Adam, jonathnsmith I am re-posting this from member Figbar. I think it is a worthy addition to this thread as a sticky:
Check List...
Here is what I have come up with...this is just my take...hopefully will help me be more focused. I also put this on the thread that talks about a Check List. Sorry this is so long, but I wanted to explain my thinking while I came up with this list. There is a condensed check list of this at the end of my post.
INSPIRE CHECK LIST (AS OF 2.2.15)
BEFORE I LEAVE TO FLY – IN MY HANGAR (OFFICE)
In general, I like to keep my Inspire ready to go. This basically means that I have all batteries charged, maps loaded on my iPad Air, and my camera set to the default settings I normally shoot with. I always keep my card in the camera formatted without any files on it. (I keep Cache Maps switch to on position – APP settings)
Before I leave to shoot, I check my IMU Calibration, the Mod values…to make sure they are where they need to be.
(Mode / Advanced Settings / Sensors / 3 Mod Readouts on right…stacked above each other)
Gyroscope Mod – 0.00
Acceleration (g) Mod – .99 to 1.01
Compass Mod – Mod – 1400 to 1600
(note: maybe this needs to be done before I take off each time?)
If I’m shooting in town or anywhere I’m able to drive, I have my Inspire already set up with camera mounted and my iPad Air already mounted on my remote control with improvised sun shade attached. I put the Inspire and Remote in my car already set up.
I drive a Honda CRV and have “compartments” set up in the flat, rear section of the car so the Inspire and remote can travel securely. I keep the case in this back compartment as well with anything else I will need for multiple flights, recharging, etc.
I also give some thought to the overall logistics concerning the locations in which I’m shooting. What are weather conditions (wind), when is the best time to shoot, where will the sun be, do I need to consider people or traffic present, what would be a good safe place to take off and land, what shots do I have in mind when I take off. Do I need to get permission to do this shooting?
CHECK LIST(with explanations) - based on flying with GPS control…which is all I want to do.
1- Find a Good Take-off / Landing Area…flat, free of obstructions, people, possible radio interference. (really important when people/ traffic are around)
2- Check Props - make sure they are nice and snug - by hand. (No prop-locks yet)
3- Check Camera Filter - ND or regular, depending on sunlight. (easy to forget)
4- Turn on Remote Control, iPad Air also turns on at this time. Confirm your remote is charged…4 white lights on lower face of remote.
5- Confirm your Tablet Battery is Charged.
6- On your tablet/monitor Settings, Turn on airplane mode or confirm you are in Airplane mode.
7- Make sure Flight Mode Switch is in the P Position – Flight Mode – P-Atti. GPS Control. (3 position silver switch on the left rear of the remote - put it on P)
8- Turn on the Inspire.
9- Turn on the Pilot App…select the Camera Icon…Confirm that the BASICS ARE CORRECT on the Aircraft State Screen. Flight Mode, (P-Atti) – RC Mode (Mode 2) – Aircraft Battery (fully charged?). RC Battery (good charge?).
10- Perform a COMPASS CALIBRATION. Do this every time before you fly and when you move to a new location. Do this in an area that is free of metal objects…sidewalks are not good because they have iron rebar underneath.
Calibration - Press the compass calibration “button” on your APP. A Yellow Light should come on at the rear of the craft. Hold the Inspire horizontally in front of you and make a slow 360 circle….wait for a solid green light… then turn the Inspire vertically in your hands in front of you and make another 360 circle.
At this point, you can set the Inspire back in the take-off area you have designated.
11- Confirm on-screen that you have GPS Control. You should have white solid bars next to the satellite icon on the top of the screen on the APP. (# of satellites are not visible anymore on the APP). The light on the rear of the craft should be Blinking Green. There should be a message at the top of the screen that says Safe To Fly-GPS Control. (The video DJI just put out on :”How to Fly” says you should look for a blinking purple light to confirm GPS control – this is not correct)
12- Confirm the Gimbal Mode you want to be in on the APP…left hand side of screen…I prefer the Follow Mode. (need to do more experimenting here)
13- Do a quick Map Check on your APP monitor to make sure the Inspire Icon matches the home base you have just established with calibration…go back camera mode after you do this.
14- Check and Confirm Camera settings…auto iris, white balance, shooting resolution, frame rate, (I’ve been mostly in auto mode for iris and white balance…will be doing more in the manual mode as I get more comfortable)
15- Stand Behind the Inspire for take-off. Do a final check to make sure people are clear…if people are standing too close, ask them to stand back. (I feel more comfortable standing behind the Inspire…not totally necessary, but this helps me)
16- Take Off and Hover 8-10 feet or so, initially. (I prefer taking off manually)
Let the craft hover for 30 seconds or so close to you…do a quick status check on your monitor to make sure everything is in order…GPS control, battery levels. Check the blinking light status on the rear of the craft…Blinking Green. (This is a double check)
17- Raise the Landing Gear. (I have forgotten to do this several times)
18- Go fly. Get Your Shots. Be safe and have fun. I won’t fly with the craft out of my sight line. Don’t fly above 400 feet. Use common sense…don’t fly low over a bunch of people or traffic. Don’t fly near the White House. Don’t take off next to a freeway like the idiots did from OctoFilms, demoing a Beta version of the Inspire for You Tube.
19- CONSTANTLY CHECK INSPIRE BATTERY LEVELS AS YOU FLY. Make sure you have enough battery to return in plenty of time. (30% warning level set on your APP)
20- When you Land, Turn the Inspire Off First…then your turn off the remote control unit.
PRE FLIGHT CHECK LIST – CONSOLIDATED
1______CHOSE A GOOD TAKE-OFF LANDING PLACE
2______CHECK PROPS
3______CHECK CAMERA FILTER
4______TURN ON REMOTE CONTROL
5______CHECK TABLET BATTERY LEVEL
6______TURN ON AIRPLANE MODE ON TABLET
7______FLIGHT MODE SWITCH IN P POSITION ( P - ATTI)
8______TURN ON INSPIRE
9______TURN ON PILOT APP – CONFIRM BASICS ON SCREEN
_______FLIGHT MODE (P-ATTI)
_______AIRCRAFT BATTERY CHARGED
_______RC BATTERY CHARGED
10______CALIBRATE COMPASS
11______CONFIRM GPS CONTROL
_______APP SCREEN - SATELLITE BARS FULL
_______APP SCREEN – SAFE TO FLY (GPS CONTROL)
_______INSPIRE REAR LIGHT BLINKING GREEN
12______CONFIRM GIMBAL MODE ON APP (FOLLOW, for me)
13______MAP CHECK – AIRPLANE ICON AT HOME BASE?
14______CHECK AND CONFIRM CAMERA SETTINGS
15______STAND BEHIND INSPIRE
16______TAKE OFF – HOVER – FINAL CHECK OF BATTERY LEVELS, GPS CONTROL
17______RAISE LANDING GEAR
18______FLY SAFELY, SHOOT. CONSTANT BATTERY CHECK – ALLOW TIME TO RETURN
A thorough and well thought out list. This is the kind of stuff we all need to follow especially after the bad press story in this weeks Watchdog TV story.