I can’t without checking drone data, actually remember when I last flew my Mavic, however what I do remember is being nervous throughout the flight until she landed safely afterwards.
Now, is it just me or do you guys get nervous about your pride and joy returning home every time you fly. ?
I think she may be waiting for the Insurance money.LOL
In answer to your question, sorry I digressed, I think it is very normal to have a few ‘flutters’ if you haven’t flown for a period. I have not been flying that long, got the bug, enjoyed it and then got locked down!
Even flying the couple of times from the garden it was a little twitchy and they were straight up and down flights for photos.
I think everyone gets a little nervous, it’s human nature. Can I ask, are you afraid of heights/flying in a plane. I’m not keen on heights and I think this transfers to my flying my drone. 20’ off the ground I’m OK but 60’ I start to suck the moisture out of my controller into my hands !! The most illogical thing I do, it it’s high up, is after checking the screen, I look up SLOWLY, half expecting it not to be there and falling down. I used to be indecisive, now I’m not so sure !!
Only on a test flight on my self build stuff. My tarot was my worst as I had a couple of bad batches of ESCs. But once I have a couple of test flights done, I hardly think about that aspect . Of course if it’s an abnormally difficult flight with high winds or tight spaces then the nerves do kick in a bit.
Lmhbo I get nervous when she’s steps though the front door hoping she’s in a good mood
I still get nervous when it’s a up and wee distance away as if I fly from my place I have lakes around 200 MTRS in all directions so 99% of time it’s above water i think when it’s beeping low battery Im always worried as I’ve lost a Mavic pro when all of a sudden it threw a battery error with human error did not have time get home
On my last flight I was doing some shots literally above my head and seen 7 mins left did circle shoot around a point and it then had 2 mins left so while bringing it down and just going to grab it then switched off dropped onto my hand slicing my thumb to bits blood everywhere on the snow on the drone controller and phone I think freezing temperatures was draining the battery quicker well that’s my theory. So that’s going to get me twitchy on next flight.
Never with my Drones, they pretty much look after themselves. Flying my Helicopters, yes. Slinging A £1500 composite glider off the top of a hill, most definitely.
I find my DJI Quads almost relaxing to fly, compared with the Heart pumping Adrenaline rush I get with my other flying machines.
Usually the more you fly, the more relaxing it becomes. The great thing about most Quads, is when you center the sticks for a rest, they don’t usually drop on your head. Enjoy.
Like @stevesb and @Nismo I have no fear when it comes to off the shelf DJI type quads. I figure if something goes wrong, which has never happened, it was not of my doing. Yes, that’s how conceited I am
Now the stuff I’ve built myself, whether it’s a quad or heli or fixed wing, is a different story. It’s not the actual thought of crashing that I’m concerned about as generally anything can be fixed with a few ours of work and a couple of quid. The fear is that it crashed because I missed or overlooked something in the build. Compound that when I maiden a new build I usually have an audience whom are hoping for anything other than uneventful. The last thing I want from a maiden is high amplitude jeering from the Pit Area followed by every expert opinion as to why my build decided to dirt-nap.
It’s also one of the reasons when I buy somebody else’s build I invariably strip it down and rebuild it.
Yes I get a little nervous when flying which I think is normal. Will it come back, that tree is a bit close, the battery is low etc etc. Lockdown isn’t helping our confidence or improving our flying skills. Practice and more practice will sort that out I’m sure. I took my Mavic Air 2 out on a nearby golf course recently just to get it in the air. In a quiet spot I checked to make sure no people around and spent 1/2 hour practicing moves and settings. Halfway through the flight I noticed a woman about 400mts away taking a keen interest in what I was doing. I felt a bit nervous that she may report me to the lockdown / drone police. She walked away after about 5 mins and I settled down again. Lockdown and the weather is all getting in the way of our enjoyment of flying. I’m looking forward to a time when this is not something to consider. Happy flying. @glasgowbiker
I’ve had people circle round me in the past. Its good to have people say WOW that looks amazing, when they have the courage to actually speak to you.
I dare say there is still a great deal of paranoia ou there surrounding drones.
I think that’s only natural depending on your level of experience.
My first drone currently resides at the bottom of a lake in Canada after flying away (curse you Tello). When I took my next one out I went to open fields so if it crashed it might survive. I’ve always been a “bull by the horns” kinda guy so took off, quick hover, then both sticks full forward and I was off again. Next day I went out over water (only a river at that stage) just to pop that cherry, then a quick night flight. If you can push yourself ever so slightly beyond your natural comfort point for a little while, you’ll be much more comfortable with it in no time. I go up at night maybe once or twice a year now, but I know I can. I’ve since shot off cliffs in Dorset, out over the sea in Spain and so on. Honestly, you never get fully comfortable over the sea and it’s always good to be back over land.
Fly away a little and press RTH. Satisfy yourself that it will come back.
I used to get the jitters but now don’t. I just kept taking it out- different heights/ wind / different times of day and different locations of course. Practice is definitely the key to getting the nerves to calm a bit.
Also… Watch a lot of you tube - Ian In London is great - he puts most questions you have as a newbie into context.
Practice landings and take offs etc without auto modes, and if you are ever unhappy, hit the RTH button for a split second and your drone will stop exactly where it is whilst you compose yourself.