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Practicing with your drone

  • Derek Whitton

Practicing with your drone

 

The Gannet Pro/Pro+ has a lot of power that could be dangerous if you do not know how to control it. The Gannet Pro/Pro+ should be taken seriously, especially while you are coming to terms with the controls, and utility. The Gannet team has years of experience flying drones from the Phantom 2 all the way to the Inspire 2. We believe that almost all drone accidents can be prevented.

Read and learn the manual and watch beginner videos on YouTube regarding your Gannet Pro/Pro+. Some of the problems that we come across are related to pilots going too far too soon on their first flight or just pushing the throttle up without the knowledge needed or understanding the limitations of the Gannet Pro/Pro+ or themselves as pilots. You do need to land the Gannet Pro/Pro+, and that can be the most difficult part of the process, and you need patience and take it slow in order to be successful.

It is a good idea that you test the Gannet Pro/Pro+ on the ground with no props before launching. This is safer and a lot less costly in remedy. Learn to throttle up, and listen to the motors and look at the Gannet for vibrations. If it’s not right, stop, and give us a call, or go back to the instruction stage.

Plan your flight and risk assess your environment before you launch. Precautions and procedures are never fun, but once you build a routine they will become second nature, and you will become a very safe pilot. You will be guaranteed to reduce your incidents and increase your fun in the long run.


Apply the laws of flight, refer to guideline given by your local legislation, they are clear in your ability to fly, and restrictions in location of flight.
Understand the Gannets limitations. Keep well within those, never fly out of sight, and keep the Gannet as a close proximity as possible at all times. This is a basic and simple principle. "Pushing the limits increases your risks".

  

THE BASICS OF FLYING A Gannet Pro/Pro+

Start by picking flying sites using these criteria for your first flight:

  • No people
  • No buildings
  • No power Lines
  • No cell phone towers
  • No trees
  • No animals
  • No wind
  • A lot of open space
  • A large takeoff and landing spot

 

If you hear, or see, anything wrong with your Gannets flight, look to make a safe landing as soon as possible and inspect the drone. Check your compass is calibrated and vary your takeoff location. When you go out for your flight, bear in mind the weather conditions. If it is excessively windy it can be difficult to fly, so look for different place to fly or just wait for the wind to die down.

Limit your altitude and maneuvers.

Start by just going up to 30 feet (10 Meters) first and increase altitude by 10 - 15ft (3-5 Meters) each flight, your goal is not to reach the limit of the drone but to feel comfortable maneuvering.

Fly slowly and methodically, and do not climb higher than you need to at first

Memorize these steps for all flights:

  • Your phone is connected (will record flight-logs) to the GannetGo APP (if you are flying the Pro/Pro+)
  • Switches S1, S2, S3 and S4 are "UP"
  • Transmitter is “ON" first
  • Then the drone is "ON"

Reverse the above checklist to shut it down and finish your flying session. Leave the Switches in the “UP” position.

On your first flights, learn to take off and just hover and watch the behavior of the Gannet before moving on and undertaking maneuvers. Try not to undertake complex maneuvers, fly linear one direction at a time. Learn to fly a square; forward then left then forward, then left, then forward. Then back to your start point. Increase the size, vary the direction, then fly sideways, then backwards, and build your confidence and ability methodically. Safety for take offs and landings:

  • This is a multirotor, all take-offs and landings HAVE to be up and down, not at an angle.
  • Your ground speeds should be "0" (Zero) - (Airplanes land with speed not quads).
  • If windy, you will have to push the throttle a bit harder for take off
  • Test your Gannet thoroughly and make sure all functions work before going to drop out your first bait.

Charge your batteries accordingly and as specified in the manual and charge your transmitter batteries every 7 to 10 flights.

After 10 to 15 flights you can start looking to more challenging locations, by then you will know your Gannet well enough.

If you practice your safe flying you will be doing your part at avoiding an accident and you will enjoy your Gannet even more. If you have any questions at all, please contact us hello@dronefishing.com

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