I was flying last evening and took off from an embankement that had very short grass and seemed like an almost perfect place to takeoff from. I did notice that it was slighlty unlevel. Would this have any effect on the P4P's inintialazition when you first power it up? Would this possibly cause unlevel flight or the horizon to be unlevel? Just wondering as maybe next time I should plan on taking off from a more level surface going forward.

My Phantom is the P4P V2.0.

Hi there, I appreciate your time bringing this topic to us. Regarding your concern, I recommend you to take off your drone on a level surface to avoid any issue when flying. Should you have further question, please let us know. Thank you.

Taking off from a slope is fine as long as you gun the aircraft to get it up quickly for the first 6 feet or so. But landing on a slope is very risky.

Geebax Posted at 2018-9-20 15:32
Taking off from a slope is fine as long as you gun the aircraft to get it up quickly for the first 6 feet or so. But landing on a slope is very risky.

More tricky than risky! A bit of skill and experience needed.

On takeoff I usually use the auto-takeoff feature.

On landing I've been hand catching it.

But would the drone being unlevel have an issue with the initialization? perhaps with the gimbal? maybe imu?

Bashy Posted at 2018-9-20 20:52
But would the drone being unlevel have an issue with the initialization? perhaps with the gimbal? maybe imu?

Theoretically no it shouldnt as long as the gimbal and imu calibrations were done on a level surface initially those settings should stay the same untill a new calibration is done.
The gimbal only does a self test during start up not a calibration.

I can't comment on any effect on the initialization.  However,  if the ground is uneven,  the grass is a bit long or the take off area dusty I would hand launch & retrieve - no question about it !

Don't orient the front uphill for take off & agree with Geebax 3#

Thanks guys! From what I'm seeing here there is nothing wrong from taking off from an incline but landing could be another story. Again, I've been hand catching so landing isn't an issue for me anyway.

I figured a slight incline with very short grass was a better option than longer grass and a flat surface. Indeed I was correct in my thinking here.

Hellsgate Posted at 2018-9-21 00:41
Theoretically no it shouldnt as long as the gimbal and imu calibrations were done on a level surface initially those settings should stay the same untill a new calibration is done.
The gimbal only does a self test during start up not a calibration.

Thanks chap

I often have slight incline and I have had odd videos that have an un-level horizon. I can never actually be sure its because of the incline.

As to hand catching because of an incline ? Personally I see no reason for that as long as you don't 'dance' around as it lands ... PUT IT DOWN and stop !! Never fallen over with manual landing and I have landed out on slight and moderate incline. As long as its a mild slope - its fine.

OK - short or long grass ... the ONLY time that long grass is an issue is START UP and take off. If the grass interferes with the gimbal 'dance' - it can cause problems or even stop the dance altogether.  So do not start up in long grass ... I carry a square of heavy carpet to put down if needed .. and in my model van - I have a picnic table I can use.
But landing as long as you stop the motors once landed - long grass is no problem at all. I do advise that camera be tilted to its horizontal zero position facing ahead before landing though and NOT facing down.

Nigel