I've done quite a few simulated flights and only a few actual waypoint missions so take this with a grain or two of salt... first of all, once I set up a simulated mission I make a note of the estimated flight time reported by the GS app. Then, after running the simulated mission (with a timer) I compare the two times -- and the estimated flight time is always well under the "actual" time required to run the simulated flight. For this reason I'm not going to trust the GS's predictions until I've been able to compare several actual missions against the GS predictions.
I've posted this earlier but I had problems with my first real missions that I attribute to a combination of poor GPS coverage and a mission with waypoints set too close together, in the form of a triangle. The GS does not direct the Phantom with complete precision; there is a certain margin of error that needs to be considered, especially if you are flying near obstacles. My guess is that the margin of error on my first flights was increased by poor GPS coverage -- to the point that the GS couldn't clearly distinguish one waypoint from another. The Phantom started going back and forth between two waypoints and then it just wandered away. I easily regained control by switching to ATTI, then successfully re-ran the same mission pattern but with greater separation between the waypoints.
Finally... I notice that the Ground End is somewhat greedy in terms of power, so be sure to have a fully charged battery if you're going to do more than a short flight. I use a 2200 or 2800 mah flight battery.
Phil H said:
Thanks everybody for your gelp. I was able to get the Phantom to talk to my iPad and was able to simulate a flight or two.
For those of you who have gone where few have gone before...How close to simulation is the real deal and what cautions can you give a newbi?
Phil H