DJI Phantom 2 - How-To AVOID FLYAWAYS, UPDATE

Drone Camps RC shows new pilots important info on how to avoid a flyaway with your Phantom or DJI multi rotor. If you would like to add your own tip please do so and share with the community in the comment section below.
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[@kalikaputra]

Thanks guys. Not much advertisements and straight knowledge. Perfect.

[@campep88]

Best DJI tips video I have seen. I am on my second DJI Phantom, as I lost my first one into the ocean due to a flyaway. I just had a similar incident, but managed to regain control because luckily enough I had the altitude to do it. I was flying it at a port around tall light towers and a lot of wireless signals around.

[@TampaAerialMedia]

great point with the Solar Activity Monitor and using Home lock.

[@dronecamps]

CelebrationsTampaBay thanks we use SAM a lot before we fly.

[@Drmerlin604]

This is a really helpful video. I have been flying for a few months and observe almost all of these tips. However, I hadn't thought of the solar flare thing... Thanks for publishing such an expert video...

[@jeffsanderson-lefthookboxing]

Great Information, I am a newbie pilot and had my first flyaway this afternoon.. Thank god there was no Damage done. I wish i would have seen this video prior. Thank you so much for such helpful information. I love this industry and the more education I get the better off I am. Thank you I am now a subscriber to your channel.

[@BalinHewitt]

Great information that I really never thought about. I am really new to flying drones...bought a Phantom 2 with Zenmuse V2.0 bundle. So far I've had a blast. I've taken it far over the ocean and it's sketchy when it's a tiny dot. Might keep it a bit closer now. I don't have a FPV yet so I guess that's a good thing learning to really "fly" the drone rather than use the monitor. The battery going below 30% was EXTREMELY helpful. I've had the drone return to home twice. The second time it almost landed 15 feet from where it took off(not a good thing at all). So, make sure you have a 30' foot clear take off radius with no trees around or buildings. Thanks again great video!

[@OneDamNote]

Flew about 5-6 hours on the Heli-X Simulator plus some more indoor flying with a micro copter. Grabbed the Phantom 2 v2.0 for my first flight. Phantom Mode, no wind, practice take off and basic left right movements. It's super easy to fly in phantom mode. Great for the camera work we will be doing with it. We also removed the camera for until we get a few more flights. Thank you for the tips and info.

[@philravell1129]

The best honest video I have ever seen. thank you

[@coriscotupi]

Variation on tip#13: Whenever possible, fly upwind from you. It will always be easier to come back home with a tailwind on the return leg.

[@MrBillyhedge]

corisco tupi That is a sensible tip. Thank you.

[@jkspinalchoice]

corisco tupi Great tip, Thank You!!

[@carloscadorna]

corisco tupi Absolutely true!... Full of vids from guys traveling long distances downwind. Minutes later, sweating, begging and praying for batt life during an upwind RTH at half the previous speed.

[@robertdepaulis5188]

When I used to fly ultra lights , one of the cheapest and best tools we used was a wind sock on a large pole attached to my trailer .You could judge the wind speed and direction by just looking at it and that was when I was flying .

[@Lets_Go_Ade]

Thanks for this, Great tips. I see what you mean by getting used to look at the aircraft more often rather than the FPV screen.

[@prohomevideos]

Great explanation and it sounds exactly what happened to me. Was flying around and all of the sudden, quad started going in a an unwanted direction and I watched it go out of sight, very sad! I have a comment, what do you think about this? Along with what you have suggested, what do you think about just after take off, hitting RTH and verify that it truly does RTH. If the gps spot is incorrect and it started heading in a different direction, at least you will only be a few feet off the ground and the quad will run into something instead of flying away above the treeline.

[@robybabe4461]

Great tips.. Looking forward to flying my new Phantom 2 plus as soon as the weather changes here in the UK. I wouldn't recommend flying in any sort of rain & also flying into low cloud as it would affect the electronics & probably either drop out of the sky or do a runner... Cheers

[@dronecamps]

Roby babe thanks!

