Wingtra Parachute Guide: How to install, safety guide, and FAQ

Overview

WingtraRAY can be equipped with an optional parachute add-on that adds an additional layer of safety to your drone operations and enables legal flight over populated areas in many countries. 

How to install the parachute and use it for operations over people in the US

• Pilots carrying out operations over people in the US need to complete our free Operations over People Operator Course prior to their first flight over people.
• In all your operations over people, comply with the conditions explained in the course: 
  • Fly with the parachute add-on installed (watch the course to learn how to install)
  • Only fly over people under conditions explained in the course (VLOS; min height above ground; no open-air assemblies; altitude-dependent wind limit, no fog, rain or snow; drone temperature limits; takeoff & landing clear of uninvolved people; manual device switched on)
• Familiarise yourself with the WingtraRAY user manual

Frequently Asked Questions

The parachute requires maintenance by a certified technician after 3 years in use. How can I get this service?

In order to stay compliant with OOP rules, your parachute needs a repackaging service every 3 years (WR-PARACHUTE-SERVICE). For WingtraCARE customers the repacking service is included under the maintenance plan. Reach out to your local partner - they can organise a shipment to a certified service center.

US: How do I enable advanced operating scenarios with the parachute?

WingtraRAY with the parachute add-on enables operations over people, traffic, and populated areas (excl open air assemblies) under Part 107 (Cat 3 OOP) - without the need to go through a waiver process. 

Your pilots needs to complete the short parachute course linked above and comply with the rules described in the course. 

Learn more under FAQ FAA (US).

Europe: How do I enable advanced operating scenarios with the parachute?

WingtraRAY with the parachute add-on enables the following advanced operating scenarios:

• BVLOS flights with visual observers under the standard scenario STS-02 in the open category (C6) - beyond the basic open category rules under C3 (pilot exam for EASA A1/A3) these opertions require a declaration, an STS-02 theoretical test, a practical training and familiarity with the parachute course linked above. No SORA is required. Talk to your local dealer for more information.

• Flights over populated areas in the specific category through a SORA. Check with your local dealer for more information - we can help you to go through the process in a short time thanks to our comprehensive and proven SORA template. Once approved, your pilots will have to complete the above 10 min parachute course and comply with the rules described in it. 

Learn more under FAQ EASA (Europe).

Other countries (Africa, Asia, Australia, Latin America, Middle East): How do I enable advanced operating scenarios with the parachute?

• The parachute add-on removes the ground risk of your drone operation. In most countries, this enables advanced operating scenarios like flying over urban areas. 

• Check with your local dealer for more information.

Is the Parachute available in all countries?

Yes, with the exception that the manual trigger device (MTD) is prohibited in a few countries. In those countries, you can chose to use the parachute without MTD. In this case, the automatic failure detection on the drone still works for your parachute. You can also still command a parachute deployment using the "motor off" button in the Wingtra app on the ground control tablet.

The MTD serves as a secondary ground station that is physically and logically, as well as in frequency segregated from the main ground control station, i.e. the tablet. This strict segregation that is true for the ground station as well as the systems on the drone is required to comply with regulatory requirements by some national airspace authorities.

The map below displays the countries where the MTD is supported.

What is included in the parachute add-on?

The package contains:

• Parachute module

• Manual trigger device

• Parachute bay cover with warning label

• Battery and cable

Does the parachute add-on reduce my flight time / coverage?

The parachute add-on is lightweight and well integrated such that the flight time and coverage impact is minimal. With the parachute add-on installed, you will experience a reduction in flight time of 2-3 minutes (i.e. a 3-5% reduction in coverage).

How do I install the parachute?

This is covered in the Operations over people operator course and in the WingtraRAY user manual. Alternatively follow these step-by-step instructions:

1. Ensure the drone is powered off.
2. Remove the existing parachute bay cover using a credit card or your fingernails.
   
   
   
   
3. After removing the cover, locate:
   1. The parachute module connector
   2. The attachment points
4. The cord attached to the drone’s airframe (for the parachute main riser)
   
   
   
   
5. Open the carabiner. Twist the carabiner on the main riser (attached to the parachute module) until it is fully open. Then attach the carabiner to the cord within the parachute bay and twist the carabiner until it is completely closed. Now the parachute is connected to the drone.
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Hold the two tethers on one side of the carabiner and slide it back into the slot on the side of the parachute module
   
   
   
   
7. Place the parachute module into the bay. Ensure the main riser and carabiner are not underneath the module. Align the module so the screws line up with the mounting holes.
   
   
8. Using a Torx T10 driver, tighten the four screws on top of the module finger-tight only to avoid damaging the threads.
   
   
9. Place the included parachute bay cover with warning label on top of the module to protect it from dirt, dust, and moisture.
   
   

How can I verify the parachute is correctly installed?

1. Power on the drone: Insert the batteries into the WingtraRAY and power it on using the power button.

2. Power the manual trigger device: Insert the battery into the manual trigger device and turn it on. 

   
3. Check the indicator lights: All three LEDs on the manual trigger device should turn solid green, and the middle LED should flash green.
   
   This indicates that:
   1. The parachute is correctly installed
   2. The system is connected to the WingtraRAY
4. The parachute system is functional
   
   

If the drone experiences telemetry loss during flight, does that make parachute deployment impossible during those moments?

No, the parachute is an independent system that also works without telemetry connection. How it works:

• Parachute deploys as a last layer automatic safety feature, e.g. on full power loss, full control loss or Geobarrier breach with unsuccessful RTH (still working without telemetry link)
• Parachute deploys on command through the Wingtra app --> the user presses "motor off" and confirms it with a slider (works only with telemetry between tablet and drone)
• Parachute deploys on command from the independent parachute trigger device --> user presses 2 buttons simultaneously for 2+ seconds on a separate device (works only if this redundant link has connection)

The manual trigger device does not connect to the parachute module

Different countries require different frequencies of the parachute trigger link. The default shipping configuration is for North America. The drone/parachute side automatically switches to the frequency profile based on the country.

The manual trigger device needs to be switched manually:

• Ensure the drone is powered
• Turn off the manual trigger device
• Turn on the manual trigger device with the right
  button pressed.
• Wait for the connection to be established again (2 solid green, 1 blinking green)

In doubt refer to the training video for operations over people that includes a video instruction.

Learn more

• Operations over people operator course
• WingtraRAY user manual
• FAQ FAA (US)
• FAQ EASA (Europe)