First Mini Flight

[kcfyrproof]

POTUS finally left the area last night and was able to fly for the first time with Xmas present. I'm brand new to this, so forgive me of any dumb rants. Put on prop guards and took off indoors in C mode....awesome, this is going to be fun. The one good thing about President Trump being in town, it gave me plenty of time to go through the manual, over and over. Still lots to learn. Any first flyer tips? Greatly appreciated. Thanks KC

 

[slup]

Yes ...

Beside reading the user manual (hope it was the thick downloadable one ...)

Keep well under the wind spec of 8 m/s were you fly ... and please note that it's not only at ground, it's at the altitude were you fly. The winds up to 400ft are very different then on ground.
Over in the --> Mavic Crash & Flyaway Assistance section on this forum the Mini's are pouring down at dozens everyday ...98% Blow Away's, a visit over there to read can also be a good idea. Use for instance the UAV Forecast app were you can get a feeling about the wind on higher altitudes, but please note that it's forecasts we are speaking of, a bit of common sense is good to apply to that ... "better skip flying a windy day & fly more another day".

Don't go & calibrate everything on a regularly basis ... why fix thing's that are working, it's just a higher risk that you by mistake calibrate your compass in a magnetic disturbed area & the Mini goes haywire 10 meters up in the air. Calibrate IMU + compass according to user manual, keep away from magnetic things like cars, metal tables & reinforced concrete at take off & compass calibrations. If the app recommend a compass calibration first try another launch spot on a far distance from the first ... if calibration still is recommended by the app do it, but only then.

Don't launch in a hurry ... wait until you have at least 8, preferable 10 locked satellites & wait for the lady voice announce that the Homepoint has been updated, check then on the map that it's in the correct spot. Learn how the RTH function works, don't set the altitude for that unnecessary high, look around were you are going to fly and set it to clear the highest obstacle, to high & the Mini risks a blow away.

Seek up a large open place ... a soccer field, free of obstacles & people. Test off every function one at a time until you fully understand how it works & the logic behind, confirm through the user manual if needed. Fly low, slow & near.

Take the claimed control distance from DJI with a pinch of salt ... only doable out in the countryside completely free of WiFi disturbance & obstacles in between the Remote & Aircraft. Be happy if you get 500 meters in suburban conditions.

Don't use the RTH button as a "panic button" it's the weakest mode of them all ... you will always have access to more power in the manual modes ... if slow against a bit to strong head wind, go for Sport mode, drop altitude & maneuver the Mini home manually.

Learn the rules & regulation ... keep the Mini within Visual line of sight, if you can't avoid going out of visual keep it at least in line of sight (unobstructed line between Remote & Aircraft even though you don't see it).

Yeah ... one last thing, don't fly outdoors with the prop guards, they add to the Mini's payload making it even weaker & the guards also act as a sail letting the wind catch it even easier.
(Flying really low in between trees, tight spaces OK ... but nothing else)

Happy flying !

 

[Gjanello]

Yes ...

Beside reading the user manual (hope it was the thick downloadable one ...)

Keep well under the wind spec of 8 m/s were you fly ... and please note that it's not only at ground, it's at the altitude were you fly. The winds up to 400ft are very different then on ground.
Over in the --> Mavic Crash & Flyaway Assistance section on this forum the Mini's are pouring down at dozens everyday ...98% Blow Away's, a visit over there to read can also be a good idea. Use for instance the UAV Forecast app were you can get a feeling about the wind on higher altitudes, but please note that it's forecasts we are speaking of, a bit of common sense is good to apply to that ... "better skip flying a windy day & fly more another day".

Don't go & calibrate everything on a regularly basis ... why fix thing's that are working, it's just a higher risk that you by mistake calibrate your compass in a magnetic disturbed area & the Mini goes haywire 10 meters up in the air. Calibrate IMU + compass according to user manual, keep away from magnetic things like cars, metal tables & reinforced concrete at take off & compass calibrations. If the app recommend a compass calibration first try another launch spot on a far distance from the first ... if calibration still is recommended by the app do it, but only then.

