Quadcopter/Drone Thread

ijacobs3 said:
I vaguely recall something about drones in the sub 250g range ( the mini/mini 2)
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Overseas mainly. IIRC it's the threshold for registration in many countries.
 
Edit - Claimed - not available anymore :)

I am packing up my flat for moving back to UK,
I have a old hexacopter I built maybe 9 years ago that needs a home to someone in PE who leans towards the DIY side of drones
Its probably about 60-70cm across

The controller board is arducopter (the first one) and probably needs replacing

Also a few 1S and 3S lipo batteries that may be bad by now (I didnt keep them charged) but worth testing

Also a rather large RC 3d helicopter (looks like 45cm blades)

I think I have the controllers, lipo/lead acid charger, 12v power supply

Only PE peeps as it would be really hard to package this for shipping etc, and shipping old lipo's may not be too wise even by road

Price: Free

WhatsApp Image 2021-09-16 at 11.47.14 AM.jpegWhatsApp Image 2021-09-16 at 11.47.32 AM.jpeg
 
Segg said:
I have no idea where that info has come from, but outside of controlled airspace we are basically free to fly however we want to, but think of this in a 3D view

Johannesburg for example, has the OR Tambo, Lanseria, Waterkloof, and Wonderboom CTR's which are controlled from ground level to around 6500ft, and the Rand and Grand Central ATZ's

Above these airspaces are the Johannesburg and Waterkloof TMA's but they cover pretty much the entirety of Gauteng. Above the TMA's are CTA's which are even larger

Between the CTR's and ATZ' s in Johannesburg are the special rules areas which operate between ground and 7600ft

Outside of main centers generally aircraft are free to operate as they'd like between ground and 19500ft, as the entire countries airspace becomes controlled again from 20 000ft upwards
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A lot of my misconceptions then come from avcom, sadly the seem very dronephobic ( I think there are a lot of salty heli operators who have lost their monopoly on arial photography)

As I understand, if you in your own property , under 40ft and keep line of sight , you good
 
ninjaman509 said:
My understanding of this is that outside of the 10km radius around an airport and away from built up areas GA 9s allowed to operate at any altitude? Does this mean drones are not safe anywhere in SA essentially? :unsure:
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I have no idea where that info has come from, but outside of controlled airspace we are basically free to fly however we want to, but think of this in a 3D view

Johannesburg for example, has the OR Tambo, Lanseria, Waterkloof, and Wonderboom CTR's which are controlled from ground level to around 6500ft, and the Rand and Grand Central ATZ's

Above these airspaces are the Johannesburg and Waterkloof TMA's but they cover pretty much the entirety of Gauteng. Above the TMA's are CTA's which are even larger

Between the CTR's and ATZ' s in Johannesburg are the special rules areas which operate between ground and 7600ft

Outside of main centers generally aircraft are free to operate as they'd like between ground and 19500ft, as the entire country's airspace becomes controlled again from 20 000ft upwards

For drones the safest thing to do is just remain within line of sight, and don't fly too high.

Most airports have their VFR traffic patterns at 1000ft AGL, but obviously aircraft are in the process of taking off and landing so will operate right down to ground level
 
Brief flight this morning - people in the UK seem a lot less uptight about casual flights, must be the relaxed regulations compare to SA

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bwana said:
Brief flight this morning - people in the UK seem a lot less uptight about casual flights, must be the relaxed regulations compare to SA

View attachment 1305056
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As long as it’s under 250g yes. Anything heavier and that photo is technically a red flag (unless you’re A2 CofC certified, but even that is still limited compared to the sub-250g category - no built up areas, no crowds, etc).

Got my operator and flyer IDs ages ago, just been waiting for the Mini 3 to drop.
 
The Voice said:
As long as it’s under 250g yes. Anything heavier and that photo is technically a red flag (unless you’re A2 CofC certified, but even that is still limited compared to the sub-250g category - no built up areas, no crowds, etc).

Got my operator and flyer IDs ages ago, just been waiting for the Mini 3 to drop.
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Just wondering any leaked specs on what the mini 3 is bringing ?
 
DTBA said:
Just wondering any leaked specs on what the mini 3 is bringing ?
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Loads available online for a few weeks already, but some highlights are a better camera (f1.7 - not sure about the sensor), gimble that can rotate up and slightly longer flight time. Also comes with cheaper version of the RC Pro controller.

Watched a few videos that this guy posted yesterday of him flying it around, including night shots which looked amazing, but see that he’s taken them all down today (guess someone grassed him because it isn’t officially available in the UK yet):

 
The Voice said:
Loads available online for a few weeks already, but some highlights are a better camera (f1.7 - not sure about the sensor), gimble that can rotate up and slightly longer flight time. Also comes with cheaper version of the RC Pro controller.

Watched a few videos that this guy posted yesterday of him flying it around, including night shots which looked amazing, but see that he’s taken them all down today (guess someone grassed him because it isn’t officially available in the UK yet):

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Thanks will have a look.. Also had a google, dji might as well release all the info :?
 
DTBA said:
Thanks will have a look.. Also had a google, dji might as well release all the info :?
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Their “official” launch is only tomorrow, but people have been leaking info for more than a month already, so probably figured everyone already knows everything lol. Nice to see that everything so far has been accurate.

Oh, and Argos (think UK Makro) actually had it online but out of stock last week for £849 (drone + new controller). The flymore pack was sold separately at £150-ish.
 
Rocket-Boy said:
I always find the beaches in the UK to be so boring, at least its clean and safe though so it beats what we have here in SA.
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The beaches around here are mostly shale... apart from disappointing sandcastles they're not too bad.

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The Voice said:
Their “official” launch is only tomorrow, but people have been leaking info for more than a month already, so probably figured everyone already knows everything lol. Nice to see that everything so far has been accurate.

Oh, and Argos (think UK Makro) actually had it online but out of stock last week for £849 (drone + new controller). The flymore pack was sold separately at £150-ish.
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Damn the price is kinda ouch


I want to get one for the farm and so far this looks like the best option with the new remote. I don't want to struggle using my phone that atm does not even support the software.


The range with pro battery everything just seems 100% what I would want. The price just brings it very close to the mavic air 2 price flymore combo
 
DTBA said:
Damn the price is kinda ouch


I want to get one for the farm and so far this looks like the best option with the new remote. I don't want to struggle using my phone that atm does not even support the software.


The range with pro battery everything just seems 100% what I would want. The price just brings it very close to the mavic air 2 price flymore combo
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Depends on local restrictions I guess. But, if you only intend to use it on a farm, then a larger drone would probably be better if the price is the same?

I’m only eyeing the Mini 3 because it slays the Autel Nano I was originally interested in, that was better than the Mini 2. Again, because I live in the UK getting anything over 250g just isn’t worth it because of all the restrictions.
 
The Voice said:
Depends on local restrictions I guess. But, if you only intend to use it on a farm, then a larger drone would probably be better if the price is the same?

I’m only eyeing the Mini 3 because it slays the Autel Nano I was originally interested in, that was better than the Mini 2. Again, because I live in the UK getting anything over 250g just isn’t worth it because of all the restrictions.
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yea around here we are not limit by weight.( well not that small anyway)

The main thing is the battery life =distance it can travel and transmitter range..
On the older drones its way to short as the farm is about 8km long and 4km wide.

Yes I know that the rules state I need to have a line of site but yes lets just say I have very good eyes
 
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