DJI Phantom Quadcopter First Flight -- Fail

[Taky Cheung]

Saw it at NAB. Bought one. Tried it today for the very first time. It's very difficult to use. Definitely not for everybody. The propella is dangerous too. The jello effect makes the footage unusable. I will be waiting for the next version with the safely bumps and the Zenmus gimbal.

That thing landed on a tree at the end. I have to use a tripod in my car to poke it down

Phantom First Flight Fail - with dramatic background music - YouTube

[Chris Medico]

I think there are a number of people that are going to learn the same lesson very soon.

[Stephen Mick]

How many years of experience do you have flying RC aerial gear, Taky?

[Paul R Johnson]

What gave you the idea that it was going to be was and required no skills or practice? You can buy a Robinson R22, but you'd be a bit daft to hop in and expect to fly it on your first day! Ten minutes on Google reveals the various cures for the image wobble, and most of those also require experimentation and practice, not just an open wallet!

[Chris Hurd]

We all start somewhere. I think the difference between me and Taky is that I wouldn't have uploaded my first flight video to YouTube. By the way, Taky -- I'm sorry I missed you at NAB this year! Sure hope to see you at the next one though.

[Taky Cheung]

HEHEHE its operator error. I have no experience in fly RC before. It looks a lot easier operated by someone else. But the jello effect is obvious that makes the footage unusable. I was also stupid to stand in front of it during that off. It almost slice me in half... hahah.

.it was fun flying that too. I was worrying I lost control and this thing just lost in the air. Have heard of that many of that stories that Phantom decided to go somewhere on its own.

Chris..... yes hope to see you at NAB next year. :-)

[Chris Hurd]

Thread moved from UWOL to our new UAV board.

[Allan Black]

Member Chad Johnson almost had his finger sliced off by a propellor on a UAV chopper.

Chris might be good to add a disclaimer at the head of this board ..

eg: Readers please note: no responsability is accepted by DVinfo, for any advice given and followed by anyone reading it, either forum members,
guests or any members of the public.

Fly safely, keep within the laws of your state and country, and carry the correct phone numbers to immediately call for help.

When operating any machinery, safety is first, cameras and accessories always come second.
(something like that :)
Cheers.

[Chris Hurd]

That's a very good idea, Allan, and I sure appreciate the suggestion. I should probably post a notice regarding the legal issues currently surrounding the operation of these machines in certain areas.

[Frank Glencairn]

LOL, the - ever present - panic to get sued by someone, who doesn't want to be responsible for his own actions - how American ;-)

I know that might sound pretty old school, but how about some common sense?

[Chris Medico]

Here in the USA the situation is complicated by a directive from the FAA that no "for hire" UAV flights occur without a waiver. To compound the potential problem is that the FAA operates under administrative law and the rules for evidence and guilt are not the same as under the criminal system.

Anyone in the USA wanting to use a UAV for a "for hire" job need to educate themselves on both the operational risks for the flight itself and the possible legal risks that can happen if you garner the attention of a regulatory body after the fact.

[Chris Hurd]

Originally Posted by Frank Glencairn

the - ever present - panic to get sued by someone, who doesn't want to be responsible for his own actions - how American ;-)

It is true that the United States is indeed a highly litigious society. Thus, the need for disclaimers of all sorts (not that they are 100% effective against legal action -- far from it, but there's a start).

One week prior to NAB, a friend in Austin over dinner suggested that it's time for DVi to roll out a UAV forum. I pondered the current FAA issues here in the USA (wow, that's a lot of acronyms) and I winced. That's when he pointed out that DVi's audience is 50% international and not subject to pending stateside legislation governing the use of UAVs. That's great for DVi. Even if privately owned UAVs are suddenly outlawed in this country, we'd still have half of our audience!

Meanwhile I'd like to ask our friends in Europe and elsewhere to please not laugh and point too much while these issues get sorted out over here. There's no doubt that U.S. laws will be a frequent topic of discussion on this board. Please have something *helpful* to say if you want to weigh in on that. Thanks in advance,

[Shaun Roemich]

No disrespect intended to ANYONE trying to learn UAV flight for any reason.

I LOVE the concept of helicopter/rotary wing flight. Back in the late 80's the Apache attack helicopter video game Gunship on my Commodore 64 ate up RIDICULOUS amounts of my time. I remember balancing collective, torque and pitch/yaw was difficult even back then.

I'm still a bit of a gamer. I bought the Activision XBox360 game Apache: Air Assault a year or two ago and thought I'd be able to jump right in...

I went straight to "Realistic" flight mode...

And crashed. Repeatedly. A LOT.

I went back and took the tutorial and it took me about 6 hours of "playing" to find that balance of power/collective/pitch/yaw that are required for precise control. When I play now, I look like a seasoned pro.

What does this have to do with UAV flight?

The physics are the same.

I haven't gotten up the urge yet to try an RC helicopter for fear that my fragile ego might become bruised even further but I'd come in with a background at least. Anyone CONSIDERING RC flight should start with realistic expectations:
- learn to apply power and stay on the ground, level
- learn to hover inches above the ground.

That's a good weekend right there...
Next:
- hover and rotate using tail rotor

Another great weekend.

- In a straight vertical line, ascend, hover and descend at a controlled rate.

That's probably a good two weeks.

Be realistic in your expectations if you are using something more than a children's toy optimized for in-flight stability.

If you aren't willing to put in the work, RC flight is probably not for you and you run the risk of seriously injuring someone while breaking expensive parts of your new "toy"...

My 2 cents...

[Shaun Roemich]

Addendum: and ALL that above (the video game stuff...) is emulating SITTING INSIDE the blasted thing! Trying to keep track of pitch and yaw from the ground?

I think surgeons have an easier time... <tongue planted firmly in cheek>

[Duane Adam]

Thumbs down for the copter, thumbs up for your music selection.