Today we’ve got my Dad’s DJI Mavic Pro and My DJI Mavic 2 Zoom getting ready for their flight today. Starting things off by going over our flight plans and safety procedures. In my younger years I’d go flying with my Dad out in Castroville. I never got a chance to fly with him due to my inability even pilot an RC car let alone small aircraft.
Mavic Pro 2 on left and Mavic Pro on right
Well now we have DJI Drones and don’t need to go to the flying field like we used to be required to do 20+ years ago. The irony in it is now I am teaching him how to fly a drone. Which btw after 35+ years of flying Remote Controlled aircraft he was still flying the Mavic Pro like it was a plane!
RC Planes back then didn’t really have any of the safety devices and or assisted flying modes. If not all of DJI drones have the ability to fly with GPS lock allowing the pilot to focus on getting better video. Or even providing a more stable aircraft for first time pilots to fly.
I took this photo using my DJI Mavic 2 Zoom & wanted to share this photo of this amazing building, I don’t know if its a house or some sort of lookout facility. Either way its a very cool and interesting building, I’d love to meet the owners!
This is one of my go to spots and I’m gonna be sad when this actually goes from a neighborhood under construction to an actual neighborhood. If anyone knows who owns that house please contact me HERE I’d love to discuss more about this home and possibly fly here once the home is completed and has the owners living in it!!
Welcome to Boerne, Texas, home to the captivating Cibolo Nature Center. Nestled in this picturesque town just a short drive from vibrant San Antonio, the Cibolo Nature Center offers a mesmerizing tapestry of ecosystems across its two campuses, spanning over 160 acres. Explore the miles of trails and immerse yourself in the nurturing and healing power of the outdoors right here in beautiful Boerne.
With its Swap area, Marsh Zone, and Prairie Lands, the Cibolo Nature Center showcases the natural beauty that makes Boerne truly special. Soar through the expansive skies with the 3DR Solo drone, capturing breathtaking landscapes that define Boerne’s charm. Discover the lush haven of the Swap area, teeming with vibrant life. Traverse the Marsh Zone, where delicate wetlands and the symphony of birds create an immersive experience. And don’t miss the Prairie Lands, where native grasses sway, telling stories of Boerne’s storied past.
Beyond its breathtaking landscapes, the Cibolo Nature Center plays a crucial role in preserving Boerne’s environment. The center safeguards the Cibolo Creek watershed, a vital resource contributing over a million gallons of pure water per day to the Trinity and Edwards Aquifers. Boerne’s commitment to sustainability and conservation ensures a reliable source of drinking water for the entire region.
Education is at the heart of the Cibolo Nature Center in Boerne. The center offers a range of programs and workshops, engaging visitors of all ages in learning about the wonders of nature. Whether you’re a child fascinated by the natural world or an adult seeking a deeper connection to the environment, Boerne’s Cibolo Nature Center provides enriching experiences that foster a harmonious coexistence with our surroundings.
While exploring the center, take time to visit the historic Herff Farm, an embodiment of Boerne’s cultural and agrarian roots. The farm stands as a testament to Boerne’s heritage, showcasing the deep connection between the community and the land.
Boerne extends its warm hospitality beyond the Cibolo Nature Center. The town boasts a charming ambiance and a thriving culinary scene. After a day of exploration, indulge in the flavors of Boerne’s local eateries, where fresh ingredients and Texas charm come together to create memorable dining experiences. Engage with the friendly locals, whose welcoming smiles and genuine kindness embody the spirit of this remarkable Boerne community.
