Here's the footage I got last night, flying over the park near my house in Sydney!



The Mavic made my first ever experience with a Drone a positive one. You can see that I kept the movement to a minimum and altitude no more than about 45m, while I get used to flying it.

Let me know what you think, any suggestions for getting the most out of the camera.

First drone: 740 grams heavy
First flight: inner city

Have you ever considered learning to fly with a 30$ toy drone?
What you are doing is insanely risky (for you and for others), since you have no experience and no knowledge on how to fly a drone.

I don't see a problem with that first film ,you kept it over the park and got some awesome footage.

Camolin Posted at 2016-11-18 01:02
First drone: 740 grams heavy
First flight: inner city

Well, he certainly has enough knowledge to fly it, as we can see from the video.  I started with some cheapo drones and helicopters, but the experience and ease (or lack there of) with those is far different.

What he did seemed pretty sensible to me.

Nice job - especially for a first flight.

Not a lot of movement, slow, smooth, and methodical, some of the motion followed some lines in the frame.

Warrior200 Posted at 2016-11-18 14:44
I don't see a problem with that first film ,you kept it over the park and got some awesome footage.

"..I don't see a problem with that first film ,you kept it over the park.."


Nice video. Partiuculary like how you caught the aircraft taking off in the sunset.
Just be aware that keeping it over the the park does not automatically make things legal in Australia.  You are arguably breaking several of the RPA standard operating conditions (SOCs) here. ie Flying over a populous area (the park) and after sunset.  If you are gunna do this, dont stick your name in the credits. The fun police might come for you!
Seriously though, have a glance at CASA RPA rules (page 8).  Improved awareness of the rules might prevent the authorities tighteming the existing ones.

Camolin Posted at 2016-11-18 01:02
First drone: 740 grams heavy
First flight: inner city

The Mavic was my first drone too and I didn't kill anyone either. If you're cautious and not a moron in general then you can figure out how to fly the thing. It's not that hard.

Thanks for the nice comments and extra info on the regulations of flying.

I understand the comments on trying a smaller drone to start with, but from what I have seen with them, they are less stable, and with less redundancies than something like the Mavic. Knowing that, I assumed these wouldn't always be a better learning tool for new flyers like myself.

Also, while some of the shots look like the sun is down/almost down, it was all shot during daylight and not after dark. Based on that, is there any issue with flying at that time of day?

Fourleaves Posted at 2016-11-21 05:30
Thanks for the nice comments and extra info on the regulations of flying.

I understand the comments ...

To be honest CASA have no idea. I went onto the website and they had no information regarding Sydney Harbour. I had to call them to find out and they sent me to the Facebook page. FYI Sydney Harbour is off limits. Then they post a photo saying if you want to find out more go to the website.
I can't see you getting into too much trouble. They have to prove you took the footage.

Also don't listen to Camolin. They clearly haven't tried flying a $30 drone those things should be banned.

I bought a $150 drone to play with and the Mavic is much easier to fly. Caution is key.

0sarc0 Posted at 2016-11-21 09:09
To be honest CASA have no idea. I went onto the website and they had no information regarding Sydn ...

What part of the harbor? The whole thing?

I did a little bit of flying off the peer (near Barangaroo) at about 6am on Sunday. I read the laws and guidance and you're right, even the rules aren't clear, but sounds like I probably shouldn't have done that, either.

This might help. Don't fly in the purple shaded areas.

http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/wp-content/uploads/sy13034-HLS.pdf

AusAir Posted at 2016-11-21 06:44
This might help. Don't fly in the purple shaded areas.

http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/wp-cont ...

Use this https://www.facebook.com/CivilAv ... ?type=3&theater
That is about as official as you will get.

Also that purple area is much more than 5.5kms from the airport.

0sarc0 Posted at 2016-11-21 09:54
Use this https://www.facebook.com/CivilAviationSafetyAuthority/photos/a.358791474313880.1073741829 ...

Thanks for this!

Very useful moving forward.

Fourleaves Posted at 2016-11-20 22:30
Thanks for the nice comments and extra info on the regulations of flying.

I understand the comments ...

You give exactly the reasons why you should learn to fly a less stable drone that drifts and such. This is what is called ATTI mode for the mavic. No GPS and no experience flying? Good luck in not panicking to get it back. RTH will not work...

AusAir Posted at 2016-11-21 06:44
This might help. Don't fly in the purple shaded areas.

http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/wp-cont ...

More correctly Don't fly above 400' in the purple shaded areas. Stay below 400' and you will be fine.  

• You must keep your RPA at least 5.5km away from controlled aerodromes. (see SOC note 5)
  

5. Operations in controlled airspace
- Micro RPA (ie Mavic) may be operated in controlled airspace including within 5.5km (3 NM) of a controlled aerodrome, but must remain below 120 m/400 ft"

Like most things CASA do the wording of the standard RPA operating conditions is a bit of a can of worms. The 5.5km restriction has a note and when referred to further into the document you wil see the clarifiction. As least if people only read the basic rules they are conservative.

Logger Posted at 2016-11-21 08:07
More correctly Don't fly above 400' in the purple shaded areas. Stay below 400' and you will be f ...

Fair point. I have also noted in there under the recreational section that although you can fly within that 3nm limit below 400ft there is mention that this isn't to be done directly in the flight paths.

Camolin Posted at 2016-11-17 23:02
First drone: 740 grams heavy
First flight: inner city

Here we go another Negative Nelly..

Nice first video congrats on the Mavic...