Take This WildVenture Hexi Camping Outdoor Insulated Sport Throw Blanket Anywhere!
Product description:
EASY CARRY – This WildVenture blanket is easy to take with you thanks to the FREE carrying bag with a handle. So no matter where you are, you’ll be prepared.
STAY-DRY DESIGN – No need worrying about damp grass making you cold and wet. This blanket’s shell repels moisture, so you remain dry and toasty, and yet it’s soft to the touch thanks to its non-slip inner lining.
LIFETIME WARRANTY – They’re so positive you’ll love your blanket that each one comes with a lifetime warranty! Go hiking, camping, picnicking, to the beach, and more with the blanket that’s guaranteed to last.
Dimensions: (L x W): 80″ x 50″, Weight: 2.3 lbs. Imported.
Now, I Know I Can Do Anything!
We recently received this very versatile blanket to add to our ever-growing, never-enough camping gear. The Hexi Do Anything Blanket that we are now in love with is from WildVenture. This company, with a catchy name, is new to both of us. This extremely compact blanket fits into a well-made sleeve which makes it easy to transport anywhere. This Do Anything blanket offers a moisture resistant exterior and a non-slip inner lining. One of your favorite features would have to be the built-in snaps for closure or connecting it to a second Hexi blanket. Although this lightweight insulated blanket will not stop bullets it will stop the evening chill when you are picnicking, tailgating, camping, stargazing, or whatever you’re into.
Don’t fumble on game night, whether your hosting or attending, make sure you have all the football party must-haves to score big points.
In order to host the perfect Super Bowl party you’ll need:
Send Invites. As soon as you decide to have the party, send out a text, email, or tweet to let everyone know. Then, send out an invite and reminders. The invite is a great chance to set the tone of the party and the R.S.V.P.s will help you find out how many guests to expect.
TV – Will you have everyone in one room in front of a big screen TV or spread out in several rooms? Whatever you decide make sure that you have at least one good TV. The countdown to Super Bowl Sunday is the best time to score a new TV at the best price. Need a big screen for the big game? You can save $400 on a Sony 65″ Class X900F-Series Smart 4K Ultra HD TV with HDR at Best Buy and Walmart is offering $500 off their Sony 65″ Class 4K UHD (2160P) Smart LED TV (XBR65X900F). In addition to the great deals on televisions of all sizes on both sites right now you can find some pretty awesome deals on Amazon, too.
Prepare Early. Have the house clean, chairs in place, serving platters out on the table or counter, coolers in place, do EVERYTHING but bring out the food before the pre-game coverage starts at 1 p.m. Eastern.
Decorations in the team colors such as banners, streamers, table covers, pom-poms, balloons add to the festive mood. Real and mini footballs, football-themed mylar balloons, and anything else with footballs on them will make your guests feel that they are in for a night of pigskin fun. Some green indoor/outdoor carpet with white gridlines painted on it makes a big statement and a great clean-up time saver. Coasters with your favorite team’s logo can save your coffee table while adding to the look.
Coolers, buckets, or small tubs for drinks – Place them in strategic spots so guests won’t have to miss any of the game.
Ice – You’ll need more than you think so pick up an extra bag or two.
Beer and other alcoholic beverages – Most party goers will be drinking beer so offer a large assortment of bottled and canned beer. Also, have wine, wine coolers, and mixed drinks available. Up the ante by creating a signature drink with a football name and/or team colors.
Bottle openers – Place several near the drinks so that they are handy.
Soda or other non-alcoholic drinks – Don’t forget about the non-drinkers in your group. A punch in team colors is a great way to take your party up a notch.
If your budget allows, let guests know that their kids are welcome and hire a babysitter. Kid-proof a room in your house where the babysitter can play games and entertain the younger kids while the parents relax and enjoy the party.
Food – In addition to the typical wings, barbeque, meatballs, subs, chips, chili, and such; add some foods based on the hometowns of the teams! Sweets are a must for any party so consider setting up a candy display in team colors. A cake or cupcakes in the teams’ colors will also satisfy those half-time sweet tooths. Also, don’t forget to draw laces on foods like deviled eggs, mini football-shaped meatloaves, cheese balls, pigs in the blanket, chocolate dipped strawberries, brownies, cookies, and chocolate peanut butter footballs. String cheese, melted chocolate, condiments, and icing are great for doing this.
