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Re-joining the drone life!

ChRiSiS

Member
Joined
May 13, 2023
Messages
6
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42
Location
Connecticut USA
Hi everyone.
I’ve just purchased a DJI Mini 3 Pro and rejoined the drone community. My wife gave me a very nice drone 8 years ago (a Yuneec Typhoon H). Too nice in fact. I was literally afraid to fly it because it might crash and my expensive toy would be up in flames! Anyway, I did learn to fly, I did crash, and I did recover - sort of. However it has been dormant for the last 3 1/2 years and now is “quirky” on startup. In any event, drone technology has moved on, so I am very excited by my new Mini 3 Pro. I have flown it more times in the last 7 days than I flew the Typhoon in the last 7 years 😂.

Looking forward to learning lots from the people on this forum.

Chris
 
Hi everyone.
I’ve just purchased a DJI Mini 3 Pro and rejoined the drone community. My wife gave me a very nice drone 8 years ago (a Yuneec Typhoon H). Too nice in fact. I was literally afraid to fly it because it might crash and my expensive toy would be up in flames! Anyway, I did learn to fly, I did crash, and I did recover - sort of. However it has been dormant for the last 3 1/2 years and now is “quirky” on startup. In any event, drone technology has moved on, so I am very excited by my new Mini 3 Pro. I have flown it more times in the last 7 days than I flew the Typhoon in the last 7 years 😂.

Looking forward to learning lots from the people on this forum.

Chris
Welcome back from the abyss all the way in Savannah, GA!
Glad you're back!
 
Welcome back and Greetings from Birmingham Alabama USA, welcome to the forum! We look forward to hearing from you!
 
Welcome to the forum. We look forward to your participation and your view of the world.
 
Hello from the Crossroads of America ChRiSiS.

Nice to meet you Chris. 🤝

Welcome to the Forum. :cool:
 
Welcome back to our forum, from Hauptmann, in Hurst, Texas!

I'm glad you've rediscovered drones again. The mini 3 Pro is a great choice, and is very easy to fly. I fly a Mavic 2 Pro now, but will soon be upgrading to the Mini 3 Pro.

We have over 150,000 members—many from New England--who enjoy helping each other get the most out of our hobby. Most of the questions you'll have will’ve already been addressed, and are easy to search. If you have NEW questions, just ask!

I attached a couple of links below, which will make learning piloting and photo/video skills easy.

Glad to have you back with us!
Rich R (aka Hauptmann)



 
Welcome to Mavic Pilots! :)Enjoy the forum!Thumbswayup
 
I’ve just purchased a DJI Mini 3 Pro and rejoined the drone community.

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.


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…) . Your Drone weighs less than 250-grams (0.55 pounds) and while 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.

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


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


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


Since you live Connecticut, 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.


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 puppy or kitten 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, 6- feet (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…"


Fly On and Fly Safe…
 
Welcome back to our forum, from Hauptmann, in Hurst, Texas!

I'm glad you've rediscovered drones again. The mini 3 Pro is a great choice, and is very easy to fly. I fly a Mavic 2 Pro now, but will soon be upgrading to the Mini 3 Pro.

We have over 150,000 members—many from New England--who enjoy helping each other get the most out of our hobby. Most of the questions you'll have will’ve already been addressed, and are easy to search. If you have NEW questions, just ask!

I attached a couple of links below, which will make learning piloting and photo/video skills easy.


Glad to have you back with us!
Rich R (aka Hauptmann)



Thanks. The links are very helpful!

Chris
 
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.


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…) . Your Drone weighs less than 250-grams (0.55 pounds) and while 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.

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


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


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


Since you live Connecticut, 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.


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 puppy or kitten 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, 6- feet (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…"


Fly On and Fly Safe…
Thanks for the advice Loud Thunder. I already have my TRUST certificate and registered my drone since, with the extended range battery it weighs over the 250 gram limit. That part was easy since I was able to simply renew my old Typhoon registration.

However I must say I never thought of adding my phone number to the drone in addition to the registration. I’m going to do that asap. I’m headed over to the Pilot Institue from you links to peruse the CT specific laws, since all I know so far is that I can’t fly in State Parks. I am also thinking that I will look into the whole Part 107 thing, especially if I ever move up to a drone like the Mavic 3, so the link is useful.

