It was a lovely clear night last night, so I figured I would nip out for a quick flight with my 250.
As I was a bit rusty due to lack of flying, I wanted to take it easy and just get a feel for it.
Took it to the bit of waste land near to my house and got setup.. After a few mins of finding my bearings, I decided to get my goggles out... All was going well, but I am still not happy with the video quality, so I figured I should switch the DVR on my Dominators.
Long press on the button and it came on and I could just see the light between my eyes.. Pressed it to start recording and could not see the light flash.. Tried again.. And again.. And again, and just as I started to think that I didn't have a card in the slot, the video went...
Now I was an unknown position.. At and unknown height.. And all I had was audio.. I ripped the goggles off and thought I could still see it, but I pulled back on the stick and lost sight of it...
After a few mins of doing nothing, other than listening to the pitch of the motors, and wondering how I could land it based on engine pitch alone (I realise now I could have enabled my beeper, to see if I could still hear it)... I put the goggles on again and could just about make out the words "playback"... And then it dawned on me... I had put the DVR in playback mode.. Luckily I remembered that a long press of the button would put it back to live view.. And when I did this, I was immediately presented with a view of planet earth complete with the curvature of the planet... I was so high. Certainly higher than I had ever been with the 250, and from where I was, I could see miles...
I spun it round, and got my bearing and managed to pull of a really quick emergency decent and landing where I packed away and went home and got drunk and put the washing machine on.!
Luckily no harm was done (And I got some really good video from my Mobius which i had attached for the first time).. And in truth, it was a really good range check.. But its shattered my confidence (Again) and now I need to go back and practice how to handle these unexpected events and learn how to use my kit properly.
lol, sounds like a brown pants moment for sure buddy! At least you got it back + you got drunk so its a win win! ;D
Shattered your confidence? Your quad survived and you managed an emergency :) I'd count that as a win!
Get back up there!
Quote from: Steve W on April 20, 2016, 03:46:19 PM
Shattered your confidence? Your quad survived and you managed an emergency :) I'd count that as a win!
Get back up there!
That was probably a little dramatic.. But it did make me realise that I need to take a little more time getting setup.. And more importantly, familiarize myself with everything after not flying for an extended period.
I find flying next a huge landmark helpful. not a car or something- but a big lake or the sea. helps with navigation.
that and flying with a spotter!!!
:ditto: and also use google maps satallite view to really familiarize yourself with your surroundings. and use daylight till you get comfortable again!
Quote from: Ynot6 on April 20, 2016, 09:45:45 PM
:ditto: and also use google maps satallite view to really familiarize yourself with your surroundings. and use daylight till you get comfortable again!
Coming back was easy.. I know the area like the back of my hand and as soon as the video came back, i knew where i was in a split second as i am located in a "loop" on a major river....
But once i was out of sight, and the video went dead, it was hopeless.
I,am just glad it was user error rather than some obscure random fault..
As for my spotter, well i had someone with me, but they wernt really paying attention and whilst we both knew where the quad was roughly located, it was just too small to see or get its orientation.