When I first got my DJI Mavic Pro (that was 24-11-2017) I thought I was very prepared for what flying a drone could mean.
(I even found my post on this forum about buying the Mavic Pro : https://forum.dji.com/thread-120942-1-1.html)

I was active on this forum, reading about what to do (and what NOT to do) and I read the manual at least three times
Youtube only suggested drone video's in my timeline (because I watched a lot of them) and I could not wait to get my first flying experience.
Of course I first did the necessary stuff : update firmware, charge all batteries etc. etc.
And I even powered up the Mavic Pro (without starting the engines) to test the camera features.

The day after, during lunch break, I went to an open field to fly my Mavic Pro for the first time.
My main goal was to try and NOT crash the drone while getting some experience with flying a drone.
Of course, I also wanted to try the camera, so that was my second goal.

It was a rather cold day, but I went to the open field and started the Mavic Pro.
After powering up, connecting drone + controller + smartphone, I started DJI Go4 and waited for good GPS reception.
I still remember the woman saying : The home point has been updated, please check it on the map.
I was not expecting her voice, so at first I thought something was wrong.

After looking closely on the screen, I saw no errors etc, so I decided to take off.
I felt total excitement when I was airborne. Actually, I still feel that when I think of it.
The drone was very stable and I pushed the left stick up further to elevate even more.
Seeing the world getting smaller on the screen was something I never saw before and it made me smile thinking about all the possibilities this would give me for capturing new angels for video + stills!

It was really a 'basic' flight and I tried to keep my movements very small.
Just up, down, forward, backwards etc. etc. and I made sure I pressed 'Rec' every now and then to have some visual memory of this event.




Looking back on the flight it was a total success.
No crashes. No problems. I had captured the event and was happy with the result.
Not that it was anything interesting from a 'cinematic' point of view, but it was my entry in a whole new world.

I did not make a lot of stills, but still ( ) I was happy with how they looked.
The camera did a good job, considering the weather / light conditions.





Fast forward 2 years later, I have flown 525km and still love every single flight.
The Mavic Pro gives me a whole new perspective and adds a dimension to the hobby (video + photography) that I can't get without it!
And I'm also learning something new with every flight.
New moves, new ways to capture the world, new area's I have never seen before!

well done , cool Topic  , video and pic
I liked it

AirButterflyDrone Posted at 2-21 09:04
well done , cool Topic  , video and pic
I liked it

Many thanks!

Well done Monty and great back story. Many of us
feel the same way. I still love every flight. Good luck

Woe Posted at 2-22 20:59
Well done Monty and great back story. Many of us
feel the same way. I still love every flight. Good luck

Many thanks Woe!
Working on the jam that I shared recently 'as we speak'.
Getting more like a song every minute

Montfrooij Posted at 2-23 08:34
Many thanks Woe!
Working on the jam that I shared recently 'as we speak'.
Getting more like a song every minute

That's awesome. Man of many talents

Excellent post Monty

Woe Posted at 2-23 09:47
That's awesome. Man of many talents

99% sweat

A J Posted at 2-23 10:24
Excellent post Monty

Many thanks Andy!
Will you be entering?

Montfrooij Posted at 2-23 12:32
99% sweat

..

Woe Posted at 2-23 14:19
..

Rendering the first one right now.

Montfrooij Posted at 2-23 12:32
Many thanks Andy!
Will you be entering?

You're welcome mate & probably not - good luck with it

A J Posted at 2-24 09:06
You're welcome mate & probably not - good luck with it

When was your first flight?

Montfrooij Posted at 2-24 23:17
When was your first flight?

20 August 2016

A J Posted at 2-25 09:00
20 August 2016

Wow, that is more than a year before mine
What drone?

Montfrooij Posted at 2-26 01:04
Wow, that is more than a year before mine
What drone?

First proper one was the Phantom 3 Professional - loved that drone!

A J Posted at 2-26 10:16
First proper one was the Phantom 3 Professional - loved that drone!

