With my last birthday being one with a zero, the family pulled together to present me with a high-tech quad copter drone--a DJI Phantom 3 Advanced. Let me begin by saying I was considering buying this model on my own because of its piloting and imaging technology, which do not disappoint this former flight-test engineer.

The 12 Mpixel still images from the integrated Sony camera were what I wanted for photography, and its HD video provides a quality, fun factor in documenting flying.

The insides of the DJI Phantom 3 reveal a highly integrated electronics board package. A GPS/Glonass antenna covers the center of the circuitry when the upper body shell is attached. Image source: Scott Torborg, Creative Commons BY NC SA 3.0.Integrated microelectronics and software allow for precise control, fun flying, and safety--once an operator gains some experience. (More later on lessons learned the hard way after a crash.) Hardware includes both GPS and Russian Glonass satellite positioning, compass, six-axis gyro, and accelerometers, as well as downward ultrasound and vision sensors for low-altitude flying. Camera software and controller and aircraft firmware receive frequent downloadable updates.

Hold the Phone

However, one learns quickly that the technology in the aircraft is only part of the experience of operating such a system. After opening the box, there is an urge to become airborne--but before that can happen, the DJI Go app must be downloaded to a smart phone.

The phone mounts to a hand-held remote controller and the app allows displaying the FPV (first person view) image from the drone camera and input of touch screen settings/commands for camera and control.

Attempting to download the app brings up a message that my phone is too old to be compatible with the software! What? Don't tell me I need to replace my iPhone to fly this thing!

An email to DJI reveals spotty customer service when a reply to my situation arrives days later and states the obvious that "this phone is not compatible." (When a separate issue arose some time later, a direct phone call to a tech person in California quickly handled the problem.)

Among the accessories shown here as the author flies the Phantom 3 are prop guards with quick release attachments, a light shield for the camera lens, and a gimbal guard between the left and right landing gear--all of which provide protection for vital components. A Bestem Aerial controller harness holding the remote controller, easing back load and handling, rounds out the package. Image source: Matthew DeMeisIn the meantime, my software-engineer son reminded me you can find anything on the Internet, including a workaround to this dilemma. A package called iFunbox allows a backdoor to loading the software from the app store to a computer, then to the phone. It seems the only incompatibility is a slight latency in displaying the video image, which is problematic only if travelling at high forward speed and using the image for guidance. (Later updates also required this roundabout procedure, but after several such revisions, the phone updates directly.)

Bag of Goodies

First flights reveal the Phantom's simple control via twin joysticks on the controller. Left stick for climbing and descending, and left and right for yaw (turning). The right stick governs flight direction, forward-aft, and left-right. Releasing the sticks places the aircraft in a fairly stable hover, giving a novice flyer time to figure out what to do if in, say, the drone end up in a tight situation among trees or even less-forgiving objects.

I usually prefer to have another pair of eyes available to spot objects not directly ahead if I am using the camera to navigate by forward vision only. Also, if flying at a distance, because of the drone's relatively small size, it quickly becomes hard to see, or pick up visually after using FPV. Thus, a spotter is helpful to maintain visual contact, as required by U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.

Even with such precautions, however, tyro flyers usually can expect several crashes. This leads to going beyond the basic drone kit to get and maintain safe, optimized operation and maximizing usefulness of the Phantom's features.

Because I am a belt-and-suspenders type of engineer when it comes to safety, I researched the availability of aftermarket or OEM accessories for safer flying. With such aircraft not being cheap, protecting the camera and gimbal below the body between the landing legs was a major concern. This resulted in outfitting a 3D-printed lens hood, protecting the camera glass, and a carbon fiber "gimbal guard" between the landing gears, shielding the gimbal from below.

