Ready to Elevate Your Flights? Lighthouse Makes It Simple

Lighthouse is a wearable tracking controller designed exclusively for HOVERAir AQUA. It is the core component of AQUA's RTK (Real-Time Kinematics) positioning system and is what makes centimeter-level precision flight possible.

Unlike standard GPS — which can drift several meters — Lighthouse Tracking locks onto your exact GPS coordinates, keeping AQUA locked on your position even when ocean spray, waves, or obstacles block the camera's line of sight. No other HOVERAir model has this capability.🌟️

Hardware Features

Feature	Specification
Water Resistance	IPX7 (submersible in 1 m of water for up to 30 minutes)
Buoyancy	Buoyant — floats if dropped in water
Battery Life	Up to 5 hours on a full charge
Display	No screen — low battery alerts via voice prompt
Positioning Accuracy	Centimeter-level (RTK grade ≥ 2.5)
Network Required	No — works entirely offline via satellite + direct wireless link
Control Distance	Typical follow modes: approx. 50–100 m

Key Functions

• Centimeter-Level Precision Tracking: Locks onto your GPS position, unaffected by spray, waves, or obstacles blocking the camera
   
• Virtual Tether (Auto Return): If AQUA drifts beyond the set distance, it automatically returns to the vicinity of the Lighthouse
  🚣️ More about the AQUA Virtual Tether
   
• Co-Pilot Direction Control: Adjust AQUA's flight direction via Lighthouse without changing your own movement path
   
• Water Surface Optimization: Maintains stable tracking in complex water conditions — waves, currents, and spray
   
• One-Button Operation: One-tap takeoff, RTH, and hover/pause

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What's New in Firmware v1.1.3

Firmware requirements: AQUA v1.3.15 / Lighthouse v1.1.3 / Hover App v3.2.0

If your device hasn't received the update yet, please check for the latest firmware version in the Hover App. 
📖️ AQUA-How To Update Your Firmware

 

Float Mode - Manual Control

A new Float Mode lets AQUA move freely on water like a small boat. You can control AQUA's direction — forward, backward, left, right, and rotation — using the Lighthouse direction buttons or the app.

💡️Float Mode is located under Manual Control in the app. On Lighthouse, connect to AQUA, enter Manual Control, then select Water Mode.

Speed is fixed at 0.3 m/s. This mode does not support subject tracking or auto-follow.

 

Quick Landing

Press and hold the RTH (Return to Home) button at any time to trigger an immediate landing. AQUA will land on the spot in approximately 3–5 seconds. This works in any situation, including during flight — ideal for emergencies.

 

Motion Sound Effects

Lighthouse now generates dynamic audio feedback based on AQUA's real-time speed — faster movement produces a higher frequency, while slower movement produces a lower frequency. This helps you stay aware of AQUA's status without needing to visually check the device.

💡️This feature must be enabled in the Hover App. You can also choose your preferred sound style in the app settings.

 

Customizable Takeoff Button

The Lighthouse takeoff button can now be customized in the Hover App. You may configure the button function to Photo, Video Recording, Manual Control, or Orbit Follow.

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CoPilot — Smart Flight Fine-Tuning

CoPilot lets you fine-tune the device's position and camera angle during smart flight modes using the Lighthouse direction buttons or the app's virtual joystick — no need to switch to manual control.

How It Works

The direction buttons behave differently depending on the type of smart mode you're in:

Direction	Tracking Modes (e.g. Cycling, Dolly Track, Side Track)	Non-Tracking Modes (e.g. Zoom Out, Orbit, Boomerang)
↑ / ↓	Bird's eye / Low angle (±3 m height)	Bird's eye / Low angle
← / →	Orbit around the target (±15°/s)	Manual yaw (15°/s)
Forward / Back	Zoom in / Zoom out (±10 m)	Zoom in / Zoom out

After Releasing the Buttons

• Tracking modes: AQUA automatically returns to its original tracking trajectory — keeping the subject in frame.
• Non-tracking modes: AQUA hovers in the new position, letting you lock in a fresh composition.

💡️CoPilot must be enabled for each smart mode individually. It does not persist after switching modes or powering off.

To enable: App → Hover Settings → Flight Modes → Select a mode → Smart Preview → Select Settings → Turn on "CoPilot". 

On Lighthouse: Mode selection page → Swipe up → Toggle CoPilot ON.

 

Yaw (self-rotation) button on Lighthouse is only supported in Manual Control mode. 