Serving platters, trays, and bowls – Inexpensive football-themed items add to the fun. Just make sure you have enough serving pieces for all the snacks you’ll be setting out.
Plates, bowls, cups, and cutlery – Make sure plates are sturdy enough to handle all the food that will be piled on them. Picks with footballs and pendants on them are great for picking up and eating a lot of the foods that are on a party buffet.
Napkins and paper towels – You’ll need lots of these for wiping messy hands and spills. For napkins, go with team colors or yellow ones which can be “penalty flags”.
Set up a photo booth. Clear a small area and hang a colorful backdrop, a banner, and/or streamers. Add a helmet and football for props. Encourage guests to mug for the camera and watch the fun begin!
Get your bathroom(s) ready for guests. Remove any medications and/or personal items from the counters and medicine chest. Have a plunger and plenty of toilet paper available in each restroom. A radio tuned in to the game may make the gentlemen more willing to take time to aim.
Seating is a must – Ask friends to bring over folding chairs if you don’t have enough, and don’t be afraid to bring in the lawn chairs. You can also put some big pillows on the floor so those sitting on it can be comfortable, too.
Create an outdoor space. Place ashtrays, a small TV or radio, and some chairs for guests to go outdoors for a break without missing any of the game. Add, a few of the party decorations to the area to make it inviting.
Half of the Super Bowl fun is the pools! Buy a couple of prizes for the winner(s). Put them on display to build excitement. If you’re not sure how to set one up, here’s a great How-To Set Up a Super Bowl Pool post that makes setting one up super easy.
Parting gifts are a wonderful way to say thank you for coming. A football-shaped cookie or keychain, beer koozie, or a small bag of candy in their team’s colors all make wonderful gifts. Place in a bowl by the door and they can grab one as they leave.
This guide was created pre-pandemic. Please scroll down to our 2021 Super Bowl section for the new CDC guidelines. You’ll find tips for staying safe and ideas for creating a fun time for everyone in your home.
If you’ve been lucky enough to be invited to a party, you don’t want to show up
looking like a loser:
You’ll need the right attire. Not only does it need to be comfortable but it also has to show your team spirit. You can find the best at NFLShop.com. It is the official online store of the National Football League and offers the biggest selection of officially licensed NFL apparel and merchandise online. You’ll find all kinds of merchandise for all 32 teams.
Bring an impressive snack. Forget the chips, think sliders, poppers, meatballs, nachos, homemade dipping sauces, salsas, and such. Anything with bacon and/or cheese is sure to be a hit, too.
Now’s the day to strut your swag. Bring your bandanas, flags, foam fingers, anything that shows your team spirit.
THE BIG GAME!!!!
COUNTDOWN TO SUPER BOWL 2021
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The NFL’s Super Bowl LIII, in which the AFC champion will face-off with the NFC champion for the league championship was held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on February 3, 2019, at 6:30 p.m. Eastern on CBS.
It is rumored that Maroon 5 will headline the halftime show, though the NFL has not confirmed the reports. If they do, will you be watching the halftime show? If you could choose the performer, who would you like to see?
UPDATE: The halftime show was headlined by U.S. pop group Maroon 5, joined by rappers Big Boi and Travis Scott as guests.
Also, as of the publication of this post, the singer for the national anthem hasn’t been announced yet. Who do you think it will be?
UPDATE: Empress of Soul, Gladys Knight sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl 2019
Atlanta natives Chloe x Halle performed “America the Beautiful”. Gladys Knight, also from Atlanta, performed “The Star-Spangled Banner”. D.C. resident Aarron Loggins performed a sign-language interpretation for both songs. Bernice King—the daughter of Martin Luther King Jr.—and civil rights movement leaders Andrew Young and John Lewis participated in the coin toss ceremony. King had the honors of flipping the coin. MVP was wide receiver, Julian Edelman.
The American Football Conference champions New England Patriots and the National Football Conference champions Los Angeles Rams faced off February 3, 2019, during Super Bowl LIII. Scoreless in the first three quarters and with just 16 points scored in the fourth quarter, it was the lowest-scoring Super Bowl in history! The Patriots defeated the Rams by the score of 13–3, tying the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most Super Bowl championships with six. Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman, who caught 10 passes for 141 yards, was named Super Bowl MVP. Still reeling from the controversy caused by its players, the broadcast of the game on CBS had the smallest Super Bowl audience in 10 years.
