I just bought a Mavic Pro after having a less than happy experience with a Parrot Anafi. As I am new to the hobby, I am taking some time to understand the in’s and outs of the Mavic Pro before flying it outside of beginner mode. It’s a neat machine.
A new pilot in Fredericksburg VA
- Thread starter 122570pc
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RickinWaST
Well-Known Member
dirkclod
Well-Known Member
Welcome to Mavic Pilots .
I hope you will find our site helpful and look forward to any input , photo's/video's you might post .
Don't be shy and ask anything if you can't find it by searching .
I hope you will find our site helpful and look forward to any input , photo's/video's you might post .
Don't be shy and ask anything if you can't find it by searching .
ZX14-R
Well-Known Member
Skyflyer129
Well-Known Member
Welcome to this forum. I graduated from UMW in 90’. Love the Fredericksburg,Va. area. Where do you plan on flying once outside?
not sure yet. plenty of restrictions over the various battlefields, one of which is walking distance from my home. I have a canon in Vermont and will fly up there for sure as well on our travels with our Airstream.
Skyflyer129
Well-Known Member
Alman’s barbecue and The Parthenon restaurants are very good as I recall. Lived there from 86-92’. I bet you’ll get some good footage out in the rural area there, just not across the street from the battlefield restaurant, me thinks.
NealJ777
Well-Known Member
I'm in Front Royal. If you're interested in flying out in the Shenandoah Valley, let me know. Maybe I can be your visual observer! 
Welcome to the forum from the deserts of Arizona! Enjoy.
Check the DJI website for the full (60-70 page) manual for your drone.... it’ll help you.
Check the DJI website for the full (60-70 page) manual for your drone.... it’ll help you.
NealJ777
Well-Known Member
I was in Phoenix last month. I also went to Jerome. I wish I had a drone with me when I was out there!
Jerome is a special kind of town for sure. Always go when I visit Sedona
Skyflyer129
Well-Known Member
I’ve been living in Southern California these past 11 years, but I have family that lives in Potomac Falls and Roanoke. When I fly out to visit, I’ll bring my Mavic 2 pro and we definitely can find some spots to fly out there, fore sureI'm in Front Royal. If you're interested in flying out in the Shenandoah Valley, let me know. Maybe I can be your visual observer!
NealJ777
Well-Known Member
I’ve been living in Southern California these past 11 years, but I have family that lives in Potomac Falls and Roanoke. When I fly out to visit, I’ll bring my Mavic 2 pro and we definitely can find some spots to fly out there, fore sure
Star of Roanoke!!!!!
Let's do it!!!!!
Skyflyer129
Well-Known Member
I'm also in the Fredericksburg area and brand new to this. Any advice on a good location for a beginner to learn to fly?
Just got my Mavic 2 Pro a few weeks ago and have only done beginner flights around my house at very low altitudes.
Brent
Just got my Mavic 2 Pro a few weeks ago and have only done beginner flights around my house at very low altitudes.
Brent
Welcome to the forum. We look forward to your participation and your view of the world.
DJ_E11Evan
Member
LoudThunder
Part 107 Licensed
Welcome from the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, USA. We have a Member's Map in the Upper Right of the Title Bar.
Members map
mavicpilots.com
Even in Virginia, there are a couple of Legal Things you may need to do…
You will need to get your TRUST Certificate. You can get that at the Pilot Institute Web Site (FREE…) . If your Drone weighs less than 250-grams (0.55 pounds) and you are flying under The Exception for Recreational Flyers, you are not required to register your Drone. I believe you Mavic Pro is required to be registered.
I registered my Mini 2 because the TRUST Certificate and FAA Registration established me as a "certified" Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Flyer.
Link to the Pilot Institute Web Site (FREE…)
FAA TRUST Online Portal for Recreational Drone Operators - Pilot Institute
Get your FAA TRUST Certificate of Completion to legally fly drones for recreational reasons in the United States.
trust.pilotinstitute.com
Link to the FAADroneZone (Optional for Drones under 250-Grams…)
FAADroneZone
Since you live in Virginia, there are specific laws and rules for you to follow, please check to ensure these are current.
Drone Laws in Virginia [Updated January 3, 2024]
Drones are allowed in Virginia for recreational and commercial use, subject to FAA and local regulations. Read on for details.
drone-laws.com
Now, for some Good Old Fashion Advice…
Do not let the excitement of the moment get the best of you. When you are going out to fly, do it slowly and deliberately. Get used to a set procedure and even practice it.
There are so many things I could write but these are the highlights that I feel need mentioning.
Plug in your phone/tablet into your controller; turn on the Controller and DJI Fly App (if it does not start on its own…). On the Drone, open the front legs, then open the back legs, then remove the Gimbal Cover.
The Gimbal is the most delicate item on the Drone and banging or bumping can damage it. I also fastened a short "Remove Before Flight" ribbon to the cover so it's more noticeable and I do not forget to remove it…
Turn on the drone and watch it come to "life." Watching the Gimbal go through its self-check is almost like watching a kitten or puppy opening its eyes for the first time…
Place the drone down (preferably on a Landing Pad) while it finishes its self-test (collecting satellites, etc…).
Check your battery status (Phone, Drone, and Controller), check the Signal Strength, by now the Controller should have reported it updated the Home Point.
Lift off, 4-5 feet (1-1/2 meters) or so, hover a bit, check the controls (move the drone a bit forward, back, left, right, yaw left and right). By now, your Controller will probably report again, Home point Updated.
If you go out in a rush and race thru your start up and take off before the drone has finished it prep, it may update its Home Point over that pond or that old tree you are flying over and in your excitement, you'll fly the drone long past it Low Battery point and when it engages Return to Home and lands in the pond or in a tree; it will be all on you…
Now go have fun, learn to fly the drone by sight before you try to fly it out a distance depending on the video feed, FPV.
I would also advise you to use YouTube and watch a lot of the Videos on flying and setting up the Drone. When it is too dark, too cold, or too wet, you can "fly it vicariously" through YouTube. Also watch some of the Blooper Drone Videos and learn how not to fly your "New Baby."
Below is the link to all of the downloads offered by DJI for the Mavic Pro, including the User Manual.
After you read the Manual, read it again, you will be surprised what you missed the first time and you will be better prepared for that first "scary moment…"
Happy, Safe and Legal Droning…
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