Brand new Mavic 2 Pro owner

Ranger · Mar 19, 2019

Mgugs46 said:
It’s amazing to me someone can read and understand this haha

I've watched several videos on how to read these charts as I prepare for my exam tomorrow. It takes a while for this info to get committed to memory, so don't get discouraged at first glance. Just noticed that VFRMap is from Oct 2018, so not too old.

Lightstorm · Mar 23, 2019

Top Hat said:
WELCOME!
If you haven't red the MANUAL....read it then read it again, take note of all the setups specially RTH!

Can’t recommend this enough, Top Hat. These drones are very smart and safe, but nothing beats knowing your $1500 purchase inside and out!

Mgugs46 · Mar 23, 2019

Took these this morning before it got too windy. Didn’t get it up very high because of the wind.

Mgugs46 · Mar 23, 2019

Dumb question maybe, but does this mean I can fly at the AC boardwalk/beach area?

Thomas B · Mar 23, 2019

Mgugs46 said:
Dumb question maybe, but does this mean I can fly at the AC boardwalk/beach area?

Check it in AirMap, but It would not seem the best place for launch and land.

jacquespa · Mar 24, 2019

The AC airport is 9+ miles and the OC airport is 11+ so they should not be an issue but their may be a heliport in the vicinity. The bigger issue will likely be finding an open area away from people as we get closer to summer. Also, make sure you have a tail wind on the way back

oldcelt · Mar 24, 2019

Cymruflyer said:
Actually you DO have to see the drone yourself. I don't think that is good information to be passing on, telling new flyers they don't have to see their drone when flying. The law states that you absolutely have to be able to see your drone during your entire flight. Any suggestions to the contrary to any flyer is not helping any of us to stem greater restrictions of our flying. It may get to the point that we may lose a lot of flying freedom, due to people doing what you are suggesting and having an accident as a result of not being able to see where they are flying in able to properly control their drone.

Any others reading that feel this way, please join in to tell this new member (He only joined on the 4th of March) what is good and bad advice to another flyer.

The CAA regulations in the UK make it abundantly clear that you must be able to see your drone at all times during flight. VLOS is self-explanatory! I'm sure that the FAA follows identical rules in this respect.

As a retired flying instructor I can imagine only too well the dangers of drones which are out of sight of their 'pilots' and flying in the areas immediately along the extended centreline of the runway, both during take-off and landing.

AnzacJack · Mar 24, 2019

oldcelt said:
The CAA regulations in the UK make it abundantly clear that you must be able to see your drone at all times during flight. VLOS is self-explanatory! I'm sure that the FAA follows identical rules in this respect.

As a retired flying instructor I can imagine only too well the dangers of drones which are out of sight of their 'pilots' and flying in the areas immediately along the extended centreline of the runway, both during take-off and landing.

DITO for CASA in Australia

Mgugs46 · Mar 24, 2019

jacquespa said:
The AC airport is 9+ miles and the OC airport is 11+ so they should not be an issue but their may be a heliport in the vicinity. The bigger issue will likely be finding an open area away from people as we get closer to summer. Also, make sure you have a tail wind on the way back

I wouldn’t bother in summer, but on a cool 50 degree March day,I doubt they’ll be huge crowds.

Aikidoamigo · Mar 24, 2019

How to see your drone easily at distance? Any special lights that can replace the stock ones.... I can imagine daylight VLOS must be really tough at distance.

jacquespa · Mar 24, 2019

Aikidoamigo said:
How to see your drone easily at distance? Any special lights that can replace the stock ones.... I can imagine daylight VLOS must be really tough at distance.

Search "LED strobe lights" there is a thread where msinger has a link to some good options

Mgugs46 · Mar 24, 2019

Flew it today and after about 1500 - 2000 feet away at 350' altitude it gets very hard to see in the bright daylight.

Thomas B · Mar 24, 2019

I’m a Firehouse ARC2 fan (and owner).

zlek131 · Mar 24, 2019

Mgugs46 said:
Regarding the within 5 miles from any airport or helipad, if you're flying within the mileage, but are literally going up and within a very small radius that is nowhere near where any actual planes takeoff/land, do you still call the airports? How do you get proof they OK it if so? I see the Mavic maps have actual gray flight path markers vs air map with orange blobs everywhere.

It’s simple. Don’t fly within 5 miles of any airport. Unfortunately for some of us (including myself) that means no flying around your place of residence. Just leave it at that and you will be fine.

Sprudho1 · Sep 8, 2019

jacquespa said:
NJ recently changed their law and now allows flying in state parks as long as you are compliant with FAA requirements.

Really? I am from Annandale and would love to fly over NJ parks. I can't find any evidence the 2015 law prohibiting drones in NJ state park was reversed. Would help much if you can share more.

jacquespa · Sep 8, 2019

Sprudho1 said:
Really? I am from Annandale and would love to fly over NJ parks. I can't find any evidence the 2015 law prohibiting drones in NJ state park was reversed. Would help much if you can share more.

Look at NJ Code of Criminal Justice Title 2C:40-27 & 40-29

N.J. Legislative Statutes

lis.njleg.state.nj.us

Heavyopp · Sep 8, 2019

jacquespa said:
Look at NJ Code of Criminal Justice Title 2C:40-27 & 40-29

N.J. Legislative Statutes

lis.njleg.state.nj.us

This is interesting...

Thomas B · Sep 9, 2019

Arizona did the same thing. Basically says no entity below the state can make drone laws In New Jersey.

Here’s the referenced laws as navigation of the state’s website is cumbersome:

N.J. Legislative Statutes

lis.njleg.state.nj.us

N.J. Legislative Statutes

lis.njleg.state.nj.us

Heavyopp · Sep 9, 2019

I see the legislation -- The state has banned all UAS from state parks -- this legislation doesn't seem to change that

Now the municipal and county parks are a different story...

From what I understand the whole township of Bernards has banned UAS from everywhere, even your own private property, within the township -- This legislation should override that, Now someone just needs to convince the township of it

Edit -- looks like I misread the statute -- Even the state parks should be OK to fly according to the Feds -- I can't imagine the state will comply without an expensive fight

jacquespa · Sep 9, 2019

Heavyopp said:
I see the legislation -- The state has banned all UAS from state parks -- this legislation doesn't seem to change that

Now the municipal and county parks are a different story...

From what I understand the whole township of Bernards has banned UAS from everywhere, even your own private property, within the township -- This legislation should override that, Now someone just needs to convince the township of it

Edit -- looks like I misread the statute -- Even the state parks should be OK to fly according to the Feds -- I can't imagine the state will comply without an expensive fight

This is NJ state legislation not Fed. As I read it the state says you can fly in NJ as long as you comply with FAA rules and local municipalities can not further restrict state legislation.