Yuneec Still Strong?

[Victory Pete]

It looks like Yuneec is still in business. I have been out of the loop for a while. Who is the current distributor in the US?

 

[DoomMeister]

It looks like Yuneec is still in business. I have been out of the loop for a while. Who is the current distributor in the US?

The only one I know of is Vertigo Drones. Yuneec is only selling professional models now, the days of prosumer drones like the Typhoon H and H Plus are gone except for buying used.

 

[Victory Pete]

The only one I know of is Vertigo Drones. Yuneec is only selling professional models now, the days of prosumer drones like the Typhoon H and H Plus are gone except for buying used.

The H Plus is still on their website and the one I have in my cart at Vertigo.

 

[MountainDroneTN]

I saw that good price at Vertigo Drones this morning.
Why you ask?

"Pilot error leads to a beautiful red, white and blue strobe display!"
While catching the local fireworks in the valley below my home last night, I forgot to check the security of the second battery on my beloved H Plus.
1) 8 minutes into the flight, I switched from angle to sport mode to run the battery down for a planned landing at 50 % .
2) However, 23 seconds later, telemetry ceased, 15.3 volts, current 69, flight mode 7, error flags 0

She went into a quiet free fall, with only the 2 landing gear mounted strobes blazing away.
I went full throttle and uttered a calm "oh no" as I watched the descent.
For a second I had hope, because I heard the motors again, they were auto rotating, and unlike the helicopter, there's no aft cyclic to cushion the landing.
She continued vertically into the heavy woods, crashed, and I heard some part rolling down the steep terrain for several seconds.

Thunderstorms were in the forecast for this morning. So last night, armed with a pair of flashlights, my iPhone with the drone scanner app for the H Plus' remote id module, leather gloves and safety specs for the thorns and densely-wooded brush, I went downhill to hunt for my favorite drone.

Using the app, it took me an hour to get within 50 meters of the remote ID . It was still broadcasting.
When I turned off the flashlight, I could see a strobe light. I'd move closer, turn off the flashlight and repeat until I found the H Plus resting against a tree. Once I was within 20 meters, the flashlight's shine would catch the reflective orange YuneecSkins decals. The OEM battery, labeled "002," was approximately 1/4 inch (7mm) dislodged from the body. The other strobe was about 5 meters to side, still flashing and attached to a detached landing gear arm. The remote ID module was about 10 meters further downhill. When I returned home, I put the 2 batteries on the dual charger to place in storage. The battery that experienced the free fall was at 74 %.

The c23 must have been the "some part rolling down the steep terrain...."
I wish I had applied the reflective decals to the c23. I searched twice today, once pre- and once post-thunderstorm, no success.

Anyway, it's great drone, if you need spare parts, batteries or another ST16s for team mode, keep an eye on this forum's classified section. I have plenty of spares, etc.
Note, I will not sell any of the parts from this freefall, I estimate it fell 80 meters.

 

[Steve Carr]

I feel your pain. I've had that experience as well. Only once from a battery not locked, but many other times from stupid pilot errors. I'm a slow learner. The pit of the stomach is always the same. Traumatic. Realizing what happened.

 

[Victory Pete]

I saw that good price at Vertigo Drones this morning.
Why you ask?

"Pilot error leads to a beautiful red, white and blue strobe display!"
While catching the local fireworks in the valley below my home last night, I forgot to check the security of the second battery on my beloved H Plus.
1) 8 minutes into the flight, I switched from angle to sport mode to run the battery down for a planned landing at 50 % .
2) However, 23 seconds later, telemetry ceased, 15.3 volts, current 69, flight mode 7, error flags 0

She went into a quiet free fall, with only the 2 landing gear mounted strobes blazing away.
I went full throttle and uttered a calm "oh no" as I watched the descent.
For a second I had hope, because I heard the motors again, they were auto rotating, and unlike the helicopter, there's no aft cyclic to cushion the landing.
She continued vertically into the heavy woods, crashed, and I heard some part rolling down the steep terrain for several seconds.

Thunderstorms were in the forecast for this morning. So last night, armed with a pair of flashlights, my iPhone with the drone scanner app for the H Plus' remote id module, leather gloves and safety specs for the thorns and densely-wooded brush, I went downhill to hunt for my favorite drone.