In smart modes with active subject tracking, the ← / → direction buttons are used for orbiting around the target, not for manually rotating the AQUA. This is by design — it prevents the AQUA from turning away and losing the tracked subject. If you need full manual rotation control, switch to Manual Control mode.

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Lighthouse Button Controls

Button	Action	Function
Power button	Hold 1.2 sec (off)	Power on
	Hold 2.2 sec (on)	Power off
	Tap < 1 sec (on)	Announce remaining battery
Takeoff button	Press (not flying)	Takeoff
	Press (flying)	Pause and switch to manual control mode Or trigger the custom function if configured in the app
Direction Buttons (Up/Down/Left/Right/Forward/Backward)	Press	Move AQUA in the corresponding direction (fixed speed, adjustable in the app)
Rotate Buttons (Left/Right)	Press	Control AQUA to orbit counter-clockwise / clockwise
RTH (Return to Home)	Press	AQUA returns to the vicinity of Lighthouse, hovers for 15 seconds, then lands
	Long press (any time)	Update the RTH home point to Lighthouse's current position

HOVERAir Aqua – Lighthouse Common Issues & Solutions

Lighthouse Button Falls Off

Symptom
The physical button becomes loose, detaches, or cannot be pressed properly.

Solution

• Take a clear photo – Provide a close‑up image of the detached button area, clearly showing the button and the housing interface.
• Contact technical support – Send the photo to our customer service email or submit it via the official support portal. Our support team will assess the damage and offer a repair, replacement, or other appropriate solution.

Lighthouse RTK Positioning Signal Not Effective – Affects Takeoff & Landing

Symptom
The device reports that the RTK signal is not ready, preventing normal takeoff or landing; positioning is unstable, and Return‑to‑Home (RTH) may fail.

Solution
Follow the steps below in order:

 Prerequisites for RTK Activation

• Both the AQUA and the Lighthouse must have entered Omni‑Terrain mode.

• Wait until the Omni‑Terrain icon turns solid green (indicates active).

  

Check for Environmental Obstructions

• RTK signals can be blocked by tall buildings, mountains, dense forests, etc.

• Place the Lighthouse in an open, unobstructed area with as clear a view of the sky as possible.

  

Allow Time for Signal Lock

• Under good conditions, wait 1–3 minutes – the RTK signal will automatically search and become effective.
• Do not move the Lighthouse or frequently restart the device during this period.

If Still Not Effective

• Record a video showing the surrounding environment (especially any obstructions) and the Lighthouse indicator status (or the app interface).
• Upload logs – export the full device log from the AQUA and the Lighthouse log (using Flykit or the app).
• Contact technical support – submit the video and log files via the support ticket system. Our engineers will perform further analysis.

Lighthouse Completely Unresponsive or Cannot Connect to AQUA

Symptom

• Buttons have no effect; indicator lights stay on or off; long‑pressing the power button does not restart or power off the device. The only recovery method is to let the battery drain completely and then recharge.
• Lighthouse appears to be powered on and functioning, but cannot establish a connection with AQUA.

Solution
This issue is typically caused by a Lighthouse firmware anomaly. Try updating the firmware using the Flykit tool:

1. Download Flykit(only Windows)
   To obtain the FlyKit tool, please email our support team at support@hoverair.com
   
2. Power Off and Connect the Lighthouse
   Make sure the Lighthouse is powered off before connecting.
   Use a USB cable to connect the Lighthouse to a Windows computer. Ensure the driver is installed successfully (the tool will prompt you if missing).

   

3.  Update Firmware
   • Open Flykit, select the Lighthouse device, and click “Check for Update”.
   • If a newer version is available, follow the on‑screen instructions to flash the firmware.
   • Do not disconnect the USB cable or power on the device during the update
4. Verify
   After the update completes, press and hold the power button for 5 seconds. The Lighthouse should respond (power on/off normally).
   If the problem persists, record a short video showing the behavior, export the Lighthouse log by APP, and contact technical support.

💡 Tip: If the computer does not recognize the Lighthouse, try a different USB-C cable/port and ensure the USB-C driver is installed (available from our support download center).

Recorded Video Has No Audio

Symptom
The video recorded by the device has no sound.

Solution
Audio recording on our device relies on the mobile App and the Beacon.

• If you shoot using only the Lighthouse and AQUA (without the App or Beacon), audio will not be captured.
• Make sure that during recording:
  • The HOVERAir App is open and active in the foreground, connected to the device, or
  • The Beacon is properly paired and functioning.

💡 Tip: To record videos with audio, always use the HOVER App or a connected Beacon.