Super Bowl LIV, the 54th Super Bowl and the 50th modern-era National Football League championship game, will decide the league champion for the league’s centennial season. The game was played on February 2, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Florida.
The Chiefs were the designated home team for Super Bowl LIV, as the home team alternates between the two conferences annually. As the designated home team, the Chiefs elected to wear their standard red home jerseys with white pants. The 49ers wore their standard white away jerseys with gold pants. This was the first time two teams with red as a primary uniform color met in the Super Bowl. The 49ers reportedly sought special permission to wear their all-white third jersey combination, which would have required special approval from the league; approval was not granted. Gambling establishments had the Chiefs as 1.5-point favorites to open and set the projected total points to 52.5. Both figures moved to 1 and 53 shortly thereafter.
Yolanda Adams performed “America the Beautiful”, while Demi Lovato performed “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The halftime show was led by Jennifer Lopez and Shakira. Guests performers J Balvin and Bad Bunny featured during the show, as well as Lopez’s daughter, Emme Muñiz.
The game was held one week after the Calabasas helicopter crash that claimed the lives of former basketball star Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and six others. The victims were honored in a tribute, with 49ers and Chiefs players lined up at opposite 24-yard lines in homage to Bryant’s jersey number 24. Also honored was former All-Pro defensive end Chris Doleman, who lost his battle with glioblastoma five days earlier. Four 100-year-old World War II veterans participated in the coin toss ceremony. MVP this year was quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Super Bowl LV, the 55th Super Bowl and the 51st modern-era National Football League championship game, will decide the league champion for the 2020 NFL season. The American Football Conference champion Kansas City Chiefs will play the National Football Conference champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL Sunday, February 7, 2021, at 6:30 pm. You can look forward to The Weeknd taking the stage at halftime, which will begin at approximately 8:30 p.m.
The NFL has announced that Grammy-nominated artists Eric Church and Jazmine Sullivan will sing the national anthem together at Super Bowl LV. Grammy-winning singer H.E.R. will perform “America the Beautiful.”
According to PointsBet, the Kansas City Chiefs are this year’s favorite to win the Lombardi Trophy over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Who do you think will win?
Since the Buccaneers and the Chiefs qualified for the Super Bowl LV on Jan. 24, team personnel have been tested for coronavirus twice daily. Anyone with a confirmed positive test must stay away from their team for a minimum of 10 days. The Buccaneers and the Chiefs have not had a positive test in more than three weeks.
R&B singer H.E.R. performed “America the Beautiful,” country music singer Eric Church and R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan performed the national anthem. This was only the second time that the national anthem was sung as a duet in a Super Bowl. The halftime show was headlined by Canadian singer The Weeknd. The show featured a number of his hit songs, including “Can’t Feel My Face”, “Earned It”, and “Blinding Lights”, among others.
Kansas City entered the game favored to win, but because of offensive struggles and costly penalties, the Buccaneers were victorious in the 2021 Super Bowl. It was their second and made them one of only two teams, along with the Baltimore Ravens, to be undefeated in multiple Super Bowls. Due to COVID-19 protocols limiting the stadium’s seating capacity to 25,000 fans, it was the least-attended Super Bowl. The NFL filled in the empty seats by selling 30,000 cardboard cutouts to fans.
Tom Brady, with seven wins in his ten Super Bowl appearances, was named Super Bowl MVP for a record fifth time and was the first to receive the award with multiple franchises.
With the pandemic, this year’s game will be a different experience for many fans.
No Pepsi ~ No Coca-Cola ~ No Budweiser ADS!
SuperBowl LV is going to look a lot different between plays this year, too!
The CDC has issued Super Bowl watch party guidelines amid COVID-19 pandemic!
Super Bowl Sunday is fast approaching, and while many families and groups of friends have traditions to watch the big game together, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said you may not want to do that this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The CDC suggests hosting a virtual Super Bowl watch party. You can wear the team colors and jerseys, and set up a Zoom or other online conference call to watch live with your family and friends. You can also text each other during the game.
You can also have an outdoor viewing party, the CDC says. If you do this, you will need to stay six feet apart. Help everyone keep their distance, show the game on a projector screen.
If you must take part in a large gathering, the CDC says to call the location you’re going to, to make sure they are taking steps to prevent the spread of the virus and abide by the rules set by the venue.
