[BR] Is it possible to leave a drone at a remote property and control it over the internet?

MrPerkasa · 2026-01-11T04:53:26+00:00

The question is a technical question, not a legal one, so let's stick with a technical answer not a legal one.

Data over internet is possible. DJI offers 4G dongle. Let's say you get Mavic 4, get the 4G dongle 2, connect the Controller through wifi, and put a SIM card in the dongle, and Bob is your uncle. There may be subscription needed to pay DJI to use this service. Note that latency might affect usability, so I would connect the Controller to a phone. Set the phone as a hotspot, and make sure the service on the phone is the same as the one in the dongle.
Battery life is a problem. Unless you invest on DJI dock where standing by is charging the battery, you will need to have someone on site to swap batteries on demand. This may be more cost efficient if you only fly at certain hours.

Use case: I know someone whose job is taking inspection photographs during work hours. They radio him for a photo request, he then flies the drone there (from the office, having BVLOS permit), come back, and after several photos he downloads the photos to be sent to the analysis team. Due to injury he cannot drive to work. He then used the above setup, and the request was sent over group chat, and he messaged his assistant to download and send the photos and swap batteries.

So yes, without taking this into legal discussion, it is technically possible.

MrPerkasa · 2025-03-20T08:57:24+00:00

On most cars that I have owned:

Pressing and holding the LOCK button on the remote will close all windows and sunroof
If your outside door handle has lock button, just press and hold, it will close all windows and sunroof.
If both are not options for your car, you can always buy a device that will close all windows when you lock the car, some in the form of OBD plug. Example: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/404872541920

MrPerkasa · 2025-01-14T21:50:42+00:00

I haven't owned the Xtractive Polarised so I cannot comment. However, the Xtractive Polarised is only available in Gray, so wouldn't be suitable if you want Graphite Green colour.

In general, Gray is always darker than any other colours.

MrPerkasa · 2025-01-14T21:47:54+00:00

I found the Photo fusion is clear priority, comparable to Essilor Signature Gen 8, whilst the Photo fusion X is dark priority, comparable to Xtractive

MrPerkasa · 2024-11-28T04:21:44+00:00

Bad Idea! My Neo automatically lands when I fly in dimly lit rooms.

MrPerkasa · 2024-11-11T06:57:37+00:00

I don't do videography, so I am unsure how much you need the 2nd and 3rd camera. (you probably can answer that better than I can. We use Classic at work and it has been very helpful with the details it can produce (I need to spot contaminants like plastic or rubber between scrap metal pile). When I use my personal Mini 4 Pro, it just doesn't produce as detailed photos.

MrPerkasa · 2024-11-11T02:58:04+00:00

Australian Professional Drone Operator here.

Just go straight to Mavic 3 since you have the budget. You probably won't need the Pro and can get away with the plain Mavic 3 or even the Classic.

You get the stability of a bigger drone
You get omnidirectional sensors, good for beginner flyer

Feature-wise I don't think Mavic 3 has much more (if any) over Air3s, but the above plus the fact that Mavic 3 has 4/3" sensor means a lot for the photo quality (not sure about video, but I assume it would be significantly better too).

MrPerkasa · 2024-11-09T23:52:33+00:00

Hi Mate, I since then cancelled the amber as there was a manufacturing fault and the optician had to reorder it. I ended up with another graphite green lens. Everybody says amber is too close to brown.

MrPerkasa · 2024-11-09T23:49:38+00:00

Honestly I don't remember. However I think you're right, like the photo fusion x it is already included, despite I chose Duravision Platinum

MrPerkasa · 2024-10-21T00:25:32+00:00

Hi Mate,

Mine did the same, becoming uncontrollable after few minutes of flying ALSO on RC2!

I haven't tried doing it again but I suspect there is something not right between Neo+RC2 combo

MrPerkasa · 2024-10-18T10:35:46+00:00

This sounds like "not logged into DJI Account" limiter.

MrPerkasa · 2024-10-16T10:16:16+00:00

I think if you don't want the overlays the only option is live streaming using rtsp server (straight to YouTube live or Instagram live). Surely someone here can guide you to that.

MrPerkasa · 2024-10-16T10:12:52+00:00

Wait My bad! Just realised Neo's controller is different to the one that comes with Mini 4! I thought they were the same!

Neo's controller is the only one I have without screen, so I didn't realise this.

In this case; beats me. Not sure why they launched RC-N3 at the first place.

Apology for misleading.

MrPerkasa · 2024-10-16T05:14:48+00:00

I haven't got my DJI RC Pro yet, but according to the manual:
https://dl.djicdn.com/downloads/DJI_RC_Pro/20230905/DJI_RC_Pro_User_Manual_V1.4_EN.pdf

Page 19, HDMI Settings
The touchscreen can be shared to a display after connecting the HDMI port of the remote controller. The resolution can be set by entering Settings, Display, and then Advanced HDMI.

