With the release of the DJI Phantom 2 Vision, DJI is aiming to make aerial photography easier than ever. With the original Phantom, one had to manually control their drone in order to capture high-quality images. Thankfully, with the release of the Phantom 2 and its Vision firmware, this is no longer necessary.
The camera now includes auto-hover technology that allows for automatic takeoffs and landings. This brings us to today’s guide on how to fly a DJI phantom 2: from takeoff to landing and everything in between.
Getting Started
Alright, so you want to get started with flying a DJI Phantom 2? Awesome! We’ll walk you through the basics so you’re ready to fly. As with all drone flying, you’ll need to weigh the pros and cons of this hobby against your life and the people you love. Is diving headfirst into DJI Phantom 2 flying the best decision for you? Only you can decide this for yourself.
The first decision you must make is what drone you’ll be flying. Today, we’ll be covering the DJI Phantom 2 and its Vision firmware. But, as a beginner, you may not even have heard about the Phantom line. This is completely normal, as the Phantom line is newer and has been around for shorter periods of time. When choosing a drone, you’ll want to look at the pros and cons of the different models so you can make an informed decision.
Understanding The Phantom 2 App
Before we dive into how to fly a DJI Phantom 2, let’s take a second to talk about the app. The app is what will allow you to control your drone with your iOS device or Android device. The app is pretty straightforward, and it’s best to use it to get comfortable with the drone and your piloting skills.
The app can be used to change settings on your drone, like changing the camera angle and flight modes. You can update your flight mode settings at any time, as DJI Phantom drones come with a built-in flight mode database.
Basic Flight Controls
DJI Phantom 2 Vision drones come with basic flight controls. These can easily be used by a beginner, but for a more experienced pilot, they may not be ideal. The controls on a drone are what directly affect the movement of the drone. These are the main controls, from left to right:
- X-axis control: This controls the drone’s forward or left movement.
- Y-axis control: This controls the drone’s upward movement.
- Z-axis control: This controls the drone’s downward movement.
- Pilot control: This is the pilot’s command to take off and land the drone. These controls are simple, but they’re also very important. Understanding the different ways you can control your drone, as well as the right way to do so, will help you land your drone more safely. It’s also important to remember that the DJI Phantom 2 and its Vision firmware features auto-hover technology you won’t want to be manually controlling your drone all the time!
Advanced Flight Controls
Once you’ve gotten the basics down, you may look to add advanced flight controls for even better control. Being able to manually control your drone, as well as changing the camera angle, is essential for experienced pilots. Some advanced flight controls are the following:
- Remote controller: When you use a remote controller, you can control your drone from a distance of up to 500 feet. This means that you don’t have to be right next to your drone, making it safer to fly.
- GPS-enabled FPV goggles: These allow you to see what your drone sees, as well as control the aircraft remotely. You’ll need to purchase these separately, not included with the Phantom 2 Vision and they’re usually around $80.
- FPV goggles: These goggles are used to see what the drone sees and to control the aircraft. Again, you’ll need to purchase these separately, they’re usually around $130.
- GPS-enabled remote controller (with camera): This remote controller can be used with the Phantom 2 Vision, and it allows you to view the camera screen remotely. It’s also a good way to get some practice with changing settings and taking photos.
Increasing Stability
For beginners, getting a Phantom 2 that is less stable than desired is a common pitfall. DJI’s Phantom 2 comes with a low-quality camera board and props. This causes the drone to be more prone to becoming more unstable. You can easily remedy this by purchasing a better camera board and propellers. One of the best ways to increase the stability of your drone is by flying in a stable environment. A stable environment is one that doesn’t have too much wind, trees, or other objects that could potentially knock your drone out of the sky.
Landing safely and smoothly
This final tip is for experienced pilots. As noted above, landing safely is essential for keeping your drone in one piece. This includes avoiding hard landings and landing in a place that isn’t stable. Rolling your drone or landing on an uneven surface could potentially lead to your drone breaking apart. For landing safely, fly your drone over open spaces, and try to fly as far away from buildings and trees as possible. Avoid flying near power lines and don’t fly too high — both of these could put your drone in danger.
Wrapping Up
Before you dive in and start flying a DJI Phantom 2, make sure you’re ready for the task. Make sure you have all the necessary parts, educate yourself on how to fly a DJI Phantom 2, and make sure you’re comfortable with the risks of this hobby. Once you’ve taken care of these things, you’re ready to get started. First, make sure you’ve purchased a Phantom 2 and its Vision firmware.
Next, make sure you’ve installed the DJI Go app this will allow you to control your Phantom 2 with a compatible iOS or Android device. Our guide will help you get comfortable with both the app and your Phantom 2, making it easier to control. And lastly, make sure you’ve got the basics down. While flying a DJI Phantom 2 might be a bit intimidating, with a little practice you’ll be flying like a pro in no time.
