Hello, my name is Dana and I'm fairly new to drone flying. I do have an older RC plane with an ICE motor. However that thing is more of a headache than actual fun. I own a DJI Mini 3 Pro and a FIMI X8 Pro. The mini is flawless as most DJI products are. The X8 Pro, not so much.
Hello everyone!
- Thread starter Brutalwarpig
- Start date
LoudThunder
Well-known member
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 Mini 3 Drone weighs less than 250-grams (0.55 pounds), and while you are flying under The Exception for Recreational Flyers, you are not required to register your Drone. I do not know about your FIMI X8 Pro…
These are probably all things you have done or need to do for your RC Plane…
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
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…)
FAADroneZone
If you are considering acquiring your Part 107 License, here is a link to get you going…
Online Ground School: Aviation Classes - Pilot Institute
Pilot Institute offers courses on drones and airplanes from world-class experts. Pass the Part 107 or Private Pilot exam and take to the skies.
pilotinstitute.com
Since you live in Tennessee, 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.
Federal Drone Laws in the United States (FAA) - Pilot Institute
44809 is an exemption from Part 107 drone laws. This means that drone pilots fly under Part 107 drone rules by default unless they meet all 9 of the requirements to fly under 44809, the exception for limited recreational operations of unmanned aircraft. You can read more about these requirements...
pilotinstitute.com
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."
Below is the link to all of the downloads offered by DJI for the Mini 3 Pro, including the User Manual.
After you read the Manual, read it again, you will be surprised what you missed the first time and you will be better prepared for that first "scary moment…"
DJI Mini 3 Pro - Download Center - DJI
At DJI Download Center, Learn aboutDJI Mini 3 Pro
Fly On and Fly Safe…
Thank you for all the advice and helpful links. I grew up at airports around middle Tennessee. Mostly the now closed Conilia Fort Airport in Nashville and the small airports in Springfield TN and Portland TN. My dad bought his first small plane (Piper Tri Pacer) when I was 7 years old. I got my basic private pilots license when i was 25. Now we have several aircraft including a helicopter.
My point is, I naively thought being a drone pilot would be effortless for me. I was quite wrong. There's a huge difference between operating an aircraft from inside the plane to operating one remotely. I feel very much like a newb! Lol. I have completed the TRUST certificate and the phone number on the drone is a brilliant idea!
My mini first generation has the regular controller that requires a phone or tablet. When I bought the Mini 3, I opted for the RC controller with built in screen. With the FIMI X8 Pro I also purchased their controller with built in screen the X10A. The X8 Pro with the larger capacity battery and megaphone/package carry-release module is around 1000 grams. So it definitely requires FAA registration. As far as part 107, I haven't completed that yet but I've been advised by other private pilots that I should go ahead and get the drone pilot licenses to limit possible liability exposure.
Once again, thank you for the warm reception and helpful info. Happy flying!
My point is, I naively thought being a drone pilot would be effortless for me. I was quite wrong. There's a huge difference between operating an aircraft from inside the plane to operating one remotely. I feel very much like a newb! Lol. I have completed the TRUST certificate and the phone number on the drone is a brilliant idea!
My mini first generation has the regular controller that requires a phone or tablet. When I bought the Mini 3, I opted for the RC controller with built in screen. With the FIMI X8 Pro I also purchased their controller with built in screen the X10A. The X8 Pro with the larger capacity battery and megaphone/package carry-release module is around 1000 grams. So it definitely requires FAA registration. As far as part 107, I haven't completed that yet but I've been advised by other private pilots that I should go ahead and get the drone pilot licenses to limit possible liability exposure.
Once again, thank you for the warm reception and helpful info. Happy flying!
Greetings from Birmingham Alabama USA, welcome to the forum! We look forward to hearing from you!
LoudThunder
Well-known member
You hit me in the head with your drone and it will not matter what license you carry, I'm sueing you... There are all types of libility insurance, even your homeowners policy probably offers a rider that you can purchase... However, once you gat your Part 107 license, the insurance may cost more as you are not more likely to be flying in locations (muninicipal settings: neighborhoods, etc...) and more often verses parks and ball fields for fun on the weekends...
PS: you might also want to join the sister site MavicPilots as it is very DJI specific... Link below under Callin all Pilots...
Thank you, having insurance on my drones is certainly good advice. I insure all my vehicles, leisure craft, and real estate through State Farm. This includes my drones which they cover under their personal articles coverage. I've known a couple people who've had to file bankruptcy. One for not having insurance on his Wave Runner and another for being under insured on her car. We live in a overly litigious society where every 15 minutes some attorney on TV is encouraging people to sue for any and every wrong, real or perceived.
