Any other "drone" fans out there? I love flying my quad UAV whenever I get a chance. I'm also an amateur photographer (emphasis on the amateur part), but love learning the theory and growing my abilities.

Mixing flying with photography/videography is like a match made in heaven. They are meant for each other.

The big challenge for me, living in a dense suburbia that has become more urban (SF Bay Area) is that there are few places left to legally fly. Airports and heliports require authorization to fly within 5 miles, and most of the bay area is covered by these circles. National Parks have banned them. And of course, many other parks too (local).

But, when I find great places to fly that are visually appealing, I'm incredibly happy.

I've got a DJI Inspire 1. What have you got? I'm thinking about picking up one of the DJI Phantom 4's that just came out!

Knight

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Any other "drone" fans out there? I love flying my quad UAV whenever I get a chance. I'm also an amateur photographer (emphasis on the amateur part), but love learning the theory and growing my abilities.

Mixing flying with photography/videography is like a match made in heaven. They are meant for each other.

The big challenge for me, living in a dense suburbia that has become more urban (SF Bay Area) is that there are few places left to legally fly. Airports and heliports require authorization to fly within 5 miles, and most of the bay area is covered by these circles. National Parks have banned them. And of course, many other parks too (local).

I've thought it might be fun to get a drone, but a few months ago I heard that the FAA now requires anyone with a drone over a certain weight to get a license to operate it, and of course that costs money on a regular basis.. I think that
law applies to any R/C aircraft, not jut drones. So I'm wondering if I really want to get a drone or not.

Nightfox

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Re: UAV/Quad/Drone
By: Nightfox to Knight on Thu Mar 31 2016 09:18 am

I've thought it might be fun to get a drone, but a few months ago I heard that the FAA now requires anyone with a drone over a certain weight to get a license to operate it, and of course that costs money on a regular basis..
I think that
law applies to any R/C aircraft, not jut drones. So I'm wondering if I really want to get a drone or not.

The new law simply requires registration of your UAV activities, and this registration number must be affixed to all of your craft of a certain size. For hobbyists, the law is still very lenient.

If you want to commercially fly (such as for professional video shoots, or any other commercial needs) you have to get a 333 license, which also includes a COA. The rules are way more strict (surprisingly).

I think actual licensing would be good (where you take a test) because it would encourage good flying behavior and safety. Once you've flown one of these guys a mile away from you, you will see how dangerous they can be and will wish the same.

I worry about battery shorts and spontaneous motor burnouts, as it can send the drone crashing down! It hasn't happened to me yet, but I read about it on the forums all of the time. Imagine a large UAV coming down onto your head or your car or a house!

You should get one though. It's a TON of fun.

Knight

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Re: UAV/Quad/Drone
By: Knight to All on Thu Mar 31 2016 01:46 am

Any other "drone" fans out there? I love flying my quad UAV whenever I get a chance. I'm also an amateur photographer (emphasis on the amateur part), but love learning the theory and growing my abilities.

Mixing flying with photography/videography is like a match made in heaven. They are meant for each other.

The big challenge for me, living in a dense suburbia that has become more urban (SF Bay Area) is that there are few places left to legally fly. Airports and heliports require authorization to fly within 5 miles, and most of the bay area is covered by these circles. National Parks have banned them. And of course, many other parks too (local).

But, when I find great places to fly that are visually appealing, I'm incredibly happy.

I've got a DJI Inspire 1. What have you got? I'm thinking about picking up one of the DJI Phantom 4's that just came out!

I have a DJI Phantom 3 (Christmas gift). It's pretty incredible. I did get my "license" and as far as I know, I can fly it above/around my neighborhood and the surrounding hills without issue. I just fret crashing or losing it as it's a pretty expensive toy. :-)

digital man

Synchronet "Real Fact" #77:
Synchronet Match Maker had at one time over 4000 profiles of men and women. Norco, CA WX: 81.3øF, 25.0% humidity, 7 mph ESE wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs

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Re: UAV/Quad/Drone
By: Digital Man to Knight on Mon Apr 04 2016 03:06 pm

I've got a DJI Inspire 1. What have you got? I'm thinking about picking up one of the DJI Phantom 4's that just came out!

I have a DJI Phantom 3 (Christmas gift). It's pretty incredible. I did get my "license" and as far as I know, I can fly it above/around my neighborhood and the surrounding hills without issue. I just fret crashing or losing it as it's a pretty expensive toy. :-)

Sadly I crashed The Inspired One accidentally. I never thought it would happen to me. I put it into CSC mode accidentally (sticks downward and inward) and the engines cut out at 50 feet or so. Luckily I was in a large hilly park, so it came crashing down onto the ground where nobody and no property was.

But it's looking almost like a total loss. I have an RMA in with DJI to make the repairs. I'm expecting a $1500+ bill.

Youch...

Knight

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Re: UAV/Quad/Drone
By: Knight to Digital Man on Fri Apr 22 2016 11:47 am

Sadly I crashed The Inspired One accidentally. I never thought it would happen to me. I put it into CSC mode accidentally (sticks downward and inward) and the engines cut out at 50 feet or so. Luckily I was in a large hilly park, so it came crashing down onto the ground where nobody and no property was.

But it's looking almost like a total loss. I have an RMA in with DJI to make the repairs. I'm expecting a $1500+ bill.

Wholly cow! That's a lot more than my flying toy budget. I do wish you luck though. :-(

digital man

Synchronet "Real Fact" #29:
The COM I/O routines for Synchronet for DOS were written in ASM by Steve Deppe. Norco, CA WX: 67.2øF, 56.0% humidity, 9 mph ESE wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs

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Re: UAV/Quad/Drone
By: Digital Man to Knight on Fri Apr 22 2016 06:49 pm

But it's looking almost like a total loss. I have an RMA in with DJI to make the repairs. I'm expecting a $1500+ bill.

Wholly cow! That's a lot more than my flying toy budget. I do wish you luck though. :-(

Oh yeah, more than my flying toy budget too. I flew my friend's Inspire last year and got bit by the bug and shortly decided to get mine. It's been a huge blast flying this semi-pro UAV around.

But crashing it like this was a huge blow. I really can't justify spending $4k again, but I've decided in my head that $1500 is worthwhile to preserve the previous spend.

The Phantom 4 looks nice. I might pick one up to use as my "mess around" drone. The only thing I don't like about it is that the props show up in the videos.

And thanks by the way!

Knight

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