Maybe this experience will help other newbies...
Was dreaming about flying, (this happens often) and decided to get up early and run through a few batteries (P2V+V2 w/o gimbal/camera) before an approaching storm front gets here. With about 50+ battery flights, I have practiced what-if scenarios, recovery techniques, fly in ATTI mostly and working on manual mode skills, and also practice orientations and how to move away from nearby obstructions.
However, today I made a probably typical mistake - flying at about 5 ft and 50 yards away in ATTI with S1 programed for manual, I was nearing some trees with the help of the wind so to bring the drone back I switched to Home Lock and backed the stick and saw the Phantom going in the wrong direction. Then, what I practice not to do, happened - I panicked and dumped altitude onto some soft grass, watched it bounce and the battery pop out. Broke two cheap prop guards but props are fine, but now I can't get the motors to spin up after CSC, but I'll figure that out this afternoon - probably a loose connection.
I know what I did wrong, but what I should have done should have been immediate without thought. Here's my take:
1. Should have immediately switched to GPS instead of Home! ATTI plus Home Lock = Course Lock so my action with the stick moved the Phantom in the wrong direction - Sadly, I have actually practiced this technique but it's apparently no ingrained yet.
2. Should not have dumped altitude but maybe should have increased altitude to get over the trees, then taken a deep breath and organize my thoughts.
3. Early on, when practicing with my Syma X5, whenever I got in trouble my technique was to cut power and drop to the grass. This works with the X5 because it is so light it just bounces and the motors auto-stop. However, this is bad technique because that is what I reverted to in panic mode. I've been learning and practicing bad technique!
Bottom line, I need much more practice and shouldn't feel so confident in my skills, but at least I know what I did wrong and hopefully won't make that mistake again. But the good thing is, now and for the first time, I get to open my Phantom up and see what's inside! I am excited about that!
Was dreaming about flying, (this happens often) and decided to get up early and run through a few batteries (P2V+V2 w/o gimbal/camera) before an approaching storm front gets here. With about 50+ battery flights, I have practiced what-if scenarios, recovery techniques, fly in ATTI mostly and working on manual mode skills, and also practice orientations and how to move away from nearby obstructions.
However, today I made a probably typical mistake - flying at about 5 ft and 50 yards away in ATTI with S1 programed for manual, I was nearing some trees with the help of the wind so to bring the drone back I switched to Home Lock and backed the stick and saw the Phantom going in the wrong direction. Then, what I practice not to do, happened - I panicked and dumped altitude onto some soft grass, watched it bounce and the battery pop out. Broke two cheap prop guards but props are fine, but now I can't get the motors to spin up after CSC, but I'll figure that out this afternoon - probably a loose connection.
I know what I did wrong, but what I should have done should have been immediate without thought. Here's my take:
1. Should have immediately switched to GPS instead of Home! ATTI plus Home Lock = Course Lock so my action with the stick moved the Phantom in the wrong direction - Sadly, I have actually practiced this technique but it's apparently no ingrained yet.
2. Should not have dumped altitude but maybe should have increased altitude to get over the trees, then taken a deep breath and organize my thoughts.
3. Early on, when practicing with my Syma X5, whenever I got in trouble my technique was to cut power and drop to the grass. This works with the X5 because it is so light it just bounces and the motors auto-stop. However, this is bad technique because that is what I reverted to in panic mode. I've been learning and practicing bad technique!
Bottom line, I need much more practice and shouldn't feel so confident in my skills, but at least I know what I did wrong and hopefully won't make that mistake again. But the good thing is, now and for the first time, I get to open my Phantom up and see what's inside! I am excited about that!