Yes. For every meter of altitude that you go up, you have a meter of cable, so your drone will have an additional load. Unless you are flying directly above the power unit, you will create an off-center force pulling the drone sideways. Commercial drones can generally handle this load, but pilots should be careful to understand the full load/weight of the aircraft bearing in mind that the load during the flight will be takeoff weight plus tether weight based upon height. The tether weight is 13 grams per meter. Flying a drone on a tether is a bit like driving a car with a loaded trailer towed behind. Slow and gentle is the best approach.

The RS1000 and 24 V BRM are rated to be used between -10 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

No, the tether system should not interfere with any flight control systems.

When the tether is cut, the drone will continue to fly provided it has a backup battery.  Note that this means it may then also auto-land. If the tether is cut, power to the RS1000 should be immediately turned off to ensure no dangerous voltage is on the cut line.

The RS1000 is weather-resistant, not waterproof. Do not operate the system in wet conditions.

Contact [email protected] or the dealer you purchased your unit from to get service and parts for the system.

The RS1000 supports 3S, 12S, and 6S systems. It is also compatible with DJI’s M300, M210/200, Inspire 1, and Inspire 2, as well as most drones that use a 6S battery. We are continually adding additional drones to the list. To determine if the RS1000 will work with your drone, contact [email protected] or talk with your dealer.

No, our system works with the batteries on your drone. If the tether system ever loses power, your drone will revert to battery power.

Collision avoidance does not need to be disabled when using the tether with DJI’s M300, M200/210, and Inspire. For other aircraft, please contact [email protected] to confirm.

Your drone can fly off tether as soon as you disconnect the tether from the drone. You do not need to remove the air modules/BRM.

Yes. As long as it outputs 2200 W power.

Yes, as long as you can power it from the vehicle inverter. We do not recommend operating it while the vehicle is moving. If that is a requirement, the Blue Vigil OEM system may be a better option. View the OEM Fact Sheet or contact [email protected] for more information.

Yes, you can do Ethernet over tether at 80 Mbps. This requires our Ethernet air-side and RS1000 modules. With our OEM version, you can do Ethernet and you can also do Optical. View the OEM Fact Sheet or contact [email protected] for more information.

Not really. You can add “Ethernet-over-Tether” capability, but that is the only additional option. If you have specific needs that the RS1000 can’t meet, especially in regards to weatherproofing and customized enclosure (e.g. drone platform), our OEM version may be a solution. The OEM version is IP55 rated and is designed to be built into customer drone deployment platforms (e.g. vehicle-mounted, etc.).

View the OEM Fact Sheet or contact [email protected] for more information.

Yes, per FAA regulations, tether drones are still subject to 14 CFR part 107 which require an active pilot at the controls.

Yes, provided that the drone itself is able to fly in the suggested wind. When flying in windy conditions the tether will automatically spool out and retract as the wind gusts. It is important to fly at a lower altitude in windy conditions to ensure that enough cable is on the spool to allow for the bowing of the cable. In winds 0f 15-20 mph, the tether can easily bow out 20-30 feet.

The RS1000 requires external packing to be safely shipped. It should be cushioned using at least 1-2 inches of foam on all sides. If available, use the original packing box and material or contact Blue Vigil to get a replacement shipping box.

The tether comes in a 90 meter length.