Level Ground before takeoff

Bob Emmerich · Jan 21, 2016

Blew 10 min. of good footage today by not making sure I was totally level before liftoff. Saw it on the transmitter during flight but thought it was just lens distortion. My bad!!!
"Learn by doing." ( the wrong thing. )

Roland · Jan 21, 2016

Bob Emmerich said:
Blew 10 min. of good footage today by not making sure I was totally level before liftoff. Saw it on the transmitter during flight but thought it was just lens distortion. My bad!!!
"Learn by doing." ( the wrong thing. )

Bob,
Stuff happens. That is why we share oversights in this forum, for fellow droners to take note of. I almost went airborne with my camera gimbal cover one time, good thing I had a reflective Velcro wrapped around the gimbal cover. Now, I added a dangling flag on the cover to be more visible reminder to unwrap the camera before flight.

Bob Emmerich · Jan 22, 2016

Roland said:
Bob,
Stuff happens. That is why we share oversights in this forum, for fellow droners to take note of. I almost went airborne with my camera gimbal cover one time, good thing I had a reflective Velcro wrapped around the gimbal cover. Now, I added a dangling flag on the cover to be more visible reminder to unwrap the camera before flight.

Another item for my Pre-Flight Checklist.
Here is an excerpt from "TILT"

Fleamac · Jan 22, 2016

I've read where some guys are painting the gimbal cover either red or yellow as a visual reminder. It had been suggested to Yuneec to make them a bright color.

Roland · Jan 22, 2016

Good idea. I might just spray paint the cover. Thanks.

Wingshooter · Jan 22, 2016

I must have missed the instructions stating the bird has to be level for takeoff or the gimbal would be tilted. Can someone show me where this is written?

Fleamac · Jan 22, 2016

I don't know where it's written.
Every time you fire up the quad, the gimbal does is calibration. Whatever the grade of the surface, left to right is, is how the camera/gimbal sees things. The forward facing ends of things doesn't matter as much since we control that with the TX.

So, BEFORE hitting the drones 'on switch', make sure it's reasonably level side to side.
Have fun!

Roland · Jan 22, 2016

Fleamac said:
I don't know where it's written.
Every time you fire up the quad, the gimbal does is calibration. Whatever the grade of the surface, left to right is, is how the camera/gimbal sees things. The forward facing ends of things doesn't matter as much since we control that with the TX.

So, BEFORE hitting the drones 'on switch', make sure it's reasonably level side to side.
Have fun!

Cool beans !!!

Az Nick · Jan 23, 2016

Roland said:
Bob,
Stuff happens. That is why we share oversights in this forum, for fellow droners to take note of. I almost went airborne with my camera gimbal cover one time, good thing I had a reflective Velcro wrapped around the gimbal cover. Now, I added a dangling flag on the cover to be more visible reminder to unwrap the camera before flight.

REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT (in Red) good advice Roland, did you buy it online?

Roland · Jan 23, 2016

Az Nick said:
REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT (in Red) good advice Roland, did you buy it online?

It is actually just a 6 inch red Velcro added to the Velcro that holds my gimbal protector in place. Someone suggested spray painting the gimbal protector in red or yellow.

Az Nick · Jan 23, 2016

Amazon 5" x 1 " Remove Before Flight $8
http://www.amazon.com/Remove-Before..._UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=18C9RXF95WAP29WCG0AR

Roland · Jan 23, 2016

Az Nick said:
Amazon 5" x 1 " Remove Before Flight $8
http://www.amazon.com/Remove-Before-Flight-Aviation-Motorcycle/dp/B00C0SQC52/ref=pd_sim_263_5?ie=UTF8&dpID=41JSUE5xjkL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=18C9RXF95WAP29WCG0AR

Cool Beans.... Thanks Az, this is why this forum is worth being a member.

Wingshooter · Jan 23, 2016

Anybody got a link on a self leveling platform to launch from that someone can make or buy?

Roland · Jan 24, 2016

Wingshooter said:
Anybody got a link on a self leveling platform to launch from that someone can make or buy?

These are not self leveling but they are as level as you can get:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PG385NU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

Intrepid · Feb 5, 2016

Roland said:
These are not self leveling but they are as level as you can get:

Amazon.com: 20" Quadcopter Helipad: Toys & Games

Bob Emmerich said:
Blew 10 min. of good footage today by not making sure I was totally level before liftoff. Saw it on the transmitter during flight but thought it was just lens distortion. My bad!!!
"Learn by doing." ( the wrong thing. )

I use my box that the Typhoon is stored and with a level app on my phone I adjust accordingly. There are a lot of free leveling apps available.

Buddy Collins · Feb 5, 2016

Fleamac said:
I've read where some guys are painting the gimbal cover either red or yellow as a visual reminder. It had been suggested to Yuneec to make them a bright color.

Here is what I did for mine, to make sure I dont forget the 2 most important things to do before flying:
1. Remove the Gimbal Cover
2. Be sure the Radio is in Angle Mode