The terms, clarified.

Wire-thickness measurement; lower number = thicker wire. Cohort default uses 14-16 AWG for power leads, 22-26 AWG for signal wires. see: parts.html

Secondary connector on LiPo packs that exposes individual cell voltages, allowing the charger to balance cells during charging. Required for safe LiPo charging.see: batteries.html

Voltage regulator that converts main battery voltage (e.g., 16V from 4S) down to 5V/3.3V for FC and accessories. Often integrated into the FC; sometimes a separate module on larger builds.see: fc-setup.html

Type of electric motor used universally in modern drones. No physical brushes; commutation is electronic via the ESC. More efficient and longer-lived than brushed motors.see: motors.html

Component soldered between battery leads on most builds; smooths voltage spikes from the ESCs and protects FC electronics. Cohort default 1000μF / 35V or higher capacitor across the main power input.see: build.html

The component that translates FC commands into the precise three-phase electrical signals that drive a BLDC motor. Cohort default uses 4-in-1 ESCs (one board for all four motors) on 5"/7" builds.see: parts.html

The drone's brain — small computer running flight firmware (BetaFlight, INAV, or ArduPilot). Reads sensors, runs PID loops, sends commands to ESCs. Cohort default: SpeedyBee F405 V4 for 5"/7", larger boards for 10".see: fc-setup.html

Live video feed from drone-mounted camera to pilot's goggles or screen. Lets pilot see what the drone sees in real time. Different from mission imagery (which is for survey output).see: parts.html

The carbon-fiber chassis that holds all components together. Frame size measured in motor-to-motor diagonal in inches (5"/7"/10"). Frame includes arms, body plates, and standoffs.see: build.html

Mechanical mount that stabilises a camera against drone movement. Most cohort default builds use fixed-mount cameras (no gimbal); some 10" builds with research-grade cameras use 2-axis or 3-axis gimbals.see: sensors.html

Motor specification: rotations per minute per volt of input. Higher KV = more RPM but less torque; lower KV = less RPM but more torque. Cohort default 5" build uses ~2300-2700 KV motors.see: motors.html

Battery type used in nearly all drones. High energy density, high discharge capability, but requires careful charging, storage, and disposal. Voltage measured in cells (S): 4S = 4 cells in series ≈ 14.8V nominal.see: batteries.html

Battery capacity unit. Higher mAh = more flight time at given draw. Cohort default capacities: 1500mAh (5"), 2200mAh (7"), 4000mAh (10").see: batteries.html

Sensor that detects magnetic fields, used as an electronic compass for heading reference. Often integrated into GPS modules. Affected by nearby electronics; needs careful calibration.see: fc-setup.html

Telemetry data overlaid on FPV video feed: battery voltage, GPS sats, altitude, mode, etc. Lets pilot see flight data without looking away from FPV view.see: fc-setup.html

Theoretical forward distance a propeller travels in one rotation. Higher pitch = more thrust at speed but more current draw. Often expressed as "5x4" (5" diameter × 4" pitch).see: propellers.html

Motor rotational speed measure. Cohort default 5" motors typically run 15,000-30,000 RPM in flight.see: motors.html

Small spacer (typically aluminium or plastic) that separates frame plates and provides mounting points for FC, ESC, and other components. Cohort default uses M3 threaded standoffs.see: build.html

The non-rotating part of a BLDC motor (the windings). Stator size partly determines motor power; often expressed as "2207" (22mm diameter × 7mm height).see: motors.html

Standard battery-to-drone power connector. Cohort default for 5"/7" builds. Larger XT90 for 10" builds. Common wear point; cohort default replacement at ~200 flight hours.see: parts.html

Pre-defined conditions under which the pilot will end the mission and bring the drone home. Cohort default 5: wind exceeds threshold, battery hits warning voltage, GPS sats below 6, RC link RSSI degrades, visual contact lost.see: field-ops.html

Flight mode where the FC doesn't self-level the drone — sticks command rotation rate. Used for sport flying; not for cohort default mission work. Cohort missions use Angle and PosHold instead.see: flight-training.html

Flight mode where releasing sticks returns the drone to level. Beginner-friendly; used for manual flight control. Cohort default for free-form flying and emergency manual control.see: flight-training.html

The act of activating the drone's motors so they will respond to throttle input. Cohort default arming requires 22 pre-arm checks to pass before motors can spin.see: fc-setup.html

Long-range RC protocol used in cohort default builds. Open-source, low-latency, long-range. Cohort default for receiver-radio communication.see: parts.html

