Nearly lost the Inspire this morning on the beach...........

The Editor · Apr 8, 2015

Went out for a beautiful early morning flight on the beach this morning, virtually no wind (1-2 mph), great visability, Inspire performed flawlessly but...........All of a sudden, around half a dozen very territorial seagulls appeared and took a real dislike to a white thing, with black 'wings' hovering in their hood

.

I could see that sooner or later one of them was going to come down from above and have a go at the Inspire. It probably would have made a nasty mess of the seagull but also taken the craft out of the air.

I got it back to me asap and they followed me in the air for around 100yds to chase me off their turf

.

Real scary moment not down to pilot error or technical problems but wildlife!!!!!

Harry Nicholson · Apr 8, 2015

The Editor said:
Went out for a beautiful early morning flight on the beach this morning, virtually no wind (1-2 mph), great visability, Inspire performed flawlessly but...........All of a sudden, around half a dozen very territorial seagulls appeared and took a real dislike to a white thing, with black 'wings' hovering in their hood .

I could see that sooner or later one of them was going to come down from above and have a go at the Inspire. It probably would have made a nasty mess of the seagull but also taken the craft out of the air.

I got it back to me asap and they followed me in the air for around 100yds to chase me off their turf .

Real scary moment not down to pilot error or technical problems but wildlife!!!!!

I'm due to do some footage on the coast near me and you have confirmed my fears! Haha

Paul K · Apr 8, 2015

I had simular experience with my phantom and pigeons , and you are right it is scary situation .

amkorp · Apr 8, 2015

I had a very similar experience with Crows in Goa, India.

Apparently I got too close to one of their nests and two crows started dive bombing my phantom (at the time). It was literally a scene out of Top Gun, like 3 fighter jets dog fighting it out, but instead of jets it was two crows and my phantom. Barely got out of there in one piece!

Birds are very territorial, especially if you get close to their nests with eggs or babies.

Scotflieger · Apr 8, 2015

The Editor said:
Real scary moment not down to pilot error or technical problems but wildlife!!!!!

Are you sure? The pre-flight check should ensure that there are no hazards to persons, property, wildlife and aircraft.

sirnikolas · Apr 8, 2015

Great save mate!
Any vid?

jplayer · Apr 8, 2015

Honestly... I don't think you would have had a problem...
Ive had multiple similar experiences and while yes they chase it and may even dart at it they were smart enough not to actually touch it.

And, even if they would have... I would not be surprised if the inspire would keep on flying!

One of the first really well done review vids of the inspire the guys took it out to a model airplane airfield and was flying it around with the airplanes. At one point one of the airplanes clipped the inspire. The inspire put a good gash in the plane and sent it straight to the ground but it (the inspire) kept flying.

After reviewing the footage of the collision with the gimbal smoothed everything out and you couldn't even tell that there was a collision!

The Editor · Apr 8, 2015

Y

Scotflieger said:
Are you sure? The pre-flight check should ensure that there are no hazards to persons, property, wildlife and aircraft.

Yes I'm sure. No sign of nesting birds or any other wildlife at the location (maybe some fish below surface but clarity of water precluded any decent visabilty to check for shoaling fish

).
I am actually CAA certified with permission for aerial work (PFAW) and carry £5m liability cover as well as £3,500 airborne. I also do a risk assessment at each flying site and have a full pre and post check list procedure and ops manual.
These birdies came out of nowhere........

Paul K · Apr 8, 2015

jplayer said:
Honestly... I don't think you would have had a problem...
Ive had multiple similar experiences and while yes they chase it and may even dart at it they were smart enough not to actually touch it.

And, even if they would have... I would not be surprised if the inspire would keep on flying!

One of the first really well done review vids of the inspire the guys took it out to a model airplane airfield and was flying it around with the airplanes. At one point one of the airplanes clipped the inspire. The inspire put a good gash in the plane and sent it straight to the ground but it (the inspire) kept flying.

After reviewing the footage of the collision with the gimbal smoothed everything out and you couldn't even tell that there was a collision!

The airplane was made out of Styrofoam , but you might be right the bird would not attack unless it is hungry HAWK.

