DJI Phantom and Drone Section

The Drone That Started It All = Phantom 1

The press release was only two paragraphs. “You can fly your Phantom the moment you receive it,” DJI wrote on Jan. 7, 2013. With those words, it announced the release of the product that revolutionized the drone industry. Here is a link to one of the first complete reviews of the Phantom 1 – Feb, 2013.

Phantom 1 – Credit as Shown – from RCGroups Review

That year, DJI revenue soared to $130 million from about $4 million just two years prior. The market spoke, and the Phantom 1 propelled the company into its place as industry leader. Three three years and several iterations later, the Phantom series remains the most sought-after consumer drone and industry watchers suggest yearly sales of well over a billion dollars (DJI does not release sales numbers).

But what is it about the Phantom that lures all sorts of pilots, from amateur hobbyists to Hollywood film studios? Several analysts, pilots and retailers describe DJI as a forward-looking company that’s constantly pushing the envelope. Not only is the Phantom series affordable, they say, but every version adds significant new features well ahead of the competition.

Put it this way: Brett Velicovich worked with drones in the U.S. military before he moved to retail as managing partner at Expert Drones in Washington, D.C. “The stuff I used in the military for millions of dollars?” he says. “DJI made that look like crap.” [Read more…]

Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4  – Part 5(this page)

Your First Flights- Orientation and Startup

New pilots will find it easier to learn by facing in the same direction as the Phantom while standing behind it. Using this orientation, the controls on the transmitter will feel more natural – that is, if you move the right stick forward, the Phantom will travel forward, etc.
If you have no familiarity at all with Quadcopters it is usually suggested that you fly some of the toy models first…just to get the basic idea of how things work. You can find more information in our beginners section.

Assuming you have calibrated the compass earlier, place the Phantom 3 on the ground in front of you with the nose facing away and go through the startup process of turning on the transmitter FIRST and then turning on the smart battery. The Phantom will sing a startup tune. Make certain the 3-way mode switch on your Transmitter is set to the right (P mode).

Open the DJI Go App (see: DJI Go App info for more) on your smart device (it should already be connected via USB to your Remote) and hit the Camera icon. This screen should display a yellow banner on the top which says Aircraft Warming Up. Within about 2 minutes it should turn green and display Ready to Fly (GPS). Check the map screen to make certain that your Phantom knows where it is – the triangle representing the aircraft should be at your current location. This is often referred to as the Home Point since it’s where your Phantom will fly back to if the RTH function becomes activated.

Starting and Stopping the Motors – IMPORTANT

Note – it it the author’s opinion that budding pilots should learn how to take off and land manually rather than using the automatic features. This will allow you to become a safer and more capable operator.

Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4 (this page)

Preparing to Fly

NOTE: This book is not intended to replace or supplement the DJI quick start guide or manual, rather it is to familiarize the reader with the basics of the aircraft before a potential purchase. After you have finished this book and decided on a model, please download and read the manual and watch the official DJI videos. Continuing education is needed to get the most out of your Phantom – and also to avoid mishaps!

Safety Warnings and Topics

Please become familiar with the many safety issues which apply to this hobby. An outline of some major safety points is below:

Spinning Propellers can injure humans and animals – Phantom propellers could cause deep wounds or worse. Be cautious – do not fly near or over people, moving vehicles or animals. Make certain you are familiar with the startup process (arming) of your quadcopters. Newer pilots may want to consider propeller guards which are sold by DJI.

LiPo Batteries can ignite as well as cause shocks. Do not charge batteries near combustible materials and do not charge unattended. Use specially made LiPo battery charging sacks or charge in a metal or ceramic container. Make certain there are smoke and CO detectors in the areas where you charge and store your batteries. Make certain that water and other fluids do not come into contact with your LiPo batteries. A guide to traveling (flying) with your DJI Phantom is covered later in this book.

Falling or Crashing quadcopters can injure or kill. As stated before, do not fly over or near people, animals or moving vehicles. Use common sense in planning your flight path. Do not fly out of your line of sight (LOS).

FAA Registration and Use of your Phantom