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New To Karma & GoPro Hero 6

Frank Bassett

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Can someone direct me to a good Beginners Pre Flight & First Flight Primer? Tip & Safety Advice! Don't want to be a first flight first crash story.......
 
Here you go mate.



Pre-Flight Checklist and For Karma Drone

Just a word of caution, but something many people new to drones might not be aware of, you MUST check the current Geomagnetic conditions before flying. The level of interference is expressed as a kp value. If the level is 4 or higher, you run a significant risk of losing connection to GPS, the controller to drone, and having compass errors. This is not unique to Karma but for all drones.

You can check the current conditions at NOAA.gov

Planetary K-index | NOAA / NWS Space Weather Prediction Center

or with phone apps like magnetology and UAV forecast.

Recommended Android and IOS Apps

Magnetology:
Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ru.mindarts.magnetology&hl=en
iOS - ‎Magnetology
UAV Forecast
Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.uavforecast&hl=en
iOS - ‎UAV Forecast

It is the pilot's responsibility to check the conditions before flying. The following conditions need to be met before taking off. If you run into an issue and are flying in a condition not outlined below, it is YOUR fault, not the drone's.

Check list

  1. Drone Free from damage (cracks, bends or otherwise)
  2. Drone, camera, stabilizer, and controller on latest update
  3. Camera with recommended SD card https://gopro.com/help/articles/Block/microSD-Card-Considerations
  4. Check the available space on the microSD card
  5. Be sure the camera stabilizer is securely locked into the drone
  6. Propellers free from cracks, debris, or un-manufactured bends
  7. Securely tighten the propellers
  8. Battery fully charged (drone, camera and controller)
  9. Fully extend the landing gear and arms
  10. Battery fully engaged and locked into place
  11. Never launch on or near your car
  12. Area clear of people, obstacles, and the following:
    1. Metal (including underground)
    2. Reinforced Concrete
    3. Sand which may contain magnetite
    4. Structures
    5. Electrical equipment
    6. Groups of people or anyone standing within ten feet of the drone
    7. Radio/Wi-Fi signals
  13. Drone compass calibrated for the area you are flying (no further than 100 miles from where it was last calibrated)
  14. Acceleromter calibrated AFTER 5-10 minutes of flight with drone held LEVEL to the horizon
  15. Stabilizer calibrated in the drone with the drone standing on firm level surface
  16. Clear view of the Blue sky - Do Not fly in overcast, foggy, or areas of high humidity or precipitation
  17. Wind speed (including gust) below ‎22mph (10m/s)
  18. Kp disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field less than 4
  19. Away from object that can cause Wi-Fi interference
  20. Away from areas of high Wi-Fi utilization
    original

  21. All Settings Checked
    1. Return to home altitude
    2. Max altitude
    3. Max range
    4. Flight mode (Sport/non-Sport)
    5. Camera settings
  22. Wait 1-2 minutes AFTER getting the prompt "Ready to Fly" to allow the drone to acquire additional satellites before taking off (not mandatory but a good idea)
  23. Keep the back of the controller pointed at the drone at all times
  24. If the controller connection goes into the red or the video becomes choppy, STOP, adjust the direction you are holding the controller and give the controller and drone a little time to establish a stronger connection.
  25. The controller also has a GPS unit. Don't stand under/near structures that might interfere with the connection to the satellites (or your drone). See 11,12,19,20 above.
  26. Whenever possible, manually land your drone. You can do it much better and softer than the auto landing.
  27. Never initiate Return to Home (Auto Land) if the drone has lost GPS.

This list is not unique to Karma but to all drones. If you are going to fly in valleys, in dense areas of vegetation, under bridges/tunnels/trees/structures you need to be prepared to fly manually and know that it is not uncommon for the drone to experience multipath propagation which will cause it to miscalculate it's position in space and fly erratically. Always fly within LOS.
 
Here you go mate.



Pre-Flight Checklist and For Karma Drone

Just a word of caution, but something many people new to drones might not be aware of, you MUST check the current Geomagnetic conditions before flying. The level of interference is expressed as a kp value. If the level is 4 or higher, you run a significant risk of losing connection to GPS, the controller to drone, and having compass errors. This is not unique to Karma but for all drones.

You can check the current conditions at NOAA.gov

Planetary K-index | NOAA / NWS Space Weather Prediction Center

or with phone apps like magnetology and UAV forecast.

Recommended Android and IOS Apps

Magnetology:
Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ru.mindarts.magnetology&hl=en
iOS - ‎Magnetology
UAV Forecast
Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.uavforecast&hl=en
iOS - ‎UAV Forecast

It is the pilot's responsibility to check the conditions before flying. The following conditions need to be met before taking off. If you run into an issue and are flying in a condition not outlined below, it is YOUR fault, not the drone's.

