Metal take-off pad not a good idea.

[webfishnz]

Hi all - just a very quick suggestion after today's flight. I'm pretty new to drones and have had me first (Air) for about 6 months. Everything has gone smoothly.

Today, the device was green for go with a strong GPS and ready to fly. I looked around for a smooth flat take-off surface. and for the first time placed the Air on the bonnet of my 4WD ... BAD idea. The compass went into meltdown. I had a couple of goes at calibrating the compass and she was ready to again.

Anyway, this is just a suggestion to anyone out there novice or otherwise. Keep clear of large metal objects before flight.

 

[Goof]

This is mentioned in the manual...

There are also several other interesting insights in there, if you'd care to read it ;P

 

[InvisibleName]

Hi all - just a very quick suggestion after today's flight. I'm pretty new to drones and have had me first (Air) for about 6 months. Everything has gone smoothly.

Today, the device was green for go with a strong GPS and ready to fly. I looked around for a smooth flat take-off surface. and for the first time placed the Air on the bonnet of my 4WD ... BAD idea. The compass went into meltdown. I had a couple of goes at calibrating the compass and she was ready to again.

Anyway, this is just a suggestion to anyone out there novice or otherwise. Keep clear of large metal objects before flight.

Sorry, but YOU DID WHAT???!!!! But thanks for sharing

 

[webfishnz]

Yeah, okay sounds stupid in hindsight.

I have read the manual .... to a point. But heck, if you read every word and managed to absorb it all you'd never spend time in the air.

 

[lmel2005]

Many of us don't dare to test what happens if we use a metal surface for takeoff.

So, thanks for sharing.

 

[Air Beetle]

FYI - You can land in the bed of your truck. I do it all the time.

 

[Bazzam]

Today, the device was green for go with a strong GPS and ready to fly. I looked around for a smooth flat take-off surface. and for the first time placed the Air on the bonnet of my 4WD ... BAD idea. The compass went into meltdown. I had a couple of goes at calibrating the compass and she was ready to again.

Why did you recalibrate the compass ? Did it not self correct when you moved it way from the metal object ? Or did you recalibrate the compass and launched from the metal bonnet [emoji52]

 

[Goof]

FYI - You can land in the bed of your truck. I do it all the time.

I've landed the P4 in mine a few times out of necessity (too many rocks or other debris on the ground) without issue, though my car has a wooden bed. Guess the rear diff, tray sides and chassis aren't enough to annoy the compass.

Big heavy lump of cast iron that comprises the engine might be a different story though, but I'll be damned if I'd drop a drone on my bonnet

 

[mad monkey]

Why did you recalibrate the compass ? Did it not self correct when you moved it way from the metal object ? Or did you recalibrate the compass and launched from the metal bonnet [emoji52]

I've had to recalibrate after trying to take off on a dirt road. Sometimes it just needs it

 

[beachcombing]

Hi all - just a very quick suggestion after today's flight. I'm pretty new to drones and have had me first (Air) for about 6 months. Everything has gone smoothly.

Today, the device was green for go with a strong GPS and ready to fly. I looked around for a smooth flat take-off surface. and for the first time placed the Air on the bonnet of my 4WD ... BAD idea. The compass went into meltdown. I had a couple of goes at calibrating the compass and she was ready to again.

Anyway, this is just a suggestion to anyone out there novice or otherwise. Keep clear of large metal objects before flight.

Yeah, I kinda want to say "DUH", but glad you were able to avoid a catastrophe.