Atti Mode

I hadn't heard of it until I got the drone.

"Atti" refers to a type of flight control where all the navigation aids are switched off. It can be quite windy, conventionally, take your hands off the levers and the drone hangs magically stationary in the air using clever GPS technology to resist the wind. Switch over to atti mode and it will drift off in the breeze, a hundred metres in a few seconds like a disposable supermarket plastic bag. Why on earth do that? you may ask.

There is presumption with examiners that the drone operator should be able to fly and land safely in the event of the navigation side failing. With a stiff breeze it is very difficult indeed. Instread of landing on a door mat its more like aiming for a small tennis court. The wind gust speed measured about 7 metres per second at ground level so it was alwaysgoing to be tricky and thankfully I was just training.