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Air 3 owner from Virginia, USA

Joined
Nov 16, 2023
Messages
4
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Age
58
Location
Fredericksburg, VA, USA
New to drones (September 2023). Bought a Mini 3 and liked it but felt I needed to upgrade based on my plans for drones. Instead of going to the Mini 4 Pro, I felt the Air 3 was a better upgrade but the Mavic 3 Classic wasn't a big enough "bang for the buck" to buy over the Air 3. Looking to learn all I can from a technical use standpoint (video/photo settings, filters, time lapses, etc).
 
Greetings from Birmingham Alabama USA, welcome to the forum! We look forward to hearing from you!
 
Welcome to the forum! :)
 
Welcome to Mavic Pilots! :) Enjoy the forum!Thumbswayup
 
New to drones (September 2023). Bought a Mini 3 and liked it but felt I needed to upgrade based on my plans for drones. Instead of going to the Mini 4 Pro, I felt the Air 3 was a better upgrade but the Mavic 3 Classic wasn't a big enough "bang for the buck" to buy over the Air 3. Looking to learn all I can from a technical use standpoint (video/photo settings, filters, time lapses, etc).
New member here too. Also from VA. Have an Air 2S supposed to show up tomorrow 11/17.
 
New to drones

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.


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…). Your Drone weighs more than 250-grams (0.55 pounds), and even while you are flying under The Exception for Recreational Flyers, you are 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 trust.pilotinstitute.com

Link to the FAADroneZone (Optional Registration for Drones under 250-Grams…)


If you are considering acquiring your Part 107 License, here is a link to get you going…


Since you live in Virginia, 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.


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."

Below is the link to all of the downloads offered by DJI for the Mavic Air 3, 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…"


Fly On and Fly Safe…
 
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.

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…

Fly On and Fly Safe…

Thank you for the great tips. Along with my Air 2S my son is getting a Mini 2 for Christmas. We both completed the TRUST cert a month ago. Putting your contact information on the drone is something I never thought about, but a great idea and the Gimbal cover sticker is too. I knew I'd have to register mine when he won't. Along with RID. Where the Air 2S already broadcasts the Mini 2 won't have to though I'm still considering it anyway.

Where I'm at any airport is an hour in each direction so I'm lucky in that sense. Big open park to practice. We're going to start with very limited height and distance and take it real slow for awhile.
 
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Along with my Air 2S my son is getting a Mini 2 for Christmas.
I fly the Mini 2 and I am Part 107 Licensed, not for business purposes but so I can fly where Rec Pilots cannot…

Below is the link to all of the downloads offered by DJI for the Mini 2, including the User Manual.

After your son reads the Manual, have him read it again, he will be surprised what he missed the first time and he will be better prepared for that first "scary moment…"


Also, have him watch some YouTube Videos on How-To and How-Not-To fly the drone… Learn from other peoples mistakes…

Do not fly it in the house, garage, or a closed in back yard with lots of trees…

Good Luck!
 
Welcome to the forum from the beautiful woods of Maine!
There’s many knowledgeable members willing to help you with any questions you have. Search the forum using key words and if you don’t find an answer, post your questions and I’m sure you’ll get a quick response! Fly safe and stay safe!
 
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