Questions... sport mode, wind, drift....wine...

[Northwood Mediaworks]

Hi all. Okay, first, let me admit I have had a beverage or two.... so, when I searched, I might have glazed over the answers.... (Occifer, I am not as think as you drunk I am!)

I have just completed flights 29 to 31 with my beloved Spark (yay!). I have 15km under my props, which is not much, but that's all relative eh?... since May 31 or so. Its been a learning and sharing experience so far, you have all graciously forgiven my endless serires of trees and farmland... *thank you thank you thank you... All of that so far has been nearly entirely in GPS mode. I have now ventured into Sport, and noticed something today I had not seen so much before.

When flying out over my forest today, which was quite windy earlier... (borderline dont fly) I was using Sport mode, but not full throttle all of the time, and noted that I appeared to be drifting a little to one side as I moved forward (I was flying south, the screen showed a little drift to the east as I went along), to the extent that I had to make a minor course direction. Back in GPS mode, not an issue.

Is that to be expected? I have not calibrated for some time, I check sensors before every take off, all looked good today... like any other day. I have the luxury of wide open sparsley populated lands to fly around, so I have not encountered any requests to calibrate. I did get a couple of wind warnings over my three flights this weekend... at diffferent altitudes... I am going to review the logs (with tomorrow's coffee in hand, not tonight's merlot).

Thanks all... now, tarbender, make mine a duzzle!

 

[Bob Johnston]

You know what they say about drinking and driving! Anyways, the sideways probably secondary to the ac adjusting to a crosswind. Keepi in mind that fi you think its too windy on the ground its a lot windier aloft. Avoid flying back in to the winds if your at distance from home point.

 

[graywoulf]

The next thing is that you are going to try some mod to get maximum speed and try to see if you can fly your Spark to Toronto and back.

 

[Northwood Mediaworks]

You know what they say about drinking and driving! Anyways, the sideways probably secondary to the ac adjusting to a crosswind. Keepi in mind that fi you think its too windy on the ground its a lot windier aloft. Avoid flying back in to the winds if your at distance from home point.

Ya, I always review UAVForecast to get the wind profile all the way up... it was borderline, but I've been up on similar days, but not in sport mode, and saw no drift. The wind was blowing from the west, so that would explain a little of the drift, I just thought the GPS lock would be stronger when in Sportmode. Thanks for the comments Bob.., appreciated.

And, the drinking was after the flying! Starting the mission into the wind is always the best policy, so one has the tail wind on the way back home. Good advice for all.

 

[Northwood Mediaworks]

The next thing is that you are going to try some mod to get maximum speed and try to see if you can fly your Spark to Toronto and back.

Well, if I could ride along with it, that 5 hour drive would be a thing of the past! (would need to be one hell of a mod!)

 

[Spark 317]

And, the drinking was after the flying!

Good advice.

It may be tempting when hanging out with the gang and decide, "I'm cool, I only had a few" and sneak in a quick flight with the guys.

Remove the props from the Spark.... don't forget the spares, and give them to the designated "driver" for the duration of good times.

Fly safe.

 

[Northwood Mediaworks]

Indeed, the law in Canada states you cannot fly while consuming alcohol or drugs. And, that post was a bit of whimsy, I had one glass of wine! Was hoping for a few grins and guffaws...

 

[Spark 317]

Yeah I was wondering if it was Wine or Whine.

 

[Northwood Mediaworks]

Yeah I was wondering if it was Wine or Whine.

Ha ha, pass the cheese please

 

[Andre Levite]

Prop damage is another potential source of drift. Close physical inspection could find some minor damage. Warps or bends even harder too detect. You should have a spare set of props - maybe give those a try for comparison.

 

[Koala Tails]

You probably list to one side when you “Cut the Cheese”, so Rue-Be-Red flew with a tilt !!!
I blame the pilot for any drift when I fly in sport mode, the sticks are so sensitive. I have learned not to fly near anything in sport mode.

 

[Northwood Mediaworks]

You probably list to one side when you “Cut the Cheese”, so Rue-Be-Red flew with a tilt !!!
I blame the pilot for any drift when I fly in sport mode, the sticks are so sensitive. I have learned not to fly near anything in sport mode.

It WAS windy, ha ha! You are probably right, I probably had my thumb on the stick without realizing it was moving ever so slightly to the left.

 

[Northwood Mediaworks]

Prop damage is another potential source of drift. Close physical inspection could find some minor damage. Warps or bends even harder too detect. You should have a spare set of props - maybe give those a try for comparison.

Definitely a great suggestion, will do an inspection, these have 31 flights on them, I am pretty careful, but have cut grass once or twice.... I do have a spare set. Going to purchase more I think...

How often do you all change your props?

 

[Koala Tails]

How often do you all change your props?

I check mine for damage before going flying, and recheck if I don’t palm-land. If a prop has any damage it gets tossed. Tic Tac would probably fly fine with a tiny crack in a props trailing edge, but figure that it will only get worse, its 1 risk that is easily eliminated