FlySpark ZD8 8-Channel Drone Payload Dropper | 8 Independent Release Channels, CRSF / ELRS Control, 7–28 V, 225×130×48 mm, approx. 350 g & Quick-Release Option

FlySpark ZD8 8-Channel Drone Payload Dropper is a multi-channel drone payload release system that carries up to eight separate loads under one multirotor and releases each on command. Eight independently controlled release stations sit on a compact 225 × 130 × 48 mm frame weighing approx. 350 g, powered from a 7–28 V supply and controlled through a single CRSF (Crossfire / ELRS) serial link from the aircraft’s receiver.

The ZD8 is the highest-channel model of the ZD series in the FlySpark UAV Payload Droppers & Release Systems range, supplied and supported in India by AnuShakti Infotech Pvt. Ltd., with export enquiries welcome. It is built for professional integrators, public-safety units and defence and government users who need several deliveries per sortie from a single FPV-class or custom-built drone.

The frame carries four twin-station modules around a central control board. Each station has a curved, foam-lined cradle that conforms to the payload and holds it securely in flight. Because CRSF carries all eight channels over one serial connection, wiring stays simple: one data lead from the receiver or flight controller and one 7–28 V power lead. The ZD8 is lightweight, reliable and simple to operate, and is available as the standard ZD8-CRSF or the ZD8-SQ quick-release version.

WHY CHOOSE THE ZD8 8-CHANNEL DRONE DROPPER

Most drone droppers carry one or two loads, so every extra delivery means another landing and reload. The ZD8 puts eight independently controlled release stations on one airframe, so a single sortie can deliver eight separate rescue pouches, place a line of sensor beacons, or mark several positions in turn. Its low 48 mm profile keeps the payload close to the airframe, and the 7–28 V input matches common 2S–6S multirotor power systems without an extra regulator.

• ZD8 MULTI-CHANNEL DROPPER KEY FEATURES
• • 8 independently controlled release channels on one frame
• • Four twin-station modules, eight curved release stations
• • Curved foam-lined cradles conform to the payload
• • CRSF (Crossfire / ELRS) serial control — one link for all 8 channels
• • 7–28 V wide input for 2S–6S multirotor power systems
• • Compact 225 × 130 × 48 mm footprint, low 48 mm profile
• • Approx. 350 g dropper weight
• • Single, paired, sequenced or mixed-load release
• • Lightweight, reliable and simple to operate
• • ZD8-SQ quick-release version for fast aircraft swaps
• • Built for FPV-class and custom-built multirotors
• • Setup, channel mapping and test-drop support from FlySpark

HOW IT WORKS: CRSF TRIGGER AND RELEASE

The pilot assigns transmitter switches or channels to the release stations. The command travels over the existing RC link to the aircraft’s Crossfire or ELRS receiver, which passes CRSF channel data to the ZD8 control board. The board decodes the data and drives the actuator for the selected station, opening its latch so that only that payload is released. Each of the 8 channels acts on its own, so loads can be released one at a time, in left / right pairs, in a planned sequence, or as mixed loads released on demand.

COMPATIBLE AIRCRAFT & MOUNTING

The ZD8 is designed for FPV-class drones and custom-built multirotors with a CRSF-capable receiver or flight controller, typically 7–10 inch FPV-class quadcopters and custom heavy-lift frames with the lift reserve for the dropper plus payloads. It mounts flat under the airframe. The ZD8-SQ version adds a dropper-side quick-release mount for fast swaps between aircraft; the matching aircraft-side quick-release plate is sold separately and is sized by FlySpark to the drone and loaded weight. Consumer camera drones such as DJI Mavic and DJI Air do not provide a CRSF output; for those aircraft choose an LED light-sensor model such as the ZD1-V3 or ZD2-V3.

VARIANTS

• ZD8-CRSF – standard version: 8 channels, 225 × 130 × 48 mm, approx. 350 g, 7–28 V, CRSF control, fixed under-airframe mounting • ZD8-SQ – quick-release version: same 8-channel body, 225 × 130 × 48 mm, approx. 350 g, 7–28 V, CRSF control, dropper-side quick-release mount (aircraft-side plate sold separately)

DEFENCE & MILITARY APPLICATIONS

For armed forces, paramilitary, border and police units, the ZD8 delivers up to eight separate support payloads (smoke, markers, beacons, supplies) per sortie from a small FPV-class drone, reducing landings and exposure of personnel.

