OK, to date i have used the settings in the Go app to limit my altitude and my horizontal distance. Well now i am finding that whatever point i try to get to is just beyond the 500Mtr max allowable on the app.
Forgetting the altitude distance, what is the range / safest distance for the P3A in a horizontal plane.
I don't want to hear 'mine went to this point but didn't come back" either just genuine range.
Thank you.
Mike

I've flown my P3A out to 8000' or so with no problems. Only a few reasons for an AC not to come back, crashing into something, exhausting the battery, strong headwinds, and a real actual AC failure.
So three of those are pilot error.

depends on environmental factors, over a remote beach I can get 3000m + with full bars, have only had one disconnect so far, that was at 2000m but near to a ground level radio transmitter

KM5RG-Robert Posted at 2017-4-14 06:13
I've flown my P3A out to 8000' or so with no problems. Only a few reasons for an AC not to come back, crashing into something, exhausting the battery, strong headwinds, and a real actual AC failure.
So three of those are pilot error.

Is that EIGHT THOUSAND FEET? Holy cow you are brave, I was considering another few metres or so.
Oh hang on, i'm in metres and you're in feet, so about 2.4 Km. Still WOW!

Mike

PaulSouthport Posted at 2017-4-14 06:16
depends on environmental factors, over a remote beach I can get 3000m + with full bars, have only had one disconnect so far, that was at 2000m but near to a ground level radio transmitter

3000m I was looking at maybe 575-600 max.

I guess that'll not be a problem then?

Mike

I have no limits.... Flew mine as far as 7000 ft once.. normally, 200ft or so it the furthest I can see without my lights, with the lights, 5000...  Anyhow, I do not like hard limits...
As for vertical limit - living in the mountain I do not use that either, as often I will fly well over 400ft as relative to the take off point, as otherwise i'd end up colliding with the terrain, since hills are often well over 400ft.....
So....
Obviously, if u do that, be mindful of wind strength and direction, battery %, and overall, careful and aware.
And as long as your RTH is setup right, it will come back when it loses signal.... unless someone jams the gps of course ;)

Speedbird1 Posted at 2017-4-14 06:25
3000m I was looking at maybe 575-600 max.

I guess that'll not be a problem then?

600m is a safe distance, you should be fine, but keep an eye on all telemetry for your own peace of mind

I have been out to over 18,000 feet and returned with no problem.  Just pay attention to wind speed and direction.

Kneepuck Posted at 2017-4-14 10:45
I have been out to over 18,000 feet and returned with no problem.  Just pay attention to wind speed and direction.

^This.  
You don't want to find out that you are way out and have to fight a headwind on the way back. Especially a wind that is faster than your bird  (you'll never make it back).

"whatever point i try to get to is just beyond the 500Mtr max allowable on the app"

In the app you have the ability to set a max distance limit up to 500 metres.
You also have the ability to turn the distance limit off.

I do 15,000 to 16,000' over the desert here with my P4P+ regularly with no problems. Winds aren't usually much of a problem as I don't fly if they are very high. The one thing I do really keep in mind is the battery. I always allow plenty of room for the return trip.

Speedbird1 Posted at 2017-4-14 06:23
Is that EIGHT THOUSAND FEET? Holy cow you are brave, I was considering another few metres or so.
Oh hang on, i'm in metres and you're in feet, so about 2.4 Km. Still WOW!

I installed an Argtek Antenna on my P3S. 4.55km or 15000 feet distance.  Got back to home point with 25% battery so did another quick flight to drain the battery a bit more. Total mileage was great.

Phantomski Posted at 2017-4-14 07:07
I have no limits.... Flew mine as far as 7000 ft once.. normally, 200ft or so it the furthest I can see without my lights, with the lights, 5000...  Anyhow, I do not like hard limits...
As for vertical limit - living in the mountain I do not use that either, as often I will fly well over 400ft as relative to the take off point, as otherwise i'd end up colliding with the terrain, since hills are often well over 400ft.....
So....

Not likely to get a jammed GPS in the mountains.  I fly at over 3100m 10350 feet altitude so not much chance of interference at these altitudes.

PaulSouthport Posted at 2017-4-14 09:16
600m is a safe distance, you should be fine, but keep an eye on all telemetry for your own peace of mind

DJI Phantoms can do quite a lot but yes do pay attention to your power levels. I keep the battery levels onscreen you can set that up in the DJI Go App.

Labroides Posted at 2017-4-14 16:41
"whatever point i try to get to is just beyond the 500Mtr max allowable on the app"

In the app you have the ability to set a max distance limit up to 500 metres.

I totally get that, I can turn it off.

Before I do I want to know where I will still be in a 'safe' zone, ideally the app should allow incremental increases in distance up towards it's maximum. Not that I want to go there particularly. Hence me asking for people's realistic distances.

PaulSouthport Posted at 2017-4-14 09:16
600m is a safe distance, you should be fine, but keep an eye on all telemetry for your own peace of mind

Good advise thank you.

Kneepuck Posted at 2017-4-14 10:45
I have been out to over 18,000 feet and returned with no problem.  Just pay attention to wind speed and direction.

Wind speed, Good call might not have considered that one.
Thank you

i have record of 22000 ft when i was doing it i started to get video trans problems at 22000 figured might as well see how far i could get it then it went into return home mode due to just enough battery to return home safely ,that was a strange day but never get close to that now and dont want to

Speedbird1 Posted at 2017-4-15 10:14
I totally get that, I can turn it off.

