Twitchy and not stable

g2em3 · Jun 11, 2016

Alright, hello I'm new here. Not a troll, never owned a DJI nor a Ynueec. Cut my teeth on flying FPV 250 (Eachine 250 Racer)

I just received my H 3 days ago after 4 long months of waiting.

Took it out for it's maiden flight and was blown away with everything. Super rock solid stable, easy to fly, just an amazing experience.

So this morning I went out in the back yard, was going to film in the backyard and let it acquire over 10 Satellites.

Speed was on Turtle mode, flight mode was Pilot (middle switch) and took off maybe 10 feet. It was not stable, veering left all of a sudden and fast, I would counter and it would pull back and forward. I was trying to let it stabalize with neutral stick positions but it would drift and I had to counter. I got nervous and hovered down to 1 to 2 feet. switched landing gear down and proceeded to land. It landed and then it had a burst of thrust and flipped over and busted a prop, EMER LAND MODE alarm went off, I went over and shut off drone. The camera gimble had one of the rubber isolation dampers pop out (How the **** do I get that back in).

I replaced the prop and did a compass calibration and took off again, same twitch not stable. Landed and now im a bit nervous. Still need some help on the rubber grommet gimble thing.

My firmware on ST16 and H is all current and this was 2nd . Only thing I did not do was get 25 feet aware from the drone, my yard is not big enough for that.

Any ideas what is going on? Any and all suggestions welcome
I'm currently uploading the flight video and will edit shortly to include that link...

David Wilson · Jun 11, 2016

What mode are you flying in ?

DroneClone · Jun 11, 2016

Two of the rubber bellows just press up into the hole, the other two do also, but have a plastic lock pin thru them that locks them in place. Did you do a compass calibration? I never fly close to my home, as electrical and wifi from my house and neighbors can play havoc with your transmission signal. Was you first flight away from homes? If you did a compass already, you may want to do a IMU/Accelerometer calibration too! If moving away from interference does not help. Not enough info to really tell ?

DroneClone · Jun 11, 2016

Yes , If you are in Smart Mode and inside 26' you will get all kinds of **** !

g2em3 · Jun 11, 2016

Was not in SAFE or SMART mode is the correct term . The Mode Select Switch on the ST16 was in the middle position which is I think called Angle Mode aka Pilot Mode

g2em3 · Jun 11, 2016

DroneClone said:
Two of the rubber bellows just press up into the hole, the other two do also, but have a plastic lock pin thru them that locks them in place. Did you do a compass calibration? I never fly close to my home, as electrical and wifi from my house and neighbors can play havoc with your transmission signal. Was you first flight away from homes? If you did a compass already, you may want to do a IMU/Accelerometer calibration too! If moving away from interference does not help. Not enough info to really tell ?

Interference makes sense. First flight did not calibrate, second I did a compass calibration. Will also try the IMU calabration. Maybe best to fly out in the open until I get this issue resolved and more comfortable with the flight dynamics.

g2em3 · Jun 11, 2016

David Wilson said:
What mode are you flying in ?

Middle Switch on ST16 or the upper far right , Angle Mode? aka Pilot Mode

DroneClone · Jun 11, 2016

g2em3 said:
Interference makes sense. First flight did not calibrate, second I did a compass calibration. Will also try the IMU calabration. Maybe best to fly out in the open until I get this issue resolved and more comfortable with the flight dynamics.

Do the compass cali away from any home/wifi/power lines and rebar in concrete/asphalt, do it in open field near where you want to fly. And point it north, see if it helps. Did you read our "before First Flight Tips" on this forum? very helpful and save you some heartache down the road !
Here we go boys and girls ! Feel free to add to this list, and let's keep it to the point ! Hopefully It will save many questions and heartaches! To ALL !( I Harvey I hope you don't mind my editing some, i.e also take off on Obstacle Avoidance)
Please Read This and "ALL" Manuals and Quick Start Cards Before First Flight, and Frequently !