[@shawnpisciotti304]

Great video man! I fix a lot of these that crashed and went into the water..most of the problems are user error and like you said people being impatient by not waiting for home lock. I have 5 phantoms and several hundred flights and haven't lost one yet!

[@GiantClamRestoration]

Hi. Excellent, thank you. I am consideriing an application on a very remote island where there is no WiFi. Could the system you have here be used to map coral configurations in such a WiFi free zone? Thanks.

[@dronecamps]

+Charley Waters yes the copter uses onboard wifi. No need for cell service. Fly and map anywhere

[@adriancozumel2022]

Thanks for the video. I had a friend just given me a P2V and this video is been helpful!!!!

[@ziggyzbeak]

Justin can I upgrade the transmitter on the phantom 3 standard? great tips thanks

[@huntjunky1]

One of the most frequent events, I hear of, is the lack of setting an appropriate "Return To Home" altitude, prior to flight. This scenario has produced some of the most entertaining footage. Myriad of victims...trees mostly, buildings, water tanks, chimneys, waterfall, rock cliff and even a satellite dish.

[@tonyhughes1751]

Thanks, very interesting tips. Will be flying mine very soon and will keep in mind your informative vid/tip's. Cheers.

[@billaylard2992]

Excellent presentation. Thanks for the battery info. Have a great day.

[@dronecamps]

Bill Aylard hey you are most welcome. Thanks for watching Bill! - Justin

[@Tsan1010]

Great advice advice for any brand of multi rotor, Thank you

[@dronecamps]

John VanDalen You are very welcome!

[@lovehappycouk]

When start up procedure has been followed correctly, should the green light be on the whole time or flashing? Also once the drone is started should the red lights at the front end be on static?

[@ehyouman]

Just ordered my phantom 2, great video brought up some things I never considered

[@doubleainvest]

Some good pointers there which I will take on board as a new pilot. Two quick things. Just letting you know I am using the Go Pro Hero 4 on the gimble of my Phantom 2 Version 2 and it works fine. Same size as the Hero 3 but a little lighter. Secondly....can you tell me when I fly in Naza mode does it still have all the fail safes as in Phantom mode? I found in Naza Mode it took longer to acquire the GPS mode. Then after some research I understood the red flashing lights and Green light set up.

[@tmoney7779]

That was an awesome video. Thank u. I wish i watched this before my first flight. Would have saved $100 in parts i had to buy to fix from crash! I kind of wish hobby Shops forced you to watch something like this before you spent $500+ on a quad. Would save a lot of crashes and money. Thanks again, great advice!

[@londonjacks8371]

Very useful information for a new Quad Copter owner.

[@roryyesmont364]

Thanks alot do you have a video on where and where not legal to fly

[@robertbowen9417]

I really appreciate your instruction video. I just got my first gps drone and unfortunately my first one decided, when I brought it in, to stop responding to the transmitter. I am getting a replacement but haven't got it yet. I like finding out all I can before I sent it up again. You know, an ounce of prevention....

[@JFV1134]

Part of my preflight checklist is putting my phone into airplane mode. There is no reason to have it on during my flight and it's just another source of potential interference gone.

[@dronecamps]

JFV1134 very good idea. Esp if you get a phone call while flying!

[@stampfle]

JFV1134 If your phone is in airplane mode, how does it connect with wireless? Can you still connect your phone to your drone?

[@JFV1134]

I don't use the phone for my drone. I have a gopro and a separate video transmitter with a black pearl receiver/screen.

[@silentdrive3243]

Awesome general information for any GPS drone.

[@olayinkaolatunde3028]

What would be the best camera upgrade for the phantom 2 and controller, also with the antenna extension? Thanks.

[@tomchristensen2914]

I just bought my first good drone. It is a used phantom 2 with a gimbal. But what do I use to check satalites on my phone since there is no dji go for the 2

[@sagaloobie]

as a beginer i would find it very usefull knowing what i have to get next to be able to use and see my gopro three as i use my phantom 2 spirit of flight. in all i have seen so much differing equipment i know i have to get some equipment to enable the use of my gopro 3 and i own a ipad .......i suppose im just saying im not sure but i do love my phantom and will be using it for photo and video capture when i know how, regards phill.

