Don't kid yourself on, the phantoms still fly away so this isn't a yuneec unique problem.
Has anyone experienced a fly-away with H Pro?
- Thread starter RBC
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Don't kid yourself on, the phantoms still fly away so this isn't a yuneec unique problem.
You're correct on all. RTH won't work without GPS. You would only turn it off long enough to see if you could regain control. When you turn off GPS, it's actually still working. It just tells the flight controller to not use the signal. It continues to track sats, so if you turn it right back on again you should have immediate GPS control. It doesn't have to re-acquire the sats. I have not tried this, but it might actually continue to log position with the GPS off. Guess it would be an interesting test to check the flight log after it's turned off.
I went ahead and called yuneec, to gather their input. They told me one of the biggest reasons for fly sways is KP index (global geomagnetic storm index) is high and to make sure to check it before flying. And after reading into it, to make sure to never fly if the KP index is above 4. This, solar flares and over cast are all culprits of fly sways which are causing loss of GPS lock during flight. I'm looking to see if there's an app for reporting what the current KP index is and I believe this would be extremely useful. Especially if crafts can fly away when levels are high. I've recalibrated the unit but it's raining today so no way to test it. I'll keep up on posts after I test again
I found an app it's called 'solar sphere' and it gives the KP index right when u open it. Simply go into App Store and search for KP index and it pops up. It's showing currently KP index is 5 and going to 6 (on a scale from 0-9 0 is lowest and 9 being extreme)
According to the recent statement of the Polish Yuneec distributor, the reason for flyaways was overheating IMU by Intel. They replaced my drone with new (refreshed version) that has air intakes not covered with some material and my TH behaves stable now. Regarding KP factor - you're partially right - it does have some impact on GPS accuracy, mostly via changing Ionic-sphere signal delay and Ephemeris effect (solar wind is able to push satellites away from where they are expected to be) but in no case this may lead to the inaccuracy about 400m as here some fly-awayers presented until we're talking about KP>10 that may destroy all electronic devices in the world (this actually happened once in the early XXs, thankfully before digital era).
I work research/science on GPS/Glonass/Beidu/Gallileo systems and have reference GPS receiver (Septentrio) located on the top roof of my university building - can ensure you that positioning error for last couple of years since we've started observation, in good visibility condition may not exceed 150m even with old-generation 8 channel devices.
Surely, everyone should be aware of the KP level and possible GPS drift/inaccuracy but in case drone flies away 400m this is definitely not due to the solar activity.
Here you can track historical KP level: Space Weather Archive and verify if your fly-away was during high or low KP. Mine was on KP=2, nothing special actually.
So what I blame Yuneec for is poor design and trying to fool their customers afterwards.
Best regards,
P.
Hi THenry,
Did you do a compass calibration pre-test flight?
I know it's a right hassle some times but I'd recommend always re-calibrating after F/W upgrades (both ST14 and TH) and certainly after any H/W changes or repair.
Cheers.
Although the CS is great at Yuneec, and I love the TH, it is disappointing with the problems over the last three months. My first H flew awesome, had great range, strong and stable, just no features with the first release. Then after the first FW update I lost signal 700 feet out and it went down in a swamp. Yuneec replaced the TH, then I had problems with GPS/Compass issues. The GPS module was replaced and finally the latest FW came out. I upgraded to Ver 25A. I calibrated the compass out in an open soccer field (no phone, no key fob, no watch, and the controller 30 feet away), let it sit for 15 minutes to ensure the GPS was completely update, and tested it. It was finally flying stable again. After two successful flights testing over the soccer field, I took it out to 3,000 ft to check the range and signal. Still no problems. Good Signal and Video. I brought it back and flew it at speeds testing maneuverability and control. All good. I finished for the day. Then Yesterday, I decided to do some maneuverability practice in front of my property. I live about 1/4 from the soccer field so did not feel a need to re-calibrate. I started with some hovering to check stability, there was a slight drift, and when I would move it forward 15-20 feet and stop there was a slight right curve when it stopped. I decided to bring it back and try re-calibrating again to correct it. The TH was facing away from me and I noticed a solid red light in the center of the blue came on. I returned it back to the driveway to land and as I was about 2 feet from the ground it took off rapidly to one side. I hit the control to try and stop with no response, it ran into a tree and fell on the edge of my roof, breaking one landing leg, one rotor arm, and the gimble slide. I called Yuneec and they have already sent me a RA and Shipping label. It will be on its way back today. I asked how long the turn-around is now for repairs and he stated their target is to have it repaired within 7 days. However, they have opened up more repair facilities so they are trying to shorten that time. I asked how many facilities they opened and he responded 5 more. He did say that those 5 are for non-warranty repairs. Warranty repairs will still go to the main location. I love this machine, prior to the first FW update, I completed several jobs and have some great video and pictures. I just hope this will be the final trip to the shop for repairs and it will return with good FW and properly functioning hardware. As those of you mentioned above, it is a terrifying feeling to watch your TH just fly away and be destroyed within seconds. - Fly Safe and Enjoy the Flight!
I note that this thread has been on the forum for 50 days now, and has only got to two pages, even with people replying to each other. It seems that the number of fly aways can't be that big.
When I started reading this I thought I was reading what I was writing yesterday I could relate to a lot of things that happened to you but you came off lucky and managed to get yours under control.
Flyway is a dirty word. I've had one and don't want to have another one. It took me 10 months to finally find my flyway drone not an H. Personally I think the technicians know what is happening to these drones to make them flyway.
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