3 Fatal DRONE MISTAKES…when flying over water🔸DJI Mini 3, DJI Mini 2, DJI Air 2s, Mavic 3,

Summary

In this episode, the filmmaker shares crucial tips for flying drones over water, highlighting the risks posed by downward sensors. He recounts personal experiences of drones crashing into water due to sensor confusion and explains the technical reasons behind it. He emphasizes maintaining a minimum altitude of 10 meters over water and the importance of rebooting the drone if it acts strangely. He also advises returning with at least 50% battery when flying far over water. The episode ends with an announcement of an upcoming year-long drone adventure across India.

Takeaways

• ✈️ Flying low over water can be risky because downward sensors on drones often get confused by the reflections and movements of the water surface.
• 🚁 The drone's downward sensors use visual and infrared systems to estimate altitude, but water's unpredictable nature can mislead these sensors.
• 🌊 Water surfaces appear more predictable to drones at higher altitudes, suggesting that flying above 10 meters might be safer.
• 🧐 The drone's altitude reading may not be accurate when flying low over water, so it's important to be cautious.
• 🔄 If a drone behaves unusually while hovering, it might need a restart, just like other electronic devices.
• 💡 Trust your intuition; if the drone seems off before a flight, consider rebooting it to ensure proper operation.
• 🌬️ Strong winds can drain drone batteries quickly during flights over water, so it's crucial to monitor battery levels closely.
• 🔋 Older drone batteries can deplete rapidly, leading to potential emergency landings.
• 🏠 When flying over water, aim to return home with at least 50% battery to ensure a safe return.
• 🎥 Upcoming drone adventures in India will focus on optimism and volunteering, with exciting new backdrops for videos.

Q & A

Why did the author decide to make this episode about flying drones over water?

The author decided to make this episode about flying drones over water because of a significant crash prevention tip they discovered after years of experience and a few hard lessons.

What was the first drone the author owned and what happened to it?

The author's first drone crashed into a lake near their house when the downward sensors got confused, mistaking the water surface for a landing area.

What are the two types of sensor systems in drones that help estimate the drone's altitude?

The two types of sensor systems are the visual sensor system, which uses a downward camera and software to analyze images of the ground, and the infrared sensor system, which uses light beams to measure the distance to the surface.

Why do the downward sensors on drones get confused over water?

The downward sensors get confused over water because the water surface is constantly changing with undulations, reflections, and shifts in color tones and textures, which makes it difficult for the drone's algorithm to process accurately.

What height does the author suggest as a safe minimum when flying over water?

The author suggests a minimum height of 10 meters over water as a personal safety measure, based on their intuition and experience, although this is not an official recommendation from DJI.

What is the author's new flight protocol when flying low over water with their expensive drone?

The author's new flight protocol is to maintain a minimum height of 10 meters over water with their expensive drone to avoid the risk of sensor confusion.

Why does the author suggest skepticism about the drone's altitude readings over water?

The author suggests skepticism about the drone's altitude readings over water because the sensors can misinterpret the height due to the complex nature of water surfaces, which can lead to inaccurate altitude data.

What is the author's upcoming project involving a one-year drone adventure across India?

The author is planning a one-year drone adventure across India, filming a full-length documentary about the power of optimism while hitchhiking and volunteering at leading charities.

What is the author's hypothesis about drone performance and how does it relate to electronic devices?

The author's hypothesis is that drones, like other electronic devices, may occasionally experience operating system issues that require a reboot, especially when they exhibit unusual behavior before flying over water.

What is the author's new standard protocol regarding battery levels when flying drones over water?

The author's new standard protocol is to ensure there is at least 50% battery left when returning from flying over water to avoid unexpected issues like sudden battery drain.

What advice does the author give for handling unexpected situations when flying drones over water?

The author advises to always be prepared for unexpected situations like strong winds or sudden battery drain by returning to land with sufficient battery life and to trust one's intuition if something seems off with the drone before flying.