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Greetings Drone Pilots!

retleo121

Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2024
Messages
9
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Location
Ohio
Hello! Noob drone operator (won't call myself a "Pilot" quite yet!) here.

As the name suggests, I survived nearly 25 years working in two states, retired, and am leading a much quieter life now. I was also a USN submariner and continued on to retire from the reserves as a CPO with 24 years.

I flew single engine aircraft at 16 years old, the age of which I attribute to NOT getting my full private pilots license and/or pursuing a career in flying. I was actually "bored" with flying, believe it or not! They didn't bring out drones at the agencies I worked for until after I retired, so drone flying was often just a thought to me.

Drone flying became reality when I told my wife that I'd get my main Christmas gift for myself this year. Does she know how much it cost? I plead the 5th. But I purchased a Mini 3 Pro and have had it out around 10 times as of the time of this post. I posted in a thread dedicated to fear of heights while flying, so if you are so inclined, please respond to that one here.

I am absolutely amazed at the technology in today's drones. They make it pretty dog-gone user friendly, and I hope that the advice I gain from the drone pilots in this forum help me get the most out of my flying experience. Thanks!
 
Welcome to the forum! :)
 
Welcome to the MavicPilots forum. Enjoy safe and happy flying, and have an exciting 2024!
 
Your on the top of my list for awesome intros. Thumbswayup

I looked at you other post Cessna 150 is the smallest?

When my dad +26 to my age got his pilot license we took a flight.

We both are fairly large guys still in the 6' range. I couldn't get my door closed because I hitting his shoulder he had open his door so I could close mine.:rolleyes:

Anyways, he still files as a copilot because of insurance.

Welcome to the forum!

Rod ..
 
Greetings from Birmingham Alabama USA, welcome to the forum! We look forward to hearing from you!
 
Hello! Noob drone operator (won't call myself a "Pilot" quite yet!) here.

As the name suggests, I survived nearly 25 years working in two states, retired, and am leading a much quieter life now. I was also a USN submariner and continued on to retire from the reserves as a CPO with 24 years.

I flew single engine aircraft at 16 years old, the age of which I attribute to NOT getting my full private pilots license and/or pursuing a career in flying. I was actually "bored" with flying, believe it or not! They didn't bring out drones at the agencies I worked for until after I retired, so drone flying was often just a thought to me.

Drone flying became reality when I told my wife that I'd get my main Christmas gift for myself this year. Does she know how much it cost? I plead the 5th. But I purchased a Mini 3 Pro and have had it out around 10 times as of the time of this post. I posted in a thread dedicated to fear of heights while flying, so if you are so inclined, please respond to that one here.

I am absolutely amazed at the technology in today's drones. They make it pretty dog-gone user friendly, and I hope that the advice I gain from the drone pilots in this forum help me get the most out of my flying experience. Thanks!
Welcome to the forum! Greetings from Canada! I am a newbie apprentice drone pilot too.
 
Welcome from Vero Beach Florida. You are a pilot, you've already flown about 10 times and survived. You will soon become an expert pilot.
 
@retleo121 Welcome and THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!
 
Noob drone operator

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.


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

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 trust.pilotinstitute.com

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


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


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.


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."

Below is the link to all of the downloads offered by DJI for the Mini 3 Pro, including the User Manual.

After you read the Manual, read it again, you will be surprised what you missed the first time and you will be better prepared for that first "scary moment…"


Fly On and Fly Safe…
 
Lycus Tech Mavic Air 3 Case

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