New Drone Pilot in Utah

[UT_Grandpa]

Well Santa has my order for a new DJI Mavic Air 2 drone, my very first drone. Since my cellphone battery is dying, I purchased the DJI Smart Controller. I hope it is worth the extra $$$ I have a private pilots license (Single Engine Land) and have flown RC aircraft for a number of years but not recently since they closed our field and built a bunch of soccer fields over it. I am looking forward to this new hobby.

My wife and I have 4 sons and 4 daughters in law and 13 grandchildren. We love them all and they all live within 40 miles of us. I worked in the satellite broadcast area of a large non profit and ended the last 15 years as an Engineer. We have been retired for four years and love to RV camp, fish, hunt, garden, and be with family (not this year though). I am excited to try something new. I am also a Ham Radio operator of 38 years and love working public service events and communicating all over the world.

I will be watching a lot of Youtube videos on this drone while waiting for it and I have already registered with the FAA as a recreational pilot and received my registration number. The FAA site mentions as the last requirement to have passed an aeronautical and safety test. There is no mention as to where to find said test or how to take it. Any help would be appreciated.

Wish me luck. Oh, I also have a couple of electric planes waiting for a flight. I just have to get some courage up and head over to the Junior high to see if I can still fly.
Thanks to those running this forum
Dave

 

[old man mavic]

welcome to the forum

 

[MA2 317]

Hello again from the Hoosier Heartland UT_Grandpa.

 

[dirkclod]

Your a busy man.

Welcome to the forum.
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 . ?

 

[THE CYBORG]

Hi UT_Grandpa Welcome to Mavic Pilots.
New flyer advice,
Wide open space.
Slow & easy
Power-lines & trees are evil.
Don't expect RTH (Return To Home) to save you especially if you are under trees.
Don't forget to read the manual
Download Air 2 manual HERE
Most of all have FUN ?

 

[Tony McDrone]

Welcome to the forum. Greetings from San Diego.

Enjoy your new views of Utah.

 

[Duckhunter50]

Fellow Utahn here, welcome!

 

[Thomas B]

Welcome to the forum from the deserts of Arizona! Enjoy.

 

[CactusJackSlade]

Welcome Utah Grandpa,

We Recently purchased property in St George and will be moving that direction in the near future

I have been flying drones since they came out in parts and pieces that you had to build and program them. I have been flying R/C planes of all kinds since I was 15 (43 years!). Do you recognize the photo attached?... it is "vintage". Perhaps you recognize it?

The "drone" stuff (still getting used to saying that instead of "quad's" or "quadcopters").

At this point in time and technology you will have a blast with them. They are ultra stable and EZ if you have flown R/C before.

When they first came out - NO stabilization at all. My comparison to drones today is like this: Back then it was like trying to balance a ball on a pencil point - you needed your FULL attention 1000% of the time. NOW: It is the opposite - it is like a lead weight hanging from a string. If you get in trouble just let go the sticks and it will stop and wait and collect yourself.

FPV is a lot of fun and yet another step into the drone thing.... technology is amazing these days!

Again, welcome!

 

[Lastrexking]

Welcome to the forum ?

 

[mrjohnc1]

Welcome!

 

[msinger]

Welcome to the forum!

Well Santa has my order for a new DJI Mavic Air 2 drone, my very first drone

Here are some things to help you get started with your Mavic Air 2:

• The current Mavic Air 2 manual can be downloaded here (it doesn't come in the box). Other important documents can be found on the Mavic Air 2 downloads page.
  
  
• Check out this getting started guide for some tips not found in the Mavic Air 2 manual.
  
  
• This video covers all the basics of the Mavic Air 2.
  
  
• Your drone batteries will last longer if you use and maintain them like this.
  
  
• Practice flying outdoors in a wide open location that's free of all obstacles. Don't attempt to fly inside your house or in other confined locations.
  
  
• The drone records flight data each time you fly. You can decrypt and view those flight logs with these tools.
  
  
• Check out MavicHelp.com for commonly used accessories you might need.

 

[Kendallfordguy]

Welcome from Wisconsin!

 

[Laborous]

Welcome to the forum from the beautiful woods of Maine!

 

[Steel63]

Amazing God bless greetings from ? Florida

 

[wjkrysak]

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

 

[Jeff A]

Welcome to the Forum & congratulations on your new drone. If you are into photography at all, there are so many beautiful places in Utah to fly and take photos and/or video. Have fun.

 

[Chetk7677]

Welcome from Central Florida.

 

[BigAl07]

WELCOME to the forum

 

[UT_Grandpa]

Welcome Utah Grandpa,

We Recently purchased property in St George and will be moving that direction in the near future

I have been flying drones since they came out in parts and pieces that you had to build and program them. I have been flying R/C planes of all kinds since I was 15 (43 years!). Do you recognize the photo attached?... it is "vintage". Perhaps you recognize it?

The "drone" stuff (still getting used to saying that instead of "quad's" or "quadcopters").

At this point in time and technology you will have a blast with them. They are ultra stable and EZ if you have flown R/C before.

When they first came out - NO stabilization at all. My comparison to drones today is like this: Back then it was like trying to balance a ball on a pencil point - you needed your FULL attention 1000% of the time. NOW: It is the opposite - it is like a lead weight hanging from a string. If you get in trouble just let go the sticks and it will stop and wait and collect yourself.

FPV is a lot of fun and yet another step into the drone thing.... technology is amazing these days!

Again, welcome!

Nice report. I have a sister and her husband who bought a home in Washington, they are becoming Snowbirds. The shipper should deliver on 12/23. Either way it is my Christmas this year. Trying to find a case/backpack for this drone with a smart controller. Not having much luck. I really don't want to haul things around in a milk crate. I am looking forward to flying something without having to drive 40 miles. St George used to have a great RC strip but I think it was where the new airport is so I am not sure what they have. You will like St

Hi UT_Grandpa Welcome to Mavic Pilots.
New flyer advice,
Wide open space.
Slow & easy
Power-lines & trees are evil.
Don't expect RTH (Return To Home) to save you especially if you are under trees.
Don't forget to read the manual
Download Air 2 manual HERE
Most of all have FUN ?

Thanks for the info. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays