Difficulty hovering outdoors

O

Ouija

New Member
Hello All,

I'm new to the forum and RC. I've got a Dromida Vista FVP. I've been testing it indoors attempting to setup the trip and getting a feel for it. Hovering seems to be consistent indoors with very little input needed. However my apparent is not large enough for me to do maneuvers with yaw and forward direction. Outside is different, a little throttle will lift it slowly but, it will keep climbing. Backing off the throttle a little usually cause a quicker than desired decent. I often compensate by giving a little throttle well before it's descended to the desired hovering altitude. I've been flying in Easy Mode which is 25% sensitivity. It's recommended for indoors and beginners. Should I try normal mode or something else? Do I just need a lot more practice? Any input you can offer would be appreciated.

Dromida Vista FVP RTF
 
Hey Ouija.......this may or may not be your problem. But most altitude hold systems use a barometric(air pressure) sensor. If it doesn't have a small foam rubber/foam plastic cover, then even light breezes can mess with your altitude hold.
 
Jackson said:
I think most new flyers have the same problem, I sure did. Good throttle management takes time.
Click to expand...

Wish this forum supported multi-quote. I agree with pretty much everything already said. The three most important things to build flying skill are practice, watch and listen to everyone's videos, etc., and practice. If you must ignore one, ignore the second one. :)

Learning to fly quads is 15% understanding the basic forces acting on a quad in flight, and 85% training muscle memory. Mastering the basics is key. I always suggest people start flying indoors because the space constraints force you to learn those micro-movements that are so important. If you have 8' of clear space, you can start learning forward/backward, side-to-side, and yaw movements. You want to start doing them in baby steps. Sounds like you have the basics of hovering in very still air down somewhat well. Now (inside), practice going forward 2-3', then back toward you 2-3'. Then left 2-3', right 2-3'. Turn it into a game to make it go exactly where you want it to (it won't most of the time!).

The more you do this inside, the more you will master fine coordination and responding very quickly when the quad is doing something you don't want it to do. This is a critical skill when you get a bit of breeze.

Then yaw a little, anywhere between 30 and 90 degrees, and do the same things. When you get disoriented (soon at first, it will take longer as as you practice), yaw it back to facing directly away from you and re-orient. As you are doing this, you will see why Jackson recommended contracting prop colors. Most people put the bright color forward, I put the bright colored props at the rear. Do whichever is more intuitive to you, as as long as the contrasting color helps you quickly know the alignment of the quad.

As you start to get these basics down, go outside and do it there, where as you found out, it will be harder. When you have a bad session, go back inside and do it in still air.

Make it all a game. The more of these basic skills you get down, the better you will be as you progress. Show me someone flying LOS wide open throttle with beautifully coordinated turns (banking and nose-forward all the time like an airplane turns) and I'll show you someone who has put in his/her time mastering the basics.
 
...and just in case that wasn't long-winded enough: as you master basics with the nose pointed 30-90 degrees from you, keep going and practice flying toward you. Eventually you will respond based on the nose orientation of the quad automatically without thinking about it at all. This is where you want to get to (for LOS flying).
 
i'm about finished noting my newbie progress in another thread on an eachine e011 micro quad. given charge times and no autolevel and losing the first one, it's taken maybe 3 weeks and three hours of flight time for rudimentary ability, eg. not crashing constantly. :) baby steps yes, start slow.
 
Hello All,

Thanks for the valuable advice. It's good to hear this is common for newbies. I'll practice more indoors and see if I can find and cover that barometric sensor with some kind of foam. Maybe I'll cover my plasma TV with a thick blanket. I think I've been trying my best to stay far away from it greatly limiting the space I fly in. I'll keep active in the community and thanks again for the quick and encouraging responses.
 
dragger201 said:
Ain't that the truth. I'm so glad my first was a inexpensive quad. I had that thing doing things you couldn't(or I couldn't) do on purpose.
Click to expand...
Just like some of the shots I take playing pool. Don't use foam, it has to be a not very dense sponge. Like you would get on a microphone.
 
Rick M said:
Wish this forum supported multi-quote. I agree with pretty much everything already said. The three most important things to build flying skill are practice, watch and listen to everyone's videos, etc., and practice. If you must ignore one, ignore the second one. :)

Learning to fly quads is 15% understanding the basic forces acting on a quad in flight, and 85% training muscle memory. Mastering the basics is key. I always suggest people start flying indoors because the space constraints force you to learn those micro-movements that are so important. If you have 8' of clear space, you can start learning forward/backward, side-to-side, and yaw movements. You want to start doing them in baby steps. Sounds like you have the basics of hovering in very still air down somewhat well. Now (inside), practice going forward 2-3', then back toward you 2-3'. Then left 2-3', right 2-3'. Turn it into a game to make it go exactly where you want it to (it won't most of the time!).

The more you do this inside, the more you will master fine coordination and responding very quickly when the quad is doing something you don't want it to do. This is a critical skill when you get a bit of breeze.

Then yaw a little, anywhere between 30 and 90 degrees, and do the same things. When you get disoriented (soon at first, it will take longer as as you practice), yaw it back to facing directly away from you and re-orient. As you are doing this, you will see why Jackson recommended contracting prop colors. Most people put the bright color forward, I put the bright colored props at the rear. Do whichever is more intuitive to you, as as long as the contrasting color helps you quickly know the alignment of the quad.

As you start to get these basics down, go outside and do it there, where as you found out, it will be harder. When you have a bad session, go back inside and do it in still air.

Make it all a game. The more of these basic skills you get down, the better you will be as you progress. Show me someone flying LOS wide open throttle with beautifully coordinated turns (banking and nose-forward all the time like an airplane turns) and I'll show you someone who has put in his/her time mastering the basics.
Click to expand...
Where can I get contrasting colored props? Aren't props quad specific? Am I going to have to go back to the manufacturer?
 
yay said:
no :) there's lots of vids of ppl trying different manuf. props on other quads.
Click to expand...
Thank you. Think I'll go online and pick up a couple. When the quad gets far away, it is hard to tell how it's oriented just by looking at the little green lights. Colored props on the rear should make it easier.
 
Bright contrasting color on either the front or the rear is a big help in maintaining orientation as Jackson suggested. I do this with any quad I'm flying line-of-sight. Most people put the bright colors on the front, I do it the other way around. Whichever is the most intuitive to you is best!

I'd suggest you stick to props the same length as stock. Check out DalProps or HQ Props.
 
Rick M said:
Bright contrasting color on either the front or the rear is a big help in maintaining orientation as Jackson suggested. I do this with any quad I'm flying line-of-sight. Most people put the bright colors on the front, I do it the other way around. Whichever is the most intuitive to you is best!

I'd suggest you stick to props the same length as stock. Check out DalProps or HQ Props.
Click to expand...
Thanks. How are props measured? By the length of the blade? Some other method? How about screwing the prop into the prop receptacle - are all props, regardless of size - standard when it comes to the size of the "screw-in" screw (for want of a better term)?
 
The primary measurement is overall length. The mounts vary from manufacturer to manufacturer on brushed quads. Check the mounting carefully or Google alternative props for your quad. Most props on brushless motors slide on and are retained by a screw either straight down the prop shaft, or into the side of the prop shaft.
 
pdmike said:
Thanks. By the length of the blade? Some other method? How about screwing the prop into the prop receptacle - are all props, regardless of size - standard when it comes to the size of the "screw-in" screw (for want of a better term)?
Click to expand...
I never recommend a quad to folks unless full spares are available at Banggood or Gearbest.
 
if you see props with two numbers, the first is the total (both sides, so tricky with eg. tri blades) length, i guess "diameter of circular region" in inches, the second number is the pitch, eg. steepness of the prop .. the length of a cylinder as the prop turns one rotation.

the 1105 brushless motors on my quad, i couldn't even tell when i first looked at it... the *outer shell* of the motor rotates, not just the shaft.. so the little screws on each side of the shaft go into the motor body. this was weird to me with my experience of electronic motors, and i figure it's nice to know.
 
It's been a long time but, I'm back! My Dromida Vista flew away and I was never able to find it. I didn't realize it didn't have altitude hold, guess I didn't know what that was. I've picked up a bunch of drones since then almost all of them altitude hold with a 1S or 2S battery. I haven't flown since the holidays last year and I'm looking to get back into it. Just a status update =)
 
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