Hello from South Florida, just completed first flight!

[Skerrabrae]

Hello from South FL. Successful first flight this afternoon of my first ever drone! Went with the DJI Mini 2 (now named Cricket) and fortunately it is still in my possession without a nick of damage.

Been studying up for Part 107, watching multiple videos, and reading this forum for a couple weeks before I attempted a flight. Found a large open area for the first attempt and used a landing pad for launch/landing. It was actually easier to control this little drone than I anticipated. Held position perfectly, responded well, and the landings went far better than I thought they would.

The only time I panicked was the very first time I hit RTH. Cricket was about 80m out and 30m up. I unknowingly left the RTH height at 100m. So when I hit RTH and I saw her climbing up out of sight, I initially thought she was going rogue and flying off. Tried to remain calm and watched the distance numbers and I quickly realized what was going on.

The only concern I have is VLOS. I always tried to maintain a visual but I found this drone is so tiny, I could not see it against the sky more than 60-70m away. Does not help that I need reading glasses to see my screen while peering over them to scan for Cricket. ?‍

 

[Thomas B]

Welcome to the forum from the deserts of Arizona! Enjoy.

try adding an after market strobe like Firehouse

 

[dirkclod]

Welcome to the forum.
I hope you will find our site helpful and look forward to any input , photo's/video's you might post .
Don't be shy and ask anything if you can't find it by searching .

 

[old man mavic]

welcome to the forum

 

[TS_Thomas02]

Hello from South FL. Successful first flight this afternoon of my first ever drone! Went with the DJI Mini 2 (now named Cricket) and fortunately it is still in my possession without a nick of damage.

Been studying up for Part 107, watching multiple videos, and reading this forum for a couple weeks before I attempted a flight. Found a large open area for the first attempt and used a landing pad for launch/landing. It was actually easier to control this little drone than I anticipated. Held position perfectly, responded well, and the landings went far better than I thought they would.

The only time I panicked was the very first time I hit RTH. Cricket was about 80m out and 30m up. I unknowingly left the RTH height at 100m. So when I hit RTH and I saw her climbing up out of sight, I initially thought she was going rogue and flying off. Tried to remain calm and watched the distance numbers and I quickly realized what was going on.

The only concern I have is VLOS. I always tried to maintain a visual but I found this drone is so tiny, I could not see it against the sky more than 60-70m away. Does not help that I need reading glasses to see my screen while peering over them to scan for Cricket. ?‍

I have the Mini v1 and was in your “first ever” spot back in August. Get a strobe for the underside, it really helps keep it in sight even in the daytime. I use the Firehouse Technologies strobe for the Mavic mini.

Also, the automated flight routines like the “Dronie” shot are most prone to hitting obstacles since it’s going to go into its automated flight path and you’re still learning those. Read up on using the sticks to jump out of those profiles if you even think it’s going to bump into trees or something. I did a lot of practice flying on vacant school property during the summer vacation/COVID shutdowns and even on weekends when they opened.

Now I have a Mavic Air 2 as well. Although it’s a bit bigger, I have three strobes on it, top, and both sides. So yes, VLOS is something to take seriously!

Welcome,
Tom

 

[marnat3]

Welcome and congrats on your first flight.

 

[mrjohnc1]

Welcome!

 

[Jay241]

Welcome to the forum from not too far away. Congrats on your first flight.

 

[wjkrysak]

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

 

[RadekR]

Welcome! This community offers a wealth of knowledge, great place for new drone owners.

 

[zeusfl]

Welcome to Mavic Pilots! I am glad you have the awesome maiden flight and you enjoy the little beast machine.

 

[MA2 317]

Hello from the Hoosier Heartland Skerrabrae.

Welcome to the Forum.

 

[msinger]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[eaglesurfing]

Welcome to the forum and enjoy.

 

[Drone Master]

Welcome to Mavic Pilots! Enjoy the forum!

 

[Steel63]

Greetings from ? Florida ?

 

[Flypic]

Welcome Skerrabrae from UK

 

[JackL]

Welcome from Davie. My first experience with RTH was similar when it went up 300ft to travel 20ft over to the home point. I definitely thought it was flying home to the DJI factory for a second.

FWIW, I have managed to maintain VLOS on my MA2 at an insane distance with binoculars and my DLSR with a 600mm lens.

 

[Chetk7677]

Welcome from Central Florida.

 

[Dale D]

Hello from South FL. Successful first flight this afternoon of my first ever drone! Went with the DJI Mini 2 (now named Cricket) and fortunately it is still in my possession without a nick of damage.

Been studying up for Part 107, watching multiple videos, and reading this forum for a couple weeks before I attempted a flight. Found a large open area for the first attempt and used a landing pad for launch/landing. It was actually easier to control this little drone than I anticipated. Held position perfectly, responded well, and the landings went far better than I thought they would.

The only time I panicked was the very first time I hit RTH. Cricket was about 80m out and 30m up. I unknowingly left the RTH height at 100m. So when I hit RTH and I saw her climbing up out of sight, I initially thought she was going rogue and flying off. Tried to remain calm and watched the distance numbers and I quickly realized what was going on.

The only concern I have is VLOS. I always tried to maintain a visual but I found this drone is so tiny, I could not see it against the sky more than 60-70m away. Does not help that I need reading glasses to see my screen while peering over them to scan for Cricket. ?‍

Welcome from Coral Gables,Florida
Dale