IRIS+ resources for FNG

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FNG: “Flipping” New Guy, or something like that. Anyway, hello all, first time post.

My background is piloting military helicopters and commercial jets (full scale ones) for over 30 years combined, so I have a pretty good grasp on how things fly, although I’m new to flying RC and the IRIS+ specifically. I recently ordered the IRIS+, and aside from 20-ish hours on the Realflight Sim, I have no experience.

I was wondering if anyone could provide links to, or otherwise answer a few questions that I’m having trouble finding answers to?

1.) Mission Planner vs. APM Planner 2.0

I’m on a Mac so it looks like APM Planner for me, but, is there an advantage or disadvantage to the APM Planner software? What’s the difference?

2.) Online vs Offline Maps.

My rig (at the moment) is going to be a Mac laptop running APM Planner with the telemetry kit. I won’t be in a WiFi footprint when I fly, so, does the software allow for using offline maps? How does that work? I’d love to be able to use the autonomous features advertised but there’s still a bit of a disconnect as to how to make it work.

3.) Auto Mission Planning

Is this a droid-only option? If so, does it require a cell service provider or can it run offline? I’d love to ditch the laptop option and take only a tablet to fly, but I want to avoid having to maintain a service provider for data. The Follow Me mode requires a “GPS enabled device” so that’s a pretty good argument for a dedicated device. I’ll claim FNG status and ask what bit of gear is recommended to use this feature? I’m not looking to collect gear as much as I’m interested in having the right tool for the job.
Maybe a prepaid sim card? I dunno, what does everyone else do?

4.) Battery Charging

I bought extra batteries, do they come with their own charger? Where can I get extra chargers suitable for the 3DR LiPo’s? It would be nice to charge them all simultaneously for obvious reasons.

5.) What Else?

What bit of advice would you offer someone just starting out? Anything you learned the hard way about the IRIS or quads in general?

6.) FAA

Is there a link to the current FAA guidelines for operating “drones” recreationally? Most of the discussion I’ve seen focuses on restricting drones, I’d love to find a discussion about how to advocate the right to use them safely and responsibly.

Thanks for links or answers to any part or all of these questions! I’ll come us to speed and be a useful member here soon!

Cheers -

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1.) it’s about the same.
2.) Cannot speak for mac but on windows if you use mission planner you have an option to prefetch maps.
But I have noticed that once you have been in a map area that area is somehow stored in cache, so even if you don’t have internet the maps still show.
3.) You even have bigger options in MP or APM. You do not need to be online.
GPS does not require phone line, are you mistaken it for gprs?
4.) One charger is enough, it takes about 1-2 hours to charge a battery, so you charge them at home.

I recommend you just download the two apps and mess around by yourself.
IMHO a tablet is the better option, my two reasons are:
1- bright screen, tablets screens are SOOO much better in daylight
2- follow me follows the ground station
For tablets use droidplanner2 or andropilot.

Good luck
Paul

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Welcome!

[quote=“CRM114”]I was wondering if anyone could provide links to, or otherwise answer a few questions that I’m having trouble finding answers to?

1.) Mission Planner vs. APM Planner 2.0

I’m on a Mac so it looks like APM Planner for me, but, is there an advantage or disadvantage to the APM Planner software? What’s the difference?[/quote]
Mission Planner has been around longer, so much of the documentation you’ll find in the Wiki is based on Mission Planner. APM is actively in development, but you will still find certain features that are not yet supported in APM. I have VMware Fusion on Mac, and can run Windows, so I go back and forth. Mission Planner feels a bit more polished, but APM is catching up quickly.

Even though I’m an iPad user, I bought an older Nexus 7 tablet to be used with DroidPlanner. For under $100 I got a 2012 unit with GPS that can easily do what I need in the field. At home I still use APM or MP to review flight logs.

I think all the off-line tools (Mission Planner, APM, DroidPlanner) can cache maps when you are online to be used later. I have not tried this myself.

Nope, not android only.

3DRobotics has some very good videos, and there are other users who have helpful videos too, such this one on mission planning: youtube.com/watch?v=Qzsp2qn1A6U

youtube.com/user/3DRobotics/videos

[quote=“CRM114”]4.) Battery Charging

I bought extra batteries, do they come with their own charger? [/quote]
The extra batteries do not come with their own charger. There are other chargers out there than can handle multiple batteries. I have not purchased one myself.

[quote=“CRM114”]5.) What Else?

What bit of advice would you offer someone just starting out? Anything you learned the hard way about the IRIS or quads in general? [/quote]
If this is really your first quad, or RC model, I’d strong suggest you spend a few dollars on an inexpensive, nearly indestructible small quadcopter such as the Blade nanoQX.

horizonhobby.com/nano-qx-rtf … gy-blh7600

The ability to fly this indoors (or outdoors without wind) will give you many opportunities to hone your skills. The basic flying skills translate almost completely to a larger quad such as the IRIS.

Other tips include moving slowly. I prefer to start with the most manual mode, stabilize. It will allow you to learn how to control your IRIS without relying on GPS or the barometer. Once you do start using the more automated modes, you’ll want to memorize the switch positions to quickly return you to manual/stabilize mode in case IRIS starts to do something unanticipated.

Lastly, there are many different support communities out there for RC/quadcopters and IRIS in particular. For IRIS in particular, there is additional user-to-user support at facebook.com/groups/635611993176188/

This is a tumultuous time for the FAA. For decades, FAA has been satisfied with letting things roll as long as RC models stayed below 400 feet, and didn’t capture too much public attention. With the increasing ease and lowering cost of RC, combined with the natural desire of folks to start using them for business applications (real estate agents using a GoPro to take photos and videos of properties, for example), there have been some unfortunate situations that have caused the FAA to try to “re-imagine” the regulation to be much more restrictive. Below is a link with information, including links to the revised FAA position, as well as the AMA response, along with other discussion:

rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2193252

As a fixed-wing (full size) pilot and flight instructor, I see the situation from both sides, but I hate to feel like an outlaw for wanting to use my quadcopter in my backyard.

Welcome and good luck!

John

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And here’s an excellent, fresh tutorial to using off-line maps with DroidPlanner.

cloud-surfer.net/2014/09/30/offl … dplanner2/

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Thank you for the kind replies, opinions, and suggestions. I have some reading to do! Also that’s a great suggestion to start with a more forgiving drone. I’ve been flying a generic quad on the simulator although that’s good advice to start with something more basic.

Regarding the FAA I think you’re spot on about more regulation coming in the face of more accessibility. There will always be those who use poor judgment to screw it up for the rest of us. I’ve seen a DJI Phantom (it was white anyway) on short final, about 200’, and It’s just a matter of time before a commercial jet sucks one through a motor. It’s great to see this community supporting operator education and responsible use but that one unfortunate event will cause quite the knee jerk from the Feds.

Thanks again for all the info, I’m sure I’ll have more questions soon!