To be clear....you should have seen a sticker that instructed you to watch the Yuneec videos on that card. I’ve personally set up this product over 4 times now so I know this procedure well. If it wasn’t there then something was done wrong in final packaging.
This is from page 4 of the manual under placement during take off...
“IMPORTENT NOTE: STEP BACK APPROXIMATELY 26 FEET (8 METERS) BEHIND THE Typhoon H.
NOTICE: Pilots are recommended to take off the aircraft under Angle Mode. If the pilot takes off the aircraft under Smart Mode, make sure to keep the aircraft 32.8ft (10m) away from the pilot.”
Complete with misspelling....
Here it is again on page 5....
“STARTING/STOPPING THE MOTORS
NOTICE:Only with sustainable GPS or IPS activated or GPS being turned
off, the motors can be started or stopped by pressing the
START/STOP button.
NOTICE: After the GPS is turned off, IPS will be turned off automatically and the indoor positioning function will be disabled.
OPTION 1
Press and hold the START / STOP button for about 3 seconds to start, and about 2 seconds to stop the motors. Step back approximately 26 feet (8 meters) behind Typhoon H, make sure the ST16 Ground Station is in the Angle mode. When there is suitable GPS signal for both the ST16 Ground Station and Typhoon H, or IPS for the aircraft, you can start the motors.
OPTION 2
With the GPS of both the aircraft and the ST16 Ground Station locked, the pilot can select Camera/Task switch icon, and tap the Take Off on the task row. Make sure the pilot is more than 5 meters away from the aircraft and then slide the icon on the screen, the aircraft will take off and hover at default height.”
I’m not trying to be a jerk here but this is going to be what Yuneec may use as there reasoning to deny a claim potentially. That being said, they do know that they have had faulty components that cause bad crashes and many of us here had issues early on that required warranty repair.
This is the section that gives you an out...
Page 8
FLIGHT MODESWhen the Flight Mode selection switch is in the top position Typhoon H will be in Smart mode. Although we recommend flying in Angle (Pilot) Mode as soon as possible, Smart mode is typically the best mode for beginning pilots to fly in and features ‘Follow Me’.
So there is the confusing contradiction that many others learned the hard way as well. Again, I’ve found playing dumb was a better approach then claiming knowledge and declaring the product was the main fault. I hope they get your problem and fix it as three years in this should still not be happening anymore for anybody. Without this forum, they probably would have lost all sales. It’s a good photo platform though despite the companies lack of taking responsibility for what they know is a constant issue with new pilots. Remember, their new flag ship drone removed this smart mode and now added it back as a user selected option. So far, no reports of this stuff with the Plus that I’ve seen yet. Coincidence?