[@robedwardsmusic]

Awesome vid just bought a phantom and wanna be thorough! Thank you

[@jeffreyrobinson7896]

I learned to fly on a Cheerson CX-20. I crashed it so many times I finally had to transfer all the electronics to a 450 Flamewheel. Had trouble with the GPS, failing, acting eratic etc, etc...On its last flight. it shot up and I lost it in the sun. By the time I dealt with the sun it was gone. My buddy that was with me saw it and said it was just a spec. I never saw it again. Since then, I got a great deal on a Phantom 2 but I'm scared to fly it over 75-100 feet or so. Fear is not a good emotion while flying a quad, lol...I keep telling myself it's a hobby grade toy, just have fun with it...still a bit nervous when I put it in the air. It flys great and responds better on its worst day than the CX-20 on its best. Any sugestions ? I always make sure I have 7 or more satalites too !Thnkin about trading it in for a RC car or a Boat..lol...Flying is so much more fun tho. Maybe I'll get over the fear, I certainly hope so Thanks

[@dronecamps]

Hi Jeffery. Some friendly advice is this. They all can have issues. No matter if they are on the ground or in the air. The best thing about flying is the challenge of getting in back in one piece. That to me is the fun part. Calibrate your compass each time you go out to fly. That will help the GPS get a good idea of where you are and the copter will fly better. Phantoms are reliable to a point. Some people have them for years. Others days. Just depends on the pilot and sometimes the equipment. Like a car. Some are good. Some are lemons. I never know with an RC anything if I got a lemon or not until about the 50th flight. Even then things can break. Sorry about your fly away. It's happened to me too. Some advice... put your name and phone number and reward if found on it. Someone nice might call you and give it back. I would keep flying and growing to learn the drone and fix it when it crashes. Soon you'll love flying... And being scared is a good thing. Keep it close in and learn to fly it without relying on GPS. You'll be a better pilot. - Kindly, JD.

[@jeffreyrobinson7896]

Thanks J.D. The first thing I did was put my name, Ph# and the word "reward" but not an amount. I also put my FAA reistration info as required...thanks for your videos, I've gotten alot of good insight from them, I will continue to watch. I'm 63 on the 16th of this month, My beautiful wife, guitars and drones are all I have at this point of my life. (in that order) Soooo, thats it. Only been fling less than a year, but I get better every time out. Thanks again ! P.S, I fly a mini quad every spare lunch and break time at work, it's helping alot with control.

[@danieljohnston5306]

Tip 10, will aircraft mode on your cell stop interference if needed?

[@remoteperspectives]

Great tips, thanks. I'm guessing that for tip 10 you could activate flight mode on your mobile to kill EM signals that may interfere with compass calibration and deactivate flight mode once the compass has loaded?

[@jhodges405]

Thank You for the info, I am a new flyer and I learned a lot from this video. I have a question I have two drones, I have the DJI FC40 and the DJI Vision 2 plus. (My wife bought the fc40 for Christmas and did not know I had ordered the vision2) Can I fly both at the same time or will they interfere with each other

[@dronecamps]

jhodges405 you can fly them at the same time.

[@jhodges405]

Drone Camps RC Thank you the wife is getting into flying to this is turning in to something more then just a hobby LOL

[@JohnS916]

Very good common sense tips, I glad I found this since I'm considering buying a quad. thanks

[@JohnS916]

As usual with humans, a few yahoos ruin it for the majority

[@tatecummins]

Can I use the home base feature to fly back each flight? We will be using these in a high school course and I'm trying to figure out the easiest way for our students. Thanks - great video.

[@dronecamps]

Tate Cummins we would suggest flying back to home yourself. A fly to home operation can have it land in a 30ft radius of where it took off from. Just to be safe. Let us know if you need any Phantoms!

[@robnielsen8141]

Great tips. Should make for some safe flying for all.

[@dronecamps]

Rob Nielsen thank you!