U.S. regulators require drone registration, and issue a 10-character "number" that must be displayed on each aircraft a registrant owns. Image source: Rick DeMeisNext, prop guards from DJI were added using quick attach mounts from AerialFreaks rather than the OEM screw mountings. (Bestem Aerial offers a set of "deep dish" tall prop guards that protect the craft from obstacles above it, thus making it suitable for indoor/confined flying.) Along with the guards and after a couple of "prangs" extra props came in handy beyond the set included with the Phantom.

Although the camera/gimbal is mounted to the vehicle body by vibration-absorbing mounts, I decided to minimize any vibrations for better still photography by balancing the props. This required buying a prop balancer specifically designed for the Phantom.

As an aero engineer, one minor annoyance with the props was the raised logo and part number on the upper surfaces. While I calculated it was not a likely problem in terms of separating airflow over the lifting surface, it should have been avoided to show attention to detail. After scraping and sanding off those features, prop balancing is straightforward using bits of clear tape.

Battery Fatigue

So equipped, and after several flights, other desirable needs became apparent. With a 4,480 mAhr battery, flight time maxes at somewhat over 20 minutes. A second battery ($100) was desirable rather than having to wait an hour or so to recharge, especially if an outlet is not handy.

A cell phone charging pack is also convenient because the iPhone on the remote controller has its power quickly sucked down. Fortunately, DJI issued a firmware update to the DJI Go app that significantly reduces power drain on the phone so two consecutive flights should no longer be a problem.

Cool-weather flying affected my iPhone more than the aircraft battery--the phone may just stop functioning even with sufficient charge. A chemical hand warmer placed under the phone on its mount may mitigate this problem somewhat.

With the drone and all these accessories, carrying the complete kit around is problematic if one tries to do it with the Phantom's shipping box. Besides, the cardboard gets rather shabby after a few hikes to remote flying sites. However, there are carrying case options that provide rugged protection and hauling convenience.

DJI makes a backpack case, but I didn't like the hardshell, shiny look. There are some rather nice aftermarket options from companies that specialize in carrying equipment to remote places. I was able to test two of these.

Lowepro's DroneGuard CS 400 carrier has extensive storage room thanks to hook-and-loop attached dividers that are easily rearranged. Image source: Rick DeMeisFirst was the Phantom Pak from Bestem (link above), a firm that started out providing gear for the motorcycle market. This pack comes with dense foam baffles that cradle the Phantom 3 and its support equipment. Because of the added gimbal guard and the fact that the Phantom 3 is a bit wider than the 2 version, it was a simple task to use a razor knife to cut away some of the foam for a snug fit. For further protection, the stiff, molded pack is covered with nylon, and the zipper has an outer flap that acts as a water and dirt shield.

Lowepro, which specializes in backpacks and camera carrying cases, has its DroneGuard CS400 back carrier. A set of baffles attached to the inner pack surface with hoop-and-loop fasteners and similar straps cradle the drone and accessories. These dividers can be rearranged to suit new equipment or another aircraft type.

My preference is the Bestem, but its tighter space required finesse in fitting in all my gear among the thick, more rugged foam baffles. Image source: Rick DeMeisBoth the Bestem and Lowepro are worthy drone packs. My preference is the Bestem because it is 2 inches shorter than the lighter-by-0.6-pounds Lowepro. But this tighter space, in turn, required more legerdemain in fitting in all my gear among the thick, more rugged foam baffles. With the taller Phantom 3, compared to the 2, the Lowepro's prop carriers inside the lid over the aircraft couldn't be used without the props rubbing the top of the drone.

Noteworthy Features

In the air, a couple of features I found most useful with the Phantom 3 involve control and camera options. For the former, the "Point of Interest" allows the aircraft to circle a point with the camera aimed at the center for a smooth 360º tour video. "Course Lock" sends the drone out and back along a fixed heading using forward and back stick inputs, no matter its yaw orientation--thus you can follow a biker, vehicle or what have you, while flying parallel to the subject's direction of travel.

As to Sony camera capabilities, photo features I particularly find useful include exposure bracketing (from darker to lighter) of three to five images of the same scene, producing high dynamic range images (that is, those where the shadows are lightened and bright areas are darkened). And manual camera adjustments, such as white balance, exposure, and ISO ("film" speed), rival those of advanced consumer digital cameras.

