D88 Drone User Manual

Product Overview

This section introduces functions and installation guidelines of the D88 Drone and lists its components and the remote controller.

Introduction

Equipped with Optical Flow Positioning and GPS System, the D88 Drone can precisely position, hover, and automatically return. It is also capable of flying in intelligent flight modes such as Point of Interest, Follow Me, and Waypoint Flight. Featuring a single-axis gimbal, the D88 Drone can shoot 2K photos and adjust the camera angle 90 degrees in flight. The aircraft and camera can be easily controlled using onboard buttons. Real-time images and aircraft data information can be shown on the "Potensic-M2" APP. Foldable hand sticks and a pull-out holder design make the remote controller easier to operate and carry. The maximum flight speed is 40km/h and the maximum flight time is 22 minutes.

Prepare Your D88 Drone

Unfold the aircraft

The aircraft is folded inside the package. Follow the steps below to unfold the aircraft:

1. Unfold the rear arms (refer to diagram showing arms folding outwards).
2. Repeat for the front arms (refer to diagram showing arms folding outwards).

Aircraft

Aircraft Power Switch

Turn on the aircraft

Once the battery is installed firmly, press the power switch for 3 seconds. The aircraft will make beep sounds and the lights will keep flashing.

Turn off the aircraft

Press the power switch for 3 seconds. The aircraft lights will go off, and the D88 Drone will turn off.

Aircraft Battery

• Made by high-quality battery cells.
• Standard battery capacity: 7.6V 3400mAh.

Charge the aircraft battery

• The aircraft's battery needs to be fully charged before every flight.
• Please use the provided USB charging device for this aircraft.
• Full charging time for one battery is approximately 4 hours.
• Using one charging cable can charge one battery at a time.
• Charging two batteries simultaneously takes approximately 8 hours to fully charge.

Diagram shows an aircraft battery and a charger. The charger connects to a power source via a USB cable and power adapter (not included). An extra battery and USB cable are also shown as not included.

Battery Safety Precautions

• Adult supervision is necessary when children are playing with the drone.
• Only batteries of the same or equivalent type as recommended should be used.
• Insert batteries with correct polarity.
• Rechargeable batteries must be removed from the aircraft before being charged.
• Rechargeable batteries are only to be charged under adult supervision.
• Exhausted batteries must be removed from the aircraft.
• The supply terminals must not be short-circuited.
• Regularly examine the cable line for potential hazards, such as damage to the cable, cord, plug, or enclosure of other parts. If any damage is found, the product must not be used until the damages are properly removed.

Attach and Detach the Propellers

Attach the propellers

Install propeller A and propeller B on the corresponding motor shaft and fix the rotor propellers tightly by rotating clockwise. (A / B marks are at the bottom of the propeller.)

Diagram shows the aircraft with propellers being attached, indicating clockwise rotation for securing.

Detach the propellers

Take out the screws by rotating counter-clockwise and then remove the propellers.

Diagram shows the aircraft with propellers being detached, indicating counter-clockwise rotation for removal.

• Please ensure that the clockwise and counter-clockwise propellers are installed on the correct motors, as incorrect installation will prevent the aircraft from flying normally.
• Be aware of the sharp edges of the propellers. Handle with care.
• Use only Potensic D88 approved propellers. Do NOT mix propeller types.
• Keep clear of the motors and DO NOT touch the propellers when they are spinning.
• Check that the propellers and motors are installed correctly and firmly before every flight.
• Ensure all propellers are in good condition before each flight. DO NOT use aged, chipped, or broken propellers.
• To avoid injury, STAND CLEAR of and DO NOT touch propellers or motors when they are spinning.
• ONLY use original Potensic D88 propellers for a better and safer flight experience.

Remote Controller

Remote Controller Functions and Status

Flight mode switch

Choose the flight mode by switching the GPS button to ON / OFF position. The currently active flight mode is shown on the LCD display.

