Drone Experience
- Thread starter Professor Marvel
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Alien
Elite Member
The original flight controllers for home built drones worked quite OK but were very limited in what they could do. No position hold or RTH.
I went to Pixhawk which has virtually unlimited possibilities. I often get up to 23 satellites with the average around 21. The more satellites the more your drone can accurately position itself. I tried 2 GPSs but there was no advantage. I am planning a cross country (3 klm) trip to my buddies place one day when it is dead calm. The flight will be over some State Forest and some empty properties. No houses on route. The drone will land at my buddies and he will switch it off. It takes about 8 minutes by car but about 5 by direct flight. There are some small hills on route so I might use terrain following to avoid them. Still in the planning stages.
Funny story.. One day I sent my drone on a mission and it came back and landed. My buddy wanted to do the same mission so I programmed his drone and sent it off. What I forgot to do was move my drone from the landing spot. It was too late before we realized that when it returned his drone was going to land squarely on top of mine. It chopped off my brand new wifi antenna but otherwise no damage. LOL
I went to Pixhawk which has virtually unlimited possibilities. I often get up to 23 satellites with the average around 21. The more satellites the more your drone can accurately position itself. I tried 2 GPSs but there was no advantage. I am planning a cross country (3 klm) trip to my buddies place one day when it is dead calm. The flight will be over some State Forest and some empty properties. No houses on route. The drone will land at my buddies and he will switch it off. It takes about 8 minutes by car but about 5 by direct flight. There are some small hills on route so I might use terrain following to avoid them. Still in the planning stages.
Funny story.. One day I sent my drone on a mission and it came back and landed. My buddy wanted to do the same mission so I programmed his drone and sent it off. What I forgot to do was move my drone from the landing spot. It was too late before we realized that when it returned his drone was going to land squarely on top of mine. It chopped off my brand new wifi antenna but otherwise no damage. LOL
Alien
Elite Member
Love that Fairy drone video. LOL. It would have been devastating for the little girl. Maybe there was a draft drawing air up the chimney?
This guy (Yeah74) has removed some videos but there are plenty left to watch. Maybe he was trying to protect himself from authorities.
Let´s share aerial videos here - WattFlyer RC Electric Flight Forums - Discuss radio control eflight
This guy (Yeah74) has removed some videos but there are plenty left to watch. Maybe he was trying to protect himself from authorities.
Let´s share aerial videos here - WattFlyer RC Electric Flight Forums - Discuss radio control eflight
ovrszd
Epic Contributor
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- May 27, 2006
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- Missouri
- Tractor
- Kubota M9540, Ford 3910FWD, Ford 555A, JD2210
I've flown to objects 3 miles away, out of line of sight, several times manually flying. The first time I did it there was a slight breeze on the ground. I flew North 2.5 miles to my neighbor's house, took some pics for them and started back. Flying at 150ft altitude. After a minute or so of flight I started checking data. My air speed was only 5mph. There was a South wind at that altitude. I was out of line of sight and flying over hilly, tree covered terrain. The altitude reading on the controller is difference from launch point and the Drone. Means nothing when flying over hilly terrain. I was afraid to drop down to real low altitude to escape the wind. Fortunately it was only 200yds from home when it critically landed.
Your story sounds like something I would do...….
Alien
Elite Member
I only run 2200 mAh batteries to keep the weight down. I tried larger ones but didn't gain enough time to make it worthwhile due to the extra weight. Therefore my maximum safe range is 2 klm out and 2 klm back. I can set my speed from 5 meters per second to a maximum of 15. I normally run at about 10 meters per sec on the longer trips otherwise I get worried that it's not coming back as it seems to take so long if I set speed any less.
I started using a stop watch which accurately timed my flights so I knew exactly when my drone should reappear.
Another funny story of another drone buddy.
They suspected a neighbour of stealing a car so he decided to send his drone over their place to have a look.
He was using FPV and got a bit disorientated. The drone lost stability and he crashed into the suspects yard near his house. (It had pretty noisy props on it)
He had a couple of attempts to take off making all sorts of noise and sending up dust and of course this attracted said suspect out onto his porch to see what was going on. He was standing there watching with a cup of coffee in his hand. The drone camera was pointing directly at him.
Eventually he managed to get it in the air again and started to fly home. He cleared a wire fence by about an inch or two and started for home. The ground had quite a rise in it so as he flew along the drone was getting closer to the ground and eventually bit the dust. Once again he managed to take off and finally got it home with the funniest video I have seen in a long time.
I started using a stop watch which accurately timed my flights so I knew exactly when my drone should reappear.
Another funny story of another drone buddy.
They suspected a neighbour of stealing a car so he decided to send his drone over their place to have a look.
He was using FPV and got a bit disorientated. The drone lost stability and he crashed into the suspects yard near his house. (It had pretty noisy props on it)
He had a couple of attempts to take off making all sorts of noise and sending up dust and of course this attracted said suspect out onto his porch to see what was going on. He was standing there watching with a cup of coffee in his hand. The drone camera was pointing directly at him.
Eventually he managed to get it in the air again and started to fly home. He cleared a wire fence by about an inch or two and started for home. The ground had quite a rise in it so as he flew along the drone was getting closer to the ground and eventually bit the dust. Once again he managed to take off and finally got it home with the funniest video I have seen in a long time.
natedog75
Bronze Member
I launch the Mavic off concrete, the hood of my truck, the tailgate, etc. anything flat and free of debris. With mine you pull both sticks down and in to start the props. They burst to balance the blades and then go back to an idle speed. You can then take off. I take and land manually. My drone stays steady enough to land it in my hand. While flying it one handed. It can hover in one spot way more accurately than I ever anticipated. It is actually amazing how stable it is.
The Mavic has a feature to track and follow moving objects. It is always great to see people reactions when I walk around to the back of their house any my drone is following me without any user input. It uses the sensors so it doesn’t hit anything it is a very cool feature for getting some cool shots. It also drives the dogs crazy if you can get them in a open field.
The Mavic has a feature to track and follow moving objects. It is always great to see people reactions when I walk around to the back of their house any my drone is following me without any user input. It uses the sensors so it doesn’t hit anything it is a very cool feature for getting some cool shots. It also drives the dogs crazy if you can get them in a open field.
Alien
Elite Member
Had he stolen the car? Or is that information which you can't divulge?
We don't know. He has a large shed so it was possibly in there. He is known for stealing/stripping vehicles.
Alien
Elite Member
The Pixhawk is capable of 'Follow me" but I have never tried that feature.
