Hello everyone,

I have a question about landing ...

We obviously try to take off and land from a perfectly flat (and preferably paved/cemented) terrain.  In fact, I coudln't even think of any reason why we'd take off from anywhere else ...

But let's say we had to land on a graded (but concrete) area.  Probably about 15-20º grade.

- How does the Inspire 2 deal with something like this?
- Does anyone have experience landing when it is not 100% perfectly flat?
- Does it cause issues with the obstacle avoidance?
- Theoretically speaking, if landing this way is "appropriate", how would the Inspire 2 do with touching down 2 of its 4 legs before the other 2?

I'm guessing (based on just normal flight) that the props over the first two legs that touch down would slow down significantly in an effort to keep the aircraft balanced.  And then the two legs that are landing over a lower part of the grade would then touch down and everything would be good.

Not that we'd ever be doing this as a standard landing procedure, but simply to know the behavior of the Inspire 2 would be wonderful.

Thanks!

Just be careful, once the landing gear is lowered obstacle avoidance is off. Make sure you pull the stick straight back and wait for the motors to stop.

paraviz02, as long as the feet or legs touch the ground BEFORE your props touch the ground  {:4_177:} you will be fine, no problem.. Safety First! Ken.

Use care, and you'll be fine.
Personally, I never use the auto landing feature. (Don't know if you do, but I thought I'd mention it.) Or auto take off either.
I land her softer.....

You could land on any slope so long as it isn't steep enough for the bird to topple over.
Bear in mind that the bird comes down somewhat level so 2 feet may hit terra firma before the others.
Doesn't have to be pavement either, I land in grass often with no problems.
Just avoid sand and dust.

Hand catch if ground is not level. Learn, Its not difficult

Mike-the-cat Posted at 2017-7-23 07:00
Hand catch if ground is not level. Learn, Its not difficult

Please tell me more about hand catching.
I assume that once you have a hold on the drone , and as its still flying, it will try to resist the hand-hold. Is this correct?  Do you need ton stop the rotors "in the air" in order to hand-catch?
Thanks.
Allan

allanart Posted at 2017-7-23 07:54
Please tell me more about hand catching.
I assume that once you have a hold on the drone , and as its still flying, it will try to resist the hand-hold. Is this correct?  Do you need ton stop the rotors "in the air" in order to hand-catch?
Thanks.

I do hand catching almost all the time and I never use auto-landing. Hand catching looks difficult, but is rather easy. Just fly to a height where you can easily grab the inspire. Preferably above your head, so the blades can not harm you. Just a light grap with one hand. Do not pull the Inspire downwards. With your other hand pull down the left thumb controller until the motors shutdown. It is very advisable to use a neckstrap attached to your controller, or be with two persons. I grab the bottom part near both batteries. I have done this many times with both my Inspire and Phantom.

allanart Posted at 2017-7-23 07:54
Please tell me more about hand catching.
I assume that once you have a hold on the drone , and as its still flying, it will try to resist the hand-hold. Is this correct?  Do you need ton stop the rotors "in the air" in order to hand-catch?
Thanks.

With the inspire it is best to have someone helping you. See the link below for the handles that can be added to the inspire 1 or 2. Their are some youtube videos showing the hand catch, I lot of guys do this on  boat shoots.

https://www.floridadronesupply.c ... tch-for-dji-inspire


Rich

RichJ53 Posted at 2017-7-23 16:33
https://youtu.be/usNh5F9lp7g

Hi Rich,

This guy demonstrates a less safe way of hand catching. Look at where the blades are in relation to his face/eyes. Also, you will not have as much strength in your arms at that angle should something go wrong. Always safer to catch above your head.

Mark G.

allanart Posted at 2017-7-23 07:54
Please tell me more about hand catching.
I assume that once you have a hold on the drone , and as its still flying, it will try to resist the hand-hold. Is this correct?  Do you need ton stop the rotors "in the air" in order to hand-catch?
Thanks.

Looks like Rich and Mark have already chimed in. Mark's point about catching above head level is a good safety tip.

Mark Guille Posted at 2017-7-24 01:59
Hi Rich,

This guy demonstrates a less safe way of hand catching. Look at where the blades are in relation to his face/eyes. Also, you will not have as much strength in your arms at that angle should something go wrong. Always safer to catch above your head.

I  agree Mark,

I still believe that using 2 people is the best and safest method (if you must hand catch) plus good communications between the pilot and the helper..

Rich

RichJ53 Posted at 2017-7-24 20:51
I  agree Mark,

I still believe that using 2 people is the best and safest method (if you must hand catch) plus good communications between the pilot and the helper..

Absolutely Rich, two people and with auto landing gear off.

Mark G.

15-20º grade equates to around 25-35% slope. US Interstates generally are 6% or less with some exceptions for 7% (mountainous roads with speed limits below 60 mph). I would not even consider landing my Inspire on a 15-20º grade. I have never hand caught my Inspire (did it all the time with my Phantoms) but would try that versus landing on anything that steep. Just my 2-cents, I realize.

Mike-the-cat Posted at 2017-7-24 15:27
Looks like Rich and Mark have already chimed in. Mark's point about catching above head level is a good safety tip.

Yes, many thanks for all the advice. Much appreciated!
Regards
Allan

Mike-the-cat Posted at 2017-7-23 07:00
Hand catch if ground is not level. Learn, Its not difficult

Oh man.  I'll have to look up a video of this.  That sounds a bit scary!

Ohh I see there are videos here :-) ...

Now after reading all this ... Realistically, I'd feel more comfortable hand-catching than landing on the grade.

I've seen the bird do some funny things when it gets so close to the ground (probably because the obstacle avoidance turning off).  And to be honest, I'm not sure if I trust myself hand-catching without someone else manning the controls.  That's a disaster waiting to happen ha ha ha ...

Great information - thanks everyone!

Another safety tip all - catch with the birds head pointing downwind. Common sense but this could save your hands / face. Also remember it takes 2-3 seconds between full throttle down and motor cut off and one MUST keep the stick hard down. I often kill the motors slightly ahead of time while hovering. This is particularly useful on a boat or when it is windy.

Mike-the-cat Posted at 2017-7-25 21:53
Another safety tip all - catch with the birds head pointing downwind. Common sense but this could save your hands / face. Also remember it takes 2-3 seconds between full throttle down and motor cut off and one MUST keep the stick hard down. I often kill the motors slightly ahead of time while hovering. This is particularly useful on a boat or when it is windy.

That's an excellent tip.  A small gust of wind could really make for an unexpected disaster ...