...but shrugs it off and carries on...brave little Spark (dumb big pilot).

This one was taken in my early flying days at the tail of last year.  Battery power was getting low, so my intention was to fly it low and slow for a minute or so before packing up and heading home.  While getting ready to park it up and stow it away, RTH kicked in and it started climbing.

I must have looked like some sort of demented juggler as I fumbled about trying to cancel RTH on my mobile with one hand, while preparing to catch it if it dropped like a stone with the other.  Luckily after snagging the twigs and branches, not once, not twice, but three times, the Spark regained its composure and performed a graceful, text-book landing.

Damage sustained:

• A few prop's had some cuts, so replaced the lot
• My nerves, shattered, but a valuable lesson learnt.
  

Screen shot is nice.  The expression of someone watching four hundred dollar bills, wind blown out of their hand, float towards the bonfire.  

Thankfully my face was blurred.  Imagine panic, impending doom and despair as a facial expression.

LOL
Love the picture!

Great, thank you for sharing!

as another who has "been there", i salute you, sir! amazing, the way these machines can recover from the unexpected.

Anyway, I'm glad to know the drone did not suffer too much damage. Take care when you test the performance.

Thanks for sharing, lesson learn for me. Low battery may kick RTH mode.

Was it a battery low RTH? Didnt you see the warning onscreen about RTH going to kickin?
Thanks for sharing, just want to learn that's why I ask.

SeenMavic Posted at 2018-1-24 02:54
Was it a battery low RTH? Didnt you see the warning onscreen about RTH going to kickin?
Thanks for sharing, just want to learn that's why I ask.

It was a battery low RTH.

Had it been flying in the distance, I would be constantly switching my focus between the Spark and screen, however as I was working close quarters, I relied less on the display, and focused my gaze on the Spark therefore missing the warning.  It didn't help matters that the mobile volume was on the low side.

Great recovery. :-)

Great recovery!

Leason learned indeed. This happen to me when I was learning with a PS3, but lucky I was in an open field. RTH kicked in right in front of me and it shot up. Pretty sure we made the same face!

normally we do get a warning that RTH will be initiated within 10 seconds. Most of these falls or fly aways point to piloting of the drone.

S.J Posted at 2018-1-24 12:23
normally we do get a warning that RTH will be initiated within 10 seconds. Most of these falls or fly aways point to piloting of the drone.

There's absolutely no arguing that point.

In my defence, I was fairly new to the Drone scene at that time and found it sightly overwhelming trying to remember pre-flight checks,  CAA reg's, relevant permissions, safe environment, weather, compass, IMU, Gesture Control, flight modes, all of the other settings, as well as remembering to press the video record button when you see that once in a lifetime shot, constantly scanning the area and horizon for risks, while watch the battery etc.

Or maybe I'm just getting old

You might have deciphered the ac's indicators for low batt, which DJI thoughtfully put there.

Bright Spark Posted at 2018-1-25 00:49
You might have deciphered the ac's indicators for low batt, which DJI thoughtfully put there.

Yep, also all those LED codes.

You need to be a Rocket Surgeon to decipher these messages.

...or is it a Brain Scientist?

Yes it's pretty complicated! They all go red.

Bright Spark Posted at 2018-1-25 01:22
Yes it's pretty complicated! They all go red.

               

Hahah! that pic is priceless

How many cups of coffee did you take that day? lol

Vulcan-XH558 Posted at 2018-1-23 13:45
Thankfully my face was blurred.  Imagine panic, impending doom and despair as a facial expression.

There you go, found it for you

FelBRax Posted at 2018-1-25 05:53
There you go, found it for you

[view_image]

You rotter!

Captured it perfectly though

I can feel your panic from watching the video.  Glad it all worked out.

Solestacz Posted at 2018-1-23 13:57
as another who has "been there", i salute you, sir! amazing, the way these machines can recover from the unexpected.

I had a very simular situtation yesterday and before i could get under her to catch her she was able to pull out and right herself...

FelBRax Posted at 2018-1-25 05:53
There you go, found it for you

[view_image]

Also...I have to say, what a beautifully framed and focused shot.  Surely this is testament to the grit and determination of the plucky little Sparks camera?  How many other drones manage to capture THE shot while spinning out of control.

I feel an avatar change coming on.  Thank you FelBTax

Vulcan-XH558 Posted at 2018-1-25 09:23
Also...I have to say, what a beautifully framed and focused shot.  Surely this is testament to the grit and determination of the plucky little Sparks camera?  How many other drones manage to capture THE shot while spinning out of control.

I feel an avatar change coming on.  Thank you FelBTax

I know this feeling ... I probably made this face already when testing the "Orbit around" with active track ... and my spark meet a tree, (un)fortunately I wasn't filming ... I did the same face expression going crazy under the drone to try to catch it

Great Shots       

Man, these close call videos always make me jump!