RustyStainless
Active Member
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- Sep 17, 2017
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- 37
The first part is correct, but the secondThen you shouldn’t take off. Relocate to an area where you can get gps.
Ok... I got my new, replacement Spark yesterday after losing GPS and crashing into trees. I should have been able to control it in ATTI but in the panic as it flew away fast, I couldn't respond fast enough. After receiving it, I wrote to Tech Support to ask what the "diagnosis" was. This is the first response.
"Our technicians concluded that it was a user error since the last recorded command were your input controls when you were trying to regain control. As for the reason the Spark lost GPS signal was the fact that there was weak satellite signals attributed by underground wires such as fiber optics and other electrical wiring with a certain frequency range overlapping over the satellite signal."
I wrote back to say I was at the edge of a small inlet and marsh with no wires, towers, buildings, NOTHING around for miles. I didn't see any reason for any disastrous interference with satellite signals.
He responded:
"The only data they have was the flight logs saved on your crashed Spark. And that data simply shows the recorded flight and system issues the drone was experiencing an the time. External factors would be difficult to determine as all they can go by would be GPS coordinates during the time of the incident.
Since the data shows that there was still connectivity with the remote during the flight the crash would not be considered as a drone malfunction but due to factors than voided the warranty. And with that last known command before impact was your input commands.
While specifically not considered your fault due to the fact you were simply trying to regain control but the conclusion and end result was as data stated. All in all it was an unfortunate unforeseen incident."
So... bottom line. Pilot error. I'm assuming because I had been driving with the Spark and did NOT calibrate the compass before flying, the GPS system failed. I have to assume this because I don't want to be afraid to fly for fear of losing control again. I want it to have been MY fault... something I can prevent by learning to be a better pilot. Hopefully this is true.
"I'm assuming because I had been driving with the Spark and did NOT calibrate the compass before flying, the GPS system failed."
How can you just assume this? What evidence do you have to support this notion. How many flights had you previously completed before this event?
DJI's assessment was: "As for the reason the Spark lost GPS signal was the fact that ...."
Their assessment was that "the Spark lost GPS" for reasons that don't seem believable from your (Rick's) assessment of the surrounding environment. (Since they acknowledge that they can look-up the last known GPS coordinates, I don't know why they couldn't just look it up on Google Maps)
That doesn't change the fact that the "Spark lost GPS".
They did not mention the compass. They would have the diagnostic ability to pinpoint an un-calibrated compass and they would have pinned it on you easily.
And regarding the compass-GPS interaction, you mentioned (whilst acknowledging your sketchy understanding):
"From what I understand, it's not so much that you're losing GPS as it is that the GPS system needs a good compass to work. The GPS only registers a POINT on the map. The compass is what the Spark uses to update it's location by knowing what direction it's moving. So, apparently, if the GPS system thinks it's going north, but the bad compass is heading west, all hell breaks loose."
Not correct. The Compass is merely telling you which direction the front of the craft is pointed. This is helpful if your were trying to fly in a tight space and needed to be sure which way the craft would go when you push the joy stick forward (or back, left, right). It can help you "before" you make an action.
Yes the GPS plots points at different time intervals to calculate speed and direction traveled (past tense, after the travel has occurred). With a Quadcopter, that travel may have happened going forward, in reverse or side ways.
There is an illusion that they are working together, but they are not. They might come in the same package, but they are not dependent on each other.
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