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Howdy from a newbie in SoCal

CraigMack

New Member
Premium Pilot
Joined
Jul 24, 2022
Messages
3
Reactions
18
Age
51
Location
LA
Site
www.craigmcnelleyphoto.com
Hello all, I'm a photographer from SoCal that's taking the plunge in to the drone world. Came across this forum which has been an eye opener and a wealth of knowledge already. Went for the upgrade to lifetime member and looking forward to learning even more. Regarding my drone, bit the bullet and went for the Mavic 3 Combo. Figured if I'm going to spend that kind of money, might as well spend a little more and have some additional options. Going to start working on getting the license and after reading a long thread about schools, will probably go with the Pilot Institute. Seems they have a ton of extra info available once you are a member. Looking forward to learning more from the forum and gettin' to flyin'.

CM-
 
Hello from the Crossroads of America CraigMack.



Hello all, I'm a photographer from SoCal that's taking the plunge in to the drone world.



bit the bullet and went for the Mavic 3 Combo.


Good choice.

Go big or go home. ;)


Going to start working on getting the license and after reading a long thread about schools, will probably go with the Pilot Institute.

Another good choice.

I'm sure you have stumbled across the FAA requirements, if not here's a couple of links just in case..





Have fun with the aerial photography of the world and we hope to see some of your stuff in the future.


Welcome to the Forum. :cool:
 
Greetings from Birmingham Alabama, welcome to the forum!
 
Hello all, I'm a photographer from SoCal that's taking the plunge in to the drone world. Came across this forum which has been an eye opener and a wealth of knowledge already. Went for the upgrade to lifetime member and looking forward to learning even more. Regarding my drone, bit the bullet and went for the Mavic 3 Combo. Figured if I'm going to spend that kind of money, might as well spend a little more and have some additional options. Going to start working on getting the license and after reading a long thread about schools, will probably go with the Pilot Institute. Seems they have a ton of extra info available once you are a member. Looking forward to learning more from the forum and gettin' to flyin'.

CM-
Welcome from the great Pacifi NW. You are going to love the Mavic3. It is a fantastic drone.
 
Welcome to the forum and the drone world. I also fly Mavic 3 and feel pretty safe flying it due to its strong capabilities - long battery life, all around sensors. Also the unbeatable camera allows you to take all kinds of pictures and videos which were not possible in previous Mavic pros. Sol cal is full of beautiful natural places you can go. If you need a handy case to take your Mavic 3 out, check our M320 waterproof hard case. Have fun.
 
bit the bullet and went for the Mavic 3 Combo
Welcome from the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, USA. We have a Member's Map in the Upper Right of the Title Bar.


You have already been given the information by MA2 317 about your legal requirements, I'll TRUST that you'll take care of that…

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


Even if you have flown Drones before, here is some Good Old Fashion Advice…

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 kitten or puppy 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, 4-5 feet (1-1/2 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 Mavic 3, 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…"


Happy, Safe and Legal Droning…
 
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 . Thumbswayup
 
Welcome to Mavic Pilots! :) Enjoy the forum!Thumbswayup
 
Welcome to the forum! :)
 
Welcome to the forum from Chicago the Windy City.
About 5 years ago, I enrolled in the National Drone school.
Because I did not know a thing about drones, and never regretted it.
 
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