Hi everyone. I’m a brand new drone owner. My wife picked me up the Mini 3 Pro for Christmas. I’ve been trying to learn as much as possible and can honestly say this may become an obsession! I’ve only flown a few times to learn some of the basic controls but plan to log many more flights.
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Welcome to the forum! 
Here are some things to help you get started with your drone:
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Download the DJI manual for your drone here (it doesn’t come in the box). The manual is packed with lots of useful tips and will give you a better understanding of your drone’s features.
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Check out this getting started guide for some tips not found in the DJI manual.
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Your drone batteries will last longer if you use and maintain them like this.
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Practice flying outdoors in a wide open location that’s free of all obstacles. Don’t attempt to fly inside your house or in other confined locations.
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The drone records flight data each time you fly. You can decrypt and view those flight logs with these tools.
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Check out MavicHelp.com for commonly used accessories you might need.
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@msinger has given you some great links to get the latest best information available, Read it, take it to heart and your little bird will last longer and be happier…
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…)
Link to the FAADroneZone (Optional Registration for Drones under 250-Grams…)
https://faadronezone.faa.gov/#/
If you are considering acquiring your Part 107 License, here is a link to get you going…
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 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.”
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Thanks for the tips and links. Any help is much appreciated!
Thanks for all of the info! The legal aspects I was on immediately, I have my TRUST cert and also registered my drone. The Mini 3 Pro is under 250 grams, but I do have additional batteries that put’s it just over the threshold. Thanks for the link to Part 107, while I think I may be sometime off from that step, it never hurts to be more educated.
I am a Pilot Institute Alumni and I took my Part 107 Exam in October and I aced (scored 100%) the exam. I tried the free Youtube videos and the other online feeebies but they were so disorganized or they seemed to be only teaching the exam, not the reasons the rules and laws are in place. I did not want to just pass but to also know what I was doing. Check out the PI web pages and the intro lessons. If you might want to earn from your flying and fly in places and at times that Rec pilots cannot, then a 107 license is for you…
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Hi - I hope you are enjoying your new drone. I’m not sure how “LoudThunder” is connected to the Pilot Institute, but being a novice pilot flying a drone which weights less than what is required for FAA registration (just the weight of the drone with the one battery), what is most important is common sense, a little education and common courtesy! Drone flying has gotten a bad rap because a few people flew their drones and bothered the general public! You can take whatever course you want, but if you elect not to respect your fellow man, then you will find drone flying a problem.
Bottom line, enjoy your drone. I have purchased a tablet to use with my drone. I also like the app Litchi and I also like the programs FlightReader and AirData for recording my flights.
One thing that did happen to me was a crash. I ignored the low battery return to home warning and my battery drained. Always take care of your batteries, I purchased a charger which keeps them at 85%, which is recommended for my Mavic 2 batteries between flights.
There is a lot of junk out there, so always do your homework.
Have fun and be nice!
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I wrote previously, “I am a Pilot Institute Alumni and I took my Part 107 Exam in October and I aced (scored 100%) the exam.”
When I say “Alumni” that means I enrolled in the Part 107 Course, studied all the lessons, took the exam and passed, and I am now a “Graduate”…
I have no other association with the Pilot Institute other than being a student who “Done Good…”
I am just really impressed with Greg Reverdiau and the Pilot Institute and all that they do to advance Drones. I subscribe to their YouTube Channel as they are always updating us with the latest information.
They released a fantastic Flash Card Study App for preparing for the Part 107 Exam that runs on iOS and Android devices that’s not all filled with advertisements and it is available to all whether you are a student or not.
Consequently I reference the best links I find that might help someone out… As you are welcome to do also… Link away…
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I am sure she would be… and from the many, many positive responses that I have received from this and other web sites that I am active on would prove your supposition wrong…
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I have not had a day job since I retired over 20-years ago. And PI doesn’t pay me anything and my best jokes come with a “Hey, I should have said…”, so I guess I’ll have to try for “Dancing with the Stars…”
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I suggest to go to a forum where your video skills might be appreciated, I suspect that here you are only making a fool out of yourself!
Welcome…
Enjoy! How bout those eagle’s.
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Any drone flyers from Philadelphia should also have to declare their stance on the best cheesesteak in philly.
I personally think Ginos and Pats are for tourists. Tony Luke’s is sometimes dry if you there too late. And Delessandros is worth the drive and the line. : )
But seriously, welcome. Great place to contribute here!
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Thanks for the welcome Tony. I agree about Pat’s and Genos being for tourist, however, I still recommend them as a “must see” for tourists, if nothing more than to see what is always shown when Philly is on TV (in addition to the museum steps, boathouse row and William Penn on top of City Hall). Tony Lukes on Oregon Ave is simply called Tony…s, there was a legal dispute in the family so they removed the last name “Luke” and left the “s” on the sign.
The next time you’re here you should definitely try Angelo’s and John’s Roast Pork (yes for a cheesesteak). They’re the heavy hitters in the city and honestly there’s a ton of other shops that are doing it better than Delessandro’s now, unfortunately for them the quality has declined tremendously.
You passed the Philly test! : ) Just kidding, but seriously glad to get your take on the places. Thanks for the heads up!