I've been analising DJI SPARK problems on this forum, looking at flight logs of fly away drones, almost EVERY flight that leads to Flyaway (yaw error, compass error, loss of signtal) problem the pilot has received a compass warning in the first minute of flight and decided to keep flying even when see the warning, my advise is:

IF YOU RECEIVE A COMPASS ERROR WARNING ON DJI GO SCREEN - GET BACK AND LAND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE - MOVE TO ANOTHER INTERFERENCE FREE PLACE AND DO ALL THE PRE FLIGHT CHECKS AGAIN.

>> EVEN IF THE WARNING ARE IN THE FIRST SECONDS OF FLIGHT AND DONT APPEAR AGAIN <<



>> EVEN IF THE WARNING ITS JUSTS FOR A SPLIT SECOND! AND DISAPPEAR!!! <<


>> EVEN IF THE WARNING GO AWAY AND DONT COME BACK IN THE NEXT MINUTES <<


>> ALWAYS KEEP THE PHONE VOLUME HIGH - TO LISTEN WARNINGS, NOT JUST SEE ON SCREEN <<



WARNINGS ARE NOT MEANT TO BE IGNORED, ARE MEANT TO HELP!!





If you want to check what i am saying, just take a look and analyse flightlogs of various flyways post on this forum, theres a guy that receive 15 warnings! yes, 15! some of then right after the drone take off, and decided to force the flight going to a considerable altitude and distance and his drone flyaway ( there are more cases of users forcing flight after receiving warnings).

I know that this is not supose to be happening, if the compass go back to normal after a warning and the user dont receive other warning its supose to everything its fine,

BUT ITS NOT WHAT IS HAPPENING ON REAL LIFE - So whe need to be very very carefull.

Thanks for that info, i will follow this advice.

Melhor prevenir do que remediar, né?

Obrigado pela dica.

Adriano Araujo Posted at 2017-7-31 03:30
Melhor prevenir do que remediar, né?

Obrigado pela dica.

Seu direito, bem posto!

Adriano Araujo Posted at 2017-7-31 03:30
Melhor prevenir do que remediar, né?

Obrigado pela dica.

Com certeza Adriano, infelizmente quando algo não está 100% temos que ter todo o cuidado do mundo! Afinal, é bem melhor retornar e perder uma possível boa filmagem, do que arriscar e perder todo o Drone.

Como disse, tenho analisado os logs de vôo do pessoal que tem tido flyaway e em varios casos ( basicamente todos), os donos do spark forçaram o vôo mesmo depois de ver o aviso no aplicativo. O ápice disso foi o rapaz que viu 15 avisos durante o vôo, sendo o primeiro logo nos primeiros segundos de vôo e simplesmente em vez de voltar, decidiu continuar voando como se nada tivesse acontecido e por sinal, indo bem longe com o drone.

Totally agree that people need to be careful with the warnings. I have posted long time ago but it worth mentioning again to strengthen your warning:
From the very first day of Spark release, I bought a separated extra battery, when plugged in, it warned me compass error, just a few seconds. I then still got > 10 satellites but no home point record. I decided to do auto take-off. The aircraft drifted and kept jumping between Atti and GPS (Even though I had >10 satellites, and in an open area). I then landed immediately, re-run the firmware and re-calibrate everything, no problem after that.
So, again, always fly with caution.

STech - Hathder Posted at 2017-7-31 03:35
Com certeza Adriano, infelizmente quando algo não está 100% temos que ter todo o cuidado do mundo! Afinal, é bem melhor retornar e perder uma possível boa filmagem, do que arriscar e perder todo o Drone.

Como disse, tenho analisado os logs de vôo do pessoal que tem tido flyaway e em varios casos ( basicamente todos), os donos do spark forçaram o vôo mesmo depois de ver o aviso no aplicativo. O ápice disso foi o rapaz que viu 15 avisos durante o vôo, sendo o primeiro logo nos primeiros segundos de vôo e simplesmente em vez de voltar, decidiu continuar voando como se nada tivesse acontecido e por sinal, indo bem longe com o drone.

Isso é definitivamente imprudente para um piloto fazer isso. O senso comum deveria ter sido definido!

"Como disse, tenho analisado os logs de vôo do pessoal que tem tido flyaway e em varios casos ( basicamente todos), os donos do spark forçaram o vôo mesmo depois de ver o aviso no aplicativo. O ápice disso foi o rapaz que viu 15 avisos durante o vôo, sendo o primeiro logo nos primeiros segundos de vôo e simplesmente em vez de voltar, decidiu continuar voando como se nada tivesse acontecido e por sinal, indo bem longe com o drone."


