Yep, another new guy.
Just purchased a dji mini 4k. Loving it.
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…
First, if you have not already done so and you want to fly your drone recreationally, you will need to get your TRUST Certificate. You can get that at the Pilot Institute Web Site (FREE…). This Link is to the Pilot Institute Web Site where you can get your TRUST Certificate. (FREE…)
Get your FAA TRUST Certificate of Completion to legally fly drones for recreational reasons in the United States.
trust.pilotinstitute.com
Next, if your Drone weighs less than 250-grams (0.55 pounds), and while you are flying under the 44809 Exception for Recreational Flyers, you are not required to register your Drone.
However, if 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. This link is to the FAADroneZone where you can register your Drone. The cost is $5.00… Important note, if you are flying your drones under your Part 107 Certification, then all drones, even those that weigh less than 250-grams must be registered with the FAA.
faadronezone-access.faa.gov
Now, depending on what you want to do while flying your drone determines if a TRUST Certificate meets your needs… A Recreational Flyer flies only for recreational purposes (personal enjoyment). You can post your photos and video on social media and share them with friends and family and a TRUST Certificate is all that is required.
However, if your drone flying includes things like taking photos to help sell a property or service, roof inspections, posting your photos on your monetized social media, or taking pictures of a high school football game for the school's website. Then a Part 107 Certificate is required. Goodwill can also be considered non-recreational. This would include things like volunteering to use your drone to survey coastlines on behalf of a non-profit organization.
If you are still confused if you can fly your drone as a Recreational Flyer under the 44809 Exemption or if you need to acquire a Part 107 Certificate the following video should clear it all up…
If you are considering acquiring your Part 107 License, here is a link to get you going…
30+ free and paid classes to fly your drone. Pass your FAA Part 107 license exam, learn how to fly your drone, and more.
pilotinstitute.com
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.
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 the User Manual offered by DJI for the Mini 4K
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…"
Learn and download DJI Mini 2 SE related apps, software, and manuals at the DJI Download Center
www.dji.com
Fly On and Fly Safe…