I can imagine.
That is a nice entry in the 'real' drone world.
I believe you owned just about every drone DJI released in the last few years

Montfrooij Posted at 2-26 11:34
I can imagine.
That is a nice entry in the 'real' drone world.
I believe you owned just about every drone DJI released in the last few years

Almost mate but currently drone-less and waiting for the next big release with some time on my hands to fly (and the weather to brighten up of course) - hopefully this summer

A J Posted at 2-26 11:59
Almost mate but currently drone-less and waiting for the next big release with some time on my hands to fly (and the weather to brighten up of course) - hopefully this summer

Yeah, I'm really curious what DJI will do with the upcoming EU regulations.

Montfrooij Posted at 2-26 12:32
Yeah, I'm really curious what DJI will do with the upcoming EU regulations.

A 199g drone that becomes invisible when you press a button

A J Posted at 2-27 00:33
A 199g drone that becomes invisible when you press a button

I don't see it

Montfrooij Posted at 2-27 00:36
I don't see it

Here it is: -

A J Posted at 2-27 02:50
Here it is: -

I get it
I mean, I see it.
But I don't believe it

Montfrooij Posted at 2-27 03:01
I get it
I mean, I see it.
But I don't believe it

Looks amazing eh.

A J Posted at 2-27 04:40
Looks amazing eh.

Sure does.
Can't wait to see the first footage

Very interesting photographic subject.

Montfrooij Posted at 2-27 05:18
Sure does.
Can't wait to see the first footage

.

Macrobionic Posted at 2-27 23:13
Very interesting photographic subject.

Thanks.
It mainly was a safe area to try my first flight

A J Posted at 2-28 01:13
.

I do hope DJI releases something < 900gr with M2P / M2Z specs

Montfrooij Posted at 2-28 01:21
I do hope DJI releases something < 900gr with M2P / M2Z specs

I'm sure they will mate. Potentially an interesting year ahead

A J Posted at 2-28 01:27
I'm sure they will mate. Potentially an interesting year ahead

I'm sure too.
My MP will need replacing someday.
I wanted to invest in the M2Z, but with the new regulations it is not very wise to do that yet.
Still a lot uncertain about what those new rules will mean in practice.  

Montfrooij Posted at 2-28 01:52
I'm sure too.
My MP will need replacing someday.
I wanted to invest in the M2Z, but with the new regulations it is not very wise to do that yet.

Best to hold off mate until you know the limitations of use - no point dropping four figures on a drone if you can only fly it in the same field...

A J Posted at 2-29 10:11
Best to hold off mate until you know the limitations of use - no point dropping four figures on a drone if you can only fly it in the same field...

Exactly my thoughts.
So in the meantime, I will focus most on making music

Montfrooij Posted at 2-29 12:57
Exactly my thoughts.
So in the meantime, I will focus most on making music

.

A J Posted at 3-1 09:34
.

Working on a track right now.
I will send it to Woe so he can try it on his footage

Very nice.  Enjoy your flight time!  I will reach the Pro level someday.

MahaloPhoto Posted at 3-3 07:10
Very nice.  Enjoy your flight time!  I will reach the Pro level someday.

Thanks a lot!
I most certainly enjoy the time in the air.
How about you?

Montfrooij Posted at 3-3 12:28
Thanks a lot!
I most certainly enjoy the time in the air.
How about you?

My flight time has been limited due to weather and having the flu.  Once the weather gets better I will be getting more time in with the drone.  I am all set and waiting.  I tried flying in the house a bit but didn't get the full experience plus the dogs went crazy with it! LOL!

MahaloPhoto Posted at 3-5 07:13
My flight time has been limited due to weather and having the flu.  Once the weather gets better I will be getting more time in with the drone.  I am all set and waiting.  I tried flying in the house a bit but didn't get the full experience plus the dogs went crazy with it! LOL!

Yeah, that is a bummer (bad weather).
I tried to fly indoors once.
Not a great success....

Congratulations
Congratulations!  GREAT .
I am very happy for you my friend
deserved to your great  work