Hi all,
Despite being a new P3P owner, my experience with quads goes back a bit. I have my BS Aero Eng from a well-known US university and worked extensively on unmanned vehicles there, including quads. The amount of control schemes I authored that resulted in crashes only adds to my fears
.
Anyways, here's a summary of my issues:
1. Last weekend, I was having a routine flight. I got a full disconnection for a few seconds, and I wrote that off as interference from a lighthouse that may have been between me and the quad. I had accounted for it in my RTH altitude, so I didn't worry too much. Signal returned, and I flew as planned closer to where I was standing. That explains Points E, F, and G in the picture linked below this paragraph. The disconnection at Point H is what has me concerned. I had the aircraft at a hover, in full view, and with no obstacles between myself and the quad. I got a gray "Disconnected" status in DJI GO, and my iPhone 7+ goes to sleep. The aircraft began its RTH sequence, and I was able to take control back of the aircraft after 15 seconds. I did a few short flights two days later without incident. Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet
2. This Thursday, again, while in a hover, something similar happened. This time, I received a gray "Disconnected" status in DJI GO, but my phone stayed awake. The aircraft initiated RTH (based on the movement I saw) and I was able to retake control 15 or so seconds later. Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet
3. Today, I went to fly in relatively tame conditions. Siri told me wind speeds were <10mph, and the golfer in me would call it about a half-club wind. What's concerning about this flight was the inability of the aircraft to hover when commanded. The aircraft was connected to no less than 16 satellites during the short flight, but it struggled to maintain altitude or location. Because I was over water, I was comfortable to see how the quad reacted to a commanded movement. During the short flight away from the home point, I commanded a straight line back, as verified by the input display in DJI GO, which I looked at right after the flight. As you can see, there was a noticeable curve to just that short movement. When I stopped pulling back on the stick, the aircraft made that unprompted move that would be "south" on the map (to the right, in the quad's frame of reference). Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet
As far as the first two instances go, I know the antenna were arranged properly, so I don't believe that to be the issue. Apps and all firmware are up to date, as well. I'm happy to provide any more information should someone have some ideas.
To top it all off, while driving away from my flight today, I see a guy getting ready to take off with his Mavic... pre-ordered it the first day it was available and just got it a few weeks ago. If I stumble on one in the Apple Store, you can be sure this P3P is going straight to Craigslist.
Cheers.
Despite being a new P3P owner, my experience with quads goes back a bit. I have my BS Aero Eng from a well-known US university and worked extensively on unmanned vehicles there, including quads. The amount of control schemes I authored that resulted in crashes only adds to my fears
. Anyways, here's a summary of my issues:
1. Last weekend, I was having a routine flight. I got a full disconnection for a few seconds, and I wrote that off as interference from a lighthouse that may have been between me and the quad. I had accounted for it in my RTH altitude, so I didn't worry too much. Signal returned, and I flew as planned closer to where I was standing. That explains Points E, F, and G in the picture linked below this paragraph. The disconnection at Point H is what has me concerned. I had the aircraft at a hover, in full view, and with no obstacles between myself and the quad. I got a gray "Disconnected" status in DJI GO, and my iPhone 7+ goes to sleep. The aircraft began its RTH sequence, and I was able to take control back of the aircraft after 15 seconds. I did a few short flights two days later without incident. Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet
2. This Thursday, again, while in a hover, something similar happened. This time, I received a gray "Disconnected" status in DJI GO, but my phone stayed awake. The aircraft initiated RTH (based on the movement I saw) and I was able to retake control 15 or so seconds later. Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet
3. Today, I went to fly in relatively tame conditions. Siri told me wind speeds were <10mph, and the golfer in me would call it about a half-club wind. What's concerning about this flight was the inability of the aircraft to hover when commanded. The aircraft was connected to no less than 16 satellites during the short flight, but it struggled to maintain altitude or location. Because I was over water, I was comfortable to see how the quad reacted to a commanded movement. During the short flight away from the home point, I commanded a straight line back, as verified by the input display in DJI GO, which I looked at right after the flight. As you can see, there was a noticeable curve to just that short movement. When I stopped pulling back on the stick, the aircraft made that unprompted move that would be "south" on the map (to the right, in the quad's frame of reference). Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet
As far as the first two instances go, I know the antenna were arranged properly, so I don't believe that to be the issue. Apps and all firmware are up to date, as well. I'm happy to provide any more information should someone have some ideas.
To top it all off, while driving away from my flight today, I see a guy getting ready to take off with his Mavic... pre-ordered it the first day it was available and just got it a few weeks ago. If I stumble on one in the Apple Store, you can be sure this P3P is going straight to Craigslist.
Cheers.
