Return to Home... do you trust it?
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Meta4
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Why would you ever let a blind automated system land your Phantom if you are able to land (or better yet, catch) it yourself?
Just because RTH will bring your bird back doesn't mean you have to sit there and just stare at it.
You can cancel RTH at any time and resume control and land where you choose, the way you choose..
It might take it longer to get home, but it will still get home. If you over fly the battery and have to make a flight home against the wind, flying faster will only burn more battery! The other part of that is IF the battery DOES hit critical in the middle of a RTH process it will land in place. Not too good if over water or trees. BUT.. you have a solid GPS location of where it landed. Yes... Ive tested that too!
For me.. I am going through the process of demonstrating what a P3 is able to do. Not only for me or under my control, but also for its self. A LOT of people, probably most, are very intimidated in the beginning. Some keep putting off a purchase, some are afraid to fly. My role in these sessions is to show them that they don't NEED to be afraid! What they can rely on. What NOT to do. And how to deal with several common issues. Like tipping over on takeoff or landing. It scares the hell out of some to see a $1500 item fly off into the sunset! They walk away with confidence, not only in their P3, but also that at some point they WILL crash it!
alokbhargava
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Meta4
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In a strong headwind or low battery situation (and a pilot should plan to avoid both situations), you would be better off to fly faster than to let RTH fly slowly and get nowhere.
Flying faster doesn't enough extra power to be a concern.
This is like the debate about an empty gas tank.. do you drive faster to get to the station and in case you run out you have momentum. Or do you drive crazy conservative and get there safely. The answer is to not put yourself in that position to start with!!
Sorry, I deal with global clients for work, so frequently switch between metric and standard. Updated with correct dimensions after reviewing flight log. Check out the flight log on my YouTube channel if interested.
I take mine out daily to check the progress on an overpass they are building about a half mile away. I usually fly a waypoint mission to get there. After looking around a bit and since I sometimes lose LOS at that point, I cancel the mission and press (2secs) the RTH button on the controller. I always tap the button again to cancel RTH when it's overhead and land or catch it myself. RTH flies at 22mph after lifting to the preset altitude. I don't fly in the wind, so that hasn't been an issue for me.
I have found RTH 100% reliable. Just be sure it says, "Home Point Set" at takeoff. You can also set a revised home point after takeoff as well. You do not need to land to reset the home point.
Believe me, it's not just for emergencies. But, either way, you need to first know your surroundings.
I have found RTH 100% reliable. Just be sure it says, "Home Point Set" at takeoff. You can also set a revised home point after takeoff as well. You do not need to land to reset the home point.
Believe me, it's not just for emergencies. But, either way, you need to first know your surroundings.
Speaking of RTH.... I once, like an idiot, accidentally pushed and held down the power button on the controller and lost all "manual control". Ugh!! I have to admit I was freaking out while trying to desperately restart the controller and the iPad which for some reason also turned off. While stumbling to take off the sun shade and turn the iPad back on and stumbling through the iPad password and dumb notifications to get back on to the DJI-GO app, the Phantom was already coming back home and doing what it was suppose to do. 
EXACTLY why its best to know that you can trust your equipment! Freaking out (I had a similar moment) only leads to potential mistakes! Good story!Speaking of RTH.... I once, like an idiot, accidentally pushed and held down the power button on the controller and lost all "manual control". Ugh!! I have to admit I was freaking out while trying to desperately restart the controller and the iPad which for some reason also turned off. While stumbling to take off the sun shade and turn the iPad back on and stumbling through the iPad password and dumb notifications to get back on to the DJI-GO app, the Phantom was already coming back home and doing what it was suppose to do.
Haha...thanks! You're right, it's a good feeling to have when you can trust your equipment. It equals more fun and enjoyment and less paranoia. That said, going through your checklists prior to taking off is always valid and just a good habit to have.
No one is talking about altitude boss.We are talking about the accuracy of a RTH landing to the home point.
I was referring to Shreve's post
I thought that you were referring to the GPS altitude.
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Many times I fly out a distance at max altitude and use RTH just because I can
Helps with my lazy demeanor.
Helps with my lazy demeanor.
RTH.... Another reason that I think we enjoy it so much is because we're amazed at the autonomous nature of the thing being able to use it's computers and satellite guidance to figure it's way home. Pretty cool huh? lol
If the spot on the ground directly beneath your Phantom is not very far away, it will land. I forget the exact number at the moment - I remember it being something like 50 - 60 meters.
Get it farther away from you than that, but close enough that you can take manual control if something goes wrong. Then PRESS AND HOLD the RTH button. *IF* your Phantom doesn't start coming back (i.e., the RTH fails, which is rather unlikely), you have enough time to take control yourself and bring it back.
It's all described in the manual. There are several pertinent parts of the manual applying to RTH - you should read 'em all.
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