I realized today that auto land is my friend.

Pepino Grande · Apr 16, 2017

Not getting enough flying time to stay super proficient with my P3S, I tried to kill the motors with the down and together motion instead of just holding down on the altitude stick, totally flipped it on its side.

I think I will have to keep simplification in mind ad use the auto landing, if I go for more than a week without flying either of my drones.

skellyrocker · Apr 16, 2017

I was doing exactly the same thing. Worst part was I did it during my flight assessment for PFCO! Still passed.

GraceIsTheKey · Apr 16, 2017

Why not just fly the drone more often? Seems like a logical solution to me

Pepino Grande · Apr 16, 2017

GraceIsTheKey said:
Why not just fly the drone more often? Seems like a logical solution to me

Too many other hobbies and things to do.

mdowney58 · Apr 16, 2017

I don't get how auto-landing would help. Don't you still have to turn the motors off manually, or do they shut off automatically after auto-landing?
I've never used it so I don't know.

skyacramer · Apr 16, 2017

mdowney58 said:
I don't get how auto-landing would help. Don't you still have to turn the motors off manually, or do they shut off automatically after auto-landing?
I've never used it so I don't know.

They shut of automatically, I prefer to catch mine to completely avoid crashing it

rustyfsa · Apr 16, 2017

easiest thing ever to fly and land really, try a heli and you will see whats what lol

mdowney58 · Apr 17, 2017

mdowney58 said:
I don't get how auto-landing would help. Don't you still have to turn the motors off manually, or do they shut off automatically after auto-landing?
I've never used it so I don't know.

skyacramer said:
They shut of automatically, I prefer to catch mine to completely avoid crashing it

Thanks for the information. I did not know this.[emoji106]

WilliamM · Apr 18, 2017

mdowney58 said:
Thanks for the information. I did not know this.[emoji106]

Just keep a eye on her coming down if you do use it, as the P3S GPS can be more than a few yards/meters off sometimes. And if there was anything nearby (park bench, trash can, car) you may need to help out manually.

805hd · Apr 18, 2017

+1 on hand catching.. avoid the situation altogether.

DatScreamer · Apr 18, 2017

I will be hand catching my drone from now on, 2 times in the past 2 weeks my P3S has flipped. Once with manual control in high winds and another on a calm day the auto land tipped it. I've now got 8 scratched up props and 3 of those are broken. Went out today and bought all the replacement props that bestbuy had in stock. Also I am now going to be landing on a soft surface like grass or dirt when possible. Of course I would be doing this if there wasn't 2 feet of snow everywhere.

nwcove · Apr 18, 2017

i have never used auto land , and probably never will. my first few flights i hand caught the bird , then i tried manual landing just in case i had to. manual seemed easy, no issue for 5 or 6 , then one bouncy one, no tip over, but the motors revved up . hand catching is potentially dangerous, but is now my preferred method of " landing".

mdowney58 · Apr 18, 2017

nwcove said:
........ hand catching is potentially dangerous, but is now my preferred method of " landing".

Yes, it is potentially dangerous, and we should always add that warning when recommending hand catching to our new community members for sure.

805hd · Apr 18, 2017

I don't always flip the bird, but when I do it's not my phantom. Lol. Hand catching might be a bit hazardous but so is life.

Just make sure you keep it level until the motors stop. And for god sakes make sure you don't drop it [emoji23]

shuf · Apr 18, 2017

I usually catch my Phantom thinking that landing it would increase the wear and tear on the gimbal mechanism...the ribbon looks really flimsy.

bsartist · Apr 22, 2017

WilliamM said:
Just keep a eye on her coming down if you do use it, as the P3S GPS can be more than a few yards/meters off sometimes. And if there was anything nearby (park bench, trash can, car) you may need to help out manually.

Stuartk · Apr 22, 2017

rustyfsa said:
easiest thing ever to fly and land really, try a heli and you will see whats what lol

If you think landing a P4 is easy, try landing it without GPS and VPS in windy condititions. Total ATTI landings will really teach you how to fly a drone, as it acts similar to the toy drones in this mode, with the acception of height holding. I have been practicing using Atti without GPS and VPS for a few days and it has opened up an entirely different world for me about the P4. It is an amazing aircraft and I say this, while I also own a Mavic Pro. Mavic is portable but for me the P4 is a work of tech in its own areas!