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Starting A Little Late In Life.....

leoniru

New Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2025
Messages
4
Reactions
14
Age
70
Location
Northeast Pa
After lusting for a more-than-average camera drone for at least 7 years, the approach of the December 23rd 'Date of Reckoning' for DJI influenced me enough to order an Air3S Fly More Combo. I ordered it from a Japanese-based seller and had it delivered by FedEx in 7 days. Brand new, and sealed. I have zero flight experience, but have spent countless hours over the years watching and researching the industry's offerings and you tube videos. I have obtained my TRUST certificate (piece of cake), and am practicing on the RC 2's simulator.
I live in Northeast Pa. and have (or had) many hobbies. Retired from health care. I have confidence but am not over-confident about my piloting abilities. You can bet I will be posting here quite a bit.
 
Greetings from Birmingham Alabama USA: welcome to the forum! We look forward to hearing from you!
 
Welcome from the Midwest!. I kind of know what that feels like, watching from the sidelines and checking out everything before ever buying a drone. I enjoy all the drones I’ve purchased over the years. It’s alot of fun but take a bit of time to become comfortable with all the features the software provides.
 
Thanx for everyone's welcomes. I still haven't been able to actually fly mostly due to weather. I also have been putting-off registering this craft with the FAA - I'm thinking of MAYBE buying a Mavic 4 PRO and selling the Air3S.......thought I did enough 'homework' before this purchase, but realized I'll probably not be as happy with the camera knowing that Hasselblad with 7x optical zoom is on the Mavic 4 P. I blame this on a 50 years-long interest in photography.
 
I ordered it from a Japanese-based seller and had it delivered by FedEx in 7 days.

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.


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

First, if you have not already done so and you want to fly your drone recreationally, you will need to get your TRUST Certificate. You can get that at the Pilot Institute Web Site (FREE…). This Link is to the Pilot Institute Web Site where you can get your TRUST Certificate. (FREE…)


Your Drone weighs more than 250-grams (0.55 pounds), and even while you are flying under The Exception for Recreational Flyers, you are required to register your Drone. This link is to the FAADroneZone where you can register your Drone. The cost is $5.00…


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


Since you live in Pennsylvania, 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 Mavic Air 3S, 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 to the forum!
 
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