Hmm. Ok. So with all respect and no policing, having read the entire thread and please mind I am no saint in this hobby:
- I feel sorry for the OP having lost the drone and being in this sticky situation. Must feel awful learning this was how NOT to operate a drone.
Some of us pay a lower price, and some end up injuring themselves or, even worse, others.
Yet as mentioned before the authorities will react regardless of people flying reckless or strictly obey the rules. Paranoia and fear drives people.
DJI makes a mass product that can be purchased by literally ANYONE with some cash who thinks it's cool, can fly miles out, is advertised as " fool proof" , and it's brain getting so messed up after every firmware update that even the aces have no clue what to expect next. But...the aces know how to make it as " fail-safe" as they can and take less risks.
Facts: Flying behind a large structure in low-light conditions in a densely congested area is a risk. Doing this in a "rush" without double checking every setting for a safe flight is foolish and the OP knows/feels this (dammit, they just had that part of the Cathedral fixed, now leaking again
) The hope that many others will learn from it is remote since the majority end up on forums like these when it has gone bad. So what can WE learn?
- OP screwed things up. He knows, feels awful, it's done!
- Flying these beyond visual is always a risk. I am willing to bite the bullet when something happens and it will someday. Question remains: what did I do to limit the damage pro-actively.
- OA does not function well in low daylight/ most artificial light conditions (like this one). It is known.
- Signal penetration through structures is almost impossible. It is known. When you need to orbit a beautiful object at low altitude (I tried this, it works well) use active track or fly a mission.
- there are so many settings, you're likely to forget some important ones. Make a checklist and stick to it depending on the type of flight. It's a huge difference between flying in a forest or above open water. Also make an emergency checklist.
- Get a small gps tracker (like the ones for pets, luggage etc) and stick it on the mavic. You WILL be able to find it again!
- use common sense and do not get people paranoid. Educate and show what's possible, that you re totally in control and have no intention "spying" . This attitude got me involved in documenting a new nature project recently.
Finally: Contacting local authorities to check the rooftops and bribe them with bratwurst? I don't know if this is a good idea, we're talking Germany here.. Could try carefully unless you have a "tan". It freaks people out, I have experience..
