Newbie w ? re 250 grams

[Kendallfordguy]

Welcome from Wisconsin!

 

[twickers14]

t are you planning on tracking? The algorithms are set up for people and cars, boats are a kind of hit and miss depending on how car-like the shape of the boat is etc... The Air 2 will do tracking and you can probably find one for a decent price compared to the newer models. Also it has an SDK released so it will work with some 3rd party software that would allow waypoints (even though it's only virtual sticks). The newer Mavic 3 or Mini 3 Pro do not have SDKs so are limited to the Fly app.

I should know what an SDK is. But could you expand. I too have a MA2 and love it but have not done anything clever with it. Many thanks in advance.

 

[Vic Moss]

I should know what an SDK is. But could you expand. I too have a MA2 and love it but have not done anything clever with it. Many thanks in advance.

SDK = Software Development Kit.

DJI releases it so third party companies can develop apps. Think Litchi, etc.

 

[Tarmactripper]

hi from the u.k. I transitioned from r/c helos, to drones and went through the process as you are doing, I initially bought the mini, and two weeks later the mini 2, having flown R/C for many years weight and Line of sight, was never a problem, however due to the size and weight of the mini 2, it requires a totally different mind set to its much larger companions.

 

[msinger]

Welcome to the forum!

Besides registration, what other downsides to going above 250 grams ?

Portability maybe? The lack of needing to register it is likely the only real pro here.

 

[Baredogs]

Moving from rc helo's to quads and a co-worker let me fly his mini and Air 2.
I'm still deciding whether I should get a Mini 2, mini 3 pro or an Air 2. I know the mini 2 does not have tracking and I'm pretty sure I want that for fishing on a large river. There seems to be many used mini 2's and Air 2 on the market, not so many used Mini 3's.
Besides registration, what other downsides to going above 250 grams ?
Thanks, Derek

TRex 500 fbl, TRex 550 stretched to longer tail boom and 600 mm blades, fbl = 7 lb 14 oz. not afraid of weight ;-)

Moving from rc helo's to quads and a co-worker let me fly his mini and Air 2.
I'm still deciding whether I should get a Mini 2, mini 3 pro or an Air 2. I know the mini 2 does not have tracking and I'm pretty sure I want that for fishing on a large river. There seems to be many used mini 2's and Air 2 on the market, not so many used Mini 3's.
Besides registration, what other downsides to going above 250 grams ?
Thanks, Derek

TRex 500 fbl, TRex 550 stretched to longer tail boom and 600 mm blades, fbl = 7 lb 14 oz. not afraid of weight ;-)

Hi Derek, I have a brand new Mini 2 that I inherited from a neighbor who lost her husband. I don’t need it, because I already have two of them, along with several other drones. I don’t want to sell it, as I would just rather give it to someone who is new to the hobby. It was given to me, so I would like to give it to someone. It’s the basic kit, not the fly-more. I activated it and flew once to make sure that it was good. If you are interested, let me know. I would be glad to answer any questions or questions over the phone. I offered it to someone else, but he obviously thought this was a joke or scam.

 

[rcanboy27]

Moving from rc helo's to quads and a co-worker let me fly his mini and Air 2.
I'm still deciding whether I should get a Mini 2, mini 3 pro or an Air 2. I know the mini 2 does not have tracking and I'm pretty sure I want that for fishing on a large river. There seems to be many used mini 2's and Air 2 on the market, not so many used Mini 3's.
Besides registration, what other downsides to going above 250 grams ?
Thanks, Derek

TRex 500 fbl, TRex 550 stretched to longer tail boom and 600 mm blades, fbl = 7 lb 14 oz. not afraid of weight ;-)

Greetings from Colorado, welcome to the forum.

 

[a2tomm]

LOVE the mini 3 pro and the spiffy new remote ,If you are like me you want the best bang for the money .I have all the DJI drones from the MP2 to the Mini 3 pro ,and must say the Spiffy new remote is a total game changer

 

[msinger]

Spiffy new remote is a total game changer

Agreed. It's much more convenient than connecting a mobile device.

