Quadcopter/Drone Thread

[tRoN]

My maiden flight

 

[Rocket-Boy]

My maiden flight

It looks like a picture from the past! never seen it so quiet there before.

 

[tRoN]

It looks like a picture from the past! never seen it so quiet there before.

It’s actually quite busy on the promenade in the mornings but yeah everything else is quiet

 

[MisterFiftySomething]

A few pics of the rural Free State. I'm only just starting out, so not happy with my camera settings and the way I'm framing the shots, but hopefully I'll get there eventually.

 

[bwana]

I haven't been keeping up on current events wrt drone flying during kickdown;

Does anyone know what the current regulations are about flying in SA?

Want to go out to the local park and fly a bit this weekend but don't want to have issues if one grumpy is pissed off because they can't have their ciggies and whisky and decides to report me.

Did you ever find out? I have to admit it's so sleepy where I live I pretty much fly when I want to. My neighbour has several drones so I just pretend to land there.

A few pics of the rural Free State. I'm only just starting out, so not happy with my camera settings and the way I'm framing the shots, but hopefully I'll get there eventually.

Are you shooting photos in 16:9?

 

[MisterFiftySomething]

<snip>

Are you shooting photos in 16:9?

Yes, I am.

 

[bwana]

Yes, I am.

It might help you with the framing if you shoot the native 4:3 and then crop to whatever aspect ratio you want afterwards. You're throwing away a lot of pixels that could be useful.

 

[MisterFiftySomething]

It might help you with the framing if you shoot the native 4:3 and then crop to whatever aspect ratio you want afterwards. You're throwing away a lot of pixels that could be useful.

View attachment 881659

Ok, thanks for the tip. I assume the same goes for video as well?

 

[bwana]

Ok, thanks for the tip. I assume the same goes for video as well?

I don't think you have any option but to shoot 16:9 when it comes to video, do you? Assuming you have a Mini the resolutions available are 1080p and 2.7k so unless you need the higher frame rate I'd stick to the highest resolution available.

 

[MisterFiftySomething]

I don't think you have any option but to shoot 16:9 when it comes to video, do you? Assuming you have a Mini the resolutions available are 1080p and 2.7k so unless you need the higher frame rate I'd stick to the highest resolution available.

Did a quick check and you're right. Setting the camera to 4:3 only affects the photos, not the videos.
And you're assumption is right as well, I do have the mini. Right now I'm taking most of my videos at 1080p @ 60fps because I like the smooth look of it, but I'll still play around with the higher resolution.

 

[Frankie23]

Did you ever find out? I have to admit it's so sleepy where I live I pretty much fly when I want to. My neighbour has several drones so I just pretend to land there.

Nope, couldn't find anything formal yet. Still looking.

 

[bwana]

Nope, couldn't find anything formal yet. Still looking.

How about it @genetic - have they lifted the covid restrictions?

 

[genetic]

How about it @genetic - have they lifted the covid restrictions?

As far as I'm aware you're legally allowed to fly your drone in areas that are not restricted under level 3 COVID regulations - as long as you follow the standard CAA rules.

 

[genetic]

Sweet.

This worries me: [Not covered for] Any loss, damage or liability whilst the drone is being used in contravention of the SACAA Legislation or Regulations.

Don't regs preclude you from doing anything that would require 3rd party insurance? Like flying over people, roads, or houses?

They do indeed. Insurance can request flight logs which will show your height, speed, location and drone operational parameters at the time of the incident. If you were found to be in contravention of the CAA regulations, they can reject claims. DJI often does this for warranty claims.

Usually insurance that doesn't specialise in drone cover won't go that far (if your cover falls under usual household or mobile electronics).

 

[tRoN]

Usually insurance that doesn't specialise in drone cover won't go that far (if your cover falls under usual household or mobile electronics).

The all risks only cover theft and not while the drone is in flight

 

[HumanShield]

Anyone run into issues with DJI's NFZ's and how you cant take off at all if you're in one?

 

[bwana]

Anyone run into issues with DJI's NFZ's and how you cant take off at all if you're in one?

Yeah - nanny drone company. What type of NFZ are you trying to take off in? Some will let you over ride it, others won't.

 

[HumanShield]

Yeah - nanny drone company. What type of NFZ are you trying to take off in? Some will let you over ride it, others won't.

From the map it's in a blue authorization zone in one location and an enhanced warning zone. I see that you can unlock it on the app and it gives you 24hrs or something.

 

[bwana]

From the map it's in a blue authorization zone in one location and an enhanced warning zone. I see that you can unlock it on the app and it gives you 24hrs or something.

Might be a bit longer than 24 hours and I think you can stack several unlocks. Keep in mind the DJI zones have little to do with the actual NFZ in SA so even if the app lets you fly you might not be legally allowed to do so.

 

[HumanShield]

Might be a bit longer than 24 hours and I think you can stack several unlocks. Keep in mind the DJI zones have little to do with the actual NFZ in SA so even if the app lets you fly you might not be legally allowed to do so.

Yeah fully aware of that. Tried to fly it this weekend and couldn't take off. Thought a rollback of the firmware would do the trick but no dice on that. This is just a nice way to track back to someone if the drone causes trouble in an area.