So I launched my drone for some beach shots

[SHRED]

I'm on a knoll and it's pretty windy. My goal was to go out over the ocean and take some shots of the coast.

This DJI Phantom 3A is a technical marvel.
It has many sensors.
It didn't like me launching from a metal reinforced concrete bench.
Preflight checked out fine but when I got the bird in the air I lost all contact with the gps satellites and I had to fly it "by the seat of my pants" so to speak. The gps really stabilizes the flight and with out it it's much harder to fly.
Fortunately I had practiced a few times without GPS assistance.

Here is the harrowing video.
I just about lost this one.
I was really nervous during this flight.
A hard landing but its okay.

[samnsara]

1. beautiful!! I have a Phantom as well but....

....im scared to get it very high. I keep thinking its going to fall to earth and crash and burn or hit someone on the head

[SHRED]

2. I suggest...

...learning to fly in ATTI mode in a safe place.

It came in handy for me this time.

[alfredo]

3. Looking forward to more.

[SHRED]

4. Thanks

But more under control next time. .LOL

[alfredo]

15. Maybe you can do some shark hunting.

[SHRED]

20. I've got to get brave enough

Brave enough to fly over water after that.
It's a psychological thing considering a drop on to hard surfaces would wreck it also.

[alfredo]

21. Sooner or later you will have to give it a try.

One thing I noticed with new motorcycle owners. They are OK until about the third month. That was about when they think they are getting good at this. If they are lucky, they come away with road rash. If not, their motorcycle is sold as is to pay medical bills.

[barbtries]

5. where is this?

if you don't mind

[SHRED]

6. North side of SRF

Self Realization Fellowship ("Swami's&quot Encinitas, CA.

[angstlessk]

7. You just convinced me to purchase my 1st drone!

Holy Stone F181 RC Quadcopter Drone with HD Camera RTF 4 Channel 2.4GHz 6-Gyro Headless System Black (Upgraded with Altitude Hold Function)

A beginner's drone.

Hope you didn't 'steer' me in the wrong direction

[SHRED]

8. Cool...

When you're ready the DJI line up is cream of the crop.

The Phantom 3 Pro can be had for a good price now. It has a really good camera. Same with the Phantom 3 Advanced.
The Phantom 4 Pro has a 1" Sony CMOS chip. It's real nice.

When the DJI Mavic Pro gets a camera like the P4P I'll get that.

[angstlessk]

11. Looking at the Phantom 3...IF...

...we decide we like/love doing drone...that is the next purchase..or do more research....time will tell.

But, thanks for the idea of a new interest, which could blossom!

[SHRED]

13. Here's a great place

https://phantompilots.com

[SHRED]

9. I've heard good things about those drones

Have fun.

[angstlessk]

12. I will keep you updated on our experience.

I will seek you out and just post some experience good or bad

[SHRED]

14. Please do

Glad to help.

I'm new at this also.

[Hoyt]

10. Very cool.

[elias7]

16. Not going to be a popular question, but

where do drone aficionados stand on privacy issues? I saw one shot in this video coming up behind a residence, I've seen a drone hovering above a peopled beach and felt very uncomfortable, I've heard of a father having to defend his actions after shooting down a drone that was hovering over his teenage daughter sunbathing in the now non existent privacy of the family home.

[SHRED]

17. There was the condo building

The other house on that lot to the south is part of SRF. It's occupied rarely. I've never seen anyone there.
My goal was to head out quickly a few hundred yards offshore to get some pics of the point. I was on and over public property heading out over the ocean with not needing to fly over people or a road.

I'm very sensitive to privacy as most pilots are. It's like anything...It's going to be the few who are careless that ruin it for others.
Mine would make a lousy spy camera.
No zoom.
Noisy like a swarm of bees.
Limited flight time.

I hear your concerns. It's what a lot of people ask about but all the pilots I've ever conversed with online are not interested in the least of wasting their precious battery time spying.

[elias7]

18. This is good to know.

That it's discussed means to me that there's some sort of flyer's etiquette, and that it is rare means to me that it's like anything else. Sorry to sully the thread, but thank you for opening my eyes.

[SHRED]

19. Glad to help

I'm on two major drone discussion boards and this topic comes up at times. The anger towards those pilots who are careless is palpable.

On retrospect I should not have launched there. Something bad can always happen and that spot, in the wind, could have really been a problem like hitting those condos.
I got lucky with my limited flying skills while not on gps assist and I learned a valuable lesson.