Just bought a drone... can't fly it anywhere

[cda555]

I just bought a drone and was really excited about it. It is a DJI Mavic Pro. I stayed up late last night charging all the batteries and playing with the accessories. I even had to do a bunch of updates out of the box. I registered with the FAA and started to read all the rules. I downloaded the FAA app that tells you the restricted areas. Well, I live in So Cal and there is an airport or helipad EVERYWHERE. I was all excited about going home today and flying it at a park, but now I don't think that's possible.

Off to do more research :)

Any other drone enthusiasts out there?

[Gecko10]

I would Google for a club in your area. Bet there are some

[tamiya]

Probably gotta drive miles outta town these days.

[breitlings]

I would start learning in a big field without trees or water. It can be a bit difficult to get everything down. I've crashed into a pool, had some troubling flights over the bay, crashed into a tree and on a roof when driving.

[Yuri.Popov]

You aren't allowed to fly at all in So Cal? Sounds like a bummer, check to see if there are other drone users in your area and what they usually do.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by cda555

Well, I live in So Cal and there is an airport or helipad EVERYWHERE.

I too am here in Southern California, and was keen on using my DJI to film my son's mountain biking (one of my many passions) over at Southridge Park.....which is right in in line with Ontario Airport's flight path. Now, I'm working on a plan B.

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by cda555

I just bought a drone and was really excited about it. It is a DJI Mavic Pro. I stayed up late last night charging all the batteries and playing with the accessories. I even had to do a bunch of updates out of the box. I registered with the FAA and started to read all the rules. I downloaded the FAA app that tells you the restricted areas. Well, I live in So Cal and there is an airport or helipad EVERYWHERE. I was all excited about going home today and flying it at a park, but now I don't think that's possible.

Off to do more research :)

Any other drone enthusiasts out there?

...you want to talk to Paul (TheVTCguy)

[Rolex addict]

Originally Posted by GerardoG

...you want to talk to Paul (TheVTCguy)

Yeah, Paul is your guy. Maybe he'll let you fly one of those top secret, black op drones. Just don't push the shiny, red button.

[daveathall]

I bought one from a car boot sale but think I may have been ripped off. It doesn't seem to fly.

[Abdullah71601]

Don't take lessons from Clay Mathews.

[cop414]

Crystal The VTCGuy aka Paul is TRF's resident drone expert, he does drones for a living.
Oops, just saw that you already got this advice, well I second that!

[Wcdhtwn]

Originally Posted by daveathall

I bought one from a car boot sale but think I may have been ripped off. It doesn't seem to fly.

That's one of the manual launch ones. Pick it up and throw it like a frisbee and it'll fly. Not for long but it will...

[Knappo 1307]

Originally Posted by daveathall

I bought one from a car boot sale but think I may have been ripped off. It doesn't seem to fly.

[dysondiver]

Originally Posted by daveathall

I bought one from a car boot sale but think I may have been ripped off. It doesn't seem to fly.

i see the poblem , its up side down

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by cop414

Crystal The VTCGuy aka Paul is TRF's resident drone expert, he does drones for a living.
Oops, just saw that you already got this advice, well I second that!

x 3, Paul's your guy

[Cryten]

Originally Posted by daveathall

I bought one from a car boot sale but think I may have been ripped off. It doesn't seem to fly.

Originally Posted by Wcdhtwn

That's one of the manual launch ones. Pick it up and throw it like a frisbee and it'll fly. Not for long but it will...

Those old ones are the best. You don't have to update them every 5 minutes like the new ones. The down side is the short flight time.

[Chadridv]

over water? no prob :) These things practically fly themselves. I'm 100% for practice and safety first, but seriously, the tech is insane.

The first drone I flew was completely manual, it's a totally different experience.

[Kyle13]

I live in socal and my office has a giant 100,000 square foot lot of dirt that we all go out in and fly drones, race RC cars in!

[cda555]

So I guess I should contact Paul then? it doesn't appear he has logged on since Sep 10?

Thanks for all the advice and funny comments so far... keep up the good work

[Lordofrolex]

Just go anywhere away from telephone lines and high obstructions and just fly.

[moorery2001]

Love drones. Never went through with buying one though.

Where did you get yours from?

[psv]

Dude, if you live in the DC area, forget about flying those anywhere. You can to go far outside the city given all the restricted airspace and fly-ins of government helicopters and flights in/out of Reagan National Airport.

[BravoOne]

What good purpose could from someones drone flying over my property. I guarantee you it won't fly after one of thise flights.

[cda555]

Originally Posted by BravoOne

What good purpose could from someones drone flying over my property. I guarantee you it won't fly after one of thise flights.

I don't remember saying I would be flying in residential areas

[ejvette]

This is why I would never in live in CA too many rules

[Laszlo]

I'm pretty sure you don't have to register your drones with the FAA anymore. Even so, there are plenty of places to fly. Just use common sense. I have the DJI Phantom 4 and love it. I don't fly like boss hog, just take it easy because it's very relaxing. PS, the Mavic is a great drone! Congrats and enjoy.

[machob55]

Hi CDA555

I'm an air traffic controller in Northern Ca. If you pm I can tell you what to do. Take care.
Bill

Sent from my R1 HD using Tapatalk

[Boothroyd]

I didn't read the whole thread, but I was ready to dive in with a top level drone. Then I downloaded the B4Ufly app from iTunes, provided by the FAA. Realized I am in the middle of so many airports' airspace, that I could only use it on weekends, when away from home.

May still get one, but to fly in my backyard, I need to file an FAA flight plan.

[tritium8]

Lake Hollywood park if you are in LA. It's a huge dog park with great shots of the Hollywood sign.

[TheVTCGuy]

Hey Crystal, nice purchase, the Mav is a nice little drone. DJI does have that built in to their software, won't let you even start up in anything but class G airspace (basically). I do work for the FAA certifying drone operators to get their 107 license and will be glad to help. Are you anywhere near San Diego? I cant take you to my field and we'll fly yours and a couple of the big bad boys used in comercial drone ops, like an AerialTronics or the new Intel Falcon 8 plus; (those are both about 50K so we'll be careful ;). PM me if you need any help.