Pre-configured FC behavior when RC link is lost: typically position-hold briefly, then RTH. Cohort default failsafe is configured during fc-setup; tested before first flight.see: fc-setup.html

When the GPS module has acquired sufficient satellites for accurate position fix. Cohort default minimum: 8+ satellites for arming, 10+ for autonomous mission, HDOP under 1.5.see: field-ops.html

GPS quality metric: lower is better. Cohort default minimum: HDOP <1.5 for autonomous missions; <1.0 ideal. High HDOP = unreliable position; drone drifts in PosHold.see: missions.html

RC switch that immediately cuts motor power. Used in extreme emergencies (fly-away, imminent harm) where dropping the drone is preferable to continued flight. Configured during fc-setup.see: emergencies.html

Mathematical control method used by the FC to translate desired drone behavior into motor commands. Has tunable values (P, I, D) per axis. "Tuning" usually means adjusting these values.see: tuning.html

Flight mode where the drone holds GPS position when sticks are centered. Requires GPS lock and good HDOP. Cohort default mode for hovering and as the foundation for autonomous missions.see: fc-setup.html

Wireless connection between the pilot's radio transmitter and the drone's receiver. Strength measured in RSSI. Loss of link triggers failsafe.see: fc-setup.html

Measure of RC link quality, typically in dBm. Less negative = stronger signal. Cohort default abort threshold: -100 dBm sustained suggests imminent failsafe.see: emergencies.html

Autonomous flight mode where drone returns to home position (set at arming) at preset altitude, then descends and lands. Triggered manually by switch or automatically by failsafe.see: fc-setup.html

Continuous data stream from drone to ground: voltage, GPS, mode, altitude, link quality. Displayed on OSD and/or ground station. Distinct from FPV video.see: flight-software.html

PWM signal range that the FC uses for motor control: typically 1000μs (idle) to 2000μs (full throttle). ESCs need to be calibrated to recognise this range. Wrong calibration = drone won't arm or motors won't spin.see: fc-setup.html

Drone altitude relative to the ground directly below it. Distinct from MSL (above sea level). Cohort default mission altitudes are AGL: 60m typical for cohort default agricultural surveys.see: missions.html

The geographic area being surveyed by a mission. Defined by polygon boundary on the configurator map. Cohort default AOIs typically 5-25 hectares for cooperative-scale missions.see: missions.html

Camera setting controlling how much light reaches the sensor. Auto-exposure adjusts mid-flight, but mission imagery prefers fixed exposure for consistent stitching. Cohort default uses fixed exposure based on pre-flight light reading.see: sensors.html

Percentage of overlap between consecutive photos along the flight line direction. Cohort default: 75-80% for cohort default missions. Higher frontlap = better stitching, more photos, longer mission.see: missions.html

Geo-referenced image file format — TIFF image with embedded coordinate information. Standard deliverable format for processed survey output. Opens in GIS software (QGIS, ArcGIS) with proper spatial location.see: flight-software.html

Drone speed relative to the ground (different from airspeed in wind). Mission planning uses ground speed for time calculations. Cohort default mission speed: 3-5 m/s for typical surveys.see: missions.html

Real-world distance one pixel covers in survey imagery. GSD = (sensor pitch × altitude) / focal length. Cohort default 5" build at 60m: ~3-4cm/pixel. Lower GSD = more detail but more flight time.see: missions.html

Standard mission flight pattern: parallel lines covering the AOI like mowing a lawn. Each line offset by sidelap distance. Cohort default for area surveys.see: missions.html

Computer-generated flight plan loaded onto the FC before mission. Contains waypoints, altitude, speed, and capture parameters. Generated by mission-planner-tool.html or equivalent.see: mission-planner-tool.html

Camera that captures multiple specific wavelength bands (e.g., red, green, blue, red-edge, near-infrared). Used for advanced agricultural analysis. Distinct from RGB visible-light cameras.see: sensors.html

Vegetation health metric calculated from near-infrared and red bands: NDVI = (NIR − Red) / (NIR + Red). Range −1 to +1; healthy vegetation typically 0.6-0.9. Cohort default deliverable for crop surveys.see: sensors.html

Stitched and orthorectified image covering the entire AOI from many individual photos. Removes perspective distortion; appears as if viewed straight down. The standard processed deliverable.see: flight-software.html

Standard visible-light camera capturing in red, green, blue bands. Cohort default cameras for entry-level surveys are RGB (modified for NDVI). Distinct from multispectral.see: sensors.html