Diagram shows a switch labeled "GPS" with "ON" and "OFF" positions, indicating selection between GPS mode and Gesture mode.

LCD screen display

The remote controller's LCD screen displays various indicators:

• Aircraft battery electricity
• Distance against Home Point
• Return to Home (RTH) icon ?
• Signal strength ?
• Remote controller battery electricity ?
• Photo/Video ?/▶️
• High/Low speed mode
• Altitude against Home Point
• GPS mode ?️
• Satellite "number"
• Remote controller throttle mode

Remote controller status indicators

Gimbal trimmer

The camera angle can be adjusted within a 90-degree range by operating the gimbal trimmer. The controlling directions are shown in the diagrams.

Diagram shows a gimbal trimmer control and indicates a 90-degree rotation range for the camera.

Photo/Video

Short-press the Photo/Video button: The camera icon ? on the LCD screen flashes once, indicating a photo has been taken. Long-press the same button: The video icon ▶️ on the LCD screen flashes slowly, indicating video recording is in progress. Long-press again to exit shooting.

• ⚠️ Attention: When the aircraft is not inserted with a TF card or the TF card is malfunctioning, photos and videos cannot be taken.

One-key takeoff/landing

• After the D88 Drone is unlocked, short-press the " takeoff/landing " button (indicated by an upward arrow icon), the aircraft will automatically take off and hover at 1.5m altitude.
• When the aircraft is flying, short-press the " takeoff/landing " button (indicated by a downward arrow icon), the aircraft will automatically land on the ground.

Emergency stop

Press the "Emergency Stop" button (indicated by a stop sign ? icon) for 3 seconds to stop the flight urgently ONLY when the aircraft encounters an emergency, or the aircraft will drop down or crash.

Smart RTH button

• Press the RTH button (? icon) to start the Return-to-Home procedure. The remote controller will make a beep sound, and the aircraft will fly back to the recorded Home Point.
• Press the RTH button again to exit the RTH procedure and regain control of the aircraft.
• For more information about RTH, please refer to the "Return to Home (RTH)" section.

Low battery warning

• When the battery icon "?" is shown on the LCD screen (Pic. 1) with a steady "beep beep beep... beep beep beep" sound, it indicates the aircraft battery is nearly low voltage. At this time, the aircraft front lights glow solid, and rear lights flash slowly. The aircraft will perform Smart RTH when the altitude is over 50m or the distance is over 100m.
• When the battery icon "?" is shown on the LCD screen (Pic. 2) with a steady "beep ...beep" sound, it indicates the aircraft battery is in low voltage. At this time, the aircraft front lights glow solid, and rear lights flash rapidly. The aircraft will return when the altitude is over 15m or the distance is over 15m. If the flying altitude or flying distance is less than 15m, the aircraft will land on the ground.

Diagrams show the remote controller LCD with different battery warning indicators.

Signal strength indicator

• The "?" indicator displays the signal strength; a greater number of black grids means a stronger signal.
• When the strength bar "?" changes from weak to strong circularly, it indicates the remote controller is under signal connection status.
• There are 2 situations where the strength bar "?" shows less than 2 grids or no display with steady long beep sounds: 1) The distance between the aircraft and the remote controller is too far, causing a weak signal. 2) The battery has been removed after the aircraft connected to the remote controller.

Optimal transmission zone

To obtain a satisfied flight experience, please ensure that your D88 Drone is flying ahead of the remote controller and that there are no obstacles between the aircraft and the remote controller.

Diagram illustrates the optimal transmission zone, showing the drone flying in front of the controller with a clear line of sight.

Throttle Control Stick Mode

Throttle mode switch

Mode 1: The right stick serves as the throttle. Mode 2: The left stick serves as the throttle. The remote controller is set at Mode 2 by default.

Diagrams illustrate Mode 1 and Mode 2 control stick functions.

