As mentioned above, my first build is finally air worthy.  After a less than stellar attempt Friday that resulted in a smoked (literally) motor, I got back at it yesterday.  Replaced motor, good thing I planned ahead and had an extra, and double checked everything.  Good to go....  

It was really nice out last evening so the wife and I decided to go to the park.  Wouldn't you know it, up in the air without issue.  I am SO hooked.  I've been flying the TinyHawk in acro for a while and I thought I was having fun with that.  Man, the Rooster cooks.  The craziest thing I've done is some rolls, but hey, crawl before you walk right?  I admit, I cannot land at all.  More like a semi-controlled crash at this point, but since I'm flying over grass so issues so far.  I'll be practicing my landings today for sure.  Did I mention I'm hooked....  And it sounds so awesome.   

More good news.  I've been primarily flying at the same park since I got a Spark well over a year ago.  It's only 2-3 miles away from my house.  Large open areas with moveable soccer goals and other things like a playground, when not occupied obviously, to fly around.  Last weekend I figured I would/should read this big sign about rules and such.  Guess what?  This park is actually an RC park.  AMA and everything.  Go figure....  Odd, since the only person I've ever seen there flying is my brother with me.  It is 9:00am to dusk flying everyday unless the park is reserved for something else as it shares a large parking lot with two livestock/horse arenas.  Last weekend it was bull riding and a horse show.

And I do have video of my maiden, so it did happen, hehe.  Give me time, I just got the quad in the air and I can't even post pictures yet.  Video will be another miracle on par with getting airborne, hehe.

Just had to share.  Again, more thanks to those here who made this possible.  More builds are now on the horizon....

Deal

Awesome and exciting! Cannot wait for flight video The first time I successfully hover tested my initial build, I felt so empowered! Like look at that...I made that and it flies!!! My friends thought I had lost it as I was giddy whenever I flew it. Enjoy the moment!

Yeah, I'm better at moving around than hovering or, as mentioned above, landing. Don't be expecting anything exciting out of the maiden, except I pulled off flying the whole battery without crashing for about six and a half minutes. You will see my "expert" landing at the end.

Deal

Nice. Looking forward to the maiden video Proper controlled landings will come with time and practice. I used to just get mine roughly somewhere near me and a few feet off the ground then just disarm and dump it. Now I am able to pretty much precision land it where I want right down onto the ground without dumping it.

Another thing I will add is try to practice the same quad as it will help you to progress quicker using the same equipment all the time. While it's nice to have another quad as a backup, this is one reason why I've not yet built a second 5". Or you could do what Mr Steele has done and build a second identical quad that you can use as a direct backup if your main one is ever out of action

I guess you are lucky in that you probably have no-one else near you who is interested in flying drones or FPV quads. So it sounds like you'll have that field all to yourself How does it work with the new US drone laws? If people or dog walkers turn up, do you have precedence and can you continue flying with them in close proximity to you, or do they still get right of way with you having to land until they've gone?

(09-Jun-2019, 03:55 PM)Deal-E-O Wrote: Yeah, I'm better at moving around than hovering or, as mentioned above, landing.  Don't be expecting anything exciting out of the maiden, except I pulled off flying the whole battery without crashing for about six and a half minutes.  You will see my "expert" landing at the end.  

Deal

I have a few videos from when I started flying.  Lots of crashing, but also lots of learning!  As my flying skills began to improve and I began pushing things, it was nice to have the first videos to use for bench-marking.  I still roll landings once in a while.  I learned early on the disarm a few inches from land fall

Altitude is your friend at first. 

Such a nice feeling. Heart pumping everytime...
Congrats

(09-Jun-2019, 04:03 PM)SnowLeopardFPV Wrote: ….

I guess you are lucky in that you probably have no-one else near you who is interested in flying drones or FPV quads. So it sounds like you'll have that field all to yourself How does it work with the new US drone laws? If people or dog walkers turn up, do you have precedence and can you continue flying with them in close proximity to you, or do they still get right of way with you having to land until they've gone?

As far as laws, I don't think anybody knows what's going on from one day to the next.  With the wording of the sign I take it to be first come first serve, unless there is an organized activity, see #3 on list.  Being that I live in a small town that's pretty "country" and laid back police would be of minimal concern.  I'll go with first come first serve.

I just got back from flying four packs.  During the third I hear someone driving into the parking lot.  So I crash/land to see what's happening.  Old lady gets out and lets her two yapper dogs out and lets them run in the other field....  After waiting for 10 or so minutes, I decide my turn again.  Fire up the Rooster and get back to getting it.  She then had the proper motivation to pack up her mutts and scoot, hehe.  I'm a real laid back guy, but she was very inconsiderate, not with only her lack of respect for me, but she let her dogs do their "business" in the other flying/playing field, (I was in #2 she in #1), and didn't even clean up.  We have a word for that....



Deal

p.s.  If that picture worked I'm a step closer to video, hehe....

Is it safe to say that you have an addiction. You are lucky to have a destinated fly space.

Does the picture work for you guys?

Deal

(09-Jun-2019, 06:56 PM)Deal-E-O Wrote: Does the picture work for you guys?

Yes it works. That place looks just the ticket. Perfect to fly without having to worry about anyone raging at you, because you are flying in an authorised/designated area. Is it just a field or are there also some trees and other obstacles? I guess the flight footage will probably give the answer

There are trees and some things you could place in the fields, as well as a playground with a jungle gym and swings. My ability keeps me FAR from major obstacles, hehe. I can't seem get a video on here yet. I'll keep trying. Wish it was as easy as posting a picture now that I have that figured out.

Deal

(09-Jun-2019, 09:08 PM)Deal-E-O Wrote: There are trees and some things you could place in the fields, as well as a playground with a jungle gym and swings.  My ability keeps me FAR from major obstacles, hehe.  I can't seem get a video on here yet.  I'll keep trying.  Wish it was as easy as posting a picture now that I have that figured out.

I find it surprising that they've a created a designated flying zone where a children's playground is located. That doesn't sound like a very safe combination to me.

Anyway, for posting videos, either create a YouTube account (if you don't already have one) and upload the videos there, then post the YouTube link back here and it will embed it into the post automatically.

Alternatively, create an account on AirVuz and upload your video there then post a link back here. It doesn't get embedded like YouTube links but AirVuz tends to render videos in higher quality with less compression than YouTube.