Another Newbie,

Dale

New member
Joined
Feb 25, 2024
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Age
75
Location
Cape Cod, MA
Good day,

I am just getting into the drone world, partly for recreation but also with an eye to the future of using aerial drones to survey shellfish farms in my part-time role as an insurance loss adjuster for USDA disaster programs. I am also playing with an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that was built for me for the same purpose.

I just purchased a Potensic ATOM SE yesterday and am working through getting comfortable flying it. At some point, I may even be brave enough to fly the thing over water without fear of a forced landing into the ocean!

I am flying in the southeastern Massachusetts area for now. And so far, it has been a ton of fun!

Dale
 
I am just getting into the drone world,

Welcome from the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, USA.

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…). Your Drone weighs more than 250-grams (0.55 pounds), and even while you are flying under The Exception for Recreational Flyers, you are required to register your Drone.

Link to the TRUST Certificate at the Pilot Institute Web Site (FREE…)


FAA TRUST Online Portal for Recreational Drone Operators - Pilot Institute
Get your FAA TRUST Certificate of Completion to legally fly drones for recreational reasons in the United States.
trust.pilotinstitute.com trust.pilotinstitute.com

Link to the FAADroneZone (Optional Registration for Drones under 250-Grams…)


If you are considering acquiring your Part 107 License, here is a link to get you going…


Since you live in New York, 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 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."

Fly On and Fly Safe…
 
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Excellent information LoudThunder - thank you very much!

The good news is that I have spent a little time getting up to speed with drone piloting. I have my TRUST Certificate in hand and the ATOM SE is advertised by Potensic as being under 250g thus not needing to register it. Although I have not weighed it, I am taking their specifications at face value. Also, I spent the better part of the weekend watching videos and reading about proper drone management, so I am comfortable with my current state of knowledge.

I am writing my phone number on it immediately after I finish this response.

I followed you recommendations for a short flight today before dark and it all went well. Short controlled launch, slow excursion around the yard, and a few trials of RTH and manual landing. Have done my homework on flying in my region so I think I am good to go.

I appreciate your input and will keep your recommendations in mind as I move forward with piloting. Thanks a bunch!
 
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the ATOM SE is advertised by Potensic as being under 250g thus not needing to register it.
Then you are good to go, Enjoy your new baby but do not make your significate other jealous of your new love...
 
Good day,

I am just getting into the drone world, partly for recreation but also with an eye to the future of using aerial drones to survey shellfish farms in my part-time role as an insurance loss adjuster for USDA disaster programs. I am also playing with an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that was built for me for the same purpose.

I just purchased a Potensic ATOM SE yesterday and am working through getting comfortable flying it. At some point, I may even be brave enough to fly the thing over water without fear of a forced landing into the ocean!

I am flying in the southeastern Massachusetts area for now. And so far, it has been a ton of fun!

Dale
Watch out. I flew my first gps drone 6 months ago and now I've got thousands of dollars tied up in various drones and remotes.
 
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Greetings from Birmingham Alabama USA, welcome to the forum! We look forward to hearing from you!
 

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