I just spent the weekend rock climbing and had an issue with GPS connection. Had to fly it in ATTI mode and it worked really well. I did have to switch to sport mode if I wanted to get above the set altitude height but then just flew it back down to me and switched back before landing. If it would have picked up enough satellite reception would it have switched modes causing a loss of control?
It doesn't suddenly lose control switching modes, but what happens is when GPS goes in and out is that a stable aircraft with GPS signal suddenly loses signal and starts drifting. For an unaware pilot thinking it will just hover nicely, and it suddenly starts moving towards a wall, object, etc, bad things could happen.
Newbie here, so excuse my ignorance. But the advert I saw for Mavic pro, and the tutorial video from DJI specifically references flying indoors (at about 50 seconds in video below), and doesn't suggest it will be a problem. I had no idea you shouldn't fly a Mavic Pro indoors, or that it was not advised?
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You can fly them indoors just fine. There is rightful caution though, because pilots that have only ever flown with GPS expect the drone to just hover where they want it to, come back with a push of a button, etc. Then they go to a place where they have no (or worse lose) GPS signal, and they aren't used to flying with a drone that drifts, suddenly moves when the AC kicks on, needs more stick input to go where they want it to etc. Add to that -- there will be more obstacles to hit indoors and you have a recipe for an inexperienced person to crash an expensive drone.
I think that is why many say you should practice indoors with a cheapo one first so you can experience what it is like to fly without GPS, in a closed environment with less room for error. It doesn't mean you shouldn't do it, or that it isn't capable of doing it, it's just harder to do.
The Phantom had a switch for ATTI mode, so you could practice flying without GPS, but outside in an open area if you wanted (and I did). Unfortunately, getting the Mavic into ATTI mode will take some rigging to block GPS sensors, or the debug hack, so less ways to practice.
EDIT: Should add that people have reported the vision system in the Air to be pretty good, so if you have good light and some contrast on the floor or other objects for the bird to see, you'll get some good stability inside as well.