Thanks again,

Chris
 
Hi everyone.
I’ve just purchased a DJI Mini 3 Pro and rejoined the drone community. My wife gave me a very nice drone 8 years ago (a Yuneec Typhoon H). Too nice in fact. I was literally afraid to fly it because it might crash and my expensive toy would be up in flames! Anyway, I did learn to fly, I did crash, and I did recover - sort of. However it has been dormant for the last 3 1/2 years and now is “quirky” on startup. In any event, drone technology has moved on, so I am very excited by my new Mini 3 Pro. I have flown it more times in the last 7 days than I flew the Typhoon in the last 7 years 😂.

Looking forward to learning lots from the people on this forum.

Chris
Welcome to the forum.
 
Hi everyone.
I’ve just purchased a DJI Mini 3 Pro and rejoined the drone community. My wife gave me a very nice drone 8 years ago (a Yuneec Typhoon H). Too nice in fact. I was literally afraid to fly it because it might crash and my expensive toy would be up in flames! Anyway, I did learn to fly, I did crash, and I did recover - sort of. However it has been dormant for the last 3 1/2 years and now is “quirky” on startup. In any event, drone technology has moved on, so I am very excited by my new Mini 3 Pro. I have flown it more times in the last 7 days than I flew the Typhoon in the last 7 years 😂.

Looking forward to learning lots from the people on this forum.

Chris
Welcome, Chris. Still have my Yuneec Typhoon 4k and now a Mavic Air 2, and as of January, my Mavic 3 Classic. Love all of them! Happy Flying.
 
Hi everyone.
I’ve just purchased a DJI Mini 3 Pro and rejoined the drone community. My wife gave me a very nice drone 8 years ago (a Yuneec Typhoon H). Too nice in fact. I was literally afraid to fly it because it might crash and my expensive toy would be up in flames! Anyway, I did learn to fly, I did crash, and I did recover - sort of. However it has been dormant for the last 3 1/2 years and now is “quirky” on startup. In any event, drone technology has moved on, so I am very excited by my new Mini 3 Pro. I have flown it more times in the last 7 days than I flew the Typhoon in the last 7 years 😂.

Looking forward to learning lots from the people on this forum.

Chris
Welcome back. After a week you will be back in your grove.
 
Thanks for the advice
Thank you for the acknowledgement. I would also advise you to google your city or county web page to see if they have locale restrictions. I live in York County, VA., and they prohibit flying from any county owned property (parks, schoolyards, etc…).

A while back, I received a "Thank You" note from a member who looked up his old "Pilot Check In" welcome note to get my member ID and he sent me a note that said he had lost his drone in some trees along a hiking path. He had no idea where in and which tree the drone was in. While he was trying to justify to his wife the expense of using the DJI Fly Away coverage, he received a phone call from someone who found the drone and wanted to return it… He wrote that in spite of being outside for a couple of weeks, the drone worked perfectly (after replacing the props…) So, It works…

I am a proud Pilot Institute Alumni. I took the course last summer, over a two-month period, I wanted to enjoy it and soak it all in… I Aced the Exam. The enrollment is for life and you can always log back on to learn the latest changes to the rules and laws. Greg Reverdiau's presentations are lot more interesting than the dry reading the comes out of the FAA…

PI also has a Youtube channel and I subscribe to for the latest news…


Besides offering free labels, they also offer various Free Courses, for instance, they have a Deep Dive 1.5 hour course on your Mini 3 Pro


Even if you do not plan on becoming a Professional Drone Pilot and really only want to fly for fun, the Part 107 License allows you to fly in places that a Recreational Pilot cannot fly… For instance, I live in the Zero Altitude Quadrant of Langley AFBs Class D Airspace (I call it a Drone Taxi Zone…) and as a Recreational Pilot, I was not allowed to fly my drone even in my own yard. But now, with my part 107, the FAA has authorized me to fly all over this area. I only have to coordinate my flying with the ATC at Langley and I have been refused on only one occasion and that was last weekend. The Base was having an Air Show and there was a three day Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) and the Thunderbirds and many other groups as well as vintage Aircraft were flying and they said, NO!!!

So, Go Forth and Fly…
 
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