Be sure to arrive early to avoid crowding and congestion. And, don’t use the restrooms during high-traffic times like halftime. I know it’s hard but try not to cheer and chant. Stomp, clap, and use hand-held noisemakers instead.
Limit your alcohol intake as consuming alcohol may make you less likely to follow COVID-19 precautions.
Remember to wear a mask over your nose and mouth when in a group of people with whom you don’t live. Also, avoid any direct contact. That means no handshakes, hugs, or even high-fives, with people who live outside of your household.
Wash your hands frequently, or use hand sanitizer. Don’t touch your eyes, nose, masks, or mouth.
The CDC also recommended that people attending events bring their own food, plates, cups, utensils, condiments, and drinks.
There always is a spike in coronavirus cases when there is an occasion that people gather in large groups. We don’t want your Super Bowl celebration to become a super-spreader event. The safest thing to do is to watch Super Bowl LV between the Chiefs and Buccaneers at home with the members of your household.
Just because you skip the invites doesn’t mean you can’t go the extra yard! Throw on your favorite team’s jersey, decorate with all the game day swag you can muster, recreate your favorite stadium foods, and root on your team like you just scored the touchdown.
Get the kids involved…
Have them make tickets to the game and create game-day programs. The program could include photos/drawings of all the players (aka, the party guests) and short, funny descriptions of each family member.
Make football-shaped labels: Cut a football shape from brown cardstock or construction paper. Sew the laces of a football through the paper using a needle and tan yarn or hemp string. Write the food information on each. Attach or place them by each dish.
If they have any old football helmets, place them upside down on the food table with a bowl inside each one, and then fill the bowls with chips or popcorn.
Have them create a triangle pennant garland that spells out the words “Go Team!”, “Super Bowl” or if everyone is rooting for the same team put their name on the banner. You can place their finished banner behind the food table or display it on a wall in your viewing area. To make a pendant banner, cut at least the same number of triangles as the words and spaces of what you want your banner to say. Construction or colored paper work well for this. spell out “Go Team!”, “Super Bowl LV”, OR whatever you want with one letter on each triangle, punch one hole in two corners of each triangle, then thread a piece of yarn or ribbon through the holes. String extra triangles on either side of the words.
While they’re creating have them make signs to hold up during the game. The signs could include the letter “D” and a picket fence (“defense!”), they could have the teams’ names on them, “touchdown”, “throw the flag”, or they could be anything their imagination designs.
Let them help you make rice cereal marshmallow treats shaped like footballs. Have them arrange thinly sliced pepperoni in the shape of a football in the middle of a frozen pizza. Place strands of string cheese across the center for laces. Once done, bake until warm and gooey.
Set the mood for Super Bowl. Whether it’s a party for one or a small gathering of your immediate family, don’t skimp on the decorations, food, or fun!
Super Bowl LVI, the 56th Super Bowl and 52nd modern-era National Football League championship game, will decide the league champion for the league’s centennial season. The game is scheduled to be played on February 13, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. It will be televised nationally by NBC.
The halftime show will be headlined by Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar. For the first time, the Super Bowl is scheduled on a date that falls within the date range of an ongoing Olympics event, the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Typically in the past, major television events have been rescheduled during Olympic years to avoid clashing with the games.
Want to watch all the playoff games? You’ll find the playoff schedule on NFL.com.
Super Bowl LVI will be played between the National Football Conference champion Los Angeles Rams and the American Football Conference champion Cincinnati Bengals!
PlaSmart Watermelon Ball JR The Ball You Fill with Water, Kick, Dribble, and Pass Under Water! Just fill with water and get your game on!
EXCELLENT FOR POOL PARTIES AND GET-TOGETHERS the Watermelon Ball JR can be passed up to 8 ft and dribbled like a basketball underwater.
LOOKS, FEELS, AND BEHAVES like a watermelon in water, this fun toy is nearly neutrally buoyant when filled with water, and durable enough to withstand intense play.
A FUN, UNIQUE POOL GAME combining components of football, basketball, and rugby in the water for age 6 yrs and up.
MULTI-COLOR DESIGN makes this an attractive pool toy with high visibility under water.
ENJOY PEACE OF MIND: Watermelon Ball JR meets and exceeds all US and Canadian safety standards; CPSIA, CCPSA, and ASTM certified.