How to change throttle mode

1. Keep pressing the red button "Power" and turn on the remote controller. The remote controller is under signal connection status (Pic. 1).
2. Keep pressing the RTH button "?" for 3 seconds to cycle through the throttle control modes (Pic. 2). The mode number is shown on the LCD screen. The throttle control mode is set at mode 2 by default.

• ⚠️ Attention: To change the stick mode of the remote controller, please ensure that the remote controller is under signal connection status (the indicator light keeps flashing). Otherwise, the stick mode cannot be changed.

Install the Mobile Phone Holder

1. Pull out the mobile phone holder upwards completely (Pic. 1).
2. Tilt the holder 30 degrees towards you, and you will hear a click sound (Pic. 2).
3. Rotate and fix the support board in place (Pic. 3).
4. Adjust the mobile phone holder upward or downward according to the size of your mobile phone (Pic. 4).

Diagrams illustrate the steps for installing the mobile phone holder.

App Download & Installation

This section introduces how to download the "Potensic-M2" APP and connect with a mobile device.

FPV Real-time Image Transmission Software "Potensic-M2"

Where to download "Potensic-M2" APP

1. For Apple iOS system, please go to the App Store, search "Potensic-M2", or scan the QR code to download the software.
2. For Android system, please scan the "Google Play" or the drone's QR code, or search "Potensic-M2" in "Google Play" to download the software.

Diagrams show QR codes for the App Store and Google Play.

How to link the "Potensic-M2" to the camera

Power on the aircraft, then go to your phone's setting option. Turn on WiFi, find "drone ***" on the list, and connect to it. When the "?" legend is shown, it means WiFi connection is successful. Exit settings and tap the "Potensic-M2" APP on your mobile device. Then, select your aircraft model on the home page and click "GO" to enter the real-time image transmission interface.

Diagrams show phone Wi-Fi settings, the Potensic-M2 app icon, and the "GO" button.

Photos and video saving feature

1. If the camera is without a TF card, videos and photos will be saved in the APP.
2. If the camera is with a TF card, videos and photos will be saved on the TF card.
3. Videos and photos on the TF card can be downloaded to the APP.

• ⚠️ Attention: Please ensure that your mobile device supports 5G WIFI before linking "Potensic-M2" to your device.

Text "2K 5G WiFi Farther.Faster.Clearer" is displayed.

Real-time image quality and FPV distance depend on your smartphone and flight environment. To obtain the best live view, please choose a wide open area to fly in. As tested, the drone could transmit 2K videos up to 800 meters (0.6 mile) in an environment with no interference.

Flight

This section introduces safe flight requirements and basic aircraft operations.

Flight Environment Requirements

1. Please do not fly in adverse weather conditions such as high temperature, snow, strong wind (≥level 5), rain, or fog.
2. Always choose a wide open area for every flight. Tall structures and large metal structures may affect the accuracy of the onboard compass and GPS system.
3. Stay well away from people and property. Never fly directly over people or animals.
4. To minimize interference, do not fly the aircraft in locations near power lines, base stations, electrical substations, and broadcasting towers.
5. Aircraft and battery performance are subject to environmental factors like temperature. Be very careful when flying over 6KM above sea level, as performance will be affected.
6. Your D88 Drone cannot use GPS within the polar regions.

Flight limits and GEO zones

Abide by all laws and regulations when flying your D88 Drone. Flight limitations are applied by default to help users operate this product safely and legally. Flight limitations include altitude limits, distance limits, and GEO Zones. Altitude limits, distance limits, and GEO Zones function concurrently to manage flight safety when operating in GPS Mode.

Pre-flight Checklist

1. The aircraft, remote controller, and mobile device are fully charged.
2. The propellers are installed correctly.
3. The arms and propellers are unfolded.
4. Ensure the camera lens is clean.
5. Please use drone parts that are certified by Potensic D88. Otherwise, it may cause malfunction or safety issues.