Don't launch in a hurry ... wait until you have at least 8, preferable 10 locked satellites & wait for the lady voice announce that the Homepoint has been updated, check then on the map that it's in the correct spot. Learn how the RTH function works, don't set the altitude for that unnecessary high, look around were you are going to fly and set it to clear the highest obstacle, to high & the Mini risks a blow away.

Seek up a large open place ... a soccer field, free of obstacles & people. Test off every function one at a time until you fully understand how it works & the logic behind, confirm through the user manual if needed. Fly low, slow & near.

Take the claimed control distance from DJI with a pinch of salt ... only doable out in the countryside completely free of WiFi disturbance & obstacles in between the Remote & Aircraft. Be happy if you get 500 meters in suburban conditions.

Don't use the RTH button as a "panic button" it's the weakest mode of them all ... you will always have access to more power in the manual modes ... if slow against a bit to strong head wind, go for Sport mode & maneuver the Mini home manually.

Learn the rules & regulation ... keep the Mini within Visual line of sight, if you can't avoid going out of visual keep it at least in line of sight (unobstructed line between Remote & Aircraft even though you don't see it).

Yeah ... one last thing, don't fly outdoors with the prop guards, they add to the Mini's payload making it even weaker & the guards also act as a sail letting the wind catch it even easier.
(Flying really low in between trees, tight spaces OK ... but nothing else)

Happy flying !

Great advice! I have read everything I can find trying NOT to be a Mavic Mini casualty. So far...over 20 successful flights. But, I know if I hadn’t been following this forum, I would probably made serious mistakes.
Your post should help keep all of us new owners out of trouble.

 

[kcfyrproof]

Yes ...

Beside reading the user manual (hope it was the thick downloadable one ...)

Keep well under the wind spec of 8 m/s were you fly ... and please note that it's not only at ground, it's at the altitude were you fly. The winds up to 400ft are very different then on ground.
Over in the --> Mavic Crash & Flyaway Assistance section on this forum the Mini's are pouring down at dozens everyday ...98% Blow Away's, a visit over there to read can also be a good idea. Use for instance the UAV Forecast app were you can get a feeling about the wind on higher altitudes, but please note that it's forecasts we are speaking of, a bit of common sense is good to apply to that ... "better skip flying a windy day & fly more another day".

Don't go & calibrate everything on a regularly basis ... why fix thing's that are working, it's just a higher risk that you by mistake calibrate your compass in a magnetic disturbed area & the Mini goes haywire 10 meters up in the air. Calibrate IMU + compass according to user manual, keep away from magnetic things like cars, metal tables & reinforced concrete at take off & compass calibrations. If the app recommend a compass calibration first try another launch spot on a far distance from the first ... if calibration still is recommended by the app do it, but only then.

Don't launch in a hurry ... wait until you have at least 8, preferable 10 locked satellites & wait for the lady voice announce that the Homepoint has been updated, check then on the map that it's in the correct spot. Learn how the RTH function works, don't set the altitude for that unnecessary high, look around were you are going to fly and set it to clear the highest obstacle, to high & the Mini risks a blow away.

Seek up a large open place ... a soccer field, free of obstacles & people. Test off every function one at a time until you fully understand how it works & the logic behind, confirm through the user manual if needed. Fly low, slow & near.

Take the claimed control distance from DJI with a pinch of salt ... only doable out in the countryside completely free of WiFi disturbance & obstacles in between the Remote & Aircraft. Be happy if you get 500 meters in suburban conditions.

Don't use the RTH button as a "panic button" it's the weakest mode of them all ... you will always have access to more power in the manual modes ... if slow against a bit to strong head wind, go for Sport mode & maneuver the Mini home manually.

Learn the rules & regulation ... keep the Mini within Visual line of sight, if you can't avoid going out of visual keep it at least in line of sight (unobstructed line between Remote & Aircraft even though you don't see it).

Yeah ... one last thing, don't fly outdoors with the prop guards, they add to the Mini's payload making it even weaker & the guards also act as a sail letting the wind catch it even easier.
(Flying really low in between trees, tight spaces OK ... but nothing else)

Happy flying !

Thanks so much

 

[RickinWaST]

Yea! You’ve reviewed the manual! At some point go into YouTube and search for tutorials in cinematic drone maneuvers. Those skills come in handy when you are ready to produce some video.

