Well, after the long wait since June and a dead end through DSLRPros, I finally received my Solo direct from 3DR a few weeks ago. I have since logged three flights and have had as many issues.
The following is in no way intended to convey displeasure toward 3DR or the Solo. In fact, I am still happy with it.
First Flight: I was excited/nervous as I am still a novice unmanned vehicle pilot. However, the short flight went well, but the gimbal kept drooping uncommanded to point straight down. I could keep it raised with constant command from the paddle, but it was annoying. So after the flight I filed the trouble ticket with 3DR and was given instructions for a full controller calibration through my terminal on my Mac. Easy Peasy, Problem solved.
Second Flight: During my Operational Check Flight of the gimbal fix, i noticed a high pitched squealing noise periodically from what I believed to be the motors. It seemed to come and go as the craft was adjusting the the breeze. Once again, I filed a trouble ticket and video. This time the 3DR engineers said that, in some cases, high pitched squealing from the motors is, in so many words, part of the break-in period. He also stated that the noise is ok as long as there was no grinding from the motors. Call me skeptical, but my 21 years of auto/aircraft mechanic knowledge tells me any squealing from a bearing type motor is not good...but I'm new at this UAV stuff, so i listened to the engineer. ;P
Third Flight: Squealing louder and more constant this time and why yawing, the aircraft jerked as if it was losing signal, yet it was only about 20 feet away from me. Didn't want to push it so I landed. While talking with my neighbor and prepping the Solo for its rest in the backpack, I instinctively spun the props, which now I realize I should have done in the first place. Sure enough #04 was grinding and #02 was as well, but not as much. Once again, as per my routine after every flight so far...I filed a trouble ticket and sent a video.
I anticipate that I will have to send the craft back to them for repair, but am not sure. Fingers crossed.
more to come...
The following is in no way intended to convey displeasure toward 3DR or the Solo. In fact, I am still happy with it.
First Flight: I was excited/nervous as I am still a novice unmanned vehicle pilot. However, the short flight went well, but the gimbal kept drooping uncommanded to point straight down. I could keep it raised with constant command from the paddle, but it was annoying. So after the flight I filed the trouble ticket with 3DR and was given instructions for a full controller calibration through my terminal on my Mac. Easy Peasy, Problem solved.
Second Flight: During my Operational Check Flight of the gimbal fix, i noticed a high pitched squealing noise periodically from what I believed to be the motors. It seemed to come and go as the craft was adjusting the the breeze. Once again, I filed a trouble ticket and video. This time the 3DR engineers said that, in some cases, high pitched squealing from the motors is, in so many words, part of the break-in period. He also stated that the noise is ok as long as there was no grinding from the motors. Call me skeptical, but my 21 years of auto/aircraft mechanic knowledge tells me any squealing from a bearing type motor is not good...but I'm new at this UAV stuff, so i listened to the engineer. ;P
Third Flight: Squealing louder and more constant this time and why yawing, the aircraft jerked as if it was losing signal, yet it was only about 20 feet away from me. Didn't want to push it so I landed. While talking with my neighbor and prepping the Solo for its rest in the backpack, I instinctively spun the props, which now I realize I should have done in the first place. Sure enough #04 was grinding and #02 was as well, but not as much. Once again, as per my routine after every flight so far...I filed a trouble ticket and sent a video.
I anticipate that I will have to send the craft back to them for repair, but am not sure. Fingers crossed.
more to come...
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