Before I do I want to know where I will still be in a 'safe' zone, ideally the app should allow incremental increases in distance up towards it's maximum. Not that I want to go there particularly. Hence me asking for people's realistic distances.

You might be in a safe zone at 3 miles out or you might be unsafe 300 metres out.
There's no simple answer.
There is an incremental distance limiter and that's the right joystick used in conjunction with the indicated distance from home and your radar display.
Sometime you have to assume full control.

Labroides Posted at 2017-4-15 21:56
You might be in a safe zone at 3 miles out or you might be unsafe 300 metres out.
There's no simple answer.
There is an incremental distance limiter and that's the right joystick used in conjunction with the indicated distance from home and your radar display.

That's me told!

Speedbird1 Posted at 2017-4-16 10:53
That's me told!

If I;m going any distance, say over 1600-2000 meters, I get my P3A up about 70 m, & switch to ATT mode, watch which way she drifts & how fast, will give you a good idea of the winds at altitude your going to fly.
I try & head into the wind, knowing on my return wind will help me back, not perfect but has helped me when I;m over 1800 meters from home.
Its a good idea to fly as much as possible in ATT mode, better to know how to fly your bird in manual mode, so when it happens, & it will happen, you know what your doing
On another note, at this time of year, here in Canada anyway, watch out for those damn Canada geese. I had 6 of them circle me quite aggressively as I guess I was close to their nesting area, some of those guys are huge! I had to throttle up just to see which blip was my drone vs bird as they circled & dove at my bird!

I did a flight using my new Argtek Car mounted antenna.  Thing about that is when you are inside the car it's weird not to be able to hear your drone.  I also flew down to - 290 ft about -90m or so I guess down a mountain to area I wanted to take photo's of.  As I fly around around 1km plus or 3700 feet distance it was strange not to be able to see the drone nor hear it. Your height can be dangerous no matter plus or negative.    Was funny watching the tourists looking at my drone and they can't figure out where the pilot is.  

When I did the RTH drone came up to RTH height then flew home.  Usually I am above RTH height when I fly.  Was a bit windy today so not trying to do any distance tests.

http://www.phantomhelp.com/LogViewer/WH2PTABBRSWFR0V1DPJT/

fans987d278a Posted at 2017-4-17 06:18
If I;m going any distance, say over 1600-2000 meters, I get my P3A up about 70 m, & switch to ATT mode, watch which way she drifts & how fast, will give you a good idea of the winds at altitude your going to fly.
I try & head into the wind, knowing on my return wind will help me back, not perfect but has helped me when I;m over 1800 meters from home.
Its a good idea to fly as much as possible in ATT mode, better to know how to fly your bird in manual mode, so when it happens, & it will happen, you know what your doing

I like that idea of finding wind direction and speed at the relevant height................However, and i'm somewhat ashamed to admit it but, I have only ever flown on P mode. I am so reluctant to try ATTI mode as I am self taught and don't want a fly away. I appreciate what you say about it 'Will' happen and I do need to know what to do in such a case but i need to work out a "safe " way to do / practice / learn etc it.

I still like your advise though.
Thank you.
Mike

blackcrusader Posted at 2017-4-17 07:14
I did a flight using my new Argtek Car mounted antenna.  Thing about that is when you are inside the car it's weird not to be able to hear your drone.  I also flew down to - 290 ft about -90m or so I guess down a mountain to area I wanted to take photo's of.  As I fly around around 1km plus or 3700 feet distance it was strange not to be able to see the drone nor hear it. Your height can be dangerous no matter plus or negative.    Was funny watching the tourists looking at my drone and they can't figure out where the pilot is.  

When I did the RTH drone came up to RTH height then flew home.  Usually I am above RTH height when I fly.  Was a bit windy today so not trying to do any distance tests.

Love the idea of a car mounted aerial (because i'm lazy basically LOL)

One help of a route on your link as well BTW.

Mike

Speedbird1 Posted at 2017-4-18 00:20
Love the idea of a car mounted aerial (because i'm lazy basically LOL)

One help of a route on your link as well BTW.

Well it also means you could drive to another location and reset the home point.  

People won't know where the drone pilot is.

blackcrusader Posted at 2017-4-18 00:27
Well it also means you could drive to another location and reset the home point.  

People won't know where the drone pilot is.

Even better.....screw with people's minds LOL

Speedbird1 Posted at 2017-4-18 00:55
Even better.....screw with people's minds LOL

Yes, Mike, Luckily, I;ve got a huge open field next door, get her up to approx.- 50-60 meters & switch to ATT mode, as long as she doesn't take off dramaticly, meaning if she's just drifting s slowly, then I know its good time to try out flying in ATT mode, & if you get lost or suddenly, your bird gathers speed, simply switch to P mode, let go of sticks, & she just hovers then- with a "what next buddy" attitude!
Good luck!

Speedbird1 Posted at 2017-4-18 00:55
Even better.....screw with people's minds LOL

Yes, Mike, Luckily, I;ve got a huge open field next door, get her up to approx.- 50-60 meters & switch to ATT mode, as long as she doesn't take off dramaticly, meaning if she's just drifting s slowly, then I know its good time to try out flying in ATT mode, & if you get lost or suddenly, your bird gathers speed, simply switch to P mode, let go of sticks, & she just hovers then- with a "what next buddy" attitude!
Good luck!