Drones: talk to me

[Orange Cola]

I can fly hobby grade indoor helicopters so I’m not a complete novice to flying but I want a drone for doing outdoor building inspections which would usually require ladders or scaffolding at a quite frankly scary price considering I don’t know what’s what until I get up there. Are they really as easy to fly as what people make them out to be, ie incredibly stable and ability to self control very well?

What brands are good? I know DJI and as far as I’m aware that’s the ‘go to’ but I’m not aware if any others and importantly which ones to avoid. Also a decent camera is important.

I know the costs can go well over a thousand which doesn’t put me off but I don’t want to spend that much unless I have to, so if a five hundred pound one will do me then that’s great, I don’t want something which can fly for miles or even out of my sight for that matter, I’d value camera quality and instant connectivity to the camera as far more important.

What about registration and training, are these mandatory now with additional costs?

[Simon]

CAA accreditation, or associate if member of a participating club, but more importantly for that sort of use case you're gonna have to get a proper drone operators license...

Buying the drone will be the easy bit.

[Mito Man]

As you’ll be using it for commercial purposes you’ll need a Permission for Commercial Operation. You’ll probably get shafted for it as some twat lectures you on how to operate 2 thumbsticks. Think there’s a practical test as well as the basic theory one. Pretty sure you also need to have insurance for commercial work...

They’re piss easy to control. Just go for the cheapest 4k DJI, there’s a reason they’re the default.

[Orange Cola]

I’m game for that but what’s actually required? Is it a weeks course every year costing a grand or is a free thirty minute online session say ‘I promise not to deliberately fly into Doris and take pictures of naked ladies sunbathing in the summer’?

[Beany]

‘I promise not to deliberately fly into Doris and take pictures of naked ladies sunbathing in the summer’?

Well, that's me out.

Can't have any fun these days.

[Orange Cola]

‘I promise not to deliberately fly into Doris and take pictures of naked ladies sunbathing in the summer’?

Well, that's me out.

Can't have any fun these days.

It’s pretty much all I wanted it for, saying I’m inspecting the roof of one of my properties is just the best excuse I can get for such a good vantage point.

[Beany]

Also saves you running the risk of you falling backwards off the ladder outside the dorm room window when the girls get undressed, amirite?

[Mito Man]

I’m game for that but what’s actually required? Is it a weeks course every year costing a grand or is a free thirty minute online session say ‘I promise not to deliberately fly into Doris and take pictures of naked ladies sunbathing in the summer’?

Found this from one instructor
https://www.uavhub.com/pages/drone-training-course
Seems quite involved.

Also £253 for the initial application for the permission

[mik]

Why have I only just seen this?

[dinny_g]

That really is amazing.

I must have read 100 books on Everest and words just don't it justice. That really shows just how much of an undertaking it is

[Gavster]

Wow, that's epic

I've got a Potensic Atom 4K which is awesome, it's better value than the DJI equivalent and for my hobbyist use it's more than enough. They're ridiculously easy to fly at a basic level, very simple. However, to get a really smooth flight path (a bit like that Everest video, although there's a few clumsy sections in it) whilst manoeuvring up, down, side to side, rotating, as well as adjusting the angle of the camera at the same time does take a lot of practice. Hacing said that, if it's simply a case of wanting to film up, down and over buildings, then that won't be an issue. Getting really smooth cinematic stuff is a lot more tricky.

[dinny_g]

A mate of my brothers has started using one for Beach Cast fishing…

He flys the lure and line out to exactly where he thinks the fish are and drops it.

Then uses a “Return” option and it flys right back to him…

[integrale_evo]

I’ve been looking at the Dji mini 4K, it was £210 on Black Friday, but I managed to resist. went back up to £270, now at £215.

But you know, budget creep is very real and I want a mini 4 pro.

However £200 is an acceptable amount for a probably occasional use toy. Close to a grand less justifiable. But you know, if I bought a £200 one would I always be wishing I’d got a better one?

[Gavster]

Save your money, I bought mine in May and have used it roughly six times lol admittedly each use provides totally unique footage though.

[RobYob]

Why have I only just seen this?

Wow.

[Mito Man]

I’ve received a crazy present from a colleague.

The Hover drone with spare battery and not the AirPods.

I’ve never heard of it before but it’s a fully autonomous drone. You open it up, place it in the palm of your hand, select one of the modes with the button on top and it will take a picture/video of you and return to the palm of your hand.
https://hoverair.com/en-gb
Sounds just a tad illegal with our drone rules but I’m sure it’s fine for using in the woods although I’m a bit worried it just fvcks off as it’s not cheap.

Will try to use it and give a better review next year.

[Simon]

colleague.

So many questions.

[dinny_g]

[John]

colleague.

So many questions.

Will go unanswered

[mik]

No amazing piloting, but the locations.......