Help with New Purchase

[Robert123]

Hello All.
I am very new but very excited to purchase my new drone. Had my heart set on the DJI 3 pro but then the 4 came out and I was set to go until I read the FAA airspace limitations of 5 mile radius from an international airport, I am about 2 miles away. My understanding from DJI is, if I am within that radius the quad would not leave the ground unless I had approval from the FAA and a special code from DJI. I am so bummed. My initial plan was to video our church, my and friends’ houses at most a 200 to 300 foot elevation. I do not want nor have any intention to fly in airplane airspace. That option would be limited to when I am far, far away from any airport.


My question is; Does the DJI 2 or any other DJI drone or any other gimbal drones out there that takes very good video and do not have the 5 mile limitation built in? I saw a video where once you get 1.5 miles away you can go up to 35 feet in elevation and the further you get away, your elevation increases until you hit the 5 mile distance. DJI told me that is not an option on their 3 and 4 units.


Really wanted to get this before we went on vacation and would prefer getting a quad rather than spending my money on manhattans in depression mode, wishing I had a drone.


Thanks, Bob

 

[RENOV8R]

Looks like you'll have to move

 

[Robert123]

Looks like you'll have to move

Thanks............. I'll tell the wife to start packing. No other options?

 

[holtneil]

Hi mate yes its true but if you fly in mode A only hight is default not the no fly zone on the phantom 4 download the manual and look at page 47 its all in there
so you cant fly above 1640 feet I cant find any info on radius
https://dl.djicdn.com/downloads/phantom_4/en/Phantom_4_User_Manual_en_v1.2_160317.pdf

 

[Robert123]

Hi mate yes its true but if you fly in mode A only hight is default not the no fly zone on the phantom 4 download the manual and look at page 47 its all in there
so you cant fly above 1640 feet I cant find any info on radius
https://dl.djicdn.com/downloads/phantom_4/en/Phantom_4_User_Manual_en_v1.2_160317.pdf

I will definitely check this out. Reading the FAA 14 CFR Part 91 it says
"when flown within 5 miles of an airport, the operator of the aircraft provides the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower … with prior notice of the operation…. " I would assume they would not give me permission. Again I only want to go as high as out church steeple which is about 175' high.
And thanks all

 

[Robert123]

I will definitely check this out. Reading the FAA 14 CFR Part 91 it says
"when flown within 5 miles of an airport, the operator of the aircraft provides the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower … with prior notice of the operation…. " I would assume they would not give me permission. Again I only want to go as high as out church steeple which is about 175' high.
And thanks all

Page 47 does say that in mode A it only limits height to 1640 feet but can we assume the 5 mile no fly zone is disabled? I'm going to call DJI with fingers crossed.

 

[Robert123]

Update from DJI. It does not matter what mode you are in with the Phantom 3 or 4 (not sure about the 2), the GPS system will not let you lift off if you are within an airport designated on the DJI "fly safe" web site unless you, I get approval from the FAA first and then a code from DJI to cancel the "no fly zone" restriction.

So now my question is, before I spend close to $3k for the 4, extra battery's, iPad and other stuff, do I try to get approval from the FAA even if I don't have a drone to register yet, or is there another good quad out there that does not have this restriction built in?
Still bummed and having my first Manhattan.

Thanks

 

[holtneil]

Well looking at the spec at DJI the Phantom 3 does not have this but I would check with DJI first before spending
Or build your own and fit the tarot m system and your be able to fly where you want ( but safely )

 

[Robert123]

Well looking at the spec at DJI the Phantom 3 does not have this but I would check with DJI first before spending
Or build your own and fit the tarot m system and your be able to fly where you want ( but safely )

Thanks holtneil, I've rebuilt car engines but not a clue about building my own drone and being retired I can barely find time to walk the dogs. I may look into a DIY (build) drone but I've lost several Estes rockets I built with my kids because I put to large an engine in them and they drifted miles away never to be found.
I appreciate every ones help.

 

[holtneil]

Well this is what the forum is about the members on here will soon help on a build and the guys were saying the tarot M is easy to set up as long as you can solder well even if you cant there are solder less looms out there so its just plugs to plug in , and there are some nice frames about
take a look at Hobby king to give you an idea of frames like this
http://www.hobbyking.co.uk/hobbykin...th_Integrated_Printed_Distribution_Board.html
or
http://www.hobbyking.co.uk/hobbykin...ng_Quad_Copter_Carbon_Fiber_Version_Kit_.html
or a little smaller
http://www.hobbyking.co.uk/hobbykin...ng_Quad_Copter_Carbon_Fiber_Version_Kit_.html
then add the tarot M your have a really nice quad

 

[RENOV8R]

The Yuneec Typhoon Q500 is a thing of beauty

http://www.tomtop.com/original-prof...utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=RC DJI_S_H_TT_ZSW

 

[Jackson]

... and there are some nice frames about
take a look at Hobby king to give you an idea of frames like this
http://www.hobbyking.co.uk/hobbykin...th_Integrated_Printed_Distribution_Board.html

Frame Weight: 96g, Wow. The others are ~4X that.

