Compass calibration is recommended before each flight in a new area. I say if you had to get in your car to get where
you're flying, a calibration should be done. Either side of a field you can do one for all your flights.
USUALLY if there's considerable interference during the calibration, the calibration will fail, and your GO APP will tell you.
You're taking precaution when you take steps to avoid metal objects during the calibration. You don't have to stand naked in the
middle of nowhere... You can wear ear rings and small jewelry. If you got a beastly Rolex, don't wear it (and trust
whoever holds it for you). Standing next to a BBQ, or a baseball back stop, a metal shed, your car or motorcycle
will all effect calibration. I put the controller down a few feet away from me.
A possible bad calibration is one reason it's recommended to hover about 5-6' in place for about 30 seconds. Test all
your controls, and make sure the P3 is stable and responsive BEFORE you start your flight/mission.
Nothing will be 100% fool proof... but if you do your checks, you'll have done everything you can to ensure a
safe flight.
My hover before flight goes like this (stand 10 ft back minimum):
Take off up to eye level (about 6' for me) P3 facing away from me.
Climb up a few feet ...hold.... decend back to 6'... hold.
Rudder right 180*... hold... Rudder Left 180* hold.
Forward a few feet... hold... Backwards a few feet... hold
Pitch left a few feet... hold... pitch right a few feet... hold.
Your Phantom should be right where it started, facing away from you.
If your P3 drifts excessively, shows any errors, such as compass error
signal loss, poor reception, don't fly!
This gives ALL your flight controls a test, and you look cool doing it!
Also look here:
UAV Weather Forecast because there are times during the day
that fewer satellites are available in the sky, and a high Kp reading can affect your Phantom's
guidance. I set the altitude on the web site for 400 ft and if it says don't fly.... I don't.
Good luck, and fly safe! (sorry... that got wordy...)