Paul K · Apr 8, 2015

Scotflieger said:
Are you sure? The pre-flight check should ensure that there are no hazards to persons, property, wildlife and aircraft.

Would you be so kind and reveal how your pre-flight list ensures you there will be no bird ,5- 10 min after take off?

Mazz · Apr 8, 2015

I have had an encounter with a hawk and he definitely made a dive at my phantom. I think he would have hit it if I didn't avoid it but can't be sure.

Glad the gulls didn't get ya.

The Editor · Apr 8, 2015

sirnikolas said:
Great save mate!
Any vid?

No video unfortunately, I was at about 50 feet with camera pointing straight down to get some shots of the surf breaking. Seagulls moved in and I just wanted get out of there quickly......didn't really think about bringing up the camera level, just wanted to get the Inspire back to me sharpish.

mike_k · Apr 8, 2015

Nice save! I sure hope that this issue is resolved in the next firmware release...

The Editor · Apr 8, 2015

mike_k said:
Nice save! I sure hope that this issue is resolved in the next firmware release...

Yes, me too. I think there should be a 'Bird Avoidance' toggle switch added to the app!

huppe · Apr 8, 2015

Some birds are always protective to their territory and seagulls belong to this kind of birds.
I can assure you that around this time of year (nests and eggs) you better look out where you flying.Where I live are 3 major birds area's with are now closed to public. Due to this.I stay away for about 1 km to the boundary of these area's.
Allready have been attacked 4 times over the last 2 years.
But good to hear your bird(Inspire) is back on it's nest Editor!

InspiredOne · Apr 8, 2015

You should'a hid in the nearest phone booth!

It's situations like this where a few miniature AMRAAM missiles would have come in handy!

How cool would that be?

Genar0 · Apr 8, 2015

You can outmaneuver any bird by flying strait up, I often get hawks and eagles flying up to mine as soon as I am above them they get scared and fly away. I don't worry about seagulls or pigeons, they fly up to it, but never make contact.

pops52 · Apr 8, 2015

The Editor said:
Went out for a beautiful early morning flight on the beach this morning, virtually no wind (1-2 mph), great visability, Inspire performed flawlessly but...........All of a sudden, around half a dozen very territorial seagulls appeared and took a real dislike to a white thing, with black 'wings' hovering in their hood .

I could see that sooner or later one of them was going to come down from above and have a go at the Inspire. It probably would have made a nasty mess of the seagull but also taken the craft out of the air.

I got it back to me asap and they followed me in the air for around 100yds to chase me off their turf .

Real scary moment not down to pilot error or technical problems but wildlife!!!!!

Sounded humbling

PB30X · Apr 8, 2015

huppe said:
Some birds are always protective to their territory and seagulls belong to this kind of birds.
I can assure you that around this time of year (nests and eggs) you better look out where you flying.Where I live are 3 major birds area's with are now closed to public. Due to this.I stay away for about 1 km to the boundary of these area's.
Allready have been attacked 4 times over the last 2 years.
But good to hear your bird(Inspire) is back on it's nest Editor!

Don't need publicity! I gave up a spot due to American Bald Eagles.. I wouldn't even dare, or think to even have an adventure of any sort, NO THANKS! Would love to capture footage of them feeding off the lake, but then again nature could run its course without my interference or incident. I think we all know what this means should one decide to attack. I surrendered to wildlife[emoji6]!! Keep the peace, and No publicity..

jon b · Apr 8, 2015

jplayer said:
Honestly... I don't think you would have had a problem...
Ive had multiple similar experiences and while yes they chase it and may even dart at it they were smart enough not to actually touch it.

And, even if they would have... I would not be surprised if the inspire would keep on flying!

One of the first really well done review vids of the inspire the guys took it out to a model airplane airfield and was flying it around with the airplanes. At one point one of the airplanes clipped the inspire. The inspire put a good gash in the plane and sent it straight to the ground but it (the inspire) kept flying.

After reviewing the footage of the collision with the gimbal smoothed everything out and you couldn't even tell that there was a collision!