[size=14.666666984558105px]Hello all. Question. How far has anyone taken their Spark without GPS?

[size=14.666666984558105px]I am asking because on a recent trip to the big Island of Hawaii, my Spark was basically stuck in a mode even more extreme than beginner mode. My spark would not travel[size=14.666666984558105px] farther than about 30 feet. I am assuming the drone was operating in ATTI mode since GPS was at absolute zero. There were zero satellites available where I was.

[size=14.666666984558105px]Although this was expected since I was I was at the back of a very remote valley in the north end of the Island, Waimanu Valley. It was a very big disappointment traveling all that way to such a remote place to have the spark basically crippled.

[size=14.666666984558105px]Why couldn’t my Spark fly any farther without GPS? I get that it will be more dangerous to fly but that is a risk I am willing to take.

[size=14.666666984558105px]Is there any way around this?
[size=14.666666984558105px]

[size=14.666666984558105px]Flying with remote controller and iPhone 7 Plus (no OTG cable)


[size=14.666666984558105px]Thanks in advance.

I would not recommend you fly your spark without GPS signal as it is dangerous and your drone will fly away easily in Atti mode. Please note that if the GPS and vision system doesn't work, it will have an limitation of 30 height.

I had the same issue on road to Hana in Hawaii a few weeks ago.  No GPS signal.  Atti mode only.  Very little wind so I took off, got a quick pan shot and landed.  I refuse to fly anywhere without GPS locked in.  Also was given max height warnings.  

fans40bdc2b1 Posted at 2017-11-9 08:39
I had the same issue on road to Hana in Hawaii a few weeks ago.  No GPS signal.  Atti mode only.  Very little wind so I took off, got a quick pan shot and landed.  I refuse to fly anywhere without GPS locked in.  Also was given max height warnings.

Thanks for the reply. It’s unfortunate to travel all that way and have plans to shoot something then find your equipment disabled.

What happened to the good old days of RC when all that mattered was the connection between the controller and device?

These drones may be too fancy for their own good. As long as there are no commands coming from the controller to the device, why the hell should it fly away? It boggles the mind.

Does the same thing happen with the Mavic?

DJI Elektra Posted at 2017-11-8 22:33
I would not recommend you fly your spark without GPS signal as it is dangerous and your drone will fly away easily in Atti mode. Please note that if the GPS and vision system doesn't work, it will have an limitation of 30 height.

You lost me right here, why can it fly away in atti Mode? Why don't you prevent this from happening?  It should never fly away on its own as you suggest. Why is this even possible? Why would it ever fly away without the Sticks being pressed? That just seems really stupid.

Madwand Posted at 2017-11-9 18:10
You lost me right here, why can it fly away in atti Mode? Why don't you prevent this from happening?  It should never fly away on its own as you suggest. Why is this even possible? Why would it ever fly away without the Sticks being pressed? That just seems really stupid.

How should DJI prevent the wind from blowing?

S-e-ven Posted at 2017-11-9 18:33
How should DJI prevent the wind from blowing?

The wind blowing it is not the spark flying away on its own.

I'm pretty sure that Electra meant that without GPS, the ability for the Spark to hover in one spot without the wind taking it away is severely limited.  I have had a few non-GPS drones which once the wind caught them they were off to the proverbial races, with one of them crash landing in a river.

Cheers....

Todd in Chicago

I'll just add that I will not fly my Spark without a GPS on multiple satellites and a home point recorded.  Too risky for my blood.

Cheers...

Todd in Chicago

Todd in Chicago Posted at 2017-11-9 19:48
I'm pretty sure that Electra meant that without GPS, the ability for the Spark to hover in one spot without the wind taking it away is severely limited.  I have had a few non-GPS drones which once the wind caught them they were off to the proverbial races, with one of them crash landing in a river.

Cheers....

Sure it will get blown away if the operator does nothing. But drones have survived many times being flown manually in reasonable conditions. All I am saying is if people understand the risk why not let them fly as they please?

Madwand Posted at 2017-11-9 19:39
The wind blowing it is not the spark flying away on its own.

Without GPS signal, the flight performance is bad and spark will fail to trigger RTH. Hovering is unstable. In this case, drone is easier to crash, too.  

Then, manually switch to ATTI mode is necessary for Spark owner to do practicing to be able to handle the no gps situation.

Supong Posted at 2017-11-9 22:58
Then, manually switch to ATTI mode is necessary for Spark owner to do practicing to be able to handle the no gps situation.

If you want to practice flying in ATTI mode, I would not recommend you use spark, phantom is a better choice as it has ATTI mode.  

DJI Elektra Posted at 2017-11-9 22:39
Without GPS signal, the flight performance is bad and spark will fail to trigger RTH. Hovering is unstable. In this case, drone is easier to crash, too.

That's fine, but that is not "the drone flying away on it's own" as you stated.  Maybe you should say what you mean and mean what you say.