Having been asked the question for Christmas, “What would you never buy yourself?” my first thought was an mid range smart watchs or above, then it hit me. From my past about 40 years ago I always wanted a remote model aircraft or a Dune buggy or a bit later a model helicopter.
I never got one and I always thought that a camera on the copter would be great, not that it was really possible back then,
Anyway, I asked for a basic quadcopter for Christmas (kinda from myself) to see if I would like it and after a lot of reading and checking I got a DEERC D25 as a compromise.
I read and went through the flight ID test and got the operators ID, got the Drone scene app and related that to the local OS maps of parks and so on.
I have yet to take off as the wind seems to be a little strong at the moment and work gets in the way.
I can’t say I will enjoy droning? or coptering? but I’m gonna give it a go and have been looking for a suitable place.
I love the pictures and videos others have taken and if I find myself enjoying the sport? hobby? might consider taking it further towards a business but have no idea yet what that entails of the difficulty of getting started.
So for now it’s waiting for my first flight and recording that video.
If anyone has a great place in Gloucester then please let me know.
I also had an idea for finding lost drones that don’t have GPS, last position built in.
Also I have been using the android version of quadcopter simulator to get a bit of practice in before the first flight.
If anyone out there has used it, how realistic are the control sensitivities and the stabilisation compared to the real thing?
Well that’s enough, thanks for the site and who knows I may be posting so stuff here in the future.
Hi Kaylee👍I’m in Gloucester only started flying about a month ago✅
I’ve flown so far on Robinswood Hill and in Randwick park, I’ve checked the local government criteria for drones and theirs refers to “commercial” but you should check for your own peace of mind.
I’m just taking things steady but I have my operator ID, flyer ID and I’m looking at A2 cofc but as I have no laptop or PC that means I’d have to attend a course which I’m not doing! Nothing to do with COVID though👍
Depending where you are maybe Plock Court, Black Bridge, or possibly a friendly school at the weekends as most have green spaces😉
Take care, stay safe fly safe and best wishes:+1:
Have you seen our members map? (Click the burger-menu in the top right) You may find some pilots living near you. Feel free to add yourself to the members map too
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.
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Find places to fly your Drone (UAV) in the UK and share your favourite flying locations with other hobbyists pilots.
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Hi Kaylee, welcome to GADC, I’m also from Gloucester and agree with the previous comments about checking dronescene, quite a lot of suitable areas but lots of perfectly good areas that haven’t been put on dronescene yet so it’s always good to just pop out for a walk and assess the areas yourself as well. I fly quite a bit near Fromebridge mill, near Whitminster whilst out with my dog, Rudge hill near Edge is also good (both areas are on dronescene)
DEERC drones are very capable starter drones with alot of good reviews and videos on youtube. My best advise to a beginner is spend alot of time on there watching videos, beginners guides, tips, etc. in most cases it doesnt matter what drone is being used, the same principles apply to most.
Biggest lesson to a newbie is this, “if in doubt, thumbs off”. Any relatively modern drone with GPS will simply stop and hover in place so if you find yourself dissorientated or even lost, just ‘hands off’ and re evaluate what you want to do. Much better than trying to fly yourself out of a situation and hitting a wall!
Thanks for the advice,
Using the simulator, it became very clear that it’s very easy to get into trouble very quickly even with the computer aids.
It’s not quite automatic yet to just let go of the controls to regain stability as in most other situations you have to fight to regain control so it’s almost counter intuitive till it works a few times to just let go.
Much better to find that out in the sun though
Hi👍just wondering if you’ve tried Barrow Wake? Up behind the Air Balloon (same side) looking over Gloucester✅and there’s also another view point near the old Prinknash Abbey which might be worth a try😎
For my first flight I might try Sneedhams green or reservoir rd field behind Gloucester academy of even the field/ playing fields at plock court or up behind"the Irish club"
It’s just for a first trial to get over the potential internal embarrassment of making a right mess of it all in front of others😬 it the drone just flying away.
I love the idea of flying around abandoned structures and possibly perversely in a forest through the trees at low levels.
Get comfortable in an open green / field, dont go near water and especially trees until youre very confident. Remeber, youve got no obstacle avoidance and a branch, even a twig can come out of nowhere and ruin your day.
Don’t forget, you are allowed to move your position when flying to get more advantageous sight lines to try and avoid collisions. E.g. I did a shot flying between two rows of trees no more than 2-3ft away from the UAV … I literally walked 5ft behind it to make sure I could see any stray branches etc!
If your close to Sneedhams green you’ll know the Moto X track? That’s a big open area with hardly any disturbance except maybe from the paintballers if they are open✅
You’ve also got big open areas around Lobleys drive, just a thought, stay safe fly safe:+1:
I used to fly traction kites at both of those locations😉but I preferred Selsley common up the top and you get the view out to the Severn valley.
Minchinhampton is a popular place and I’ve always found it busy, there is also a model aircraft club which used to meet Sunday mornings and I know there used to be a few drone pilots in attendance.
Just get yourself out, respect your ability or inability and don’t run before you can walk! I’ve now had close to a month of ownership flown at least twice a week and used all my batteries each time on 2 drones👍and I’m now gaining confidence and can circle, square and helix on my own, I did my highest flight yesterday at 90m above Randwick park.
Whatever you do just gain trust and confidence in yourself, you can and will do this, stay safe fly safe:wink:
My only advice is don’t push the battery. … leave enough deduce to RTH … I have a original Mavic Air set my low battery at 30% When it gets under it go down like a shot . So leave enough time to RTH …
steve .
No comments on making sure you are legal before you even fly the drone. That should be the first thing you need to do. In fact you really need to swot up on what you can or can’t do.
