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Learning to Fly
#1
Greetings All!!
At the suggestion of a gentleman on this forum, I am starting a thread that will briefly reflect on my experiences learning to fly quad copters in the hope that it may help some of the budding pilots out there that are not progressing as fast or as well as they think they should. I am NOT a good pilot.  In fact, I am terrible, but I AM getting better.

My story starts on Dec. 25 2015 when I received a toy quad for Christmas.  Three days later I flew it into the river, but it was too late, I was hooked.  As I could not retrieve it, I was out the next day buying another one.  When that one got irretrievably stuck in a tree, I had another the next day.  I still have that one.  I knew at this point I was about to move past the point of no return…and I did.

During my hours of research on the internet, I stumbled upon this forum.   There was so much to learn about frames, flight controllers, ESC’s, OSD’s, motors, antennas, PDB’s and many many different brands and iterations of the afore mentioned hardware.  Then there was the software, configurators, flight modes, programmers etc.  Did I know about any of that?  Not even a clue.  However, I did know a little about electronics and I am fairly mechanically inclined and I had just stumbled upon this wonderful resource.  The amount of collective knowledge and the people willing to take their time and share what they know on this forum is staggering…..to me anyway.  I always do my due diligence and try to find the answer I seek through my own research, but if I can’t, I can guarantee someone on this forum knows the answer, OR where to get it and is will to share that information.

Two months after starting my build (a ZMR 250), I was finished….ok I thought I was finished….I don’t think you’re ever really “finished”.  Were it not for the assistance of many of the folks on this forum, I suspect I would still be scratching my head.  I started out flying in angle mode (Self leveling….where the accelerometers do the work of keeping the quad level) .  I progressed ok, but it started getting…….boring I guess is the word.  I realized that there were very large limitations using self-leveling mode.  I even started FPV while in self leveling mode, but was still quite limited.  Everyone was telling me to fly in Acro or Rate mode (where the accelerometers no longer help with the leveling…it’s ALL up to the pilot).  So I decided to take the plunge.

I made up my mind I was going to learn Acro mode.  I had crashed a lot in self-leveling mode, but learning Acro gave new meaning to the word “crash”.  It seemed like I was always walking across the yard to get the quad out of a tree or a bush, or to flip it right side up, or correct some other mishap that was a result of me being in command.  I kept trying and I kept crashing.  I was about ready to sell my  car so I could keep myself in props!!!  The harder I tried the more I crashed. Finally after a time, it got the best of me and I was ready to throw in the towel.  It was just too hard.  It wasn’t “fun” anymore.  The people that do this must have superhuman eye/hand coordination and the focus of a God.  It wasn’t MY fault….no “normal” person could do this.  Some of the folks on this forum rallied behind me and would not LET me quit.  They offered continuous support and encouragement.  When I needed advice, they were there and I didn’t give up.  They kept telling me that one day it would “click” and I would be off to the races.....so to speak.  That day came for me the day I realized that I had to apply more throttle as I moved through a turn to keep the quad from falling out of the turn and doing a nice cartwheel across the yard.  I have improved steadily since that day.  Am I ready to enter a race?  Oh hell no.  I probably never will, but the point is that I am improving and it is once again FUN!!!! Do I still crash?  You bet, but now it’s not because I do not understand how the quad flies or haven’t yet developed the muscle memory in my hands to control it.  It’s because I am pushing myself….trying to expand my skills and crashing…well that’s just the price of doing business.  I have a lot more to learn and I am going to start working FPV back into the mix now that I have a handle on Acro mode.
 
Ok…assuming you’re still awake and reading, the point I am trying to make is DO NOT give up.  There will be days you will want to, trust me, but the next day is a new day.  There are vast resources available on this forum in terms of folks willing to help you solve that problem or give you hints on how to stop hitting that tree or keep it off the roof.  I have the utmost respect for the folks on this forum and have yet to find ANY negativity here.

I will update this thread from time to time and add some videos along the way. The only advice I can give to help make you successful is practice, practice and MORE practice and above all, believe in yourself (and buy a lot of props). Big Grin
"Damn the torpedoes!!!  Full speed ahead!!!"
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#2
Looking forward to the updates! (I am learning too...)
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#3
I think we're all learning...... at some level. Thanks Scotty.
"Damn the torpedoes!!!  Full speed ahead!!!"
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#4
Very well written and is a fine example of sticking at it.
My youtube channel

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#5
Thanks biggles! Had it not been for.folks like you, it probably never would have been written at all.
"Damn the torpedoes!!!  Full speed ahead!!!"
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#6
well said my friend. I started trying to fly fpv about 5 months ago, but it wasn't till a month ago when I started flying with Trollhammered, who is someone that I met from this forum, that I finally started to see improvements. I was still just flying around in circles only making left turns. and if you don't mind I would like to post a video from today on your thread.

