The ol' P4P still making money...

[Harleydude]

Hey doods!

Quite a while ago I moved up to an M300 for mapping and LiDAR, but occasionally a Traffic Analysis gig comes up, which is essentially just 2-minute aerial videos of traffic patterns every 15 minutes for roughly 3 hours (12 flights total).

For these gigs the P4P still does a great job. The P4P is small, maneuverable and "unthreatening" compared to the much larger M300. So it's easy to just park somewhere and launch without drawing a bunch of unwanted attention to myself. Conversely, the same can't be said for the Matrice 300 RTK, which is a much larger drone. Plus the P4P does really well in high winds (better than my smaller, Mavic Pro). I can shoot nice, smooth video in gusts up to 25 mph.

These are certainly not the most exciting gigs, but because I am diligent with battery maintenance, I was able to use 6 of my 13 original batteries. 4 of the 6 have battery bulge (from the early days of ignoring battery maintenance), 2 have over 110 flights on them (still work, but cell voltage drops on hard ascension), and the 7th battery is being used elsewhere for another purpose.

For this job this parses out the flights to two, 2-minute flights per battery, which puts each battery comfortably into storage capacity after the 2nd flight (roughly 55-60%). Because I can actually do THREE flights per battery, this ensures plenty of extra battery capacity if need be (6 flights in total in reserve).

I tested all batteries before flying this gig. The remaining 6 "good" batteries maintain cell voltage even on full ascension to 400' AGL. So I was very comfortable using them out in the field.

I still run legacy firmware, legacy software and legacy iOS on my iPad, which ensures against any and all cockamamie DJI/Apple update problems. It's almost comical how she just fires up and flies perfectly after sitting for so long.

I used the original Ground Station Pro (v1) to just mark where I want to the drone to rest in space. I don't use any autopilot or waypoint functions (no RTH, etc). I just fly manually to the marker on the map, ascend to a consistent altitude and fly back (usually in ATTI mode 'cause it's faster and helps maintain my pilot skill levels). I bring a computer so I can play mind games between flights.

For grins I purchased another battery on eBay from a reputable vendor. We'll see how that battery works out.

Any of you guys out there still pullin' down gigs with your P4P?

D

 

[D Greg]

Good to hear another P4P pilot is still flyiing. I'm recreational, but have a Commercial Pilots License to fly aircraft, but that isn't good enough to fly a drone. I fly as much as I can. My P4Pv1 has been a reliable drone for many years. Continue to have fun!

 

[Harleydude]

Good to hear another P4P pilot is still flyiing. I'm recreational, but have a Commercial Pilots License to fly aircraft, but that isn't good enough to fly a drone.

It's hard to believe that your commercial license doesn't automatically qualify you for a UAV license. The 107 is a purely written test with no practical skills test. So any housewife with zero stick time can get the 107 if she studies for it. So there's no logical reason why you shouldn't automatically qualify for one. Because there is no practical flight test, I've always maintained that the 107 program was a sham. Being an AMA member, I followed UAV flight etiquette long before the term "UAV" was invented or the 107 was even a thing.

Here's a thought... I bet if you go to your local FSDO office they can fast track you to the 107 certification. I'd bet a dollar on that...<;^)

I fly as much as I can. My P4Pv1 has been a reliable drone for many years.

The P4P is a real workhorse. I started my aerial company with a highly modified P1. I skipped through all of the Phantom iterations until the P4P came out. The Inspire 1 is what really launched my company, but the P4P was also a real game changer. With it's long flight times it was perfect for mapping gigs. It was programmable, transmitted telemetry data, had a built-in 4K camera and a rock-solid 3-axis gimbal. I would later discover that the thing is a workhorse. You might as well strap a cart to it...LOL... It was a huge leap from my modified P1 with a GoPro Hero3+ with a Peau Productions lens on a jicky Tarot 2-axis gimbal. And a nice addition to my Inspire 1, which I used for cinematography gigs (dual operator).

Over the years I added a Mavic Pro to my inventory, which was great for real estate or roofing gigs in quiet neighborhoods. It drew very little attention. I don't do those jobs anymore, but I still like the Mavic Pro. Nowadaze I mostly fly the M300, but that drone belongs to my business partner. It's not mine. The M300 RTK is also a very good workhorse.

We've definitely come a long way from those old gasser helicopters I used to fly.

Continue to have fun!

You, too!

D

 

[RodPad]

@Harleydude,
You always post positive information!

Rod ..

 

[jaja6009]

I have fond memories of the Phantom 4 Pro V2. I learned to map with it, learned to map with control points with it, and learned how to map with an add-on PPK kit with it.
It did real estate jobs very well and its video and images served some inspection type jobs.


Mine has found a new home.
I donated it to a small police department. Last I heard it was serving the public well and its batteries were holding up.

 

[jaja6009]

It's hard to believe that your commercial license doesn't automatically qualify you for a UAV license. The 107 is a purely written test with no practical skills test. So any housewife with zero stick time can get the 107 if she studies for it. So there's no logical reason why you shouldn't automatically qualify for one. Because there is no practical flight test, I've always maintained that the 107 program was a sham. Being an AMA member, I followed UAV flight etiquette long before the term "UAV" was invented or the 107 was even a thing.

