Greetings from a Photographer and Performer

[JonesB17]

That is a lot of information! Some of it I already knew but some things, like battery care, I didn't have any clue about. Smart batteries? Smh.

I have a TRUST certificate and my drones are registered. I'm about 25% of the way through the lessons on Drone Pilot Ground School (UAV Coach) so that I can pass my Part 107 exam. I own one GPS practice drone that is separately registered on the FAA Drone Zone due to its 650g weight. It has RID. Nice enough drone, terrible camera. I may register the Mini; I'd like to be able to use the long life batteries. Fun fact: The Mini 4 Pro actually has RID. It automatically activates if it senses that its takeoff weight is over 249g.

I live in the Philadelphia suburbs so there are lots of airports to consider before flying. Not to mention the restrictions on state parks, etc. ad nauseum. I use the AutoPylot app to check airspace. I haven't been in controlled airspace near the airports yet but there are a few parks where that is the case, at least partially. I know how to get LAANC approval from the app if I ever need to. My biggest problem this year has been all the temporary flight restrictions. Wilmington, DE is just south of me so whenever President Biden flies home there is a TFR from Wilmington to West Chester, PA (a town just west of Philly). It usually lasts 1-3 days.

My wife and I agreed that it was time, so I'm now the proud owner of a Mavic 3 Pro. We figured that I'm going to want one once I've got my Part 7 anyway and right now Amazon has them for lower prices than DJI. Oh, and after all this forum IS called Mavic Pilots, not Mini Pilots.

Thanks again for all the pointers. And I think I agree with you; I should do my training with the drones I'm actually going to use rather than a practice drone.

Clear Skies, Safe Flying.

 

[SpitFire]

Greeting from Chicago the Windy City, welcome to the forum.
FLY SAFE & FLY SMART

 

[JonesB17]

Again, thanks to all of you for the warm welcomes and great advice. I've been doing plenty of practicing with my M4P. My wife and I have this whole week off of work and yesterday, weather in Philadelphia was "good to fly." We stopped at West Fairmount Park and had an amazing training mission with the latest addition to our fleet, our new Mavic 3 Pro. After a by-the-book first flight at about 100 feet agl just to get a feel for the flight controls, I took off and climbed to 300 feet to avoid any possible obstruction. I didn't use sport mode (next time) but I flew around our section of the park, manual and line of site, at full speed, steering steering as I went. Wow. This drone is a dream to fly compared to smaller, less expensive, non DJI models. The wind resistance, even at higher altitudes, is impressive. Even with some wind gusts I got a steady hover at 300ft and captured a great photo of the Schuylkill River and Center City Philadelphia. RTH landed the aircraft back at its pad every time. Now I really want to finish my training course, take the test and get my commercial license.

 

[RodPad]

Pretty Good
95% better than what I can do.

Rod ..

 

[Jim622]

Welcome to the forum.
We may have crossed paths somewhere. I was the fleet director at NEP Broadcasting in Pittsburgh for 10 years.

 

[MARK (LI)]

My biggest problem is years of playing video games! I'm 56 and have been playing games since I was a teenager. Game controllers tend to have movement controls on the left stick and other stuff on the right. Now I have to get used to movement being on the right stick and throttle/rotate on the left. I'm OK so far with slow, steady flights and basic maneuvers. The problem is that if anything goes wrong, my instincts are to use the wrong bloody sticks. I just need a couple dozen more flight hours...

I didn't read all the posts to see if this has been addressed but you can customize the sticks and change the default set up

 

[imhere]

Hello all! I own a small entertainment company in Malvern, Pennsylvania. We put on giant bubble shows set to music at public events, schools and private parties. I am also a professional photographer.

This summer, I met a drone pilot flying a DJI Mini 3 taking aerial video of the event where I was performing. We talked awhile and I later decided that aerial photography might be a great way to expand my skill set as a photographer and also expand our business. I took the T.R.U.S.T. exam and ordered a DJI Mini 4 Pro. I also ordered a few cheap practice drones from Temu.com. I figured that way I could practice basic maneuvers with no fear of crashing. I also started studying for the FAA Part 7 professional UAS certificate.

I practiced with my micro drones, took lessons and waited for my M4P. And waited. The shipment arrived at JFK and was returned to Hong Kong. DJI was very nice about it and re-shipped my order. That one is still stuck in customs at JFK. A third shipment finally did arrive and I am now the proud pilot of a Mini 4 Pro at last. On the other hand, I ordered an extra battery on a separate order. That arrived in two days.

Any advice for a beginner pilot flying such an advanced drone? And has anyone else in the US had problems with customs?

Clear Skies and Safe Flying!

Welcome to the Forum!!!! Stick around and you will learn a great deal. I know I have!

 

[JonesB17]

I've been to Pittsburgh on business a few times but that was years ago. I once got a great panoramic photo of the Pittsburgh skyline with a DSLR from the top of the Duquesne Incline.