I was flying my P4 on a flight sequence in Austria a few weeks ago. It was a planned out sequence, but operated manually. I knew I was above the roof line of the subject building, but wanted to stay close for effect. I had 2 spotters on the ground, but I was focused on the shot, not the drone. Again, I knew I had clearance and I was flying forward with all sensors active.
Both spotters yelled to stop, but it was too late. Unseen by me, the camera, or the drone sensors, was a thin lightening rod at the top of the building. The P4 hit it, tumbled, and then suddenly recovered and went into a hover. I immediately raised the altitude and could not believe the thing was still flying.
Testing the controls, it seemed stable and I still had about 70% battery, so we continued the filming at a higher altitude for safety. After 15 minutes, I landed. What I saw next shocked all of us! The drone was flying, completely stable on 3 and 1/4 rotors. Who would have guessed!? One rotor was almost non-existent and another had chips missing on it's blade. But the imagery was still rock solid and controls seemed normal.
I must give BIG kudos to DJI for designing a drone that could still fly under these damaged conditions. Very impressive and quite thankful I was. Naturally I replaced the damaged blades before the next flight. A very close call to disaster, but a real test of a well made bird!
Both spotters yelled to stop, but it was too late. Unseen by me, the camera, or the drone sensors, was a thin lightening rod at the top of the building. The P4 hit it, tumbled, and then suddenly recovered and went into a hover. I immediately raised the altitude and could not believe the thing was still flying.
Testing the controls, it seemed stable and I still had about 70% battery, so we continued the filming at a higher altitude for safety. After 15 minutes, I landed. What I saw next shocked all of us! The drone was flying, completely stable on 3 and 1/4 rotors. Who would have guessed!? One rotor was almost non-existent and another had chips missing on it's blade. But the imagery was still rock solid and controls seemed normal.
I must give BIG kudos to DJI for designing a drone that could still fly under these damaged conditions. Very impressive and quite thankful I was. Naturally I replaced the damaged blades before the next flight. A very close call to disaster, but a real test of a well made bird!
