I am 76 yrs old and a retired foothealth practitioner. My hobbies include pen turning, leatherwork and photography. I normally take portraits of Steampunk, goths and pirates at Whitby events but I wanted to upgrade to aerial /videography. So I signed up to an online drone mastery course using the iphone 16 pro max I have.
My son gave me his phantom 3 advanced quadcopter as he no longer used it. It also had not been used for some time and the batteries had died completely. Replaced that and found that there was a fault in the controller and so I ended up replacing that too.
As yet not managed to get it launched for a maiden flight. I wanted to get all of the protocols in place before venturing out. So I am now looking for a nice safe place to have a practise. I also decided that as this drone is a bit on the old side I have invested in purchasing a Dji mini 4 pro combo from drone safe. Sorry for this ramble but the 16yr old inside my head is excited about getting to fly stuff. Oh! And I hope I get to meet up with anyone in the Middlesbrough area.
Hi @Aikido3 and welcome to Grey Arrows 
Looking for recommendations of places to fly? Check out our interactive map on Drone Scene and please feel free to add locations of your own too 
Wondering whether you can fly a particular model of drone under particular circumstances? Check out Good 2 Go where you’ll soon find the answer 
Have you seen our Members Map? You may find some members living near you.
Feel free to add yourself to the members map too!
Flying a drone is great fun but sometimes you feel the need to have a purpose for doing so and the Challenges category provides some great reasons for you to fly.
There are regular challenges which are open to all, that attract members of all abilities. Support, advice and constructive criticism is freely available; still photography, video and the techniques for editing both are involved in the challenges. Suggestions, for subjects or for complete challenges, are always welcome - take a look in the Challenges category for more information.
We’re a well established club with many knowledgeable members so it’s very likely that any issues you come across will have been discussed here before. Our discussion forum has very powerful search features which should help you find what you need but if you get stuck you can post a new question in the Questions & Answers category.
And finally, if you are new to drones and wondering what it’s all about, have a look at Resources for a beginner.
Welcome once again!
Good morning @Aikido3 Paul welcome along 
I can guarntee you’ve probably come across my neighbour & their family at some point who have attended over many years, just an inclination one of the girls other half’s is a dead ringer for jack sparrow probably one of the best I’ve ever seen through the photos my neighbour shows me when she gets back from Whitby - however she hasn’t been for a couple of years due to back/knee operation,
Hi Paul @Aikido3 and welcome to GADC
Hi welcome to the group.
Hi from sunny Blackpool
Hi there @Aikido3 and welcome to the GADC
Hi from Durham Aikido3 i go to whitby photgraphing the Goths and Steampunks as well great day out
Yes I think I have met him at some point. I also go in Steampunk outfit. My picture was used as a (pinup) for one of the events at Whitby pavilion.
I am a member of the through the lens photography group and a couple of our guys do the free photos downstairs for anyone who wants to be a model.
When I see my neighbour next I’ll get a couple of pictures for you and DM them, his missus does all the steam punk malarkey ( if it helps ) Kelly & Chris by name 
@Aikido3 Hello Paul,
I’m in Ormesby.
My youtube is https://www.youtube.com/@stillightdrones
Mick.
That would be brilliant.
Hi Mick,
I have subscribed to your YouTube. Nice videography.
Hi @Aikido3 and welcome to the GADC group
Hi there and thank you.
Thanks. Much appreciated.
Thank you for that.
Hi Paul, welcome from the Black Country