I have gone up to 1600 meters on a couple occasions, either to get aerial photos of a large property, or to test FPV range. Once or twice I have realized too late I may not have saved enough battery left to get down. Not smart. Fortunately made it back each time with a bit to spare. I have since read (though not tested) that descending in ATTI is faster and/or less power than descending in GPS. True?
My real question here is whether one could shut off the motors, free fall for several hundred meters, restart, and use what little battery remains for non-crash landing. I would never try this unless I somehow truly painted myself into the "too high, oh shitake" corner, but I am curious if: (1) anyone has ever powered off in flight, restarted, and lived to tell about it? (2) thought through the theory of such a risky free fall / restart maneuver?
A pilot buddy yesterday observed that the Phantom couldn't auto-rotate down. I am fairly certain he is right, and imagine that a powerless Phantom would fall rather quickly and without grace. Thoughts?
My real question here is whether one could shut off the motors, free fall for several hundred meters, restart, and use what little battery remains for non-crash landing. I would never try this unless I somehow truly painted myself into the "too high, oh shitake" corner, but I am curious if: (1) anyone has ever powered off in flight, restarted, and lived to tell about it? (2) thought through the theory of such a risky free fall / restart maneuver?
A pilot buddy yesterday observed that the Phantom couldn't auto-rotate down. I am fairly certain he is right, and imagine that a powerless Phantom would fall rather quickly and without grace. Thoughts?