DJI drone flyers

Update. Not needed. The F11 Pro is FAA ID compliant. Got my drone certificate # today.

 

DJI is getting ready to release the Mavic 4 Pro, the Air 3S, and the Mini 5 Pro. I'll link the video but one main feature (I don't remember which model) that I saw is the capability of vertical video for the social media nerds. I have the 2023 release Air 3 and that thing is a beast.

https://youtu.be/Ne8YttHeDck?si=RlLFHHyyBl5jiHnD

 

Trying to BAN drones is like trying to ban GUNS.

 

It was removed from the latest bill but the 2 sides still have to reconcile before the final vote. Current drones won't be affected at this point. Removing their FCC authorizations is highly unlikely. The FAA can ground them with the push of a button though.

 

The Air3 is definitely on my list. The F11PRO seemed like a pretty good drone to start with. Prime Day deal sealed my fate!

 

I could be wrong, but I believe their ability to ground DJI drones is from within the DJI Fly app. Same way that you're unable to fly in restricted zones. IF that ban ever goes thru, I would not allow their app to connect to my drone
Anybody mess around with any other UFA apps? I doubt you'll find one as compatible, cooperative and fluid in operation as their own signature app, but I know there are other options available.
I bought the mini 2 and was bummed that it lacked a couple features that I was looking forward to. Specifically the 'follow me' feature, and the ability to use VR goggles for a POV experience. Then a friend introduced me to an app called Litchi, which does both those things, and more. Not as simple and user-friendly as DJI Fly, which is still what I use today. However if I'd like to use the follow me, POV, or the FAA forces DJI to ground all their drones, Litchi will be the one. I haven't used it in a couple years but I know it still exists.
Something else worth mentioning; they have a secondary app called Litchi viewer (IIRC), which would be downloaded to a phone or tablet NOT being used to fly the drone, but would tie into the network. So one person could fly the drone, with someone else viewing the flight from another device, and at a different location themselves. I never conquered that one, but it seems like a cool idea.

 

DJI would never ground their drones through the DJI Fly app. Even with Litchi and other apps, they could still be grounded if there ever was a 100% ban. As many sources are stating, a ban would affect future products from being imported and flown. Everything currently in the US market is FCC approved and would be good to go. As for grounding, the FAA does not need anyone to do it. They are capable of doing it and have done it before. They can keep a drone from even spooling up the motors.

 

Interested to know how they could have that much of a reach if the drone were kept off-line. Sounds like you mean ANY drone, correct? That's some impressive power.

 

Agree - I’ve flown where there is no signal - not sure how they can ground something if they can’t reach it. Remote ID allows them to ID the aircraft and owner - not control it.

 

The FAA can intercept the signal between the drone and the controller. They do it every time a VIP flies in. You will get a notification on your display. I received it on my 1st gen Mavic Pro. This was even well before Remote ID became a requirement.

 

It's being reported that the "shooter" of recent events used a DJI drone to scope out the area several days prior. That's not going to help the issue.

 

Could have just as easily used Google Earth, Google Maps, or any of the countless other satellite image programs.

 

It's not that they're actually intercepting the RF between the drone and controller. They could do something like this, but it'd require hardware located in the vicinity of the drone and/or operator. When you're getting grounded or receiving the notification, it's a software setting and associated alert based on GPS data. Nothing more. Drone/controller sees "you can't fly here" and complies. I'm sure if this shit keeps going the way it reads, there will be some active hacking on the firmware to disable these types of things.

 

Yep, but the anti drone folks will pounce on that even though totally meaningless.

 

Not sure I buy into this one. Radio frequency isn't rocket science. Thousands of people could make drones in their garages if they had the need to. It just so happens to be easier/cheaper to buy from a manufacturer.

 

Yep. 100% government mandated software controls.

 

Following along now, just got a Mini 4K delivered yesterday and completed my Trust cert today.

 

I think it was several hours before on the same day. They found the drone in his car. I bet the cops are playin with it right now.
in unrelated news; I recently got a load dropper. Pretty cool little gadget, if you've a use for it. Definitely room for improvement tho. Came with a remote to release the load, but the range isn't great. If it used the same signal as the remote to drone, would be better. I doubt DJI would even want to jump into that bucket of liability problems, especially while skating on thin ice already.

 

It would be possible to make it drop using the DJI controls. Just take a little programming and some wiring. Use one of the aux features to control a second left/right control and wire the servo to the drone control board.

 

I've seen a video of a guy that tied a resistor into the circuit of the front marker light, which you are able to turn on/off and change colors to in mid-flight. The resistor hung outside of the craft shell, near where the light is. The 'load' was then attached directly to the resistor with a micro zip-tie. For operation, he simply turned the light on, and the resistor he used would get hot enough to melt the ziptie and drop cargo. Not the greatest but it worked. IIRC it took several minutes for the action to happen.

 

I'm not sure I'd want to use a resistor as a release. Looking at that picture of the release, it has its own battery. So, wiring a source from the drone to the signal tmof the release should be relatively easy.
Anyways. Took advantage of a break in the wind. Because the roads are all very fine dirt/moon dust up here, I use a plastic table with a towel on it as a landing location. If my back deck wasn't in the trees, I'd just take off from there. But trees and multiple antennas on the back of my camper are not ideal for flying past.
DJI Mini 3 with RC controller at 397ft AGL. Picture of screen because my cell data is too slow to download the Fly app on my phone and I keep forgetting to do it when I go into town.

 

What do you guys recommend for a packable set up for back country use?
Small, 2 mi. range with longish run time.

A friend of mine shot this while we're on a recon into Camp Creek, Ut. Looking for new climbs.

DJI Mavic Pro. I think

 

The top picture looks like greens in a garden!!

the bottom is just plain cool! Nice scenery up there.

 

very clear pictures, nice country, in the middle of by yourself!

 

Here we go again

https://youtu.be/8jtAf0HTWFM?si=1VrhinZEbKfqxvIF

 

^^^^^ WTH? You would think they would have something better to do, you know like anything else!!!! Unfrickenbelievable!

 

https://store.dji.com/product/dji-m...btQbZCk2ytryBz7jd-ljoaAhmfEALw_wcB&vid=128001

This one looks like the ticket.

Anyone have a mini 3?

Likes/ dislikes

 

@Windsor has the Mini 3.

 

Unfortunately, I don't have anything to compare it to as it is my first drone. I went with the Fly More pack with the RC controller as I didn't want to have to use my phone as the screen. The extra batteries is a plus.
It holds itself well in light to moderate wind I see up here in the mountains, but it does drift with the gusts as you would expect from a light drone. Flying it is very easy in all 3 modes, even in sport mode it stops and hovers quickly when you let go of the stick. I'm sure it would be quicker to get the hang of if you started out flying somewhere that didn't have tall trees on either side of the road.
I did add on landing gear to keep it of the ground. It just clips onto the body without permanent modifications. I also purchases a hard case for it.
It would be nice if it had obstacle avoidance, but that can be had on other models. I just dont think I need it at the moment.
I don't have as much fly time with it as I'd like at the moment due to fire season and aircraft flying in the area.

8/10: Drone is grounded. Fire about 10 miles away and the helicopters are in the air. I'm pretty much straight line between the airport to the fire. Had a Chinook fly over with his bucket damn near in the trees, it was rattling my trailer as he went over.

 

The revised DJI ban bill was passed. The final vote is the waiting game but it appears that new releases and sales will come to an end before we know it. At least we still get to fly our current stuff.