Recent content by MiniSEPilot2022

I heard an anecdote years ago that an Israeli Air Force drone was “commandeered” and the Israeli Air Force freaked out because it was heading to a major city… until it turned to the coast and loitered over a very packed public beach. Turned out the “terrorists” were just hackers who wanted to...

Maybe mine figured out it’s not worth the trouble.

I fly near my home in central Illinois. There’s a family of red tailed hawks that live in my neighborhood. They are not unlike human teenagers with the trouble they cause. I’ve had some incidents with them and my drone, and my solution is to fly higher. Hawks attack from the top down, and they...

I can’t speak to overseas regulations, but I’m not surprised. Some places are pretty corrupt and heavy handed in protecting their locals. I’d suspect Kenya probably wants to keep drone-use (and drone business) for Kenyans, and it’s not worth their while to grant exceptions for tourists. Just...

New pilot flying a registered Mini SE. I’m looking to put a light on the bottom of my drone to improve my LOS visibility. Any suggestions? Lightweight is best, but exceeding the 250g limit not a priority.

I fly a miniSE. I fly over 250g, so I got my FAA registration number. How do you all mark your drone with your number? I made a label with a label maker, but I’m not sure that’s the best. Anyone use a Sharpie or get one of those $15 official-looking stickers? Are there rules for marking drones?

Off-topic, but I bought it and used it two days later. DJI got me flying again in less than a week. Very happy I bought the coverage!

I’m registered.

I’ve been flying about two weeks. A friend of mine who flies suggested landing gear, so I spent $8 to get a pair of skids. Not much to say yet.

Hello from downstate Illinois!

Excellent advice I learned the hard way. I also advise purchasing the Renew insurance program thing from DJI. I had an accident with my Mini SE the first week I had it, and DJI replaced it for $29. Less than a week after reporting it to DJI, I had a new replacement drone.

New pilot. Still learning the best practices for this activity. I got a set of prop guards for my Mini SE, and the instructions say not to fly the drone with the guards attached except in windless and low-altitude or indoor environments. Why is that? What's the issue with using prop guards...

Checking in from Central Illinois. I'm flying a Mini SE.