Lessons from a Crash

While precautions have already been described in the context of protecting the aircraft from damage, operational safety to protect people and property are primary. These concerns become more apparent once one begins drone flying, especially after some inevitable crashes. I've smashed props and guards not realizing how close the Phantom was to trees or objects, or having made a disoriented control input.

Image taken by the drone moments before it threw a prop and fell onto the rocks at the base of the falls. Image source: Rick DeMeis.However, an accident with the greatest potential for injury happened for what I feel is inadequate information provided by DJI. To avoid large numbers of people for safety’s sake, I waited until late in the day to fly up and down a waterfall for still imaging. The Phantom was simply sent straight up from the base of the fall, when it appeared to wobble somewhat. With no noticeable wind at ground level, perhaps some turbulence was coming off the lip of the cliff? Suddenly, one of the props separated from the aircraft and headed straight up!

Without all props (or control software to account for the situation), the aircraft tumbled, buzzing loudly all the way down from about 200 ft until impacting a large boulder at the side of the falls. Prop and guard pieces went flying, the battery was torn from its housing and landed in the water near the half-submerged drone.

The separated prop fluttered straight down, landing at my feet. One of the Phantom's four arms holding a motor was bent and spilt open along the top and bottom shell seam. The gimbal protector held fast (albeit with a small ding), although its zip tie attachment to the landing gear snapped. Could this expensive collection of parts and pieces be repaired or ever fly again?

To the credit of the DJI, its design engineers gave the aircraft robust structure and components. After a few days of drying in a warm room, tightening the Torx fasteners in the injured arm to straighten it and close the split, and some epoxy, the Phantom was flying again.

Here was the problem. The Phantom 3 and earlier model props are simply spun down onto screw threads on the motors in the direction opposite their rotation. Thus, as the motors turn to lift the drone, the props have a pro-tightening torque on them. DJI instructions say to firmly spin them down onto the shafts--but not how tight this should be in terms of number/fraction of turn(s) or torque value. With the props being plastic, I tightened them firmly, but not really hard out of concern about stripping the threads in the prop hub.

What DJI does not tell you, which I learned from third parties afterward, is the control software applies active braking to the props for better stability. In other words, the motors will not only be positively powered for lift but deliberately braked. As a result, prop momentum at high speed, coupled with a braking action permits the prop to spin off the motor shaft if too lightly torqued on!

This apparent consumer safety issue needs attention. Needless to say, my props are well mashed onto the shafts now. (The just introduced, more expensive Phantom 4 has props that clip onto the shafts, but the clip provision could reduce their strength).

Operational Thoughts and Registration Issues

While flying a drone (and in particular the Phantom) is definitely fun and useful for photography and videography, product and safety support from this offshore company could be improved. Fortunately on the Internet active communities, independent experts, and early adopters are available to provide heads-up experience and answers for users. Two of best I found are On the Kitchen Table and Tom's Tech Time where videos demonstrate Phantom features in an understandable way. One should scope these out to learn basics if contemplating a drone purchase.

Finally, in the U.S. all drones over 0.55 lb (250g) require their operators to obtain registration from the FAA. Regulations only allow flight below 400 ft altitude and not within five miles of an airport (unless one obtains permission from the tower).

In the case of the Phantom, altitude will be limited in some modes, but the vehicle can be flown in other situations above the altitude limit, similarly with restricted locations. Warnings may be provided by software to the operator when limits are exceeded. (The FAA B4UFLY app gives drone flyers that latest information on restrictions for their current location.)

Control software should be more positive in not allowing flights out of limits to prevent operation near aircraft or sensitive areas and gatherings. In addition, the FAA at least should offer a written test for operators, if merely to drive home the safety aspects of operation and the fact that these machines can cause damage and injury when they fail or are used recklessly.