Anyone fly in salty air and have issues over time?

[PropSpin]

I searched around the interwebs (including here) looking for people's experience flying in air that has salty mist, etc. and really didn't come across anything definitive other than obviously salt and metals and electronics are not generally a great mix and you may or may not experience issues.

Given that, I was wondering if there is anybody here that has flown along ocean shorelines more than just a few times over, lets say more than six months ago, and has had any issues due to salt corrosion over time.

I flew twice recently in the Kitty Hawk area on the Outer Banks and starting thinking more about the effects of the salty air on the Mavic 2 Pro after my second flight. The first flight was at sunrise when the air was damp, and while the air seemed fairly clear locally, you could see hazy mist either way down the beach starting 3 to 5 miles away. I spent maybe 5 minutes hovering 15 feet over the waves at the shoreline. The second day seemed to be much clearer up and down the beach.

The drone didn't have any noticeable film on the shell, blades or camera lens, so that's good, but I was wondering if it's worth opening it up in the next few weeks to see if there was any film on interior components or beginning signs of corrosion.

 

[JoeDimwit]

I wouldn’t think that 2 flights would be enough to cause issues. That said, I wouldn’t fault you for opening the case and using a safe for plastics electronics cleaner either.

I am curious if any costal pilots have ever had issues.

 

[gnirtS]

I live mainly on a boat and fly off a boat so its constant humid, salty air.
The only minor issues ive noticed with my mavic 1 and 2 is some cosmetic brown pitting on the outside of the motors. Absolutely no other issues.
I would however not recommend too many low flights close to the water surface and be careful if theres surf or spray in the air.

 

[PortCanaveralFlorida]

I searched around the interwebs (including here) looking for people's experience flying in air that has salty mist, etc. and really didn't come across anything definitive other than obviously salt and metals and electronics are not generally a great mix and you may or may not experience issues.

Given that, I was wondering if there is anybody here that has flown along ocean shorelines more than just a few times over, lets say more than six months ago, and has had any issues due to salt corrosion over time.

I flew twice recently in the Kitty Hawk area on the Outer Banks and starting thinking more about the effects of the salty air on the Mavic 2 Pro after my second flight. The first flight was at sunrise when the air was damp, and while the air seemed fairly clear locally, you could see hazy mist either way down the beach starting 3 to 5 miles away. I spent maybe 5 minutes hovering 15 feet over the waves at the shoreline. The second day seemed to be much clearer up and down the beach.

The drone didn't have any noticeable film on the shell, blades or camera lens, so that's good, but I was wondering if it's worth opening it up in the next few weeks to see if there was any film on interior components or beginning signs of corrosion.

none on the i1 or MP2. I fly often over oceans and rivers. You do need to check the lens tho for salty residue, just like any other routine maintenance/inspections.

 

[Texas Mavic]

I have had issues with buildup of salty residue in my battery bay. I live in Houston Texas.

 

[PropSpin]

I live mainly on a boat and fly off a boat so its constant humid, salty air.
The only minor issues ive noticed with my mavic 1 and 2 is some cosmetic brown pitting on the outside of the motors. Absolutely no other issues.
I would however not recommend too many low flights close to the water surface and be careful if theres surf or spray in the air.

Brown pitting - ouch! Ever been tempted to open it up to see what it looks like inside?

 

[PropSpin]

I have had issues with buildup of salty residue in my battery bay. I live in Houston Texas.

Anything on the contacts?

 

[PropSpin]

I wouldn’t think that 2 flights would be enough to cause issues. That said, I wouldn’t fault you for opening the case and using a safe for plastics electronics cleaner either.

I am curious if any costal pilots have ever had issues.

Yes, in all likelihood, probably nothing to be concerned about.

 

[Texas Mavic]

Anything on the contacts?

Not at all.

 

[Texas Mavic]

Anything on the contacts?

I was concerned at first but after dismantling the Mavic I realized Thunderdrones was correct. Venting, and elements in the air in Houston Texas

 

[Haygenda]

I've been monitoring cliff erosion 2 to 4 times a month for the last year. Usually fly 15 minutes each time. The cliffs are about 100-150 feet up. I take off at about 20 feet above sea level on an access road that gets spray from the Pacific ocean crashing up against the rock sea wall. There's always seems to be a mist in the air. I haven't had/seen an issues yet.

 

[PropSpin]

I was concerned at first but after dismantling the Mavic I realized Thunderdrones was correct. Venting, and elements in the air in Houston Texas

I'm not familiar with the reference - what specifically was Thunderdrones correct about?

 

[Thomas B]

Oxidation (rust) is a fact of life on the coast. I grew up on the Texas gulf coast. Everything rusted. I do think DJIs metallurgy helps control this, but what’s metallic and exposed to “salt air” will rust. The only question is time to noticeable effects.

 

[PropSpin]

Right. Just wondering how protected the innards are though.

 

[Texas Mavic]

Right. Just wondering how protected the innards are though.

The “innards” have a protective layer, a coating over all of it. And reinforcements of liquid electrical tape type substances on all the leads.

 

[Texas Mavic]

Oxidation (rust) is a fact of life on the coast. I grew up on the Texas gulf coast. Everything rusted. I do think DJIs metallurgy helps control this, but what’s metallic and exposed to “salt air” will rust. The only question is time to noticeable effects.

It’s called oxidation and the Mavic motors are micro coated to prevent oxidation, however after a number of years probably far beyond the Mavics obsolescence it’s plausible.

 

[Texas Mavic]

I'm not familiar with the reference - what specifically was Thunderdrones correct about?

When I freaked out about a white substance in my battery cavity I believe he motioned it was salt build up from ventilations.

 

[Thomas B]

Good info here!

 

[gnirtS]

Thats the salt air effect on my M2. The M1 was exactly the same.

No other signs of corrosion or wear on anything that matters though. Cosmetic pitting due to the metal used.

 

[Texas Mavic]

View attachment 72334View attachment 72334

Thats the salt air effect on my M2. The M1 was exactly the same.

No other signs of corrosion or wear on anything that matters though. Cosmetic pitting due to the metal used.

Rode hard and put up wet