You should never play with your food. Which is why, if you want to play the full-contact pool sport known as Watermelon Ball you’ve got to have one of these balls!
Real watermelons are nearly neutrally buoyant: first sinking to the bottom then slowly rising to the top, making them ideal for all kinds of water games. Designed to look, feel, and behave like a watermelon in water, this Watermelon Ball JR is a smaller, lighter version of the original Watermelon Ball. Think sugar baby melon. With this ball, you can dribble, kick, bounce, pass, and intercept under the water. Unlike a real watermelon, it has an extremely durable vinyl membrane that stands up to the intense action. When filled its size is 6″ dia and weights approximately 4.17 lbs. The Watermelon Ball JR comes with hose adaptor, 2 filling needles, and instructions.
There have been many games that have come and gone, but none match the fun and excitement of watermelon ball. What is Watermelon Ball? Glad you asked. This full-contact aquatic sport is a fun and exhausting way to get a pool workout. This high energy game is played like an underwater version of rugby. Grab your best buds and form two teams. As your team tries to advance the ball across the pool to opposite end of the pool and score a goal the defense will use any means necessary to stop you: dunks, holds, and even flat-out wrestling. The PlaSmart Watermelon Ball JR is as slippery as its namesake, so there’ll be plenty of possession changes as you battle. Thanks to PlaSmart’s commitment to high-quality this ball will hold up to the epic battle!
If you are looking for a new toy to enjoy on a hot day in the backyard pool or a fun and creative pool party idea we would highly recommend this entertaining game that people both young and old can participate in. We spent some time testing out the buoyancy of this ball. You can also get some great exercise by passing this ball around the pool. After chasing it for several hours with my sister and nephew I can attest that I sure got a lot of exercise chasing it!
Be sure to check out this cool ball on the PlaSmart Website. And, visit them on Twitter, and Facebook to see more great products!
2018 World Tour Now On Sale!
Save 25% Off Harlem Globetrotter Tickets – Any Game
With a star-studded roster featuring Big Easy Lofton, Ant Atkinson, Hi-Lite Bruton, Thunder Law, Bull Bullard and Cheese Chisholm – plus female stars TNT Lister, Ace Jackson and Hoops Green – the Harlem Globetrotters’ show is unrivaled in the world of family entertainment. Their 2018 World Tour will showcase incredible ball handling wizardry, rim-rattling dunks, trick shots, hilarious comedy and unequaled fan interaction. After the game, Globetrotter stars will sign autographs and take photos with fans.
Founded in 1926 by Abe Saperstein, the Harlem Globetrotters are a worldwide icon, synonymous with family entertainment and great basketball skills. The Globetrotters represent nine decades of breaking down barriers, acts of goodwill, and a commitment to fans that goes beyond the game. The Globetrotters have entertained more than 144 million fans in 122 countries and territories worldwide. They have introduced many to the sport of basketball and have popularized the slam dunk, fast break, the forward and point guard positions, and the figure-eight weave.
We’re Going To See The Harlem Globetrotters!
During the ‘70s and ‘80s, the Globetrotters entertained us on Saturday’s with “The Harlem Globetrotters” cartoon show, which had some of the highest ratings Saturday morning television history, and a live-action Saturday morning variety show, “The Harlem Globetrotters Popcorn Machine.” Along with millions of others, I was captivated by their energy. Although we grew up on opposite sides of the U.S., Marcus and both still remember the excitement and awe we felt when we got to see them live more than 40 years ago! My children were also thrilled with their live performance and still get excited when thinking about the time they got to see them. Now, I get to take my nephew and twin grandchildren to their show here in Charleston this weekend. I know that these 12-year-olds will be awed just like we were.
My Readers SAVE 25% on ALL Harlem Globetrotters Games with promo code FUNFAM
OUR VISIT TO SEE THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS!
I haven’t seen the Harlem Globetrotters for many years and it was more show vs game and basketball tricks than I remember. However, the three 12-year-olds I had with me loved all the antics and showmanship. They were frequently laughing throughout the event and were excited to get to meet the players after the show. The autograph session after the game was a bit chaotic as every youngster wanted to get their balls and jerseys signed. The players took time to pose for pictures and some even talked with the kids.
The Harlem Globetrotters are very talented, hilarious and entertaining as they spin the basketball on their fingertips, seem to defy gravity as they fly into the air for a slam dunk, and toss that the ball between their legs back and forth with lightning speed.
