# Compass Calibration

Most easily done by two people working together. The compass calibration is important to ensure that the drone is able to determine its proper placement in order to respond to satellite signals for the GPS locator. The calibration should be performed outside in an open field away from steel and concrete (the rebar in the concrete will interfere with the magnetic field).

1\.    To start, the first person should be holding the drone completely level with enough space to fully rotate the drone. &#x20;

![1. Ready for calibration](https://1582553624-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-Lv7j6ccuOnkrrOkUxmG%2F-LvlOxwkE-LxjwSVKzcC%2F-LvlSfnNISXkcES0qizy%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=b32d684b-708e-4039-b052-59e36639312e)

![Orange LED indicates drone is ready for calibration](https://1582553624-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-Lv7j6ccuOnkrrOkUxmG%2F-LvlOxwkE-LxjwSVKzcC%2F-LvlT-4WB93Jz4gq84A6%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=e663d409-0c43-4933-bb08-c90e02c6da5f)

2\.    The second person will turn on the handheld controller and begin by toggling the GPS/ attitude switch up and down several times (usually about 6). The LED should go from flashing red and green to solid orange to indicate that the drone is ready for calibration.&#x20;

![2. Toggle GPS/attitude](https://1582553624-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-Lv7j6ccuOnkrrOkUxmG%2F-LvlOxwkE-LxjwSVKzcC%2F-LvlSkz5GnYYYyUbDXNj%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=ad3ae9cb-2041-416b-b01e-fdbf463ccb24)

3\.    The person holding the drone should rotate the drone, holding it completely level to the ground, about the Z-axis.  &#x20;

![3. Rotating about the Z-axis clockwise for about 360 degrees.](https://1582553624-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-Lv7j6ccuOnkrrOkUxmG%2F-LvlOxwkE-LxjwSVKzcC%2F-LvlTJ7bpvhUNKhLmDh8%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=0bd90913-173a-4d9d-a114-667de7c49d8b)

4\.    The person rotating the drone can stop the rotation when the LED changes from solid orange to solid green, which typically happens at 360 degrees of rotation.

![4. Solid green LED indicates this step is done.](https://1582553624-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-Lv7j6ccuOnkrrOkUxmG%2F-LvlOxwkE-LxjwSVKzcC%2F-LvlTYgCr7_F76o7TeWy%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=0428407d-355c-4713-8b5a-81dfa5193c0b)

5\.    Once the LED is solid green, the person holding the drone should rotate the nose of the drone (same direction the GPS arrow is pointing) down towards the ground, completing a 90 degree arc. &#x20;

![5. Rotate the nose 90 ˚so it is facing the ground.](https://1582553624-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-Lv7j6ccuOnkrrOkUxmG%2F-LvlOxwkE-LxjwSVKzcC%2F-LvlTl_fO9uk69O6lhf2%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=9fedb29b-7eec-46c1-ab24-e758bc527956)

6\.    The drone should now be rotated about 360 degrees around the nose. The rotation should continue until the LED changes from a solid green to the normal flashing red and green pattern.  This completes the drone calibration.  &#x20;

![6. Nose down, rotate drone approximately 360˚  when light goes to flashing red green. ](https://1582553624-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-Lv7j6ccuOnkrrOkUxmG%2F-LvlOxwkE-LxjwSVKzcC%2F-LvlTsLmbkOLZn8iclIC%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=9dec9d30-01d0-426d-ab18-f5a424399b2c)

*NOTE: If the lights do not change in the sequence listed, power everything down and restart the process.*&#x20;
