Be careful after a crash

[jimbobalu]

So I was having the drone follow me on my bike and it hit a branch and fell into some grass, maybe 10 feet. I inspected the drone and everything looked fine. Placed the drone on the ground and did the automatic takeoff and it immediately flew up about 50 feet and sideways very quickly. It went about a hundred yards and around a tree over into a marsh as I was trying to land it but it wouldn't respond. I was too surprised to use the emergency off. I tried to locate it with find my drone but was unable to because it is high grass and water.

I am getting a new drone and will try using it to find the lost drone.

Going forward after a crash I will thoroughly inspect and do a manual takeoff to ensure I have control and can immediately shut it down if there is a problem.

 

[msinger]

Did you try checking the TXT flight log for the last recorded location? It might help you find the landing/crash location if you're not certain you were searching in the right spot.

 

[jimbobalu]

Did you try checking the TXT flight log for the last recorded location? It might help you find the landing/crash location if you're not certain you were searching in the right spot.

I did, I used find my drone that even provided a picture but it was while it was still in flight, not the actual crash sight. I think there my be a bit of a lag, especially if it goes into water.

 

[msinger]

Okay. Feel free to share your flight log if you'd like others to review it.

 

[MS Coast]

Prior to takeoff, did you confirm that the compass reading shown on the controller screen agreed with the actual direction the drone was facing? That's an essential step to ensure that the drone hasn't been powered up in a magnetic field or near ferrous metal that can bias the compass. The result of compass bias can be uncontrollable flight like you described, though the ascent is unusual.

 

[jimbobalu]

Prior to takeoff, did you confirm that the compass reading shown on the controller screen agreed with the actual direction the drone was facing? That's an essential step to ensure that the drone hasn't been powered up in a magnetic field or near ferrous metal that can bias the compass. The result of compass bias can be uncontrollable flight like you described, though the ascent is unusual.

I didn't know to check that. I will definitely in the future. Thanks

 

[MS Coast]

I didn't know to check that. I will definitely in the future. Thanks

If the compass doesn't agree with reality, shut the drone down and move to a new location. I've found places on my patio where the rebar in the concrete biases the compass. Moving the drone a few feet or just holding it waist high while powering it up takes care of the problem.

 

[Cafguy]

I was having the drone follow me on my bike

Anyone?

 

[BlueHeeler]

Anyone?

I was thinking the OP was talking about his Skydio2

 

[jimbobalu]

I didn't think I needed to specify my drone is a DJI Mini 5 Pro in the Mini 5 Pro forum. Is that expected?

 

[msinger]

Is that expected?

No. The drone model is usually assumed to match the section of the forum where it's posted. I guess some people just miss which forum they're in when reading posts though.

 

[Cafguy]

The anyone comment was to ask if anyone wants to comment on the fact that legally you cannot let your drone follow you on a bike. It violates more than a few FAA Regs!
I just didnt want to be the one to do that because it seems this week I have had to mention rules in MANY posts to the OP and I didnt want to become that guy on the Forum I may have no choice tho.
You cannot have a drone follow you on a bike unless that drone is operated and supervised by another pilot.
you must be able to see the drone AT ALL TIMES. It is also unlawfull to operate a drone and a bike at the same time thats called "Distracted operation of an aircraft".
SORRY and I hope you find your drone...... look in the trees,

 

[BlueHeeler]

I didn't think I needed to specify my drone is a DJI Mini 5 Pro in the Mini 5 Pro forum. Is that expected?

True

 

[jimbobalu]

So would any activity while flying a drone be considered a distraction then? For example, walking, any of the automated routines? Would I be violating the rules flying my Neo without a controller?

I'm new and none of this was mentioned for recreational use.

 

[Cafguy]

NO but you cannot operate two vehicles at the same time....I get your point and last week I will admit I was paying more attention to the women jogging past me than my Drone at times but the rules simply state that operating a vehicle and flying is a distraction. When you think about it what we do with our DJI camera Drones (looking at the screen and looking up at the drone constantly) should be considered a distraction...BUT its not....

 

[msinger]

When you think about it what we do with our DJI camera Drones (looking at the screen and looking up at the drone constantly) should be considered a distraction...BUT its not....

It's really about finding a good balance. Kind of like driving a car and keeping an eye on the dashboard.

 

[BlueHeeler]

No. The drone model is usually assumed to match the section of the forum where it's posted. I guess some people just miss which forum they're in when reading posts though.

I'm guilty of that

 

[jimbobalu]

I guess all the youtube videos from other countries showing themselves riding bikes or driving cars with the drone following are also breaking the rules or are there different rules in the USA? Where can I find the rules for recreational drone pilots?

 

[Droning on and on...]

So would any activity while flying a drone be considered a distraction then? For example, walking, any of the automated routines? Would I be violating the rules flying my Neo without a controller?

AFAIK, yes, the neo in standalone automated flight is a bundle of FAA violations.

So are the Hoverair models, and many more on the market.

But hey, going 60 in a 55 zone is violating the law too. Pissing behind a tree in the remote woods in Yosemite as well. Bicyclists break the vehicle code routinely. I fly FPV without an observer all the time.

Point is, risk and harm is truly what these sort of laws and regulations are really about. In fact, now and then gubmint gets a slap upside the head for wasting public resources and harassing a free citizenry when being overly zealous in enforcing the law when doing so makes no sense. Hence the occasional fine reduced by a judge to $1 for some meaningless violation.

And why we aren't hearing about Kristil and Kayden being dragged into court by the FAA for their Neo selfies posted on Facebook. Or more serious pilots being nailed for BVLOS violations, which I suspect make up the majority of recreational flights.

LEOs and judges have discretion, for a good reason. None of us want Kristil being fined for using her Hoverair X1 to shoot a pull-away selfie off the ocean cliffs in Big Sur, and besides, she's pretty cute.

As for the bike, following on a sparsely used road out of town is no big deal. Doing so through downtown San Francisco a different matter entirely.

 

[Cafguy]

I guess all the youtube videos from other countries showing themselves riding bikes or driving cars with the drone following are also breaking the rules or are there different rules in the USA? Where can I find the rules for recreational drone pilots?

The FAA's website has a page for recreational Drone pilots