Introduction: How to Get a Drone Out of a Tree

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Getting your new drone stuck in a tree can be extremely frustrating. Not only does it force you to hang up the controller for the last time, but it also leaves you with a feeling of dejectedness for the next 2 years, or until you get a new one. However, there are a few steps that you can take, (Besides prevention, of course) to get your drone out of a tree.

Here is a link to flite test's amazing tutorial as to how

Step 1: Climb the Tree

Simple. The best way to get a drone out of a tree is to just climb the tree. Unless its above the height of 20 feet, you can place a ladder at the bottom of the tree, get as high as you can, and then extend a pole or broomstick up to the height of the drone, and bat it down.

Step 2: Get a Long Pole or Ladder

The other simplest way to get a drone down from a tree is to attempt to poke, beat, or bat the thing down with a long pole or other long, flat object. Be careful that it doesn't hit you though! Another good way to get the thing down is using a ladder. This is the most obvious way to do it. If this doesn't work, move on to step three.

Step 3: The Throw Weight

So... If you are reading this far, you probably have tried everything and it didn't work. This is the number one trick I would use in the rescue and recovery of all craft, not just drones.

1. Take a large heavy object (make sure you can throw it a fair distance)

2. Tie some light fishing line to it (Make sure it's snug enough. Give it a test throw)

3. Walk about 100ft down the field or whatever area is under the tree

4. Unwind the line as you walk

5. Go back to your starting point.

Now comes the fun part

1. Throw the line over the part of the tree that the craft is stuck on. Be sure you overshoot a bit (a bit to the left or right will work just fine. On the craft will break it)

2. Shake. Be sure to keep cycling the part of the line that is rubbing on the tree so that it's not breaking and you have to repeat the process.

3. Shake the line until the thing falls down. You may have to cut the line and repeat until you've found a good angle of attack on the craft.

4. Pat yourself on the back. You've rescued the thing yourself! Congratulations!

Step 4: Dart Gun

Using a cheap foam dart gun such as the Nerf N-Strike Elite Retaliator can help to bump your drone down a few branches, hopefully putting it within range of your ladder on long pole.

Step 5: Water

This should only be used as a LAST RESORT. Using a hose to blow the drone down is a good idea, but chances are, unless you have an AVIAX drone, the thing isn't going to be flying anytime soon. If this doesn't work, then try the next step, but proceed with caution.

Step 6: Fire Department

Calling the fire department should only be used as a last resort, and can land you in jail in some cases, if you're not careful.

Step 7: The Grand Lift of Amazingness

So this is probably the first thing that you should do if you do, in the event of a crash, get your plane stuck up in a tree. This is by far the most efficient, as it involves the least amount of space, and can raise itself the highest to free even the most up-there planes. (No pun intended). IF you need a lift, you should call your local rent-a-center, or some other alternative.

Step 8: Know When to Give Up

Unless your drone is worth more than $80, then give up when you've had enough, wait for the next storm, or try getting someone else to take it down. Remember, your life is more important than your aerial filming platform.