So a couple weeks ago I went hiking with a friend. Out in the desert where we parked our trucks he pulled out his Mavic 2 Zoom. He flew it out over the mountains and back before handing control over to me (I almost panicked when he just handed me the remote thinking I would crash it). After a few minuted of buzzing around us I knew I was hooked.
I have been an amateur photographer/videographer for over 30 years and I knew this would be a way to really expand on that. I spent the next week mulling it over and comparing drones and specs. I ended up buying a Mavic Mini exactly one week after flying his M2Z. I was really torn about what to buy, but went with the MM for really one reason only...price. I figured if I either A) don't find myself utilizing it as much as I hope or B) crash and destroy it as a new pilot then I'd rather be out $500 than three times that. I bought the fly-more combo just because there was no other cost effective way to get the extra batteries for it.
So now I've had the MM in my possession for over a week. But unfortunately mother nature (and my work schedule) was not kind this week. I sat there and looked at the drone sitting on my kitchen table just itching to try it out for a full 7 days. But the rain, wind and long work days kept me grounded. But this also had a very unexpected, and beneficial, result. I spent the entire week watching videos. I watched tutorials, range tests, crash videos, dos and don'ts, common mistakes, tips and tricks, rules and regulations and plenty of just beautiful cinematic videos of the kind I was envisioning when I made the purchase.
I learned more about my drone (the Mavic Mini), the hobby in general and the rules (and upcoming rules) then I could've imagined. There is so much information to take in. I realized immediately that I had always looked at drones the wrong way. These are not toys. I knew nothing about FAA regulations, flight restrictions, rules governing drone usage and the new upcoming Remote ID proposals. All these things were new to me...and all this while I sat there looking at a purchase I had already made sitting on my table.
In the end I was glad I bought the Mini. And I also knew I was in for a long and fruitful relationship with the hobby. I can see a possibility of upcoming changes in the rules that will radically change things as a hobbyist, and I'm OK with this. But the one thing that I hope changes also is that as the rules tighten down they also make it harder to make a purchase. I believe that a guy should know what he is getting into before dumping a bunch of money onto something he thinks is just a "toy". I got into flying kites about 15 years ago. I spent a lot of money on very fancy stunt kites and parafoils just for fun. But no one ever told me I couldn't fly my kites and I think a guy spending money on drones should know these thing before he can make a purchase.
Anyway, this morning just after the sunrise I was able to walk down to the park near my house and put my Mini in the air for the first time. What a joy it was! It flew like a dream. I ran it through its paces, testing both its abilities and mine as a pilot, and took some video that I had only dreamed of in years past. I had attached my GoPro to a stunt kite about 5 years ago just trying to do aerial videos, and although those were cool I could never have imagined it would be this easy! I am looking forward to my future in the hobby.
So heres to many fun years ahead as a drone pilot. As I am able to shoot videos that I think are worthy of sharing I will do so. And thanks to all in this community for their passion and dedication that I have already witnessed. I hope to be able to contribute in the future.
I have been an amateur photographer/videographer for over 30 years and I knew this would be a way to really expand on that. I spent the next week mulling it over and comparing drones and specs. I ended up buying a Mavic Mini exactly one week after flying his M2Z. I was really torn about what to buy, but went with the MM for really one reason only...price. I figured if I either A) don't find myself utilizing it as much as I hope or B) crash and destroy it as a new pilot then I'd rather be out $500 than three times that. I bought the fly-more combo just because there was no other cost effective way to get the extra batteries for it.
So now I've had the MM in my possession for over a week. But unfortunately mother nature (and my work schedule) was not kind this week. I sat there and looked at the drone sitting on my kitchen table just itching to try it out for a full 7 days. But the rain, wind and long work days kept me grounded. But this also had a very unexpected, and beneficial, result. I spent the entire week watching videos. I watched tutorials, range tests, crash videos, dos and don'ts, common mistakes, tips and tricks, rules and regulations and plenty of just beautiful cinematic videos of the kind I was envisioning when I made the purchase.
I learned more about my drone (the Mavic Mini), the hobby in general and the rules (and upcoming rules) then I could've imagined. There is so much information to take in. I realized immediately that I had always looked at drones the wrong way. These are not toys. I knew nothing about FAA regulations, flight restrictions, rules governing drone usage and the new upcoming Remote ID proposals. All these things were new to me...and all this while I sat there looking at a purchase I had already made sitting on my table.
In the end I was glad I bought the Mini. And I also knew I was in for a long and fruitful relationship with the hobby. I can see a possibility of upcoming changes in the rules that will radically change things as a hobbyist, and I'm OK with this. But the one thing that I hope changes also is that as the rules tighten down they also make it harder to make a purchase. I believe that a guy should know what he is getting into before dumping a bunch of money onto something he thinks is just a "toy". I got into flying kites about 15 years ago. I spent a lot of money on very fancy stunt kites and parafoils just for fun. But no one ever told me I couldn't fly my kites and I think a guy spending money on drones should know these thing before he can make a purchase.
Anyway, this morning just after the sunrise I was able to walk down to the park near my house and put my Mini in the air for the first time. What a joy it was! It flew like a dream. I ran it through its paces, testing both its abilities and mine as a pilot, and took some video that I had only dreamed of in years past. I had attached my GoPro to a stunt kite about 5 years ago just trying to do aerial videos, and although those were cool I could never have imagined it would be this easy! I am looking forward to my future in the hobby.
So heres to many fun years ahead as a drone pilot. As I am able to shoot videos that I think are worthy of sharing I will do so. And thanks to all in this community for their passion and dedication that I have already witnessed. I hope to be able to contribute in the future.
Florida 
and welcome to the forum 