1. Be smart and don't use Smart mode when taking off or landing, only when using Follow Me mode, etc. If you choose to use Smart Mode at any time, remember to stay a minimum of 26' from you and the controller at all times !.
2. Check and make sure Obstacle Avoidance is turned off before take off and landing.
3. Calibrate your compass before first flight and after each firmware update to the aircraft. Also when traveling significant distance from home ( Your discretion)
4. Low battery warning will come on between 14.3V and 14.6v but you might want to land before then but, at least, be prepared to be in a decent landing area when you get below 15v.
5. Landing gear does not auto-deploy except in RTH, look at your drone when landing and think about what you're doing.
6. If your ST16 rattles, you have a loose fan, pull off rubber grips to remove screws and fix
7. If you decide to put a SD card into your ST16, turn the ST16 upside down before doing so since you're less likely to lose your card into the controller
8. Always remember to turn ST16 "ON" first, then Typhoon H after ST16 has booted up, And reverse these steps when turning off.
9. Remember when filming in "Video Mode" to turn off video filming before turning off the H and the ST16 or you "Can" lose your video, and may have to turn H on and off again to restore.
10. Make sure gimbal cover is removed before firing up the H, Will save damaging gimbal motors and gears.
11. Always check rear status lights for proper color combinations of flashing purple and white, or minimum of a solid purple, Always check number of satellites before take off, a safe number should be a minimum of 8.
12. If using Smart Mode and options as cable cam, POI, follow me , etc. Remember that you must have a blinking purple/white to succeed in connecting.
13. Remember that when using RTH(Return to Home) to make sure that you have a minimum of 30' clearance of unobstructed path to home, "IF" you are flying at or below 30' when switching to Home Mode. ( If you are above 30', it will return to Home at the altitude you are flying currently at.
14.If not using you H battery for more than 10 days, fly/hover them down for storage to 50-60%, DO NOT store fully charged for any extended period of time, Also if on the other hand, you have flown your batteries below 50%, charge them up to 50-60% for storage. Storage of more than 10 days at full charge or under 50% can lead to battery life loss and/or battery swelling and even fire.
15. Every 12 flights or so, check all screws, motors, gimbal/camera mounts and accessories for snugness. DO NOT over tighten, just snug them down if loosening.
16. DO NOT use RED button to land your aircraft from short distances from ground (6-12") To land successfully, Turn off Obstacle Avoidance, be in ANGLE MODE and make sure landing gear are deployed !. Lower the H slowly to ground not stopping 1-2 feet above ground and hovering(Vortex will form). Just slowly lower gently to ground and hold LEFT STICK completely downward for 2-3 seconds to idle motors and then release. Now you can press red button to kill motors.
17. Allow batteries to cool to room temperature before charging.
18. Check your props for any nicks or cracks BEFORE and after each flight. DO NOT FLY WITH ANY DAMAGED PROPS.
19. .. Do a preflight check before takeoff. 1) Check that all propellers are secure and in good condition. 2) Check flight mode is the one you want (Angle, etc.), 3) Check whether you are in Turtle Mode or Rabbit Mode, 4) Check Obstruction Avoidance is set to OFF. 5) Check camera mode. (I like to have camera pointing to front and parallel to ground on take off.), 6) Check battery level is what you expect to ensure adequate flight time. 7) Check battery is inserted into H all of the way. 8) Check localweather to avoid excessive wind speed, rain, dust, etc.)
20. If your aircraft at anytime fly's erratically or will not hover steadily. you may need to do a compass, imu and accerlerometer calibration.
21. Always lift off and land on a level/smooth surface at all times to avoid tip overs.

g2em3 · Jun 11, 2016

Good stuff, thanks DroneClone. Will do a proper calibration in the field today.

Steve Carr · Jun 11, 2016

Good list DroneClone. I would add the importance of setting the H on level surface and not touching the bird during boot-up. The accelerometer calibration is the most overlooked when there is a stability issue. It should be the first "go-to" step if you don't have a stable hover.

g2em3 · Jun 11, 2016

Update: took it to an open field, did calibration on all items (Compass, Gimbal and IMU) Seems to be working well. Hooked up the Yuneec GUI to verify all systems are working well. Thanks for all the help. I think it was a combo of not a clear sky above due to some trees, and to close to house with Radio Frequency interference (Wi-Fi), house mains etc.) and bad calibration.

DroneClone · Jun 11, 2016

Steve Carr said:
Good list DroneClone. I would add the importance of setting the H on level surface and not touching the bird during boot-up. The accelerometer calibration is the most overlooked when there is a stability issue. It should be the first "go-to" step if you don't have a stable hover.

Added your wise inclusions! Thanks Steve !

DroneClone · Jun 11, 2016

g2em3 said:
Update: took it to an open field, did calibration on all items (Compass, Gimbal and IMU) Seems to be working well. Hooked up the Yuneec GUI to verify all systems are working well. Thanks for all the help. I think it was a combo of not a clear sky above due to some trees, and to close to house with Radio Frequency interference (Wi-Fi), house mains etc.) and bad calibration.

I am glad you seem to be back to normal and able to fly ! Fly Safely !