We’ve put together some of the biggest mistakes we see dronepilots making. Whether you’re an experienced pilot or just a beginner, we all make mistakes. We hope that you can learn from these tips and not make these mistakes yourself!
1. Not knowing your drone and controller.
You are now the proud new owner of a drone! After anxiously waiting to open your new aircraft, you tear the drone out of the box, put in the batteries, and rush outside to take to the skies. Of course, you gather up your friends and neighbors to witness your great first flight. Everyone is impressed with your mad skills. That is when in a split second, it all goes wrong. To prevent major failure and loss of your done, before taking to the skies you need to understand all the functions of the controller, know what each button does, how to setup all the features, and have a basic understanding of how a drone flies.
2. Not knowing how sensors work.
Drones have many types of sensors to provide you with the best user experience. From Multispectral, Lidar, Photogrammetry and Thermal sensors that are used to provide 3D models of buildings and landscape to ToF depth ranging camera sensors that can be used for object scanning, indoor navigation, obstacle avoidance, gesture recognition, tracking objects, measuring volumes, reactive altimeters, 3D photography, augmented reality games and much more.
In addition, many drones are now equipped with collision avoidance systems. These drone vision systems use obstacle detection sensors to scan the surroundings while software algorithms and SLAM technology to produce the images into 3D maps allowing the flight controller to sense and avoid the object. However, it is unlikely that they will detect small thin objects like power lines in time to avoid a crash.
3. Flying in restricted areas.
As a new drone pilot, in addition to learning how your drone operates, you should educate yourself on the airspace regulations of your country, and the general rules of safe flying. Restricted areas are typically located around airports, military installations, or other areas where flight could be hazardous. Temporary Flight Restrictions ( TFRs ) define a certain area of airspace where air travel is limited because of a temporary hazardous condition, such as a wildfire or chemical spill; a security-related event. The TFR website can help narrow down the relevant active TFRs in a specific area.
Without a camera, if your drone is less than the limit of 0.5lb, you shouldn’t need to register it. However, if your drone has a camera, you may need to get it registered with the FAA regardless of weight. Technically, you don’t have to register your drone if you are flying under the Special Rule for Model Aircraft, but it’s not always possible to fit the criteria of that rule, and it’s better to be safe than sorry. To register your drone, you will need to go to registermyuas.faa.gov. Don’t worry, it’s an inexpensive and easy process.
4. Not taking gimbal bracket/covers and sensor stickers off.
If your drone has any “remove before flight” stickers and/or foam or a plastic clamp that holds the gimbal in place be sure to remove them. Not doing so can cause your motors to overheat and irreparable damage may occur.
5. Not updating firmware
Why you should upgrade to the latest firmware.Firmware is essentially the software that operates a particular device. Nearly every device you use has a firmware, from calculators to modems, to smartphones and most other devices we’d consider ‘smart’. So, it’s no surprise then that drones have relatively complex firmware, which controls how all the various electronics within the UAV and the controller interact. If you want to keep your drone running to the best of its abilities, update the firmware!
6. Flying without a spotter.
Flying is not without risks. After all, think about it, you have a package of sensitive electronics zipping around at a range of speeds and altitudes. One mistake can easily spell disaster for what are usually expensive hardware investments. Sometimes, things just go bad. Currently, FPV technology inherently sacrifices peripheral vision. Because of the shaky beginning every novice pilot encounters, there will be the inevitable crashes that come with learning. Having another person maintaining a line of sight can be invaluable when this happens. Also, having a buddy out there with you sharing in the experience can make for a richer experience.
7. Not understanding the weather.
As a drone pilot, you should have a high-level understanding of important weather factors and how it will affect your drone. Both hot and cold environments will cause adverse reactions for various components in your drone, resulting in reduced flight performance.
Obviously, drones don’t hold up well in rain, sleet, or snow. If you’re out in the field and it’s raining even slightly, don’t fly — it’s not worth the risk. Fog may not get the same attention precipitation does, but it doesn’t mean it’s any less crucial to consider. Drones don’t handle any sort of moisture well, regardless of the form it comes in.
Higher wind speeds make it more difficult for your aircraft to hold its positioning, which will result in shorter flight times, less accurate position holds, and more difficult maneuvering. The key here is to not fly in conditions where gusts may exceed your drone’s top speed, not just the average wind speed. Terrian can affect wind speed. Going over a gorge, around a building, or other objects can cause a sudden gust of wind.
