Supporting a total takeoff weight of 18 pounds, the Spreading Wings S900 with Zenmuse Z15-BMPC Gimbal is a hexcopter from DJI that allows you to capture aerial video using a separately available Blackmagic Pocket Camera camera. It features carbon fiber frame arms to cut down on weight, which fold down for storage and transport. The included Z15-BMPC gimbal helps keep the camera stabilized and isolated from vibration, and allows you to pan, tilt, and even cant the camera for more dynamic shots. Used with a 6S 12000mAh battery, available separately, the S900 can fly for up to 18 minutes fully laden.
This version of the S900 features the DJI A2 flight control system, a collection of hardware which acts as the hexcopter's brains. It takes data from the GPS, gyros, barometer, and other sensors while applying any pilot inputs to help ensure stable flying and smooth video. The A2 can be configured for different flying styles and pilot skill levels, with features like Intelligent Orientation Control (IOC), Point of Interest (POI), one motor fail protection, and a Return-to-Home fail safe in the event contact is lost with the transmitter. Thanks to CAN-bus peripheral ports, A2 can integrate other accessories, such as the Lightbridge unified video, data, and control system.
The S900 is not a ready-to-fly (RTF) aircraft. It does require some assembly and a transmitter (hand-held radio controller) and batteries are not included. Transmitters the A2 supports include the Futaba FASST and DJI DESST series. For power, it uses LiPo flight batteries in 6S configuration, with a 10,000 to 15,000 mAh capacity, and requires a discharge rate of at least 15C.
- Orientation-locked control
- Non orientation-locked control
- FPV mode
- This version of the S900 Hexcopter features the DJI A2 flight control system. This system includes the main controller, IMU, GPS, PMU, and Bluetooth LED indicator
Main Controller
The aircraft's equivalent of a CPU. The main controller takes pilot input and, factoring in data from the IMU, GPU, and other sources, instructs the ESCs at the motors. In addition, the A2 main controller incorporates a 2.4 GHz DR16 receiver which is compatible with Futaba FASST series and DJI DESST series transmitters (radio controllers). To connect peripherals, the main unit features a CAN-bus terminal with 12 output channels
IMU
The IMU, or inertial measurement unit, is the primary source of information used by the flight controller so that the aircraft can maintain a stable flying condition. It uses a combination of accelerometers and gyros to collect this data
GPS
The GPS allows the S1000 to keep track of where it is in two-dimensional flight. This enables various types of assisted flying not otherwise possible, such as keeping the aircraft in a fixed hover while shooting video. A high gain antenna mounts on the end of a stock installed on top of the frame
PMU
The power management unit (PMU) regulates power being fed to the flight controller and other components. It features voltage detection and alarming, and had an extendable CAN-bus port
LED Bluetooth Indicator
The LED-BTU-I module provides a USB and Bluetooth connectivity required so you can adjust various flight control parameters using a computer or mobile device. Bluetooth wireless communications can be extend using the 2.4G Bluetooth Datalink, which relays Bluetooth data over 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi for use with the iPad Ground Station, a waypoint-based autopilot mapping system
It is also possible to assign a button using the assistant software that, when pressed, will cause the aircraft to automatically return to the home point