A FRIEND FEARFUL TO FLY

[360 Guy]

I have a friend that is fearful of sending his drone out beyond say 75 yards.
I noticed this the other day when we were flying together for the first time.

Here's how it went:
We both had the drones up and, in the air.
While I sent mine out and watching the screen, he glanced at my screen and said "man, you're over that building in the open field".
Soon thereafter, I returned to my home point to see how he was doing.
SURPRISE.........he is up about a 100 feet and fly's out about 50 yards or so, comes back down and lands, only to walk over to retrieve his bird.
He did this a few times in different directions of course.

It really didn't dawn on me till later that night, I believe my friend was afraid of losing his drone.
It was cold that day and I just assumed that he didn't want to fly that much because of the temp.
He has flown around his home area (community) very little.
He purchased the drone about 6 months ago., after he saw mine. It's a DJI Mini 3

I pay this little episode out to all here that reads this for a solution in helping this gent overcome his fear.
Open to one and all for suggestions.
Thx,
360

 

[PINEBARON]

I have a friend that is fearful of sending his drone out beyond say 75 yards.
I noticed this the other day when we were flying together for the first time.

Here's how it went:
We both had the drones up and, in the air.
While I sent mine out and watching the screen, he glanced at my screen and said "man, you're over that building in the open field".
Soon thereafter, I returned to my home point to see how he was doing.
SURPRISE.........he is up about a 100 feet and fly's out about 50 yards or so, comes back down and lands, only to walk over to retrieve his bird.
He did this a few times in different directions of course.

It really didn't dawn on me till later that night, I believe my friend was afraid of losing his drone.
It was cold that day and I just assumed that he didn't want to fly that much because of the temp.
He has flown around his home area (community) very little.
He purchased the drone about 6 months ago., after he saw mine. It's a DJI Mini 3

I pay this little episode out to all here that reads this for a solution in helping this gent overcome his fear.
Open to one and all for suggestions.
Thx,
360

Its not unusual for a first time drone owner to be scared or concerned about how far they fly.. He'll get over it in time.

 

[360 Guy]

But after 6 months? I guess so.
THX

 

[PINEBARON]

But after 6 months? I guess so.
THX

Every person is different.

 

[Daniel NZDF]

I had that exact problem. My brother flew his drone out of view, so he could not see it, but I couldn't seem to fly mine beyond 50 m. Height was the main issue. I found that what I needed was time. Now I can fly practically any distance without getting fearful.

 

[mavic3usa]

Depends on how many times in 6 months. When I was learning, I flew weekly so by 6 months, I had it down.

Look at the beginner mode parameter limitations, height and distance, to see how far DJI believes a new flyer should be comfortable with.

 

[Rchawks]

Everybody is different. I flew radio control for a couple of decades and at great distances very comfortably and it always surprised anyone who would see me fly. Yet when I purchased a mavic mini it took forever to become comfortable with using the “head up” display and not be nervous. Both worlds require skill and that takes time to develop and become comfortable with. There are so many things that can go wrong in a flight and unknowns are what drives that cautious approach. There’s nothing wrong with that at all. There’s real fear that takes hold when you experience a problem for the first time and many end up crashing or losing their drone when it does go bad. Then there’s all that investment of money and time, that’s sparks alot fear in of itself. Replacement problems now adds to the list now too. Two pilots in the air might have made him nervous as well, or maybe it’s just really not for him. I don’t know how good of friends you guys are, but you might ask if he’d like to fly together some time and just hang out to fly. I wouldn’t push him too much just let him be comfortable with learning at his own pace. It will come with time.

 

[MA2 317]

I believe my friend was afraid of losing his drone.

I wish I could find the video of a SPARK pilot that tied a string to it so he wouldn't lose it.

 

[Daniel NZDF]

I wish I could find the video of a SPARK pilot that tied a string to it so he wouldn't lose it.

Since I have a spark, would you like me to make one?

 

[MA2 317]

Since I have a spark, would you like me to make one?

It's up to you.

The ultimate RTH or Find My Drone, as long as the string doesn't break.

.

 

[glocke12]

I have a friend that is fearful of sending his drone out beyond say 75 yards.
I noticed this the other day when we were flying together for the first time.

Here's how it went:
We both had the drones up and, in the air.
While I sent mine out and watching the screen, he glanced at my screen and said "man, you're over that building in the open field".
Soon thereafter, I returned to my home point to see how he was doing.
SURPRISE.........he is up about a 100 feet and fly's out about 50 yards or so, comes back down and lands, only to walk over to retrieve his bird.
He did this a few times in different directions of course.

