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Hello from the most restricted place in America

mjrovner

New Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2025
Messages
4
Reactions
15
Age
69
Location
Takoma Park, MD USA
My name is Mark and i leave in Takoma Park, MD - smack in the DC-area no-fly zone. I just upgraded from a Mavic Mini to a Mini 4 Pro and have yet to fly it, given the snow and wind we've had. It's registered, I have a Vifly strobe charging, and I look forward to a first flight sometime soon. And while I am strictly a hobbyist, and I am halfway through the Part 107 class with Greg and will probably take the exam.

Back in the day I flew Cessna 172s and managed to get an instrument rating before life intervened. Thrilled to be here!
 
"Mavic Mini to a Mini 4 Pro"
How much RC Flying have you done?

My dad is a pilot, because of age +26 to mine, can't get insurance.
Most of the time I was in the copilot seat, I wouldn't touch anything.

All Cessna's but he really wanted a Texas-based Aircraft Manufacturer - Lancair International, LLC
Fly-in events in Hood River, Lance Air would bring in a couple from Bend Oregon.

Rod ..
 
i leave in Takoma Park, MD - smack in the DC-area no-fly zone.

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…

Since you live in The most restricted place in America, 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.


I brought up Takoma Park in Air Control and it shows that your local is kind of on the line between the Most Restricted and Very Restricted… So I do not know which side of the line you live on but you might only need an FAA Authorization and a release from DJI to fly at your home or perhaps down the street…

Takoma Park.jpg

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…"


Fly On and Fly Safe…
 
Well I live in the least restricted area in the sticks of eastern NC where I sit on my front porch and fly all day. The county has 15,000 people and 5 stoplights. The sheriff live 2 doors down also and never bothers me.
 
Greetings from Birmingham Alabama USA, welcome to the forum! We look forward to hearing from you!
 
Welcome to the forum from the beautiful woods of Maine!
There’s many knowledgeable members that are willing to help you with any questions you might have. Search the forum using keywords and if you don’t find an answer, post your questions and I’m sure you’ll get a quick response.
Fly safe, enjoy and stay safe!
 

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