Cincinnati Area

[Deuces]

HI, new to hobby. In fact just have a toy drone for now. Looking to buy a DJI once I figure out what model I should start with.

 

[GFields]

Greetings from Birmingham Alabama USA, welcome to the forum! We look forward to hearing from you!

 

[MA2 317]

Hello from the Crossroads of America Deuces.

Looking to buy a DJI once I figure out what model I should start with.

There's plenty to choose from.

You need to take the TRUST test and keep a copy with you when you fly, whatever that may be.

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

It's a free, no fail test that's easy to take about the basics of flying a drone.

Depending on which model you choose, it may need to be registered with the FAA.

FAADroneZone

faadronezone-access.faa.gov

Good luck and have fun shopping.

Welcome to the Forum.

.

 

[old man mavic]

welcome to the forum

 

[Drone Master]

Welcome to Mavic Pilots! Enjoy the forum!

 

[Kendallfordguy]

Welcome from Wisconsin!

 

[careless]

Welcome from Kentucky

 

[PakNheat380]

Welcome to the forum from NW Montana

 

[Cafguy]

Welcome from Bakersfield

 

[Laborous]

Welcome to the forum from the beautiful woods of Maine!
Buying a drone is like buying a new car, it all depends on: a) How much you want to spend; b) What you’re going to use it for and c) What options you would like.
Check YouTube for variations of drones and options then search this forum for answers to questions you have, there’s many knowledgeable members willing to help you decide.

 

[LoudThunder]

new to hobby. In fact just have a toy drone for now. Looking to buy a DJI once I figure out what model I should start with.

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.

Member Map

mavicpilots.com

Once you pick your drone, 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…) . If your Drone weighs less than 250-grams (0.55 pounds) and you are flying under The Exception for Recreational Flyers, you are not required to register your Drone.

When I first started flying I registered my Mini 2 because the TRUST Certificate and FAA Registration established me as a "certified" Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Pilot.

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

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

FAADroneZone

faadronezone.faa.gov

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

Online Ground School: Aviation Classes - Pilot Institute

Pilot Institute offers courses on drones and airplanes from world-class experts. Pass the Part 107 or Private Pilot exam and take to the skies.

pilotinstitute.com

Since you live in Ohio, 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.

Drone Laws and Best Places to Fly in Every US State - Pilot Institute

pilotinstitute.com

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."

Fly On and Fly Safe…

 

[wjkrysak]

Welcome to the forum. We look forward to your participation and your view of the world.

 

[Cymruflyer]

Welcome to the forum. If you ever get up to the Cleveland area, get in touch. I'm in Lakewood a few miles to the west of Cleveland and we have a drone friendly park with on the water.

 

[Aquaelie]

Hello from Minnesota! For your first drone I suggest you look at the Mini 2 fly more combo from DJI or a Mini 3 refurb with the RC controller. It’ll be a low cost of entry to get into the drone world and if you decide you enjoy it then look at the air 3 or the Mavic 3 Classic. I suggest a Mini series because they cost less than the above mentioned and if you happen to crash it you won’t be out too much money.

Which brings me to the DJI insurance. Get it for at least a year in case you crash and DJi will send you a new one at a reasonable discount. You very well may be thinking ability getting a high end drone right away but I advise not to as you don’t want to crash an expensive drone right as you get into the hobby. Flying the Mini 2 or mini 3 without obstacle avoidance will teach you to respect and be mindful of your surroundings but if money isn’t an object grab the Mini 3 pro with the RC and learn to fly on that model which has OA.
You can always buy the fly more combo later on if you decide this is something g you want to continue.

 

[Gagey52]

Greetings mate, welcome to the forum from the outback of Australia. Look forward to your input.
Regards

 

[msinger]

Welcome to the forum!