Don't chase birds - and other newbie thoughts
As a new flyer I've been making a list of Do's and Don'ts that I learn as I go. No doubt some of these things will be modified as I gain experience. My latest Don't is Don't chase birds, hence the title. Today, I got so focused on chasing a magpie that I didn't notice how close a wire fence was. I hit the wire fence, the Phantom flipped and fell about 8 ft onto its back. I quickly held the throttle back and shut it down. Fortunately, the only damage was to part of one of the prop protectors. Anyway, here's a bunch of Do's and Don'ts I've collected in my first five days as a new Phantom owner. Please feel free to add your own.
I use MS Excel for my logbook and prefix each entry with S for safety, P for procedural, and F for filming.
S Fish-eye lens makes things look further away than they are.
F Test fly/film the location before real filming.
F Better to film short segments than lose the long one.
F Remember to start and stop video.
F One run for filming, another run for pictures.
F Google-earth the location first, note perimeter.
P Securely pack away the lens cap & gimbal cage. (I lost my lens cap already. Replacement ordered.)
P Know your Phantom procedures well.
P Is the Phantom in Phantom or Naza mode?
F Stop video BEFORE turning Phantom off.
S Handled gusty winds well, but height maint' less stable in windy conditions.
F Practice smooth turning while moving.
F Something to learn: Following in FPV.
P Stick to procedures, especially when others accompany you.
P Ground Station only works with GPS found.
P Don't panic.
F Have a plan and remember it.
F Have a partner help you with prompts or filming.
S 300 ft max
P Ensure home point and compass each flight.
F Even if preview stalls, the camera is still filming.
P Ground Station doesn't auto land
S Don't chase birds
Your turn
As a new flyer I've been making a list of Do's and Don'ts that I learn as I go. No doubt some of these things will be modified as I gain experience. My latest Don't is Don't chase birds, hence the title. Today, I got so focused on chasing a magpie that I didn't notice how close a wire fence was. I hit the wire fence, the Phantom flipped and fell about 8 ft onto its back. I quickly held the throttle back and shut it down. Fortunately, the only damage was to part of one of the prop protectors. Anyway, here's a bunch of Do's and Don'ts I've collected in my first five days as a new Phantom owner. Please feel free to add your own.
I use MS Excel for my logbook and prefix each entry with S for safety, P for procedural, and F for filming.
S Fish-eye lens makes things look further away than they are.
F Test fly/film the location before real filming.
F Better to film short segments than lose the long one.
F Remember to start and stop video.
F One run for filming, another run for pictures.
F Google-earth the location first, note perimeter.
P Securely pack away the lens cap & gimbal cage. (I lost my lens cap already. Replacement ordered.)
P Know your Phantom procedures well.
P Is the Phantom in Phantom or Naza mode?
F Stop video BEFORE turning Phantom off.
S Handled gusty winds well, but height maint' less stable in windy conditions.
F Practice smooth turning while moving.
F Something to learn: Following in FPV.
P Stick to procedures, especially when others accompany you.
P Ground Station only works with GPS found.
P Don't panic.
F Have a plan and remember it.
F Have a partner help you with prompts or filming.
S 300 ft max
P Ensure home point and compass each flight.
F Even if preview stalls, the camera is still filming.
P Ground Station doesn't auto land
S Don't chase birds
Your turn