John,
A lot of excellent advise above from a lot of experienced users. You're wise beyond your years, and well ahead of a lot of users by asking for advise BEFORE you get started. Neon's comment about sufficient battery (for the journey home) is not to be underestimated. True, there are some safeguards in place that help to minimize risk but, how many users have overlooked remaining battery capacity when their bird comes back after a short flight with something less than 50% battery left, and think that they'll just take it for a quick spin around the block to burn off some remaining battery and get caught up in the moment, only to realize sometime later, "Houston, we have a problem". A search party is quickly dispatched after that, and loved ones wait anxiously to hear of the fate of the MIA.
Hey, wait a minute, is that the theme song for "Gilligan's Island" I hear playing?