 

[Laborous]

Welcome to the forum from the beautiful woods of Maine!

 

[Player-Pe]

Greetings from Birmingham Alabama USA, welcome to the forum!

Personally, I don't see having to register a drone as a "downside". What are your plans for the drone? Hobbyist, or Part 107 work?

The Air 2s is an all-around great drone that can be used for both hobby and Professional.

Agreed! Although I fly primarily recreationally, I still registered my Mini & got the P-107 certificate anyway just in case a potential "drone request" comes up. But mostly I did to give myself a more broader range to fly whereas you're very limited if not registered/certified. But again, that's just me.

 

[SpitFire]

Welcome to the forum from Chicago the Windy City.
FLY SAFE & FLY SMART

 

[skered53-464]

Hi Derek, I have a brand new Mini 2 that I inherited from a neighbor who lost her husband. I don’t need it, because I already have two of them, along with several other drones. I don’t want to sell it, as I would just rather give it to someone who is new to the hobby. It was given to me, so I would like to give it to someone. It’s the basic kit, not the fly-more. I activated it and flew once to make sure that it was good. If you are interested, let me know. I would be glad to answer any questions or questions over the phone. I offered it to someone else, but he obviously thought this was a joke or scam.

Thank You Very Much M for sending this to me. I appreciate your generosity and all the help.

Derek

 

[skered53-464]

Took the PI test, GTG, Registered Air 2 with FAA. Will print decals tomorrow.
I assumed the FCC # was the serial number ??

my battery stand, gets them up on end to allow bottom cooling and lip matched batt. Any ideas what it used to be ?

 

[FireAnt]

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

I own and fly the Mini 2 and I've flown the Mini 3 and the Phantom P4. I have only good things to say about the mini 2. You have received so many complete, full, and informative responses so far, there is nothing I can add, but I will link you up with all the User manuals for the Drones you are considering. Links at the End…

As a New Drone Pilot, there are a couple of Legal Things you may need to do…

If you have not already done so, you will need to get your TRUST Certificate. You can get that at the Pilot Institute Web Site (FREE…) . If your Drone weighs less than 250-grams (0.55 pounds) and you are flying under The Exception for Recreational Flyers, you are not required to register your Drone.

When I first started flying I registered my Mini 2 because the TRUST Certificate and FAA Registration established me as a "certified" Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Pilot. I have now passed my Part 107 License Exam and am awaiting the arrival of my Permanent License and then I will re-register my Mini 2 under Part 107.

Link to the TRUST Certificate at the Pilot Institute Web Site (FREE…)

FAA TRUST Online Portal for Recreational Drone Operators - Pilot Institute

Get your FAA TRUST Certificate of Completion to legally fly drones for recreational reasons in the United States.

trust.pilotinstitute.com

Link to the FAADroneZone (Optional Registration for Drones under 250-Grams…)

FAADroneZone

faadronezone.faa.gov

If you are considering acquiring your Part 107 License, here is a link to get you going…

Online Ground School: Aviation Classes - Pilot Institute

Pilot Institute offers courses on drones and airplanes from world-class experts. Pass the Part 107 or Private Pilot exam and take to the skies.

pilotinstitute.com

Since you live in Oregon, there are specific laws and rules for you to follow, please check the link below for all the Rules and Laws that are in effect in your neck of the woods and it also links you to some of the Best Places to Fly in your area… Also, if you travel on vacation, visit friends, and relatives in other parts of the country, check back here so you do not run afoul of the law.

Drone Laws and Best Places to Fly in Every US State - Pilot Institute

pilotinstitute.com

Even if you have flown Drones before, here 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, the Mini 2, the Mini3, the Air 2, and for good measure, I've included the Air 2S, including the User Manuals.