[@sondreh.srheim7266]

Best channel for drone tips :D

[@silentdrive3243]

Amusing your channel for homework cuz I'm a new flyer but I want to get really seriously into it and as I mentioned before I want to get a Airfield going on here in Massachusetts.

[@popwall4297]

Brian Marcou you should learn how to form sentences first

[@MrBillyhedge]

Great video. Great tips Thank you. Can you tell me how would one know how many satellites are visible?

[@GigiEscorpiao]

Justin How many hours do you need to charge the battery for it overcharge?

[@FadilAziz71]

Very very helpful video. Thanks. Do you have any video on what we have to do when up in the air, something goes wrong, lost control of the drone? I think it is also important as we'll experience it somehow. Another question is, how close is 'too close' to steel structure, antennas, radio station, power lines? The maximum proximity?

[@dronecamps]

Fadil Aziz you are most welcome !

[@mddrudge]

Thanks for the great video! One question about cell phone proximity during compass calibration: Is it the cell signal/frequency that interferes with the compass calibration? If so, would'nt having it in airplane mode prevent this? AND, what if you are using a tablet that does NOT have cell service, but only wifi to connect to the Phantom? Thanks again!

[@dronecamps]

mddrudge normally I suggest having your phone well away from the Phantom when it is loading the GPS before take off.

[@murigius1]

Great question, MD. Answers?

[@dronecamps]

You should be fine with a tablet with no cell service. Having the phone away from the Phantom 2 is just something DJI had us doing since the beginning. Just so there is no chance for error.

[@Shotgunwilli1965]

I bought a phantom 2 vision plus, is there an app that will work on this Quad

[@paulleingang7580]

How far away from a radio tower is recommended? I'm going to be doing research on a small island that's about 1 square kilometer and has a radio tower basically right in the middle of it.

[@normanporst8856]

Regarding the SAM app. Could you expand on what the app is showing. How many different colors / messages are for each field, Solar X-Rays and Geomagnetic field. Currently mine shows M Class Flare?? and Unsettled, both in yellow. Without knowing the complete range of colors and messages I'm not sure how to use this app. Thanks for your time.

[@rif42]

Norman Porst There is an explanation about solar storm activity on MikroKopter Wiki. wiki.mikrokopter.de/en/SunStorm

[@dextertrain]

I live near a ton of electrical grid towers (the ones that feed electricity to homes shown in your first image) what's the safest distance I can fly away from these things.

[@dehnstjohn56]

When you say don't fly near cell phone towers, what kind of distance are you recommending to keep?

[@DRONESVU]

thank you Justin for all the tips.

[@dronecamps]

Matt Vu you are welcome Matt

[@mauriceguilbault2898]

Professionally done video, Thanks, good tips. I guest, just using any camera with no wifi, will be safe to fly with no interference?

[@janmueller6740]

Hi Justin: Just watched video above. Re: item # 5 - connection improvement - chatted with a sales rep at Spectrum about the use of the DX-9 transmitter for a phantom 3standard - he was of the opinion that this was impossible. Ideas on that?

[@dronecamps]

+Jan Mueller he is right.

[@Higueyrd]

Really good tips, I will put into practice!

[@biaginid]

Just got mine and I live on a college campus. Is it safe to fly here on the athletic fields? The University wifi is pretty much everywhere on campus not sure if that would be an issue or not!

[@cartel4350]

Hi thanks for video. While flying a few times I got this red warning message on the screen 'poor battery connection" and then battery level flashes red. This could be 2-3 mins into a flight with 100 percent battery life. I then panic but thankfully it stops flashing and returns to normal. Any ideas why this happens? It's a vision plus V3. Thanks

[@scrag0416]

I have a Phantom 3 Professional and your videos have been exceptionally helpful. I have a few flights and all has been great. Deciphering the applicable tips is a bit frustrating. For example the use of various flight modes and the applicability of them to which models (i.e. mine)....is there an index that I can refer too?

[@dezaelez]

Great video BTW. In your experience, have you ever had a flyaway situation happen to you or someone you know? If so, do you know what caused it? Also, if you do experience one, is there a way to kill power to the drone immediately?

