires, moving objects, and restricted airspace.

Configure the Mission Settings

When Waypoints is selected, an additional menu displays the following mission settings:

Step 7 - Set the speed at which the drone travels between waypoints between 2-36 mph

Step 8 - Set a Home Point, a safe location the drone will return to and land

Step 9 - Set Lost Comms behavior if connection to the controller is lost during the mission

• Return: The drone stops the mission and executes the configured Return behavior.
• Continue Mission: The drone completes the Waypoint Mission before executing the configured Return behavior.

Step 10 - Enabled: The drone captures a photo at each waypoint.

• Ensure the heading and gimbal angle for each waypoint are configured to capture the intended area of interest.

Save the Mission

When the route and mission settings are complete, tap an open area of the map to deselect the mission.

The Waypoint Mission is saved automatically.

[note]Only one Waypoint Mission is saved at a time. Creating or replacing a mission overwrites the previously saved route.[/note]

Edit or Delete Waypoints

To delete an individual waypoint:

1. Press and hold the waypoint.
2. Select the delete option.

To delete the entire route:

1. Press and hold an open area of the map.
2. Select the option to delete all waypoints.

Start the Mission

Before starting the mission:

1. Review the complete route and all waypoint settings.
2. Verify the mission speed and Return behavior.
3. Confirm the drone’s battery level and communication status.
4. Confirm that the configured flight limits are appropriate.
5. Launch the drone if it is not already airborne.

When ready, select Start.

The drone will begin flying toward the first waypoint. The active waypoint is displayed in green.

Monitor the drone throughout the mission and be prepared to pause the autonomous action or take manual control when necessary.

Reverse the Mission

After the mission begins, a Reverse button appears on the screen.

Select Reverse to command the drone to fly the same route in reverse waypoint order.

This can be useful when:

• Conducting route reconnaissance
• Returning along the same planned route
• Revisiting an area of interest
• Repeating observations from the opposite direction

Select Reverse again to command the drone to resume flying the route in its original order.

Use Free Look During the Mission

While the drone is traveling between waypoints, yaw the drone or adjust the gimbal to enter Free Look mode.

Free Look allows you to temporarily adjust the camera heading and pitch without stopping the Waypoint Mission. The drone will continue following the planned route while you control the camera view.

Select Exit Free Look to return the camera to the heading and gimbal angle configured for the mission.

Pause, Resume, or Abort the Mission

Select Pause to stop the active autonomous action and regain manual control.

When the mission is paused, you may select:

• Resume: Continues the mission from the point where it was paused.
• Abort: Ends the current mission and erases mission progress. The mission must be restarted from the beginning.

Select Resume when ready to continue. Pausing the mission does not delete the saved waypoint route.

Monitor Mission Progress

During the mission, the distance to the next waypoint is displayed in the upper-right corner of the Flight Deck screen.

Continue monitoring:

• Distance to the next waypoint
• Drone and controller battery levels
• Communication status
• GPS and navigation health
• Remaining route
• Nearby obstacles and airspace
• Changes in weather or operating conditions

Complete or Stop the Mission

When the drone reaches the final waypoint, it will hover in place.

The Waypoints Flight Skill does not include a loop function. To repeat the route, restart the mission or use Reverse before the mission is completed.

After completing the mission:

1. Confirm the drone’s position and remaining battery.
2. Resume manual flight, command a Return, or land in a safe location.

To stop the mission before completion, select Pause, then take manual control or select Abort.

[note]Waypoint Missions may be affected by low-battery conditions. When the drone reaches the Land Soon battery state, autonomous functions such as Waypoints are disabled.[/note]

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