Percentage of overlap between adjacent flight lines. Cohort default: 60-70% for cohort default missions. Lower sidelap = fewer flight lines but worse stitching at edges.see: missions.html

A specific GPS coordinate that defines part of an autonomous mission path. Mission files are sequences of waypoints. The drone navigates between consecutive waypoints autonomously.see: missions.html

Philippine national tax authority. Handles TIN issuance, OR booklets, books of accounts, tax filings. Required registration for any commercial drone work.see: paperwork.html

Davao City Hall consolidated business permit office. Handles mayor's permit, sanitary, fire safety, and engineering clearances in one location. Cohort default for Davao-based pre-operational setup.see: paperwork.html

Drone operations where the drone flies beyond the pilot's direct visual sight. Higher CAAP regulatory tier; not cohort default. Most cohort missions are VLOS.see: safety.html

Philippine national aviation regulator. Handles drone registration, pilot certification, operational tier classifications, airspace rules, and incident reporting. Primary regulator for commercial drone operations.see: safety.html

Annual BIR tax on registered businesses (~₱100/year for sole proprietor). Paid alongside annual income tax filing.see: paperwork.html

Philippine government agency that registers business names for sole proprietors. Online registration; ~₱500; renewable every 5 years. Required before BIR registration.see: paperwork.html

Online filing system for BIR tax returns. Cohort graduates use this for quarterly and annual filings. Account setup before first deadline; cohort default to test workflow well before due date.see: paperwork.html

City or municipal government. Issues mayor's permits, business clearances. Davao City is the LGU for cohort default operations; equivalent units exist for Tagum, Digos, and other Mindanao municipalities.see: paperwork.html

Philippine corporate structure for single-shareholder companies. Liability separation vs sole proprietor; more complex annual filings. Cohort default transition consideration above ~₱500K-1M annual revenue.see: paperwork.html

BIR-registered receipt booklet issued upon payment from clients. Required for any commercial transaction. Carbon-copy retained; original to client. Mandatory 10-year retention.see: paperwork.html

Tax option for businesses below VAT threshold (~₱3M/year revenue): pay 8% of gross income instead of graduated income tax. Simpler. Cohort default for most first-year graduates.see: paperwork.html

Local BIR office responsible for your registered business. Davao City has multiple RDOs; specific assignment depends on business address. Where most BIR filings happen in person.see: paperwork.html

CAAP's formal term for drone systems including aircraft, control station, communications link, and pilot. RPAS is the regulated unit; "drone" is colloquial.see: safety.html

CAAP pilot certification required for commercial drone operations. Issued per operations tier. Cohort default training prepares graduates for the RPL exam; certification is per-individual.see: safety.html

Unique BIR-issued identifier for the registered business or individual. Required for all BIR filings, OR issuance, and most commercial banking. One TIN per registered entity; permanent.see: paperwork.html

Drone operations where pilot maintains direct visual contact with the drone throughout the flight. Lower CAAP regulatory tier; cohort default for most missions. Distinct from BVLOS.see: safety.html

Cohort's shared Slack workspace. Has channels for incidents, compliance, builds, missions. The primary cohort communication channel; institutional memory accessible to current and graduated graduates.see: incidents.html

Smallest administrative unit in the Philippines, below municipality/city. Barangay clearances are required for business permits; barangay captains are the local authority for many operational matters.see: paperwork.html

Investigation methodology that focuses on understanding causes rather than assigning fault. Even when operator error is involved, blameless analysis asks "what made the mistake possible" rather than "who was wrong."see: incidents.html

Small group (~4-6) of graduates who graduated from the same cohort and operate in similar geography. Mutual support unit for maintenance check-ins, shared spares pooling, incident discussion.see: incidents.html

The approach, configuration, or product that the Lumipad cohort program recommends. Calibrated against accumulated cohort experience; updated as new data emerges. Used throughout the library as the recommended starting point.see: any library page

Philippine agricultural producer organization owned and democratically controlled by farmer-members. Cohort default cooperative-scale missions cover 5-25 hectares. Cooperatives are the typical client for cohort default surveys.see: business.html

Per-mission record kept during operations: pre-flight checks, mission events, observations, incidents. Standard part of cohort default documentation; supports later analysis and CAAP record requirements.see: field-ops.html

Days from placing an order to receiving the part. Davao local: 24 hours. Manila warehouse via Lazada: 2-7 days. International: 2-4 weeks. Lead time × usage rate determines reorder buffer.see: spares.html