8. Not calibrating the Gyro, IMU, Compass, GPS, etc.
It would be nice if these calibrations could be set once, but things like differing magnetic pulls, a hard landing, and other factors skew the drone’s sensors, in particular, the accelerometer and magnetometer. The accelerometer is responsible for keeping the drone stable and balanced as it flies, detecting changes in rotational attributes like pitch, roll, and yaw. The magnetometer is the compass that guides the drone between cardinal directions as it flies over a field, mostly to assist against orientation drift.
A very important, but often overlooked, step in flying a drone is to calibrate the drone’s compass each time that you fly. This is especially important if you bring the drone to a new location to fly. To be safe and prevent a fly-away, complete the calibration process every time you put the machine in the air. GPS is what keeps the drone in place and from drifting. If your drone has it, keep it turned on!
9. Flying indoors for the first flight.
Flying your drone indoors presents a unique set of risks and challenges, such as flying into people, furniture, ceilings, and floors. If you have pets, you have to be concerned with their curiosity with the flying chew toy. You can easily damage something or someone. In order to avoid breaking something expensive or giving someone a haircut, you’ll want to make sure you know what you’re doing before attempting this advanced flight.
10. Not getting GPS lock on before flying.
GPS is used to help the drone determine its position and yours and is what makes it possible for the drone to stop and hover in place. There are always far more than 6 GPS and Glonass satellites visible at any given time. Barriers, such as structures, terrain and even weather (clouds, precipitation) can cause the signal to be unusable. Generally, if you have 6 or more locked before takeoff, you should have at least that while flying, unless you fly near buildings, into a tunnel, etc. If your drone includes GPS stabilization, return-to-home functionality, and other automated flight modes getting a GPS lock before each flight can make a difference in getting your drone safely on the ground or lost to you forever. For solar weather, you can check http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/.
11. Flying too far away.
Drone technology has grown by leaps and bounds over the last few years, and consumer drones have better range than ever before. But the maximum range is only achieved if there is nothing in between you and the quadcopter – if you’re in an open field and fly straight out, or if you fly high and straight out so that there’s a straight line between you and the drone. Some drones have ranges of around 2 to 3 miles – the drone can maintain a radio link to the pilot and a video link, too. Most FPV systems work on the 5.8 gHz spectrum, which has even less range than 2.4 gHz commonly used in radios. Understanding the range of your particular drone model allows you to properly operate this machine, so as to not attempt to fly out of range and damage it.
12. Overcharging and Draining the battery.
Never overcharge a LiPo battery, they do not have a safe saturation point like car batteries where they will no longer accept a charge. If you overcharge a LiPo battery, it can eventually explode. You should also never “trickle” charge a LiPo battery (use a charger designed for LiPo batteries). Also, you also should not discharge a LiPo battery below 3.0v per cell to maintain a healthy battery. It is best practice to always leave 20% of rated capacity in the pack at the end of a flight, with 10% as an absolute minimum.
Safety Tip: Always use a fireproof container such as a LiPo safety bag, metal ammo box, or fireproof safe for storage. Remember to never leave your LiPo batteries sitting around on a full charge for more than 2-3 days. If by the 3rd day you realize you are not going to use your battery today, you need to discharge your battery for safe storage until you are ready to use the battery again. If you’ve ever purchased a new battery and checked the voltage, you should have discovered that it was at approximately 40% of capacity. Over the years, manufacturers have to come to the conclusion that this is the best condition for cell storage over long periods.
13. Flying Into trees and other obstacles.
If you fly these fun machines, it’s only a matter of time – usually a very short duration – until you get one stuck up in a tree. Given murphy’s law and your luck, it will naturally be quite high up. Getting your new drone stuck in a tree can be extremely frustrating. Not only does it force you to hang up the controller, but it also leaves you feeling dejected until you get it down or get a new one. If possible, fly in a large open field away from trees and other obstacles.
It might happen the first time you fly it outside due to inexperience, or it might happen way on down the line due to overconfidence. Or it might happen just by sheer bad luck. Even experienced pilots can run afoul of the giant oak tree and need to call the local power company to save Christmas and their grandchildren’s present. Yep, that’s Santa’s helpers getting a Bugs 2 down. Grandpa was testing it out before putting it under the Christmas tree.
