Discussions

Flying cars will never become mainstream, and why our drones crash.

I grew up reading my Grandfathers old Popular Mechanics and Popular Science magazines, flipping through the pages with wide eyes and big dreams. Reading though articles that promised we would all be driving flying cars in 10 years! Man I was excited!! As I grew older that dream was just kind of pushed aside. I grew up and had more immediate matters to tend too, a job, a car, a house, kids, etc. Even after all these years my dream is still there, burning in the back of my mind. Then I saw the article about drones and this site in Wired and it all came rushing back to me like I was a little kid again. I ordered one built it and was flying in no time!! I was a big kid with big dreams again!!

So why do our drones crash? It only really boils down to four reasons...

1. Acts of God--Like attacking birds, tripping and falling while flying, base station knocked over, sudden gusts of wind, etc

2. Inexperienced pilot--This is a big one! Unfortunately most of us don't spend years in a flight simulator practicing. We do not sit as a copilot with an experienced pilot next to us to guide us and stop us from any mistakes we may make. Not to mention it is very difficult to fly without a first person view. Quite honestly most everything could fall under this category. You could argue that an experienced pilot would know not to fly next to that huge attacking bird, they would know when the weather isn't right, they know what they can and more importantly, can't do and what to look out for.

3. No Fear--You don't sit in the flying aircraft!! Drones are expensive and no one wants to crash but lets be real. Most of us would fly differently if we were in it.

Finally the last reason.

4. Failed equipment--If your equipment fails, your done!! Game over!! Instant crash!!. But lets take a closer look at this one. My last flight I kept hearing a clicking sound, but it was flying so I flew it and had a great time. Thankfully no crashes. I got home and just so happened to find a loose motor. The screws had worked loose and the clicking sound was the screw and motor slamming back and forth on the arm. Everyday we get up get ready and go to work. We jump in our cars run to the grocery store or to family or friends houses. Then one day it won't start, or it dies at a red light. We drive our cars until they break. Its habit. Who goes out to a mechanic and asks them to take the car part to check for anything wrong? No one!! Its very costly do do so, and no one gets hurt or killed if your car was to spit, sputter and die on the side of the road. What would happen if the world did that with their promised flying car? The FAA REQUIRES tear downs after so many hours, even if there is no sign of a problem.

With experimental aircraft like ours it is even more important to be extra cautious. Fortunately our little drones are surprisingly simple and most have built their own. When was the last time you took yours completely apart? So do it!! I dare you! Check for unusual wear, cracked or bent parts, loose screws, cracked solder, cut or nicked wires. You'll save yourself from a few crashes if you do.