Ready for test Flight at DVinfo.net

John Cash · January 14th, 2014, 11:22 AM

Today will be the day....if its not too windy

Jay Massengill · January 15th, 2014, 08:11 AM

Looks great! I'm surprised no one has written saying "don't forget your propellers..."

Actually based on my observations during the last 3 years at the flying club, having seen people arrive after working on an aircraft without remembering their new propeller that's still sitting at home on the counter at the back door, I'll say "don't forget your propellers."

And don't forget to balance your propellers. And don't forget to triple check that the tiny embossed numbers on all 6 props are facing up!

I'm sure you've developed a good check list for such an investment as this, so my comments are more for the other viewers who aren't as experienced as you.

The only other thing I would say is the forward orientation markers (red bands on the front arms and gold anodized motor mounts) are pretty small in my experience. It won't take much distance before they simply appear black and then if your FPV fails or your copilot on the buddy box has to take over, you'll have to "think" about which landing skid is which color.

Best of luck and looking forward to seeing your video and photo results!

John Cash · January 15th, 2014, 11:10 AM

I use LED's on the booms for orientation. Those red stickers are just "Tarot" brand markings. Like the decals on Nascar Bodies

Test flight was sucessful, flies like a dream. Small adjustments now. Not too happy with the camera Im using though. may be time to go for a GH3

Jay Massengill · January 15th, 2014, 11:37 AM

I see the LED's along the bottom of each front boom now. Are they different colors? How is their visibility in bright sunlight?
Which Canon body do you have mounted in the photo above?

Glad to hear the flight went well!

John Cash · January 16th, 2014, 10:32 AM

They are red in front green in back. They are not too good in daylight but you can easily see the color of the foam on the skids. They are really bright at dusk or night. With a combonation of bright foam noodles, keeping an eye on the monitor and several years at flying helis it all kinda comes together. There can be "pucker moments" but if your GPS is caled and your equipment works like it should you can stop and "regroup" in the air if needed.
These multirotors are a wlk in the park compaired to the 800 size heli I have but it too has DJI Ace One with GPS and it can be left to hang in one spot if you need to calm yourself during flight.

Im carring a Canon T3i ( meh) but Im looking for a good used 5D or may go with a Black Magic Pocket Camera or Panny GH3.

I have a friend with the BMPC and He is coming over so we can et it ready for flight ( rebalance the gimbal/camera, tune PID's ect)

Im really happy with the stability of the footage I got yesterday evening but I had the camera on auto for video and the video looks so bad I have to reshoot tonight before I can post up footage

January 14th, 2014, 11:22 AM	#1
John Cash Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 253	Ready for test Flight Today will be the day....if its not too windy

January 15th, 2014, 08:11 AM	#2
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	Re: Ready for test Flight Looks great! I'm surprised no one has written saying "don't forget your propellers..." Actually based on my observations during the last 3 years at the flying club, having seen people arrive after working on an aircraft without remembering their new propeller that's still sitting at home on the counter at the back door, I'll say "don't forget your propellers." And don't forget to balance your propellers. And don't forget to triple check that the tiny embossed numbers on all 6 props are facing up! I'm sure you've developed a good check list for such an investment as this, so my comments are more for the other viewers who aren't as experienced as you. The only other thing I would say is the forward orientation markers (red bands on the front arms and gold anodized motor mounts) are pretty small in my experience. It won't take much distance before they simply appear black and then if your FPV fails or your copilot on the buddy box has to take over, you'll have to "think" about which landing skid is which color. Best of luck and looking forward to seeing your video and photo results!

January 15th, 2014, 11:10 AM	#3
John Cash Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 253	Re: Ready for test Flight I use LED's on the booms for orientation. Those red stickers are just "Tarot" brand markings. Like the decals on Nascar Bodies Test flight was sucessful, flies like a dream. Small adjustments now. Not too happy with the camera Im using though. may be time to go for a GH3

January 15th, 2014, 11:37 AM	#4
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	Re: Ready for test Flight I see the LED's along the bottom of each front boom now. Are they different colors? How is their visibility in bright sunlight? Which Canon body do you have mounted in the photo above? Glad to hear the flight went well!

January 16th, 2014, 10:32 AM	#5
John Cash Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 253	Re: Ready for test Flight They are red in front green in back. They are not too good in daylight but you can easily see the color of the foam on the skids. They are really bright at dusk or night. With a combonation of bright foam noodles, keeping an eye on the monitor and several years at flying helis it all kinda comes together. There can be "pucker moments" but if your GPS is caled and your equipment works like it should you can stop and "regroup" in the air if needed. These multirotors are a wlk in the park compaired to the 800 size heli I have but it too has DJI Ace One with GPS and it can be left to hang in one spot if you need to calm yourself during flight. Im carring a Canon T3i ( meh) but Im looking for a good used 5D or may go with a Black Magic Pocket Camera or Panny GH3. I have a friend with the BMPC and He is coming over so we can et it ready for flight ( rebalance the gimbal/camera, tune PID's ect) Im really happy with the stability of the footage I got yesterday evening but I had the camera on auto for video and the video looks so bad I have to reshoot tonight before I can post up footage