Hi From Blustery Central Texas

[YourGoodPalJeff]

Front is blowing in and it's too wet and windy to fly, so thought I'd introduce myself.

New member here. Got my first drone this past Christmas from my wife. I hadn't asked for one, but had been talking about it for years and she took it upon herself to get me a Holy Stone HS600 which is a fairly decent drone for what she paid. (We'd just treated ourselves to a couple of weeks in Scotland, so I'd asked her to keep any gifts to me on the cheaper side.) I was hooked from my first flight, but I"m a semi-serious amateur photographer and the camera on the HS600 leaves a LOT to be desired. So a few days later, "I'm sorry honey, I really love my Christmas present and I'm going to keep flying it, but I need a better camera." Got myself a Mavic 3 Classic and absolutely love it.

 

[Cafguy]

The Mavic 3 Classic is a very nice Drone Congrats! and Welcome to the Forum from Semi-Windy and cool Today Bakersfield.

 

[MA2 317]

Hello from Crossroads of America YourGoodPalJeff.

Welcome to the Forum.

 

[msinger]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[RodPad]

You been flying for less than a month or over a year?

Welcome to the Forum!

Rod ..

 

[DJ Wes]

Hello and welcome from your next-door neighbor in Arkansas.

 

[michaeldallen1]

Welcome to the forum! I hope you like your Mavic 3 Classic as much as I like mine.
I've had it 14 months now and no complaints.

 

[old man mavic]

welcome to the forum

 

[YourGoodPalJeff]

You been flying for less than a month or over a year?

Welcome to the Forum!

Rod ..

Less than a month. More like about two weeks.

 

[SWTSU]

Welcome from a DJI fanboy owner of a Air 2S, Avata, & FPV from central Tejas!

 

[LoudThunder]

I'm going to keep flying it, but I need a better camera." Got myself a Mavic 3 Classic and absolutely love it.

Welcome from the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, USA. We have a Member's Map in the Upper Right of the Title Bar. Click on "Members" and then Click on "Member's Map…" Check it out and you might find some new flying friends.

Member Map

mavicpilots.com

Hey, don't blame your Honey, as you wrote, you only "talked about it…" She could have gotten you one of those kid's toys that you can bounce off the walls…

However, as a New Drone Pilot, there are a couple of Legal Things you may need to do…

If you have not already done so, you will need to get your TRUST Certificate. You can get that at the Pilot Institute Web Site (FREE…). Your Drone weighs more than 250-grams (0.55 pounds), and even while you are flying under The Exception for Recreational Flyers, you are required to register your Drone.

Link to the TRUST Certificate at 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

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 trust.pilotinstitute.com

Link to the FAADroneZone (Optional Registration for Drones under 250-Grams…)

FAADroneZone

faadronezone-access.faa.gov

If you are considering acquiring your Part 107 License, here is a link to get you going…

Online Ground School: Aviation Classes - Pilot Institute

Pilot Institute offers courses on drones and airplanes from world-class experts. Pass the Part 107 or Private Pilot exam and take to the skies.

pilotinstitute.com

Since you live in Texas, there are specific laws and rules for you to follow, please check the link below for all the Rules and Laws that are in effect in your neck of the woods and it also links you to some of the Best Places to Fly in your area… Also, if you travel on vacation, visit friends, and relatives in other parts of the country, check back here so you do not run afoul of the law.

Federal Drone Laws in the United States (FAA) - Pilot Institute

44809 is an exemption from Part 107 drone laws. This means that drone pilots fly under Part 107 drone rules by default unless they meet all 9 of the requirements to fly under 44809, the exception for limited recreational operations of unmanned aircraft. You can read more about these requirements...

pilotinstitute.com

Even if you have flown Drones before, here is some Good Old Fashion Advice…

You paid a lot of money for that Drone, put your phone number on it. If your drone gets lost or stuck in a tree and it finally comes down when you are not around, give the finders an opportunity to contact you so it can be returned.

Now, for the Fun Part, But 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 puppy or kitten 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, 6- feet (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 3 Classic, 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…"

DJI Mavic 3 Classic - Download Center - DJI

At DJI Download Center, Learn aboutDJI Mavic 3 Classic

www.dji.com

I fly a DJI Mini 2 and I do not have any knowledge about Holy Stone, but here is the link to all of the Holy Stone User Manuals and all their Apps…

Manual & APP

To share the joy of flying a drone and exploring the wonderful world, Holy Stone provides high-quality quadcopters also drones with camera.

www.holystone.com

Fly On and Fly Safe…

 

[YourGoodPalJeff]

However, as a New Drone Pilot, there are a couple of Legal Things you may need to do…

If you have not already done so, you will need to get your TRUST Certificate. You can get that at the Pilot Institute Web Site (FREE…). Your Drone weighs more than 250-grams (0.55 pounds), and even while you are flying under The Exception for Recreational Flyers, you are required to register your Drone.

