Just won a Mini 3 Pro !!!

Paul Iddon · Jan 16, 2023

My name is Paul, and I entered a Christmas competition on a photo website (Ephotozine) and blow me away, I won a (like new) Mini 3 Pro from MPB.

Now that's what I call good luck!

Anyway, I have never considered having or using a drone, so it will be a new experience for me to give it a go.

I've taken the CAA test and registered an Operator and Flyer ID, and now I await its delivery on Tuesday, and then the chance to give it a whirl.

Paul.

GFields · Jan 16, 2023

Paul Iddon said:
My name is Paul, and I entered a Christmas competition on a photo website (Ephotozine) and blew me away, I won a (like new) Mini 3 Pro from MPB.

Now that's what I call good luck!

Anyway, I have never considered having or using a drone, so it will be a new experience for me to give it a go.

I've taken the CAA test and registered an Operator and Flyer ID, and now I await its delivery on Tuesday, and then the chance to give it a whirl.

Paul.

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

reaperman · Jan 16, 2023

Paul Iddon said:
and now I await its delivery on Tuesday, and then the chance to give it a whirl.

Paul.

For a minute I was hoping you didnt "win" it from Publishers clearing house

msinger · Jan 16, 2023

Welcome to the forum!

Here are some things to help you get started with your drone:

Download the DJI manual for your drone here (it doesn't come in the box). The manual is packed with lots of useful tips and will give you a better understanding of your drone's features.
Check out this getting started guide for some tips not found in the DJI manual.
Your drone batteries will last longer if you use and maintain them like this.
Practice flying outdoors in a wide open location that's free of all obstacles. Don't attempt to fly inside your house or in other confined locations.
The drone records flight data each time you fly. You can decrypt and view those flight logs with these tools.
Check out MavicHelp.com for commonly used accessories you might need.

dirkclod · Jan 16, 2023

Welcome to the forum

Bob in Savannah · Jan 16, 2023

Paul Iddon said:
My name is Paul, and I entered a Christmas competition on a photo website (Ephotozine) and blew me away, I won a (like new) Mini 3 Pro from MPB.

Now that's what I call good luck!

Anyway, I have never considered having or using a drone, so it will be a new experience for me to give it a go.

I've taken the CAA test and registered an Operator and Flyer ID, and now I await its delivery on Tuesday, and then the chance to give it a whirl.

Paul.

Wow! You are SO lucky! I never win anything. lol

Congratulations and I hope this lucky streak turns into a new learning experience for you. There's so much to learn and explore with a drone like you have.

Yea, you can cash out right now but think hard first and maybe this could be a whole new endeavor in your journey thru life.

Either way, good luck and thanks for sharing...

MA2 317 · Jan 16, 2023

Hello from the Crossroads of America Paul Iddon

Nice to meet you Paul.

Paul Iddon said:
I won a (like new) Mini 3 Pro from MPB.

FLIGHT YEAH!

Have fun with your aerial camera.

Welcome to the Forum.

.

Paul Iddon · Jan 16, 2023

Thank you everyone for the advice, suggestions, and the warm welcome.

Paul.

LoudThunder · Jan 16, 2023

Paul Iddon said:
I won a (like new) Mini 3 Pro from MPB.

Congratulations, you are in for a lot of fun and it will opemn up a whole new aspect of photography…

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

Hhere 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 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 Mini 3 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…"