Drones/Planes

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • Rainmaker
    Der Printermeister
    • Jul 2020
    • 1558
    • Cincinnati

    #16
    My son and I got into the Drone world last summer. We had 5 at one point. but back down to jjust two at the moment: 5 inch custom build, and a BetaFPV Air75, both analog. The tiny whoop Air75 is by far much more fun for us (small neighborhood, small back yard, can fly it indoors). The 5" is super cool, but wereally have to only fly it in bigger areas, which we just don't get out and do often. Future plan is to get a couple HD whoops, DJI o4 lite, and some used DJI goggles.
    Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_1529.jpg
Views:	240
Size:	3.37 MB
ID:	811044 Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_1554.jpg
Views:	220
Size:	3.20 MB
ID:	811045 Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_1522.jpg
Views:	213
Size:	3.86 MB
ID:	811046
    Rainmaker's feedback: https://www.mcarterbrown.com/forum/b...maker-feedback

    Comment

    • Rainmaker
      Der Printermeister
      • Jul 2020
      • 1558
      • Cincinnati

      #17
      The build process was my absolute favorite part... maybe eve more than actually flying

      Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0505.jpg
Views:	221
Size:	3.44 MB
ID:	811050 Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0522.jpg
Views:	241
Size:	2.00 MB
ID:	811049
      Rainmaker's feedback: https://www.mcarterbrown.com/forum/b...maker-feedback

      Comment

      • ChillswitchEngage
        Bunker Buster
        • Jul 2021
        • 231

        #18
        Want to try and get back into RC flying, specifically with a BetaFPV Meteor75. For now I've just been flying in some sims with a Radiomaster Pocket. I'm decent at flying, but my worry is my attention span. I can typically only go ~5-10min in a sim before I want to switch to something else. Is this common with other people in sims vs flying in real life? I worry it may not actually be for me.

        Comment


        • Reflex0283
          Reflex0283 commented
          Editing a comment
          I find that it helps to fly in the sim while also doing another mindless activity like listening to the radio, music, a good video essay, talking with friends, anything. I think that it might help with building that familiarity with flying, kind of like driving a car feels like an extension of your body
      • Rainmaker
        Der Printermeister
        • Jul 2020
        • 1558
        • Cincinnati

        #19
        Well, you are in luck ChillswitchEngage. A 1S LiHV battery on your Meteor75 is going to last you about 5 to 7 minutes. This works out great for me too, because then I can land and pull the goggles off, fiddle with something or take a drink, and then plug in a new battery for another 5 minutes or so.
        Rainmaker's feedback: https://www.mcarterbrown.com/forum/b...maker-feedback

        Comment

        • ChillswitchEngage
          Bunker Buster
          • Jul 2021
          • 231

          #20
          Glad to say that I finally bit the bullet and ordered myself a Meteor75 Pro II from BetaFPV🎉. Unfortunately the batteries are coming separately and a bit later than the drone itself but no worries, just gives me all the more time to practice in the sims.

          Comment

          • Reflex0283
            Professional Idiot
            • May 2025
            • 651
            • Connecticut

            #21
            I'm looking to get an air75 soon, I want to be able to fly during the winter and I don't think my university would appreciate flying a 5" indoors

            Comment

            • Chuck E Ducky
              Ragnastock Enforcer
              • Jul 2020
              • 6269
              • NY

              #22
              Soon… Blades came damaged unfortunately.
              Attached Files

              Comment


              • Chuck E Ducky
                Chuck E Ducky commented
                Editing a comment
                I guess that depends how big your balls are. Probably not going to fly is all that high off the ground not in it anyway. You can fly it remotely. It’s an ultralight eVTOL aircraft under FAA Federal Aviation Regulation, which means it does not require a traditional pilot's license to operate. This classification allows it to be treated as a recreational vehicle rather than a certified aircraft.
                Last edited by Chuck E Ducky; 09-25-2026, 06:16 PM.

              • Rainmaker
                Rainmaker commented
                Editing a comment
                Any news on this thing Chuck E Ducky?

              • Chuck E Ducky
                Chuck E Ducky commented
                Editing a comment
                Still waiting on the blades they are currently stuck in customs unfortunately. I fixed the ones that came with it but I don't trust them spinning by my face at who knows how many Revolutions Per Minute it takes to lift my fat ass I’m the air lol.
            • ChillswitchEngage
              Bunker Buster
              • Jul 2021
              • 231

              #23
              Had my first flight today at a park, was an absolute blast, if a little bit nerve wrecking for the first battery while I got used to it. A better headset is definitely in my near future, I seem to get pretty poor range with them and the 3in screen makes it hard to see much of what's on the ground.
              Attached Files

              Comment

              • Rainmaker
                Der Printermeister
                • Jul 2020
                • 1558
                • Cincinnati

                #24
                If you swap out those stick antennas with a clover leaf and a patch or a pagoda, your range will get better. Nice to see that you got it flying and had fun!!
                Rainmaker's feedback: https://www.mcarterbrown.com/forum/b...maker-feedback

                Comment


                • ChillswitchEngage
                  ChillswitchEngage commented
                  Editing a comment
                  Gotcha! I'll have to see about getting new antennas then. For now, I've simply bumped up the VTX power from 25mw to 100mw in the Betaflight config, hoping that helps on my next flight today for video range.
              • ChillswitchEngage
                Bunker Buster
                • Jul 2021
                • 231

                #25
                Swapping to a pagoda + cloverleaf on the headset definitely seems to make a difference in the range and average video quality, thanks for the suggestion.Rainmaker

                Getting slightly better with it. Man, consistent soft landings are HARD though. I thought the pad would be sufficient size for the tiny drone. Nah, I need a full size tarp for a landing pad lol.
                Attached Files

                Comment

                • Rainmaker
                  Der Printermeister
                  • Jul 2020
                  • 1558
                  • Cincinnati

                  #26
                  Nice! I'm glad the antennas made a difference.

                  For landing, i've gotten into the(bad?) habit of just throwing a blanket or a jacket on the ground and more-or-less just crash landing into that. Or sometimes I'll fly while sitting in the car, and i'll just fly it in through the open window and let it crash into whatever. Reasonably soft, i'm not like speeding into the crash or anything. But my Air75 has "landed" this way several dozen times with no damage so far, haha.
                  Rainmaker's feedback: https://www.mcarterbrown.com/forum/b...maker-feedback

                  Comment


                  • ChillswitchEngage
                    ChillswitchEngage commented
                    Editing a comment
                    Yeah, the extent of most of my "landings" have been from being disarmed while still a few feet off the ground and falling in the grass, or on myself lol. I can see the props getting tiny chips in them but otherwise, the thing seems to be a relative tank all things considered.
                    Last edited by ChillswitchEngage; Yesterday, 09:37 PM.
                • Reflex0283
                  Professional Idiot
                  • May 2025
                  • 651
                  • Connecticut

                  #27
                  Click image for larger version

Name:	image.png
Views:	4
Size:	7.33 MB
ID:	893351Got a used air65 in the mail yesterday along with some decent analog goggles, unfortunately I don't have any 1S batteries yet so I can't do a whole lot aside from looking at betaflight and going through the previous owner's DVR footage (he forgot to take his microSD out I guess). Also it's FRsky instead of ELRS so I need to solder a different receiver on when I get the chance.

                  I also knew it'd be small, but I feel like I was expecting it to be at least a little bit bigger. Its footprint is smaller than a single prop on my 5" lmao

                  Comment

                  Working...