 

[65Fly]

POTUS finally left the area last night and was able to fly for the first time with Xmas present. I'm brand new to this, so forgive me of any dumb rants. Put on prop guards and took off indoors in C mode....awesome, this is going to be fun. The one good thing about President Trump being in town, it gave me plenty of time to go through the manual, over and over. Still lots to learn. Any first flyer tips? Greatly appreciated. Thanks KC

There's a manual !?

 

[Thomas B]

There's a manual !?

If not a tongue-in-cheek question go here and scroll down a bit for the full 60 page, only online, manual from DJI:

-

-

www.dji.com

 

[Doink70]

Gr

Yes ...

Beside reading the user manual (hope it was the thick downloadable one ...)

Keep well under the wind spec of 8 m/s were you fly ... and please note that it's not only at ground, it's at the altitude were you fly. The winds up to 400ft are very different then on ground.
Over in the --> Mavic Crash & Flyaway Assistance section on this forum the Mini's are pouring down at dozens everyday ...98% Blow Away's, a visit over there to read can also be a good idea. Use for instance the UAV Forecast app were you can get a feeling about the wind on higher altitudes, but please note that it's forecasts we are speaking of, a bit of common sense is good to apply to that ... "better skip flying a windy day & fly more another day".

Don't go & calibrate everything on a regularly basis ... why fix thing's that are working, it's just a higher risk that you by mistake calibrate your compass in a magnetic disturbed area & the Mini goes haywire 10 meters up in the air. Calibrate IMU + compass according to user manual, keep away from magnetic things like cars, metal tables & reinforced concrete at take off & compass calibrations. If the app recommend a compass calibration first try another launch spot on a far distance from the first ... if calibration still is recommended by the app do it, but only then.

Don't launch in a hurry ... wait until you have at least 8, preferable 10 locked satellites & wait for the lady voice announce that the Homepoint has been updated, check then on the map that it's in the correct spot. Learn how the RTH function works, don't set the altitude for that unnecessary high, look around were you are going to fly and set it to clear the highest obstacle, to high & the Mini risks a blow away.

Seek up a large open place ... a soccer field, free of obstacles & people. Test off every function one at a time until you fully understand how it works & the logic behind, confirm through the user manual if needed. Fly low, slow & near.

Take the claimed control distance from DJI with a pinch of salt ... only doable out in the countryside completely free of WiFi disturbance & obstacles in between the Remote & Aircraft. Be happy if you get 500 meters in suburban conditions.

Don't use the RTH button as a "panic button" it's the weakest mode of them all ... you will always have access to more power in the manual modes ... if slow against a bit to strong head wind, go for Sport mode, drop altitude & maneuver the Mini home manually.

Learn the rules & regulation ... keep the Mini within Visual line of sight, if you can't avoid going out of visual keep it at least in line of sight (unobstructed line between Remote & Aircraft even though you don't see it).

Yeah ... one last thing, don't fly outdoors with the prop guards, they add to the Mini's payload making it even weaker & the guards also act as a sail letting the wind catch it even easier.
(Flying really low in between trees, tight spaces OK ... but nothing else)

Happy flying !

eat summary

Yes ...

Beside reading the user manual (hope it was the thick downloadable one ...)

Keep well under the wind spec of 8 m/s were you fly ... and please note that it's not only at ground, it's at the altitude were you fly. The winds up to 400ft are very different then on ground.
Over in the --> Mavic Crash & Flyaway Assistance section on this forum the Mini's are pouring down at dozens everyday ...98% Blow Away's, a visit over there to read can also be a good idea. Use for instance the UAV Forecast app were you can get a feeling about the wind on higher altitudes, but please note that it's forecasts we are speaking of, a bit of common sense is good to apply to that ... "better skip flying a windy day & fly more another day".

Don't go & calibrate everything on a regularly basis ... why fix thing's that are working, it's just a higher risk that you by mistake calibrate your compass in a magnetic disturbed area & the Mini goes haywire 10 meters up in the air. Calibrate IMU + compass according to user manual, keep away from magnetic things like cars, metal tables & reinforced concrete at take off & compass calibrations. If the app recommend a compass calibration first try another launch spot on a far distance from the first ... if calibration still is recommended by the app do it, but only then.