Basically, Spark is the first drone for most people, who tent to use it as a “toy”.

I do agree that most cases of problems are user related.

Maybe the DJI marketing it as “simple”, “selfie drone” and “fly by itself” have a point here.

After all, it´s an aircraft. Look all the rules private and commercial aircafts have to obey.

Adriano.

Adriano Araujo Posted at 2017-7-31 03:53
"Como disse, tenho analisado os logs de vôo do pessoal que tem tido flyaway e em varios casos ( basicamente todos), os donos do spark forçaram o vôo mesmo depois de ver o aviso no aplicativo. O ápice disso foi o rapaz que viu 15 avisos durante o vôo, sendo o primeiro logo nos primeiros segundos de vôo e simplesmente em vez de voltar, decidiu continuar voando como se nada tivesse acontecido e por sinal, indo bem longe com o drone."

I agree, people tend to use it like a toy.

advice: terrible subject line.

I don't take off in ATTI mode any more just to avoid any issues.

JaredD Posted at 2017-7-31 16:27
I don't take off in ATTI mode any more just to avoid any issues.

unfortunately.. as of right now, the Spark does not allow us to manually change modes.. sometimes the spark is as dumb as a loaf of bread about things.   

what needs to happen is DJi needs to allow us to manually toggle modes..  GPS, VPS, Atti..  i would likely assign ATTi or VPS my FN button.. but i wouldn't mind if it was menu driven also but a button..as long as i could assign a button for it..  that way i could prevent flyaways.   a lot of flyaways occur when the drone is confused..

ImHereToCrash Posted at 2017-7-31 16:45
unfortunately.. as of right now, the Spark does not allow us to manually change modes.. sometimes the spark is as dumb as a loaf of bread about things.   

what needs to happen is DJi needs to allow us to manually toggle modes..  GPS, VPS, Atti..  i would likely assign ATTi or VPS my FN button.. but i wouldn't mind if it was menu driven also but a button..as long as i could assign a button for it..  that way i could prevent flyaways.   a lot of flyaways occur when the drone is confused..

not sure how this will help, with the option to select... well i guess there are some use for it as i think phantom series can toggle.. hhaha
in order for VPS to work, there are criteria to meet.. no point having to toggle if the criterias are not met. ie hegiht, brighness, non reflective surface, etc....

If there is no GPS signal and you are above 5 meter, VPS will not work as its too high to read as the sensors has height lmit.. The drone has no choice but to switch to Atti mode

If GPS is weak and is too dark, VPS will not work. Drone will swtich to ATTI mode..

ATTI Mode = manual (can't stay put, you will need to adjust the joysticks to stay put), as there is no  way spark knows its " drifting away because there isn't any input from GPS and VPS

how your spark stays in 1 place with out drifting is because of GPS or VPS, it adjust each motor speed, to stay in 1 place.  

DJI drones aren't really toy grade.. if you want toy grade drones, buy syma, hubsan, etc they are way cheaper....

eylneb Posted at 2017-7-31 18:24
not sure how this will help, with the option to select...
in order for VPS to work, there are criteria to meet.. no point having to toggle if the criterias are not met. ie hegiht, brighness, non reflective surface, etc....

well VPS is basically an assisted ATTi mode....  its still ATTi mode but more stable as long as cameras/IR sensors aren't blind.   

most people fly during the day... i fly during the day also, having VPS would be helpful and more stable..   if not enough light it will just be full manual.

i know VPS kicked in for me once 200' feet up and it seemed to work for the short time it happened up there.

Hey, I had a Fly Away start to happen while using the goggles....I hit my now favorite button on the remote control:  PAUSE!!  and it stopped running away, and I was able to retake control.
Am I the only one who tried the PAUSE || button during a Fly Away event?

One of the difference between men and boys is the price of their toys! For most hobbyists, the drone is an expensive, sophisticated toy. A toy that should be handled very carefully so it can be enjoyed to the fullest.  I've been wanting to buy a drone, a good one, but my wife would kill me if I spent thousands on a drone. With the Spark. I finally am able to afford one!  I love photography and the Spark does a very nice job.  As a newbie I've been flying in beginners mode and am looking forward to graduating to an advance user.  Flying to Portland in two weeks and looking forward to take Sparkie with me!