Freefly
Freefly SL8-Air Battery
The Freefly SL8-Air is a smart, lightweight lithium-ion flight battery designed and assembled in the USA for the Freefly Astro and any other aircraft built around the Freefly Open Battery Interface. A built-in Battery Management System handles charging, discharging, and health monitoring without balance leads, while an integrated OLED screen reports state of charge, voltage, current, temperature, and lifetime statistics at a glance. A 60 W USB-C Power Delivery port doubles the pack as a field power source for phones, tablets, and laptops between flights.
Smart 6S Li-ion flight pack with OLED status, USB-C PD output, and airline carry-on friendly 157 Wh capacity.
Features
- Built-in BMS manages charging, discharging, and cell balancing with no balance leads required
- OLED status screen shows state of charge, voltage, current, temperature, and lifetime statistics
- Critical flight mode limits protections in flight to help prevent false power cutoffs while airborne
- USB-C Power Delivery output (5 to 20 V, up to 60 W) charges phones, tablets, and laptops in the field
- 157 Wh capacity per pack: under the 160 Wh FAA threshold for airline carry-on with airline approval
- Works with Freefly Astro and any device that uses the Freefly Open Battery Interface
- Pre-installed ESD sticker per Freefly Service Bulletin SB007
- Designed and assembled in the USA
Specifications
| Chemistry | Lithium-ion |
| Nominal voltage | 21.6 V (6S) |
| Capacity | 7.3 Ah / 157 Wh |
| Weight | 2.25 lb (1.02 kg) |
| Auxiliary output | USB-C Power Delivery, up to 60 W (5 to 20 V) |
| Display | Integrated OLED status screen |
| Communication | Freefly Open Battery Interface (CAN-based, no balance leads) |
| Flight time (Astro, per pair) | Up to 37 minutes |
| Charge time (SL8 Fast Charger) | ~90 minutes, 0 to 100% |
| Charge time (SL Charger USB-C, 100 W supply) | ~2.5 hours |
| Country of origin | Designed and assembled in the USA |
| SKU | 910-00649 |
Compatibility
- All Freefly Astro drones (Astro requires two SL8-Air batteries per flight)
- SL8 Fast Charger (optimum, ~90 min 0 to 100%)
- SL Charger USB-C (sub-optimum, ~2.5 hr with a 100 W power supply)
- SL8 Travel Case
- Any third-party device built around the Freefly Open Battery Interface
What's included
- 1 × SL8-Air smart battery (157 Wh) with pre-installed ESD sticker
Shipping notes
- Lithium-ion batteries cannot be shipped internationally via UPS. FedEx only.
- Hazardous goods processing means delivery times are not guaranteed by the carrier.
- Several countries do not allow air shipments of lithium batteries. Please confirm your destination is eligible before ordering. Contact us if you are unsure.
FAQ
How many SL8-Air batteries do I need to fly an Astro?
Astro requires two SL8-Air batteries per flight. Most operators carry at least two pairs (four packs total) so a second flight can launch while the first set recharges.
Can I take SL8-Air batteries on a plane?
At 157 Wh per pack, the SL8-Air sits under the FAA's 160 Wh threshold for spare lithium-ion batteries in carry-on baggage with airline approval. Always confirm policy with your specific carrier before traveling, carry packs in carry-on (not checked baggage), and protect terminals from short circuits in transit.
What is the Freefly Open Battery Interface?
It is the CAN-based electrical and communication standard Freefly uses for SuperLight batteries. There are no balance leads. The pack and the aircraft talk directly, so the BMS can report status, manage charge and discharge, and stream telemetry over a single connector. Any device built around the Open Battery Interface can use the SL8-Air.
Can the USB-C port really charge a laptop?
Yes. The USB-C port supports USB Power Delivery from 5 V up to 20 V at up to 60 W, enough to run or charge phones, tablets, controllers, and most USB-C laptops such as a MacBook Pro between flights.
How do I charge an SL8-Air?
Use the SL8 Fast Charger for the quickest cycle (about 90 minutes from 0 to 100%). The SL Charger (USB-C) charges a pack in about 2.5 hours when paired with a 100 W USB-C power supply, which is handy for travel and backup.
What is the ESD sticker for?
Each SL8-Air ships with a pre-installed electrostatic discharge sticker per Freefly Service Bulletin SB007. Leave the sticker in place during normal use. Refer to Freefly's SB007 documentation for full background.
What is the warranty period?
The SL8-Air ships with Freefly's standard manufacturer warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. Reach out if you have questions about coverage for your specific use case.