Aircraft Operations

Signal connection between the aircraft and remote controller

• Keep pressing the red button "Power" and turn on the remote controller (Pic. 1). The remote controller makes 2 beep sounds, and the indicator light "?" keeps flashing; the remote controller is under signal connection status.
• Turn on the aircraft (Pic. 2). The aircraft will make beep sounds with front and rear lights flashing and will automatically link to the remote controller. Once the remote controller sends out a long beep sound, the indicator light of the remote controller turns from flashing to solid on, and the signal icon "?" is shown on the LCD screen, it means that the signal is connected successfully.

Diagrams show the remote controller and aircraft being powered on for connection.

• Signal connection is done once for all if the remote controller is not linked to other aircraft.
• Set the connection one by one to avoid signal connection errors.

Aircraft initialization detection

After signal connection, the aircraft enters initialization detection procedure with front and rear lights flashing red, green, and yellow alternatively. Make sure the aircraft is set on a flat and still surface for initialization detection. The aircraft initialization detection takes about 8 seconds. Once the remote controller sends out "Di Di" sounds and the aircraft front and rear lights flash yellow alternatively, initialization detection is completed.

• ⚠️ Attention: Make sure the aircraft is set on a flat and still surface for initialization detection.

Aircraft compass calibration

1. Compass calibration should be performed after successful aircraft initialization detection.
2. Aircraft compass calibration should be done for every flight. That is to say, if changing the battery or reinstalling the battery, compass calibration should be done again.

Two steps of compass calibration:

Step 1: Horizontal calibration

After successful aircraft initialization detection, the aircraft front and rear lights flash yellow alternatively. Hold the aircraft horizontally and rotate it 360 degrees along the central axis for about 3 circles. The aircraft front and rear lights will change from flashing yellow alternatively to flashing green alternatively when horizontal calibration is completed.

Step 2: Vertical calibration

Hold the aircraft with the camera facing up and rotate it 360 degrees along the central axis for about 3 circles until the front and rear lights of the aircraft change from flashing to solid on. The compass calibration is successful.

• ⚠️ Attention: To fly in GPS mode, please choose an open and wide space for the flight, and ensure that the satellite number is over 7.
• Please do not calibrate the compass in strong magnetic areas, such as near magnetic fields, parking places, or construction areas with underground reinforcement.
• Please do not carry magnetic materials with you (such as keys, cell phones, etc.) when calibrating the compass.
• Please keep away from large metal objects when calibrating the compass.

Gyroscope calibration

After the aircraft and remote controller are bonded, set the aircraft on flat ground and follow the indication photo to calibrate the gyro. Once the aircraft front lights turn from flashing to solid on, it means that the gyro calibration is succeeded.

• The gyroscope calibration has been done by factory default. Gyroscope calibration is not needed unless the aircraft cannot exit the aircraft initialization detection procedure after it is finished.
• Please ensure to set the aircraft on a horizontal surface when performing calibration; failure to do so will affect the flight.

How to lock and unlock the aircraft

Unlock the aircraft

Short-press the red button "Power". The motors rotate, and the aircraft is unlocked.

Lock the aircraft

There are 2 ways to lock the aircraft:

1. Method 1: Long-press the red button "Power" for 3 seconds. The motors will stop rotating immediately, and the aircraft is locked.
2. Method 2: After the aircraft lands on the ground, pull the throttle stick down to the bottom position and hold for 3 seconds. The motors will stop rotating, and the aircraft is locked.

• Warm tips:
• Please do not lock the aircraft by pressing the "Power" button directly during flight.
• In case an Emergency Stop on the aircraft is needed, please keep pressing the "Emergency Stop" button for 3 seconds; then the aircraft will stop running and drop down.

Operate the aircraft

Diagrams illustrate aircraft control stick functions:

• Ascent: Pull throttle stick up.
• Descent: Pull throttle stick down.
• Forward: Push left/right stick forward.
• Backward: Push left/right stick backward.
• Turn Right: Push left/right stick right.
• Turn Left: Push left/right stick left.
• Leftward flight: Push left/right stick left.
• Rightward flight: Push left/right stick right.