Person assisting the pilot during a mission by watching surroundings for hazards. Cohort default requires at least one observer for paid missions. Pilot maintains drone focus; observer maintains situational awareness.see: field-ops.html

Target stock level for a given inventory item. Calculated as (lead time × daily usage) + safety buffer. When stock drops below the reorder point (typically par - 2), reorder.see: spares.html

Organisation operating multi-drone fleets in collaboration with the Lumipad cohort. Typically NGOs, cooperatives, or formal businesses operating at scale. Different operational and inventory requirements than individual graduates.see: business.html

Operational phase after mission completion: imagery verification, equipment teardown, debrief, field log entry. Cohort default ~30-45 minutes on-site; documented in field-ops.html.see: field-ops.html

Operational phase before takeoff: technical 22-item drone check plus 5 operational checks. Cohort default ~15 minutes per drone before each mission. Distinct from arming (immediate moment before motors spin).see: field-ops.html

Stock level that triggers reorder. Set above zero to allow lead time without stockout. Typically par level minus 1-2 units. Below this point, place an order.see: spares.html

Person currently in the Lumipad cohort training program. Distinct from "alumna" (graduated). Cohort default training is ~6 weeks; covered in curriculum.html.see: recruit.html

Angle mode self-levels the drone — release sticks, drone returns to level. Beginner-friendly, used for cohort default flying. Acro mode doesn't self-level — sticks command rotation rate. Used for sport flying; not for cohort default work.

Arming activates motors so they'll spin in response to throttle. Failsafe is the FC's automatic behavior when something goes wrong (typically RC link loss): hold position briefly, then RTH. Both are configured during fc-setup.

VLOS = Visual Line Of Sight — pilot can see the drone. Cohort default. BVLOS = Beyond VLOS — drone is out of sight. Higher regulatory tier; not cohort default operations.

Cohort default is the standard approach Lumipad has calibrated. Cohort recommendation may be more situation-specific (e.g., "for partner orgs, we recommend..."). Defaults are starting points; recommendations are situational.

DTI registers business names for sole proprietors. Simpler, faster, cheaper. SEC registers corporations including OPCs. More complex, more expensive, but provides liability separation. Cohort default for first 1-2 years is DTI sole proprietor.

FC (Flight Controller) is the brain — runs flight firmware, reads sensors, decides what motors should do. ESC (Electronic Speed Controller) is the muscle — translates FC commands into the electrical signals that drive motors. One FC, four ESCs (or one 4-in-1 ESC).

Frontlap = overlap between consecutive photos along a flight line (forward direction). Sidelap = overlap between adjacent flight lines (perpendicular). Cohort default: 75-80% frontlap, 60-70% sidelap. Both required for stitching to work.

Orthomosaic is the stitched image; GeoTIFF is the file format that stores it with geographic coordinates. Most cohort default deliverables are GeoTIFF orthomosaics — same thing in casual conversation but technically the format vs the content.

Cohort usage: emergency is the acute moment requiring immediate response (covered in emergencies.html). Incident is the broader event including aftermath, investigation, and learning (covered in incidents.html). Same event progresses from emergency to incident.

KV is a motor specification (RPM per volt at no load). RPM is actual rotational speed in flight, which depends on KV, voltage, and load. A 2400KV motor on 4S nominal voltage produces ~35,500 RPM at no load; less under prop load.

RGB+NIR camera adds one near-infrared band to standard red/green/blue. Cohort default for entry-level NDVI. Multispectral typically captures 4-6 specific bands (red, green, blue, red-edge, NIR, sometimes more). Higher-tier; more bands enable advanced analysis.

OR (Official Receipt) is BIR-registered, issued upon payment received. Required for tax purposes. Invoice is the request-for-payment document; not BIR-registered for service businesses (cohort default issues OR, not invoice).

Par level is the target stock level. Reorder point is the trigger level (typically 2 below par). When stock drops to the reorder point, you order back up to par level. Both are inventory discipline values; both come from the same calculation.

PosHold holds the drone at its current GPS position; pilot still has stick control. RTH autonomously flies the drone home and lands. PosHold is a steady state; RTH is a movement command.

RPL = Remote Pilot License (the certification a pilot holds). RPAS = Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (the drone system itself). Pilots have RPLs; drones are RPAS. Both are CAAP regulatory terms.

Trainee is currently in the cohort training program. Alumna has graduated. Both have different access levels: trainees use library plus active instructor support; graduates use library plus graduates Slack plus continuing engagement.