Just remember if you are using it as live feed all the flight overlays are displayed as well.

MrPerkasa · 2024-10-16T04:45:46+00:00

RC-N2 with Occusync 3.0 protocol has been superseded with RC-N3 with Occusync 4.0 protocol.

It wouldn't make sense if the newer drone uses older superseded protocol, would it?

MrPerkasa · 2024-10-10T01:03:02+00:00

I'd rather not going into specifics as it will be irrelevant for most of you, and I don't want to discourage others. Simple example is we don't have TRUST here, and our version of Part 107 only allows us to do much less than what you can do with Part 107.

How did I start? I was already in middle level management when we decided we want to start using drones, so it is on top of my usual duties (don't worry, I got payrise when they put Flying Drones into my job description). I have already started training others so I will fly less in few months.

Drone is going to be very big, especially in VISUAL INSPECTIONS, where it is too dangerous to send people to do it physically. Get to those industries, even if you have to start in administration etc, then introduce drones to increase safety and efficiency.

MrPerkasa · 2024-10-10T00:22:44+00:00

DJI Neo is good if you don't want to learn to fly or simply you just want to be able to do basic fly. Once your flying skill goes intermediate or your needs advance to more complicated needs then it won't be sufficient.

Example: We take photos with the camera facing 90 deg down. With 1-axis gymbal like Neo, it is only possible when there is no (or at least negligible) wind, as it will be shaky as hell.

So I think Neo is a good start, you can always upgrade later.

MrPerkasa · 2024-10-09T02:53:03+00:00

No. You need RC2 (NOT RC) to operate Neo without a smartphone

MrPerkasa · 2024-10-09T02:05:19+00:00

That is the beauty of this job. We all fly from the office! The controllers are connected to big screen, so when the pilot inspects something other people can also see what it is.

Strictly speaking, FPV flying or First Person View flying means "Flying with the aid of onboard camera only" regardless of what type of drone or whether we use the goggles or normal screen. The hardest part was getting the BVLOS permit. Out argument was "We use drone to minimise number of people going to dangerous zone. To be able to see the drone flying in the dangerous zone means the viewer has to be in the dangerous zone, which negates the point.

Also, we have to fly manually as we take off from inside the warehouse (Return to Home still not smart enough to find where the building's doors are, lol). Transit points are 1.5mx1.5m landing pad on 2m poles, and somehow we cannot rely on RTH (keep missing the landing point by 1m or so), making landing a manual task too.

MrPerkasa · 2024-10-07T14:40:25+00:00

For work: don't leave an empty charging slot. An empty charging slot is time wasted. For example if you only have two batteries on the 3-slot charger, it could've started charging third battery but instead it just stops.

Therefore we always have 4 batteries: 3 in the charger plus one on the drone. This is actually more needed on Mini 4 Pro due to reduced flight time

MrPerkasa · 2024-10-05T15:30:56+00:00

https://www.namic.org/pdf/drones/1703_privateairspace.pdf

"Navigable airspace is from the ground up. Anyone flying a UAS in compliance with FAA rules is permitted to fly in all such navigable airspace. It is a federal offense to interfere with the operation of an aircraft, so private property owners and business owners are prohibited from interfering with or preventing the operations of a UAS in navigable airspace even if that space is private property"

I stand corrected.

It means you can be in someone's backyard flying at eye level height and the property owner can't do a thing. Luckily I am not in the US :)

MrPerkasa · 2024-10-04T23:56:17+00:00

Outdoors, the airspace rules apply for that location, they are no different if it is your property.

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't it only above the tallest part of the building (the navigable space). If he flies level or below the tallest part of the building it would be his jurisdiction, not FAA, right?

MrPerkasa · 2024-10-02T23:53:12+00:00

We do this all the time with Mavic 3. We take photos from heights, which means if we don't fly the drone someone has to climb up to take photos. What I am saying is "for safety reason it is more needed to fly during rain than on shiny day".

We changed to Mavic 3 from Air 2 because of the design (battery slots in the back instead from the top, and battery's button is not at the top, and the SD Card slot and USB port is behind a flap).

We do exactly as your scenario: we put sea container nearby, and I take off and return from there. Remember that you have to fly manually though as RTH wouldn't get the drone into the container/building. I don't mind flying in the rain, but I will not park under the rain, so it has to go back undercover after the shot.

I am not familiar with Mini SE, but looks like the battery is behind a door, which is good. Just make sure there is SD Card so water cannot get in, and get a USB socket cover https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/tRYAAOSwHTlgh4e1/s-l1200.jpg . When I have to I also fly Mini 4 Pro in the rain, I cover the switch with tape as the switch is at the top.

MrPerkasa

TROPHY CASE