 

[GJH105775]

Hello All.
I am very new but very excited to purchase my new drone. Had my heart set on the DJI 3 pro but then the 4 came out and I was set to go until I read the FAA airspace limitations of 5 mile radius from an international airport, I am about 2 miles away. My understanding from DJI is, if I am within that radius the quad would not leave the ground unless I had approval from the FAA and a special code from DJI. I am so bummed. My initial plan was to video our church, my and friends’ houses at most a 200 to 300 foot elevation. I do not want nor have any intention to fly in airplane airspace. That option would be limited to when I am far, far away from any airport.


My question is; Does the DJI 2 or any other DJI drone or any other gimbal drones out there that takes very good video and do not have the 5 mile limitation built in? I saw a video where once you get 1.5 miles away you can go up to 35 feet in elevation and the further you get away, your elevation increases until you hit the 5 mile distance. DJI told me that is not an option on their 3 and 4 units.


Really wanted to get this before we went on vacation and would prefer getting a quad rather than spending my money on manhattans in depression mode, wishing I had a drone.


Thanks, Bob

Well if you want to USE DJI you could start by calling the ATC at your airport and getting permission to fly there, probably just tell them how high you are going to fly (let's say tree tops if there are any). Now if you were flying commercial you would call and *notify* them that you are going to be flying there, and they'd have to give you are real reason that they turn you down and allow you to reschedule. As you are flying for hobby use you can call and ask about flying on your property which is 2 miles away, as you are only going to be operating at tree level, or if there are none say around 50'.

The ATC are almost always going to be friendly and happy you called, unless it is a terribly large airport. If nothing else I'd fly there at a safe height and just not use GPS unless you have reason to believe that you'll be turned in. in which case the police would come out, and possibly give you a hard time, they could not really do anything without contacting the FAA, and the FAA USUALLY just sends out an info packet, though they may start looking for people to make examples of.


Have you registered yet?

 

[holtneil]

Hi guys was thinking about last night if your in manual mode of the phantom the GPS unit is off so how's it going to know where your flying, no fly zone is done on GPS

 

[Robert123]

Well if you want to USE DJI you could start by calling the ATC at your airport and getting permission to fly there, probably just tell them how high you are going to fly (let's say tree tops if there are any). Now if you were flying commercial you would call and *notify* them that you are going to be flying there, and they'd have to give you are real reason that they turn you down and allow you to reschedule. As you are flying for hobby use you can call and ask about flying on your property which is 2 miles away, as you are only going to be operating at tree level, or if there are none say around 50'.

The ATC are almost always going to be friendly and happy you called, unless it is a terribly large airport. If nothing else I'd fly there at a safe height and just not use GPS unless you have reason to believe that you'll be turned in. in which case the police would come out, and possibly give you a hard time, they could not really do anything without contacting the FAA, and the FAA USUALLY just sends out an info packet, though they may start looking for people to make examples of.


Have you registered yet?

Thanks again: I have acted on both of your suggestions and registered with the FAA (have my UAS Certificate of Registration) and sent a request to the airport ATC requesting permission to fly an elevation of 250' and in my area 2 miles from the airport.

I haven't given up yet.

Thanks again
Bob

 

[Robert123]

Hi guys was thinking about last night if your in manual mode of the phantom the GPS unit is off so how's it going to know where your flying, no fly zone is done on GPS

I was woundering the same thing but when I called DJI, all 3 times they said neither the 3 or 4 would take off if I was within the 5 mile radius of DJI's listed airports on their fly safe no-fly website unless I had approval from the ATC and then DJI would give me code (link) that would disable the restriction. http://www.dji.com/flysafe/no-fly

Their web site only shows large and International airports and not smaller ones. The next link shows both large and small airports.

https://app.airmap.io/?__hstc=20342...c=203426383.2.1458902459723&__hsfp=3137069288

I understand the need for the regulations and I understand they don't know I have no desire to go over or higher than what I can see and my eye sight is not that good. And I understand we are not all responsible.