After you read the Manuals, read them again, you will be surprised what you missed the first time and you will be better prepared for that first "scary moment…"

Mavic Mini - Download Center - DJI

Learn and download Mavic Mini related apps, software, and manuals at the DJI Download Center

www.dji.com

DJI Mini 2 - Download Center - DJI

Learn and download DJI Mini 2 related apps, software, and manuals at the DJI Download Center

www.dji.com

Mavic Air 2 - Download Center - DJI

Learn and download Mavic Air 2 related apps, software, and manuals at the DJI Download Center

www.dji.com

DJI Air 2S - Download Center - DJI

Learn and download DJI Air 2S related apps, software, and manuals at the DJI Download Center

www.dji.com

Happy Droning…

I've been reading this thread with interest and appreciate the info and links you have provided.


A quick question though if you don't mind?

I have recently bought a mini 3 pro, after crashing my original mini (first model) and breaking its arm (dji care refresh has ran out just over a month ago, so going to have to fix it myself).

Anyway, I have bought the plus batterys in the fly more kit, and as this takes me over the 250g limit do I need to now register the drone with the FAA, and take another test apart from the Trust one? (I did the trust one just over a year ago, but lost my certificate, so I'm assuming I've got to do that again).

Originally from the UK, but currently living in the USA, so I'm unsure of the law differences here.

 

[skered53-464]

I've been reading this thread with interest and appreciate the info and links you have provided.


A quick question though if you don't mind?

I have recently bought a mini 3 pro, after crashing my original mini (first model) and breaking its arm (dji care refresh has ran out just over a month ago, so going to have to fix it myself).

Anyway, I have bought the plus batterys in the fly more kit, and as this takes me over the 250g limit do I need to now register the drone with the FAA, and take another test apart from the Trust one? (I did the trust one just over a year ago, but lost my certificate, so I'm assuming I've got to do that again).

Originally from the UK, but currently living in the USA, so I'm unsure of the law differences here.

I would say yes to taking the FAA test , yes to registering it if you r going to fly it at over 250 grams. I hardly doubt anyone in LE would carry a gram scale around with them....... but if you crash it into someone or something, It probably would get weighed ??

 

[Gagey52]

Greetings Derek, welcome to the forum from the outback of Australia.
Regards

 

[skered53-464]

Greetings Derek, welcome to the forum from the outback of Australia.
Regards

Thanks Gagey52,

52 being a number I can't forget, it was my laundry number whist on vacation on Paris Island back in '83. Some impressions stay with you ;-)

 

[LoudThunder]

Any ideas what it used to be ?

If you are talking about that item that your batteries appear to be "worshiping" then I would venture a guess that it's a combustion chamber to a gas turbine...

 

[LoudThunder]

Originally from the UK, but currently living in the USA, so I'm unsure of the law differences here.

I am not a lawyer and your immigration status is what, a Resident Alien, is not easily discernable by the rules and regulations that we normally operate under.

I have often written directly the Federal Aviation Administration's office that deals directly with Drones, the FAA UAS Support Center. Their email address is below…

[email protected]

But if you were flying legally as a Recreational Pilot using the TRUST Certificate then I guess you are treated just like any none-tourist drone flyer…

But since you lost the certificate and you if you did not save the file or the link the site that you took the training, you will need to take it again. Therefore, let having to take the training again be your penitence for losing the original (Shame, Shame)… Here is a link to get a new one…

FAA TRUST Online Portal for Recreational Drone Operators - Pilot Institute

Get your FAA TRUST Certificate of Completion to legally fly drones for recreational reasons in the United States.

trust.pilotinstitute.com

And if this if you can fly with a Trust Certificate then you will be required to register your drone since it weighs more than 250 grams.

FAADroneZone

faadronezone.faa.gov

Here is the FAA's link to Tourists who want to fly drones in the US, but like I wrote earlier, it may not apply to you…

Information for International UAS Operators in the United States | Federal Aviation Administration

Information for International UAS Operators in the United States

www.faa.gov

Now, if your Mini 3 was originally registered in the UK, that might make a difference. You need to explain all this in your email the FAA. Don't worry, they are not going to send Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to kick your door in and check your "papers…"