Skydio X2D QGC User manual
Operator Manual
Skydio X2D QGC
Eective date: Oct 18, 2021
WARNING: Please read all documentation provided with your Skydio X2D including but
not limited to the Safety & Operating Guide found here: www.skydio.com/getstartedX2
© 2022 Skydio, Inc. All rights reserved.
2Skydio X2D - QGC Operator Manual © 2022 Skydio, Inc. All rights reserved.
Overview
Skydio QGC is an alternative application available for the Skydio Enterprise Controller for full flight control and
access to X2 autonomy features.
Feature Description Main use cases Key benefits
Close Proximity
Obstacle Avoidance
Fly closer to obstacles.
Close (~11”)
Minimal (~4”)
Disabled
Standard (~34”)
• Situational awareness
• Inspection
Allows closer flight for indoor
navigation e.g. through large
doorways and up-close
inspection of detailed assets
Superzoom Blends the six 4K navigation
cameras to create an
omnidirectional view. Allows
the user to zoom digitally with
algorithmic image stabilization
• Situational awareness See farther, and in all
directions without moving the
drone - reduces pilot cognitive
load
Vertical View Gimbal can vertically look
straight up above the drone
• Inspection Allows for overhung
inspections such as ceilings,
bridges, and canopies
Rangefinding Provides rangefinding using the
augmented reality MGRS grid
on the controller UI
• Situational awareness
• Inspection
Increases operator situational
awareness and reduces time
to vectoring maneuvering
forces.
Skydio QGC supports a subset of the Skydio Autonomy Enterprise features:
Skydio Ground Control (QGC)
Skydio Autonomy Enterprise Software
3Skydio X2D - QGC Operator Manual © 2022 Skydio, Inc. All rights reserved.
Pre-flight
Launch QGC
To access Skydio QGC, power on the Enterprise Controller:
Step 1 - Select the INFO menu
Step 2 - Select Launch QGC
4Skydio X2D - QGC Operator Manual © 2022 Skydio, Inc. All rights reserved.
Oine maps
Step 5 - Launch QGC
• select the QGC icon in the top left corner
• select Application Settings
Step 6 - Select Oine Maps
Step 7 - Select Add New Set
• navigate to your desired map location. You will need to
zoom into a specific area.
• set the zoom levels for oine maps
• choose your preferred map provider
• name the location of your map
• select Download
• select the tile sets you want to export and select Export
Step 8 - copy the file with the extension .qgctiledb to a USB-C
flash drive
Pre-flight
Skydio QGC requires a specific map file that can only be generated using the QGC application on a device with
access to the Internet. To generate map files:
Step 1 - Using a computer or devices download the QGC
application to your desktop
• visit http://qgroundcontrol.com/downloads
Step 2 - Select the QGC icon in the top left corner
Step 3 - Select Application Settings
Step 4 - Select Oine Maps
5Skydio X2D - QGC Operator Manual © 2022 Skydio, Inc. All rights reserved.
Step 1 - Power on your Skydio Enterprise Controller
Step 2 - Select the INFO menu
Step 3 - Select Import Skydio QGC Maps
Step 4 - Insert the USB-C flash drive containing the
QGC map file
• select Maps
• navigate to My Files
• select the USB storage device
• select the map file
• select Done
Import map to Skydio Enterprise Controller:
Oine maps
Pre-flight
6Skydio X2D - QGC Operator Manual © 2022 Skydio, Inc. All rights reserved.
Your QGC map tiles will then import to the Skydio
Enterprise Controller map directory.
After completing the final step, you will only have 24
seconds to import the maps to QGC before your map
files are deleted.
NOTE: If an import fails, select and hold Import Skydio QGC Maps and clear the imported map directory when
prompted. Any maps not yet imported to Skydio QGC will need to be imported again.
Pre-flight
Oine maps
7Skydio X2D - QGC Operator Manual © 2022 Skydio, Inc. All rights reserved.
Step 1 - Select Open Skydio QGC
Import maps to QGC:
Step 2 - Select the QGC Icon in the top left corner of
the screen to bring up the menu
Step 3 - Select Settings
Step 4 - Select Oine maps
• select Import and then Import again
• tap on the tile set to import
Pre-flight
Oine maps
8Skydio X2D - QGC Operator Manual © 2022 Skydio, Inc. All rights reserved.
Step 1 - Select General
Step 2 - Select Miscellaneous
Step 3 - Choose the correct options from the Map
Provider and Map Type menus
Step 4 - Navigate back to the main screen
Pre-flight
Oine maps
Ensure your map provider and map types match
9Skydio X2D - QGC Operator Manual © 2022 Skydio, Inc. All rights reserved.
When your vehicle is provisioned for encryption, your media will be encrypted when flying with Skydio QGC. Skydio
QGC will indicate the state of your media encryption in the X2 status bar:
Media is not encrypted - your vehicle is not provisioned for encryption.
Encrypted media unlocked - displays when you insert the security key into X2 while it is
powered on. You will be able to view and access your decrypted media until you power o
the drone or fly again.
Media is encrypted - your media is currently encrypted. If you have provisioned your vehicle
for encryption, your media will always be encrypted when flying with Skydio QGC.
Media Encryption
QGC Flight
10 Skydio X2D - QGC Operator Manual © 2022 Skydio, Inc. All rights reserved.
Missions allow X2 to fly to designated waypoints without requiring you to manually fly. As X2 reaches each waypoint,
X2 can execute a number of operations before proceeding to the next waypoint. Missions can be planned pre-flight
and loaded onto the vehicle.
Waypoint Mission
QGC Flight
Step 1 - Select the Plan button to display the Map view
Step 2 - Select the parameters to set X2D behaviors while executing a mission
Step 3 - Select the Waypoint button to begin marking waypoints
• tap on the map to set the waypoints
• continue tapping on the map to set waypoints until your mission plan is complete
Step 4 - Adjust parameters and behaviors in the right sidebar, such as:
• altitude
• hold duration (in seconds)
• where X2 will loiter before proceeding
• changing the gimbal pitch angle
• planned photo
Selecting the hamburger icon allows you to set a dierent command for that point in the mission.
To delete a waypoint, select the point you want to delete, and
the trash icon.
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