Discover the transformative power of the outdoors in Boerne, where the magic of simpler times collides with the boundless wonders of the natural world. The Cibolo Nature Center invites you to connect with Boerne’s enchanting landscapes, providing an unforgettable experience that will leave an indelible mark on your heart. Immerse yourself in Boerne’s rich heritage and the splendor of its natural surroundings, and you’ll understand why Boerne is a destination like no other
If you’d like to check out this wonderful place you can visit their website: https://cibolo.org/
I took this photo with my GoPro Hero 4 Black attached to my 3DR Solo @ Nani Falcone Park in San Antonio, Texas. We just had a big storm on February 20th, 2017 and I was curious as to what this creek looked like after all that rain and wind! The 3DR Solo has a GPS upgrade by a company named mRo and they sell a few aftermarket parts for the 3DR Solo. There are a lot of other Quadcopters out there hovering around but the 3DR Solo is one of the cheapest with the most range of features that you’ll find on a Hobbyist Drone. Unlike many other Multi rotors on the market this one can be modded quite a bit. You can find all kinds of sensors and cameras to make Land Surveying a breeze.
I like that the 3DR Solo offers a range of what they call “Smart Shots” which allow you to do things like take a Drone Selfie or Orbit your selected target and it does this all automatically. Of course you just have to press one button to return your 3DR Solo back to its default flying mode. Each flight can last up to 20 min which of course is affected by the external conditions such as wind, rain, temperature and how the pilot (YOU) fly your aircraft.
Come fly with us in San Antonio, Texas
Call Us (210) 549-6046 Or contact us For more details Here
If you’d like to start flying today you can Contact Us now and we can get you started today! We offer the following:
I just picked up my 3DR Solo this last week and have been flying it whenever I get the time. I also wanted to register with the FAA since it only costs $5 to do so. I am now licensed to fly legally, and will soon be getting my Part 107. You can contact us with questions here.
If you still hurry you might be able to purchase one from Best Buy or another local Computer store, if you already own a GoPro you should definitely pick up while you still can. I will upload some more mods as I do them, so far I plan on upgrading the GPS, HDMI cables, and adding some Moon gel.
You can use your cell phone to view the live video feed that is streamed from the 3DR back to you on the ground, but I decided to upgrade to a tablet instead. I decided I needed one with good battery life and it must have GPS in order for the “Smart Shots” to work. So I went with a Lenovo Tab from Amazon, it works really well and its much easier to plan out missions on. However there are many compatible tablets that can be used such as the ever popular iPad lineup
Time For some upgrades!
I decided to use my #Flashforge 3D Printer to print out some upgrade parts from Thingiverse. I went with a new Gimbal clips that prevents the GoPro from falling out of the Gimbal while your flying. The clip that comes installed from the factory requires that you remove the GoPro in order to remove your Micro Sd Card.
The picture shown on the bottom right shows a simple upgrade that can be 3D Printed if you know or have your own printer, it allows you access to your Micro Sd card without the need to remove your GoPro.
Carbon Fiber Gimbal Clip for the #GoPro on the 3DR Solo, download from thingiverse http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1479896
If your running the 3DR Solo with a Gimbal like I am you might also want to consider some leg extensions, that will help your GoPro & Gimbal clear the Grass or any obstacles low to the ground. They are easily installed, all you need to do is remove the old clips and snap these in their place!
So Father’s day was last week and I decided to build my Dad a new 250mm Quadcopter so we can finally race each other. I wanted to make a build video but went with a Time-lapse of the build and its pretty cool IMO. I still need to test fly it and finishing the PID tuning. So far I have some issues when trying to spool up the motors, I am going to troubleshoot it this week. Click HERE to find out more info on your own custom Quadcopter Build.
Using my Flashforge Creator Pro 3D Printer I was able to make some custom parts for this FPV Quadcopter, one of which is a low profile spacer that allows you to put all of the electronics inside the frame including the ESC’s which makes for a super clean build as show below.
The Flight Controller is running Cleanflight but I might switch it over to Betaflight, I still need to look into the recent changes of both Cleanflight and Betaflight.
Its running:
Skyline32 Flight Controller
FlySky TH-9 Transmitter
2500mah LiPo Battery
Carbon Fiber 250mm Quadcopter Frame (ZMR250)
Power Distribution Board
2000kV motors
Soon I will be posting a test flight video of this aircraft.
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