It really didn't dawn on me till later that night, I believe my friend was afraid of losing his drone.
It was cold that day and I just assumed that he didn't want to fly that much because of the temp.
He has flown around his home area (community) very little.
He purchased the drone about 6 months ago., after he saw mine. It's a DJI Mini 3

I pay this little episode out to all here that reads this for a solution in helping this gent overcome his fear.
Open to one and all for suggestions.
Thx,
360

the first few times I flew my DJI drones I was like that...

While I got over it, I am still not down with taking risks with them, like flying in winter/colder temperatures.

I am sure there is some great footage to be had this time of year but the risk isn't worth it to me. In addition I really dislike being out in the cold.

 

[DenMac55]

I was the same way with both my Phamton 4 pro and my Air3s. Until you really see how reliable they are and they are. Then You start to build trust in your Uas.little by little. It just makes for a better pilot. But yea I was a chicken in the beginning too.

 

[GFields]

Don't push him. His confidence will increase with experience.

 

[Dale D]

I have a friend that is fearful of sending his drone out beyond say 75 yards.
I noticed this the other day when we were flying together for the first time.

Here's how it went:
We both had the drones up and, in the air.
While I sent mine out and watching the screen, he glanced at my screen and said "man, you're over that building in the open field".
Soon thereafter, I returned to my home point to see how he was doing.
SURPRISE.........he is up about a 100 feet and fly's out about 50 yards or so, comes back down and lands, only to walk over to retrieve his bird.
He did this a few times in different directions of course.

It really didn't dawn on me till later that night, I believe my friend was afraid of losing his drone.
It was cold that day and I just assumed that he didn't want to fly that much because of the temp.
He has flown around his home area (community) very little.
He purchased the drone about 6 months ago., after he saw mine. It's a DJI Mini 3

I pay this little episode out to all here that reads this for a solution in helping this gent overcome his fear.
Open to one and all for suggestions.
Thx,
360

If you are good friends, I would offer to mentor him for a field trip out to the wide open corn fields in whatever area you live it. I wish I had access to wide open spaces in our densely packed south Florida which is developed completely without open areas except for the small city parks, and the forbidden Everglades (National Park no no). The first open fields for me are really far (like 2 counties north).

I was mentored like this for my brand new and expensive Mavic 3 about 5 years ago and it did wonders for my confidence.

 

[Rchawks]

If you are good friends, I would offer to mentor him for a field trip out to the wide open corn fields in whatever area you live it. I wish I had access to wide open spaces in our densely packed south Florida which is developed completely without open areas except for the small city parks, and the forbidden Everglades (National Park no no). The first open fields for me are really far (like 2 counties north).

I was mentored like this for my brand new and expensive Mavic 3 about 5 years ago and it did wonders for my confidence.

I’d like to second Dale on that. That does make a difference for some reason. I think it’s being able to relax and get in to it more. Then you learn faster and at a relaxed pace. In my case I had access to 2 farms and another good spot outside of town. Easy peasy after that and didn’t take long from there.

 

[Dale D]

Thanks for your support Richard

 

[Camerart]

Hi all,
I'm a timid pilot too!
Up to last year I was building tricopters, but at a short distance couldn't tell which way round they were so had to keep crashing/repairing them. I added strings of LEDs to help, white, red and green, but it didn't.

I bought a Pro4mini, perfect for me. It does go out of sight, but that isn't so far (cateracts etc) I rely on the RC2 screen, and 'H' and RTH.

I normally fly it pretty close, but really enjoy it. Does you friend enjoy his flying?
We both may get more adveturous,as time goes on. No hurry
C

 

[Droning on and on...]

Discuss RTH with him and see if he understands it well. If you don't understand that in the worst possible case – The RC has some failure and permanently disconnects, the drone will come back and you will not lose it. With VERY high reliability.

Then, go out and spend a session testing all the different modes of RTH, including turning off the RC for a disconnect. Do it within 100m distance so you can see it and feel comfortable if it doesn't come back, you can go get it.

Getting comfortable with RTH and trusting it makes a big difference for tolerating long ranges.

 

[AeroJ]

Could be that his eyesight isn't that hot, and he likes to fly while keeping the UAV in view. Or that he may find it very hard to judge relative distance AT distance if you see what I mean ? Or he might not have it logged in and is getting restricted to those sort of short-range boundaries ? Or is just massively unadventurous with his machine ! If it is down to choice he might be inspired by you banging it out to 2 km every time and (presumably) coming back unscathed !

 

[Rchawks]

Yeah the main thing is that he hasn’t crashed.