[@dronecamps]

Leopoldo Gonzalez there is a switch that you can toggle to try and break it out of a RTH gone array. I have brought them back by toggling S1. But some are not so lucky. Things can happen.

[@bradblair6033]

Learn to fly in manual mode. That way if something does go wrong you can bring it back or at least do a controlled crash, instead of watching in horror as it flies away.

[@dronecamps]

Indeed.

[@davidb4557]

I'm new with DJI Phanton-2. Just got it 2 days ago. I've been reading the manual. How do you know how many satellites your DJI picks up? You said you need at least 7 to mark your home point. How do you know how many satellites it sees?

[@amused2deth]

It says it on the app in the upper right corner.

[@TommyBBQBessinger]

Thanks Justin for the great advise.

[@akscreation8699]

Thanks for the tips Drone Camps cheers

[@09ironman1]

Are you able to make a video on buying a iPod and watch it from the air.

[@DavidJ-kc4cz]

I have a phantom 2 vision plus V3. Will failsafe home still activate if you are in atti mode? Or is the only way to disable gps is if you are in true manual mode? I know there are settings in the software but I was wondering if I don't want to have position 3 on the S1 switch set to manual and if I get a flyaway can I switch it to atti and regain control? The owner's manual doesn't get into a lot of detail on anything.

[@quadlife7742]

Just after take-off, before going any significant distance I like to trigger RTH just to assure myself that the home position is properly locked into the quad's memory.

[@richard381able]

Great video. Thanks!

[@teccer1234]

I've asked this question on a forum but got no answer, if you check-out you tube "marston solar panel farm" when I took this vid the farm was still being set up not in commission for another week, my question is if I fly close to the farm when it's working will it affect my phantom v 1.1.1

[@rif42]

Great, the Solar Activity Monitor app uses the MikroKopter logo.

[@AMPphilippines]

great tips dude. than you very much

[@loesch8102]

As an average person that flys a Phantom 2 very often, you do not need to calibrate your compass every time you fly. I have noticed some strange behavior without calibrating over the course of several weeks but it's nothing major. If you notice youre copter isn't as smooth as it once was then go ahead and do the compass calibration dance. If not then just fly as normal.

[@chrissutley4553]

As a new pilot I’m a bit confused about the tip of moving your cell phone away during calibration? I used the info on the app to let me know that the calibration was successful, what am I missing here?.

[@jamesclaassen8843]

I use an sjcam 5000 with a phantom 2 drone. Due to the frequency conflict I can't use the wifi. Is there another way to see the camera view on a smart phone or tablet on the ground?

[@Alucard106]

What is the best drone and what other equipment I need to start playing ? (First drone ever)

[@dronecamps]

Alucard106 start out with the Realflight 7.5 simulator. Then move to a Blade Nano. Afterwards you can move up to a Vision+ or Phantom 2.

[@Alucard106]

Well I don't need 3 drones :) So its better to buy Vision+. Thanks

[@dronecamps]

Alucard106 yes the good thing is we have a $200 off when you buy any Vision+ from our store. :)

[@2300cbrown]

Tip 1: Buy stickers showing directions, labels of commands and stick them on the controller. Tip 2: Turn your phone off. Calibrate. Turn phone on.. Turn off WiFi and Bluetooth if not needed. This applies to others near you. Tip 3: Use prop guards..Use a sharpie and put your name and number underneath the guards.

[@MarkSandoval]

how do you know if you have 7 satellites? does it say or do you need the FPV and mini osd ?

[@jeffreyrobinson7896]

One rear green light flash per second means 7 or more satellites.

[@Duckey123]

Have the Phantom II Vision. After my first flight and battery charge, I went to it fly again. This time when it connected I had no video on the DJI Vision app. I tried resetting the range extender RE500 and then did a rebind. After I scanned the bar code, I pressed the blue arrow button. When I did that it went right to the main screen. Watching other videos on binding, it was brought up that if it did a successful bind that you would get a message that it was successful. I didn't. Any ideas what to do next? Thanks.

