New to this forum

[DroneBill]

I have been flying a DJI Spark for about 5 yrs, thinking of upgrading. I came from the age of no technology. In HS no computers, no calculators. I was taking analog electronics. Mostly tubes with a few semiconductors, nothing digital yet I had a slide rule that i put in a sheath on my belt. Looked like I had a sword LOL. if someone told me then i someday would own a flying camera for under $1k i would have told them they were crazy

 

[Phantomrain.org]

Welcome to the Forum

You are in for a fantatic ride no matter what new drone you get because there light years beyond the Spark, ohhhh to be DJI young again.

Gear to fly your Drone in the Rain. Land on the Water
Phantomrain.org

 

[old man mavic]

welcome to the forum

 

[Rchawks]

Many of us come from that era, myself included. I miss those days. Oh yeah welcome to the forum, great source of information, stay tuned. I still hate using a slide rule

 

[MA2 317]

Hello from the Crossroads of America DroneBill.

I still own a SPARK but the camera was compromised after a crash.

I'm now flying the MA2, which is new to me but older in the DJI lineup.

Have fun shopping and welcome to the Forum.

DJI Store - Official Store for DJI Drones, Gimbals and Accessories (United States)

DJI is the world's leading producer of camera drones and stabilizers. Check out our Phantom, Mavic, and Spark drones, Ronin and Osmo gimbals, and more!

store.dji.com

.

 

[twickers14]

Welcome.

 

[PakNheat380]

Welcome to the forum from NW Montana

 

[Kendallfordguy]

Welcome from Wisconsin!

 

[careless]

Welcome from Kentucky. I think the Spark is a good drone but the eas of taking pictures with a flying camera is much better now.

 

[funflyer]

Welcome from Wisconsin. Yes, slide rules were pretty standard equipment back then. Mini 2 was and is my first drone. Probably upgrade at some point, but it does such a good job, I am in no hurry.

 

[wjkrysak]

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

 

[RodPad]

"if someone told me then i someday would own a flying camera for under $1k i would have told them they were crazy"

No *hit .

I thought it would be cool to have a remote control car with a camera on it that I could operate through the neighborhood. Maybe I was 14?

I bought a remote control car in 2007. I turned it around well then every thing was backwards.

In 2014, I saw somebody flying a drone with a camera. I was impressed with his flying.

Figured out of the net he had a P2V, $1400 I bought a P2V+.

I have never done a intro on any forum, very impressed with yours!!

I''m a goofy guy, so ignore me.

BTW, Welcome to the forum!

Rod ..

 

[LoudThunder]

I have been flying a DJI Spark for about 5 yrs, thinking of upgrading.

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

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…). If your Drone weighs less than 250-grams (0.55 pounds), and while you are flying under The Exception for Recreational Flyers, you are not 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 on Planet Earth, 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."

Since you have mentioned the Mini 4 in other postings, below is the link to all of the downloads offered by DJI for the Mini 4 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…"

DJI Mini 4 Pro - Download Center - DJI

At DJI Download Center, Learn aboutDJI Mini 4 Pro

www.dji.com

Fly On and Fly Safe…

 

[smbishop]

Welcome! I think a lot of us from that generation have a greater appreciation and awe of the technology available to us today. I recently upgraded from the Mini 2 to the Mini Pro 4. Whatever you choose, it will be fun!

 

[GFields]

Greetings from Birmingham Alabama USA, welcome to the forum! We look forward to hearing from you!

 

[Smooth Rhythm]

Welcome to the MavicPilots forum, DroneBill. Enjoy safe and happy flying!

 

[SWTSU]

Welcome from the cattle countryside of Texas!

Your world is fixing to open, and if you have no impulse control like me, so is your wallet…lol.

 

[Laborous]

Welcome to the forum from the beautiful woods of Maine!

 

[SpitFire]

Greetings from Chicago the Windy City, welcome to the forum.
FLY SAFE & FLY SMART

 

[msinger]

Welcome to the forum!