I have to catch myself because I’m usually too excited to get up into the air that I’ll sometimes fly away before waiting for a good gps lock. That’s crucial.
Excellent advice, always run through a routine checklist before take-off.
Are my props on nice and tight?
Is my battery nice and snug?
Is my app up and running with all of the settings set properly?
How many GPS satellites do I have?
Are there any wind or compass warnings?
After take-off, do I get confirmation that my home point has been set?
After developing little habits like this you are more likely to avoid a crash or fly away.
Also, make sure you know how to cancel the return home command before initiating it.
Im very sorry about your loss Robert, but always remember that when flying a new drone for the first time, it's always best to use a large wide oper field.