Check list

  1. Drone Free from damage (cracks, bends or otherwise)
  2. Drone, camera, stabilizer, and controller on latest update
  3. Camera with recommended SD card https://gopro.com/help/articles/Block/microSD-Card-Considerations
  4. Check the available space on the microSD card
  5. Be sure the camera stabilizer is securely locked into the drone
  6. Propellers free from cracks, debris, or un-manufactured bends
  7. Securely tighten the propellers
  8. Battery fully charged (drone, camera and controller)
  9. Fully extend the landing gear and arms
  10. Battery fully engaged and locked into place
  11. Never launch on or near your car
  12. Area clear of people, obstacles, and the following:
    1. Metal (including underground)
    2. Reinforced Concrete
    3. Sand which may contain magnetite
    4. Structures
    5. Electrical equipment
    6. Groups of people or anyone standing within ten feet of the drone
    7. Radio/Wi-Fi signals
  13. Drone compass calibrated for the area you are flying (no further than 100 miles from where it was last calibrated)
  14. Acceleromter calibrated AFTER 5-10 minutes of flight with drone held LEVEL to the horizon
  15. Stabilizer calibrated in the drone with the drone standing on firm level surface
  16. Clear view of the Blue sky - Do Not fly in overcast, foggy, or areas of high humidity or precipitation
  17. Wind speed (including gust) below ‎22mph (10m/s)
  18. Kp disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field less than 4
  19. Away from object that can cause Wi-Fi interference
  20. Away from areas of high Wi-Fi utilization
    original

  21. All Settings Checked
    1. Return to home altitude
    2. Max altitude
    3. Max range
    4. Flight mode (Sport/non-Sport)
    5. Camera settings
  22. Wait 1-2 minutes AFTER getting the prompt "Ready to Fly" to allow the drone to acquire additional satellites before taking off (not mandatory but a good idea)
  23. Keep the back of the controller pointed at the drone at all times
  24. If the controller connection goes into the red or the video becomes choppy, STOP, adjust the direction you are holding the controller and give the controller and drone a little time to establish a stronger connection.
  25. The controller also has a GPS unit. Don't stand under/near structures that might interfere with the connection to the satellites (or your drone). See 11,12,19,20 above.
  26. Whenever possible, manually land your drone. You can do it much better and softer than the auto landing.
  27. Never initiate Return to Home (Auto Land) if the drone has lost GPS.

This list is not unique to Karma but to all drones. If you are going to fly in valleys, in dense areas of vegetation, under bridges/tunnels/trees/structures you need to be prepared to fly manually and know that it is not uncommon for the drone to experience multipath propagation which will cause it to miscalculate it's position in space and fly erratically. Always fly within LOS.


Thank you very much! Just what I was looking for & more! Cheers!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hummingbird
Good luck mate. Have fun. It is a great camera platform.
I'm just starting out too.
Little steps first. Keep flights simple. Always keep it in sight.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hummingbird
Hi Frank, welcome to the forum, which has been really useful for everything really!
I would also recommend Drone Start. There's a few dji features that you can't use, however the rest of it is fantastic. The weather and KP index are included and you can add the check list Ironspear provided.
Enjoy your first flight, weather here is to rain until Monday! Very frustrating! [emoji30]checklist
aa2250edc252341e83c64c734bc962d8.png



There are old pilots and there are bold pilots, but there are no old & bold pilots.
Hummingbird Media Productions
 
Hiya Hummingbird. Is that just an iphone app? Cant seem to find it on the play store.
 
Hi Frank, welcome to the forum, which has been really useful for everything really!
I would also recommend Drone Start. There's a few dji features that you can't use, however the rest of it is fantastic. The weather and KP index are included and you can add the check list Ironspear provided.
Enjoy your first flight, weather here is to rain until Monday! Very frustrating! [emoji30]checklist
aa2250edc252341e83c64c734bc962d8.png



There are old pilots and there are bold pilots, but there are no old & bold pilots.
Hummingbird Media Productions
Thanks for the reply but could you direct me to DRONE START....Can't seem to find it. Thanks
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hummingbird
Thanks for the reply but could you direct me to DRONE START....Can't seem to find it. Thanks

Sure, it's in the Apple App store, not sure about Android, but I would imagine so..?
3b4afab5cf7e6554ce92a74ce5bb7dba.png



There are old pilots and there are bold pilots, but there are no old & bold pilots.
Hummingbird Media Productions
 
hmmm, I checked and it is only iOs.
 

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