Starling 2 First Flight

Transmitter switch layout, preflight checks, and a first position-mode flight for Starling 2 and Starling 2 Max.

Drones can be dangerous. Do not fly near people, wear eye protection, and follow local laws and regulations.

Table of contents

1. Transmitter layout
2. Before you fly
3. Props-off arm test
4. Install the propellers
5. First flight in Position mode

Transmitter layout

Starling 2 and Starling 2 Max ship with an ELRS receiver and the iFlight Commando 8 handset. The SDK installs this channel mapping for both drones:

Arming and disarming use stick gestures:

PX4 disarms automatically if you do not take off within 20 seconds of arming.

Before you fly

1. Charge the battery (Starling 2) or both batteries (Starling 2 Max).
2. Power on the handset, then the drone. If the handset does not connect, bind it with voxl-elrs.
3. Connect QGroundControl and confirm the vehicle reports Ready To Fly. If it shows Not Ready, see Arming Checks.
4. In QGroundControl’s Radio setup page, flip each switch and confirm:
   • the kill switch moves channel 5;
   • the flight mode switch moves channel 6 through three positions, and the Flight Modes page highlights Manual, Position, and Offboard in turn.
5. Check VIO with the hand-held test: carry the drone around and confirm the position in QGroundControl follows it. From an adb or ssh shell, voxl-inspect-vins should report state OKAY.

Starling 2 is set up to fly indoors on VIO. Starling 2 Max is set up to fly outdoors, using GPS when it has a fix. Both fly in Position mode without GPS. VIO needs light and visible texture on the floor and walls; see Environment and Optics.

Props-off arm test

With the propellers off:

1. Set the kill switch off (channel 5 low) and the flight mode switch to Manual.
2. Arm with the left stick down and to the right.
3. Raise the throttle briefly and confirm all four motors spin in the directions shown below.
4. Disarm with the left stick down and to the left.

Install the propellers

Match each propeller to its motor’s spin direction from the diagram above, and check that every propeller is secure before you fly.

First flight in Position mode

1. Place the drone on flat ground with its tracking cameras unobstructed, and step back.
2. Set the flight mode switch to Position. QGroundControl announces the mode change. If it reports that Position mode was rejected, VIO is not ready yet: switch back to Manual, wait a few seconds, and try again.
3. Arm, then raise the throttle above center to climb. With the sticks centered, the drone holds its position and altitude.
4. Fly gently with the right stick. Flip the kill switch at any time to stop the motors.
5. To land, lower the throttle below center until the drone touches down. It disarms automatically after landing.

Manual mode has no position or altitude hold. Fly it only once you are comfortable flying without assistance. Offboard mode hands control to an onboard program; see Flying with VIO.

Next Step: voxl-cross