• • Marker and screening smoke release with M18-class smoke canisters
• • Signalling and position marking for ground teams
• • Inert training payload drops for operator qualification
• • Sensor, beacon and radio-relay emplacement in denied terrain
• • Emergency resupply: tourniquet kits, batteries, radios and water purification tablets
• • Decoy and reflector release for training and exercises
• • Perimeter-sensor seeding along borders and installations
• • EOD and CBRN team training with inert payloads
• • Search and rescue of personnel in mountain, jungle and flood zones
• • Integration of other authorised payloads by the end user in accordance with national law and procurement rules

CIVILIAN & COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS

For emergency services, utilities, agriculture and research, the ZD8 turns one multirotor into a multi-drop delivery platform for rescue, line work and field science.

• • Search and rescue drops: radios, flotation aids and medical kits
• • Mountain and maritime rescue: up to eight separate deliveries per sortie
• • Utility pilot-line drops for power-line stringing
• • Firefighting extinguisher-ball drops where the size fits
• • Agriculture: seed balls and bio-control capsules
• • Fishing bait and line release
• • Wildlife research: tag, sensor and sample-kit placement
• • Events and demonstrations: confetti, marker and novelty drops
• • University and R&D projects on multi-payload delivery

COMPARE THE FLYSPARK DROPPER RANGE

The ZD series scales from one to eight release channels. Choose the ZD8 when one CRSF-equipped drone must make many separate drops in one flight; choose a smaller model when weight matters more than channel count, or an LED model for consumer camera drones.

• • FlySpark ZD1-V3 – single-channel dropper, 50 × 50 × 70 mm, approx. 50 g, LED light-sensor or PWM trigger for camera and FPV-class drones
• • FlySpark ZD2-V3 – dual-channel dropper with two independent channels, 90 × 34 × 48 mm, 56–75 g, LED or PWM
• • FlySpark ZD4 – 4-channel CRSF dropper, 90 × 146 × 48 mm, approx. 120 g, 5 V
• • FlySpark ZD6 – 6-channel CRSF dropper, 230 × 94 × 48 mm, approx. 300 g, 7–28 V
• • FlySpark ZD8 – 8-channel CRSF dropper, 225 × 130 × 48 mm, approx. 350 g, 7–28 V (this model)
• • FlySpark XD2-V2 – dual-channel safety-pin dropper for DJI Mavic 3-class drones

• STANDARD SUPPLY
• • FlySpark ZD8 8-channel dropper (ZD8-CRSF or ZD8-SQ as ordered)
• • Integrated CRSF control board with 8 release channels
• • Power and CRSF signal leads
• • Mounting hardware for under-airframe fitting
• • Setup guide with channel-mapping instructions
• • Aircraft-side quick-release plate for ZD8-SQ sold separately

IMPORTANT USE NOTE The ZD8 is supplied only to verified end users. The buyer is responsible for using only lawful payloads, for obtaining all airspace and flight permissions, and for complying with applicable export controls and end-use rules. Never fly or release payloads over people. Check aircraft balance and take-off weight before every flight and after each partial release.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What is a drone payload dropper? A: A drone payload dropper is a remotely triggered release mechanism fitted under a multirotor. It holds one or more payloads in place during flight and releases them on command from the pilot’s transmitter, so supplies, markers or sensors can be delivered without landing.

Q: What is the FlySpark ZD8? A: The FlySpark ZD8 is an 8-channel drone payload dropper with eight independently controlled release stations on a single 225 × 130 × 48 mm frame. It weighs approx. 350 g, runs from 7–28 V and is controlled over a CRSF (Crossfire / ELRS) serial link.

Q: How many payloads can the ZD8 carry? A: The ZD8 has eight release stations arranged as four twin-station modules. Each station has its own release channel, so up to eight payloads can be carried and released separately, subject to the aircraft’s lift capacity and balance.

Q: Can each channel be released independently? A: Yes. All 8 channels are independently controlled. You can release one station at a time, pair two channels on one switch for a balanced drop, or work through the stations in any planned sequence.

Q: What control signal does the ZD8 use? A: The ZD8 uses CRSF, the serial protocol used by Crossfire and ExpressLRS (ELRS) receivers. One serial connection carries the commands for all 8 channels, which keeps wiring simple compared with eight separate PWM leads.

