Indy Phantasm said:
I had the same symptoms when I first got mine. Would tip over when I pushed up on the left stick. Out of frustration, I tried pushing up on right stick only --> successful liftoff! What I have come to learn later is that the controller can be in one of two Modes. Yours may be in the wrong Mode, with the sticks somewhat reversed. Plug into the software, run the assistant (can't remember whether the controller assistant or the Phantom), and look closely for a button with the word "Mode 1" or "Mode 2". You can change the Mode with the assistant software.
This is valid advice... we've had several people come around this forum asking for help describing this issue... the RC coming in Mode 1 (right stick throttle / left stick lateral) when the documentation and default out of the box SHOULD be Mode 2 (left stick lateral / right stick throttle).
Since it's a new Phantom anyway, one of the first things you should do is check the RC firmware.
Go to the DJI website and download/install both the RC assistant and Phantom Assistant.
plug the RC in via USB, run RC Assistant and allow the RC firmware update if there is one, and then run a standard calibration. it doesn't tell you to specifically but also move the X1 (gimbal) lever. I also believe the RC software is where you can confirm Mode 1 or Mode 2
THEN connect the Phantom and run Phantom assistant. Firmware updates if available are recommended but optional. on the Basic tab do Command Stick and Gimbal Stick calibrations. After these calibrations, you should be able to see the movement of all 4 sticks and the X1 lever, nice and smooth traversing the length of the bars.
NOW you're ready to fly! You already discovered an important concept - taking off gently will very often lead to a tipover. When you're ready to take off, do a full power takeoff until it's up in the air a few feet then you can let off the throttle and let it hover and test out all your movements.
while we're here, after a few flights you may want to consider catching instead of landing. Landing PERFECTLY with no lateral movement is quite hard so people also get tipovers on landing and break props... I would say a majority of us around here agree that if proper caution is taken, catching is safer (for the craft heh) than landing. There is a perfect catch (imo) at the very beginning of
this youtube video