New Drone thread... All ideas welcome

[Quiet]

If your drone weighs .55lbs or more, don't forget to register it with the FAA.


AFAIK...
Several months ago, first arrest was made in CA of a non-registered drone being used to "interfere" with firefighting operations.
Suspect was using a drone to film a wildfire and was identified from his youtube account (he uploaded his drone videos).
They confiscated his drone (he was not registered with the FAA) and fined him around $27,500.

[supergimp]

I've been building and flying drones for photography since you had to do it all yourself, including programming and calibrating your own flight controllers. In fact, for me the technology has become so ubiquitous that I've sort of lost interest. Not to mention that a few idiots do stupid stuff and ruined public and legal opinion of those that don't know better and only listen to the media hype (sound familiar?).

But for people that just want to fly, FAA has actually set reasonable restrictions and is offering a commercial use policy that is attainable.

That said, you can't go wrong with DJI. Any of their current stuff (I've used DJI flight controllers for years) is basically plug and play.

Part of my fleet several years ago...now gathering dust in the garage...

[E92335i]

The new DJI Mavic is pretty cool. Foldable drone.

[Bushwack44]

DJi Mavic Pro just released. Here's an independent review - https://youtu.be/iPG1Xa5Uqwo

[sar_man]

Just picked up a Phantom 3 Advanced. So far I have done some short flights in training mode and am having fun.

[TriumphantApe]

Don't bother building one, get a Phantom 3 or 4, or if you want something sporty the DJI Mavic is the one to get.
All of the above stream video for up to 3 miles, have return to home, and multiple flight modes.
In addition the 3rd party app Litchi gives you an enormous amount of control of all of the above (except maybe the Mavic as that's so new)

Do not bother with gopros drone.

I've been using DJI for years now, 5$'s gets your FAA cert and with a tablet or phone plugged into the controller you can get the birds eye view while having plausible denial of FPV use.
FPV is now requiring a airman/pilots license for goggles, so the tablet or phone is the way to go.
DJI has the greatest bang for the buck and the most mature firmware and systems out there.

[Capt.Dunsel]

I've been using DJI for years now, 5$'s gets your FAA cert and with a tablet or phone plugged into the controller you can get the birds eye view while having plausible denial of FPV use.

FPV is now requiring a airman/pilots license for goggles, so the tablet or phone is the way to go..

Where did you hear this FUD ? There is nothing about needing an airman/pilots license for FVP , only needed if your commercial drone pilot .

Better read up on the 333 exemption . And you still need to keep it in line of sight , for hobbyist or commercial , can you see a drone at 3 miles ?

[Galt]

Where did you hear this FUD ? There is nothing about needing an airman/pilots license for FVP , only needed if your commercial drone pilot .

Better read up on the 333 exemption . And you still need to keep it in line of sight , for hobbyist or commercial , can you see a drone at 3 miles ?

This kills the whole FPV thing. If you actually care about their rules that is. If you are wearing goggles, you are not in line of sight, are you?

[Capt.Dunsel]

This kills the whole FPV thing. If you actually care about their rules that is. If you are wearing goggles, you are not in line of sight, are you?

Exactly , FPV users usually fly racing style ( most around the minimum weight of .55 lbs on closed course) which fits into hobbyist "class" UAV ( drone) quads.

[TriumphantApe]

Maybe this is old then.

By definition, a model aircraft must be “flown within visual line of sight of the person operating the aircraft.” P.L. 112-95, section 336(c)(2).1
Based on the plain language of the statute, the FAA interprets this requirement to mean that: (1) the aircraft must be visible at all times to the operator; (2) that the operator must use his or her own
natural vision (which includes vision corrected by standard eyeglasses or contact lenses)
to observe the aircraft ; and (3) people other than the operator may not be used in lieu of
the operator for maintaining visual line of sight. Under the criteria above, visual line of sight would mean that the operator has an unobstructed view of the model aircraft.

https://www.faa.gov/uas/media/model_aircraft_spec_rule.pdf

FUD is the SOP of GOV, take a look at gun laws in California.

[Capt.Dunsel]

Yep , old . Dated 2014 new rules went into effect Aug 29 , 2016.

[brassburnz]

Buy a cheap quad and learn how to fly first. Join the DJI pilot's forum http://www.phantompilots.com/ and RC Groups http://www.phantompilots.com/

I'm amazed at people who buy a $1000 toy and don't know how to use it. They either lose it or break it within a month. Once you learn how to fly, register with the FCC, get some liability insurance, and buy what you feel comfortable using.

For liability insurance, I suggest joining this group. You get $1 million in coverage (limitations apply) for 75 bucks a year membership. http://www.modelaircraft.org/

[Bushwack44]

I don't know much about drones but Casey Neistat does. He's a successful YouTube vlogger. Look through his channel. Here's a link to his vlog and the latest drone from DJi (Maverick). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPG1Xa5Uqwo

[brassburnz]

Here are some drone moments for you to enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXApfBIEfw8&list=RDIXApfBIEfw8&index=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X27-2WDIZR0&list=RDIXApfBIEfw8&index=7

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHWuC0IWobg&list=RDIXApfBIEfw8&index=13

[brassburnz]

I don't know much about drones but Casey Neistat does. He's a successful YouTube vlogger. Look through his channel. Here's a link to his vlog and the latest drone from DJi (Maverick). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPG1Xa5Uqwo

Looks cool. Now I know why there are so many Phantom 3's and 4's for sale. The Mavic is going to blow everything else out of the water including the new Yuneec and the Go Pro Karma. Time to sell something so I can get a Mavic.

https://www.dji.com/mavic