Using the app, it took me an hour to get within 50 meters of the remote ID . It was still broadcasting.
When I turned off the flashlight, I could see a strobe light. I'd move closer, turn off the flashlight and repeat until I found the H Plus resting against a tree. Once I was within 20 meters, the flashlight's shine would catch the reflective orange YuneecSkins decals. The OEM battery, labeled "002," was approximately 1/4 inch (7mm) dislodged from the body. The other strobe was about 5 meters to side, still flashing and attached to a detached landing gear arm. The remote ID module was about 10 meters further downhill. When I returned home, I put the 2 batteries on the dual charger to place in storage. The battery that experienced the free fall was at 74 %.

The c23 must have been the "some part rolling down the steep terrain...."
I wish I had applied the reflective decals to the c23. I searched twice today, once pre- and once post-thunderstorm, no success.

Anyway, it's great drone, if you need spare parts, batteries or another ST16s for team mode, keep an eye on this forum's classified section. I have plenty of spares, etc.
Note, I will not sell any of the parts from this freefall, I estimate it fell 80 meters.

Sorry to read this, what happened? "I forgot to check the security of the second battery". What does that mean?

 

[WTFDproject]

..... armed with a pair of flashlights, my iPhone with the drone scanner app for the H Plus' remote id module, leather gloves and safety specs for the thorns and densely-wooded brush, I went downhill to hunt for my favorite drone.

Using the app, it took me an hour to get within 50 meters of the remote ID . It was still broadcasting.

Does anyone know if this is the first time the Remote ID has been posted as used in an actual crashed/lost drone event? Maybe on the other Forums?
It has been mentioned as a possible use for the Remote ID, but it is good to hear from a real event that the thing might actually have some value.
Especially with some strobes and reflective tape mounted.

 

[MountainDroneTN]

Sorry to read this, what happened? "I forgot to check the security of the second battery". What does that mean?

Thanks. Good question, for the 50 previous flights, "check security" is two steps for me:
1) one hand on the front of the fuselage shell and the other hand pushing the battery, with intent, into the holder to hear the "click," or "clicks" if your ears can discern the connector and latch engagement sounds.
2) I only hear one big click, so, I check the latch release door is flush and I test the latch by grasping the side edges of the battery housing with my thumb and index and attempt to pull the battery out of the shell.

 

[Victory Pete]

Thanks. Good question, for the 50 previous flights, "check security" is two steps for me:
1) one hand on the front of the fuselage shell and the other hand pushing the battery, with intent, into the holder to hear the "click," or "clicks" if your ears can discern the connector and latch engagement sounds.
2) I only hear one big click, so, I check the latch release door is flush and I test the latch by grasping the side edges of the battery housing with my thumb and index and attempt to pull the battery out of the shell.

So, your battery fell out?

 

[MountainDroneTN]

So, your battery fell out?

I found the battery partially dislodged, still in the drone's shell, however, backed out approximately 1/4 inch, at the crash site.

 

[h-elsner]

Yuneec became "ATL Drone" (Advanced Technology Labs AG) - whatever that means...

Home page - yuneec

yuneec.com

ATL - Drone solutions - ATL Global Holding AG

ATL Drone Solutions (ATL DS) wurde gegründet, um die Gemeinschaftsarbeit der PandA Foundation zu unterstützen. Mit den technologischen Ressourcen der Yuneec-Drohnen ist ATL DS in der Lage, die “Protection and Advance”-Projekte der PandA Foundation zu fördern und erweiterte Datenlösungen für...

www.atl.ch

However - no consumer drones anymore. I think they will drop all older products.

 

[MountainDroneTN]

I saw that good price at Vertigo Drones this morning.
Why you ask?

"Pilot error leads to a beautiful red, white and blue strobe display!"
While catching the local fireworks in the valley below my home last night, I forgot to check the security of the second battery on my beloved H Plus.
1) 8 minutes into the flight, I switched from angle to sport mode to run the battery down for a planned landing at 50 % .
2) However, 23 seconds later, telemetry ceased, 15.3 volts, current 69, flight mode 7, error flags 0

She went into a quiet free fall, with only the 2 landing gear mounted strobes blazing away.
I went full throttle and uttered a calm "oh no" as I watched the descent.
For a second I had hope, because I heard the motors again, they were auto rotating, and unlike the helicopter, there's no aft cyclic to cushion the landing.
She continued vertically into the heavy woods, crashed, and I heard some part rolling down the steep terrain for several seconds.

