Hi from Albany, Western Australia

[grovecat]

A couple of my grandsons have drones and it looks like fun, so at the age of 83 I decided to take the plunge and buy a mavic mini. Albany is on the south coast and notoriously windy, and since the drone arrived a few days ago I have not had more that a few minutes flying, so I look forward to better weather.

 

[GFields]

Greetings from Birmingham Alabama USA, welcome to the forum! We look forward to hearing from you!

 

[LoudThunder]

I decided to take the plunge and buy a mavic mini. Albany is on the south coast and notoriously windy

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

Since you live in Australia, there are specific laws and rules for you to follow, please check to ensure these are current.

Drone rules

Australia’s recreational drone rules are designed to keep you and others safe, on the ground and in the air. Here are the rules you need to know now, before you take-off.

www.casa.gov.au

As you wrote, it's windy there, the Mini is the least capable of flying in the wind, As much as you may want to take it out, be careful, when it is windy, do not take it high, until you are able to tell how fast the wind is up high, it is safer down low, 5 to 15 meters, where the wind is more predictable…

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, and 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, 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…"

Mavic Mini - Download Center - DJI

At DJI Download Center, Learn aboutMavic Mini

www.dji.com

Fly On and Fly Safe…

 

[old man mavic]

welcome to the forum

 

[MA2 317]

Hello from the Crossroads of America grovecat.

Welcome to the Forum.

 

[Davros007]

A couple of my grandsons have drones and it looks like fun, so at the age of 83 I decided to take the plunge and buy a mavic mini. Albany is on the south coast and notoriously windy, and since the drone arrived a few days ago I have not had more that a few minutes flying, so I look forward to better weather.

And Hi from Denmark in WA, 50km west haha. Work in Albany during the day!
“The Gap” might be a good learning place?
Enjoy, and get in touch if you’re stuck or got questions about operations of Australian rules. Dave

 

[msinger]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Drone Master]

Welcome to Mavic Pilots! Enjoy the forum!

 

[PakNheat380]

Good for you & congratulations on buying your 1st drone! Welcome to the forum from NW Montana

 

[careless]

Welcome from Kentucky USA

 

[twickers14]

Hey. Welcome to the Forum and the hobby (some make a living out of it of course). You’re going to love it and you’re never too old!

 

[shb]

As previously stated, the mini is the worst drone for flying in the wind. Maybe the store will let you change it. The mini 2 is a lot better.

 

[Kendallfordguy]

Welcome from Wisconsin!

 

[RodPad]

grovecat

mavicpilots.com

Welcome to the Forum!

My dad is, add +26 to my age. He moves slow but has no problems on the internet, etc.

When somebody that actually post there experience in this thread is!

A good day can go really bad FAST.
I recommend, ask your grand kids with any questions you have and watch this thread!

Crash & Flyaway Assistance

mavicpilots.com

BTW, most of my buddies actually have a smart phone, some of them have never used a computer.

Rod ..

 

[MAvic_South_Oz]

Welcome to the forum !
WA is a great state, beautiful coastline to fly.

As previously stated, the mini is the worst drone for flying in the wind. Maybe the store will let you change it. The mini 2 is a lot better.

Not 100% sure of course, but . . .
It may be the OP has a mini 2 (or 3 / 3p) . . . I thought the original mini (and SE model) was pretty much obsolete here in Australia, and a quick search just found retailers showing out of stock or not available on the original.
The DJI store also lists them as not available.

 

[Laborous]

Welcome to the forum from the beautiful woods of Maine! There’s many knowledgeable members willing to help you with any questions you have. Search the forum using key words and if you don’t find an answer, post your question and I’m sure you’ll get a quick response. Fly safe and stay safe!

 

[wjkrysak]

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

 

[Gagey52]

Greetings mate, welcome to the forum from the NT. You will enjoy the mini.
Regards

 

[SpitFire]

Greetings, from Chicago then Windy city, welcome to the forum.
FLY SAFE & FLY SMART

 

[Sky Wombat]

Hey Grovecat welcome aboard mate.
Regardless of what you are flying it helps to fly into the wind; that way you aren't battling to return.