I try to understand as much of the underlying technology as I can to create a good knowledge base from which to work.
So, in an effort to educate myself on this topic and discipline, I have used 2 resources:
The internet
A local UAV retailer
First up is the internet. Everything you need to know is out there. You just need to separate the wheat from the chaff. With that in mind, I offer these found resources that were very useful in my research.
Let's start at the beginning. How does a helicopter work?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdEWzqsfeHM&list=PLNbXXMoWfR3Bf7Z77vcviPlkHtTXUlEpC
Here is an excellent series on flying a model helicopter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeUTh3iWRec
OK, now let's get quad specific...
Quad flight school:
http://quadcopter101.blogspot.com/2013/10/chapter-1-introduction-to-quadcopters.html
Lessons and resources:
http://myfirstdrone.com/
http://www.phreakmonkey.com/2014/12/beginners-guide-to-flying-quadcopter.html
http://www.dronethusiast.com/quadcopter-beginners-guide-learn-to-fly-drones/
http://www.tested.com/art/makers/459457-joining-quad-squad-how-get-started-rc-quadcopters/
http://www.realflight.com/basic/basic-aircraft.html
http://www.inspirepilots.com/threads/understanding-compass-and-magnetic-fields.3742/
LiPo (the battery of choice for the R/C world):
http://multirotorforums.com/threads/understanding-lithium-polymer-batteries.12072/
General forums for reading and asking questions:
Forums:
And a couple of DJI Inspire 1 sites:
And, while this might be a bit pre-mature for you, here is a set of pre-flight checklists for the DJI Inspire:
http://www.dronefrontier.com/inspire1checklist
http://www.inspirepilots.com/resources/categories/dji-inspire-1-downloads.1/
MY NOTE:
Quad calibrations should be done away from:
Any metal objects (fence, car etc)
Do not wear a watch
Do not do around cell phone
A final note - check your surroundings for power lines/ cell towers or any other items that might be an issue
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Make Sure Batteries Are Fully Charged in Both TX and A/C
Verify Mode P/A/F
Put phone and tablet in flight mode
Power On TX
Power On A/C
Load DJI App
Exit Storage Mode via the app
Power Off A/C
Attach Camera
Check memory card is inside the camera
Install Props & Prop locks when we get them.
If winter set outside for a few minutes to get Acculamated to Temp.
Power On A/C
Check For cleanest Channel?????
Calibrate Compass
Check IMU Calibration .99 - 1.01
Set Fail Safe Height
Set RTH For A/C or TX
Point Antennas Correctly on TX
Power up motors if in winter to allow motors to warm up for a minute or so.
Then enjoy your flight
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PRE-LOCATION
• Batteries / tablet charged
• Firmware current
• Calibrate RC
• Confirm desired RC mode
• Memory card cleared
ON LOCATION
• Disable wifi on tab and airplane mode phones
• Prop locks / tighten props
• Calibrate your compass
• Calibrate your IMU (if readings are off)
• Give GPS a moment to lock in
• Properly position antenna
• Confirm RTH settings
• Confirm fail safe height
• Liftoff to 2-3 ft and watch behavior (steady, or drifting)
MISC
• Camera settings
• Check weather
• Plan flight route
• Be aware of surroundings.
• Allow unit to acclimate, then motors to warmup (cold weather)
• Always be prepared GPS loss
• Stay within line of sight
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Weather:
Wind below 20mph?
If below 40 F, use battery foam
Physical inspection:
SD card
Inspect bird and props
Install camera
Install props
Install prop locks
Prepare iPad:
Close all other apps
Open DJI Pilot
Cache maps for flight
Airplane Mode on
Verify TX switches:
Flight mode switch
Landing gear down
Power TX
Power aircraft:
Monitor status check and warm up LED indicators
Calibrate compass
Check IMU MOD levels:
Gyro: 0
Accel: .99-1.01
Comp: 1400-1600
When was last TX calibration?
Lift off to 6 ft hover:
Verify stable hover
Verify all controls are responsive
Landing gear up
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PRE FLIGHT CHECK LIST
1______CHOSE A GOOD TAKE-OFF LANDING PLACE
2______CHECK PROPS
3______CHECK CAMERA FILTER
4______TURN ON REMOTE CONTROL - APP TURNS ON
5______CHECK TABLET BATTERY LEVEL
6______TURN ON AIRPLANE MODE ON TABLET / CONFIRM
7______FLIGHT MODE SWITCH IN P POSITION ON REMOTE ( P - ATTI)
8______TURN ON INSPIRE
9______TURN ON PILOT APP – CONFIRM BASICS ON SCREEN
_______FLIGHT MODE (P-ATTI)
_______AIRCRAFT BATTERY CHARGED
_______RC BATTERY CHARGED
10______CALIBRATE COMPASS
11______CONFIRM GPS CONTROL
_______APP SCREEN - SATELLITE BARS FULL
_______APP SCREEN – SAFE TO FLY (GPS CONTROL)
_______INSPIRE REAR LIGHT BLINKING GREEN
12______CONFIRM GIMBAL MODE ON APP (FOLLOW, for me)
13______MAP CHECK – AIRPLANE ICON AT HOME BASE?
14______CHECK AND CONFIRM CAMERA SETTINGS
15______STAND BEHIND INSPIRE (this helps me)
16______TAKE OFF – HOVER – FINAL CHECK OF BATTERY LEVELS, GPS CONTROL
17______RAISE LANDING GEAR
18______FLY SAFELY, SHOOT. CONSTANT BATTERY CHECK – ALLOW TIME TO RETURN
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OK, in the next post I will talk specifically about my conclusions based on the research I have done as well as my experiences with a local UAV retailer.
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