Q: What voltage does the ZD8 need? A: The ZD8 accepts a 7–28 V input, so it can be powered from the drone’s main battery or power distribution on typical 2S to 6S multirotor systems. FlySpark confirms the power connection for your airframe during setup.

• Q: What are the dimensions and weight?
• A: Overall dimensions are 225 × 130 × 48 mm (L × W × H) and the weight is approx. 350 g, excluding payloads and any aircraft-side mounting plate.

Q: What is the difference between ZD8-CRSF and ZD8-SQ? A: Both share the same 8-channel body, 7–28 V input and CRSF control. ZD8-CRSF is the standard version for fixed fitting to the airframe; ZD8-SQ is the quick-release version with a dropper-side quick-release mount, used with an aircraft-side quick-release plate that is sold separately.

Q: Which drones is the ZD8 compatible with? A: The ZD8 is designed for FPV-class drones and custom-built multirotors with a CRSF-capable (Crossfire or ELRS) receiver or flight controller. Typical carriers are 7–10 inch FPV-class quadcopters and custom heavy-lift frames with enough lift for the dropper plus payloads.

Q: Does the ZD8 work with DJI Mavic or DJI Air drones? A: No. Consumer camera drones such as DJI Mavic and DJI Air do not provide a CRSF output. For those aircraft FlySpark offers light-sensor (LED) trigger droppers such as the ZD1-V3 and ZD2-V3.

Q: What payloads can the ZD8 hold? A: Each station has a curved, foam-lined cradle that conforms to the payload. Typical loads are small rescue pouches, marker and M18-class smoke canisters, sensor beacons, inert training payloads and compact supply packs. Payload fit is confirmed by FlySpark for the end user’s approved payload.

Q: What is the maximum payload weight? A: The usable payload depends mainly on the carrier aircraft’s lift, flight time and balance rather than on the dropper alone. FlySpark recommends the payload layout and total take-off weight for your airframe before supply.

Q: How is the ZD8 mounted to the drone? A: The standard ZD8-CRSF is fixed flat under the airframe. The ZD8-SQ uses a quick-release mount so the dropper can be swapped between aircraft or removed for transport; the aircraft-side quick-release plate is sold separately and is sized by FlySpark to the drone and loaded weight.

• Q: Can the ZD8 be used at night or in rain?
• A: Release is commanded over the radio link, so it works at night. The ZD8 is not specified as waterproof; avoid flying in rain and keep the control board dry.

Q: Is the ZD8 suitable for defence and police users? A: Yes, for support tasks such as marker and screening smoke, signalling, emergency resupply, sensor and beacon emplacement, decoy release and training. Supply is limited to verified end users, and any other payload integration is the end user’s responsibility under national law and procurement rules.

Q: Can the ZD8 be armed? A: The ZD8 is supplied as a general-purpose payload release system. Integration of any other authorised payload is the sole responsibility of the verified end user, must comply with national law, export controls and procurement rules, and is never supported for flights over people.

Q: What is the ZD8 drone dropper price in India? A: Price is on request. Contact FlySpark on WhatsApp or email with the variant (ZD8-CRSF or ZD8-SQ), quantity and carrier aircraft for a quotation in INR or for export.

Q: What is the lead time, and do you export? A: Lead time is confirmed with the quotation. FlySpark supplies across India and handles export enquiries subject to end-user documentation and applicable export-control requirements.

Q: How does the ZD8 compare with the ZD6 and ZD4? A: The ZD8 has the most channels in the ZD series: 8 versus 6 on the ZD6 (230 × 94 × 48 mm, approx. 300 g) and 4 on the ZD4 (90 × 146 × 48 mm, approx. 120 g, 5 V). The ZD6 and ZD8 share the 7–28 V CRSF interface.

Q: Does FlySpark help with setup? A: Yes. FlySpark / AnuShakti Infotech Pvt. Ltd. assists with receiver wiring, CRSF channel mapping, switch assignment, mounting and test drops, and provides after-sales support.

Q: What warranty is included? A: Warranty covers manufacturing defects for 1 year under approved use and normal operating conditions. Crash damage, overload, water ingress, wrong wiring or unauthorised modification may not be covered.