|
I’ve taken Sparky on numerous trips over the 20 months I’ve had it. In 2018 alone I made two trips to Europe (flying in 9 countries), Alaska, Hawaii and several US states. I’ve come to realize that there are several things that can occur that would ruin my Sparkation so here’s a few things I do to keep Sparky happy…and me, too!!! 1) Protection, protection, protection: A broken motor mount, gimbal, or RC toggle can ruin your flying plans/whole trip. I have a large hard case with foam cutouts for road trips. But when I’m trying to save space like air travel and then backpack around tourist destinations, I use the Fly More case for Sparky and a small hard shell RC case. I always use RC toggle guards, gimbal guards, prop guards and battery clip as any damage/loss to these are show stoppers. I have a heavy material backpack for the plane carry-on and a soft foldable backpack to use once I'm sightseeing. I always keep the batteries in LIPO bags in my carry-on. 2) I take extra micro SD cards…each one has a word document loaded on it with all my contact info. I use to have 64 GB cards (still do) but I also bought a 5 pack of 16 GB cards for $30 to use each day. That way I can change them out each night and if I have a flyaway I don’t lose all my pics/vids of the whole trip. 3) A single tree can easily destroy 4 props…ever try ordering new props on vacation??? Good luck. I take 3 sets (4 each) of the DJI props. I know they’re expensive but running out of props is another show stopper. I’m going to buy a cheaper set of 8 props ($13) to use as an emergency backup. Someone recently posted a positive review about them in the forum. 4) I download to my mobile device or print on paper any national/local regulations I can find so if approached by law enforcement I can show them I am legally flying (or have done as much as I could to legally fly). I also have UAV Forecast and AirMap apps on my mobile device. If there are No Fly Zone apps for the country I’m in I download those (e.g. Geoportail for France or Swiss Drone Map). 5) I carry a powerbank for my mobile device. After 4-6 flights I have found my mobile device is about out of power. Has anyone ever had their mobile device die while Sparky was airborne? 6) I have six batteries but also have a portable charger. Mine is the Smatree SP90 which is smaller and cheaper than DJI’s, charges 3 batteries simultaneously in 50 minutes versus 1 for DJI, and charges 6 batteries on it’s single charge versus DJI’s 3. 7) In Europe, I have an extra non-flammable ID tag that is mandatory in certain countries…just in case the one I have on Sparky falls off. 8) I always take prop guards…most of the time I don’t use them but if people are nearby or I plan to fly near obstacles (trees, etc.) I always put them on.
For the Northern Hemisphere, we are just coming into peak travel months. These are the show stoppers I think most could affect you. I would be interested to hear other’s recommendations…please reply.
| 
First Officer
DJI team
Second Officer