Thunderstorms were in the forecast for this morning. So last night, armed with a pair of flashlights, my iPhone with the drone scanner app for the H Plus' remote id module, leather gloves and safety specs for the thorns and densely-wooded brush, I went downhill to hunt for my favorite drone.

Using the app, it took me an hour to get within 50 meters of the remote ID . It was still broadcasting.
When I turned off the flashlight, I could see a strobe light. I'd move closer, turn off the flashlight and repeat until I found the H Plus resting against a tree. Once I was within 20 meters, the flashlight's shine would catch the reflective orange YuneecSkins decals. The OEM battery, labeled "002," was approximately 1/4 inch (7mm) dislodged from the body. The other strobe was about 5 meters to side, still flashing and attached to a detached landing gear arm. The remote ID module was about 10 meters further downhill. When I returned home, I put the 2 batteries on the dual charger to place in storage. The battery that experienced the free fall was at 74 %.

The c23 must have been the "some part rolling down the steep terrain...."
I wish I had applied the reflective decals to the c23. I searched twice today, once pre- and once post-thunderstorm, no success.

Anyway, it's great drone, if you need spare parts, batteries or another ST16s for team mode, keep an eye on this forum's classified section. I have plenty of spares, etc.
Note, I will not sell any of the parts from this freefall, I estimate it fell 80 meters.

Found the soggy c23 today, 10 July. Now drying out in large bowl of uncooked rice.

 

[Steve Carr]

Now drying out in large bowl of uncooked rice.

I find that using rice is only effective if there is very little moisture in the camera. If it's very wet I suggest a drying oven set about 125° F.

 

[Victory Pete]

I found the battery partially dislodged, still in the drone's shell, however, backed out approximately 1/4 inch, at the crash site.

But you cant be sure if that is what caused the crash or the other way around.

 

[Victory Pete]

I just found these responses; I have not been getting email notifications. I have a new H Plus coming today from Vertigo. I also started the ball rolling to get my 107 license. It looks like Vertigo is the sole dealer and distributor now. This company has bounced all around in the last 10 years or so I have been following them.

 

[WTFDproject]

But you cant be sure if that is what caused the crash or the other way around.

I suppose there could be some doubt. But if the battery latch is not broken, it is almost certain it was not latched.

 

[Victory Pete]

I suppose there could be some doubt. But if the battery latch is not broken, it is almost certain it was not latched.

Yes, I guess the battery would not come out in a crash without the latch beaking?

 

[Steve Carr]

But you cant be sure if that is what caused the crash or the other way around.

It is solid evidence of the cause. A partial or complete ejection of the battery verifies the battery was not locked. The only way for a battery to come loose would be a broken internal battery frame. If the battery frame is intact following a crash the battery would remained locked. Below are pics of two crashes. One shows a battery partially ejected because it wasn't latched.

 

[MountainDroneTN]

I suppose there could be some doubt. But if the battery latch is not broken, it is almost certain it was not latched.

After powering on the ST16s controller and powering on the drone (with the very same battery from my crash), I can report two things, the landing gear mechanisms have extended and the latch is still good (on the female side of the drone and even the male side of the same battery that I failed to install properly).
This was solely pilot error, the telemetry stopped mid-flight.

 

[MountainDroneTN]

I find that using rice is only effective if there is very little moisture in the camera. If it's very wet I suggest a drying oven set about 125° F.

Drying oven is a better idea.

Hey, the c23 is a beast.

I cratered it into a forest floor, where it sat through 2 or 3 rainstorms for a week and after clearing messy rice and completing a messy soldering job, it functions.

Records video, captures photos, zoom 1x through 8x, Tilt works perfectly.

Just an issue with the Pan
Global panning is smooth at all rotational speeds. Both directions with and without tilt inputs.
However, follow mode and follow pan mode are intermittently twitchy or jumpy.