Hello from Oregon

[Bad Santa]

The circle, you thing that is where it is?
All these new models, Is it white or black?
That also looks like a Spruce tree?

Judging the fence which normally is 6', when i noticed the top of the house, I was at 24'. two story house like that, must be at-least 40' ?
Somebody might correct me on that.

Addition, if it is still flashing, and if you can connect to it, you maybe get the correct height.
You might be able to start the props?

Ignore any negative stuff.
The ones that offers help, they are the ones that care.

What really sucks, you are not allowed on the property?

Rod ..

The circle is where I know it is. I saw it flashing last night.
It doesn't have power anymore so I can't get the height.

The house is on the same ground level as the fence, maybe 12" higher. The fence is a good measure though. Especially since I'm so far away from it, it's not going to distort in scale.

OK, so I did that and the drone will be, if I have the location right, exactly 35 feet up. The peak of the roof is 22-23 feet. That tracks with the construction around here. 8.5 foot ceilings on the main level. 2X10 joists, 8 foot vaulted ceilings.

If I could see it, I could make a 35 foot hollow aluminum pole (I have all the materials to do it) and get it down by poking at it. BUT, I can't see it.

 

[RodPad]

I have some other ideas, but still related to your pole.

I'm missing, you can or cannot go on to that property?

Is that a spruce tree?

Rod ..

 

[Bad Santa]

I have some other ideas, but still related to your pole.

I'm missing, you can or cannot go on to that property?

Is that a spruce tree?

Rod ..

I don't know if it's a spruce tree, I just know that looking at it from the underside it has more branches than I've ever seen on a tree. No path to the top at all. The pole was getting hung up at the first 10 feet.

I can't go on their property without them there. Even then, the wife, apparently, thinks I was peeping on people. OK, maybe she doesn't but she mentioned it.
I'd have to go up on their house to see it, though.

 

[LoudThunder]

FWIW, my son has already lectured me on the FAA stuff. He's quite knowledgeable on the subject. A little too knowledgeable sometimes. It's his job.

Do not take your son's lecture too lightly. If that drone does fall and it injuries anybody or by chance cracks a windshield on a car or causes other property damage, (in excess of $500), the FAA will get deeply involved (you can ask you son just how serious that would be then…) and do not expect your home insurance policy to cover anything as you were flying illegally (without a TRUST Certificate and flying at night without anti-collision lights). It's not so funny anymore, is it?

I would seriously consider hiring a company, probably a tree cutting service, with a "cherry picker" to retrieve the drone. You would also have to clear it with the homeowner or management company.

 

[Bad Santa]

Tree Trimming service has been contacted. Their home location is only a mile away.

 

[MA2 317]

Tree Trimming service has been contacted. Their home location is only a mile away.

That's one of the three services that a drone pilot should keep in the Rolodex.

The other two is a rock climber and a scuba diver.

.

 

[RodPad]

@Bad Santa
Now I get the full picture!
Sounds like you got something going!

Blue Spruce trees look really cool, but you need to wear gloves

@LoudThunder
Yes I agree, you need to think of the what if?

When I see this videos there flying over an interstate and over where two meet, OMG!

Follow the rules and laws you will be covered legally.
Sill there is a level of command sense.

Santa,
I and LT?, are not making fun of you, we are taking over your thread.

Let us know what happens.

Rod ..

 

[wjkrysak]

Welcome to the forum. Much to learn from a tree landing. We look forward to your participation and your view of the world.

 

[AMann]

First update.

This will be an expensive lesson.

I can't see the drone in the tree. It's too dense to climb.
I have a few options.

1) Place a sign and wait for nature to bring it down, hoping it's not destroyed by the elements and whoever finds it is honest enough to return it.
2) Hire someone with a reach lift to retrieve it.
3) Write it off as a lesson learned, buy a replacement and new battery at a cost of almost $700

Put a Craig’s List ad out for a tree climber? I guess they should be insured though in case they bounce while ‘employed’ by you. I used to tree climb working for the forest service- we used tree climbing ladders which are sectional and climb with you. They are much safer than free climbing or spurring a tree. I’d think Cabellas has some for hunters- maybe someone there has them? There is also a group that climbs trees to save stuck cats and they have a national website with members all over the US- many just ask for a $100 donation. I’ll see if I can find their link.