Here's a thought... I bet if you go to your local FSDO office they can fast track you to the 107 certification. I'd bet a dollar on that...<;^)



The P4P is a real workhorse. I started my aerial company with a highly modified P1. I skipped through all of the Phantom iterations until the P4P came out. The Inspire 1 is what really launched my company, but the P4P was also a real game changer. With it's long flight times it was perfect for mapping gigs. It was programmable, transmitted telemetry data, had a built-in 4K camera and a rock-solid 3-axis gimbal. I would later discover that the thing is a workhorse. You might as well strap a cart to it...LOL... It was a huge leap from my modified P1 with a GoPro Hero3+ with a Peau Productions lens on a jicky Tarot 2-axis gimbal. And a nice addition to my Inspire 1, which I used for cinematography gigs (dual operator).

Over the years I added a Mavic Pro to my inventory, which was great for real estate or roofing gigs in quiet neighborhoods. It drew very little attention. I don't do those jobs anymore, but I still like the Mavic Pro. Nowadaze I mostly fly the M300, but that drone belongs to my business partner. It's not mine. The M300 RTK is also a very good workhorse.

We've definitely come a long way from those old gasser helicopters I used to fly.




You, too!

D

He does have a path to get a Part 107 without taking the $175 exam. He has to take a training (that is nearly identical to the recurrency training we take) on FAA Safety. gov.

Go here: https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/become_a_drone_pilot

Scroll down to:

Existing Part 61 Certificate Holders​

Follow the directions.

 

[Harleydude]

He does have a path to get a Part 107 without taking the $175 exam. He has to take a training (that is nearly identical to the recurrency training we take) on FAA Safety. gov.

Go here: https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/become_a_drone_pilot

Scroll down to:

Existing Part 61 Certificate Holders​

Follow the directions.

That's good to know. It would make zero sense that licensed pilots would have to take a UAV test. It could see it if there were a practical test, but a written test??? Hell...it's pretty clear to me that pilots wrote the 107 test.

D

 

[captainmilehigh]

One of the many wonders that makes up the FAA,....where their motto is still practiced today.........

"We, here at the FAA are not happy,...until you're not happy.".

 

[RodPad]

@captainmilehigh , my dad is at the WAAAM museum to day, helping with young eagles program, still has the Pilot's Licensee, to old to get insurance.

Rod ..

 

[captainmilehigh]

@captainmilehigh , my dad is at the WAAAM museum to day, helping with young eagles program, still has the Pilot's Licensee, to old to get insurance.

Rod ..

Yeah, but he can still sit right seat in a 172 (or other similar aircraft) and do a few T&G's or a few ILS approaches at your local airport. Just find a local pilot that will let him take the controls for a while.....maybe buy the Pilot lunch, or offer to help with the fuel at the end of the flight. Most pilots (like me) will 'bend' the rules a bit to get a former pilot some air-time.

 

[RodPad]

@captainmilehigh , yes he does that any time he can.

I will cough some phone videos, etc later (PM)
He was the Pilot in the Pilot seat from Eugene to Hood River.
Lars the instructor was the co-pilot, the last circle for the Landing, my dad told Lars you can take over now.
I don't think my dad ever certified on the model of Cessna.

Sorry I get in to many details.
I will keep quite for like 23 hours?

Rod ..

 

[Ritaandmac]

Hey doods!

Quite a while ago I moved up to an M300 for mapping and LiDAR, but occasionally a Traffic Analysis gig comes up, which is essentially just 2-minute aerial videos of traffic patterns every 15 minutes for roughly 3 hours (12 flights total).
View attachment 126890

For these gigs the P4P still does a great job. The P4P is small, maneuverable and "unthreatening" compared to the much larger M300. So it's easy to just park somewhere and launch without drawing a bunch of unwanted attention to myself. Conversely, the same can't be said for the Matrice 300 RTK, which is a much larger drone. Plus the P4P does really well in high winds (better than my smaller, Mavic Pro). I can shoot nice, smooth video in gusts up to 25 mph.

These are certainly not the most exciting gigs, but because I am diligent with battery maintenance, I was able to use 6 of my 13 original batteries. 4 of the 6 have battery bulge (from the early days of ignoring battery maintenance), 2 have over 110 flights on them (still work, but cell voltage drops on hard ascension), and the 7th battery is being used elsewhere for another purpose.

For this job this parses out the flights to two, 2-minute flights per battery, which puts each battery comfortably into storage capacity after the 2nd flight (roughly 55-60%). Because I can actually do THREE flights per battery, this ensures plenty of extra battery capacity if need be (6 flights in total in reserve).

I tested all batteries before flying this gig. The remaining 6 "good" batteries maintain cell voltage even on full ascension to 400' AGL. So I was very comfortable using them out in the field.

I still run legacy firmware, legacy software and legacy iOS on my iPad, which ensures against any and all cockamamie DJI/Apple update problems. It's almost comical how she just fires up and flies perfectly after sitting for so long.

I used the original Ground Station Pro (v1) to just mark where I want to the drone to rest in space. I don't use any autopilot or waypoint functions (no RTH, etc). I just fly manually to the marker on the map, ascend to a consistent altitude and fly back (usually in ATTI mode 'cause it's faster and helps maintain my pilot skill levels). I bring a computer so I can play mind games between flights.

For grins I purchased another battery on eBay from a reputable vendor. We'll see how that battery works out.

Any of you guys out there still pullin' down gigs with your P4P?

D

Hi Harley dude. Can you give me some information on the legacy software you are running?