So I've been reading MANY, MANY threads on this and other forums about the Mini ... it's pros ... cons ... and the good and bad experiences out there. It's occurred to me that maybe we (especially newbies like myself) should establish a sort of pre flight check and tips list? I mean if "real" pilots do then why shouldn't we right?
Anyways, I've come up with MY pre flight checklist (1 through 5) and general tips (6 through 10) for successful flights. Can you folks chime in to critique, add or dismiss from this list? Thanks!
1. Cache the map of the area you intend to fly in.
2. Do your calibrations for your maiden flight and every time you fly from a different location.
3. Set your RTH altitude to the lowest height that is applicable, based on your flight plan.
4. Check your wind direction and windspeed at your intended altitude before you fly.
5. Make sure your AC sets its home point since this tells you that its acquired enough satellites.
6. Get up to height but before you set off do a 360 to establish situational awareness.
7. Fly within the wind limits of the Mini but if you're gonna push the threshold, fly into the wind.
8. If you run into problems with the wind activate RTH just to tun the craft to a home heading. (so you know which direction is home) Thereafter cancel RTH, drop down to as low as possible as is safe (based on the terrain) and fly home manually in S mode.
9. Always leave MORE than half the juice in your pack to get back home just in case you need to deal with unexpected situations.
10. Heed the AC's warnings.
1. Cache the map of the area you intend to fly in.
2. Do your calibrations for your maiden flight and every time you fly from a different location.
3. Set your RTH altitude to the lowest height that is applicable, based on your flight plan.
4. Check your wind direction and windspeed at your intended altitude before you fly.
5. Make sure your AC sets its home point since this tells you that its acquired enough satellites.
6. Get up to height but before you set off do a 360 to establish situational awareness.
7. Fly within the wind limits of the Mini but if you're gonna push the threshold, fly into the wind.
8. If you run into problems with the wind activate RTH just to tun the craft to a home heading. (so you know which direction is home) Thereafter cancel RTH, drop down to as low as possible as is safe (based on the terrain) and fly home manually in S mode.
9. Always leave MORE than half the juice in your pack to get back home just in case you need to deal with unexpected situations.
10. Heed the AC's warnings.