Flying at the beach

facasi · Jun 2, 2017

Hi, any good tips for flying safe at the beach, much appreciate !

Thanks!

Robert Mitchell · Jun 2, 2017

Tip number 1. Stay out of the water!

Jk. Seriously, If you are going out over the water make sure of NFZs so you don't get a forced landing.

Take a launch pad. The sand is a killer of flying machines.

Make sure you have a hood for your screen. The sunlight out there is brutal.

Other than that, there is almost always a breeze but it is usually very smooth at the coast. Just allow plenty of battery if you go far downwind.

Enjoy, as beach flying can be some of the best around.

facasi · Jun 2, 2017

Sounds good, also I was practicing hand catch and hand launch just to have another option beside the pad. Great tips !

hychewright · Jun 2, 2017

Like Robert said, stay away from the water. Also keep any sand from getting in or own the Mavic. Fly safe and have fun !

Blucenturion · Jun 2, 2017

Don't get too low, salt spray is invisible to the viewer on the beach, but nevertheless is always present. The beach is the only place I fly and I'm probably going to have a reduced life if my bicycle is any indicator from riding four years out there. The other things that have been said are all valid.

Former Member · Jun 2, 2017

Very important tip for flying at the beach. Watch out for air traffic. If you hear or see any air traffic near you, and beaches attract low flying aircraft, get ready to make a quick descent.

You have around 8 seconds to react if you hear something like a Jetranger coming, only 13 seconds if you hear a Jhawk.

Check out this thread:

VIDEO Helicopter flew too close for comfort!

Robbyg · Jun 2, 2017

Beach flying is really fun. I typically go out about 5000ft from shore following small boats or flying to the other side of a bay.
I keep the altitude up at least 80ft and have so far experienced no problems. I agree with the other posters, watch your speed when going out! I don't go out far if I am flying with the wind. Two weeks ago I flew out and the max speed was about 15MPH going out, it took ages to get across the bay. Coming back I was flying at over 48mph and it was a blast.

Rob

_milo_ · Jun 3, 2017

Keep away from psychos

dmanisgnarly · Jun 3, 2017

Keep an eye on the wind. I live in sunny Wilmington, N.C. and the conditions can change in an instant. Just when you think you have enough battery to make it back to shore..here comes mother natures breath of fury! I try not to go out too far and always start my return trip around 40% battery. One time I waited till the low battery indicator tipped off and barely made it back at 12%n due to a strong breeze. Had to manually take over from autolanding. Be smart and have fun!

facasi · Jun 3, 2017

Thank you so much for the tips, I surely will be posting pics of the journey here!

julius13 · Jun 3, 2017

One thing to remember is you need to wipe your drone down immediately after landing. Salt will coat everything and obviously wreak havoc on your Mavic,

frankiez · Jun 3, 2017

_milo_ said:
Keep away from psychos

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What a friggin' whack job she is! I hope he pressed charges against her

dewster · Jun 3, 2017

Watch the wind speed and direction, low flying banner aircraft/helicopters. And fly from a spot that offers protection from potential angry paranoid sunbathers who think you are spying on them.

_milo_ · Jun 3, 2017

frankiez said:
What a friggin' whack job she is! I hope he pressed charges against her

Yes, made national news at the time, he got a lot of support from the RC community.

Same kid, made national news two more times, he did a project, I think he said for school, where he built a quad, with a firearm mounted on it. Not so much support from the community then, lol. Then the third time he was stopped by his local police, and recorded some kind of confrontation.

dwallersv · Jun 3, 2017

_milo_ said:
Keep away from psychos

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To follow up, the right thing happened, and the scumbag in the video, Andrea Mears, was charged with assault. Here's a followup article: Conn. Woman Arrested for Assaulting Teenager Flying Drone