SB001 Alta X – Motor 1 start failure (1/17/20)

> SUPERSEEDED BY SB002 Alta X – Intermittent Motor Start Failure on 2/17/2020 < 

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Date Released: Jan 17 2020

Effectivity: All Alta X

INTRODUCTION

This service bulletin is being issued to alert all Alta X pilots of an intermittent failure of Motor 1 upon initial startup.

BACKGROUND

Freefly has received ~5 reports of Motor 1 not starting properly in the field. Freefly has initiated an internal investigation to determine the root cause of this issue.

DISCUSSION

Some key points to convey regarding this issue:

• Motor 1 is always the motor that does not start.

• A reboot of the machine has cleared the issue so that normal operation can continue.

• Throttling up the Alta X without motor 1 starting can cause a tip over.

• We have received no report of motor failure in flight, the failure mode appears to only exist upon startup. Once a motor is spinning there is no evidence that the issue can occur.

RECOMMENDATION

1. Always visually confirm motor 1 is spinning prior to liftoff
2. Always perform an attitude control flight check prior to takeoff (demonstrated here)
3. In case of a motor 1 failure to start, disconnect Alta X flight batteries and reboot machine
   • Please file a ticket with customer support so we can investigate and track this issue

Freefly will be issuing follow on updates as our investigation unfolds.

See attached PDF for full details