Flying without GPS satellite lock

[syotr]

I set up to shoot some video in a remote location that was surrounded on 3 sides by high cliffs. I was able to get home position recorded but never less than 3 red blinks after the two green. Tried in several locations in the area but with the same results.
Two questions:
1. Would it be safe to fly in this situation as long as you stay in ATTI mode?
2. How does the Phantom establish home position without receiving enough satellites?

 

[Madwak]

It doesn't. The 1st set of rapid flashing greens are telling you it has course lock it can't get homelock until it gets enough satellites.
If you are going to fly it like that make sure you don't go out of range, hit fail safe or turn the controller off cos it could fly away to anywhere.

 

[ElGuano]

It doesn't. The 1st set of rapid flashing greens are telling you it has course lock it can't get homelock until it gets enough satellites.
If you are going to fly it like that make sure you don't go out of range, hit fail safe or turn the controller off cos it could fly away to anywhere.

+1 on course lock, it records 30 seconds after boot.

Set your fail safe to landing-only, switch to ATTI and fly exclusively in that mode. It'll be just fine.