Don't launch in a hurry ... wait until you have at least 8, preferable 10 locked satellites & wait for the lady voice announce that the Homepoint has been updated, check then on the map that it's in the correct spot. Learn how the RTH function works, don't set the altitude for that unnecessary high, look around were you are going to fly and set it to clear the highest obstacle, to high & the Mini risks a blow away.

Seek up a large open place ... a soccer field, free of obstacles & people. Test off every function one at a time until you fully understand how it works & the logic behind, confirm through the user manual if needed. Fly low, slow & near.

Take the claimed control distance from DJI with a pinch of salt ... only doable out in the countryside completely free of WiFi disturbance & obstacles in between the Remote & Aircraft. Be happy if you get 500 meters in suburban conditions.

Don't use the RTH button as a "panic button" it's the weakest mode of them all ... you will always have access to more power in the manual modes ... if slow against a bit to strong head wind, go for Sport mode, drop altitude & maneuver the Mini home manually.

Learn the rules & regulation ... keep the Mini within Visual line of sight, if you can't avoid going out of visual keep it at least in line of sight (unobstructed line between Remote & Aircraft even though you don't see it).

Yeah ... one last thing, don't fly outdoors with the prop guards, they add to the Mini's payload making it even weaker & the guards also act as a sail letting the wind catch it even easier.
(Flying really low in between trees, tight spaces OK ... but nothing else)

Happy flying !

Thats a great summary of how to get started as a new MM pilot.

 

[Mavrick007]

Yes ...

Beside reading the user manual (hope it was the thick downloadable one ...)

Keep well under the wind spec of 8 m/s were you fly ... and please note that it's not only at ground, it's at the altitude were you fly. The winds up to 400ft are very different then on ground.
Over in the --> Mavic Crash & Flyaway Assistance section on this forum the Mini's are pouring down at dozens everyday ...98% Blow Away's, a visit over there to read can also be a good idea. Use for instance the UAV Forecast app were you can get a feeling about the wind on higher altitudes, but please note that it's forecasts we are speaking of, a bit of common sense is good to apply to that ... "better skip flying a windy day & fly more another day".

Don't go & calibrate everything on a regularly basis ... why fix thing's that are working, it's just a higher risk that you by mistake calibrate your compass in a magnetic disturbed area & the Mini goes haywire 10 meters up in the air. Calibrate IMU + compass according to user manual, keep away from magnetic things like cars, metal tables & reinforced concrete at take off & compass calibrations. If the app recommend a compass calibration first try another launch spot on a far distance from the first ... if calibration still is recommended by the app do it, but only then.

Don't launch in a hurry ... wait until you have at least 8, preferable 10 locked satellites & wait for the lady voice announce that the Homepoint has been updated, check then on the map that it's in the correct spot. Learn how the RTH function works, don't set the altitude for that unnecessary high, look around were you are going to fly and set it to clear the highest obstacle, to high & the Mini risks a blow away.

Seek up a large open place ... a soccer field, free of obstacles & people. Test off every function one at a time until you fully understand how it works & the logic behind, confirm through the user manual if needed. Fly low, slow & near.

Take the claimed control distance from DJI with a pinch of salt ... only doable out in the countryside completely free of WiFi disturbance & obstacles in between the Remote & Aircraft. Be happy if you get 500 meters in suburban conditions.

Don't use the RTH button as a "panic button" it's the weakest mode of them all ... you will always have access to more power in the manual modes ... if slow against a bit to strong head wind, go for Sport mode, drop altitude & maneuver the Mini home manually.

Learn the rules & regulation ... keep the Mini within Visual line of sight, if you can't avoid going out of visual keep it at least in line of sight (unobstructed line between Remote & Aircraft even though you don't see it).

Yeah ... one last thing, don't fly outdoors with the prop guards, they add to the Mini's payload making it even weaker & the guards also act as a sail letting the wind catch it even easier.
(Flying really low in between trees, tight spaces OK ... but nothing else)

Happy flying !

Thanks Slup,
Very well explained and clear instructions, spot on mate...