Thanks again
Bob

 

[ringolong]

You can fly a phantom 3, phantom 4, or any Dji craft within 5 miles of an airport. You will need to get permission from the airport, and then submit a request on the Dji site on your account page.

There are covers that will block the GPS if you plan on doing this many times, and do not feel like submitting the requests every time.




Authorization Zone Flight PlanningAdvance Unlocking
Unlocking an Authorization Zone is instantaneous using DJI Go when you are ready to fly within, or when your aerial system flies towards, an Authorization Zone. Unlocking lasts 24 hours and takes just a few taps on the screen. Users planning to fly in an Authorization Zone without a live connection to the internet may use this online Advance flight planner to schedule a maximum of 30 simultaneous unlocking plans. Each zone will remain unlocked for three days.

Only Authorization Zones, yellow highlighted areas, can be unlocked. Simply click on one of these areas to unlock it. Red Areas are Restricted Zones that cannot be unlocked. Green areas are Warning Zones that do not need to be unlocked but are still subject to safety precautions. You can display or hide different areas by selecting or deselecting the appropriate checkbox.

The GEO system is advisory only. Each operator is responsible for checking official sources and determining what laws or regulations might apply to his or her flight. In general, DJI has selected widely-recommended general parameters (such as a five-mile radius at airports) without making any determination of whether this guidance matches regulations in your specific location.

Below you may also preview on a map how areas near you are categorized in GEO. Note that GEO will first be launched in North America and Europe. The map does not reflect how GEO will be implemented in other countries in the future.

IMPORTANT: By unlocking an Authorization Zone, you agree to all terms and conditions of use. The content in the flight planner is not provided on a current, real-time basis. Airspace conditions are by their nature subject to change without prior notice, and earlier airspace checks do not guarantee that a given location will be free of flight restrictions, including any temporary flight restrictions.

http://www.dji.com/flysafe/geo-system/unlock

 

[Robert123]

You can fly a phantom 3, phantom 4, or any Dji craft within 5 miles of an airport. You will need to get permission from the airport, and then submit a request on the Dji site on our account page.

There are covers that will block the GPS if you plan on doing this many times, and do not feel like submitting the requests every time.

ringalong and others

It is so helpful talking to those that know the rules and regs as well as build your own and other quads. I am getting so much useful information my brain is having trouble absorbing it all, I walked into the kitchen and forgot what I went in there for. May be the dogs need feeding?

So now as I understand it, my options are;
1. Purchase the DJI 4 and hope/pray I get permission from the ATC in my area to be able to fly for a limited time most likely on specific dates. I could deal with that but am concerned about investing that amount of $$ then finding out the ATC doesn't like drones.
2. Buy the Yuneec Q500 4K which also looks like a nice unit but not sure if it has the same "No Fly" restrictions built in the GPS system like DJI.
3. Build my own. I can turn wrenches, built my own Dynaco amp and tuner but jockeying around aps, cell phones, computers and downloads I have a bit of a handicap. That's why I was thinking a pre-built system would be easiest for me but don't right me off, I may still go that route.

Again Thanks
Bob

 

[ringolong]

You could call them today to find out before purchasing what their thoughts are.

No matter what route you take you will still need permission to fly while you are that close.

Keep in mind that the fines are very high if you get caught without permission.

 

[GJH105775]

ringalong and others

It is so helpful talking to those that know the rules and regs as well as build your own and other quads. I am getting so much useful information my brain is having trouble absorbing it all, I walked into the kitchen and forgot what I went in there for. May be the dogs need feeding?

So now as I understand it, my options are;
1. Purchase the DJI 4 and hope/pray I get permission from the ATC in my area to be able to fly for a limited time most likely on specific dates. I could deal with that but am concerned about investing that amount of $$ then finding out the ATC doesn't like drones.
2. Buy the Yuneec Q500 4K which also looks like a nice unit but not sure if it has the same "No Fly" restrictions built in the GPS system like DJI.
3. Build my own. I can turn wrenches, built my own Dynaco amp and tuner but jockeying around aps, cell phones, computers and downloads I have a bit of a handicap. That's why I was thinking a pre-built system would be easiest for me but don't right me off, I may still go that route.

Again Thanks
Bob

Well what type of flying are you wanting to do, cheaper fast, and fun flying. Or a more steady slower flying for photography? You can get RTF (ready to fly) without GPS, so the quad does not even have a clue where it is at, but to legally fly you'd need permission.

If you live in a more rural area you could probably get permission to fly on someone else's property three miles away, or a park, but that is a three mile drive.