[@popwall4297]

Don Cook I have the same problem with two of my batteries I have four in total but two of them just recently got to where I had no video but everything else works great just no video anybody out there got any ideas on what happened to the batteries

[@chasingwaves11]

Dude that’s awesome great video !! Now I’ve been flying helicopters for a long time and I own a handful from electric to Nitro heli’s I own a spectrum Dx6 and right from the start I’ve never liked the DJI Radio felt cheap .. I would love to know more about the Bind setup with the DJI is this something I have to buy or can I install one of my 8ch receivers in the phantom .. I’ve never took the thing apart before ..

[@AlbertAguirre]

What do you think is the best monitor for the phantom 3?

[@dronecamps]

Albert Aguirre iPad Air 2 is my monitor of choice.

[@aladino52]

Where I can purchase the Drone Camp T/s

[@dronecamps]

Angel NMN coming to the site by the first week on Feb 2015.

[@saiyan_princestudios9790]

Anyone know if these older drones are compatible with the newer go pros like the go pro hero 7 Black?

[@lonbuckley4988]

If you do find yourself flying in some wind, its always a good idea to keep your craft upwind rather than downwind.

[@PaulMotu]

Great tips mate. Thanks heaps

[@betjoh]

Great Video, Thanks. Not an owner yet but soon.

[@dronecamps]

John Bettua we are here when you need us sir.

[@waynegros5316]

recently bought phantom vision 2 plus, while flying cut off controller and chopper came back like it should. when I tried to launch it again, took about 5-10 min before I could get going again, it did that twice. don't know if I was not doing something right. can u help. thanks

[@quadcopter2000]

Thanks for the video very interesting and constructive.

[@CIZCI]

Great video and should be of great use to me, thanks.

[@adventurezone59]

having problem with my Phantom after install 5.8 mhz video system and gimbal. in the ground phantom response to controler up to 10 ft or so, and them got disconected and phantom land. what could be the problem? any advise?

[@MrPuttyman1234]

How do i land from high in the air to avoid prop wash? I'm a new pilot :)

[@DRONESVU]

Hi Justin, I have the latest Djibouti version and I can set way point is this mean it already on NAza? Please help Thanks

[@dronecamps]

Matt Vu if you can set waypoints it does not mean your in Naza M. Use Phantom Assistant software to change from Phantom mode to Naza M.

[@Solflex]

Tip #8 isn't it S1 in back position that make it to home lock ? (fly back automatically to home)

[@gregoryodell6533]

Thank you sir. A lot of very usefull information

[@dronecamps]

G O'Dell thanks for watching your very welcome.

[@potjnkye86]

Drone Camps RC I'm looking to upgrade my transmitter, I've already done a few mods and now I'm wanting to get a more powerful controller. The phantom is at 5.8 ghz bandwidth correct? But the two transmitters you suggested are 2.4 ghz. Help please.

[@royboy6252]

Do you know why DJI changed the low battery level setting from 30% to a fixed 20% in the latest software update?

[@dronecamps]

Roy Reiner we're not sure why they changed it.

[@malekrcgaming2432]

Will a Spektrum DX6i work with a phantom 3?

[@dronecamps]

+Malek Tv Gaming Live hi Malek. No sorry ~ - Justin

[@teknofil007]

God video. I have also a New Dji Phantom 2 vision+. Bought Phantom to cristmas and I have be on 3 tour With it. I live In Norway and Its Winter here but some days is fine fore Phantom. Last tour I had 13 Gps. Its fantastic to fly With. I have a questions about sender CE or FCC. Can I change this in Phantom RC Assistant? Or I need to use flathead screwdriver back on sender?. Maby I have to do bouth sender and In software?. CE range 400 meter but FCC give me 800 meter range.Thanks fore video you give many god tips about ouer Phantom!

[@rsmelser]

Can a satellite on my house cause interruption? Thanks!

[@dronecamps]

***** that is a really good question. Don't fly right in front of it!

[@teemohnay]

Good tips! Thank you!

[@dronecamps]

Tee moola you are very welcome!

[@GluttonywithaGerman]

What motors are on the f550?

[@coolkidirish]

Great video!