Link to the TRUST Certificate at 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

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 trust.pilotinstitute.com

Link to the FAADroneZone (Optional Registration for Drones under 250-Grams…)

FAADroneZone

faadronezone-access.faa.gov

If you are considering acquiring your Part 107 License, here is a link to get you going…

Online Ground School: Aviation Classes - Pilot Institute

Pilot Institute offers courses on drones and airplanes from world-class experts. Pass the Part 107 or Private Pilot exam and take to the skies.

pilotinstitute.com

Since you live in Texas, there are specific laws and rules for you to follow, please check the link below for all the Rules and Laws that are in effect in your neck of the woods and it also links you to some of the Best Places to Fly in your area… Also, if you travel on vacation, visit friends, and relatives in other parts of the country, check back here so you do not run afoul of the law.

Federal Drone Laws in the United States (FAA) - Pilot Institute

44809 is an exemption from Part 107 drone laws. This means that drone pilots fly under Part 107 drone rules by default unless they meet all 9 of the requirements to fly under 44809, the exception for limited recreational operations of unmanned aircraft. You can read more about these requirements...

pilotinstitute.com

Even if you have flown Drones before, here is some Good Old Fashion Advice…

You paid a lot of money for that Drone, put your phone number on it. If your drone gets lost or stuck in a tree and it finally comes down when you are not around, give the finders an opportunity to contact you so it can be returned.

Now, for the Fun Part, But 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 puppy or kitten 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, 6- feet (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 3 Classic, 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…"

DJI Mavic 3 Classic - Download Center - DJI

At DJI Download Center, Learn aboutDJI Mavic 3 Classic

www.dji.com

I fly a DJI Mini 2 and I do not have any knowledge about Holy Stone, but here is the link to all of the Holy Stone User Manuals and all their Apps…

Manual & APP

To share the joy of flying a drone and exploring the wonderful world, Holy Stone provides high-quality quadcopters also drones with camera.

www.holystone.com

Fly On and Fly Safe…

Thank you. All very good information and sound advice. FWIW, I got my TRUST cert through BSA and was registered and labeled before I lifted off. Looks like I have some reading and Youtubin to do though.

 

[Kendallfordguy]

Welcome from Wisconsin!

 

[careless]

Welcome from Kentucky

 

[howardK]

Howdy from just east of you in the Houston area. we got the front last night. feel free to collect your leaves from my pool. Fly safe and have fun

 

[PakNheat380]

Welcome to the forum from NW Montana

 

[PHZ]

Front is blowing in and it's too wet and windy to fly, so thought I'd introduce myself.

New member here. Got my first drone this past Christmas from my wife. I hadn't asked for one, but had been talking about it for years and she took it upon herself to get me a Holy Stone HS600 which is a fairly decent drone for what she paid. (We'd just treated ourselves to a couple of weeks in Scotland, so I'd asked her to keep any gifts to me on the cheaper side.) I was hooked from my first flight, but I"m a semi-serious amateur photographer and the camera on the HS600 leaves a LOT to be desired. So a few days later, "I'm sorry honey, I really love my Christmas present and I'm going to keep flying it, but I need a better camera." Got myself a Mavic 3 Classic and absolutely love it.

I recently helped a student with a HS 600. I thought he was “slamming the sticks” based on how the drone moved away from its hover. Nope. I flew it. It was the drone.
Then I let him fly my Mini 3 P. He was much happier. I think you will love your Mavic 3.

 

[LoudThunder]

ooks like I have some reading and Youtubin to do though.

Jeff,

Good luck and remember to breath… Take it slowly, there are plenty of horror stories of new members who crashed their drone on the first few flights… Do not use the video to fly at first, learn to move the drone by sight, Right, Left, Up, Down, and around Left and Right.

A distance cousin was so excited to get his new drone flying, but it was after dark, and he put the freshly charged battery in and just wanted to see the motors turn and energized the motors. But he forgot to BREATH, and he hit the Launch Button and the drone did what it was designed to do from the dining room table… It tried to lift off about 4-feet, but he chandelier was only about 3-feet above the table and not only did he damage the drone but he messed up the chandelier too… He did not buy the care refresh thinking it was a waste of money. We call him the "Low Hanging Fruit" from the Family Tree…


But most of all, have fun, it's a blast once you get the hang of it…

Lt Signing Off..

 

[wjkrysak]

Welcome to the forum. We look forward to your participation and your view of the world.

 

[YourGoodPalJeff]

I recently helped a student with a HS 600. I thought he was “slamming the sticks” based on how the drone moved away from its hover. Nope. I flew it. It was the drone.
Then I let him fly my Mini 3 P. He was much happier. I think you will love your Mavic 3.

The HS 600 is pretty "jerky" compared to the 3, but it didn't take too long to get a feel for a more smooth flight with it. The 3 is a dream comparatively, though. Buttery smooth gimbal and flight. I already love it.