First Drone Flight

[slothead]

Today I finally launched my Phantom 4 Pro+. I watched the DJI videos and felt confident enough to do a simple flight.

This was the first time I ever flew a drone. I set it in beginner mode and went up to about 60 feet, moved it around a little and landed, and then repeated the mission. I wanted to take some still photos, but I couldn't figure out how to do that from the screen, so I'm going to have to resort to reading the manual.

It was a little louder than I expected. It was also a little scary seeing my drone way up there. I wonder what it will be like when it's pushing 400 feet.

I was amazed at how stable it was. Though I don't yet know how to control the camera movements, I was able to see an image of my house from the camera and it was rock solid, almost as if the camera were on a tripod.

I'm going to need to do a lot more flying with it to build up some confidence. I don't like seeing it in the air for much more than a minute or two. It's hard for me to believe it will just stay up there.

Interesting report. I think if I recall correctly I crashed my first landing, it rolled part way onto its side enough to cut up the grass with the props, but nothing was damaged. Yep you're right, it can be a bit scary when you see it way up there. Then fly out over the water and you'll be really scared for it. I'm still anxious when I'm over a big body of water. But you just have to learn all you can, have faith, and go for it.

 

[slothead]

I live 105 miles from my son. If I want to fly in both locations should I recalibrate each time?


Sent from my iPad using PhantomPilots

As long as you reset your home point, it probably doesn't make much difference, but I would do it anyway. There is a difference between true north and magnetic north that will create an impact in the inertial guidance and the further north you are, the more of an impact those 105 miles will have (and whether they are in line toward the north or normal to it: east-west).

 

[microraptor]

make sure you set the rth height high enough to clear any trees or building that might get in your way.
I think it is set for 30 meters.
that might not be high enough in some cases,
welcome to the world of drones.
did you regester your drone with the fcc?

 

[microraptor]

He meant faa.

 

[John Locke]

I live 105 miles from my son. If I want to fly in both locations should I recalibrate each time?


Sent from my iPad using PhantomPilots

It's likely it would be fine. Remember this is 100mi as a crow flies. What happens if the compass is off is it will fly a little sideways I've heard. Or, you could get a compass error, but I doubt that will happen. With a compass error you'll automatically go into ATTI mode, which isn't a big issue if you know how to fly in ATTI mode. Everyone should practice ATTI mode so you know how it operates, which is basically a drone on ice, slipping and sliding with the wind. If you're forced into ATTI with a good wind, that would be a little hairy to land, you'd likely break a prop, but in calm conditions it's fairly easy to land in ATTI.

I have traveled 200-300mi due EAST and not calibrated because I forgot, and my P4 flew fine. I often go to the river or desert from my OC location, which is about 200mi as a crow flies. I've flown a few times without calibrating and everything was fine. However I will calibrate when I remember. My experience is the P4 is way more tolerant to compass issues versus my P3P. My P3P would messed up maybe once every 3mos for some odd reason. However with P3 I would always checked my MOD value before take-off, and I was way more careful about calibrating when I travel. However with the P4 I rarely check compass status before take-off. I have never had a compass error in the 9mo I've flown my P4. This likely less of a problem with P4 due to the dual compass support.

 

[slothead]

It's likely it would be fine. Remember this is 100mi as a crow flies. What happens if the compass is off is it will fly a little sideways I've heard. Or, you could get a compass error, but I doubt that will happen. With a compass error you'll automatically go into ATTI mode, which isn't a big issue if you know how to fly in ATTI mode. Everyone should practice ATTI mode so you know how it operates, which is basically a drone on ice, slipping and sliding with the wind. If you're forced into ATTI with a good wind, that would be a little hairy to land, you'd likely break a prop, but in calm conditions it's fairly easy to land in ATTI.

I have traveled 200-300mi due EAST and not calibrated because I forgot, and my P4 flew fine. I often go to the river or desert from my OC location, which is about 200mi as a crow flies. I've flown a few times without calibrating and everything was fine. However I will calibrate when I remember. My experience is the P4 is way more tolerant to compass issues versus my P3P. My P3P would messed up maybe once every 3mos for some odd reason. However with P3 I would always checked my MOD value before take-off, and I was way more careful about calibrating when I travel. However with the P4 I rarely check compass status before take-off. I have never had a compass error in the 9mo I've flown my P4. This likely less of a problem with P4 due to the dual compass support.

This is very good info John. Personal experience usually beats all science.

 

[pe9999]

make sure you set the rth height high enough to clear any trees or building that might get in your way.
I think it is set for 30 meters.
that might not be high enough in some cases,
welcome to the world of drones.
did you regester your drone with the fcc?

Not fcc, the operator need to register with faa, unless you do commercial, you don't need to register the drone.

 

[Falcon900]

Today I finally launched my Phantom 4 Pro+. I watched the DJI videos and felt confident enough to do a simple flight.

This was the first time I ever flew a drone. I set it in beginner mode and went up to about 60 feet, moved it around a little and landed, and then repeated the mission. I wanted to take some still photos, but I couldn't figure out how to do that from the screen, so I'm going to have to resort to reading the manual.
.

Now that you a lot about what you don't know, it's time to spend a great deal of time in the manual learning the controls and limitations of the aircraft. Have a good time and safe flights. Bring your bird home every time

 

[Falcon900]

I live 105 miles from my son. If I want to fly in both locations should I recalibrate each time?


Sent from my iPad using PhantomPilots

Research magnetic variation. If you are along a line where the magnetic variation is the same, probably not.
There are, however, local areas of magnetic anomalies where you will probably get a compass error and re-calibration warning.

 

[microraptor]

Not fcc, the operator need to register with faa, unless you do commercial, you don't need to register the drone.

Commercial or not, you still have to register.

 

[F3honda4me]

Commercial or not, you still have to register.

That's what he said. He said either way pilot registers with FAA but commercial also have to register the drone (hobbyist does not)

Though someone famous once said we have a moral obligation not to follow unjust laws.

 

[pe9999]

Commercial or not, you still have to register.

Commercial or not, you still have to register.

For non commercial, the pilot needs registration, the drone doesn't