Hello From Colorado

[atomicpuppies]

Hello from Colorado! My name is Jason and I am a filmmaker first. I have had a drone and enjoyed learning how to fly. But it is Aerial videography over the past 20 years that I have been a custom too. That has changed a lot. Instead of hanging out of the side of a helicopter with a 45lb camera setup, drones can do the same work. And even more than just video! I have sold other equipment and now we are flying the DJI Mini 4 Pro. I am really excited to be in another community that enjoys the same interest. I am excited to check the forums and take to the skies!

 

[Lykus]

Welcome to the forum! If you need a case for your mini 4 pro, check ours. Enjoy!

 

[Phantomrain.org]

Welcome to the Forum : Lots of inspiration here for the Mini 4 Pro

Gear to fly the Mini 4 Pro in the rain. Capture the stormy skies.
Phantomrain.org

 

[LoudThunder]

I have sold other equipment and now we are flying the DJI Mini 4 Pro.

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

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

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…)

FAADroneZone

faadronezone-access.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 Colorado, 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.

Federal Drone Laws in the United States (FAA) - Pilot Institute

44809 is an exemption from Part 107 drone laws. This means that drone pilots fly under Part 107 drone rules by default unless they meet all 9 of the requirements to fly under 44809, the exception for limited recreational operations of unmanned aircraft. You can read more about these requirements...

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."

Below is the link to all of the downloads offered by DJI for the Mini 4 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…"

DJI Mini 4 Pro - Download Center - DJI

At DJI Download Center, Learn aboutDJI Mini 4 Pro

www.dji.com

Fly On and Fly Safe…

 

[MA2 317]

Hello from the Crossroads of America atomicpuppies.

Nice to meet you Jason.

Welcome to the Forum.

 

[old man mavic]

welcome to the forum

 

[msinger]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Kendallfordguy]

Welcome from Wisconsin!

 

[careless]

Welcome from Kentucky

 

[wjkrysak]

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

 

[Chetk7677]

Welcome from Florida.

 

[PakNheat380]

Welcome to the forum from NW Montana

 

[twickers14]

You are very welcome. One of the many great things about our Forum is that there are professional photographers/videographers and ordinary (recreational) flyers like me all contributing or in my case asking questions mainly! So you will get the best of both worlds. Have fun.

 

[Mikeboruta]

From another Coloradan, welcome! We are fortunate to have a lot of beautiful places in our backyard where we can fly our drones. Here's a peek at my "backyard" (Ouray, Colorado): OuraybyFlight

 

[Laborous]

Welcome to the forum from the beautiful woods of Maine!

 

[SpitFire]

Hello Jason: welcome to the forum, from Chicago the Windy City.
FLY SAFE & FLY SMART

 

[RkyMtnHigh]

Hello from Colorado! My name is Jason and I am a filmmaker first. I have had a drone and enjoyed learning how to fly. But it is Aerial videography over the past 20 years that I have been a custom too. That has changed a lot. Instead of hanging out of the side of a helicopter with a 45lb camera setup, drones can do the same work. And even more than just video! I have sold other equipment and now we are flying the DJI Mini 4 Pro. I am really excited to be in another community that enjoys the same interest. I am excited to check the forums and take to the skies!

Welcome to the forum from the Rocky Mountains of Estes Park! Happy and safe flying!

 

[TinajaEco]

Lykus" data-source="post: 1607487" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch">

Welcome to the forum! If you need a case for your mini 4 pro, check ours. Enjoy!

Can you squeeze a small, foldable landing pad and a remote cover in there also?

 

[Rchawks]

Welcome from the Midwest, pleasure to meet you.

 

[DroneTats]

Hello from Colorado! My name is Jason and I am a filmmaker first. I have had a drone and enjoyed learning how to fly. But it is Aerial videography over the past 20 years that I have been a custom too. That has changed a lot. Instead of hanging out of the side of a helicopter with a 45lb camera setup, drones can do the same work. And even more than just video! I have sold other equipment and now we are flying the DJI Mini 4 Pro. I am really excited to be in another community that enjoys the same interest. I am excited to check the forums and take to the skies!

Hello, Jason. I'm in CO as well and I envy you! Film making is what I wanted to do out of school, but after 20 years in IT and software I'm trying to get back into photography and film. Bought my Mavic 2 Pro during covid and leaning as for into the business as I can. If you're ever near Wash Park, coffee or happy hour is on me. I'd love to hear more about your experience as a filmmaker.