Hi, all. I’ve got a Air 3s as a Christmas present from my son’s and my daughter. Ive not even opened the box, as im looking at tutorials on YouTube. And thought this would be a good forum to join. As im sure there’s a wealth of information to digest on here..
This a new concept to me, could be quite challenging for me to be honest ! I used to have an interest in 1/8th scale car models, petrol (Gasoline) combustion off road models, and nitro cars as well.
Im from Loch lomond (Scotland) Im 56 year’s old and always had a passion for remote control models. Back many year’s ago I had a Tamiya sand scorcher off road VW Beatle.. But this Is my first aircraft. So lots of regulations and a massive learning curve to endure ! Ive read there’s a flight simulator built into the RC2 controller, That’ll be my first state of play for me, once I understand the rules and regulations.
Thanks for taking time to read my first initial post.
Welcome from the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, USA.
Since you live in the UK, there are specific laws and rules for you to follow, please check to ensure these are current.
You might want to also check out the Mavic Pilots Web site as they have are primarily a DJI specific site…
Even if you have flown Drones before, here is some Good Old Fashion Advice…
Your kids 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, and 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.”