Test Flight

Basic flight operation steps

1. Place the aircraft in a wide open area with its front facing you.
2. Turn on the aircraft and remote controller.
3. Connect the remote controller with the aircraft and proceed with aircraft initialization detection.
4. Connect the D88 Drone with your phone and enter the image transmission interface.
5. Unlock the aircraft after the gyro detection is completed.
6. Pull up the throttle stick; the aircraft will take off. Control the aircraft flight using the left/right stick.
7. Pull down the throttle stick to land the aircraft.
8. Pull down the throttle stick to the bottom position and hold for 3 seconds to lock the aircraft.
9. Pull out the battery from the aircraft and then turn off the remote controller.

Video suggestion and tips

1. Perform the pre-flight checklist.
2. Choose an appropriate gimbal shooting angle.
3. Fly in good weather with no wind.
4. Perform test flights to establish flight routes and preview scenes.
5. Push the control stick gently to keep the aircraft movement smooth and stable.

Please bear proper operation and flight safety guidelines in mind, as they are very important for all of us. For more information, please turn to the Appendix.

Appendix

Product Parameters

Aircraft

Camera & Gimbal

Remote Controller

Charger

Aircraft Battery

APP

Packing Detail

Full package includes the following parts:

• Aircraft *1
• Remote Controller *1
• Extra Propellers Set *1
• Aircraft Battery *1
• Charger x1
• USB Cable x1
• Screwdriver x1
• Quick Start Guide x1
• User Manual x1

Important Statement

• This aircraft is not an easy-to-play toy but a hobby-grade model. It should be assembled and operated properly. The pilot must operate this aircraft safely. Improper operation may cause injury or property damage.
• This aircraft is applicable for pilots aged 14+ who have skilled flying experience.
• Users are fully responsible for the proper operation of this aircraft. The manufacturer and dealers disclaim any responsibility for damages caused by misuse.
• Keep small accessories away from children to avoid accidents.

Flight Safety Guidelines

Hobby-grade radio control aircraft are considered high-risk articles. Users should firmly uphold the principle of "safety comes first". Never fly the aircraft near airports, above crowds, or in zones storing dangerous goods, and understand the responsibility for accidents caused by improper operations.

• Stay away from obstacles, crowds, power lines, trees, or waters. Always choose a wide open area for every flight, well away from people and property. Never fly directly over people or animals. Please do not fly in adverse weather conditions such as high temperature, snow, strong wind (≥level 5), rain, or fog. Maintain a 7ft (2m) distance from the aircraft when taking off and landing.
• Keep the aircraft in a dry environment. The aircraft is composed of sophisticated electronic components and mechanical parts. To avoid damage to the mechanical and electronic components, please keep the aircraft in a dry environment and use a clean cloth to wipe the surface and keep it clean.
• Practice flying together with a skillful pilot. Beginners are suggested to practice flying with a skillful pilot's guidance. Do not fly alone.
• Bear proper operation and safe flight guidelines in mind. Please carefully review the manuals before flights for important information on product functions and operation tips, and learn how to use the accessories. Safe flight always comes first. Stay informed of and strictly abide by relevant local laws and regulations. Keep away from any non-flight zones and respect other people's privacy.
• Safe flying. Please ensure you are in good mental shape before every flight. Fly the aircraft according to your flying experience. Never fly under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Keep the remote controller at least 20 cm away from your body when flying the aircraft.
• Keep distance from a flying aircraft. Never use your hands to touch a flying aircraft under any circumstance. Do not approach or touch a landed aircraft before its propellers are completely locked.
• Keep away from heat sources. The aircraft is made of metal, fiber, plastic, electronic components, and other materials. Please keep it away from heat sources to avoid deformation or damage caused by sun exposure and high temperatures.
• Environmental protection requirements. To protect our planet, please recycle the aircraft according to local laws and regulations.

Note:

• a) Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
• b) This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Logos: CE certification, recycling symbol, "Made in China" text.