Here it is- looks like there’s quite a few listed in the Portland area: Directory of Resources – Cat in a Tree Emergency Rescue

 

[Bad Santa]

If I had more time (It's raining Wednesday) I would have loved to explore the cat rescue list.
Instead, I am paying a moron tax that is, in a way, ridiculous. I don't mind paying for time, and someone had to buy the truck, but what it's costing seems a little high. But, I agreed to pay it and it's still less (by a small margin) than replacing the drone.
They were the only ones that replied to my pleas, so I suppose beggars can't also be choosers.

I haven't got it back yet so I don't know the condition. That will be fun to explore.

 

[RodPad]

Hum, I was kind of thinking $$$.00.

You might look for a Arborist, that does climb. I have heard they are amazing. But I have feeling you stated how thick the branches were, Probably not happening.
I worked with my Grandpa a for about 4 years, growing, sheering selling x-mas tress.

Just thinking, I can't stay away from trees.

Rod ..

 

[Bad Santa]

Well, the tree guy went to get the Mini and had to bring his 60' boom truck. Wasn't cheap.
He spotted the thing really quick, I'm told, but it took him well over an hour to get it.
Why?
Well, it turns out I'm a great pilot if I want to cause problems.
I managed to drop it right on top of a giant hornet/wasp nest. An active one. On a warm day.
Apparently he was swarmed right away and had to abandon the quest.
Lucky for him I had picked that company because it was close by. He had to go back to the shop to get a bee suit. Yes, they have them on hand. I can't imagine a tree company that wouldn't have one.
On his second trip he managed to get it pretty quick. Probably a good thing as the hornets would have incorporated the drone into their nest in a matter of a couple weeks.
But, it's been recovered.

And, well, the damage is rather impressive.

Absolutely NO damage that I can see. Looks like it came out of the box and flew for 30 seconds.

I took it for another night flight, this time over the trees...

OK, I didn't. I'm not quite THAT stupid.

I'll test it out sometime this week. It's going to rain tomorrow. I don't know how water resistant these are. I'll have to look into that.

 

[RodPad]

@Thomas37
Welcome to the forum.

Your first post, and a link to website, that is not English.
What's that about?

Rod ..

 

[RodPad]

@Bad Santa, WOW!
Wasp Nest?

You are in the top 10! Good Job!!

It couldn't have got wet, I haven't had any rain yet.?

I still have the height record.

Short comment related to the PM.
The magnetism reversed, five pieces.

Rod ..

 

[wjkrysak]

Happy that you were able to recover your drone and a story to tell.

 

[LoudThunder]

Glad you got your drone back, I hope it's OK, but consider this, you are in "Good Company..."

 

[Bad Santa]

OK, I didn't want to do it but I did it.

My drone is registered.

I can legally fly.

I want to be able to fly at night for the Christmas Lights but I don't want to pay $175 (for the test) just to do it.
I may file for an exception.
According to the FAA website, I probably need to get the application in soon. They say it can take 90 days to process.

 

[RodPad]

Sounds Great!
Christmas Lights?
Is this like a neighborhood event?

I assume you would be up a minimum of 100' over house and streets.

There is an app for computers, and mobile devices.

Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map | Flightradar24

The world’s most popular flight tracker. Track planes in real-time on our flight tracker map and get up-to-date flight status & airport information.

www.flightradar24.com

On mobile devices at the top left there is an "AR"
You can actually point the mobile device at the sky, see the type of aircraft, elevation, etc.
I think the aircraft has to have a Transponder turned on?
Check it out its pretty cool!!

If Santa's Sleigh doesn't have the Transponder on.

I think you are good.

Rod ..

 

[Bad Santa]

Sounds Great!
Christmas Lights?
Is this like a neighborhood event?

I assume you would be up a minimum of 100' over house and streets.

There is an app for computers, and mobile devices.

Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map | Flightradar24

The world’s most popular flight tracker. Track planes in real-time on our flight tracker map and get up-to-date flight status & airport information.

www.flightradar24.com

On mobile devices at the top left there is an "AR"
You can actually point the mobile device at the sky, see the type of aircraft, elevation, etc.
I think the aircraft has to have a Transponder turned on?
Check it out its pretty cool!!

If Santa's Sleigh doesn't have the Transponder on.

I think you are good.

Rod ..

You probably meant maximum of 100', right?
I didn't plan on getting that high up.

I was thinking of maybe going to different neighborhoods that were well-celebrated or larger displays, with permission for a flyaround.

 

[RodPad]

Your funny, I was going of the tree, it got stuck at 30+?
Add another 30' to that just for that tree?

You seen some very little of my Litchi Missions, I start at 100 meters 330' AGL, make sure the whole mission stays 100 meters AGL,
I can ramble on with many details, etc.

Not on this thread.

Rod ..