Near flight collisions

[AF_Flyer]

I got my drone last week and got to fly once Saturday and once Sunday. After viewing my video footage I've had two close calls, one with a bird & another with a rather large bumblebee. Considering how small the Spark it I wouldn't want to hit either.

With that said is this normal for drone flying or is it more prevalent because it's such a small UAV?

 

[Advexure]

I got my drone last week and got to fly once Saturday and once Sunday. After viewing my video footage I've had two close calls, one with a bird & another with a rather large bumblebee. Considering how small the Spark it I wouldn't want to hit either.

With that said is this normal for drone flying or is it more prevalent because it's such a small UAV?

Very normal. Have seen a lot of close calls with birds of the years...particularly swallows.

Spark Props spin at a pretty good RPM and I would think that even the largest bee out there would just get sliced. At least we should hope it's able to stand up to one.

 

[Dronason]

From time to time, you will have to clean the propellers
Check also camera and all avoidance windows (front and bottom).

 

[aviscomi]

I've flown into various swarms of insects...as stated above just clean off all the crap and you'll be good to go.

 

[Sparkbart]

Not uncommon to fly in to bugs or swarms of bugs I've not done so yet with the Spark but have with my other drones. Regarding birds, I have seen a bird of prey, maybe a hawk of some type makes its way over to my drone when I was flying over a woody area by a stream. Must have been close to the nest or something. When I saw it approaching my P4, I put it in sport mode, dropped altitude, and made zig-zagged my way back close to me....

 

[SeanR]

Despite my better judgement I've flown over a nearby Osprey nest twice, they are not fond of my presence and I usually flip on sport mode to ensure I get outa there quick. I also have the same Ospreys fishing in the lake behind my house everyday I've attempted to get video of them a few times with little success. I keep the altitude high once they are flying to steer clear of them.

I'd assume the spark could take out most bugs, but most birds would likely give it trouble. I was chased by a seagull at the beach the other day, I've heard they are possibly the worst. The osprey isn't too interested in the drone but the seagulls actually follow it a bit.

 

[Dronason]

Despite my better judgement I've flown over a nearby Osprey nest twice, they are not fond of my presence and I usually flip on sport mode to ensure I get outa there quick. I also have the same Ospreys fishing in the lake behind my house everyday I've attempted to get video of them a few times with little success. I keep the altitude high once they are flying to steer clear of them.

I'd assume the spark could take out most bugs, but most birds would likely give it trouble. I was chased by a seagull at the beach the other day, I've heard they are possibly the worst. The osprey isn't too interested in the drone but the seagulls actually follow it a bit.

I hear the same about seagull and all videos show them agressive and defending their territory. I try always to avoid them.

 

[Texy]

It seems like at least one hawk and a couple of sparrows always come out to look at any drone I fly. I took some pictures of a flock of vultures on some power lines and scared them all away.