I'm kinda feeling proud of the progress I'm making  Big Grin
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#7
Nope, don't mind at all.  That is what this thread is for....to show those that may be discouraged or frustrated that it IS worth it to push through the tough spots.....as your video very aptly shows.  Nice flying BTW! Smile
"Damn the torpedoes!!!  Full speed ahead!!!"
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#8
(10-Jul-2016, 12:53 PM)sirdude Wrote: Nope, don't mind at all.  That is what this thread is for....to show those that may be discouraged or frustrated that it IS worth it to push through the tough spots.....as your video very aptly shows.  Nice flying BTW! Smile

thank you, as you can see I still make mostly left turns lol.
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#9
Very inspiring and brought new meanings to this community! Big Grin
Well done on your progress Sirdude! We are all proud of you! Big Grin
Don't be a LOS'er, be an FPV'er :)  My Gear - Facebook - Instagram - Twitter
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#10
Thanks for sharing your experience. I will share this with my friend who just started flying with a Hubsan.
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#11
Thanks for sharing sirdude. This is a great and vast hobby and the journey through it is sometimes bumpy. The MI community and this forum is full of hobbyists of all skill and knowledge levels but with the common goal to help each other and grow with the hobby. There will always be better pilots, flying next to them or seeing their videos can be both inspiring and frustrating . But fun an enjoyment of flight can be found at any level and rate (punt intended) At the times of frustration, I keep reminding myself that the goal is enjoyment and of that first magic moment (after time of frustration, where like you, I almost quit) when I pushed on the sticks and the quad tended to obey. Keep pushing, keep sharing and keep having fun!
The next build will be perfect! | Fleet and build info | YouTube Channel |
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#12
(10-Jul-2016, 02:40 PM)JimmyLe813 Wrote: thank you, as you can see I still make mostly left turns lol.

So do I Jimmy...odd...I'm right handed, but prefer left turns....hmmm....go figure.....

(11-Jul-2016, 03:33 PM)Oscar Wrote: Very inspiring and brought new meanings to this community! Big Grin
Well done on your progress Sirdude! We are all proud of you! Big Grin

Thanks Oscar!! Big Grin   That is much appreciated.  Was gonna do a little FPV yesterday evening, but my video was out and by the time I got it fixed it was dark. Sad

(11-Jul-2016, 03:58 PM)Shyney Wrote: Thanks for sharing your experience. I will share this with my friend who just started flying with a Hubsan.

Your are most welcome.  Mine is but one of many many similar experiences on here I am sure.  I hope it is of some benefit to your friend.

(11-Jul-2016, 04:28 PM)Jordan Marinov Wrote: Thanks for sharing sirdude. This is a great and vast hobby and the journey through it is sometimes bumpy. The MI community and this forum is full of hobbyists of all skill and knowledge levels but with the common goal to help each other and grow with the hobby. There will always be better pilots, flying next to them or seeing their videos can be both inspiring and frustrating . But fun an enjoyment of flight can be found at any level and rate (punt intended) At the times of frustration, I keep reminding myself that the goal is enjoyment and of that first magic moment (after time of frustration, where like you, I almost quit) when I pushed on the sticks and the quad tended to obey. Keep pushing, keep sharing and keep having fun!

Agreed Jordan.  Thank you for your comments, they are right on the money!
"Damn the torpedoes!!!  Full speed ahead!!!"
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#13
Aren't you /u/DoreCorn on reddit?

Anyway, good story, really inspiring. As I am reading this, I decided to go to fly tomorrow in the morning before the job. Smile
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#14
(11-Jul-2016, 08:26 PM)MishoIV Wrote: Aren't you /u/DoreCorn on reddit?

Anyway, good story, really inspiring. As I am reading this, I decided to go to fly tomorrow in the morning before the job. Smile
Well, I just answered this, but damn if I know where it went so if it shows up twice, apologies.

Nope, I am not that person.  In fact, I have never been on reddit.

I'm glad you enjoyed it and I hope you have a good fly tomorrow, but if not (or even if you do), keep at it! Wink
"Damn the torpedoes!!!  Full speed ahead!!!"
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#15
@sirdude, would be awesome to see a side by side comparison from your first recorded fpv session to now. And how long it's been since you started. Awesome post.
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